Ed Christian's World

Judgment, Forgiveness, and Pure Holiness…

The temptation to judge others often stems from a desire for self-affirmation. By identifying what we perceive as wrong in others, we might subconsciously try to elevate our own sense of righteousness.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Luke 6:37

However, this external focus distracts us from the internal work of self-reflection and growth that is essential for genuine spiritual progress.
Furthermore, judgment often lacks the full picture.

We rarely know the complete circumstances, struggles, and motivations behind another person’s actions. To reduce someone to a label like “dishonest” or “materialistic” is to oversimplify their complex humanity and disregard the potential for growth and change within them.

The passage wisely points out that when we judge someone for a specific failing, we often embody that very failing ourselves. Judging someone for being unloving makes us unloving in that moment. Holding onto bitterness hardens our own hearts. Pride in our perceived holiness blinds us to our own imperfections.

True holiness, therefore, is not about comparison but about cultivating a heart that reflects God’s own attributes: love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. It’s about focusing on our own journey of becoming more Christ-like, rather than scrutinizing the journeys of others.

The act of “keeping no record of sin” suggests a profound level of grace and a willingness to see others (and ourselves) through the lens of God’s boundless love.

Heavenly Father, we come before you humbled by the awareness of our own imperfections and the ease with which we can fall into the trap of judgment. Forgive us for the times we have looked at others with critical eyes, forgetting the log in our own. Help us to cultivate hearts of compassion and understanding, recognizing the inherent worth and struggles of every soul. Grant us the wisdom to focus on our own spiritual growth, striving for purity and blamelessness through your grace. May we be quick to forgive and slow to condemn, reflecting your boundless love and mercy in all our interactions. Teach us to walk humbly in your presence, seeking not to judge but to love as you have loved us. Amen.

The greatest fault is to be conscious of none. This serves as a powerful reminder that self-awareness and a recognition of our own potential for failing are crucial in avoiding the pitfalls of judgmentalism.

When we believe ourselves to be without fault, we become blind to our own shortcomings and more likely to judge others harshly.

True holiness is not about pointing fingers but about extending a hand, reflecting the grace and mercy that God so freely offers to us all.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Words: Life and Death Power….

Today, let’s awaken to the profound and undeniable force that resides within our very words – a force capable of sculpting destinies, both our own and those around us.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  Proverbs 18:21

Grandfather’s wisdom echoes: Engage your mind before your tongue takes flight. We often dismiss our words as mere breath, insignificance, and fleeting. Yet, take a minute and consider the monumental impact of words that have etched themselves into the narrative of your life: the encouragement that ignited your perseverance, the criticism that continues to cast a shadow, the simple declaration of “I love you” that irrevocably altered your world. Our words are not weightless; they possess the gravity to construct or demolish, to breathe life or to deliver a fatal blow.

This isn’t merely a call for superficial positivity. It’s a deep recognition that every syllable we utter plants a seed within the hearts of others – and within our own. When we articulate hope amidst despair, speak peace into the heart of chaos, and voice love to those shrouded in loneliness, we are not simply producing sound waves. We are actively cultivating fertile ground where the transformative grace of God can take root and flourish.

Reflect on the ministry of Jesus – how His spoken word resurrected the dead, bestowed worth upon the shamed, and infused hopeless situations with vibrant expectation. Our words may not possess the power to call forth the deceased, but they absolutely hold the capacity to resuscitate a broken spirit, rebuild shattered confidence, and reignite a flickering flame of faith. Every interaction is a sacred opportunity to embody His voice within the unfolding story of another human being.

Conversely, we must confront the chilling truth:

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire, a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:5-6

This passage from James delivers a stark and sobering revelation about the potential for utter devastation that lies within our tongue. It underscores how a seemingly insignificant instrument can unleash consequences of immense and catastrophic proportions. It serves as a powerful and necessary counterbalance to the life-affirming potential of our words, compelling us to acknowledge the profound responsibility we bear in wielding this seemingly “small part of the body.”

By holding the wisdom of Proverbs 18:21 alongside the warning of James 3:5-6, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the dual nature of our tongue. It is a vessel capable of both profound creation and utter destruction, of building soaring edifices and reducing them to rubble. This profound understanding must ignite within us an even greater sense of intention and a deeper reliance on prayer in our communication. We must strive, with every utterance, to ensure our words become beacons of light and instruments of healing in a world desperately yearning for both.

Today, make a conscious, unwavering choice to speak words that breathe life. There is undoubtedly someone in your sphere of influence whose very existence hinges on the life-giving power of your tongue, perhaps more than you can ever know.

Dear Heavenly Father, with humility, I acknowledge the frequent failings of my tongue. Too often, my words have inflicted wounds instead of offering solace and sown seeds of discouragement rather than upliftment. I implore Your forgiveness. You have illuminated the truth that my tongue wields the very power of life and death, and today, I surrender that power entirely at Your feet. Infuse me with Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Transform the very essence of my speech. Mold my words into a true reflection of Your compassionate heart – brimming with grace, seasoned with unwavering truth, and overflowing with unconditional love. Grant me the strength and wisdom to speak life into a world desperately thirsting for it. Empower me to be a conduit of Your voice, to be more like You in every spoken word. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Let us never forget: Kind words, though often brief and effortlessly spoken, unleash echoes that reverberate through eternity. Choose wisely. Speak life.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Living.the Book of.Acts…

Imagine living in a time before the stories of the early church were compiled into what we now know as the Book of Acts. For those individuals, there was no historical account to read – their experiences were the raw, unfolding reality of the Holy Spirit’s power working through the apostles.

