Ed Christian's World

The Gap and your Mantle…

We often recognize a difference between the life we’re currently living and the life described in the Bible – a life of victory, purity, love, and influence.  This gap between who we are and who we aspire to be, the saint we know we should be, can be disheartening. 

However, instead of despairing, we should find encouragement in this very gap.  Think of Elijah casting his mantle over Elisha.  Elisha likely felt unworthy of such a significant calling, symbolized by the mantle. Yet, through God’s grace, he rose to the occasion. 

Similarly, if we didn’t have a calling on our lives, there would be no gap. We would simply be as we are, nothing more.  The very existence of this gap signifies something greater, a higher calling that God has placed upon each of us.

If our current lives perfectly matched our calling, there would be no room for growth, no journey to embark on.  Therefore, this gap is actually good news! 

It means we are destined for more.  And even better news:  God’s Holy Spirit will empower us to close that gap, to grow into the people He has called us to be.

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lord, I acknowledge the gap between where I am and where I long to be, between the person I am and the person you have called me to be.  I thank you that this gap is not a sign of failure but a sign of your great purpose for my life.  I recognize the calling you have placed upon me, a calling that stretches me beyond my current abilities.  I ask for the power of your Holy Spirit to fill this gap, to equip me, and to transform me into the person you created me to be.  Help me to embrace the journey, trust in your grace, and walk in the fullness of my calling.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today, ask God to fill in the gap between you and your calling and believe in His power to do it.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Treasures of The Heart…

Good morning, today, let’s reflect on the true nature of our treasures and where we invest our hearts.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

Imagine the sudden loss of your entire bank account.  The immediate panic is understandable. Now, consider the loss of a deeply cherished relationship. Which loss resonates more profoundly?

Jesus, in Matthew 6:21, isn’t dispensing financial advice; He’s performing a spiritual cardiogram. He’s probing the question: “What do you truly value, and what constitutes your real wealth?”  Our world relentlessly promotes the pursuit of superficial metrics: likes, followers, square footage, monetary wealth.  Jesus subverts this paradigm, revealing that our hearts are drawn to what we invest in, not the other way around.

Consider what occupies your thoughts as you drift off to sleep. What is the first thing you reach for in the morning? These aren’t mere habits; they are signposts pointing directly to the location of your heart.  This isn’t about guilt for enjoying earthly blessings, but rather discerning the critical difference between possessing them and being possessed by them.

Jesus calls us to invest in the truly fulfilling: faith, meaningful relationships, acts of compassion, and moments that resonate throughout eternity.  Let us honestly examine ourselves: Are we accumulating transient treasures, or are we investing in the eternal?

In God’s economy, love holds infinitely more value than gold, and the strength of relationships far surpasses the worth of any material possession. God’s desire extends beyond mere obedience; He yearns for our hearts. And wherever we choose to place our treasure, that is where our hearts will inevitably flourish.

Reflect on these questions:
* What stirs the deepest longing within you?
* What pursuits and obsessions have ultimately left you feeling empty?

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

This proverb encapsulates a profound truth.  We often cling tightly to ephemeral things, mistaking them for true treasure.  Yet, these very things are destined to slip through our fingers.  True wisdom lies in recognizing this transience and redirecting our investments toward the eternal. 

What we surrender in this life – fleeting pleasures, material possessions, even our own pride – for the sake of Christ and His kingdom, we gain eternally.  We trade the perishable for the imperishable, the temporary for the everlasting.  This is not foolishness, but the highest form of prudence.  It is understanding that true wealth lies not in what we accumulate, but in what we give away for the sake of eternal gain.

Heavenly Father, thank You for gently reminding me of the true location of my heart.  In a world saturated with distractions and fleeting enticements, help me to treasure what is truly lasting: Your unwavering love, my deepening faith, and the precious individuals You have placed in my life. When I am tempted to chase after the illusory allure of temporary things, gently guide me back to the eternal.  Grant me the wisdom to release what fades and the courage to cling steadfastly to You. May my life be a reflection of Your grace and compassion, and may my heart always find its true sanctuary in Your boundless love – the only place where authentic joy and enduring peace can be found. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always

Ed 🙏🏼

The Redemption of Messes.

