The Topic That I Tried to Skip Writing About… Loaves & Fishes Week Six

The Topic That I Tried to Skip Writing About… Loaves & Fishes Week Six

by | Jul 13, 2026 | Loaves & Fishes, Provision, Trust

​Happy Monday, friends!

 
Welp, this isn’t how I planned to wrap up our Loaves & Fishes series. I’ve skipped over this story on my Loaves & Fishes planning list because it hits close to home for many of us. Yet when I prayed about what to prepare for you, I felt prompted to write this story - maybe God wanted me to write it for me. I suspect that some of you will resonate with it as well. Today's devotion reminds us that as we’re praying for God’s provision, we must avoid a critical mistake after we receive it.
 
The theme of today’s devotion is this: Never take God’s provision for granted.
 
In the Old Testament book of Numbers, the Israelites were upset about God's solution to their food problem. After freeing them from slavery in Egypt, God sent literal food from heaven every single day for them. Many of us are familiar with this well-known story, but if you aren’t, I wrote about this miraculous provision in the first week of the Loaves & Fishes series that you can read here.
 
While Exodus 16 provides an introduction to the arrival of manna, Numbers 11 offers more specifics about this heaven-sent food. Pay attention to the description of manna and the different ways the Israelites could prepare it:
 
The people would go out and gather it from the ground. They made flour by grinding it with hand mills or pounding it in mortars. Then they boiled it in a pot and made it into flat cakes. These cakes tasted like pastries baked with olive oil. -Numbers 11:8 NLT
 
First, remember that God provided home delivery - how cool is that?! Next, there was a process to preparing the manna, which offered the Israelites a daily routine and a sense of purpose. We forget that God’s provision is often tied to meaningful work and a chance to serve others - which was also good for the Israelites' emotional and mental health.
 
The problem arose when the people grew tired of manna.  Instead of seeing it as God's gift of provision, they began to take the manna for granted. They stopped being grateful for it. This happens to us as well. Some of us take our jobs or even our family for granted. We stop seeing these as gifts (remember, gifts don't have to be perfect or problem-free to still be a gift). The dark side of assuming that someone or something will always be there is that we begin to compare it, we'll critique it - and often complain about it.
 
Ever heard the saying “familiarity breeds contempt?" This describes what happened next in Numbers. Check out the Israelites' complaints. Pay attention to how they romanticized their time back in Egypt:
 
“Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.  But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!” -Numbers 11:4b-6 NLT
 
So that’s how they remembered Egypt? How quickly they forgot the beatings, nonstop labor, and brutal control? Many of those mothers had freshly empty arms from the babies that the Pharaoh ordered to be killed. But, they chose to complain about heaven-sent manna?
 
As much as I want to roll my eyes at the Israelites’ complaining, I am them. They are me.
 
How many of us begged God for a particular dream, job, home, spouse, or kids? Then, years later, we’re complaining about the burdens that come with great blessings. Trust me, I’ve complained, too.
 
If you’ve been grumpy about your blessings or complaining about life, let’s invite God to do some business in our hearts. Then, I’ll share two great ways to step out of your rut of complaining.
 
First, we can acknowledge pain, loss, grief, or disappointment. We don’t have to minimize or deny it.
 
However,  there is a difference between acknowledging and complaining.
Acknowledgment recognizes the facts. If your company withholds your pay, you should acknowledge that and the harm it causes. If your medical condition is painful or you're afraid for the future, it’s okay to be scared.  For those caring for loved ones, you can acknowledge the overwhelm and exhaustion.  
 
Complaining is different. When we take the facts and add negativity or blame, there's an unspoken, but implied allegation that God isn't treating us right or that He's gotten something wrong. This is why regular  complaining is a warning sign for our spirits. Yes, it's tough in our world, but you here today by the grace of God and He will not fail you..
 
God takes complaining seriously. In my humble opinion, complaining is the decaf of bitterness. As Christians, we know full-on bitterness is bad, but we’re willing to allow grumbling to slide. But, God takes complaining seriously.
 
In the Israelites’ situation, they groused about the lack of meat, so God sent a wind filled with quail. The Israelites were delighted! However, instead of gathering what they needed, they filled Costco-sized shopping carts of birds, grabbing far more than needed. They stuffed their mouths and stomachs like starving people without a God who took care of them. The result was tragic because God allowed a food borne illness of some type that killed significant numbers of people.
 