They weren’t studying miracles; they were witnessing them firsthand. They weren’t discussing the spread of the gospel; they were actively participating in it, facing both incredible triumphs and fierce opposition.

Their faith wasn’t theoretical; it was a daily, tangible force that propelled them into uncharted territory, fueled by the transformative love of Jesus.

The Book of Acts wasn’t a narrative they observed; it was the very fabric of their lives, woven with courage, divine intervention, and a profound commitment to sharing the Good News.

As followers of Jesus today, we are called to that same dynamic reality. The accounts in Acts aren’t meant to be relics of the past, but blueprints for our present. God desires for us to experience the same wonders, the same victories, and the same life-altering encounters with His power.

This requires more than intellectual assent; it demands a deep, unwavering belief that moves us to action. We must take the words off the page and embody them in our daily lives. When we step out in faith, fueled by love, mirroring the boldness and dedication of the early believers, our own lives will become a living testament to the enduring power of the Holy Spirit – our lives will become the continuation of the Book of Acts.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the powerful example of the early church in the Book of Acts. We ask for a fresh outpouring of your Holy Spirit upon us. Grant us the faith to truly believe in the miracles, the victories, and the transformative power that you demonstrated through the apostles. Help us to move beyond simply reading about your acts to actively living them out in our own lives. Fill us with your love, that it may be the driving force behind our actions, our words, and our witness. Empower us to step out in courage, to share the Good News with boldness, and to be instruments of your wonder in the world today. May our lives become a living continuation of the Book of Acts, to your glory. Amen.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase..

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

God’s Wisdom and Emotions….

Good morning! Today, let’s discover how God’s wisdom transforms our most powerful emotions.

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.  Proverbs 29:11 (ESV)

Emotions are a beautiful gift from God—raw, real, and powerful. But like any gift, they need wisdom to guide them. We’ve all had those moments: a sharp word spoken in frustration, a reaction driven by hurt, or a response we wish we could take back. Proverbs 29:11 reminds us that it’s not about suppressing our emotions but learning to steward them well.

Think of emotions like a fire. When tended wisely, they provide warmth, light, and connection. But left unchecked, they can burn and destroy. God isn’t asking us to snuff out the fire of our feelings; He’s inviting us to bring them to Him first. In His hands, anger can become understanding, and hurt can be transformed into healing. Every pause to pray opens the door for His grace to work in us.

Today, let’s lean into God’s love and wisdom. True strength isn’t in hiding what we feel but in letting His Spirit shape how we respond.

Loving Father, thank You for the gift of emotions that help me navigate life. Some days, they feel overwhelming—a fire within me that’s hard to control. But I’m so grateful I can bring them all to You—my frustrations, my hurts, and my joys. When I’m tempted to react too quickly, remind me to pause and seek Your wisdom. Guide my words with Your truth, shape my responses with Your grace, and let every emotion reflect Your perfect love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!  Psalm 141:3 (ESV)

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much. But the control and wisdom to speak those kind words, especially when our emotions are high, is a gift from God. Let us also ask for God’s protection of our words so that we may honor him in all our communication.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

That You Might Know….

The stones of ancient Babylon, the tablets of Akkad, and the forgotten cities of the Hittites whisper tales of empires past. Their grandeur has faded, their voices stilled. Yet, amidst the sands of time, the Jewish people remain, a living testament to a promise kept.

Christ became a servant to the circumcised (Jews) to show God’s truthfulness and confirm the promises made to their ancestors, ultimately allowing Gentiles to glorify God for his mercy. Romans 15:8

Paul uses the term “circumcised” to refer to the Jewish people, emphasizing that Christ’s ministry and life were initially focused on them.

Christ’s actions and teachings demonstrate the faithfulness and truthfulness of God’s promises to the Jewish people, particularly those made to their ancestors (patriarchs).

Christ’s coming and ministry served as the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish people, including the promise of a Messiah.

By fulfilling these promises through Christ, God’s mercy and love are revealed, allowing Gentiles to recognize and glorify God for his actions.

Romans 15:8 is part of a larger section (Romans 15:8-13) that discusses the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation.
In essence, Romans 15:8 highlights the historical and theological significance of Christ’s ministry to the Jewish people, emphasizing how it both fulfills God’s promises and opens the door for the Gentiles to experience God’s grace and mercy.

This continuity is not merely a historical anomaly; it is a profound echo of divine faithfulness. It is a reminder that even when the world seems to crumble, when empires rise and fall, there is a thread of promise that endures.

The presence of a Jewish person today is not just a meeting with a fellow human being; it is an encounter with a living miracle, a tangible sign of God’s enduring covenant.

