Ed Christian's World

Well-Speaking…

When someone dies, a eulogy is given. In the New Testament, the word bless is often times the Greek word eulogeo-eulogy, meaning “to speak well of.”

Now Jesus says, we’re dead to the world and the world has died to us. If that’s the case, your enemies are part of the world. That means they aren’t your enemies anymore, they died. Give them a eulogy. Speak well of them. Bless your enemies.

All the times in your life when people didn’t love you, abandoned you, hurt you or rejected you, that’s part of the world too. And the world died to you, so it’s dead, it’s gone. It can’t affect you any more if you don’t let it. Give it a eulogy.

Bless your past. Bless the disappointments in your life. Bless all the things you didn’t get, the things that didn’t go the way you wanted them to go. Bless all of it, because God promises he will work it all for good.

But it all begins when you can speak well of it, when you do what you need to do and deliver your eulogy.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8

Release your past hurts, rejections, and disappointments by giving them a eulogy today.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Beggar At The Door…

Jesus tells the story of the rich man partying in his mansion, and poor Lazarus on his doorstep. The rich man who doesn’t help, ends up being judged. We listen to this and think we’re Lazarus the righteous man, but we’re not.

In this world, we’re the rich man and the rest of the world is Lazarus. They’re right there outside our doorstep starving to death. We’re feasting and Lazarus is shivering in the cold. We’re praising the Lord, and that’s good. But Lazarus is outside perishing without the Gospel.

Jesus said,”When you do it to the least of these, you do it to me.” So essentially it’s Jesus who’s cold, hungry, naked, and perishing. There are orphans, lepers, the starving, the persecuted, the oppressed in darkened huts without the Gospel.

Jesus is at our doorstep and our door is closed. Open the door. Open the door of your heart, your life, your involvement, your abundance. Give to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger because there’s a stranger on your doorstep that needs your help, waiting for your help, and it is Jesus.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

Open your eyes to see those around you. Bless someone in need today.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Blowing In The Wind…

On the Feast of Shavuot– Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with the sound of a mighty rushing wind. In Hebrew, the way you say Holy Spirit is “Ruach Ha Kodesh.” Ruach means wind, and Ha Kodesh means “the Holy.”

The Holy Spirit is the Holy Wind. What does that tell us? The Ruach is Wind, and wind is power. Wind can level a house or a city. God’s Spirit came to give you power to do His will. But you don’t have to do it in your own strength.

God has given you the Spirit; the power of the Wind. It wasn’t a gentle wind. It was a mighty rushing wind. Because you don’t just need power, you need the power of God. He didn’t just give you power, He gave you the Power of His Wind!

The power to break down all obstacles to do His will. To sweep away resistance and move forward to victory. So go for it. You can do all things as God has called you. Because you’ve got His Spirit and that’s the Power of the Wind – a Mighty Rushing Wind.

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5

Ask the Lord to blow His Holy Wind on your life today to tear down any obstacles that have hindered you from serving Him with your whole heart – and then move ahead in His will.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

On Caring…

Grandfather told me once a long time ago that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. To me, as someone who cares so much for people, that made a lot of sense. Over the years I’ve found that if you are always there to give a helping hand, a bit of encouraging advice or just listen to someone as they talk about their problems you light up their world in ways no one could imagine.

John 15: 12 says “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” This pretty much lays out how we are to live our lives. Then as we look at Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This pretty much shows us that as we shine our light, we are sharing our blessings and knowledge with others, not because we have the knowledge but because we love others enough to show them the way.

Sometimes, sharing a popular Bible verse with someone who is struggling will help remind them of Gods love for them forever and always. Of course, this is not the only way to help those in need. Routinely giving back to charities, volunteering at local food banks, and being someone they can lean on in times of need, are powerful and profound means to uplifting others. But Bible verses about helping others remind followers of Jesus Christ the importance of being kind and generous — regardless of any recognition you may receive.

It can be extremely meaningful to reach out to those who are less fortunate and find ways to remind them that they are not alone. God is always watching from above, and while your patience may wear out when you are going through a hard time, hearing scripture can spark a new beginning. You can also share these verses with your family and friends to remind them how much you love them and that you will always be there to offer a helping hand whenever they may need it.

Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices. Hebrews 13:16

Another thing Grandfather used to tell me was to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. With everyone looking out for everyone else’s interests more than their own, no one would be in need. You can find this in the book of Phillipians chapter 2

Caring for others is so important in our lives, yet so many seem only to care about their selves and not about their neighbor. Seeing this saddens me, but also reminds me of how blessed I am to have been raised how I was. Yes I have a unique education and have experienced life in ways most people never dream of, but God has always been there as my co-pilot to lead by the hand to safety.

Sharing my life with others has been a blessing for me and those who listened to my story. I’ve learned to love others more each and everyday of my life. My hope is that I showed others how to do that. We are the hand of God here to care for others, how we treat them should be an example of how God has blessed us.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Tablets and The Wind…

The outpouring of God’s Spirit on Pentecost, Shavuot, was the empowering of the New Covenant. On that same feast, Moses went up to Mount Sinai and received the Law. The Law was given to Israel – the Old Covenant; the Spirit was given to the apostles – the New Covenant.