You want to know a kicker to this entire situation? God never prohibited the Israelites from hunting for meat! They could have gone hunting at any time. But their negativity consumed any productive or problem-solving conversations. A tragedy all around.
 
Like I said, this wasn’t the way that I wanted to end our Loaves & Fishes series, but if we’re praying for God’s provision in our lives - no matter what it is - then we must be mindful of how we behave after God’s blesses us.
 
Did today's devotion grab your attention? Is God prompting you to shift from negativity to remember His kindness to you? Give yourself a few moments to reflect.
 
REFLECTION & APPLICATION:
  1. Do you give in to your complaints for just a moment, or do your complaints have momentum? Meaning, do you interrupt yourself when you realize that you’re complaining, or has complaining become a habit?
Do This: If complaining is a habit, I’d love for you to check out my dear friend Melissa Spoelstra’s 7-Day Contentment Project (here). Her fabulous challenge involves wearing a bracelet on your wrist that you switch from side to side. This helps you become more aware of when you’re complaining.
 
2.  WORSHIP MUSIC - Music that focuses on God’s power or grace reminds us that we’re held by a loving, powerful God! For me, a worship song a day helps keep constant complaining away! Friend, if you complain either in your mind or to others, it’s time to talk less and worship more! Check out my Spotify worship playlist here!
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you needed today’s devotion, leave a comment with “no complaining!” Of course, you’re welcome to tell me more - especially if today’s devotion resonated with you.

HAPPY MONDAY READER'S LOAVES & FISHES STORY!

I love this Loaves & Fishes story from Jenny, a Happy Monday reader:
 
I remember that I looked at what we had in the fridge & cupboard, I did not have all that was needed for the next day. I did have some food, but not enough pennies to buy both bread and milk. At 7pm, there was a knock on my door. It was a neighbour, who I only knew a little. She recalled that I had been a nurse and asked if I would have a look at her son's big toe. I went and looked. The toe looked broken so I sent them to A&E (Emergency Room). 
 
The next morning, that neighbour showed up with two large loaves of homemade bread as a thank you! It was amazing!! A big thank you Lord, I then had enough pennies to buy the milk we needed for the day! The bread was very yummy! A small need, but a God who heard & cared & provided.

Read the Entire Series: Loaves & Fishes Stories Of Trusting God's Provision In Uncertain Times!

God Provides. Are You Willing to Ask for Help? Loaves & Fishes Week Five

God Provides. Are You Willing to Ask for Help? Loaves & Fishes Week Five

by | Jul 6, 2026 | Loaves & Fishes, Provision, Trust

Happy Monday, dear friends!
 
We’re continuing our summer series, Loaves & Fishes. We're exploring stories of God's provision to remind us how our Abba Father cares for us and invites us trust Him, even in uncertain or tough times.
 
In today's Old Testament story, God comes through in a powerful way for a woman who was about to lose her sons. We'll also address a very important secondary lesson that you may need today as well. Don't miss it!
 
In 2 Kings 4, we’re introduced to an unnamed widow. We find out her late husband was a prophet, a messenger for God. She comes to the prophet Elisha, a powerful figure in the Old Testament with a desperate plea: 
 
‘My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” -2 Kings 4:2 NLT
 
According to Jewish law, if someone was in debt, their family members could be taken as payment and forced into labor. So, this woman was about to lose her sons. 
 
The widow was not only grieving, but also overwhelmed by the inability to pay her debt, and now the fear of more loss. Ancient women didn't have their own money, social security, or government assistance. Therefore, losing her sons would be tragic on several levels. In addition to the familial bond, those sons would have been her future financial support, potentially keeping her from becoming destitute.
 
Can you relate to the downward domino effect of her life? Often, it's not one thing that goes wrong, it feels like everything goes wrong! Those seasons seem overwhelming. We're not sure what to do and often, we become discouraged and afraid.
 
This is why I love Elisha’s response to the woman's outcry:
 
“What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house? “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.” -2 Kings 4:2 NLT
 
Bless him! Elisha didn’t tell the woman to calm down or minimize her problems. He gave her a voice and asked what she needed. Then Elisha posed a question similar to the one that Jesus asked the overwhelmed disciples before he performed the miracle that fed 5,000 people: "What do you have?"
 
