Picture this: A wooden yoke is fastened over your neck, and that harness is attached to a heavy plow behind you. Not exactly an appealing proposition. As humans, we don’t like the idea of being restrained or put under something, because — shhh — that sounds too much like submission. And yet, Jesus told us to take His yoke upon us. “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…

Do you ever feel like there’s something standing in the way of your relationship with God? One day during my morning devotionals, I was trying to pray. Maybe you’ve had similar days, when you’re trying to actively seek His presence and hear from Him, but nothing seems to happen. The prayers feel stagnant, and you’re sitting there in silence. That morning, I had read Deuteronomy 11:22, where Moses advised the Israelites to love the Lord, walk in His ways and hold fast to Him. So here I was, trying to cling to Him, but I felt something holding me back.…

Focus Verse: “…run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”  (I Timothy 6:11-12 NLT) So often we find ourselves fighting multiple battles at once — spiritual, emotional, physical, mental, financial and more. Sometimes we’re valiant warriors, prayed up, wearing the armor of God and boldly claiming territory for the Kingdom of God. And sometimes we’re vulnerable, seemingly distant from…