Jesus said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven" ( John 6:41), but the Jews who heard Him grumbled. They didn't believe Him and said Moses gave the Israelites manna (bread from heaven). They asked Jesus to give them a miraculous sign to prove who He was. This was soon after Jesus fed more than five thousand people from a boy's lunch of two fish and five small loaves of bread. What more proof did they need? 

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, and they grumbled because they didn't think they would have enough food to eat. That's when God provided the manna, bread that fell down from heaven (Exodus 16). He did this every day for forty years and instructed the people to gather only what they needed for the day, not to worry about tomorrow. Have you wondered what the Israelites did? Did they cherish the presence of God? Did they hold some of the manna in their hands and praise God for His provision? The Bible says some gathered more than they needed for each day, but maggots grew in the portion they hoarded.

God provided food for physical needs through Moses. He provided spiritual food for believers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (John 7:37-38). He was talking about the Holy Spirit when He said "streams of living water." The Holy Spirit is the part of the triune God that comforts, counsels and teaches us God's ways.

Think About It
In both Bible stories about bread from heaven, people grumbled. The Israelites with Moses didn't believe God would take care of them, even though He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Many of the Jews in Jesus' time on earth did not believe He was who He said. He looked like an ordinary man, but He was all God and all man, and mystery we cannot understand but believe by faith.

Pray About It
Holy God, thank you for Bread from Heaven in the person of Jesus our Savior. Thank you for providing for our physical and spiritual needs. Open our eyes to see more of your truth every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee to Jerusalem. Ten men with leprosy  called to Him, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When He saw them, He said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests" (Luke 17: 13-14). On their way, they looked at themselves and noticed they were healed. One of  them, a Samaritan, went back to Jesus praising God. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him. Jesus looked around. "Were not all ten cleansed of their leprosy? Where are the others? Rise and go," He said to the man, "your faith has made you well."

How often are we like the other nine who were healed? We grow anxious about our circumstances and go to God, begging for mercy and healing. When He rescues us from our suffering and heals us, we go on our way without a thought of thankfulness. 

God doesn't want us to be anxious. His word says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Wow! Peace with God comes from a thankful heart.

Think About It
How many people in history could have been different if they had been thankful? Think about Adam and Eve. They lived in the Garden of Eden. God's beautiful creation surrounded them. They did not worry about anything. God protected and provided for them. Had they been thankful, I wonder if  they would have been tempted by Satan to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. How many of us are like them? The more we have, the more we want, but are not thankful.

Pray About It
Change our hearts, O God.  Help us to recognize your presence in our lives and be thankful in every situation. Help us to find our hope in you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

We read the Bible to learn what God is like and what He has done. He created the world and people and animals. He rescued His people from slavery in Egypt and led them through the Red Sea on dry land. He wrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. He gave His only Son as a sacrifice on the cross of crucifixion so we would have forgiveness and eternal life with Him. He calmed the wind and waves on the Sea of Galilee. He did many more things than this, but I like the answer Jesus gave to the disciples of John the Baptist. John was imprisoned in the middle of his mission to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. He had many questions in the dungeon. One was about Jesus. He asked his disciples to go to Jesus and say, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else. Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me" (Matthew 11:2-4). All these things were fulfillment of the prophesy in Isaiah 35:5-6, written more than 700 years before.

Think About It
God rescued His people from slavery, and He will surely rescue you from fear or anxiety or whatever else concerns you. He calmed the wind and the waves of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, and He can to calm the storms in your life. He gave sight to a man born blind, and He can open your eyes to see His presence in your life. He made the deaf hear, and He can bless your hearing with understanding His truth for your life. He cleansed the lepers, and He will wash away your sinful nature. He raised Lazarus, Jairus' daughter and the son of a widow in Nain from death, and He can raise you from the ashes of death caused by sin to a life of purpose. Why would He do all these things? So those He touched would preach the good news about His love.

Pray About It
Thank you, Father God, for all you have done, are doing and will do in our lives. Help us to live our lives worthy of your mercy. Empower us to take the good news to the ends of the earth. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Reading the Bible teaches us the character of God. He is compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (1). He is righteous (2) and just (3). He is humble and gentle. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (4). Our God is powerful (5) to overcome nations (6). Our God is a fortress and a mighty rock (7). God is love (8). He is giving (9) and forgiving (10).

Think About It
Our God is good all the time. It is His nature. His love for us is unending, unconditional and unstoppable. Are you afraid or anxious? Are you worried or stressed? Are you suffering from sickness or loss? You can trust God because He loves you and wants to be your Friend. The next devotion in this series will discuss what God has done and what He can do for you when you put your faith in Him.

Pray About It
Thank you, Father God, for the Bible. Thank you that it tells us about you. Help us to believe and trust You for things that concern us. In Jesus' name, Amen.