Ed Christian's World

Our Struggles…

Good morning,

Today, remember – your struggles are just a chapter, not the whole story. Cling to the hope that the God of all grace will restore and redeem, writing beautiful chapters ahead.

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10

In the grand narrative of our lives, suffering is an inevitable chapter. It’s a plot twist that can leave us feeling disoriented, wondering how the story could possibly end well. But 1 Peter 5:10 offers us a perspective that changes everything.

Yes, we will suffer for a little while. But this verse reminds us that our suffering is not the defining theme of our lives. It’s a page, not the whole book. And the Author? He’s the God of all grace.

This grace isn’t a weak wish or a trite platitude. It’s a transformative force that meets us in our deepest pain and whispers, “This isn’t the end.” It’s the grace that called us to eternal glory in Christ, and it’s the same grace that will carry us there.

And here’s the stunning promise: after we have suffered, God Himself will restore us. He will take the broken chapters of our lives and weave them into a story of redemption, strength, and unshakable hope. Our pain will become a platform for His power.

So today, if you find yourself in a season of suffering, remember this: your story isn’t over. The God of all grace is still writing, still working, still restoring. Trust in His unfailing love, lean into His promise, and let hope rise. The best chapters are yet to come.

Dear God, When I’m in the midst of suffering, remind me that this is just one chapter of my story, not the whole book. Help me to trust that You are turning my pain into something beautiful. When I feel lost and overwhelmed, fill my heart with Your peace and hope. Thank You for being with me, restoring me, and writing the best chapters yet to come. I trust in Your unfailing love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Stay strong! Your test will become your testimony, your mess will become your message.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always

Ed 🙏🏼

Fear / Trust…

Good morning,

Today, let’s embrace the message that waiting for perfect conditions can hold us back. Let’s trust in God’s timing and take steps forward in faith.

But there are some things that you can not be sure of. You must take a chance. If you wait for perfect weather, you will never plant your seeds. If you are afraid that every cloud will bring rain, you will never harvest your crops.
Ecclesiastes 11:4

Fear often lies at the root of our indecision. We’re afraid of making mistakes, failing, or facing rejection. This fear can paralyze us, keeping us from taking action. But Ecclesiastes 11:4 reminds us that waiting for perfect conditions will prevent us from ever moving forward: “If you wait for perfect weather, you will never plant your seeds. If you are afraid that every cloud will bring rain, you will never harvest your crops.”

Consider the excuses we often make: “I’m not ready,” “I don’t have enough resources,” or “The timing isn’t right.” These are rooted in fear. Yet, throughout the Bible, God has used imperfect people in imperfect situations to accomplish His will.

Moses said, “I can’t talk.”

Gideon said, “I’m too young.”

Abraham said, “I’m too old.”

What dreams has God placed in your heart? What steps have you been hesitant to take? Remember, perfectionism paralyzes potential. We must trust that if God is with us, nothing can stand against us. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?” Faith, not fear, is the antidote to our hesitation.

Just as God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites and provided manna in the wilderness, He will make a way for you. Take the first step, and watch as He opens doors, provides resources, and works miracles in your life. Put your excuses behind you.

Today, choose faith over fear. Trust that God’s plans for you are good, even if the path ahead seems uncertain. Plant those seeds of hope and watch as He brings forth a harvest beyond your wildest dreams. Your life is too precious to be wasted in the shadows of fear. Step out in faith, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.

Dear God, Thank You for reminding me not to wait for perfect conditions. I know I often let fear hold me back. Help me to trust You like Moses, Gideon, and Abraham did, despite their flaws. Give me the courage to take that first step, even when I’m unsure. I trust that You will guide me and provide what I need along the way. Strengthen my faith so that it overcomes my fears and let Your strength show through my weaknesses. Thank You for the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. Help me move forward with confidence, knowing You’re with me every step. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Light of the World…

Today, let’s embrace our calling to be the light of the world, shining brightly in all we do.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14

Jesus didn’t say, “You could be a light” or “You should be a light” — He declared, “You are the light of the world.” It’s not about what we do, but who we are as children of God.

Imagine a single candle in a pitch-black room. It doesn’t take much to push back the darkness, does it? That’s the power of your light, friend. Even when life feels dim, your faith has the power to illuminate the lives of those around you.

