Blog Posts - Toni Writing for The Master

Daily devotion

10/5/2018

Predestined for Glory
Scripture Reading for the day: Ephesians 1:1-8
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Scripture Quote: “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will…Ephesians 1:11a (NASB)
Before we first heard of Christ, He had his eye on us, had designs for our glorious living. We have always been a part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Isn’t that an unbeatable wonder?
Many people go through life lost in the maze of busyness and frustration, taking comfort in bigger salaries, houses, or cars, none of which fulfills them. Jesus patiently waits at the door of our hearts. We need only seek Him out and we can find true comfort. His abundant grace is sufficient for every need.
Daily seek to understand the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church. As believers, we can see how imperative it is to trust in Christ and help whoever else we can to come to His saving grace. We have been predestined for glory – Share your faith with someone today so God’s plan and purpose for your life continues perfectly through your obedience. Pray that you might be used by God to expedite the coming of His Kingdom here on earth.
Today’s meditation: It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. “The number one thing that keeps you from becoming what God wants you to be is your past.” – Rick Warren
Memory Verse: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 (NASB)

Daily devotion

10/4/2018

Praise God’s Love for Us

Scripture Reading for the day: Deuteronomy 30:1-10

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Scripture Quote: “Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!” His greatness is beyond discovery!” Psalm 145:3 (NLT)

Think of all the Lord has done to and through us. Be happy that you are God’s chosen one who is given the mission to serve God, to be custodian of His Word and to be a light to all His people. If you ever stray from His fold, He is always willing to receive you again and again. His love endures forever.

God wants what all parents do; a happy household of children who are obedient and content. He seeks a truly intimate relationship with each of us and He takes personal pleasure in us. We need only trust and obey and look forward to the time when Jesus brings justice and peace to the entire world. There’s no greater joy than ours as adopted children and heirs of the Almighty. How can we even contain our praises and worship of our Father? And like children, how can we help wanting to please Him.

Meditation for the day: We can only trust God when our focus is on Him and not on our circumstances. He is always with us, helping us to endure all things. There is never a time we are alone once we are adopted into God’s family of believers. What a safe feeling that brings to our hearts.

Memory Verse: “How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.” Psalm111:2 (NLT)

Daily devotion

10/3/2018

Power and Glory

Scripture Reading for the day:  I Corinthians 15:45-54

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Scripture Quote: “It is the same way for the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power.” I Corinthians 15:42-43 (NLT)

            David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” We can do no less. Our lives have been planned by God for a special purpose. He decided our salvation even before we were born. He loves us more than anyone ever has. We can do none other than praise Him in awe and reverence.

            Once we are united with Christ in heaven, we will no longer be weak, or sick, or hurting. Because Christ rose from the dead, he is a life giving spirit. He became a new form of existence. He is the source of the spiritual life and He creates our own resurrection where we will be given transformed, eternal bodies suited to our new eternal life. It’s so cool to know that we are winners in the end, no matter what happens in between.

Meditation for today: “It is not our strength of faith that saves us, but the truth of our faith – not the weakness of our faith that condemns, but the lack of faith in the One who died.” Jim Rogers

Memory Verse: “O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?”            I Corinthians 15:55 (NLT)

Daily devotion

10/2/2018

Power and Glory

Scripture Reading for the day:  I Corinthians 15:45-54

Click here to read the scripture

Scripture Quote: “It is the same way for the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power.” I Corinthians 15:42-43 (NLT)

            David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” We can do no less. Our lives have been planned by God for a special purpose. He decided our salvation even before we were born. He loves us more than anyone ever has. We can do none other than praise Him in awe and reverence.

            Once we are united with Christ in heaven, we will no longer be weak, or sick, or hurting. Because Christ rose from the dead, he is a life giving spirit. He became a new form of existence. He is the source of the spiritual life and He creates our own resurrection where we will be given transformed, eternal bodies suited to our new eternal life. It’s so cool to know that we are winners in the end, no matter what happens in between.

Meditation for today: “It is not our strength of faith that saves us, but the truth of our faith – not the weakness of our faith that condemns, but the lack of faith in the One who died.” Jim Rogers

Memory Verse: “O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?”            I Corinthians 15:55 (NLT)

Daily devotion

10/1/2018

Persistence

Scripture Reading for the day:  Genesis 32:22-32

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Scripture Quote: “This left Jacob all alone in the camp and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn.” Genesis 32:24 (NLT)

            It took an all night struggle with the angle of the the Lord to change Jacob’s attitude of fear to one of perseverance. He would not stop wrestling with that angel, even with a dislocated hip, until the angel promised to bless him. Jacob was persistent. God encourages persistence in all areas of our lives, including the spiritual. Where in your spiritual life do you need more persistence?

            Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. How many times have we given up after a few half-hearted attempts and decided that God can not be found? But knowing God takes faith and persistence. Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded if we continue to seek Him.

            We must never give up in our search for a deeper, closer walk with God. We can continue to ask him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love and peace for our heart – He will give them to us.

Meditation for the day: As we persist in learning more about God and His ways, we learn what we should be praying for and what things are good and pleasing to God.

Memory Verse: “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.” Mathew 7:7 (NLT)

Daily devotion

9/28/2018

Our Eternal God

Scripture Reading for the day: Exodus 3:14-21

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Scripture Quote: “Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, what is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” Exodus 3:13 (NKJV)

God is self-existing. How can He be explained or compared to anyone or anything else? How can we comprehend His Majesty? We can’t. We can’t think of something not existing in a time frame with a beginning and an end. The concept of eternity seems to be futuristic to us mortals. But the idea of there being no beginning is just too difficult for us to grasp. We also know that believers in Jesus are to be joined with Him after their deaths to live eternally in heaven - Many questions will be answered in the end.

Though it amazes us that God has always been, we know that God can not lie and so we trust what the Bible tells us. To be totally dependent and confident in God’s goodness and faithfulness is the only way to accept that He is, indeed, who He says He is – Our amazing God who was and is and ever will be.

Meditation for the day: Does anything about God amaze you? Remember that thing and take time each day to praise Him about it.

Daily devotion

9/28/2018

Daily devotion

9/28/2018

Daily devotion

9/28/2018

Daily devotion

9/27/2018

No Condemnation

Scripture Reading for the day:  Romans 8:31-39

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Scripture Quote: “Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of honor next to God, pleading for us.” Romans 8:34 (NLT)

            We are in a relationship with Christ by faith. His death becomes our death if His spirit abides within us. Additionally, His perfection is also ours. Christ took our punishment, which we won’t have to bear and gave us His perfection, which we could never achieve ourselves.

            Our faith is not what makes us approved of God, but Christ’s sacrifice. Our faith in that sacrifice is what joins us to Jesus who in turn covers us with His righteousness before God.

            Jesus torturous death is the only thing that secures our freedom from condemnation. If we believe that Christ died for us and defeated death by His resurrection, then it is just as true that He cleansed us and brought us back into relationship with our heavenly Father. What Christ suffered, covers every sin we ever committed or will commit in the future. We are free from fear of death or any of Satan’s tricks because we are homeward bound.

Meditation for today: God sent Jesus to suffer unsurpassed agony and death because He loves us more than we can ever fully comprehend.

Memory Verse: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (NLT)

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 5 pound, furry, Chihuahua muse, “Princess 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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