Archive | January, 2025
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Our Battles Are Not Faught Alone

11 Jan

Our Battles Are Not Faught Alone…

Today, let’s discover how our battles are not fought alone, but alongside the victorious King of Kings.

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.
Revelation 17:14

In the heat of life’s battles, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and outnumbered. The enemies we face – whether they be doubt, fear, sickness, or sorrow – can seem invincible at times. But today, I want to encourage you with a truth that changes everything: in Christ, the victory is already yours.

Revelation 17:14 gives us a glimpse into a cosmic battle, where the forces of evil wage war against the Lamb. But the Lamb, Jesus Christ, triumphs over them all. His victory is not uncertain or incomplete, but absolute and final.

And here’s the amazing part: as a follower of Christ, you are not just a spectator in this victory, but a participant. The verse calls you one of “His called, chosen and faithful followers.” This means that when you face trials and tribulations, you do so not as a victim, but as a victor.

Your battles may be real, but they are not the final word. In Christ, you are more than a conqueror. So today, whatever you’re facing, face it with the confidence of one who knows the war has already been won. You are fighting from victory, not for it.

Today, let this truth be your strength and your song.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the overwhelming love that you have poured into my life. When I feel weak and weary in the battles I face, remind me of the victory that is already mine through Christ. Your strength is my strength, Lord. Fill my heart with courage and peace as I face each challenge, knowing that I am never alone. I am so grateful to be called, chosen, and a faithful follower in Your triumph. Let that truth be my song, my strength, and my victory every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner, but in Christ, I am saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong. Outside of Christ, I can not; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words “in Christ.”

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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Superbloom

11 Jan

Superbloom…

In the winter 2023, California’s record-breaking rainfall caused billions of dollars in damages from floods, mudslides, and levees breaking. People had to evacuate areas and returned to devastation.

But when springtime came, yellow and orange wildflowers, purples and pinks, suddenly blossomed and covered the desert hills and grassy fields. Because of the historic rainfall, seeds that had lain dormant for years began to blossom.

They call it a “superbloom.” All the excessive rain caused so much trouble and hardship, but without it, there wouldn’t have been a superbloom. It’s the same principle in life.

We all have difficulties, and sometimes, there are downpours. It’s one thing after another—trouble at work, a child is off course, we suffer a loss or have to deal with a health issue. Thoughts tell you, “This is the way it’s always going to be.” No, all that rain is a sign that a superbloom is coming.

You’re about to blossom. The time is approaching when you’re going to see favor, opportunities, and new relationships that you would never have seen without the rain. Just be patient!

Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! Habakkuk 2:3

Father, thank You for the seeds of greatness that You put inside me. Thank You that You will bring the right amount of difficulties to bring what is dormant to life, and You’ll do it at just the right time. Help me to be patient and trust You for my superbloom season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Patience is the soil in which beautiful things bloom, just like the superbloom that bursts forth after a season of quiet growth.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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A Heartbeat Away

10 Jan

A Heartbeat Away…

Good morning!

Today, let’s embark on a treasure hunt of the heart, seeking the One who promises to be found.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

Have you ever turned your house upside down looking for something, only to realize it was right in front of you all along? Our relationship with God can be like that. Jeremiah 29:13 reminds us that God isn’t hiding from us; sometimes, we’re just not looking in the right places.

This verse isn’t about a frantic spiritual scavenger hunt. It’s a gentle invitation to open our eyes to the everyday moments where God is already present.

He’s in the sunrise that takes your breath away, the unexpected kindness of a stranger, the quiet strength that rises within us when we need it most.

Seeking God “with all your heart” isn’t a call to religious perfection. It’s an invitation to bring your authentic self to each moment. Your doubts? Bring them. Your joy? He delights in it. Your mess? That’s where His grace shines brightest.

God is as present in your tears as He is in your laughter, in your questions as much as in your certainties.

Today, let’s approach life as divine treasure hunters, seeking God in the ordinary and the overlooked. As we open our hearts to Him, we may discover that He’s been with us all along, waiting to be found in the simplest, most surprising ways.

Dear Lord, In the rush of life, I often overlook the quiet moments where You’re patiently waiting for me. Help me to slow down today and open my eyes to Your presence in the everyday beauty—a sunrise, a kind smile, or the strength You give me when I feel weary. I want to seek You with my whole heart, not just in perfect moments, but in the mess, the doubts, and the joys. Remind me that I don’t need to be perfect to find You; You’re already here, waiting with open arms. Today, I choose to notice You in the simple, often-overlooked moments. Thank You for always being near and never giving up on me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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The Prince, The Frog, and The Nightingale

10 Jan

The Prince, The Frog, and The Nightingale…

Once upon a time, there lived a frog, a nightingale, and a prince. The nightingale used to sing the most beautiful of songs with the most beautiful of voices.

