by Christian International | Feb 12, 2026 | Articles
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” — 1 Corinthians 1:27 (KJV)
Over the years, I have learned that God rarely works the way I expect Him to.
If I am honest, much of my life has felt a little odd and unusual and not always in a comfortable way.
I did not always fit in. I was not quite the same as the rest of my family. I did not always think the same way, respond the same way, or even catch the joke when everyone else laughed. For a long time, I wondered if something was wrong with me.
Now I know better.
God uses that.
When You Feel Like You Don’t Belong
Jesus tells a parable in Luke 14:16–24 that has always spoken deeply to me. A man prepares a great feast and invites those who were first called. The honored. The religious. The respected.
But they make excuses. They decline the invitation.
So the master does something unexpected.
He sends his servants into the streets and lanes to bring in the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. When there is still room, he sends them even farther, to the highways and hedges, compelling others to come.
The people who assumed they belonged missed the feast.
The ones who never thought they would be invited filled the table.
That parable tells me something powerful. God often welcomes those who feel out of place.
God’s Instructions Are Not Always Comfortable
We do not set out to be odd or unusual. But when God speaks, His instructions do not always make sense to the natural mind.
If a donkey speaks to you like it did to Balaam, you should probably pay attention. There may be an angel standing in front of you that you cannot see.
If God tells you to build an ark because a flood is coming, even though no one has ever seen rain, you obey. You might be saving your family and the future of the earth.
If you are blind and Jesus uses spit and mud to heal you, you do not complain about the method. You receive the miracle.
If you are running from God’s purpose and find yourself living inside a great fish for three days, you do not argue. You repent.
If God tells you not to cut your hair and you decide you know better, do not be surprised when consequences follow.
If God tells you to be silent, walk around a city for seven days, and then shout, listen carefully. Walls are about to fall.
Even Moses, a man who spoke with God face to face, suffered consequences when he allowed anger to override obedience and struck the rock instead of speaking to it.
These stories remind me that obedience matters, even when the instructions feel strange or uncomfortable.
God’s Strength Shines Through Weakness
One of the clearest examples of this is Gideon’s army.
God intentionally reduced an army of 32,000 down to just 300. In the natural, it makes no sense. In the Spirit, it makes perfect sense.
God wanted everyone to know the victory did not come from numbers, strategy, or human ability. It came from Him.
I have seen this truth play out again and again in my own life. When I felt weak, unsure, or unqualified, God showed Himself strong. It was never about what I could do. It was always about what God could do through me.
The Call to Humility
That is why Scripture repeatedly calls us to humility.
“If My people will humble themselves…”
“Humble yourselves before the Lord…”
“Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand…”
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled…”
Humility keeps us teachable. It keeps us listening. It keeps us obedient, even when God asks us to do something outside the box.
Be Who God Called You to Be
God may be asking you to do something that feels odd or unusual. Something that does not fit neatly into other people’s expectations.
When that happens, pray. Seek godly counsel. Weigh it carefully. And if it truly comes from God, be obedient.
I have learned that trying to be “normal” is overrated anyway.
God did not call me to be like everyone else.
He did not call you to be like everyone else.
He called us to be who He created us to be. Unique. Purpose-filled. Dependent on Him.
Sometimes God’s ways look odd.
Sometimes obedience feels uncomfortable.
But God is always faithful.
And He always knows exactly what He is doing.
A Prayer for the One Reading This
Jesus, I ask that whoever is reading this would know, right now, that no matter what state they are in, they are accepted by You. You love them just as they are, and You will use them for Your glory.
If they feel small like Zacchaeus and only want a glimpse of You, remind them that You see them and will meet with them personally.
If they feel like a woman hidden in the crowd, carrying weakness, frailty, or an issue that has gone on too long, let them know that if they reach out right where they are and touch You, they will be healed.
God, You do not see us as odd or unusual. You see us as the vessels You intentionally formed.
We do not have to become good enough, smart enough, good-looking enough, or spiritual enough to receive Your love and acceptance.
We receive it now.
Amen.
by Christian International | Jan 26, 2026 | Articles
I’ve heard it said many times that this is a year of new beginnings.
