Archive | July, 2024
Status

Let’s Pause

31 Jul

Let’s Pause..

Good morning,

Today, let’s pause and find solace in the stillness that God calls us to. In our fast-paced world, brimming with demands and distractions, God invites us to be still and know that He is God.

He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’    Psalm 46:10

Stillness often feels elusive, even terrifying. Our minds, conditioned for constant activity, might resist this sacred pause. Yet, it’s precisely in the quiet that transformation awaits. Psalm 46:10 offers a profound invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s not a command to become empty, but rather, to become full.

Being still isn’t merely about silencing the external noise; it’s about quieting the storms within. It’s laying down our anxieties, our need for control, the thousand voices demanding attention, and opening the deepest chambers of our hearts to God. This stillness acts as a portal, allowing His Presence to flood our souls.

Imagine it like this: The ocean’s depths hold treasures unseen on the turbulent surface. Only by diving in, releasing our tight grip on the shore, can we discover the pearls, the coral reefs, the vibrant life concealed beneath. Stillness allows us to dive into the depths of God, to experience Him in a way our frantic, surface-level living cannot offer. It’s where we find renewal, healing, and a clarity of purpose that the roar of the world drowns out.

How can you begin to carve out moments of stillness within your day?

What do you hope to find or experience in those quiet moments with God?

Heavenly Father, In the midst of life’s constant motion, I hear Your gentle invitation: “Be still.” Help me to answer this call, to quiet the noise within and without, and to create a sacred space for You. Teach me to surrender my worries, my plans, and my need for control into Your capable hands. As I step into the stillness, let Your presence envelop me, Your peace wash over me, and Your love quiet my restless heart. In the silence, speak to me. Let me hear Your whispers, guiding my steps and shaping my path. Remind me that in the stillness, I can know You more fully and find the strength to face whatever lies ahead. Thank You for the gift of Your presence, always available, always transforming. Amen.

Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you can not change. Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

Your Inheritance In The Word

31 Jul

Your Inheritance In The Word…

Many years ago, a man named Stephen Marsh inherited a family Bible from his aunt’s will. He then lived his entire life in poverty. One day as he prepared to move to his son’s home to spend his last years, he found that family Bible in a trunk in the attic.

He decided to open it. As he did, he discovered that hidden in its pages were thousands of dollars in cash waiting for him to inherit. You also have a great inheritance waiting for you. In your Bible are treasures for your life worth far more than thousands of dollars.

So often we live our lives in need, loneliness, weakness, bondage, and despair when there’s no reason for it. You’re rich and your inheritance is waiting for you to claim inside the pages of God’s Word.

So open up the Bible today and don’t close it until you find a note from heaven – the promise of God. Don’t rest until you cash them in by receiving them in faith and applying them to your life. Claim your inheritance, which is waiting for you, like bank notes in the Bible.

The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever.  Psalm 37:18

Today, open up the Word of God, find a treasure, and claim it as your inheritance worth more than a fortune.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

Prayers and Tears

30 Jul

Prayers and Tears…

Good morning,

Today, we find ourselves in the pages of 2 Kings, where a powerful story of prayer and divine intervention unfolds. As we zoom in on verse 5, we discover a message that has the power to redefine how we approach life’s challenges.

Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now, you will go up to the temple of the Lord’.
2 Kings 20:5

In the vulnerability of King Hezekiah’s desperate prayer, we see the essence of our relationship with God. It’s not about eloquence or perfection but about coming to Him exactly as we are: broken, seeking, and hopeful. God’s response to Hezekiah isn’t just about the promise of healing; it’s a declaration of His nearness in our deepest struggles.

This interaction reminds us that our tears are never invisible to God. Each one is a silent prayer, seen and understood by Him. In our moments of helplessness, when words fail us, our tears speak volumes to the heart of our Father.

Let Hezekiah’s story encourage you today. God is not distant or detached from your pain. He’s intimately aware of every worry that weighs you down and every silent tear you’ve shed. More so, He promises restoration and peace for the troubled heart that earnestly seeks Him.

