Ed Christian's World

A Heavenly Hug…

Good morning,

Today, let’s embrace the tender comfort that God offers us, just like a loving parent holding us close.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.
Isaiah 66:13

Ever had a day where you just needed a hug? Maybe life threw you a curveball, or your heart just felt heavy for no reason. God gets that.

In Isaiah 66:13, God speaks to a people rebuilding their lives after exile and loss. He knows they’re hurting, and He offers them the kind of comfort only He can give—a love that’s as tender and instinctive as a mother’s.

This isn’t some distant, impersonal comfort; it’s a close, personal embrace from the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb. He sees your tears, feels your pain, and longs to hold you close.

So today, whatever’s got you down, let Him be your safe space. Lean into His love, feel His warmth, and let Him whisper words of peace and hope to your heart. You’re not alone in this, friend. You’re held, you’re loved, and you’re going to be okay.

Dear Lord, Sometimes life knocks me down, and I just need a hug. Today, I come to You for comfort. Thank You for being my safe place, the one who always understands my heart, even when I don’t have the words. Wrap me in Your loving arms, Lord. Let me feel Your warmth and hear Your whispers of hope. Remind me that even when life feels tough, I am never alone. You are always here, holding me close and promising that everything will be okay. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Speaking The Memra…

The first words ever spoken, as far as we’re concerned, are found in Genesis 1:1. God speaks and creation begins. Because of this, the rabbis wrote of the memra; the spoken Word of God. They saw it as something divine, for by God’s spoken Word, everything was created.

The first spoken word was to create, to bring into existence what is good. Words exist to bring good into the world, not to tear down, slander, discourage, denigrate, or blame. They exist for divine purpose, to call into being that which is good, to build up, to make whole, to complete, and to bring healing.

So every time you open your mouth to speak a word, speak it to build up, call forth life, bring healing, and make whole. The Word of God teaches us to speak that which is uplifting according to the need of the moment.

Is that you? Are your words building up or tearing down, bringing life or causing death, or just making conversation? As God’s child, learn from your Father and let your words bring forth life. Speak the word, and let there be light.

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!  Proverbs 15:23

Speak that which is uplifting today and let your words bring forth life.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Under His Wings…

Good morning,

Today, let’s explore the incredible protection God offers us, even in our most vulnerable moments.

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4

Imagine a fortress – impenetrable, unyielding. Now picture a mother bird, wings spread wide, sheltering her chicks. Psalm 91:4 remarkably combines these images to describe God’s protection over us.

“He will cover you with his feathers,” speaks of intimate, tender care. It’s personal, warm, and comforting. Yet in the same breath, we’re told His faithfulness is our “shield and rampart” – mighty defenses against life’s fiercest battles.

This isn’t just poetic language. It’s a promise that addresses our deepest needs. When we’re vulnerable, God’s feathers cover us. When we’re under attack – be it from doubt, fear, or external threats – His faithfulness stands firm as our shield.

Think about what you’re facing today. Feeling fragile? Nestle under His wings. Fighting a battle? Stand behind His shield. God is offering you both tender comfort and unshakeable strength.

This is the nature of our God – gentle enough to hold us close, mighty enough to defend us against any foe. In His presence, we find not just safety, but home. Not just protection, but profound peace.

Today, rest in this truth. The God of the universe is your shelter and your strength. In every moment, in every challenge, you are seen, known, and fiercely protected by a love that will never let you go.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for being my shelter and my strength. Your love is so tender, like a mother bird covering her chicks, yet so strong, like a mighty fortress. I’m grateful that You protect me in such a personal and powerful way. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to face my battles alone. Help me to trust in Your care and to nestle under Your wings. Fill me with Your peace and remind me that in Your arms, I am safe, loved, and never alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The safest place in all the world is in the will of God.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Cleaning Up The Mess…

Jesus said we must become as a little child if we’re to enter the kingdom. One of the first things you learned as a little child is that if you make a mess, clean it up. It’s amazing how many of us have forgotten this simple rule as adults.