But the truth goes deeper than that.
Every day you wake up is a new beginning.
While you sleep, God designed your body to reset. Your brain rests. Your body repairs. Hormones rebalance. Your immune system strengthens. Your heart slows. Your emotions settle.
Renewal is built into your design.
When you open your eyes in the morning, you are not stepping back into yesterday. You are stepping into a fresh start God has already prepared.
Scripture reminds us:
“He grants sleep to those He loves.”
Psalm 127:2
Sleep is not only rest.
It is mercy preparing you for what comes next.
The Reality of New Beginnings
New beginnings often arrive quietly. Sometimes they come with anticipation. Other times they arrive in the middle of uncertainty. Either way, every new beginning requires something to end.
Change does not mean what ended was wrong. It simply means God is doing something different.
I have experienced several moments in my life where everything seemed settled. My direction felt clear. My plans appeared secure. Then in a moment, everything shifted.
What I thought would happen did not.
How I believed it would unfold never did.
God’s direction looked completely different than I expected.
That is why I have always held to this perspective:
Plan like you are going to live a long life.
But live each day aware that life is a gift.
We plan wisely. We prepare responsibly. But circumstances change. People make choices. And God sometimes redirects our steps.
One conversation can change everything.
One decision can shift a season.
One moment can alter a future.
Learning Where Control Ends
One of the most important lessons we learn in life is this:
You cannot make people fit into your plan.
God gave every person free will. You can pray. You can intercede. You can ask God to move in hearts and situations. But you cannot control outcomes.
That realization can be difficult. But it also teaches us trust.
Trust in God’s sovereignty.
Trust in His timing.
Trust in His ability to work beyond what we can see.
Seasons Change Without Warning
There have been seasons when my life appeared stable while others were facing hardship.
There have also been seasons when I was the one walking through difficulty while others seemed to be thriving.
At times, families appear strong. At other times, they are under pressure.
At times, health is steady. At other times, challenges arise.
At times, finances are secure. Then circumstances shift.
Life can change quickly.
New beginnings and reversals happen day by day.
Scripture shows us this pattern over and over again.
Joseph and the Unpredictability of Purpose
Joseph’s life is a powerful example.
One season, he was favored by his father. He wore a beautiful robe and lived with promise and expectation.
Then everything changed.
His robe was torn. He was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. While they returned home, Joseph was carried into captivity.
Later, he was promoted. Then falsely accused. Then imprisoned.
And then, once again, God lifted him up. Joseph interpreted dreams and was placed in authority over Egypt.
His story moved through favor, loss, confinement, and leadership.
God was present in every season.
The Danger of Comparison
Because life shifts so quickly, comparison is dangerous.
Someone may appear to be doing well while you are struggling. But circumstances can change in a moment.
Judgment is just as dangerous.
I have seen people speak critically about another person’s family, ministry, finances, or health, only to later walk through similar situations themselves.
Scripture warns us:
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
Proverbs 27:1
None of us knows what tomorrow holds.
But we do know the One who holds tomorrow.
Mercy Is Waiting Each Morning
Every breath you take is a gift.
Every heartbeat is evidence of God’s faithfulness.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22–23
New beginnings are not limited to seasons on a calendar.
They are not dependent on circumstances lining up.
They are available every morning.
Living Well in Every Season
We are called to live with joy in the middle of difficulty.
To hold hope when answers are not yet clear.
To walk in peace that goes beyond understanding.
And when God’s favor is evident in our lives, we must guard our hearts. We remain grateful, humble, and compassionate toward others.
Because seasons shift.
Situations change.
And God remains faithful.
Every morning is mercy.
Every breath is grace.
Every day is a new beginning.
by Christian International | Dec 2, 2025 | Articles
This time of year, my inbox fills up with Christmas deals, countdown clocks, and “Only 3 left!” alerts.
Christmas shopping season is officially here — and if you’re anything like me, online shopping becomes a lifeline.
Instacart. Uber Eats. DoorDash. Amazon. Etsy.
If it can be delivered, it has probably made its way to my porch.
