ItIsWritten | Kristi's Morning Devotional

July 10, 2024July 10, 2024

It’s In the Script

When our youngest daughter was in middle school and high school, she was very active in drama. It was her creative outlet. She enjoyed being behind the scenes more than being on stage.

It was important for her to see how things came together. The sets, the lights, the staging were all crucial elements in delivering the story. Sometimes we would be at home, watching a movie and she would say, “I wonder why they did it that way”. My reply was always the same, “It’s in the script”. Sometimes that answer caused her to smile and at other times it frustrated her.

But that was the truth. All the stage direction is in the script. The author of the play puts in all the details of entrances and exits, lighting and sounds.

When I was searching for an image, “in the script”, to use for this blog the search actually came up with “in the scriptures”. Exactly. The script that has been written for us is the Scriptures.

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

When it comes to a life of faith, Jesus is our example. He followed the Father’s plan completely.

“God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us. ¹²He did this so we Jews would bring honor to him and be the first ones to have hope because of him. ¹³Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show you belong to God. ¹⁴The Spirit also makes us sure we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.” Ephesians 1:11-14 CEV

God always does what He plans. From the beginning of time, He put his plan in the script. He chose us. Christ delivered that truth to the world and the Holy Spirit is here now giving us direction, showing us how to put God’s plan into action.

When in doubt about what to do and the way to live all we have to remember is it’s in the script.

March 21, 2024March 21, 2024

Adversity on the Road

Jesus is just about to start His public ministry; He has been baptized.

“While everyone else was being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. Then as he prayed, the sky opened up, ²² and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.” Luke 3:21-22 CEV

The very next thing that happens is Jesus goes alone into the desert on a 40 day fast.

“When Jesus returned from the Jordan River, the power of the Holy Spirit was with him, and the Spirit led him into the desert. ²For 40 days Jesus was tested by the devil, and during that time he went without eating. When it was all over, he was hungry.

³The devil said to Jesus, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone to turn into bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say, ‘No one can live only on food.’ ” Luke 4:1-4 CEV

What I’ve read and what I’ve been told it this. Within about 3 days the hunger pains go away but when they return it is a sign that the body is depleted, and it will begin to break down vital tissue to stay alive.

Jesus was hungry. He was at his weakest and that’s when the devil intensified the temptation.

“If” you are God’s Son! The temptation was to get Jesus to doubt who He was. If. How many times have we been faced with the temptation to wonder if we are called, if we were good enough, if God loves us.

If.

But listen to Jesus’ response. It is written. The Scriptures say. When we are attacked with life’s ifs, we need to know what the Scripture says.

First the devil attacked His identity, then he attacked Jesus’ humility and finally he attacked His divinity.

“Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth. ⁶The devil said, “I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷Just worship me, and you can have it all.”

⁸ Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ” Luke 4:5-8 CEV

This was the temptation that the devil himself couldn’t resist. The Bible tells us that satan said he would place his throne above God’s.

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:” Isaiah 14:13 KJV

Surely, he thought Jesus would fall into the same pit he did, the pit of pride. Not being successful there he pulled out one more temptation that he figured would trip Jesus up. The devil used the very thing Jesus was drawing on for strength, the Scriptures.

“Finally, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and had him stand on top of the temple. The devil said, “If you are God’s Son, jump off. ^10-11 The Scriptures say:

‘God will tell his angels to take care of you. They will catch you in their arms, and you will not even hurt your feet on the stones.’ ”

¹² Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’ ”

¹³After the devil had finished testing Jesus in every way possible, he left him for a while.” Luke 4:9-13 CEV

Two things insured Jesus’ success against the attacks and temptations of the devil. The Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. God has also given these to us; empowering us to be victorious over all the works of the enemy.

Watch out for the pitfalls on the road. Because of the cross we are victorious!

October 5, 2023October 5, 2023

Bumper Crop

I hope you are learning some new things about the Father’s character and devotion to us through the last few days study.

Yesterday we ended with these words: ““And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

Who could imagine a man 600 years old building an ark, or a barren woman giving birth to her first child at the age of 90? Who could have conceived the idea of a teenager being a great warrior, or a leader marching around a city for 7 days with men, women and children and the walls falling down when they shouted? What heart devised a plan for a baby to be born of a virgin and then die on a cross to save us from our sins?

““And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Those words are followed by these:

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. ¹⁰“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. ¹¹It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:9-11 NLT

All of the miracles in the Bible are a result of God’s word. He spoke His word, His plan, to Noah, Sarah, David, Joshua, Mary and Jesus. God’s word is life-giving, life-changing seed and when we plant it in our hearts it bears fruit.

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ¹²I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.” Psalm 119:11-12 NLT

Jesus said this:

“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Luke 8:15 NLT

When Jesus was tempted by Satan after His forty day fast, it was the word of God that He used to successfully resist the temptation. Three times He answered Satan with “It is written”.

God’s word is just as true today as it was when it was given. God does not and cannot lie.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

Keep planting God’s word in the soil of your heart and it will bring a huge harvest.