After enduring religious persecution in their native England and for twelve years in Holland, the pilgrims sailed for America. They were modest men and women with a great hope and inward zeal. They rested in the providence of God that He was leading them to a land of religious freedom to advance the gospel of the kingdom of Christ.

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The voyage of the Mayflower took twice as long as Christopher Columbus' voyage, enduring several wintry storms. After arriving in their new land, they faced disease, famine, bitter cold and many dangers. However, when the Mayflower made its return voyage, none of the pilgrims returned with it.

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Their first harvest occurred in the autumn of 1621. Their own seed had barely grown, but the Indians had shown them how to plant corn which yielded a huge harvest. On the first Thanksgiving, they celebrated God's goodness to them with a party of ninety Indians. Their Thanksgiving feast lasted three days and included a festival of sports.

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Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln

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"Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on the occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations."

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May God Bless You myCBN Brother's and Sister's as your celebrate this important and very Precious time.

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Enter into His gates with thanksgiving... be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

The majority of people who allow their children to dress up as characters and go door-to-door 'trick-or-treating' are not thinking of witches and satanic rituals. it is just some fun. Some people decide not to participate in Halloween activities simply because of safety issues. And then there are those who fully understand the spiritual activity behind the celebration of Halloween and thus do not participate.

Halloween originated as a Druid celebration that honored the god of the dead. It was believed that on this day, spirits returned to their homes and demanded a type of worship. This became depicted in the practice of trick-or-treating. Prosperity was promised to the generous donors, and tricks to all who refused, during the Irish, Druid event. It was hoped that a glowing pumpkin placed on the doorstep would keep away the evil spirits. And black cats were considered to be reincarnated beings with the ability to divine the future.

Traditional Halloween symbols, such as witches, black cats, the death's head cut from a pumpkin, candles, masks, and parties appeared in the U.S. during the late 1800s. Occultic groups still celebrate Halloween as a tribute to Satan. And witchcraft practitioners continue to declare October 31st as the best time to practice their arts.

It is necessary that each family determines plans for Halloween based on their own convictions and understanding. This is a responsibility for the parents to undertake. Children can greatly pressure the decision-making process but should not be allowed to do so. The pressure that children face at school and in the neighborhood can keep them from seeing the situation clearly. Some families decide that it is okay for their kids to wear costumes and go trick-or-treating. Others find alternatives like getting involved with a youth group that is organizing a Christian option. Other families completely check out of the whole process and go to a movie or do some other fun thing.

This issue is serious because your decision about whether to participate in Halloween activities sends a strong message to your children about what they should allow in their lives. If you decide to participate, let me encourage you to make it a teaching opportunity. Inform your kids. let them know what the day is all about. Then let them help you think of ways to reach out to other kids. Handing out Gospel tracts with the candy, hosting your own neighborhood party where kids dress up as Bible characters-you get the idea. Try to make every day Christ-centered, especially this day. Blessings to you!

Subaidath is the daughter of an Islamic scholar and imam, who considered herself a staunch Muslim... however, there was one thing she lacked-peace of mind. One day she discovered a Christian tract in her school dormitory. When she read the Gospel for the first time, it resonated within her soul, but her heart was hardened. But a few nights later something unusual happened. Jesus revealed Himself to her in a dream, touched her with His nail-pierced hands, and said, "Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God the Father and also in me. for I am the Prince of Peace. I have been crucified, died, and resurrected to give you peace and eternal life."

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When Subaidath told her family about her commitment to Jesus, they got extremely upset. When they recognized she would not change her mind, her father and brothers decided she must pay the ultimate price for dishonouring the family. They devised a crude electric chair. They stripped off most of Subaidath's clothing and forcibly bound her to the chair. But when her father flipped the switch to send high voltage through the chair, nothing happened. They tried different outlets and sockets, but it was as if the electricity refused to flow. Her father got so angry and frustrated he beat her once more and screamed, "You are no longer my daughter," then threw her outside the house, half-naked. With tears streaming down her face-filled with humiliation and pain-she ran to a Christian friend's home across town.

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The following day, her friends asked their neighbours what they thought when they saw a half-naked woman run through the streets. One of the neighbours happened to see Subaidath that night, but he reported that he saw her wearing a beautiful white dress. She believes God hid her nakedness, clothed her in the white dress, just as He took away her shame and covered her with the righteousness of Christ. Subaidath remains a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and is active in the underground church.

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Praise God that He 'seeks and saves that which was lost.' Please Pray for Muslims converting to Christ... Thank You myCBN Brother's and Sister's. God Bless You.

God is truly in control... if God is God, then nothing happens apart from His knowledge and permission... while it is difficult to imagine why God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion that He is willing and able to sustain you during the worst of times. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead (2 Corinthians 1:8,9).

