Ed Christian's World

Stay Alert…

Good morning,

Today, let’s explore how we can stay alert and strong in our faith.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8

The constant ping of notifications, the endless scroll of social media, the 24/7 news cycle—our world is a symphony of distractions. It’s easy to become spiritually numb, but Peter’s words in 1 Peter 5:8 are a much-needed wake-up call: we have an enemy counting on our distraction, seeking to devour our faith.

This isn’t about paranoia; it’s recognizing that our faith journey is an intentional trek, not a casual stroll. The “roaring lion” often doesn’t roar but whispers: “Did God really say…?” “Just this once…” “Everyone else is doing it…” These subtle temptations can pull us away from God’s path.

To stay alert, we must tune our hearts to God’s frequency amidst life’s noise. This means making daily, intentional choices: starting our day with Scripture instead of social media, responding with love rather than reacting in anger, and trusting God’s promises instead of worrying. It’s about putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) and standing firm in our faith.

Remember, while the enemy prowls, our God protects and empowers. Let’s stay vigilant in faith, making choices that keep us spiritually awake and engaged. In our alertness, God will turn our vigilance into victory.

Heavenly Father, In a world filled with noise and distractions, help me to focus on You. May Your Word be the first voice I hear each day, guiding my decisions and strengthening me against temptations. I trust in Your protection against the enemy’s schemes. Fill me with Your love, so I respond with grace instead of anger. Help me to trust Your promises more than my worries. Keep me alert, my ears tuned to Your truth, and my heart ready to follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Nobody can fight properly and boldly for the faith if he clings to a fear of being stripped of earthly possessions.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Love Is…

🌞 Good morning,

Today, let’s explore how love transforms our everyday moments.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  1 Corinthians 13:4

Have you ever noticed how love gets tested in the most mundane moments? That driver who cuts you off, the colleague who takes credit for your work, or the family member who pushes your buttons – these are the real arenas where love is put to the test.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:4 aren’t just lofty ideals; they’re a practical guide for navigating our daily interactions. Love is patient with the slow cashier, kind to the grumpy neighbor. It celebrates a friend’s promotion without a hint of envy and offers a helping hand without expecting praise.

This love isn’t about feelings; it’s about choices. It’s biting back a sarcastic comment and offering encouragement instead. It’s choosing empathy when pride tempts us to judge. It’s being humble in our achievements and generous in our praise of others.

Living this way isn’t easy. It goes against our natural inclinations. But when we choose to love like this, we create ripples of grace that can transform our relationships, our communities, and ultimately, ourselves.

Today, let’s challenge ourselves to embody this love in the small moments. In doing so, we might just reflect a bit of God’s heart to a world that desperately needs it.

Heavenly Father, Your love is perfect and unfailing. Help me to reflect that love in my daily life, especially in small, challenging moments. When I’m tempted to react with impatience or pride, remind me of Your patience with me. Give me the strength to choose kindness, even when it’s difficult. Open my eyes to opportunities to love others as You love me. Help me create ripples of grace in my relationships and community. Thank You for Your endless love and for empowering me to share it with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The true measure of love is to love without measure.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

You’re Heavens Baby…

When you were a newborn baby, most likely you were surrounded by warmth, tenderness, comfort, and love. So why doesn’t the world treat you anything like this when you’re born again? A newborn baby is welcomed by the world into which it’s born.

At your first birth, you were born into this world; but at your second birth, you were born into the Kingdom of Heaven. So don’t expect this world to pamper you, cherish you, be gentle, bless you, or even accept you.

It doesn’t have to. If you were of this world, the world would love its own, but you were born into heaven. Therefore, seek not your love, blessing, and acceptance from earth. Seek your pampering, comfort, warmth, tenderness, and acceptance from heaven.

In fact, whenever this world rejects you, disappoints you, and hurts you, rejoice and be glad. It’s a confirmation that you’re not its child and you belong to another kingdom.

So seek your love and blessing not from this world, but from your everlasting kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven to which you were born into because you are heaven’s baby.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1

Seek your acceptance, identity, and love not from this world, but from your Heavenly Father who will freely give it to you today.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The World of Many Voices…

Good morning,

Today, let’s explore how to navigate with wisdom in a world of many voices.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, they are ferocious wolves.     Matthew 7:15

In our information-saturated world, we’re bombarded with messages from all directions. Social media influencers, self-help gurus, and even some religious leaders promise quick fixes and easy paths to success and happiness. Jesus’ warning about false prophets is more relevant than ever.

But how do we discern truth from deception? It starts with knowing God’s word deeply. When we’re rooted in scripture, we develop a spiritual “taste” for truth. It’s like how a bank teller learns to spot counterfeit bills by studying real ones.

We also need to look beyond words to actions. Are the fruits of a teacher’s life in line with God’s character? Do they point to Jesus or to themselves?

This isn’t about becoming cynical but about growing in wisdom. It’s okay to question and to seek godly counsel. Remember, the Holy Spirit is our ultimate guide, helping us navigate this complex world.

Today, let’s commit to discerning followers of Christ, wise as serpents and innocent as doves, always seeking His truth above all else.

Heavenly Father, In this age of information overload, I confess it’s easy to be misled. Open my eyes to recognize the truth of Your Word and help me to discern those who speak it faithfully. Fill me with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, that I may not be deceived by false voices or empty promises. Give me a heart that craves Your truth above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

It’s Not The End of The World…

Esther struggled with a problem. In trying to save the life of the Jewish people, she risked losing her own life. Finally, she said, “if I perish, I perish.”

Now, what kind of statement is that? It’s a very Jewish expression. Growing up, my elderly Jewish relatives would make statements like, “If it rains, it rains!”, “If you miss the bus, you miss the bus!”, “If they don’t like you, they don’t like you!”

The translation of this Jewish expression is this: “It’s not the biggest tragedy; there are more important things.” When Esther says, “If I perish, I perish,” she’s saying that there are greater things than her earthly life and trying to survive. If she loses her life for the Lord’s sake, it won’t be the end for her. She’ll be blessed eternally with something much greater.

Whatever your fear is, approach it in a Jewish way and tell yourself,”So what? It won’t be the end of the world. I don’t have to fear it anymore. I’ve got a treasure that’s greater… and if I perish, I perish.”

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:31

Approach any fears you have today with the attitude that it’s not the end of the world because God is greater.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Narrow Path…

Good morning,

Today, let’s reflect on the narrow path that leads to life.

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:14

Have you ever felt torn between two paths? The world’s wide road, paved with fleeting pleasures and easy promises, beckons invitingly. Then there’s the narrow road Jesus calls us to walk. It’s tempting to choose the crowd-pleasing path, blending in and avoiding the challenges that come with following Christ.

But deep down, we know that true fulfillment isn’t found in passing trends or shallow approval. Jesus invites us on a different journey – a narrow road leading to life in all its richness. This path isn’t about restrictive rules or joyless obedience; it’s an invitation to an authentic, abundant life aligned with God’s truth and love.

It’s a path of courage and integrity, choosing what’s right even when it’s unpopular. Yes, it may lead to misunderstanding or even rejection at times. But on this road, we walk hand in hand with Jesus, the ultimate trailblazer.

Today, let’s courageously choose the narrow road. Let’s embrace its challenges and find joy in the journey, knowing that the destination is beyond our wildest dreams.

What aspects of the ‘narrow road’ do you find most challenging in your daily life?

How can you encourage others who might be struggling on this path?

Dear Lord, in a world that screams for my attention, it’s easy to forget the path You’ve called me to. The wide road looks so smooth, so inviting…but I know deep down, it’s not the way to true life. Give me the courage to choose Your narrow road, even when it’s lonely or hard. Help me stand firm in my faith, even when it’s unpopular. Walk beside me, Lord, and fill my heart with the strength and peace that only You can give. Thank you for the joy of this journey, for the fulfillment I find in following You. I trust that this winding path leads to an eternity with You, a destination worth every sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Nobody Plans Rotten Things…

Nobody plans a rotten relationship with their spouse, or goes to premarital counseling on how to put together a bad marriage. Bad marriages are not planned. You don’t have to plan to be selfish, take the other person for granted, or let the romance grow cold. That’s just the nature of life in this world.

Things get old, tired, and stale and then fade away. If you want a bad marriage, just go with the flow of the world. But if you want a good marriage, you’re going to have to plan it. You’re going to have to go against the flow of the world, time, the flesh, and your own ego.

You’re going to have to plan to extend yourself, to work at it and hang in there when you don’t feel like hanging in there. You’re going to have to choose to love your spouse and keep loving them, to bless them when you don’t feel like blessing them.

