11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.

19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”

20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.

Exodus 16:11-15, 19-21

Questions for Reflection:

Has there ever been a time where God has given you provision that at first did not look like provision?

Notice how merciful God is to the grumbling Israelites, how does it make you feel to know that God is merciful even to "grumblers?"

How tempted are you to store up daily bread for the "what if's" where does that desire come from? How might that affect your relationship with God?

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, You are my true Father, who loves me very much. I love you, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

(Pause and strategically pray these three petitions over the real life situations you are facing. You are calling in the coordinates asking Him to act.)

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Give us this day our daily bread”. I recognize and ask for your care and provision for all of my physical needs from finances to food, a warm bed to a running car, medical care to retirement income …. It is all from your hand. Thank you. In praying I surrender my needs to Your care and I surrender my sometimes incessant need to worry about all these things. Help me trust You Father.

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us”. Father you are leading me to recognize my deep need for Your forgiveness. Forgive me of my every sin, Father. (Confess any specific sin burdens that today weigh on your heart.) I receive Your complete and total forgiveness. Lead me now Father as I recall any grudges, retribution or unforgiveness harboring in me against those who have sinned against me. I now surrender this all to You and make the decision to “let it go … into Your hands” … to forgive.

Help me Father to live forgiven and forgiving.

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Lead us not (only) into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”.

Father help us recognize and follow Your leading as we contend for Your Kingdom in this war zone of a world. Even more, Deliver us from the evil one. Jesus, You are the only one who is completely victorious over evil and we go forward this day facing whatever evil may come in the power of Your name. Deliver us from evil Father, deliver us.

Father, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend today.

Amen