Ed Christian's World

The Sluggard and The Cold…

In Proverbs 20:4, it says the sluggard will not plow because of the cold; therefore, he shall beg in harvest and have nothing. What does that mean for us?

God called you to reap eternal life. It is good and it is God’s will, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. When you do good, there will always be things against it.

It is going to be cold. But you can’t let the resistance stop you from doing God’s will or doing good or get discouraged or give up. You can’t follow the path of least resistance and serve God at the same time.

There is a path of seeking pleasure and no resistance, and the sluggard takes it, and he gets nothing in the end. But there is a path that if you go against it, you go against the resistance. For God, that leads to life, joy, and a harvest.

Choose righteousness. Do you have resistance? Good. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t throw in the towel. Keep serving God, praising God, keep doing good and you will reap a harvest of blessings; because giving up on righteousness is only an option for sluggards.

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Don’t give up and don’t give in to the resistance today. Keep serving, keep praising, and keep on keeping on.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Starting With The Blue…

To build the Temple of God, the Lord gave Israel specific instructions. The cloth was to be woven with three colors–blue, purple, scarlet. Wherever these three colors are mentioned, whether the veils or the high priest clothing, blue is always first.

Why is blue first? The colors are significant. Red is the Hebrew word for Adam, it represents earth and man. Blue is the color of heaven and blue is always first, because the secret of life is that you always have to start with the blue – the heavenly.

Your day – start it with the heavenly. Your plans–start with the heavenly. Your actions – start with the heavenly. Don’t live in the red. If you put earthly things first, you are going to end up with nothing. Blue first.

So stop reacting to everything around you. Start looking up, respond to God; let every motive come from the blue, from heaven. Let every plan and action come from the blue, from heaven.

Love with the love of God, move with the Spirit of God, live by the life of God, live in the blue and your life will never end up in the red.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Make the switch today to live in and do all things “in the blue”.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Unyoking…

In Acts 15, the counsel of Jerusalem met, and it was a critical moment in church history. They had to decide whether to open the doors wide for the Gentiles to come to faith.

Now in one of the most important moments in church history, you would think that God would have spoken really loudly – a voice, a sign, an angel or prophecy, but there is no record of anything like that happening. Simply, they came to a decision.

It happened through natural talking or deliberation. It went that way because that was the will of God. It shows how God is sovereign over human events. It shows how God works. Sometimes things seem like they are hanging on a thread, like you can go in any direction.

But there is a supernatural thread weaving it together to the right thing. It’s like sewing; you pull fabrics together, but in your life God is doing that, too. He is leading through all things. He is going to lead you as you seek Him, because in God your life is supernaturally natural.

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9

No matter what it looks like today, let God lead you in the direction you are to go.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Unconditional Thanks…

We know that God has given us unconditional grace, but do you know what word comes from grace? Gracias! Gracias means thanks. That’s why we call giving thanks before a meal, grace. Grace is linked to thanks.

If God gives us unconditional grace, we should give Him our unconditional gracias; unconditional thanks. It’s not enough to bear with things or endure tough times; we need to mature to the point where we give thanks for them, unconditionally.

Often when things go wrong, people, including Christians, sarcastically say “thanks a lot.” But that’s not right. Instead when you face challenges, learn to say “Thanks Lord for working all this for good. You’ve given me your unconditional grace to deal with this, so I give you my unconditional thanks.”

That’s why the Bible says “in everything give thanks.” Most likely you already give thanks when you get what you want or desire. But when you also give thanks for what you don’t want, then you truly will be thankful in everything.

So practice being thankful to God because unconditional grace deserves unconditional gracias.

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, psalm 92:1-2

Give thanks to God in all things today, no matter what, who, when, how, or why.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Taking Out The Waist…

I noticed something in my life that may be true for you. It takes a while to notice you’re getting fatter. You can fool yourself for a while, but not forever. You know how I noticed I was gaining weight? My pants didn’t fit anymore!

You see, pants are objective standards that force you to face truth. My pants were saying, “Listen, you’re fat!” I had come to a crossroads. So with discipline and courage, I made the change; I had my pants let out! No more problems!

The point is this; the problem wasn’t resolved. We also can become spiritually fat, lazy, cold, dead, misled, or weak. So it’s crucial to have standards. God’s word is a standard that doesn’t change; it’s truth.

What do you do when you find your life isn’t matching up with the Word anymore? Do you, like many people, try to rationalize, dilute or alter the Word like the pants?

Never alter God’s word to fit your life, rather alter your life to fit God’s Word. Because when the pants don’t fit anymore, it’s not the pants that need altering, but the person and the life inside.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. Psalm 19:7-9

Go over God’s standard, the Word. What parts of your life aren’t measuring up to it? Today, begin making that change.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Your Own Garments…

The good Samaritan sees a wounded man on the road. He stops, cares for him and bandages up his wounds. But what did he use as bandages? Was he carrying a first aid kit or Band-Aids? Undoubtedly he used his own clothes.

Back then clothes were really important. They were your bed or your blanket at night. Clothes were linked to your identity, status, and wealth. But he took his clothes and wrapped the wounds, getting them bloody, soiled, and ruined–all for a total stranger.

He saw his clothes as something to be used for God’s purposes, not something to be hoarded. So what does this say to us? It means we should have the same attitude and willingness. All we are, all we have is to be used solely for God’s glory, to bless others in demonstration of His love.

Jesus gave up all for us. He gave up His status, His reputation, His possessions, even His earthly ministry so our wounds would be bandaged up and our souls could be saved. He didn’t hoard. He didn’t keep it for His glory. He sacrificed for you to be saved. Go and do likewise.

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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

What can you give of your possessions, your resources, and yourself today to help those in need? Go ahead and give it!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Beating The Bully…

A number of well-dressed gentlemen were sitting in a smoking room; drinking, playing card games, and enjoying the night. The problem was that the smoking room was on the Titanic. It was 11:40 p.m.

Outside, two lookouts spotted a strange shape in the distance that grew larger by the second. Within 37 seconds, the ship’s fate was sealed. Those in the smoking room did not see the next sunrise.

This happens all the time. This life is a sinking ship. No one gets out alive. We have a limited time and then eternity. Most people, even believers, spend their time chasing after material possessions, following trivial pursuits, focusing on what is petty, vain and meaningless.

Could that be you? If so, wake up! We only have a limited time to live in holiness, fulfill our calling, spread the Gospel, and help save those who are perishing. So glorify God with all your heart because this life is too precious to waste another second in the smoking room.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

When the enemy comes against you, when problems come against you, and oppose you; stand in the strength and power of the Almighty God.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Fullness Of Joy…

Psalm 16:11 says: “In your presence is fullness of joy.” Do you want joy? Real joy? Of course you do! But you won’t find it in things, or religion or success.

You find joy in the presence of God. And not just joy, but fullness of joy. Not an empty, fading or fleeting joy either, but a complete joy. This joy is more than emotion; it is lasting. If you don’t have joy in the Lord, there’s a good chance you’re not spending enough time with the Lord.

The joy of the Lord comes from the Lord. It doesn’t come from activities for the Lord, but from being with the Lord. Believers who are truly filled with joy are the ones who spend time with God and delight to spend time with Him.

God is their delight. And that’s not all. This verse also says “…at your right hand are pleasures evermore.” Now that’s a whole lot of pleasure! So make God and your time with God the priority of everyday of your life. Cherish it, treasure it, and rejoice in it for that is the only sure way to joy.