You don’t have to plan a bad marriage, but you will have to plan, choose to work at, persevere, commit, and sacrifice if you want a good one.

But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.  Isaiah 32:8

Today, choose to work at blessing and keeping the relationships that the Lord has given you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Real You…

Good morning,

Today, let’s embrace the truth that God values our hearts above all else.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7

Have you ever felt overlooked or underestimated? In our world of polished resumes and Instagram filters, it’s easy to believe that appearance and achievements are everything. But God’s perspective is refreshingly different.

When Samuel was choosing Israel’s next king, he was drawn to Eliab’s impressive stature. Yet God bypassed the tall, strong sons for David, the young shepherd boy. Why? Because God looks at the heart.

This isn’t just a feel-good message—it’s a call to self-reflection. While we often focus on outward things like job titles, bank balances, or social media followers, God is interested in our character, our motivations, our love for others.

Imagine the freedom in knowing that the Creator of the universe values you for who you truly are, not for how you appear or what you’ve achieved. He sees your kindness, your struggles, your quiet acts of faith. The prayers whispered in the night, the patience shown in frustration, the love offered without recognition—these are what catch God’s attention.

Today, let’s shift our focus. Instead of polishing our image, let’s cultivate hearts that seek God. Let’s value in others what He values in us. For in His eyes, that’s what truly matters.

Dear God, sometimes I get caught up in trying to look good on the outside, forgetting You see what’s inside. Help me remember that You care more about my heart than how I appear to others When I feel overlooked or not good enough, remind me that You see me – all of me – and love me just as I am. Help me to see others the way You do, looking past appearances to the person within. Guide me to be kind, loving, and faithful, even when no one’s watching. Thank You for noticing the little things – my quiet prayers, my struggles, my attempts to do right. Lord, help me grow a heart that makes You smile. Thank You for loving the real me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God sees us as we are, loves us as we are, and accepts us as we are. But by His grace, He does not leave us as we are.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Einstein’s Equation and The Miracle Life…

Albert Einstein’s most famous equation was E=mc2. It means if you were able to transform matter into energy, the resulting energy would be enormous. In other words, if you transformed a one gram candle into pure energy, that energy hidden in that candle would be equal to 20,000 tons of dynamite.

As a candle, it can barely light up a room but transformed into energy. It could power an entire city of 40,000 people for 24 hours. As long as the candle remains a candle, all that energy is wasted.

Same with your life. If you try to hold on to it, it’s just a lot of matter. If you let go of yourself, die to the flesh, and live to the Spirit, your life will become a miracle of light to change the world.

All the matter in your life, the possessions, money, and selfish ambition – if you’ll give them over to the Lord and to His purpose, all that matter, all those things will be transformed. The power of His Spirit will be unleashed in your life, and your life will become light.

Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers. Genesis 17:2

Today, seek to die to self, to let go, to say goodbye to the old, and let the energy of God, the power of His Spirit, be released!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Perseverance…

Good morning,

Today, let’s find strength in God’s promise of reward for our perseverance.

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.   2 Chronicles 15:7

Life often feels like an endless marathon, doesn’t it? Maybe you’re pouring your heart into a demanding job, struggling to mend a broken relationship, or fighting an uphill battle in your personal life. In those moments of exhaustion, it’s easy to wonder, “Does any of this really matter?”

But listen to the timeless encouragement found in 2 Chronicles 15:7: “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” This isn’t just a casual pep talk; it’s a promise from the Creator of the universe.

He sees you, friend. He sees your tired heart, your aching spirit, your relentless pursuit of what’s right. And He assures you that your efforts are not in vain. The God who counts every star in the sky counts every tear you’ve cried, every sacrifice you’ve made. He’s deeply invested in your journey.

So today, take a deep breath and remember: you are not alone. The God who formed the mountains is right beside you, empowering you to climb them. Don’t give up. Your perseverance matters more than you know.

Dear God, some days, this journey feels so long and tough. I’m tired, Lord. My heart aches, and I wonder if all this effort is worth it. But then I remember Your promise – that if I don’t give up, there’s a reward waiting. It’s hard to see sometimes, but I’m choosing to trust You. When I feel like quitting, give me a second wind. When doubts creep in, remind me You see every struggle, every tear. Help me keep going, not just for me, but to show others Your faithfulness. Thank You for sticking with me through this marathon. I’m so grateful I’m not running alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