In life, we make many messes- messes of relationships, in our congregations, our personal and private lives, and in our walks. We have messy devotional lives, sloppy about our quiet time and careless about cherishing the Word. If you make a mess, clean it up.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector who made a lot of messes, but when he came to the Lord, he didn’t say, “I’m forgiven, so I can forget about the messes.” He said, “I’m forgiven, so all the more I have the responsibility to clean up my messes.”

Stop being so grown up and complicated. You’ve made some messes; clean them up. The Lord cleaned you up. Now it’s time that you, by His grace, clean up your mess. Start cleaning up the mess today, and you, too, will become as wise as a little child.

If you have sinned in any of these ways, you are guilty. You must give back whatever you stole, or the money you took by extortion, or the security deposit, or the lost property you found, Leviticus 6:4

How can you fix or make good or give grace to any mess from your past? Do it today!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Light Is On…

Good morning,

Today’s verse is a powerful reminder that no matter how dark the world around us may seem, we have a light that can never be extinguished.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1

Ever feel like you’re stumbling around in the dark, unsure of your path or purpose? Maybe the shadows of doubt or discouragement have dimmed your inner light. But today, let’s remember that we were never meant to live in darkness.

Isaiah 60:1 is a powerful wake-up call, a reminder that the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, has come to dispel the darkness and ignite a flame within our souls. His glory shines upon us, not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

When we allow His light to illuminate our lives, something beautiful happens. We begin to see ourselves as He sees us – beloved, valuable, and filled with potential. We discover a purpose that transcends our circumstances, a joy that outweighs our sorrows, and a hope that anchors us in the storms of life.

So today, embrace your God-given call to shine. Step out of the shadows of fear and insecurity, and trust that the glory of the Lord is rising upon you. You were created to be a light, and the world needs the unique glow that only you can bring.

Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes I feel lost in the shadows of doubt and fear, forgetting the light You’ve placed within me. Thank You for reminding me through Isaiah to ‘arise and shine.’ Forgive me for letting insecurities overshadow Your light. Help me see myself as You do – beloved, valuable, and full of potential. Fill me with Your joy and hope, Lord. Let Your light shine through me, bringing warmth and love to those around me. Guide me to be a beacon of Your grace in this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Key of The Saints…

Most people don’t realize that saints are a Jewish thing. Zechariah 14:5 says, “And the LORD my God shall come and all the saints with him.” It’s from this verse we get the song ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. It’s a scene of the saints coming in victory. It’s an important truth.

A saint is one whose life is characterized by holiness. Holiness is the right way, but it’s also the way of victory. It may not look like it in the short run, but in the end when the saints go marching in, it’s pure victory. God calls you to forsake and turn away from the ways and things of unholiness and walk by His Spirit.

Start walking in holiness, and step by step, you’ll end up marching into victory. It starts now, with one small step of repentance, and then one decision and commitment to follow through daily on the straight and narrow path.

Start today, and in the end, you’ll win because I know you want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.

Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.  Isaiah 4:3

Walk in holiness today. Follow the path God has for you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Reassurance…

Good morning!

As we welcome this new day, let’s find solace and strength in the comforting embrace of God’s presence, especially in moments of hardship. Our focus today is the reassuring promise found in Psalm 34:18.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.    Psalm 34:18

Psalm 34:18 speaks directly to the heart of every believer who has faced the depths of sorrow. It reassures us that in our most fragile moments, God is not only present but intimately close. This verse isn’t just a statement of fact; it’s a promise of divine companionship in times when we feel most alone.

God’s proximity in our pain is one of the most profound aspects of His character. He doesn’t watch from afar; He draws near, offering comfort and strength that can only come from His loving presence. In the midst of heartbreak, God’s nearness becomes a tangible reality, a gentle whisper in the chaos of our despair.

Today, let’s find solace in the knowledge that our brokenness is never a journey we walk alone. God is closest when our hearts are most shattered. He meets us in our brokenness, not merely observing our pain, but to restore and heal. As we navigate through life’s trials, let’s hold onto this truth, letting it anchor us in hope.

How have you experienced God’s presence in difficult times?

How can this assurance of His nearness change your perspective in current challenges?

