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 | 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 | May 7, 2025 | Articles
You may feel stuck… but what if this is actually growth?
When I was a child, I struggled in school. My two older brothers made straight A’s, but I had a hard time. Reading and comprehension didn’t come easily. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I was diagnosed with dyslexia. By then, I had already figured out how to get by—and with God’s grace, I graduated.
Because academics didn’t come naturally, I leaned into relationships and social skills. I remember a vivid moment in Bible college. My brother Tom, his girlfriend Jane (now wife), and I all studied hard for a test. We knew the material. But when the grades came back, they both received A’s—I got a D. I was devastated. I cried. I knew the answers—I just couldn’t process the written test the same way.
Even now, I still wrestle with fear when reading Scripture aloud during a sermon. That fear has tried to hold me back more than once.
But I take comfort in Moses’ story. When God called him, Moses responded, “I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech and of tongue” (Exodus 4:10, NKJV). God didn’t rebuke him—He reassured him. If God could use Moses with his limitations, He can use us too.
Over the years, I discovered that I’m more comfortable writing than speaking. I even wrote a book, Stewarding Your Best Life, and now I write articles to strengthen others in their walk with God. His strength truly is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Everyone Grows at a Different Pace
Not everyone learns the same way. Some things come easily to others, but that doesn’t mean you’re behind. We’re all growing—but we’re growing differently. That’s why Scripture tells us:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…” —1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” —Matthew 7:1
Dyslexia taught me this personally. I don’t catch subtle hints. I take things literally. When people say, “You knew what I meant,” I often didn’t. I only knew what they said. It’s not rudeness—it’s wiring. God made me this way. And He equips each of us uniquely for the call on our life (Hebrews 13:21).
The Stages of Spiritual Growth
The rhythm of the Kingdom is this: bottom to top… and then back to the bottom again. But each time, at a higher level.
My mom wrote a book, God’s Tests Are Positive, that outlines the stages of growth in life—and it mirrors our spiritual journey so well.
- Baby Stage – You cry, and someone comes. No one expects maturity. Everything is done for you.
- Toddler Stage – Now you’re being trained. Throwing tantrums and making messes are no longer excused. Not rejection—it’s preparation.
- Kindergarten – You start learning how to sit still, listen, and pay attention.
- Elementary School – Tests are introduced. You take them, pass them, and advance. You’re taught the basics—like math. Then math gets harder. Same subject, different depth.
By 5th grade, you’re the top of the class. You feel confident, capable. But then comes…
- Middle School – And you’re back at the bottom. The rhythm resets. You learn to navigate more complexity—new social dynamics, new academic demands. Same subjects, but deeper content.
Then you rise again—until you’re the leader of the school—an 8th grader. Top dog.
- High School – But guess what? Freshman again. Bottom rung. New environment. New pressure. But also, new opportunity. Each level requires more of you, even if you’re covering familiar ground. Algebra becomes calculus. Reading becomes critical thinking. What used to stretch you now feels basic.
And when you graduate?
- College or Career – You start again. Freshman. Entry-level. Bottom of a new system. But this isn’t failure—it’s growth. It’s the rhythm of development. Bottom to top, over and over again. But every time, you’re going higher.
This is why the same lessons will revisit you in new ways. Because you’re not just repeating—you’re being refined. Trained. Elevated.
“Study to show yourself approved unto God…” —2 Timothy 2:15
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child… but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” —1 Corinthians 13:11
Be Encouraged—You’re Still Growing
No matter where you are—just starting, in transition, or leading—you’re still being transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). And that process often looks like being humbled… again.
If you’re struggling, you’re not disqualified. God provides help. He sends people. He uses tools. I rely on my team and technology to help me communicate. And there’s no shame in that. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Don’t let fear, shame, or comparison keep you from stepping into what God has called you to do. You may feel like you’re at the bottom—but you’re not stuck. You’re growing. You’re advancing to the next level.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…” —2 Corinthians 3:18
This is the rhythm of Kingdom growth. From bottom to top… and higher every time.
by Christian International | Apr 8, 2025 | Articles
Life is filled with unexpected moments—some beautiful, others incredibly painful. As believers, we hold on to the truth that no matter what comes, God is still sovereign, and His plans are ultimately for our good. Romans 8:28 reminds us:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
What followed in my life was a season I never saw coming—but one that God used to deepen my dependence on Him.
In 2023, I experienced two life-altering events that tested my faith, patience, and physical strength.
One morning, after dropping my dad off at the airport—a routine drive I had done countless times—I turned into my neighborhood, just as I always had. But this time, a car came speeding toward me without headlights. The impact was devastating. My car spun. The other car rolled. I was left with six broken bones—my pelvis, back, and rib were fractured—and my life came to a sudden halt.
In an instant, my carefully laid plans vanished. The months ahead turned into a journey of hospitals, healing, and pain management. I had no choice but to surrender control.
Then in November, while putting up Christmas lights, another freak accident struck. I fell from a step stool and landed hard on my right ankle. The break was severe and required surgery, leaving me with a metal plate and five screws. Bedridden again. More plans canceled. More time away from everything I had hoped to enjoy with family and ministry.
Can I explain why this all happened? No.
Did I get some grand revelation in the middle of it all? Honestly, no.
But I clung to the promises of God. I leaned into His Word. I reminded myself daily that God doesn’t waste pain. Even when we don’t understand, He is working behind the scenes—bringing good out of hardship and drawing us closer to Him.
Sometimes the revelation is not in the reason, but in the result: a deeper trust, a clearer voice, a stronger spirit.
And yes—I’ve said it more than once:
“This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”
That little bit of humor carried me through more than a few painful days.
I once heard this wisdom:
“Plan your life like you’re going to live to be 100. Live your life like Jesus is coming tomorrow.”
That stayed with me.
We all face trials—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Just as the body can be broken and slowly rebuilt, so can the soul. Healing is a process. It takes time. There are scars. There are adjustments. Even now, my back still aches if I stand too long. I walk with a slight limp.
But I’m walking. I’m serving. I’m moving forward by the grace of God.
To anyone going through their own storm: hold on. Be patient. Trust in the slow, steady work of healing that God is doing in you. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He promises never to leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
No matter how difficult things look at the moment, don’t lose hope. Keep your peace. Stay patient with long-suffering. One day, you will look back on this and either laugh or use it to help someone else walk through a similar trial. It will become part of your testimony—a teaching and maturing experience that God uses to conform you into the likeness and image of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Psalm 30:5 says:
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Worrying about something will not change it. Scripture tells us not to worry:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
Sometimes we have to take one day at a time, one hour at a time, or even one minute at a time. If you dwell too much on the future, it can become overwhelming and discouraging.
In those moments, I sing the old hymn:
“One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking of You. Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do.”
And I pray—continually.
There are times when all you can do is whisper prayers under your breath or in your heart. Keep your mind fixed on Christ, and resist the urge to spiral into fear or doubt.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
This too shall pass.
And when it does, you’ll emerge stronger, wiser, and more rooted in the faithfulness of your God.
You are not alone.
Keep the faith.
Keep walking.