A teenage girl from a traditional Jewish home finds herself scandalously pregnant and unwed, thereby bringing shame on her family and the possibility of being stoned to death.

Meanwhile, her fiancée must travel to his ancestral hometown for a government tax census. He chooses to marry her in the midst of her shame and takes her on this rough journey. As they arrive, she goes into labor. She’s forced to give birth in an animal habitat.

This is the story of Jesus’ birth – the summation of a multitude of messes. Yet, it’s through all those messes that the ancient prophecy of Micah 5:2 was fulfilled.

God used it all together perfectly; their scandal, their tax problem, and the Roman government, to move this poor young Jewish girl from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Nothing was out of His control. This is true for your life as well. When you look at your life, it might seem like it’s filled with messes.

But as you love the Lord and follow Him, in the end, you’ll see all your messes were just threads

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Roamns 8:28

Today, take time to meditate on how God has used all things in your life, even the messes, for your good.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Living Like Jesus…

Christians should strive to live like Jesus.  While books about Jesus are helpful, the best way to understand him is by seeing his teachings lived out in his followers. 

And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. — Acts 4:13

If we truly lived as Christians should, people would immediately recognize the resemblance to Jesus in our words and actions.  We should be bold in our faith, never ashamed to be Christian.  Like Jesus, we should be loving, thinking, speaking, and acting kindly. 

We should be holy, always eager to do good, and make the most of our time.  Like Jesus, we should be selfless, putting others’ needs before our own.  We should be devout, praying regularly and faithfully following God’s will. 

We should be patient in difficult times.  Most importantly, like Jesus, we should forgive our enemies, remembering his words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” 

We should respond to evil with kindness because that’s how God acts.  In short, we should live in such a way that everyone can see we have been with Jesus.

Lord Jesus, help us to live more like you.  Give us the strength to be bold in our faith, to love unconditionally, and to forgive freely.  May our actions and words reflect your love and grace, so that others may see you in us. Amen.

The best way to show your gratitude to God is to accept everything, including the difficulties.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Transformative Love…

Today, let’s explore the transformative power of knowing and believing God’s love.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16

Isn’t it remarkable how some truths feel both infinitely vast and intimately personal? “God is love” – three simple words that hold the weight of eternity. Not just that God loves, but that He is love itself. Every sunrise declares it, every breath confirms it, and every moment is held within it.

Yet John goes deeper. We don’t just acknowledge this love; we “know and rely” on it. Think about that word “rely.” It speaks of complete trust, of building our lives on an unshakeable foundation. Like stepping onto solid ground after months at sea, we find our footing in this love that will not let us go.

And then comes the extraordinary invitation – to live in this love. Not to visit it occasionally or admire it from a distance, but to make our home in it. The same love that spun galaxies into being and breathed life into dust wants to flow through our ordinary moments, transforming how we see ourselves, others, and every circumstance we face.

This is the heart of everything: we are loved by Love himself.

Loving Father, My heart is overwhelmed by this beautiful truth—that Your love isn’t just something You give, but who You are. Thank You for inviting me to make my home in Your love, to let it reshape how I see everything. When life feels uncertain or I struggle to trust, remind me that I’m held by the same love that created the stars. Help me live as someone deeply loved by You. Let Your love flow through my everyday moments—in how I see myself, how I treat others, how I face each circumstance. Thank You for loving me completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely… He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Grace and His Will…

Deuteronomy 6:5 instructs us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Therefore, does following God mean just going along with the flow? Yes and no. There’s the flow of God’s Spirit, and there’s the flow of the world.

In order to serve God, you have to choose the flow of His Spirit and choose against the flow of the world. It requires a choice of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It requires choice, determination, decision, and will – and it’s all of the Spirit. Many believers spend their whole lives trying to find the will of God. But your life is not just about finding the will of God. It’s about obeying the will of God.