Maybe you’re struggling, doubting, or feeling like your light is barely a flicker. But remember, the source of your light isn’t you; it’s Christ within you. He is the one who shines through your kindness, your compassion, your willingness to love, and serve others.

So let your light shine, not because you have to, but because you can’t help it. Be a beacon of hope in a weary world, and don’t be afraid to let your light shine, however dim it may feel. You might just be the light someone needs to find their way home.

Dear Heavenly Father, In a world that so often feels lost and broken, I’m grateful for the light of your love that shines within me. Help me to never hide that light, Lord, but to let it radiate through my words and actions, no matter how small. I want to be a beacon of your hope, pointing others to the One who can mend every broken heart and heal every wound. Thank you for the privilege of carrying your light. May it shine brightly today and always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don’t shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Living By Temple Standards…

In Israel, there’s a place called the House of Caiaphas. There, you can see ancient measures and standards of weights. In Bible times, Israel used weights and measures to determine price and value.

They had to be geared to the Temple or Sanctuary standard. Whether at home, the marketplace, or work, they had to all be the same. Your life also needs a sanctuary standard.

In the sanctuary, in the house of God, you praise the Lord, you’re patient, loving, and compassionate towards the brethren, holy and pure, entering into worship. But if, when you leave the sanctuary, you’re no longer as holy, pure, and loving, then you’re living by a double standard.

The way you are in the sanctuary is the way you need to be outside the sanctuary. If you praise God in the sanctuary, praise Him at home. If you’re loving and patient with people in the sanctuary, be the same way at home and out in the world.

Get every part of your life in line with the sanctuary standard, and your life will be a life of His holiness worthy of God’s Temple.

The LORD hates weights that weigh things heavier or lighter than they really are. Scales that are not honest don’t please him.  Proverbs 20:23

Today, live by the Temple standard. Live and act as godly, as loving, and as righteous as you would in the Lord’s house – even in heaven.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Fruit of The Spirit…

Today, let’s immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23. May this inspire us to cultivate these qualities in our daily lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.   Galatians 5:22-23

In a world that pressures us to chase after success, status, and material wealth, Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us of a different harvest: the fruit of the Spirit. These nine qualities—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not something we can manufacture on our own. They are gifts, grown within us by the Holy Spirit, when we abide in Christ.

Imagine a life where these qualities flourish, where love replaces anger, patience overcomes frustration, and kindness wins over bitterness. This is the life God desires for us, a life that radiates His presence and reflects His character to the world.

So today, let’s choose to nurture these fruits in our lives. Let’s open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s gentle guidance and allow Him to transform us from the inside out. As we do, we’ll discover a joy that transcends circumstances, a peace that surpasses understanding, and a love that knows no bounds.

Heavenly Father, I want to reflect Your love and character, but I know I often fall short. Please forgive me for the times I’ve reacted in anger instead of love, impatience instead of peace, and selfishness instead of kindness. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. Let Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flow through me. Transform my heart and mind so I can walk in Your ways and be a light to those around me. Help me to reflect Your light and love in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Angels and Outlaws…

In Acts 12, an angel is sent to release Peter from prison. The first thing the angel had to do was see Peter as a man who happened to be in prison. If he had seen Peter as a bound and hopeless case instead of a person who happened to be in prison and who could otherwise be doing great things in future ministry; there would have been no incentive to get him out.

In the same way, there are people in your life who are not saved. They might be unpleasant, miserable, or even rotten. But if that’s the only way you see them, you’re consigning them to the darkness.

If you see them as people who happened to be inside a prison of rottenness by those things, it’s a different story. There’s hope for a prison break. Then they become those with the potential to become children of God.

By faith and the blood of Jesus, see the person separate from their prison. And by the grace and power of God, help arrange their prison break!

And have mercy on those who doubt.  Jude 1:22

Today, practice separating people from their sins. See them as those made to become children of God, but they have to first break free of their prison.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Joy – Embrace It..

Good morning,

As we begin this day, take a deep breath and remember that no matter what lies ahead, Jesus offers you a joy that is not dependent on circumstances. His joy is with you, ready to fill your heart.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11

Imagine sitting in the upper room, hearing these words from Jesus’ own lips. On the eve of His greatest trial, knowing the anguish that awaits, He speaks of joy. Not fleeting happiness, but a profound, unshakeable joy that He wants to share with us.