In fact, the miracle that follows for this woman has a similar vibe to Jesus’ feeding the five thousand. Just like the little boy only had two fish and five loaves, the woman only had a flask of oil - it wasn't much. However, there's nothing too little for God to work with!
 
Pay attention to what Elisha told her to do. Also, notice everyone (underlined) involved in what happens next:
 
And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”
 
So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!
 
First, God didn't show the needed provision all at once. As the widow poured from what she had, God made the miracle happen. (Remember the devotion of the feeding of 5,000 - same vibe!)
 
Here’s the final result: Her little flask of oil was poured until every jar was filled. Then, Elisa gave her these instructions:
 
“Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over. -2 Kings 4:7 NLT
 
Not only did God provide enough for her debts to keep her sons from slavery, but also, there was enough for their future. Look at God!
 
THE SECONDARY LESSON WE CAN’T MISS!
 
God performed this miracle, but the fullness of her provision came through her willingness to step out in faith and ask others for help.
 
Elisha told the widow that she needed to borrow as many empty jars as she could from friends and neighbors. It wasn’t like the widow had money to buy extra jars from Target or HomeGoods. Going to friends and neighbors would have meant telling them about her true circumstances. There would have been awkward questions, maybe even embarrassment, gossip, or shame.
 
Imagine if she’d only gone to one or two friends. I can’t say for sure, but I think God would still have performed the miracle, though she may have missed out God's very best planned for her.
 
Most of us prefer to help others, and we’d rather not need help. But, we all need help at times!
 
If you’ve done my Surrendered Bible study, there's story on page 146 about when my girlfriends asked to help me move out due to my then-spouse’s out-of-control alcohol addiction. I didn’t want their help. I was embarrassed. My family was falling apart and I  needed  to move from my large home into a two-bedroom apartment. Even though the move was too big for me to handle with my kids, I thought that I could deal with it so no one would be around to see me fall apart. 
 
My dear girlfriends were gently persistent. Two weeks before the move, there was a breakthrough moment during my time with God. Here’s how I wrote about it in my Surrendered study: 
 
“I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I felt a whisper that sounded like “Are you going to make this about you? When your daughters look back on that difficult day, they need to remember that they saw the hands and feet of Jesus loving and taking care of them." 
 
In my efforts to control that day, I would rob my daughters of Jesus-loving friends and family who could love and serve them.”
 
That day, I said yes to my friends. Then, a group of men from my church’s Celebrate Recovery ministry also asked if they could help. I was still embarrassed, but grateful.  I said yes. At the end of moving day and an ocean of tears, one of the men said to me: “Years ago, I messed up my family. Helping you today healed something inside of me. So, thank you for letting me help you.”
 
To this day, I'm grateful that God sent friends to nudge me through my embarrassment and pride so that God could use them to bless us. It wasn't just how friends showed up to help us move, but they were there - present and praying for us before, during, and after.
 
REFLECTION QUESTION:
Dear friend, if you’ve been praying for God to provide AND good-hearted people are asking, do you need to say yes? If someone hasn’t asked, do you need to be courageous like the widow and ask** for help from those who have the capacity to help?
 
**Be wise about who you ask for help! Ask people who are most likely to follow-through and will not complain about helping. Avoid asking people who will shame/gossip or will expect something in return. 
 
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK! Which part of the widow’s story made you smile or encouraged you? Leave a comment and tell me about how God has used others to miraculously bless you. 

Read the Entire Series: Loaves & Fishes Stories Of Trusting God's Provision In Uncertain Times!

Don’t Worry About Everyday Life! Loaves & Fishes Week Four

Don’t Worry About Everyday Life! Loaves & Fishes Week Four

by | Jun 22, 2026 | Loaves & Fishes, Provision, Trust

It’s week four of our Loaves & Fishes series about stories in the Bible that show us God’s provision for us. Today’s Happy Monday devotion dips into the last portion of Matthew 6, which is the middle part of Jesus’ longest message, his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6). 
 
In this portion of scripture, Jesus addresses money, possessions, anxiety, and trusting God with the future. Everything that Jesus taught the ancient crowds is so relatable to our lives today.
 
Are you ready to do a giant exhale today? So many of you have a lot going on! God knows you’re overwhelmed, but He doesn’t want you to carry it, because He cares for you. So, I want to pray for you before we jump into today’s devotion:
God, I’m so glad that my Happy Monday sister is here today. My hope is for Jesus’ words to spark fresh hope in life. God, for the next few minutes, please remove the distractions and open her heart to Your hope and the promises she needs to cling to today. Amen.
 
