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"BLESSINGS, BREAD, AND MORE IN 2024" "And he commanded the MULTITUDE to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained TWELVE BASKETS FULL.And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children." (Matthew 14:19-21) (caps mine)Of the many recorded miracles that Jesus performed, the feeding of the 5,000 has always been one of my favorites. Why? Because it's the only one that's found in all four Gospels. Now, I believe the reason for that is because there's a little nugget here that the Lord Jesus doesn't want us to miss.When we look beyond the 5,000 men, we can readily understand with those words, "beside women and children" that the total could have easily been 15,000 or more.But let's look a little further and think about that phrase, "And he commanded THE MULTITUDE to sit down on the grass." (caps mine)You know, whenever I'm studying anywhere in the Scriptures, I like to put myself right smack dab in the middle of what's happening and when I read those words, "THE MULTITUDE", I see me sitting there on a grassy hillside listening to Jesus, and I not only see me sitting there that day, I can also see you sitting right there beside me. And we're amening right and left having the time of our life while chewing on that bread. I also see anyone else with a hungry heart and a starving soul being fed and filled with all the promises our Lord ever uttered.Note again those words, "And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained TWELVE BASKETS FULL." (caps mine)The multitude that day who followed Christ were fed with 5 loaves and 2 fishes and yet, twelve baskets remained full. Why were there still twelve baskets filled after this multitude was fed? Many reasons have been given. Some have suggested that the 12 loaves were in honor of the 12 tribes of Israel, while others contend the 12 loaves may have been given as a sign showing how the 12 disciples, who would eventually take throughout the known world, the Good News concerning the Bread of Life. Now, it's not my intention here to debate or deny either of those two great thoughts.Now, as we begin a New Year, let's give some consideration for a moment and think about how we can personally apply these verses to our lives. And even though we weren't there that day when this miracle took place, you and I were on Jesus' mind. Whenever the Lord Jesus did anything; be it preparing, providing, or praying, He was always thinking about us (John 17:20-23).With those twelve baskets that remained that day, I believe the Lord wants us to remember that in any given month and on any given day this year, or any given year for that matter, Christ has more than enough to fill our hungry souls with those blessings He has promised you and I.Yes, twelve baskets remained. Consider with great joy... a basket for January, a basket for February, a basket for March, and so on right thru December. We read that the baskets which remained were baskets that were FULL. Praise God, they were FULL. FULL every DAY of every MONTH for every YEAR FOR YOU AND ME!Did not the Psalmist tell us, "Blessed be the Lord, who DAILY loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Psalm 68:19) (caps mine)Friends, thank God. Thank God indeed that our baskets of blessings from the Lord are full whereby we may be fed every day!