Author Archives: Christina

About Christina

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Blessings to all that are viewing this. My name is Christina Cruz-Mendez. I am a Senior Pastor at Mission United International Church in Yonkers, NY working along side my husband Juan A. Mendez Jr. Senior Pastor, currently residing in Canton, Georgia. We have been together for 29 years with 2 children that God has blessed us with. Makes us the family of four - "JusChrist4". I have been a Christian and active in ministry for about 22 years now. Through all the rocky and smooth roads in life I am eternally grateful that God has brought me this far in life to share with the world what He is doing in me, through me and for me.

So Much More Than Conquerors

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].
—ROMANS 8:37 AMP

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.”
—ISAIAH 41:13 NIV

Don’t you hate the days that feel less than that? We as believers know that we are so much more than conquerors yet there are some days or situations that can feel like tremendous set backs for us.

Riding down a wave of glory in a great season and then it comes to a glaring halt when things don’t exactly go the way you thought best.

Tough times approaching or that we are navigating through.

Seasons of surrender.

Still waiting. Still believing. Still trusting.

It actually becomes overwhelming at times.

But God wants to remind us today that He has come to overwhelm the things that overwhelm us.  He is in control.  Sit back and relax today.

Imagine Him coming to grab us by the hand and walk us through those moments. That is what I find myself having to do many times.  There are moments that I feel like this little girl still – and I’m 42!!! I feel like I am walking around lost, confused and uncertain.  But I got to believe and trust that God is in control of my life.

He is the Author and the Finisher.

We work from the beginning to the end. But God knew and created the end to the beginning.  He knows all things.  He will never let us down.    He is taking hold of you by the hand and He is not going to let you go!

Keep believing, trusting and following Him.

You will see just how much more than a conqueror you really are.  We can never understand just how much when set backs come up.  RISE UP! It may be bad, uncomfortable, embarrassing, frightening, desolate and dark in those trying days but know that God is going to give us an OVERWHELMING VICTORY!

Start right now in this moment… whether it is one of weakness or strength.  Turn to Him through worship and watch the worry waste away.

 


Not Knowing Place

I’m anxious.

I’m worried.

I’m concerned.

I’m stressed.

I’m even afraid.

As we step out into the unknown I have to really trust God with all that I am.

Because all else is just a “not knowing” stage. Not so cool. So many questions, concerns and even confusion starts to make its way in.

Just as I read aloud:

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.

Exodus 3:7-8

God’s desire is always to bring us to a better place.

We don’t get to that place when we choose other things. We get there by following His direction as long as it takes.

He is concerned.

He is aware.

Ultimately He is in control.

We lift up our hands in praise as a sign of surrender to His will.

This is not my problem to solve but Yours to solve.

“How changed our lives would be if we could only fly through the days on wings of surrender and trust!” Hannah Whitall Smith

So I am just waiting, wondering and wishful.

God take the wheel. Drive. Lead. Guide. Propel.

I am trying to provoke you with my faith, even if the mustard seed type moved a mountain. I know you can do even more.

Not knowing is where I stand.

All knowing is who You are.

I trust You got the rest, especially what lies within.

With love,

Christina


Psalm 61

We declare the Word of the Lord over our lives today. We decree it. We speak this word into our existence and into our being.

Just as the psalmist declared, so do we –as we feel the unction of the Holy One this day and everyday in our walk with God.

We stay inspired and encouraged through Your word because it has given us HOPE!

Thank you!

As we make this an intimate prayer:

“Hear my cry, O God;

listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to You,

I call as my heart grows faint;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been my refuge,

A strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in Your tent forever

and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

For you, God, have heard my vows;

You have given me the heritage

of those who fear Your name.

Increase the days of the king’s life,

His years for many generations.

May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; Appoint Your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of Your name

and fulfill my vows day after day.”

Psalm 61:1-8 NIV

Amen


Revived to Revive!

We need REVIVAL!

  • Renew
  • Emerge
  • Value
  • Intimate
  • Victor
  • Active
  • Love

Little Bailey (small pit) was revived by a family in Georgia.  Found in the streets completely emaciated, bruised, sick and lost.  This family took the dog straight to the vet, got immediate care and meds for Bailey.  Now she is super whole! Super fun! Super loving. We are revived to revive.

If God did it for Bailey–how much more would he do it for us?  We need to believe God that America can be revived again! From so much loss, trials and tragedy.  We are emaciated spiritually–down to skin and bones.  God send REVIVAL to us.

“Then we will not turn back from You;
Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.”
Psalm 80:18

Revival is restoration to life, vigor, strength; an awakening; quicken; renew in mind.

Renew–God wants to renew us as His word declares:

“Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10

Emerge–is to rise and come to surface.  This is to develop after coming out of a hidden place. Declared in His word:

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1

Value–understanding our relative worth to God, to others and the body of Christ.

“Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:31

Intimate–a condition of being in close association which is how God wants us to be with Him.

“As we come close to Him, He comes close to us.”
James 4:7

Victors–we are persons that have overcome and defeated many adversaries.  This is because God has given us the victory.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Active–participation and motion.  God called us to move and work in a large scale. We have many to bring this Good News too!

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

Love–a passionate and unconditional affection; personal attachment. God loved us first and poured out His love in our hearts so that we can walk in love with others.

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in loveendeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3

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