Life is full for me — caring for my 91-year-old father, loving on my four children and eight grandchildren, helping lead our ministry, and trying to keep up with everything in between.
So yes… sometimes that “Order Now” button is a gift from Heaven.
But recently, while placing yet another Christmas-season order, the Lord whispered something that stopped me in my tracks:
“This is how faith works.”
Right there — in the middle of carts, checkout buttons, and tracking numbers — God started showing me a spiritual picture I had never considered before.
And suddenly… it all made sense.
🌱 Hope: The Picture That Starts the Journey
Hebrews 11:1 tells us:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Every online order begins with hope.
Before the package ever exists in your hands, it exists in your imagination.
Hope is the desire.
The picture of something needed.
The vision of something better than what you currently have.
Spiritually, my life has been shaped by that same kind of hope:
hope for family restoration
hope for healing
hope for open doors
hope for God to transform what looked impossible
Hope gives direction.
But hope doesn’t deliver the package.
Something else has to happen.
1️⃣ Placing the Order: The Moment Faith Takes Action
When I click “Place Order,” something amazing happens:
I commit to something I don’t yet have.
I haven’t held it, seen it, or touched it.
In fact, it may still be in a warehouse across the country.
But the moment I place the order, I believe it exists — and I believe it’s coming.
That’s faith.
Jesus said in Mark 11:24:
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
When I stand on God’s promises, it’s just like pressing the Submit button in the spirit.
I’m not waiting for proof.
I’m believing because God already said it.
📦 Faith places the order. Trust waits for delivery.
2️⃣ The Confirmation Email: God’s Word as My Receipt
Seconds after ordering, a confirmation pops into my inbox:
order received
payment approved
process started
I still don’t have the item…
but I have proof it’s mine.
God showed me His promises work the same way.
Every verse in Scripture is Heaven’s confirmation email.
2 Corinthians 1:20 says:
“All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen.”
When God speaks, that settles it.
His Word is my receipt.
3️⃣ The Waiting Period: When Things Happen Behind the Scenes
Now comes the part no one loves — spiritually or naturally.
Waiting.
Sometimes packages arrive fast.
Sometimes they seem to circle the earth for two weeks.
But even when I see nothing, I trust things are moving behind the scenes — processing, packaging, preparing, transporting.
Daniel knew this feeling. He prayed, and the answer took 21 days because an angel was fighting unseen battles on the way (Daniel 10).
I’ve prayed through seasons like that too.
Seasons where I cried out and believed with everything in me… and yet nothing changed immediately.
But delay never meant denial.
🕊️ Just because I don’t see movement doesn’t mean God hasn’t already started working.
Habakkuk 2:3 tells us:
“Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come.”
4️⃣ The Tracking Number: The Holy Spirit’s Inner Updates
Eventually, the tracking number arrives.
And suddenly, those small updates bring reassurance:
“Order processed”
“Shipped”
“In transit”
“Out for delivery”
Spiritually, the Holy Spirit does this for me every day.
He gives me peace.
Assurance.
Joy.
And that quiet inner knowing that God heard me.
Romans 8:16 says:
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit…”
He whispers, “It’s on the way.”
5️⃣ Delivery Day: When Hope Turns Into Reality
Then finally — the knock on the door.
What started as hope…
What shifted into faith…
What survived the waiting…
arrives in my hands.
Jesus said:
“If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” (John 11:40)
I’ve experienced that knock in so many ways — healing, provision, restoration, protection, breakthroughs I prayed for with tears in my eyes.
God is faithful.
Every time.
🎁 What This Journey Taught Me
Online shopping — especially during Christmas — reminded me:
Hope gives me the picture.
Faith makes the request.
Trust carries me through the waiting.
God brings the answer.
I don’t email Amazon begging for reassurance.
I don’t panic-text DoorDash.
I don’t stalk Etsy like something went wrong.
I simply trust the process.
Rest.
And expect the knock.
If I can trust earthly companies with my orders…
how much more should I trust the God who has never failed me?