Now, let’s jump into three verses toward the end of Matthew 6. I’m sharing three practical meditations for you to focus on when worry sets in:
  1. Keep Your Eyes on God, Not Everything Going on Around You
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  -Matthew 6:25 NLT
 
What did Jesus mean when he said, “Don’t worry?” He means don’t worry! There’s not need to look for deeper meaning in Jesus’ teaching. Jesus wants us to stop assuming the worst will happen. 
 
I heard someone say that “worry is a form of atheism.”’ While I leave room for medical anxiety where our nervous systems need medical attention, there are other forms of anxiety of our own making. When we forget about God, and we carry the things God never told us to carry. That’s what Jesus tells us to stop doing.
 
Jesus didn't telling the crowd to ignore their problems. He saw their reality. The Jewish people faced brutal Roman oppression and food scarcity. I have a tender spot in my heart for the Jewish women in the audience. I imagine they worried everyday about how much food they had and how to stretch it. I'm sure they worried about their children as well as their sons, brothers, or husbands who had to go out and find food.
 
Yet, Jesus told the crowd not to worry because he came to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. In God's kingdom, God takes care of His own.  One of the hallmark of a disciple is trusting God to take care of our daily lives so that we can focus on being the light of Jesus in the world. 
 
While we can't control our circumstances, we can change how we think. The key line in my Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle Bible study is: The difference between worry and worship is who you’re talking to.
 
REPEAT THIS MEDITATION: If you need to refocus your mind away from worry,, here’s a brief meditation from my Winning the Worry Battle book you can repeat to yourself whenever the worry creeps in.
 
God is here, and He is taking care of this.
God is here, and He is taking care of me.
 
2. You matter to God
 
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? -Matthew 6:26
 
Silly, but real question: Do you ever see birds clocking in for work? Have you ever watched a bird work overtime?
 
Clearly, I’m being dramatic, but take a moment and consider that birds don’t have to do a single thing, and God cares for them.
 
Friend, God is committed to doing the same for you.
 
Yet, I suspect that many of us will hear God say one of the following - or both,
Dear daughter, you were doing way too much.
Beloved, you didn’t trust that I loved you enough to take care of you.
 
Over the years, I’ve heard from many discouraged Christian women who look around at unanswered prayers or endless hardships and wonder, “Does God have favorites?  I keep getting the short end of the stick.”
 
If this is you,I hold space for your unanswered prayers, I grieve your losses, and at the same time, I must remind you of God’s care and love for you. Here’s an eternal perspective that many lose sight of:
 
The measure of God’s love isn’t that He gives us everything we want. The measure of His love is giving Jesus to die for our sins so that we can have a relationship with God. Furthermore, God doesn’t always give us what we want, but He always provides what we need. He  provides peace, strength, courage, hope, and purpose - often this is the provision we need more than anything else!
 
REPEAT THIS MEDITATION: I matter to God. He cares about me.
 
3. For Every Worry, Take Time to Worship
 
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” -Matthew 6:27 NLT
In 2017, my dad was diagnosed with end-stage cancer. The doctors told us that Dad only had a few days to live.  I was smack in the middle of writing my Winning the Worry Battle book - how’s that for timing?
 
My head spun. But, I knew that I had a critical decision to make. My dad only had days left, so would I spend Dad’s final precious moments worrying or clinging to God’s peace? Thankfully, I could cling to God’s peace by using the meditation tools that I share in today’s devotion.
 
You  have one precious life, my dear friend. Tomorrow isn’t promised to you or those you love. Only you can choose not to let worry waste those precious moments. Give your worries and cares to God (1 Peter 5:7). Instead of worry, spend time with loved ones, visit friends, tell others about Jesus, and focus on God’s faithfulness. This is how you make the most of the precious moments of life!
 
REPEAT THIS MEDITATION: I will give myself the gift of focusing on the present.
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU:  What have you worried about lately? If you plan to repeat one of this week's meditation, comment with “repeat" and let me know - and of course, you're welcome to tell me which meditation!

Ora's Prayer Challenge:

In last week's Happy Monday devotion, I shared a prayer challenge that invited you to pray without asking God for anything. I loved Ora's email back to me about what she does - and this could inspire you, too!
 