Whenever the nightingale started to sing, the frog would begin to croak. So when the frog croaked, the nightingale would stop singing.

One night, the prince was walking by and stopped hoping to hear the nightingale sing its beautiful song, but there was no singing. The only thing he could hear was the croaking of the frog in the distance. “Aren’t you going to sing?” asked the prince.

“How can I sing when all day long that stupid bullfrog makes those horrible noises? It’s obnoxious! It’s horrible, don’t you hear it?” said the nightingale.

“Yes” said the prince. “But I wouldn’t hear it if you would stop complaining and start singing.” Let the one who has ears to hear, hear. You don’t have to deal with that bullfrog.

You could be singing. Start singing to the glory of God. Praise the Lord, and the croaking will disappear.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  1 Peter 4:12-13

Today, whenever you encounter a croaking frog, anything not of the Lord, start praising it away.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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His Watchful Care

9 Jan

His Watchful Care…

Good morning! As you step into the new light of day, remember the comfort that comes from knowing you’re under the Good Shepherd’s watchful care, even in the darkest valleys

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

Darkness. It’s a formidable foe, a shadow that can engulf even the brightest spirits. But in the face of life’s darkest valleys, God offers a promise that changes everything: “I am with you; you will fear no evil.”

These words from Psalm 23:4 aren’t just poetic comfort; they’re a declaration of divine presence and power. They remind us that no matter how deep the valley, how long the night, we are never alone. The God who shepherded David through his darkest hours walks beside us, too.

When the Psalmist says, “for you are with me,” it’s a statement of unshakable trust. It’s his recognition of God’s pledge to be our comfort when the path is treacherous, our peace when fears loom, our courage when evil threatens to paralyze us.

The rod and staff aren’t just shepherd’s tools; they’re symbols of God’s active protection and guidance. He doesn’t just watch from afar; He’s intimately involved in leading us through every valley, dispelling our fears with His presence.

So today, whatever darkness you’re facing, remember: you are accompanied by a God who is greater than any evil. Lean into His presence, and let it be your strength in the midst of the valley. You are comforted, you are guided, and you are never alone. And with Him, you can walk through any darkness.

Dear Lord, sometimes, the dark valleys of life cast shadows over my heart, threatening to obscure Your presence. But I choose to cling to Your promise, the truth that even in the deepest darkness, You are right beside me. Help me trust in Your unfailing guidance and protection, especially when the path seems treacherous. Remind me that Your rod and staff are not just symbols but real comfort stronger than any fear I face. Today, I choose faith over fear. I choose to believe that with You as my Shepherd, I can walk through any valley, no matter how dark or long. Thank You for being my courage and my peace. I’m trusting in You to lead me through. In Jesus’ name, Amen

The darker the night, the brighter the stars. The deeper the grief, the closer is God.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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Jesus – The Scapegoat

9 Jan

Jesus – The Scapegoat…

In the Biblical ceremony of Yom Kippur, the sins of the people were symbolically placed on the head of a goat, which was then sent into the wilderness to carry them away. It’s from this that we get the word ‘scapegoat’, meaning someone blamed for the problems, wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others.

God linked Israel to the scapegoat over three thousand years ago. Of all the people in history, Israel stands above all for being the scapegoat of the nations. From ancient times to our day, the Jews have been the most accused, slandered, and vilified of peoples.

But Jesus is the King of this scapegoat nation. He took the sins of all upon Himself and carried them away. If you belong to Jesus, then you are part of Israel.

You, too, are called to bear the burdens, problems, and even the unjust treatment of others, and love them in return. The Lord, your Scapegoat, bore your burdens to bring you salvation.

Thus, you are called to be a little scapegoat; to bear the burdens of those around you, so you might also bring them to salvation.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  Isaiah 53:4

Today, seek to bear the burdens of someone and lead them to salvation.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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All The Days Of Our Life

8 Jan

All The Days Of Our Life…

Today, let’s embrace the incredible truth of being relentlessly pursued by God’s goodness and love, all the days of our lives, and forever.

Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

Sometimes, it’s the simplest words that hold the deepest truths. “Surely goodness and love will follow me”—it sounds so gentle, so passive. But the Hebrew word for “follow” here? It’s radaph. It means to chase, to pursue, to run after.