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
— Mark 11:24 NIV
🕊️ A Prayer for You
Father, I lift up every person reading these words. You see their hopes, their needs, their longings, and every prayer they’ve whispered in faith. I ask that You strengthen their hearts in the waiting and remind them that You are already working behind the scenes. Let Your peace be their confirmation, Your promises be their certainty, and Your Spirit be their daily reassurance.
Increase their confidence to believe before they see, and let this be a season where prayers, long held in faith, finally arrive at their doorstep. Let hope rise, let faith grow, and let trust deepen as they walk with You.
Amen.
by Christian International | Nov 4, 2025 | Articles
I have seen many people in my life who lack self-control (NIV) or temperance (KJV). It is one of the fruits of the Spirit and affects every aspect of your life.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV) –
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Self-control isn’t just willpower—it’s evidence of the Spirit at work in us. God calls us to be in control of our tongue (what we say), our mind (what we think), and our body (what we do).
Sowing and Reaping
I’ve seen people without self-control, also known as self-discipline. Some couldn’t control their anger and became verbally or physically abusive. Others lost control of their thought life and fell into perversion and immorality.
“Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny.”
This is based on the biblical principle of sowing and reaping.
Control Over the Body
When people don’t have control over their bodies, they can become obese or anorexic. They might not exercise or care for their health, becoming weak and unable to function properly. Some fall into addiction or alcoholism because they don’t control what they put into their bodies. We have to remember our bodies are the Temple of God.
Control Over Words
It is important to think before you speak. God warns us not to gossip or backbite. Scripture tells us to listen more than we speak. Hurtful words can sometimes hit harder than a physical blow.
Proverbs 17:27–28 (NIV) –
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
It’s better to be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Control Over Thoughts
Mental illness is a big topic today. I do believe many people experience real trauma and mental challenges. But sometimes, the issue is not illness, it’s a lack of self-control over emotions and thoughts.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV) –
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
What you focus on shapes who you become. Every choice you make affects your life—positively or negatively—and often affects your family and friends as well.
Let God Take Control
God wants to be in control of your life. He asks for your whole heart, mind, soul, and body.
Titus 2:2 (NIV) calls older men to be “temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled.”
Temperance implies a lifestyle of steady moderation that fosters long-term wisdom and stability.
There have been many times in my life when I couldn’t see a way out of a bad situation. But when I placed it in God’s hands and let Him take control, I was amazed at how He directed my steps and worked all things together for good.
Self-Control in Daily Life
Peer pressure and social norms can test our self-control. For example, some say, “To do my job, I have to drink.” Or to fit in a social setting” But there are many leaders in government and business who have never taken a drink.
I’m not saying that having a drink is always wrong, but if you lack self-control, then for you—it may be wrong.
You also need control over your money. If you spend more than you earn, you’ll fall into debt. If you gamble or fail to give tithes, you’re not being a wise steward. God calls us to be faithful managers of the resources He entrusts to us.
And you need self-control with your family—to be faithful to your spouse, and to raise your children with love and discipline. Without self-control, you may become abusive if you can’t manage anger or patience, or you may become overly lenient, failing to teach your children boundaries and self-control in their lives.
Final Thoughts
Self-control touches every area of life—spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, financial, and relational. It is not something we can achieve in our own strength. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, developed as we yield ourselves to God daily. Scripture says we are to know them by the fruit and self-control they have in their lives.
When we let God’s Spirit rule in us, our actions, words, and thoughts begin to align with His will. And through that, we not only change our destiny—we reflect Christ to the world.
by Christian International | Sep 30, 2025 | Articles
Letting Go of the Past: Forgiveness and Moving Forward
You can’t always change what happens to you, but you can choose how you respond.
From the outside, my life looked polished and put together. I was married to a pastor who also traveled as a minister, smiling on the front row while my four children sat beside me, perfectly dressed for church. To those watching, I looked steady, faithful, strong—even a role model they might have admired, imagining my life as perfect. Yet the truth is, appearances can be deceiving. Even today, when you scroll through social media, you may see people—even ministers—who look like they have everything together. But behind the curated photos, there can be hidden pain and scars you’ll never see in a snapshot.