Heavenly Father, Walking through today, I’m struck by the story of King Hezekiah—his faith shines like a beacon in tough times. It’s got me thinking, I want to be that open and honest with You, laying it all out there, just like he did. When sickness or heartache hits, remind me to turn to You first. I’m aiming to trust in Your ability to make things right. And when I’m wrestling with worries or doubts, nudge me to just let go and lay them in Your hands. It’s comforting to know You’re really listening, catching every word and every silent tear. This thought alone gives me a solid ground to stand on, knowing I’m not tackling life on my own. Thanks for being there, always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

Jesus’s Override

30 Jul

Jesus’s Override…

Imagine you’re an Orthodox Jew and you hear a fellow rabbi say, “You have heard it said…” He then repeats a verse from the Law of Moses, but then he adds, “But I say to you…” Can you imagine what this sounds like for a strictly rabbinical Jew whose whole life is the Law of Moses, its regulations, interpretations, traditions, and teachings of the rabbis?

With just one phrase, Jesus is overriding as only He could do. He’s overriding the rabbinical authorities because He gave the Law in the first place. Only He who gave the Law can overrule it. So too, whatever that problem is in your life, God’s given you the power of the total override; “But I say to you”.

Whatever your past, whatever the situation, whatever darkness, whatever the sin, whatever the bondage, whatever the circumstance, whatever the problem, whatever the guilt, whatever the obstacle, God is giving you the power of the total override.

“But I say to you.” Use it against the law of sin and death. Override, overrule, and overcome. That’s the radical power of the total override.

I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.  Matthew 12:6

Today, use God’s Word against the law of sin and death. Overrule your past, your sins, your mistakes, your problems, and every single word of the enemy.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

God’s Hand

29 Jul

God’s Hand…

Good morning,

As you awaken to a new day, full of God’s mercies, let your heart also awaken to the incredible assurance that belief in Jesus Christ ushers in salvation—not just for you, but for your entire household.

They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’
Acts 16:31

Acts 16 is a whirlwind of divine interventions and human responses. From Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man to Lydia’s conversion, from the slave girl’s deliverance to the dramatic earthquake, God’s hand is evident throughout.

When the jailer asks, “What must I do to be saved? he’s witnessing the culmination of these events. He sees two prisoners, unjustly beaten and imprisoned, praying and singing hymns at midnight. Then, an earthquake that should have spelled disaster becomes a moment of miraculous deliverance.

Paul and Silas’s response – “Believe in the Lord Jesus” – isn’t just a quick fix. It’s an invitation to a complete life transformation, as evidenced by the jailer’s immediate actions: tending to their wounds, being baptized with his whole household, and sharing a meal in joyful fellowship.

This simple yet profound instruction reminds us that salvation isn’t about complex rituals or perfect understanding. It’s about placing our trust in Jesus, allowing that belief to change us from the inside out, and witnessing its impact on those around us.

How does your belief in Jesus shape your daily life and interactions?

In what ways do you share the hope of salvation with those around you?

Father, Your love amazes me. Just like that jailer, I’m in awe of how a simple belief can change everything. Thank You for making faith in Jesus so straightforward, yet so powerful. Help me live out this belief today. When I’m struggling or when things are going well, remind me that trusting Jesus is always the answer. Use my faith to touch others – my family, friends, and even strangers I meet. Fill me with the kind of joy Paul and Silas had, singing even in dark times. Let my life show others the amazing things that happen when we believe in You. Thank You for loving me and changing my life through Jesus. In His name, Amen.

Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

The Mohar

29 Jul

The Mohar…

In ancient Israel, when a man was to marry a woman, he’d have to give her what was called the ‘mohar’; ‘the bridal price’. It was a sign of his love for her. When he paid it, it signaled the end of her old life and the beginning of the new.

So too, Jesus paid the mohar for us through giving His life on the cross. It was a real and definite thing; it was sure, exact, and absolute. Once you received it, you were no longer who you were, you were now the bride.

So, too, once the mohar is paid, you’re no longer of the old house or under any bondage from the old life at all. You’re free to walk out of the old. The doors that were locked before, now swing open. The mohar was always a real and sure thing, but it meant nothing if the bride didn’t accept and believe it.

So receive the mohar and all its power – the atonement of God. Walk in its power, and you’ll go from weakness to strength, from oldness to newness, and from bondage to freedom.

For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.  Isaiah 54:5

Today, take hold of the power of the mohar, walk in it, and let all things become new.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

The Pure In Heart

28 Jul

The Pure In Heart…

Good morning,

May God bless your day and guide you in all that you do. Remember that you are loved and valued by Him.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8


In today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, it’s all too easy for our hearts to become cluttered with distractions, worries, and desires that can pull us away from God. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, reminds us of the blessing that awaits those who maintain a pure heart: the incredible privilege of seeing God.