Heavenly Father, as I step into the day, I seek Your comfort in every moment of heartache. In Your closeness, let my broken spirit find strength and solace. May Your presence be a beacon of hope, guiding me through the shadows of sorrow.
Empower me, Lord, to be a source of Your healing love to those around me. Let my words bring solace, and my actions reflect the compassion You have shown me. In sharing Your comfort, may I help mend other hearts, spreading Your peace and hope. In Jesus’ name, I pray with a grateful heart. Amen.

Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil and let us see what we are made of.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Consecration…

The only place in the entire Bible where Chanukah is celebrated isn’t in the Old Testament, it’s in John 10:22. “Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem.” The word Dedication in Hebrew is Chanukah.

It says, “It was winter and Jesus was in the Temple.” Chanukah is in the winter and the Lord was there celebrating. At Chanukah, the Temple and all Jerusalem would be lit up with the lights of the Festival.

As Yeshua stood in the temple courts and began to give His Chanukah message, they said, “Tell us who you are!” It should have been obvious, as He stood in the midst of the torches and oil lamps. It was the Festival of Lights.

He was ‘Or Ha Olam’, ‘The Light of the World’ that bears the witness of God. Jesus celebrated Chanukah not by lighting a light, but by being The Light. Celebrate Chanukah as He did.

Wherever you are, bear witness to God’s truth, love, and glory. Let your life become a sacred candle, a blazing torch, and a light to the world.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

Today, go through your day as a living light. Bear witness of God’s truth, love, and glory to all you come in contact with.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Melody of Gratitude…

Good morning,

Today, let’s tune our hearts to the melody of gratitude that echoes in Psalm 107:1.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

Ever feel like life’s soundtrack is a bit…off? Maybe it’s stuck on repeat with the same worries, doubts, and disappointments. But what if we could change the tune? What if we could hit the “play” button on a song of gratitude, a song that reminds us of God’s unfailing goodness and love?

That’s the invitation of Psalm 107:1. It’s a reminder that even when life feels chaotic or uncertain, God’s love is the steady rhythm that holds us together. It’s a love that’s always there, always true, always enough.

When we focus on gratitude, we’re not just saying “thank you” for the good things in life. We’re actually rewiring our brains to see the world through a lens of hope and possibility. We’re choosing to trust that even in the midst of challenges, God is at work, and His goodness will prevail.

So today, let’s hit the reset button on our hearts. Let’s choose to sing a new song – a song of thanksgiving for the blessings big and small, for the answered prayers and unexpected joys. Let’s tune our hearts to the melody of gratitude and watch as it transforms our lives from the inside out.

Dear Lord, life’s melody sometimes feels out of tune with worries and fears playing on repeat. Forgive me for forgetting Your constant goodness and love. Today, I choose to hit pause and turn up the volume on gratitude. Open my eyes to the countless blessings You’ve woven into my ordinary days, reminding me of Your faithfulness and unfailing love. May my heart overflow with thanksgiving, and my life becomes a melody of praise that echoes Your goodness in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God’s goodness is the root of all goodness; and our goodness, if we have any, springs out of His goodness.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

How Chanukah Brought You Christmas…

About 130 years before the birth of Jesus, Antiochus Epiphanes, King of the Greek/Syrian Empire, tried to wipe the Jewish faith from the face of the earth. He almost succeeded.

If he had succeeded, there would be no Jewish fishermen in Galilee to become apostles, no Jewish shepherds in Bethlehem, no Jewish carpenter in Nazareth, and no Jewish virgin to give birth to Jesus.

But by a miracle of God, he and his armies were defeated. The celebration of that miracle is called Chanukah. Jewish people celebrate as they light the lights of the Chanukah Menorah. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus with the Lights of Christmas.

But if it were not for Chanukah, if Jesus wasn’t born, we would have nothing to celebrate. The lights of Chanukah gave birth to the Light of Jesus.

If you belong to Jesus, rejoice in your Jewish roots, your heritage as a child of Abraham, and light a menorah this year. Celebrate the Festival of Lights in the Light of Jesus’s glory.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.  Galatians 4:4

Today, rejoice in your Jewish roots as a fellow citizen of the nation of Israel and pray for His ancient people.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