But behind that smile was a woman breaking inside. I was wounded. I was angry. I was carrying pain I didn’t feel safe to share. I don’t call that hypocrisy, because I truly longed to worship God and raise my children in His presence. I believed the Word even when the one preaching it didn’t live it. Yet there were very few—if any—people I felt I could confide in.
And that’s when I learned something sobering: people can’t help you with a burden you never tell them about. But even when no one else knows, God knows. And when you reach the end of yourself, His faithfulness becomes your lifeline.Forgiveness and Freedom
Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting. It’s about letting go so the offense no longer controls you. When you allow pain and betrayal to define you, it becomes your prison. Bitterness poisons your thoughts and even affects your body.
But Scripture makes it clear:
“See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12:15)
Bitterness binds you, not the one who wronged you. Forgiveness, on the other hand, frees you. It doesn’t excuse what was done, but it releases you from being chained to it.Choosing to React Differently
We can’t control how people treat us, but we can decide how we will respond. Jesus showed us another way:
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
That is not easy. It takes courage to forgive, strength to respond in love, and faith to believe that God will deal justly with every situation. But when you choose forgiveness, you take back control from the offense and place your future in God’s hands.Don’t Let the Past Define You
One of the enemy’s greatest lies is that your past is who you are. He whispers, “You are your betrayal. You are your mistake. You are your failure.” But that is not what God says.
Paul reminds us:
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13–14)
Your identity is not your pain. It is not your history. It is who God says you are—redeemed, restored, chosen, and loved.Living in Peace, Not the Past
You cannot go back and change what happened. But you can choose not to live there anymore. Holding on to the past breeds depression, anxiety, and fear. Letting go opens the door to peace.
God Himself extends this promise:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18–19)
When you forgive, when you release what was, you step into what God is doing now.Conclusion: Defined by Christ, Not by Pain
You are not what happened to you. You are who Christ says you are. And He calls you victorious:
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
Today, you have a choice. You can hold on to the hurt and let it define you—or you can forgive, let go, and step into the newness and peace that God has waiting.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean the past disappears. It means the past no longer dictates your future.
by Christian International | Sep 10, 2025 | Articles
YOU ARE ENOUGH
As Christians, we often wrestle with the nagging lie that we don’t measure up. Feelings of inadequacy creep in and whisper that we’re not smart enough, strong enough, holy enough, or simply… enough. Yet the Word of God reminds us again and again: in Him, we already are enough.
From the time I was a little girl, I struggled to believe that truth. Growing up, I often felt like I didn’t measure up. My brothers excelled in school, while I silently battled undiagnosed dyslexia until high school. I was the youngest and only daughter, naturally shy, easily intimidated, and always comparing myself to others. Later in life, the wounds cut even deeper. I endured verbal, emotional, and physical abuse that left scars on my self-worth. I faced betrayal so personal it shook me to the core, convincing me I was unworthy and that I would never measure up.
I was the first in my family to go through a divorce, left raising four children alone. That same year, the joy of becoming a grandmother was overshadowed when my first grandchild was born with a severe heart condition requiring open-heart surgery. As all this unfolded, I relocated closer to family and began working at Christian International. The whirlwind of transition, responsibility, and heartbreak left me buried under a sense of overwhelming inadequacy.
But God.
In the middle of my brokenness, God began to show me, “I made you. And because I made you, you are enough.” Psalm 139:13 (NIV) declares, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” From the very beginning, God designed me with intention and purpose. Even when I doubted myself, He looked past my weakness and saw my heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) reminds us, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Scripture shows us again and again that every person has shortcomings, yet God still chooses to use us when our hearts are surrendered to Him. Romans 3:23 (NIV) says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But God doesn’t leave us there. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” And John 3:17 (NIV) reassures us, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The truth is simple: in Christ, there is no condemnation, only restoration.
Time and again, prophetic words I’ve received or spoken over others have started with, “God has made you unique.” And it’s true. None of us share the same DNA or fingerprints. Romans 9:20 (NIV) asks, “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” When we criticize ourselves, we are indirectly suggesting that God made a mistake. Yet He makes no mistakes. Genesis 1:27 (NIV) assures us, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
And still, in hard seasons, we often meet our own “Job’s friends”—people who criticize, slander, or gossip. But the Word is clear: Psalm 101:5 (NIV) warns, “Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.” Instead of tearing down, we are called to build up. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:11 (NIV): “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
The Christian journey is not about perfection or speed, but endurance. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) declares, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Along my path, I’ve stumbled, fallen, and needed God’s redirection. Yet each time, He reached down, lifted me up, and set me back on course.
Jesus warned us in Luke 6:37 (NIV): “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Paul echoed in Galatians 5:26 (NIV): “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Today, social media tempts us with endless comparison to polished images of “perfect” lives. But behind many of those smiles are hearts desperate for love, healing, and encouragement.
God reminds us over and over: “We are more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). We “can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13). And “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Yet so often, the fiercest voice disqualifying us is our own.
Even Moses felt the sting of inadequacy. Exodus 4:10-11 (NIV) tells us, “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent… I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?’” God had confidence in Moses when Moses had none in himself. And God still chose him.
Beloved, our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the God who formed us. Jesus died for us exactly as we are, paying a price we could never pay. Salvation cannot be earned—it is given by grace. And in that grace, we find rest.
So hear this truth: in Christ, you are chosen, you are called, and you are enough.
by Christian International | Aug 14, 2025 | Articles
As Christians, we are often taught to serve, to sacrifice, and to press on. Some of us were born into ministry, dedicated our lives to Christ at a young age, and have lived immersed in the work of the Kingdom. I asked Jesus to be Lord of my life when I was three, and I was filled with the Holy Spirit at six. From a preacher’s kid to a minister’s wife, and now a full-time ministry leader, I’ve heard countless sermons on God’s love, peace, grace, discipline, faith, and perseverance. But sermons on rest? Those are rare, yet rest is just as essential as every other part of the Christian life.
Yet Scripture begins with God Himself modeling rest:
Genesis 2:2 (NIV)
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”
God didn’t need to rest; He chose to. Not out of exhaustion, but as an example to us. He built rest into the rhythm of creation because He knew we would need it for our bodies, minds, and spirits. Rest is not a reward after you’ve earned it; rest is a rhythm you live in because God established it. Even your body lives by this design: your heart pauses in a tiny silence between beats; your lungs linger at the top of a breath before releasing; your muscles rebuild while you sleep; your mind resets as you step away from the noise. Trees rest from producing leaves in the fall and winter.
Sabbath Is Holy
Exodus 20:8–10 (NIV)
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…”
This is not a mere suggestion, it is the fourth commandment. Rest isn’t just sleep. It includes spending time with family, enjoying the Lord’s presence, or doing something that refreshes you. Some days, I take a quiet, mental-health day, not to escape responsibility but, just to decompress and realign. And that’s not lazy; it’s obedience. Sabbath is how we say with our time and calendar what we believe with our mouth: God is Lord, not our workload.
Psalm 23:1–3 (NIV)
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… you will find rest for your souls.”
The Christian walk includes rest because rest is sacred. When we stop striving, we learn to trust. And in trusting, we experience God’s peace. The Shepherd doesn’t drive us; He leads us and sometimes He “makes us lie down” because He loves us. Picture it: like a weary traveler lowering a heavy pack, you set your burdens down and finally breathe.
While You Rest, God Builds
Genesis 2:21–22 (NIV)
“So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep… Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man.”
Even the creation of Eve came while Adam was at rest. Some of God’s greatest works happen not while we labor, but while we rest in Him. When we rest, God works on our behalf, healing, restoring, and providing. Adam slept, and God was fashioning his family. While you rest, let God build your home, your clarity, your strength. Your soul and body need rest. Resting is taking care of yourself. Enjoying life is a form of rest. Enjoying the people God placed in your life restores your soul. Your brain quiets its clutter; your immune system strengthens; your body is renewed as you sleep. In rest, God is not passive; He is powerfully active on your behalf.
Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Rest is an act of faith. If God provides for the birds, how much more will He take care of us, our families, our finances, our future? Rest says, “Father, You’ve got this—so I will set it down.” Rest is how we let go so God can lift.
Hebrews 4:9–10 (NIV)
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
There’s a saying: You work and God rests, or you rest and God works. Choosing rest means choosing to believe that God’s got it. Healing requires rest. When our bodies are sick, resting helps us heal. Clarity comes in rest. And God speaks in rest, sometimes in dreams, sometimes in stillness. If you feel foggy, frantic, or frayed, your next breakthrough may be on the other side of a God-ordained rest.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
We don’t earn salvation, healing, or provision by striving. Christ accomplished it all at the cross. Now we walk in it—not by toil, but by trust. Grace frees you from performing for what Jesus already purchased. Rest is how grace becomes your pace.
Colossians 3:23–24 (NKJV)
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
As believers, let’s embrace rest, not as weakness but as worship. Rest is holy. Rest is faith. Rest is obedience. And in rest, we are renewed—in body, mind, and spirit—by the One who invites us to lay down our burdens and simply trust.
This week, choose one act of holy rest (and make it tangible):
•Do something you enjoy for the enjoyment of it
• Share a meal with close family and friends, enjoying each other’s presence.
• Turn off the noise, darken the room, and take a true nap.
by Christian International | Jun 30, 2025 | Articles
On May 23, I was blessed to welcome my eighth grandchild, Sylas. The miracle of birth is truly amazing and a beautiful reminder of God’s creative power.
In the womb, a baby is protected, surrounded by fluid, receiving continual nourishment, and everything it needs from the mother. All the while, the baby is growing into the likeness and image of its parents, maturing and preparing for the next stage of life. In many ways, this is how our Christian journey unfolds—we are growing daily into the image of Christ as we prepare for eternity.
Then, in just a few short hours, everything changes. The baby is thrust from that safe, familiar environment into a new world—breathing air, no longer protected by fluid, now needing to cry for nourishment, completely dependent on others to care for and protect them. This mirrors the believer’s transition from this earthly life into the glory of heaven.
My mother once had a revelation that this is what it may be like to die and go to heaven. While we are on earth, we are maturing and growing into the likeness and image of Christ Jesus. One day, just like a baby leaving the womb, we will leave this world and be thrust into an entirely new and glorious heavenly realm.
The difference between the womb and the world is immense, but so is the difference between this world and heaven. Just as a baby cannot comprehend what life outside the womb will be like, we cannot fully comprehend what heaven will be like.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9
“And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.” – 1 Corinthians 15:49
Trying to understand God and the spiritual realm with our natural minds is like an ant trying to understand a satellite. Imagine handing an ant a manual to an airplane or a spaceship and expecting it to comprehend it. Likewise, we often argue over theology, but God has told us that many things are beyond our understanding. Just take a second and think about God never beginning and never ending. Mind Blown! God gave us a manual to live by—the Bible—but we cannot grasp all its meaning without the help of the Holy Spirit.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12
That’s why God says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” – Hebrews 11:6. Walking with God is a walk of faith and trust—not asking why?, but learning to lean into His faithfulness and trusting He is directing your steps.
Instead of endless debates about theology, God calls us to love. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30 “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31
We are to love our neighbors as ourselves—which means we must also learn to love ourselves. He tells us not to worry, that He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Just as the birds do not worry, we are to trust Him. (Matthew 6:26)
With God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). Just as a baby learns to walk and talk over time, we too are learning and growing in our faith. Babies place their complete trust in their parents—and we must place our trust in our Heavenly Father.
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
In the Gospels, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for debating and trying to trap Him in theological arguments. Instead, He emphasized love, faith, humility, and obedience.
We are instructed to “study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15
Our God is a great God. He knows the end from the beginning. He is the Alpha and Omega, all-knowing.
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” – Psalm 145:3
Yet He loves us each individually. He knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7). His love is so vast we cannot even begin to imagine it (John 3:16). His grace, forgiveness, and heart for us are beyond our comprehension.
There is much we may never understand on this side of heaven. But one thing we do know: God is a good Father, and He has prepared something far greater than we can imagine for those who love Him.
by Christian International | Jun 4, 2025 | Articles
As believers, we are called to unity, not uniformity. We often assume that people with similar backgrounds will think and respond the same way. But even within families, perspectives can vary widely.