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. Psalm 35:9

Experience the joy of the Lord today. Get in His presence and don’t leave until you have the ‘fullness of joy’.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Whispering Hope…

The less, the more – the good, the bad – the sweet and bitter. If we wish to pry within the truths of a thing, we must perforce have recourse to it’s opposite, it’s twin. But know that our Creator’s eyes are blind because He has no opposite, no like, comparison nor similitude; and His Essence, all such opposites are one. How faint, how small our knowledge of this truth, for knowledge is distinction, nor can we distinguish aught except between two things. The portals of distinction have been closed by Unity, and if you should attain the knowledge in the One, then recognize that though He be possessed of attributed, His Essence is but one.

Now that I have your attention, let’s break all that down to something a little easier to comprehend.

Life is multi – dimensional….
You need to look beyond the surface to appreciate the heights and depths of your life’s experiences. Every experience we encounter has depth, width and height. We must learn to look beyond the surface to realize the full potential of what life is handing us, the blessings we are being given. Rarely is the full meaning only on the surface.

Genesis chapter one tells us: in the beginning God created the heavens and earth…. Ever wonder what was before the beginning? – God was! God had already known of us and created a world for us to live in and a heaven for us to return to. He gave us the best of what He had, then later came to earth to live among us and to set the example as how we were to live.

Following His example you should give the best of what you have and the best will come back to you. In a previous post “I can only touch you now” I talked about ascending the mountain, spreading seeds of hope and you will reach the sun tipped peaks of your life experience. Know that when you have reached the mountain top, then shall you begin to climb. You discover another dimension of life to explore and share. There is much to be said for challenging fate, instead of ducking behind it. Never be afraid to step forward to try a new direction, and always be willing to share your experience with others.

It is one of the most beautiful compensation’s of life that no man can help another without helping himself. We have be given unlimited access to knowledge, so there is really nothing you can’t do, if you are willing to work for it. The one way of making a thing unattainable is by believing it is. Don’t limit yourself or your life. All things are possible to those who believe and nothing is impossible for those willing to work for it.

There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. Humility is the true key to success. Successful people lose their way at times. They often embrace and over indulge from the fruits of success. Humility halts this arrogance and self-indulging trap. Humble people share the credit and wealth, remaining focused and hungry to continue the journey of success.

What is success? To me, it is a measure of how you spread the seeds of hope along the way, the love you share with your neighbors and the joy of making others happy. It is how you measure success that counts with Him.

QUESTIONS are the constant companions of our transit in this world. FAITH, if you have it, will provide relief, but not an explanation. Faith is to worthy accomplishments what seeds are to bountiful harvests. So as you walk your path, you are always going to have questions as to where and why, just continue on your journey with faith, spreading your seeds of hope and love, the answers will be there at journeys end.

Wherever you are going… God will be there with you. So don’t be afraid to look into the many dimensions of life.

Psalm 139:9-10: If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.

On a final note: It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.

Soft as the voice of an angel, whispering truths yet unheard. Hope with a gentle persuasion whispers her comforting word. Wait till the darkness is over, wait till the tempest is done, hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone.

Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Preists Redemption…

Though Jesus was crucified by Roman soldiers, the Pharisees and Sadducees plotted to put Him to death. What does the word Sadducee mean? It comes from the Hebrew word ‘tzadak’, which means righteous. Sadducee, or Tzadikim, means the righteous ones. They were the keepers of holiness and righteousness.

But the Sadducees wanted Jesus crucified. It was those who saw themselves as righteous who set up the Inquisition and imprisoned, tortured, and killed multitudes of people; many of them Jews and Christians.

So the Sadducees can teach us a lesson. Those who see themselves as righteous are those who most crucify Jesus. Many believers are convinced that they are the only righteous keepers of God’s way. But they are self-righteous, filled with condemnation, not love.

When we let ourselves become self-righteous, we crucify Jesus, and His grace, love, mercy, and holiness. Be humble, because the only one who is righteous in Himself is Jesus. Our righteousness is only borrowed from Him.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Follow the humility of God today with no righteousness of your own – He will lift you up.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed