November 24th, 2025

💧 Living Water Vineyard Devotion – Monday

Six Days of Thanksgiving – Day 3

“When God Calls You Deeper: Blessings, Burdens, and a New Beginning”

(From our family tradition of reading Stories of the Pilgrims)

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🕊 Introduction — When Obedience Leads to a New Land

After betrayal, prison, storms, and painful separation, the Pilgrims finally stepped into Holland — a place where they could worship freely at last.

For the first time in years:

• No spies at their windows

• No soldiers waiting outside

• No fear of their children being taken

• No mandatory rituals

• No pressure from the king

It was a miracle of God.

But the story of Thanksgiving is not just a story of deliverance.

It is also a story of calling — God drawing His people deeper into His purposes.

Welcome to Day 3.

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🌿 Part I — A Season of Freedom and Peace

When the Pilgrims arrived in Holland, they were greeted with kindness.

The Dutch people valued freedom of worship and did not interfere with their services.

For the first time, they could:

• Pray freely

• Worship openly

• Teach their children the Bible without fear

• Meet without looking over their shoulder

• Build a church rooted in Scripture and love

They worked hard.

They served faithfully.

And God blessed them.

It was a peaceful season — a gift from heaven.

And yet…

God was not done with them.

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🧵 Part II — The Hidden Hardships of Holland

Even in freedom, the Pilgrims faced new challenges.

1. Grinding Poverty

Most Pilgrims were farmers in England.

But in Holland, farming land was scarce.

They had to take whatever jobs they could find:

• Weaving

• Dyeing cloth

• Making hats

• Spinning wool

• Working long factory hours

The work was exhausting.

The pay was minimal.

Many lived in poverty.

Their hands grew rough.

Their bodies grew tired.

Some aged before their time.

Freedom was a blessing,

but it wasn’t easy.

2. Their Children Were Changing

This weighed on them more than anything.

Dutch culture was very different — wealthier, busier, faster.

Pilgrim parents watched their children grow up speaking Dutch, dressing like the locals, and adopting customs they did not understand.

Some began drifting from the faith.

Others were lured by military life

or worldly lifestyles.

Some young people turned from God.

Parents wept.

Pastors prayed.

And the burden grew heavier.

They feared losing the next generation.

3. The Pressing Sense of Calling

As the years passed, something stirred in their hearts:

“This is not our final home.”

They began to feel the Holy Spirit calling them again — not back to England, but forward into the unknown:

A land with more spiritual freedom.

A land where their children could remain strong in the Lord.

A land where they could spread the gospel.

A land where they could build something new.

America was barely known — a wild, unsettled frontier.

Dangerous.

Uncharted.

Full of risk.

But their hearts kept hearing the whisper:

“Prepare for the journey.”

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🌏 Part III — The Decision That Shaped a Nation

The Pilgrims prayed.

Fasted.

Sought counsel.

And asked God:

“Where do You want us to go?”

And slowly, over time, the call became clear:

God was sending them across the ocean

to plant a new community

for His glory.

Not for comfort.

Not for wealth.

Not for adventure.

But for generational faithfulness.

To protect their children.

To worship freely.

To build something that would outlast them.

To advance the gospel in a new world.

It was not an easy decision.

• They were older now

• They were poorer

• Many were sick

• Some were widowed

• They had no guarantees

But the Pilgrims were never driven by ease —

they were driven by obedience.

They lifted their eyes to the horizon

and said once more:

“Yes, Lord.”

Just like Abraham.

Just like Moses.

Just like the early church.

This is the heart of Thanksgiving.

A people willing to follow God

into a place they had never seen.

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📖 Scriptures for Today

• Hebrews 11:8–10 — Abraham obeyed and went

• Psalm 73:25–26 — “Whom have I in heaven but You?”

• Psalm 48:14 — God will be our guide even to the end

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — He will direct your paths

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🙏 Reflection Questions

1. Has God ever called me into a new season that stretched my faith?

2. Where might God be calling me deeper right now — even if it’s uncomfortable?

3. Am I willing to make decisions not just for myself, but for future generations?

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🙌 Closing Prayer

Father,

Teach me the spirit of the Pilgrims —

a spirit willing to follow You anywhere,

a spirit that values faith over comfort,

and obedience over ease.

Help me trust Your leading,

even when I do not fully understand it.

Guide my steps.

Strengthen my heart.

Protect the next generation.

And lead me deeper into Your purposes.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

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🎵 Worship Song Suggestion

“Spirit Lead Me” — Influence Music / Michael Ketterer

A powerful song of surrender and obedience.