I have four children. All four come from the same DNA, the same gene pool. You’d think they would see the world in similar ways. But my oldest is 40, and my youngest is 30, with six years between the two middle children. The first two, a girl and a boy, were homeschooled and attended Christian schools through high school. The younger two boys went to public school. The first two were raised in a two-parent household. The second two were raised by me as a single mother.
Even with their shared heritage, each one processes trauma, joy, and life’s challenges in their own way. Their experiences have shaped their worldviews. And the same is true for all of us.
We come from different cultures. We are male and female. We’ve had different upbringings, family dynamics, and educational paths. All of this influences how we see life and how we respond to it. That’s not just okay. It’s intentional. It’s how God designed us.
This reminds me of the parable of the five blind men and the elephant. Each man touched a different part of the elephant and came to a different conclusion. One felt the trunk and thought it was a snake. Another touched a leg and believed it was a tree. Another felt the side and thought it was a wall. Each man’s perspective was valid, but incomplete. Only when they came together could they begin to understand the full picture.
It’s the same with people. Eyewitnesses to the same event—like a car accident—often describe it differently. One may say the car was blue. Another says teal. One blames one driver. Another blames the other. They might all be right based on what they saw.
Romans 14:2–3 speaks to this idea:
“One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.” (Romans 14:2–3 NIV)
This passage isn’t just about food. It’s about honoring different convictions. It’s a call to walk in grace. Just because someone sees or responds to something differently doesn’t make them wrong. It may just mean they’re coming from a different place and a different story.
Even in ministry, the Fivefold gifts bring different perspectives. A pastor ministers with compassion and care for hearts. A teacher brings clarity and instruction. An apostle lays foundations and casts vision. A prophet discerns and declares what God is saying. An evangelist carries a burning passion for the lost. Each brings something different, and all are needed to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11–13).
Here at Christian International, our diversity reflects this same beauty. Our staff includes people from Jamaica, Trinidad, El Salvador, and all across the United States. Some are married. Some are single. Some have children. Some do not. We are men and women. We come from different financial backgrounds and life experiences. And each person brings a unique and valuable perspective.
As 1 Corinthians 12:21 reminds us:
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’”
The eye sees differently than the hand. The head functions differently than the feet. But we need every part working together in order to be the Body of Christ.
Have you ever been in a debate with someone, and the more you listen to them, the more you begin to understand where they’re coming from? You start to see why they think the way they do. That’s what the saying means: “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” Try to see it from their perspective.
My dad has said to me, “You have to give people the right to be themselves.”
So the next time you encounter someone with a different perspective, instead of resisting it, try embracing it. Ask God what part of the bigger picture they might be helping you to see. Because in the Kingdom of God, different doesn’t mean wrong. It may just be part of His beautiful design.
by Christian International | May 22, 2025 | Articles
A few years ago, I heard the Lord say, “I’m taking My Church from survival to revival.”
We are in a season of divine disruption and reformation. But as the Church begins to awaken, so does the opposition. And if you’ve felt like the attacks have gone straight for your back, which is your strength it’s not your imagination.
The Lord gave me a dream about a demonic assignment called Rabshakeh, sent to beat down reformers, revivalists, and leaders with accusations and poison. In the dream, the enemy was trying to poison a leader’s back, his strength, and break him. But before he could succeed, we caught him. And we turned the rod meant for our destruction back on him.
Maybe you’ve felt this same warfare: a strange heaviness, relentless pressure, a flood of accusations in your mind. It’s not just personal—it’s prophetic. The Rabshakeh assignment is designed to break your will and get you to lay down your weapons before the breakthrough comes.
But here’s the good news: this assignment is being intercepted. What the enemy meant for evil, God is turning for good. You are not alone, and this is not the end. You are part of an exceedingly great army being raised up in this hour.
God is not just reviving you—He’s restoring your strength so you can finish strong.
Let the accusations fall. Let the voices of intimidation be silenced. You are moving from survival to revival.