Every Sabbath morning, I don't ask for anything, but I pray in gratitude for all God has done and for the people that help with my spiritual growth. I do pray for the needs of others on the other six days. -Ora B

Read the Entire Series: Loaves & Fishes Stories Of Trusting God's Provision In Uncertain Times!

MORE Loaves & Fishes, Part 2: Week Three

MORE Loaves & Fishes, Part 2: Week Three

by | Jun 15, 2026 | Loaves & Fishes, Provision, Trust

This summer series has been a blast to share with you! I’m honored to receive your notes each week and respond to you. Thank you for trusting me with your stories and your faith journeys with God. Speaking of your stories, Happy Monday reader Marilyn G's inspiring “loaves & fishes” story is at the end of today’s devotion. 
 
If you're just joining us, this series features biblical stories about trusting God's provision in uncertain times. This week, we’re wrapping up the story of Jesus’ feeding the 5,000. You can read about the disciples' scarcity mentality in last week's Happy Monday by scrolling to the bottom of this email.
 
Now, let's turn our attention to the crowd of people who showed up to hear Jesus teach. Today’s devotion demonstrates how to receive God’s provision. There’s a grumpy way to receive, but there’s also a gracious way.
 
Let’s look at how the crowd behaves and what we can learn - also, I'm sharing two important spiritual challenges in today's devotion for you:
 
1. THE CROWD SHOWED UP READY
Join me back at the beginning of Mark 6 and notice the crowd’s attitude:
 
But many people recognized them (Jesus and the disciples) and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead of along the shore and got there ahead of them.
 
Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. -Mark 6:33-34 NLT
 
Buzz about Jesus spread from town to town. Can you picture the people who hustled ahead of Jesus to make sure they were there when he arrived. That would be like us showing up at church before the pastor arrives. Why would the people do that? There was an expectancy in the crowd. They showed up ready!  So, Jesus taught and other gospels record how Jesus healed the sick. But the people didn’t run off. They stayed.
 
2. THE CROWD STAYED TO LISTEN AND LEARN.
How many of us find ourselves really close to God when we’re seeking Him for something, but we drift from God once we receive what we want?
One of my favorite quotes is: Many seek the hand of God, but few seek His face. For a long time in my Christian journey, my prayers tended to be focused on my grocery list of needs. I tended to treat God like Amazon Prime, expecting Him to answer quickly because I was waiting and becoming discouraged if He didn’t.
 
CHALLENGE #1: When is the last time you prayed without asking God for anything? Prayer enlarges our view of God and shrinks our problems down to their rightful size. When focus on God’s power, love, and grace then our hope grows and we gain courage.  If you're problems are taking up too much space in your mind, then it's time to fill your mind with more of God.
 
Back to the story: Even though Jesus healed the sick, the crowd stayed to listen. He provided hope for their daily lives under Roman oppression and hope for eternity. In the first week of the series, I reminded us that provision isn’t just tangible, but God provides wisdom, strength, courage, rest, peace, and hope. That’s what Jesus gave to the crowds that day - and often that’s what we need more than anything else, too.
 
3. THEY LET JESUS PREPARE THEM FOR THEIR BLESSING
However, there came a point when the people needed to eat. The disciples told Jesus to let the people figure out their food situation. There were no fast food restaurants for snacks or meals. There were no stadium chairs to sit in or canopies to find shade under. Here’s what Jesus said:
 
Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred. -Mark 6:39-40 NLT
 
This was a curious detail for me. Jesus has two fish and five loaves. And a lot of people. The miracle hasn’t happened yet. Still, Jesus organizes the people before they receive. When you read groups think rows, not circles. In the original language, the term for groups referred to rows in an army formation. Why is this detail important? Otherwise, there may have been a mob of people on their feet, likely fighting their fellow Jews for food just after Jesus preached the gospel.
 
Jesus organized the people to graciously receive his provision. The same goes for us. If God promises to provide, then we do not need to scheme, compare, become pushy, or undercut others for God’s blessing. That's the grumpy way! Remember, God’s not on a budget. If He promises to provide, His provision will reach you. Can I get an amen?
 
4. GOD’S ABUNDANCE BLESSES ALL
This sweet part of the story is worth bringing back again - here’s Mark 6:43:
 
They all ate as much as they wanted.
 
