Isaiah 40:31 KJV — But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

We have just finished a full week of Thanksgiving and many of us also went Black Friday shopping. Today is the Sabbath and a time to slow down and rest. Today is also a day of reflection for me as it is my 51st birthday! Today’s scripture is my life verse.

Each year on my birthday I like to be intentional about reflecting on the past year. How have I grown spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally as well as professionally? What area do I need to focus on and grow? 

Although today is likely not your birthday, today is the Sabbath and I encourage you to spend some time intentionally reflecting. In what area is God challenging you to grow? What can you do to nurture growth? How will you respond?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my birthday. Thank You for challenging me to continue to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Guide and direct my steps. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Interesting fact about my birth — I was born on a Sunday.

Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭MSG‬‬ —- It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video as we wrap up our week together.

Proverbs 15:17 NIV — Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

This week we have been sharing about food. The Bible is full of stories and verses pertaining to food and there are so many aspects to look at it all. Food is God’s gift for nourishment so we may be healthy and have a relationship with Him.

Sunday I encouraged you to brainstorm and jot down your thoughts about stories from the Bible about food and any connections you may have. Today I challenge you to read back over some of the scriptures shared this week and make your own connections. Do you have any recipes that come to mind? As you plan for next week, incorporate some of those recipes into the meals you prepare and share the Bible stories over dinner with your friends or family with a measure of love. Today I will share a very simple recipe that has become a family favorite at my house. Enjoy!

Dear God, open my eyes to the connections I have with Bible stories about food. Bring to mind recipes I can use to discuss those stories with my friends and family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Buttered Shrimp

1-2 pounds deveined, tail off shrimp

1 stick butter

1 lemon

1 packet dried Italian seasoning

Cover a baking sheet with tin foil. Heat oven @ 350°. Melt a stick of butter in the pan. Slice lemon and layer it on top of the butter. Spread shrimp on top and then sprinkle 1 packet of dried Italian seasoning over top. Bake in oven @ 350° for 15 minutes. 

***I serve with 16 oz spaghetti noodles that I have cooked, drained and mixed with a melted stick of butter.

Today’s Bible passage is found in Luke 9:10-17 NIV. Click here to read the passage. This is the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. I am sure this is a familiar passage to you. We often talk about what a miracle it was for Jesus to multiply the small amount of food. 

Today let’s think about a different aspect. Think of the story from Jesus’ perspective. He and the disciples had withdrawn to be by themselves, but the crowd followed them. He was probably tired and ready for some rest. When the disciples encouraged Him to send the crowd away, He instead told the disciples to feed them. Jesus saw the need for food, used what He had available, and provided for the crowd.

We are approaching Thanksgiving which is a time we celebrate blessings and abundance. How can you share your blessings with others? Is there a food pantry or soup kitchen you could give to or volunteer? Instead of sharing a recipe today I have included our local Helping Hands food wish list for Thanksgiving. I encourage you to find a way to share your blessings.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for all of my blessings. Show me ways to share what I have with others today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

@biblegateway 

Helping Hands food list

Pie Crust/Fruit Filling

Cake Mix/Frosting

Cornbread/Biscuit Mix

Cranberry Sauce

Boxed Potatoes

Stuffing Mix

Macaroni and Cheese

Canned Vegetables

Dried Beans

Rice

Gravy

Yams

Click here to read today’s scripture Daniel 1:8-16 NIV.

Take some time to read today’s scripture about Daniel refusing to eat the royal food. He put the others to the test by telling the guard to only give him, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah vegetables to eat for 10 days while the other men in the king’s army ate the royal food. After 10 days those eating only vegetables were healthier and better nourished. 

Eating vegetables has many benefits. Click here to read information from the USDA about some of the benefits of eating vegetables along with other helpful benefits. If you are not a regular vegetable eater, today I encourage you to incorporate more veggies into your diet. After all, even the Bible has given us an example of why vegetables are important!

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for vegetables and all the benefits we receive from eating them. Show me ways to incorporate eating vegetables more. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

@biblegateway  

Roasted Vegetables

2 zucchini

2 yellow squash

1 onion

Salt

Pepper

Olive oil

Cut all vegetables into 1 inch chunks. Coat vegetables in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put vegetables in a single layer in a baking dish. Bake @ 400° for 30-40 minutes depending on desired doneness.

Click here to read Genesis 25:29-34. 

In today’s featured scripture Jacob prepared a lentil stew. Esau came in from working in the field. He was exhausted and hungry. As a result, Esau bargained with Jacob and traded his birthright for soup and bread. What was Esau thinking? Can you imagine him making that kind of deal? 

Take a moment to self reflect. Are there any areas in your life that you are trading your birthright from Your Father? Have you compromised Your inheritance by not being true to God’s calling on your life? Spend time in prayer today asking God to show you any areas that you have not been true to Him or His ministry. Ask God to guide and direct your words and actions today.

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes to my transgressions and forgive me. Guide and direct my words, thoughts, and actions today so I may be true to You and Your calling on my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 @biblegateway 

Taco Soup 

1 pound browned hamburger meat

3-10 oz can Rotel (I usually use 1 original and 2 mild but can be adjusted if you like more heat)

1-15 oz can black beans, undrained

1-15 oz can corn, undrained

1 packet ranch seasoning

1 packet taco seasoning

Mix all ingredients together. Bring to a boil and then simmer 30 minutes – 1 hour. 

Serve with choice of toppings such as sour cream or shredded cheese.

Click here to read the story of Manna and Quail in Exodus 16. 

Is this a new Bible story for you or is it one you have read before? The story of Manna and Quail is one of my favorites because it is a wonderful example of God providing just what we need. This story is also a reminder to be obedient. What happened when some of the Israelites tried to save manna? The next morning the manna was filled with maggots.

Take a few moments to connect with the examples in Exodus 16. Are you able to relate to this story? How has God provided just what you needed? Is there an area of your life where you are pushing the limits beyond what God has commanded you? Are you trying to save your gifts and blessings instead of using them in a way God has led? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for providing all that I need. Open my eyes to ways I have been disobedient and soften my heart so I may follow Your direction. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

@biblegateway 

Pumpkin Bread (shared from my sister-in-law Heather Phelps)

3 ½ cups flour

2 ½ cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons nutmeg

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup coconut oil

4 eggs-room temperature

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

⅔ cup water

2 cups pumpkin (plain pumpkin-not pumpkin pie mix)

1 small bag Ghiradeli chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat eggs slightly. Add pumpkin, water, oil, vanilla. Beat well. Add dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Then fold in chocolate chips. Pour into loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. After removing from oven, leave to cool in pan for one hour, then turn out on rack to cool. 

*can also put batter into muffin tin-fill cups ¾ full and bake 15-25 minutes till golden