Having a pure heart involves filtering out impurities, such as bitterness, envy, and selfish ambition, and replacing them with the fruits of the Spirit, like love, joy, and peace. It means being transparent and sincere in our relationship with God, continually seeking His guidance and wisdom.

As you go through your day, take some time to examine your heart and ask God to help you identify any areas that may need His purifying touch. Remember, it is through the process of refinement that we become more like Christ and draw nearer to the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Dear God, As I wake up on this new day, I give You thanks for all the blessings You have given me. I ask that You guide my steps today and help me to be a light to those around me. I pray for strength to face the challenges that may come my way, and for the wisdom to make good decisions. Please give me the courage to speak up for what is right, and to love others as You love me. I pray for those who are struggling today, and ask that You bring them peace and comfort. Please watch over my loved ones and keep them safe. Thank You for the gift of this new day, and for the opportunity to serve You. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.

Don’t worry about having the right words; worry more about having the right heart. It’s not eloquence he seeks, just honesty.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

Immanuel Forever

28 Jul

Immanuel Forever…

Em Anu El’ means God is with us. From that Hebrew sentence comes the name Immanuel. Jesus is called Emmanuel. There’s no indication in the Bible that His name will ever be changed. He’ll still be Emmanuel; God is with us in heaven.

In this world, we need that assurance, but in heaven with all God’s kingdom and brilliances and wonders, why call Him God is with us? Because the greatest thing in heaven won’t be the harps, the angels, or the streets of gold, but the fact that God is with us.

The greatest thing about life on earth is the fact that God is with us. The greatest revelation in heaven won’t be the secrets of eternity, but knowing that God is with us for eternity. That’s what makes heaven heavenly, and that’s what makes this life heavenly if you know it.

So rejoice today in the most heavenly thing you can ever know; the fact that God is with you. Because knowing that is… even better than heaven.

May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.  Psalm 61:7

Rejoice today in the fact that your God is with you every moment, always, and forever.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

Wherever You Go

27 Jul

Wherever You Go…

One of my favorite songs is Wherever He Leads I’ll Go. It comes from the book of Ruth where Ruth, who said to Naomi: In Hebrew, “El asher teilchi eileich” – “Wherever you go I will go”. These are beautiful words.

How much more must these be the words of our heart to Jesus? You’re called to live a ‘wherever You go’ life. As a believer, the where in life isn’t the main thing. It’s the Who of life that means everything.

Too often, we focus on the where of life. We spend so much time and energy on where we are or where we’re not in life. But the Who of life is Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you live in a shack, a mansion, or wherever. If you have the Who of life right, you’ll be alright.

Learn the secret of having joy and peace wherever. It starts by taking your eyes off your circumstance and on to His face and telling Him you’ll commit your heart to Him so much so that the where won’t matter anymore. For wherever He goes, there you will go also.

In the LORD, I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain?”  Psalm 11:1

Commit your heart to Him today and declare, “Wherever You go, I will go”.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Status

The Power of Kindness

27 Jul

The Power of Kindness…

Good morning,

Today, let’s tackle anxiety with the power of kindness, inspired by Proverbs 12:25. It’s a gentle reminder that we’re not alone in our worries.

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.   Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety. It’s a word that resonates deeply in our fast-paced, often overwhelming world. Proverbs 12:25 doesn’t shy away from this reality; it acknowledges it head-on: “Anxiety weighs down the heart.” It’s a weight many of us know all too well.

But the verse doesn’t stop there. It offers a solution, a light in the darkness: “a kind word cheers it up.” In the face of anxiety’s heaviness, kindness becomes a powerful counterbalance. This is more than just a feel-good sentiment. It’s a call to action, reminding us of the profound impact we can have on others. We have the opportunity to be light-bearers, to offer words that uplift, encourage, and heal.

As we extend kindness, we ourselves often experience lightness, too. Kindness multiplies, spreading light to both the giver and the receiver. Today, let’s take this proverb to heart. Let’s seek those moments to speak a kind word, to be a source of cheer in someone’s day. You never know the impact a single word of kindness can have – it might just be the very thing that lightens someone’s load.

Dear Father, In a world filled with so many worries and what-ifs, help me to remember the power of kindness. Guide my words today so they may bring comfort, hope, and a smile to those who need it most. Let me be a source of light, using my voice to uplift and cheer the hearts around me, just as You do for me every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