Love it! In ancient times, food wasn’t as available as it is now. So, eating as much as they wanted was a tremendous blessing. The people departed full of the gospel and full of fish and bread.
 
But wait, there’s more! The disciples gathered up twelve baskets of leftovers. There was more left than what they started with. Look at God! As I reflect on that, I wonder if God aimed to drive home the reminder that He knew how to fill the likely crowd of 20,000 or more and still have leftovers?
 
Any guesses on what happened with the leftovers? Let me know if you have any thoughts.
 
5. DON’T WASTE GOD’S PROVISION!
While that may be a gross thought in our first-world modern culture, food was scarce back then, so those leftovers would be a blessing.
 
One more takeaway…The disciples collecting the leftovers could also be a reminder to be good stewards of God’s provision. Yes, we are to receive graciously, but also not waste or take God’s provision for granted.
 
CHALLENGE #2: Are there blessings that God has provided that you’ve allowed to go to waste, you’re not using, or you’re taking them for granted? Could this be a nudge for you to give away, sell, or donate those items so you can bless someone else, or, if you sell, repurpose God’s provision to another area of your life?
 
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU:  Was there a line or thought from today's devotion that caught your attention? Let me know! If you feel a nudge toward one or both of today's challenges, leave a comment with “challenge” and I will be praying for you.

Marilyn G's Loaves & Fishes Story

Read the Entire Series: Loaves & Fishes Stories Of Trusting God's Provision In Uncertain Times!

In Jesus’ Hands, It’s Always Enough: Loaves & Fishes Week Two

In Jesus’ Hands, It’s Always Enough: Loaves & Fishes Week Two

by | Jun 8, 2026 | Loaves & Fishes, Provision, Trust

Happy Monday, everyone,
 
I’m excited to share week two of our Loaves & Fishes series with you! If you’re just joining us, we’re looking at stories of God’s provision in the Bible. This week, we’re stepping into the story of Jesus’ feeding the 5,000, which inspired this series. Today’s devotion focuses on how Jesus confronted the disciples’ scarcity mindset. If you tend to worry about where resources will come from, this devotion is for you - or you can share this with someone who needs encouragement! Next week, we’ll look at how Jesus prepared the crowd to receive God’s miraculous provision.
 
Did you know that all four gospels cover Jesus' feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, John 6? It is an impressive story! However, since Jesus had a hand in creating the entire universe, feeding a large group of people wasn’t a stretch. But, Jesus’ disciples were stressed!
 
ARE YOU GRIPPED BY A SCARCITY MINDSET?
Today, we’re using the gospel writer Mark’s account for our time together. The disciples had returned from ministry work, and they’d been so busy they didn’t have a chance to eat (Mark 6:31). Jesus invited them to go away and rest, but crowds of needy people showed up. So, he stopped to teach the crowds and heal the sick. This meant the disciples had to stick around, too. By the end of the day, the men approached Jesus with a “wrap it up” request:
 
Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”
 
But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
 
“With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” -Mark 6:35-37
 
Did they need some cheese to go with that “whine”? Seriously, I have compassion for the weary disciples. They’d worked hard and needed to rest, but needy, hungry people were everywhere. Then Jesus asked the disciples to do something they didn’t have the time, energy, or money to pull off.  
 
Here’s what’s wild: The disciples had just finished a ministry tour where Jesus sent them out and told them not to take anything other than a walking stick. They’d personally experienced God’s miraculous provision throughout that tour. Yet they panicked when Jesus told them to feed the crowd.
 
When we’re tired or stressed like the disciples, it’s easy for the scarcity mindset to creep in. We begin thinking in negative absolutes, such as:” I can’t ever do that,” “I’ll never get ahead,” “Why do they always seem to have it, but I don’t,”  or “It’s always so hard.” This is the language of a scarcity mindset. These phrases reflect how we’ve either put God in a box or we’ve ignored everything that God has already done to show His faithfulness.
 
GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE TO JESUS
Jesus doesn’t get upset with the disciples. He didn’t shame them for their scarcity mindset. Instead, he asks a question that initiated a faith-growing moment.
 
“How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” -Mark 6:38 NLT
 
Jesus asked them to tap into reality: "What do you have?" Then, he sent them on a quest to find out what was available, not obsess or fret about what was missing.
 
Friends, when we’re overwhelmed or running short of time, resources, or energy, it’s so easy to criticize ourselves for what we don’t have. What if we shifted from shame or judgment and started with: What do I have?”  Let me ask you: What do you have?
 
The disciples came back with five loaves and two fish. That wasn’t enough to feed 5,000 people, but it was a starting point.
 
Then, the disciples surrendered it to Jesus.
 
But that didn’t mean everyone let go of the scarcity mindset. John’s gospel recorded Andrew, one of Jesus’ disciples:
 
But what good is that with this huge crowd?” -John 6:8 NLT
 
Let’s pause here. I appreciate that the Bible shows us how people could be with Jesus and still struggle with faith in Jesus. How many of us have walked with God for months, years, or even decades, and still we worry that God may not provide for whatever is in front of us?
 
I could be wrong about this next part, but I think Jesus performed this miracle for the disciples’ benefit, even though the people in the crowd were blessed. Even though the disciples saw Jesus perform miracles and he authorized them to perform miracles, they still lacked the spiritual vision to trust that God would provide. How many of us get tripped up on that, too?
 
TIME FOR A MIRACLE!
Now, we arrive at the part where Jesus does the miracle! (Note: I’m skipping the curious part of the story where Jesus put the people into groups. I’ll come back to that next week.)
 
Read this verse carefully. Note how the miracle happened:
 
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. -March 6: 41 NLT
 
Two things here: First, in Jesus’ hands, not enough became everything that was needed. Second - and don’t miss this: God’s provision wasn’t apparent all at once. He could have produced a giant pile of bread and fish, but He didn't. Instead, Jesus kept breaking the bread and giving it to the disciples. 
 
This means miracle multiplied in Jesus’ hands as he broke the bread again and again.
 
Then, the disciples participated in the miracle as they returned to Jesus for more bread to pass out again and again. They saw how a little became much when given to God. 
 
This moment stands out to me because there have been times when I’ve carried the expectation that God’s miracle should look like everything that I need all at once. If I’m being honest, I prefer to see the entire provision because I hate uncertainty, and patience is hard! Often, God’s provision arrives at a speed or scale that requires us to keep looking toward God rather than trusting in it. (Whew! That preached to me as I wrote it!). The blessing is witnessing the miracle of God's provision over and over again. If you know what I'm talking about, can I get an amen?!
 
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY:
Here are two takeaways from today’s devotion for you to reflect on, pray about, and hold onto:
  1. A scarcity mindset is a stronghold that God’s Spirit must break. If you struggle with chronic worry that God won’t provide, willpower won’t fix it. You need to take that struggle to God and ask Him to work it out of you. He can!
  2. If you've been worried about provision, instead of wearing yourself out over what you don't have, surrender what you do have to God. He can do miracles with whatever you give Him!
  3. Sometimes, the miracle comes all at once, but don’t miss the miracle of God taking the little you have and multiplying it for as long as you need it.
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: What do you love about this story? Did you see the story in a fresh light today or was there an a-ha moment that you needed? I’d love to hear from you!

Read the Entire Series: Loaves & Fishes Stories Of Trusting God's Provision In Uncertain Times!

God is Faithful to Provide! Loaves & Fishes Week One

God is Faithful to Provide! Loaves & Fishes Week One

by | Jun 1, 2026 | Loaves & Fishes, Provision, Trust

Welcome to the first week of our series, Loaves & Fishes! I announced this summer series in last week’s Happy Monday, and I loved your enthusiastic response! Loaves & Fishes will feature Bible stories that remind us of God’s provision. If you’ve been feeling impatient, stressed, or discouraged, this series will give you hope to keep trusting God one day at a time.
 
Today’s question: Will God still take care of us even when we’re having a hard time trusting Him? Spoiler alert: The answer is yes.  The story we’re exploring today also includes four “Provision Principles” for you to remember this week.
 
In Exodus 16, the Israelites were in the wilderness after fleeing Egypt. They’ve been freed after 400 years of slavery, and God split the Red Sea to save them from the Egyptian army one final time. One would think all of those miracles would be unforgettable! Nope. Just one month later, here’s what happened:
 
…There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.  “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” -Exodus 16:2-3 NLT
 
Notice that it was the WHOLE community. Complaining is contagious! The Israelites were so unhappy that they thought about going back into slavery for some meat was a good plan. Apparently, the Israelites came down with an unfortunate case of “what have you done for me lately?” because they’d already forgotten that God had done for them.
 
