It Is WrittenSample

Preface

By Robert Morris

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It’s God-breathed. It’s a weapon. It’s food. It’s life. But I think for many of us, reading the Bible can be a challenge. How do I find the time? What do I read? What does it all mean?

Did you know there are 1,189 chapters in the Bible? That means that if you were to read three to four chapters a day, you could read the entire Bible in one year. If you were to read 10 chapters a day, you could finish the Bible in less than 120 days. And if you read 50 to 100 chapters a day, you could finish the Bible in 24 or 12 days, respectively. Now, that’s a lot of chapters and might be overwhelming. You just need to have a plan, and this devotional is the perfect starting point.

As we journey through It Is Written, we’re going to dig into some of the things God’s Word is—breath, bread, water, a sword and a lamp, just to name a few—and we’ll see how those things make a difference in our lives. Each day begins with a passage of Scripture, followed by a devotional thought focused on the Word and ends with a prayer and ways to further study that day’s topic.

If you’ll make It Is Written a part of your daily life over the next 31 days, I believe something supernatural will begin to happen in you. You’ll develop a stronger passion for God’s Word, and you’ll realize the power that it has in your life. You’ll also develop a better understanding of what God is speaking to you through Scripture. And most of all, you’ll grow closer to Him.

Whatever you’re going through right now, the answer is in the Word. God knows your struggles, and He knows your heart. Though the Bible was written by some 40 writers, He is the author. He wrote His own autobiography, and we have a copy of it! I encourage you to make this devotional part of your daily life over the next month. I promise you that the Word of God will change your life.

Day 1 | Daily Bread

By Robert Morris

Have you ever skipped a meal? Maybe your day was too busy or you simply forgot to stop and eat. It really affects you, doesn’t it? You start to feel weak, irritable and tired the longer you go without food because you need it for your body to function properly. This is something that happens all the time spiritually. Let’s take a look at Matthew 6, and you’ll see what I mean.

In Matthew 6:11, in the middle of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread when He says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Is He referring to our provision? Yes, but I think He’s talking about more than just our natural, physical provision. Throughout the Old and New Testament, many Scriptures refer to the Word of God as bread. So, with that in mind, is it possible that Jesus is telling us to pray every day for a word from God—for our daily bread?

I fully believe God has a word for you every day and that word will strengthen and nourish you all day long. However, there are a lot of Christians who are weak and tired because they aren’t getting their daily bread from His Word. They’re going weeks and months without eating what’s readily available to them. God cares for us like a shepherd cares for his sheep, and He’s provided us with the nourishment we need—but it’s up to us to actually eat it.

When you start reading the Bible every day, God will speak to you through it. He’ll encourage you and prepare you for situations you’re going to encounter each day. Sometimes a word you get in your daily reading can provide nourishment for someone else, too. I can’t tell you how many times I find myself talking to someone, and when they start to tell me about what they’re going through, I’ll remember, “That’s what I read about this morning!” Then I can use that word to encourage and speak life to them. You never know when God is going to speak a word to you that will change your life or the life of someone around you.

What’s God’s word for you today?

Prayer

Lord, thank You that Your Word is bread that feeds and sustains me. I need the daily nourishment that it brings. Please speak to me today. I need a word from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4