In other words, willing the will of God. Do you want the will of God in your life? Then, choose the will of God. Be willing to obey.

Agree, decide, and will to do the will of God, no matter what the situation. Then the will of God will be done in your life on earth as it is in heaven.

And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.  Mark 12:33

Father God, I come before you today with a heart open to your will. I recognize that loving you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength means more than just going with the flow of the world. It requires a conscious choice, a determination to align myself with the flow of your Holy Spirit. I confess that I sometimes struggle to discern your will, and even when I do, I may falter in my obedience.  I ask for your guidance and clarity. Help me to understand your desires for my life, not just to know your will, but to do it. I choose today to actively seek your will and to willingly obey it, no matter the cost.  Give me the strength to resist the temptations of the world and the courage to follow your path, even when it’s difficult.  I want to be a vessel through which your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. I thank you for your love and grace and for the gift of your Holy Spirit that empowers me to live a life that is pleasing to you.  Help me to love you more deeply and to love my neighbor as myself. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today, choose, obey, agree, and decide to do the will of God no matter what the situation.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Finding Joy in the Everyday: A Reflection on Ecclesiastes 8:15

Ecclesiastes 8:15 reminds us that true joy isn’t found in grand achievements but in the simple, everyday gifts God provides.  “So I commend the enjoyment of life because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.”

In our busy lives, we often chase after the next big thing, believing happiness lies in future accomplishments.  However, this verse encourages us to shift our focus to the present moment. The writer, having experienced the highs and lows of life, discovered that genuine joy resides not in material wealth or worldly success but in appreciating the simple pleasures.

This isn’t an excuse for laziness or a lack of ambition.  Instead, it’s an invitation to cultivate contentment and find meaning in the here and now.  It’s about savoring a meal with loved ones, engaging in meaningful conversations, or simply enjoying a quiet moment of reflection.  These seemingly small things are, in fact, the building blocks of a joyful life.

Today, let’s consciously choose to embrace the simple joys. Let’s “eat, drink, and be glad,” recognizing each moment as a precious gift from God.  As we find joy in Him, we can trust that He will empower us for whatever our days may hold.

Father, in the rush of daily life, I often overlook the simple joys You offer.  Help me to slow down and recognize your blessings.  When challenges arise, remind me of Your presence and provision.  Fill my heart with gratitude and joy, even in the smallest things.  Grant me the strength to embrace both the joys and challenges of life, knowing that You are with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

True happiness isn’t about the abundance of our possessions but the depth of our appreciation for what we have. It’s not about how much we own, but how much we enjoy.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Soaring Believer…

What do believers and airplanes have in common? Nothing, but our spiritual walk does! Airplanes are a unique form of transportation. You can stop a horse, a car, a bicycle, a train, or even a ship. But if you try to stop a plane in mid-air, it will crash.  And you can’t fly a plane in reverse, back up, or just stand still.

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter. Hosea 6:3

So it is for believers. Our walk with the Lord has no provision for backing up or staying still. If we, as believers, try to stay where we are in the Lord, if we stop growing, stop moving closer to Him, then our walk is in trouble.

For our hearts aren’t made to stand still. They’re made only to go ahead, to press forward. If our walk isn’t going anywhere, or hasn’t been going anywhere for a while… take heed. Don’t let it crash!

Turn on your spiritual engine and start moving forward again. Paul wrote, “But this I do… I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Yeshua.” Like it or not, we are like airplanes. Press on, and we’ll find ourselves flying in the heavenlies.

Lord Jesus, I recognize that I am called to move forward in my faith, to grow closer to you each day.  I confess that at times, I have become stagnant, allowing my spiritual growth to stall. I don’t want to crash; I want to soar!  I ask you to reignite the fire within me, to give me the strength and the desire to press on.  Help me to fix my eyes on the goal, the prize of knowing you more intimately.  Empower me by your Holy Spirit to move forward in faith, to learn, to grow, and to serve you with all my heart.  Thank you for your grace and your unwavering love. In your holy name, Amen.

