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Are we grateful for what God has provided for us in Christ?

A lot will be said and done during this wonderful holiday season called Thanksgiving. People will be shopping for the many foods and pastries that will be shared in their proverbial Thanksgiving dinners. Many will be traveling long distances to unite with their families. All of this will be to celebrate one day. Unfortunately, many have reduced this day to a forced expectation that produces stress and anxiety. Thanksgiving should be a time where we remember the good things around us like family, friends, health, memories and relationships. It shouldn’t be about comparison or keeping up false images just to impress others. Take time to laugh, celebrate and enjoy the simple, yet important things.

And above all, don’t forget to be grateful and thankful for all that God has done for us. He is our Lord, King, Savior, Creator, Healer, Provider, Sanctifier, Redeemer, Protector, Shepherd, Chief Bishop and Apostle.

Hebrews 13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name”

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Take His yoke instead!

We all have burdens that we carry. Some burdens are so heavy that they tend to overwhelm and weaken whoever is carrying them. Our Lord Jesus understands that, so in Matthew 11: 28-30,  He said this: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He instructs us to take His yoke upon us instead of whatever we are currently carrying. His yoke is saving, healing and restoring mankind to fellowship with the Father. In other words, when we put aside our issues and instead help others get connected with God, that is where we begin to experience rest for our souls. Something happens when we become selfless like Jesus. Most people are selfish and are only interested in what they could get from others. However, when we take on Jesus’ yoke, and begin to minister to others, even when we are experiencing issues of our own, we will see how God will set others free through our sacrifice of service, and in the process, God will give us the peace that passes understanding. We will begin to experience rest from our issues and challenges. The joy of the Lord will well up within us as we see others helped and delivered through our actions and prayers. Take His yoke upon you. Learn from Him, and watch how divine rest, peace and joy will fill your soul.