This isn’t a picture of blessings casually trailing behind us. This is a God who actively and relentlessly pursues us with His goodness and love. It’s love on a mission.

Think about it. That unexpected provision when you were at your wit’s end. That comfort that flooded your heart in the midst of grief. That strength somehow carried you through the impossible. That wasn’t chance—that was His pursuit. His grace is pursuing you.

And here’s the best part: this pursuit leads to an eternal home. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Today, let this truth sink in. You are chased by a love that will never give up, a love that’s already prepared your place with Him, forever.

Father, I confess—sometimes I run. From my fears, my failures, even from You. But You don’t let me go. You chase me with a love that’s relentless, a goodness that won’t quit. Thank You for finding me in my mess, for holding me when I’m broken, and for dancing with me in my joys. Help me see Your pursuit in every moment—in the quiet whispers of peace, the strength that surprises me, and the hope that breaks through my darkest nights. Remind me I’m not wandering; I’m headed home, to dwell with You forever. Thank You for loving me too much to let me go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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Angels Look Down

8 Jan

Angels Look Down…

I’ve always wondered why Jews wear caps called yarmulkes or kippahs on their heads. The Rabbi’s give me different reasons, but the fact is no one knows for sure. But some explain it that it’s because of the angels looking down, so they won’t see bald heads.

That’s just tradition, but it’s written in the Scriptures that even the angels long to see what God is doing in you. In the original Greek, it reads that the angels passionately, eagerly, long to catch a glimpse of God’s purposes on earth.

Some believers act like this planet is just a cosmic waiting room to get out of as soon as possible. But that’s not what God’s Word says. So if even angels long to see, then your life and what you do with it must be something important.

You don’t have to wear a yarmulke, but do something for the angels. Start overcoming, being courageous, being sure, victorious, loving, step out, and stand up!

Do what you know God put you on earth to do. The angels are watching. Give them something to talk about.

And you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever. Thus, you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.  Exodus 29:9

Today, live your life as if every moment the angels were looking down on you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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Our Daily Walk

7 Jan

Our Daily Walk…

Today, let’s rest in the assurance that God walks beside us through every challenge. As i always end my devotionals: Walk daily with God at your side. We’re never alone in our worries.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Fear. It’s a familiar adversary, a shadow that threatens to darken even the brightest of days. But in the face of this relentless foe, God speaks a promise that has the power to change everything: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

These words are more than just a comforting platitude; they’re a declaration of divine presence and power. They remind us that no matter what we face, we are never alone. The God who commands the galaxies is always by our side, always for us, always ready to strengthen and uphold us.

When He says, “I am your God,” it’s a statement of unshakable commitment. It’s His pledge to be our refuge when the storms rage, our help when we are helpless, our courage when fear looms large.

So today, whatever fears may be threatening to overwhelm you, remember: you are held by a God who is greater than them all. Take hold of His promise, and let it be your anchor in the midst of the tempest. You are loved, you are strengthened, and you are upheld by the mighty hand of God. And with Him, you can face anything.

Dear Lord, sometimes, fear casts a shadow over my heart, threatening to drown out Your voice. But I choose to cling to Your promise, the truth that I’m never alone, that You’re always by my side. Help me trust in Your unfailing love and unbreakable commitment, even when fear seems overwhelming. Remind me that Your presence is more powerful than my problems, that Your strength is greater than my struggles. Today, I choose faith over fear. I choose to believe that with You by my side, I can face anything. Thank You for being my courage and my peace. I’m trusting in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Feed your fears, and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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Heavenly Circles

7 Jan

Heavenly Circles…

It may seem like nothing’s really happening where you are at this point in time. But that’s not really the case. Every second, the earth is moving 18.5 miles in its journey. Every tick of the clock, you’re 18.5 miles away from where you were before the last tick.

When you count to 10, you’re about 200 miles away from the place you were when you started counting. It’s not just true for the earth; it’s true for all earthlings, including you and me. Every life is changing. Every soul is moving either towards God or away from God.

Your life is heading somewhere. It’s meant to head for glory. That’s why the Lord says; “I know the plans I have for you, plans for Shalom, not for calamity.” God wants to bring your life to a good place.

Since you’re going places anyway, make sure you’re always moving towards God and not away from Him. Don’t stay where you are, because you can’t.

Move ahead in love, ahead in faith, ahead in righteous action, and ahead in all things godly, because in God, you’re going places.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:12-14

Today, especially follow the leading of the Lord and move ahead in righteous action.

The heavens call to you and circle about you, displaying to you their eternal splendors, and your eye gazes only to earth.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