I can be forgetful, too. God heard me whining earlier this week about something I’ve been praying for, so this devotion was well-timed for me, too.
 
Provision Principle #1: When we’re too focused on what we don’t have, we forget what God has already done for us.
 
I know that many of you are waiting for big, important prayers to be answered.  At the same time, what comes to mind more - what you’re waiting for or what you’re grateful for?
 
Did you know that gratitude calms your nervous system, allowing you to be a healthy presence around others? When we’re calm, it’s easier for us to connect with God and hear Him better, rather than let our panicked inner voice get in the way.
 
Action Step: If you catch yourself complaining or grumpy, grab a journal and keep track of God’s blessings this week. Last week, I had to do this, and I smiled when I saw the written evidence of God’s grace and blessings toward me. As we remember what God has done, gratitude reassures us that God will remain faithful in the future.
 
Provision Principle #2: God Promises to Provide, and We Don’t Need to Earn His Provision.
 
Friends, this next part is wild! Here is God’s response to their complaints. This stuns me. Every. single. time.
 
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. -Exodus 16:4 NLT
 
Instead of leaving the complaining Israelites to their own devices, God performed a miracle. What?!  He told Moses that food would fall from heaven. Have you ever seen food drop from heaven? Me, neither. Why would God show such generosity even though they’d hadn’t earned it nor had they even had faith? God provided because He promised to provide. Period.
 
God’s promise to provide continues for us today. As Paul the Apostle writes to the Philippian church from his prison cell, he reminded them not to be anxious (Philippians 4:6-7) and also this:  
 
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19 NIV
 
Don’t miss this: We often picture provision as financial or tangible. Yet, God provides even richer spiritual provision: peace, rest, wisdom, direction, transformation, and comfort. These are rich expressions of God’s generosity, and they remind me of a powerful slogan: We may not always receive exactly what we want, but God always gives us what we need.  As you reflect on something or someone you’ve been praying for, what spiritual provision have you received from God in this season as you wait?
 
Back to Exodus - Here we go:
 
Provision Principle #3: God is Not Stingy.
Back to the Israelites in the desert…not only did God send miracle food from heaven, but notice His generosity:
 
But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. -Exodus 16:18 NLT
 
Whenever I read this part of the story, I imagine how blessed the Israelite women were by the arrival of the manna. After a lifetime in slavery, God's provision wasn’t just food, but they no longer had to worry about not having enough to feed their families.
 
Everyone had enough to eat, from the picky eaters to the strapping teenage boys with big appetites. Since there were an estimated two million people, this meant God sent enough manna each day to feed the population of Phoenix or Philadelphia. That’s a lot of manna. But it wasn’t a problem for God because God isn’t on a budget, friends. As I heard old Baptist preachers say when I was a kid, “God has cattle on a thousand hills, so He has enough to take care of you.”
 
Side note: The women didn’t need to gas up the desert minivan or drive across town to the grocery store. God delivered the manna right to them every morning, so the women didn’t need to rack their brains figuring out what to cook each day. Not only did God take them out of slavery, but His provision also reduced their daily stress. Yes!
 
Provision Principle #4: Trusting God for His Provision is a Daily Test for Our Faith
 
Friend, do you believe that God will provide even when His timing looks different than yours?
 
Waiting for God’s provision makes my eyes twitch. When I’m not sure when God will provide, I can become anxious.
 
I wonder how long it took for the Israelites to realize that God was serious about feeding them each day? We can tell from the text that they didn’t believe Him at first. In Exodus 16:4, God told the people not to save the manna overnight and to trust that He would provide it each day. But, they disobeyed, and the next morning, they discovered rotten manna. But guess what, God still provided fresh manna even though they were disobedient.
 
Here’s where the Israelites missed it: Their hope was never in the manna. God was training them to realize their hope was in Him. Same for us. There will always be something missing, broken, or changed, yet our hope isn’t in whatever we’re waiting for.
 
Our hope is in God, and our faith journey is to trust His timing and His provision, even when it doesn’t look like we’d expect.
 
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Where are you waiting for God to provide? If today's devotion hit the spot, leave a comment with “Manna” and let me know. 

Read the Entire Series: Loaves & Fishes Stories Of Trusting God's Provision In Uncertain Times!

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