Today, press on towards the goal that the Lord has given you for your life.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Embracing Love In Action…

Today’s verse, a simple yet profound directive, challenges us to infuse every aspect of our lives with love.  It’s a call to more than just surface-level kindness; it’s an invitation to embody the very essence of Christ in all we do.

Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14

“Do everything in love.”  This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command, a foundational principle for Christian living.  It’s easy to love those who love us, to extend kindness when it’s reciprocated, but the true test of faith lies in loving when it’s difficult, when it’s undeserved, when it stretches us beyond our comfort zones.

Paul’s words to the Corinthians resonate with us today. Their church, rife with division and self-interest, needed a radical shift in perspective.  They possessed spiritual gifts, knowledge, and zeal, yet their lack of love rendered these qualities hollow. 

Love isn’t merely an emotion; it’s the very lifeblood of Christian community, the indispensable ingredient that transforms actions from mere deeds into acts of grace.

This isn’t about pretending everything is perfect or condoning harmful behavior.  Love doesn’t negate the reality of conflict or pain.  Instead, it empowers us to navigate these challenges with compassion, understanding, and a spirit of reconciliation. It’s about choosing to respond with grace even when we feel justified in anger or resentment.  It’s about seeking to understand before being understood, extending forgiveness even when it feels undeserved.

Love, in its truest form, is a reflection of God’s own character.  It’s not something we conjure up within ourselves; it’s a divine attribute that flows through us when we are connected to the source of all love.  It’s the ability to see others as God sees them – flawed, yet beloved; broken, yet redeemable.

Today, as you move through your day, consider how you can embody this radical love.  In the mundane and the momentous, in your interactions with loved ones and strangers alike, ask yourself: How can I let God’s love shine through me in this moment?  How can I respond with compassion, understanding, and grace?

Dear Heavenly Father, Your love is the ultimate example, a boundless ocean of grace that washes over our imperfections and fills us with the capacity to love others.  Forgive me for the times I have allowed my own selfishness and pride to obstruct the flow of Your love through me.  Cultivate within me a heart that seeks to understand, a spirit that readily forgives, and a love that reflects Your own.  Help me to see others not as adversaries or inconveniences, but as individuals worthy of Your love, just as I am.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A true Christian is not just a believer but a conduit of Christ’s love, a vessel through which His compassion flows into the world.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Deeply Rooted…

Joseph’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and faith.  Betrayed by his own brothers and sold into slavery, he faced further injustice when falsely accused and imprisoned for thirteen long years.  It would have been easy to succumb to bitterness and despair.  Instead, Joseph chose a different path. He allowed his roots to grow down into God, building his life upon faith, as Colossians 2:7 beautifully states.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7

Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Joseph’s faith deepened.  Those difficult years, which might have appeared wasted, were actually preparing him for the extraordinary destiny God had in store.  He was being refined, strengthened, and equipped for the palace.

Joseph’s journey took him from the depths of a pit to the confines of a prison, and ultimately, to the heights of a palace.  Perhaps you’ve experienced setbacks, struggles with illness, or the pain of a dream deferred.  But remember, the pit is not your final destination, and the prison is not the end of your story.

Just as Joseph’s story illustrates, your destiny is the palace. God has designed you for a life of victory.  As long as you remain faithful and continue to do what is right, your time for promotion, blessing, and vindication will come.  No force of darkness can ultimately prevent God’s plan for your life from unfolding.  He has the final say, and He will guide you to the place He has prepared for you.

Father, thank You that I can let my roots go deeper in my faith and build my life on Jesus. Thank You for Your overcoming love and that You’re making me a victor and not a victim of circumstances. I’m going to stay in peace knowing that no obstacle that stands in my way can stop Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The weight of glory is meant for us. Trust in God’s plan, and keep moving forward.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