The fact that the Spirit came on the same day that Jewish people were celebrating the Old Covenant is the sign that Jeremiah 31:31 has been fulfilled, “The time is coming when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah…” “…I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”

As believers, we have to move from the realm of stone and letters to the realm of Spirit and a heart of righteousness. The only way to fulfill the righteousness of God is by the Spirit of God, from the inside out. Get the Spirit and Heart of God into your life and you’ll live in His righteousness. The New Covenant is the Spirit Covenant. Live in the Spirit, and your Covenant will always be New.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit and write His Word on your heart today, and move in the moving of His Spirit.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The World Beyond…

When you were in the womb, you had eyes with nothing to see, feet with nowhere to walk and hands with nothing to hold. The womb didn’t make sense in itself, because it wasn’t for itself; it was to prepare you for life beyond it.

It only makes sense when you move on from it. There are things in your life that don’t make sense, it’s not complete. You don’t have all the answers and you wonder why. Things seem to have no purpose – the way life is going or the problems that happen.

Here’s the point: Life is the womb of heaven, preparing you for eternity. It doesn’t always make sense in itself. It’s not the whole story, it’s the beginning. Like the eyes of the unborn child, it’ll make sense when you see heaven. Everything in your life has purpose.

You’re being prepared to walk on streets of gold and see heavenly things. So praise God anyway when it makes no sense, because it’s a sign that you’re not home yet. Be blessed, for right now you’re living in heaven’s womb.

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. Romans 8:28

Take a break today from trying to figure it all out. Rest in the fact that God has it all under control, and give thanks that every unexplained detail in your life will have an explanation in Heaven.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Walls And Angels…

If you’re born again and spreading God’s love, you’re an angel. The word in Hebrew for angel is “malach;” in Greek it’s “angelos.” Both words mean “a messenger who bears a message.” You’re a messenger of the gospel and that makes you an angel.

Scripture speaks of flesh and blood angels in the Hebrew and the Greek. So what does that mean? Angels work miracles and have power to open and close doors and gates, to walk through walls. As a flesh and blood angel, when you walk in the will of God and bear His message, you have power to walk unhindered.

Nothing can stop you. When you walk on your own, forget it, you’ll be frustrated and blocked up. But when you walk in God’s will, you’re free. There may be physical obstacles, but angels move in the spiritual. Paul learned the secret of being content. He was in chains, but he wasn’t bound.

Carry the gospel and you won’t be either. Do God’s will and spread His word. You are free. Nothing can stop you when you’re in God’s will. You can even walk through walls.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Psalm 103:20

Stop letting obstacles hinder you from sharing the good news with someone today. Walk through walls and be an angel!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Walking Around In Love…

Ephesians 5:2 says, “Walk in love.” The original Greek says “peripateo” – “walk around” in love.

To “walk” is just to go somewhere, but to walk around means out of a straight line, to be willing to go out of your way, out of your course, out of your schedule, to love, to live your life willing to be interrupted to love, to break out of your routine or regular course, to bless, to help, to encourage, to touch, to share the gospel.

So go outside of your way to the poor, the foreigner, the one you wouldn’t normally talk to, the one who’s different from you and not in your regular way. Go over and above to love when it’s not easy or convenient.

That’s what Jesus did. He went out of His way. He left heaven and came to earth; walked around where the need was, to reach you. You do the same. Walk around in love.

Go out of your way because that’s the kind of love that saved you. God loved you with a love that was definitely out of the way.

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Matthew 5:39-41

Today, share a smile with those you encounter, and seek an opportunity to share Gods’ love. You have the ability to transform someone’s day, and their life.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Holy Worms…

Growing up, I would look out after a rain storm and see the worms. It was worm heaven. Worms can be heavenly. Jonah was a prophet who resisted his call, who was miserable at the end. He was under the shade of a plant and God “prepared” a worm to eat the plant.

In Hebrew, manah means appoint or ordain. God ordained a worm. Jonah served the Lord begrudgingly. But the worm served God with all his heart and happily ate the plant. The worm just did what it was born to do. It served God, and it was blessed and full.

That’s what ministry is. God is calling you to serve Him. So stop avoiding Him, stop complaining, and stop serving Him begrudgingly. Just do it, because it’s your calling to do what you were made for.

Serve Him with all your heart. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart. Serve Him. Repent and minister; you were born for it. You will end up blessed and filled with joy. You will be as happy as a worm.

But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

Today rejoice that you were made for such a time as this. Do what He’s called you to do; do the will of God, but with your whole heart.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Apocalyptic Bride…

What do you think of when you hear the word “apocalyptic?” Most people think of the end of the world, calamity and doom. There’s truth to that picture. But if you’re born again, it’s a whole different issue.

In the Hebrew marriage, during the supper, the bride and groom would slip away to the marriage chamber where the bride would “unveil.” In Greek apokalupsis means: an unveiling, uncovering, revealing or revelation.

So for us, the bride, the apocalypse is very different. It’s when the bride removes her veil and the two become one. The future for you in the Lord is to be looked forward to, not feared. Apocalyptic means; meeting Him, removing our veil, shining as the bride.

There are two outcomes, the apocalypse of judgment and the apocalypse of an unveiling wedding celebration. As His Bride, look at the future with joy, preparing yourself to become beautiful.

As it’s written, “We with unveiled face, beholding Him.” It’s apocalyptically good, so rejoice over what’s to come and live your life with hope and expectation for the apocalypse of the bride and the bridegroom.

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— 1 Corinthians 2:9

Take time today to slip away to be alone with your Beloved. Just you and Him. Spend time in His presence with no veils. Don’t be afraid of what’s to come.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed