Blog Posts - Toni Writing for The Master

DAILY DEVOTION

6/15/2022

That We All May Be One
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 17:20-26

Scripture Quote: "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them." John 17:9-10 (NIV)

Christ's prayer for His church extends throughout all the generations and includes us today. Jesus asks for great blessings: unity, peace, love and eternal life. He wants us, as adopted children, to acknowledge Him as the Messiah, be saved by His sacrifice and be able to share His glory in heaven. It's a good bet that Jesus' prayer to the Father would have to be answered. He asked that we might be one, even as They are One.

That oneness is the part of us given by God that finds joy in sacrifice and ultraistic actions for others. When we feel compelled to bless another person on His behalf, we temporarily abandon the other, usually more dominant part in us that is selfish and controlling. Totally separate and unblemished by our usual character, this blessedness exists as a portion of the best we can be. Believers love and obey God because we know that someday we will be permanently changed and finally completely united with Christ in His kingdom of glory.

Today’s meditation: Thank God we are part of His forever family.

Memory Verse: Hebrews 2:11 (NIV) "Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters."

DAILY DEVOTION

6/14/2022

Thank God We Are His Sheep
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Psalms 23:1-6

Scripture Quote: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Believers are like a flock of sheep under the direction of our God, who condescends to be called the Shepherd of His people. We lack nothing under His provision because He has all power in heaven and earth. Our God knows our needs and His Grace leads us in the way we should go. He protects us from our enemies just like a shepherd keeps his flock from being injured or killed by ravenous predators. If any of us stray from His path, He brings us back and gives us green pastures that are tranquil and always safe to rest upon.

As the sun gives earth power to revolve, Jesus, the Son, enables us through His power. We can walk in a godly manner, while illuminating His attributes through us, to a lost world. And even in the darkest valley, He sustains us against evil. His majesty is our comfort and assurance in the face of our enemies. God never leaves His true followers because one day He wants us to dwell with Him in glory.

Today’s meditation: Sheep aren’t terribly bright – For this reason, the shepherd stays close by to keep them safe.

Memory Verse: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mathew 11:28 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

6/13/2022

Testify & Trust
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:5-13

Scripture Quote: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

Most Christians have come across people that are obstinately resistant to the truth of the Gospel. They seem half asleep, with glazed over eyes, when you try to explain God's salvation plan. It might help to think of these reluctant people as sick, even deathly sick, but who are inexplicably afraid to be cured. They also have a fear of losing whatever they see as the fun in their lives. Our God of mercy and peace will leave them to their fun, though that is not His desire.

The bible says that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which man took and planted in his field. It goes on to say that though the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, when it grows, it eventually becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches. I take that to mean that our mustard seed worth of faith is meant to grow very large and then become a resource for others. It's not up to us to place that spark of faith within another's heart. We need only believe, grow in the knowledge of God and offer testimony to that faith as the Spirit leads us.

Today’s meditation: Speak up, gentle Christian, and share your hope.

Memory Verse: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

6/10/2022

Tell Others
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Scripture Quote: My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too. Matthew 11:27 (CEV)

Just as the Word tells us that faith is dead without works, knowledge is dead without practice. It is not enough that we have faith in the Word, because we also must bring that faith to life. It's not just about persevering until the end. We must also grow better and walk more closely with God in the now. Our knowledge of the Word needs to be practiced with accompanying actions that live it out in our day to day existence. To talk about our faith but not to live it out will never get us into heaven or help anyone else. The aim and ambition of every Christian should be to please God by our actions and to be accepted by Him as we share what we learn with others.

Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord help us to keep on growing and actively contributing. This is the blessing held out to us in the Gospel. We are given justification through His blood, sanctification by His Spirit, and eternal glory because of His intercession. His Word breathes life into all who receive it and its up to us to keep it alive for the generations to come - Pass your faith on.

Today’s meditation: Share the Word by living it.

Memory Verse: You protect ordinary people, and when I was helpless, you saved me. Psalms 116:6 (CEV)

DAILY DEVOTION

6/9/2022

Take Heed
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:10-18

Scripture Quote: "But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." 2 Peter 3:5-7 (NIV)

The ancient Bible’s sense of urgency about sinfulness was the same urgency we feel today. We suffer from war, disinterest in community, narcissism and immorality. God's Word helps us understand the pressing failures of a previous generation that so closely resembles our own.

The Gospel of Jesus is pure and holy and requires a holy heart and holy life. Many people wish to follow their own desires and want nothing to do with the restraints of the Gospel, so they insist that the Bible is simply untrue. Maybe they are trying to convince themselves that it’s a forgery, which then gives them free reign to ignore God's truth. They shut their eyes against the light and refuse all evidence of eventual consequence for a stiff necked people who have ignored God's warnings. God destroyed all but Noah's family once, whether nonbelievers get that or not. Our God is mighty to save, but also mighty to destroy - Make sure you are on the right side.

Today’s meditation: Believe all of God’s Word.

Memory Verse: “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalms 86:11 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

6/7/2022

Struggles with Unforgiveness
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-27

Scripture Quote: Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV)

The Word of God tells us to forgive. How are we different than nonbelievers when we will not forgive? What kind of testimony to the world is one of unforgiveness? If Christian people can't forgive others, we show little regard for our salvation. God freely gave His forgiveness of our sins. This is a no-brainer - Any brooding feelings, or tinges of resentment qualify as unforgiveness. Outright anger that rises up in us against someone, insults the constant stream of forgiveness Christ's sacrificial death has provided us. We must always be willing to forgive one another, without exception.

Believers have put off the fallen, sinful state and have been regenerated into fellowship with Jesus - We have been given access to our Heavenly Father's merciful forgiveness. The Bible tells us, and experience confirms, that the old self is not yet dead, but slowly dying. The flesh continues to try to dominate, so although in our renewed hearts we agree with the Law of God, we have a war within us. We must beg Jesus for deliverance. His Holy Spirit that abides in us is powerful and He can win each of our battles with unforgiveness.

Today’s meditation: Forgive others because we are also forgiven.

Memory Verse: Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:32 CEV)

DAILY DEVOTION

6/7/2022

Staying Free of Sin
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 32:1-5

Scripture Quote: “Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.: Jeremiah 2:19 (NIV)

It is a futile effort to look for or expect happiness while the power of sin is carelessly integrated into our daily lives, with its guilt unpardoned and its impurity not purged away. Sin can creep into our lives because it is so easy to forget the need for diligence. If sin is left unchecked for too long, we can become hardened and unwilling to humble ourselves by confessing our sinfulness to our God. Our souls can become despondent under bondage to all the wrong things. Before we know it, we have allowed the world’s overwhelmingly evil power to entrench itself within, causing only unhappiness. We are then not much different from the lost.

However, it is never too late for a repentant heart to confess sin thoroughly and sincerely. When we cease any attempt to cover-up or make excuse for our offenses, our heavenly Father forgives. God wants to melt any hardness of heart and free us from the burden sin brings. Confession causes us to move closer to God as we experience his forgiveness. We can always be confident in the mercy of the Lord.

Today’s meditation: Recognize those things that tempt you and confess them immediately to God.

Memory Verse: "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOION

6/6/2022

Stay True
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 3:1-6

Scripture Quote: “In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel, and together they will come from a northern land to the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance. I myself said, "'How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me," declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 3:18-20 (NIV)

The Bible teaches that if a woman were divorced and remarried, the first husband could never take her back as his own. Israel had been married to the Lord, joined in solemn covenant to him to worship and serve him only, but she became idolatrous. She committed idolatry in the form of spiritual abandonment. But even though the law taught that Israel would be lost to Christ, her first husband, there is no law that could ever control Him. Jesus chose to show His mercy. He was willing to receive this adulterous spouse once again. She needed only to abandon her other idols and return her heart to Him.