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There is an eternal life to come. What we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later (Romans 8:18). He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns (1 Corinthians 1:8).

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The story isn't finished yet... time after time, the Bible records hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Jobs sickness, Josephs betrayal by his brothers, David's adultery, and the many who were healed in mind, body, and spirit. But Joseph told them, Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:19,20).

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God has not given up on you! Don't give up on Him. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11).

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There is likely purpose in your pain... ask God to reveal His purpose in allowing this difficulty in your life... thats a legitimate question to ask... often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstance. Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything (James 1:2-4).

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You are loved! Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore their relationship... God does love you! He sees your pain and weeps with you. He has sent Me to comfort the broken-hearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lords favour has come, and with it, the day of Gods anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory (Isaiah 61:1-3).

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Your Prayers are heard. You parents if your children ask you for loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? (Matt. 7:9,10)

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You are not facing this alone. For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Hebrews 13:5,6)

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Others have made it through you can too... Try to connect with others who have gone through similar situations... You will find hope, strength and encouragement. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

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Reach out to someone else who's struggling... place your focus on someone else and invest your life in him or her... You may discover that your peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).

Jesus never told us to predict a day or hour when He would return, but He did tell us to be aware of the times in which we live and to always be ready for His coming. We may not be able to know the exact place on God's prophetic timeline, but there are many things taking place that indicate we are in a time like no other.

The world is not doing well-iniquity and lawlessness abound. kingdoms rise against kingdoms. the financial security and stability of the world continues to stagger and shake under the weight of debt and greed. all creation groans. people's hearts fail them because of fear. Israel faces its greatest opposition and threat to its existence since it became a nation in 1948. opposition to and persecution of the body of Christ continues to intensify.

What are we to do and how are we to live in the light of all that is taking place around us? Look up! God has a plan and He is working out His plan. The coming of the Lord is drawing near. He is not a long way down the road, or just over the next hill. rather, He is close, even at the door.

Here are four things God wants us to be doing as we await the sound of the trump of God and our gathering together unto Him.

Guard your heart:

In Matthew 24: 12 Jesus tells us that in the last days sin will cause the hearts of many to grow cold. Place around your heart the shield of faith and fight the good fight of faith against every doubt that comes against the Word of God and the character of God. Keep within your heart your passion and zeal for the ways of God and the presence of God. Let His fire burn within you as a holy flame, causing the glow and glory of His face to shine upon you.

Come together with other believers:

In Hebrews 10:25 we are told to gather together with other believers, especially as we see the day of Lord approaching. This is not the time to isolate and separate yourself from other believers. You need their love, support, encouragement, and prayers. and they need yours.

Make Christ known:

In Matthew 24: 14 Jesus tells us that before the end comes, the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world. We are not to lose focus. We are here on assignment from God. He has called us to proclaim the Gospel and to make Christ known in our generation. The Gospel message is God&.rsquo.s message to a lost world, and it is only through the Gospel that the lost can be found, the blind can see, and the dead can be made to live. There is still time to be saved.

Be full of hope:

In Titus 2:13 we are reminded that as believers we are to live in hope. This hope isn't based on what the world will do, on what the financial markets will do, or on what political leaders will do. Our hope is based on what God will do. Our hope is so great and so sure that the Scriptures call our hope the "blessed hope." What is this blessed hope? It is the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ! Think of it, as a believer, you will see Jesus. not as your judge to condemn you, but as your Savior to receive you and bring you into His everlasting kingdom, so you shall forever be with the Lord!

'Yes though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me. Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me' Psalm 23: 4

The psalmist David said he walked THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. That's what You must do in ALL the situations and circumstances of this life. You must remember You are just passing through.

When You feel as if You're stuck in a situation that will never change, You must allow God to guide You through it. When the devil says, "You're trapped", boldly say to him, "wrong ! I'm just passing through !"

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast into the fiery furnace, BUT God brought them safely through the fire (see Daniel 3).

God's Word says He will provide that same protection and deliverance to ALL who put their Faith and Trust in Him. So believe it as You walk through the valley of Your own situation.

Father, we thank You for our protection, and Pray that we will cling to You in our valleys, we put ALL our Trust and Faith in You Father, in Jesus' Wondeful name Amen.

Jesus-

His shed blood means...

We can live each day in His forgiveness.

His resurrection means...

We can walk constantly in newness of life.

His presence means...

We can know His victory in each situation.

His love means...

We will never face anything alone!

His day of victory makes all our days complete!

Praying His Very Best is Yours this Easter Season

For in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28

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Jesus came into this world before we were living in it.

He gave His life before we had ever committed a sin...

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If He did that much for us before we were born, think of all He desires to bless us with now that we are here!

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May your Easter be a time of fully enjoying His gift,

His blessings, and His love for you!

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He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32