This joy isn’t just a feeling; it’s a person. It’s Jesus Himself, dwelling in us through His Spirit. It’s the joy that fueled His obedience to the Father, who sustained Him through betrayal and death, that burst forth in resurrection power.

When Jesus offers us His joy, He’s inviting us into the very heart of the Trinity. It’s a joy born of perfect love, unwavering trust, and eternal purpose. This joy doesn’t deny our pain or struggles; it transforms them into testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

In a world desperate for lasting happiness, we carry within us the answer. Today, in your victories and failures, your laughter and tears, will you embrace the complete joy Jesus offers? It’s not just for perfect days, but for this day—for you, exactly as you are.

Loving Father, thank You for the gift of Your unshakable joy. Even in moments when life feels uncertain or overwhelming, remind me that Your joy is alive in me, steady and true. When my heart feels heavy, lift my eyes to You. Let Your joy be the song that carries me through the hard days and the light that shines in the good ones. Help me to share that joy with others, Father. Let it spill over in the way I love, in the words I speak, and in the peace I offer. May Your joy transform every part of my day and be a reflection of Your love to the world around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that everything will be alright, and the determined choice to praise Him in all things.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Royal Food…

In a beehive, the larvae are pretty much the same. But what the larvae becomes depends on its food. If it eats royal jelly, it becomes a queen. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It’s all in what it eats.

So, you might think you are bound to be as you are – living with anxiety, depressed, or in sin. But, what matters now is not what you were, but who you become in Jesus as you partake of salvation.

You become what you partake of. If you partake of the divine, then you become of the divine nature in God. If you partake of righteousness, you become righteous. If you partake of the world, you become worldly. But if you partake of Jesus, The Bread of Life, you become Jesus-like.

So don’t dwell on or be limited by who you’ve been. Live by Who He is – and partake of it. It’s true of bees and also true of believers. If you partake of the royal food, you will become a royal creation.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.  Psalm 119:103

Today, partake of Jesus as The Bread of Life and read His Word as though it is your royal food.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

God’s Nature – Love…

Good morning,

As we start this new day, let’s allow the simple yet profound truth of 1 John 4:8 to sink deep into our hearts. This verse reminds us of the very essence of God’s nature – love.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8

“God is love.” These three simple words hold a truth so profound that they can change how we see God and ourselves.

When we say “God is love,” we’re not just describing one of His qualities. We’re declaring who He is. Love isn’t just something God does; it’s His very essence. This love is unlike any other—steadfast, relentless, and unconditional. It pursues us in our darkest moments, sees beauty in our brokenness, and never gives up on us.

This amazing love isn’t meant to be kept to ourselves. It’s meant to change us, heal our wounds, and shape our hearts. As we understand God’s deep love for us, we’re changed from the inside out, overflowing with love for those around us.

When we truly meet the God who is love, we can’t help but share that love. It spills out of us, touching the lives of everyone we meet and bringing light to dark places. God’s love is powerful and capable of changing hearts, lives, and even the world. And it all starts with three simple words: “God is love.”

Loving God, thank you for your love that never fails me, even when I fail myself. Fill me with that same unfailing love, Lord. A love that overflows from me, blessing everyone I meet. Help me share your love with a world that’s hurting, that’s lost, and that’s searching for hope. May my life be a love letter to you, Lord. A love letter written not with ink but with acts of kindness, words of encouragement, and a heart that beats for you. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Since love grows within you, beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Genesis Gene…

There are many believers who believe that the New Covenant nullifies God’s calling on Israel. But the New Covenant is first spoken of in Jeremiah 31:31. Then right after that God says that the Jewish people, the children of Israel, will never cease from being a nation before Him.

So the new covenant is not against the Jewish people. It’s for them. In fact, the New Covenant is first made with the house of Israel and Judah. It is the fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham that His seed would be a blessing to the nations.

The apostles of the New Covenant were all Jewish. If you’re in the New Covenant, you’re linked to Israel. It came through Israel and it’s going to be fulfilled in Israel. So, their blessing is your blessing and your blessing is their blessing.

If God were to abandon His covenant to Israel, then what assurance would you have of His covenant to you? Thank God that He’s faithful to Israel and to you as well. Rejoice that God is faithful to His people and be faithful to Him.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Today, rejoice in the fact that God is faithful to His people, Israel, and to you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