We can see ourselves in these sinful people’s behavior. Do you have anything tempting you away from worshipping God? His tender mercy is offering to receive you again into favor. Our Father loves us more than we understand. We need only let Him be the center of our life.

Today’s meditation: Return all your affection to our Almighty God.

Memory Verse: "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband…” Jeremiah 3:14a

DAILY DEVOTION

6/3/2022

Standing Firm in Our Faith
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 15:1-5

Scripture Quote: I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
Psalms 101:2 (NIV)

Christians are called to a very high standard of thoughts and actions. We are to have nothing to do with anything that is evil, which seems a pretty straight forward directive. But in this world colored in nothing but shades of gray, it can be difficult to steer clear of wrong choices. Our "tolerant" culture would have us accept all manner of perversion as acceptable simply because they insist on it. When we dare to quote the Bible's instruction, we are mocked as foolish and biased. It can be very difficult to stand firm in our faith in the face of hostile criticism.

Who then can be considered a fit member of Christ's body of believers? Who will be made God’s heirs? We make a choice at every turn. We are either Christians who live out God's precepts against all resistance, or we are not. It isn't always easy to be the odd man out - That's exactly why we need the fellowship of like-minded believers who stand with us. We congregate in worship and praise and come back refreshed and equipped to be "intolerant" of anything that separates us from the love and laws of our God and Father. Together, we are stronger.

Today’s meditation: Christian fellowship helps strengthen our faith.

Memory Verse: I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalms 119:30 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

6/2/2022

Standing Firm in Our Faith
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 15:1-5

Scripture Quote: I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
Psalms 101:2 (NIV)

Christians are called to a very high standard of thoughts and actions. We are to have nothing to do with anything that is evil, which seems a pretty straight forward directive. But in this world colored in nothing but shades of gray, it can be difficult to steer clear of wrong choices. Our "tolerant" culture would have us accept all manner of perversion as acceptable simply because they insist on it. When we dare to quote the Bible's instruction, we are mocked as foolish and biased. It can be very difficult to stand firm in our faith in the face of hostile criticism.

Who then can be considered a fit member of Christ's body of believers? Who will be made God’s heirs? We make a choice at every turn. We are either Christians who live out God's precepts against all resistance, or we are not. It isn't always easy to be the odd man out - That's exactly why we need the fellowship of like-minded believers who stand with us. We congregate in worship and praise and come back refreshed and equipped to be "intolerant" of anything that separates us from the love and laws of our God and Father. Together, we are stronger.

Today’s meditation: Christian fellowship helps strengthen our faith.

Memory Verse: I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalms 119:30 (NIV)

2 Timothy 3:16-17New International Version (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work

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Bio: Toni Smothers has written articles for “Total Health”, “Let’s Live”, “People In Action” and “The North American Mentor” magazines. She is a member of the Faithwriters.com writing community and was previously the editor for the teen section of their on-line magazine. She has written many programs, sermons, and skits and has edited several websites. Additionally, she has answered hundreds of questions for GotQuestions.org, a biblical resource site. Here is just one of their many testimonials: "Thank you for this insightful website! I was able to look up many questions I have asked over the years since becoming saved. The site is easy to navigate and gave me so much biblical background for answers that I feel my armor has been strengthened. You and your staff be encouraged to continue to speak the truth for God's glory." When Toni is not writing, she can usually be found cuddling with her 10 pound, furry, Morky muse, 'Sweet Pea.' Toni Smothers studied homeopathy extensively and became a proficient layman. She wrote about homeopathy for “Total Health” and “Let’s Live” magazines. Smothers describes her experience befriending a refugee family from Laos in her article published in the travel magazine, “People in Action.” Additionally, “American Mentor” magazine has published some of her poetry. Smothers drew upon her fun experiences as a youth pastor to provide the needed insight to function as the editor of the teen section of “Faithwriters” magazine and she is a member of the Faithwriters.com writer’s community.

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