This miracle is a call to strengthen our own faith, to remember that God’s promises are not bound by time or circumstance.

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your enduring faithfulness. We see in the survival of the Jewish people a testament to Your promises, a living miracle that spans millennia. Help us to see Your hand in history, to recognize the signs of Your love and faithfulness in our own lives. Strengthen our faith that we may trust in Your promises, even when the world around us seems uncertain. May we rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus is coming and that Your kingdom is near. Amen.

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

While not directly related to the Jewish people, it emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation and enduring values, which can be seen as a parallel to the enduring nature of faith and community. Just as a strong home provides stability and continuity, so does faith provide a foundation that withstands the tests of time.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Sharpening: Through Christian Fellowship…

Good morning. Today, let’s look at making our relationship with God and each other sharper.

God forges our character in the crucible of community. True spiritual growth rarely happens in isolation. It thrives in the friction of authentic relationships.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a divine design. Proverbs 27:17

These aren’t always easy. Real friends don’t just affirm; they refine. They challenge our comfort zones, illuminate our blind spots, and speak truth that echoes God’s voice.

But sharpening is a two-way street. We’re called not only to receive but to impart. In a culture of fleeting connections, we must offer a deeper fellowship: truth tempered with grace, encouragement anchored in love, and a shared pursuit of holiness.

Don’t settle for stagnant faith. Embrace the refining fire of the community. Be the friend who ignites the potential in others, reflecting the light of Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the divine gift of fellowship. Grant me the humility to receive sharpening and the courage to offer it. Cultivate in me a heart that listens, loves, and reflects Your truth. Use me to ignite the light in others, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The enemy rejoices when believers isolate themselves, neglect Scripture, and abandon prayer. Let us choose fellowship, diligent study, and persistent prayer, denying him that victory.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Simeon: The Persistent Seeker…

Luke’s account of Simeon (Shimon) in Luke 2:25-35 paints a portrait of a man whose age did not diminish his spiritual fervor. In a world often characterized by youthful ambition and elderly resignation, Simeon stands as a beacon of unwavering hope.

His advanced years, rather than leading him to complacency, fueled a deeper yearning for the “consolation of Israel,” the long-awaited Messiah.

This narrative challenges our assumptions about aging and spiritual growth. While many associate seeking with youth, Simeon demonstrates that true vitality lies in a continuous pursuit of the divine. The subtle shift from “seek” to “keep seeking” in the original Greek underscores the ongoing nature of this quest. It’s not a one-time endeavor but a lifelong journey.

Simeon’s reward was profound: he held the infant Jesus, the culmination of centuries of prophetic promises. His eyes, dimmed by age, beheld a glory hidden from many. This encounter reveals that persistent seeking opens our eyes to divine revelations that might otherwise remain unseen.

Simeon’s life is a testament to the transformative power of unwavering faith. It teaches us that to remain “young in the Lord” is to maintain a heart that constantly seeks God’s face, His presence, His love, His wonders, and His glory. This ongoing pursuit keeps our spirits vibrant and our souls alive.

Heavenly Father, in the example of Simeon, we find a profound truth: that age is no barrier to spiritual vitality. We ask that You ignite within us a relentless desire to seek Your face, Your presence, Your love, Your wonders, and Your glory. Grant us the strength to ‘keep seeking,’ even when weariness threatens to overtake us. Open our eyes to see the revelations You have placed before us, and fill us with the joy of encountering Your presence. May our hearts remain ever young in You, and may our lives reflect the persistent pursuit of Your divine love. Amen.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Simeon did not conform to the expected path of aging into passive acceptance. He forged his own path of persistent seeking, leaving a trail for us to follow. It reminds us that true spiritual vitality is found in venturing beyond the familiar, in relentlessly pursuing the divine, and in leaving a legacy of unwavering faith.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Unfolding Beauty in God’s Time…

Good morning. Today, I want you to take a closer look at Ecclesiastes 3:11 and see how God’s time is so much better than our expectations and maybe help recenter your life on Him.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  – Ecclesiastes 3:11

This verse isn’t just a comforting platitude; it’s a profound declaration of God’s sovereign artistry and our limited human perspective. The word “beautiful” in Hebrew, yapheh, signifies more than mere aesthetic appeal.

It implies completeness, appropriateness, and perfect alignment. God’s “making” is an active, ongoing process, not a past event. He’s actively shaping our circumstances, even the seemingly chaotic ones, into a masterpiece according to His divine design.

The phrase “set eternity in the human heart” speaks to our innate longing for something beyond the temporal. It’s the echo of our creation in God’s image, a persistent reminder that our existence transcends the fleeting moments of this life. This internal “eternity” fuels our dissatisfaction with the mundane, our yearning for purpose, and our intuitive sense of a grander narrative.

However, the verse also acknowledges our limitations. “No one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” We are finite beings trying to comprehend an infinite God and His eternal plans. Our perspective is like a single brushstroke on a vast canvas; we see only a fragment of the whole picture.

This tension – between our inherent longing for eternity and our inability to fully grasp God’s ways – is where faith thrives. We surrender our need to understand every detail and trust that the Artist knows what He’s doing.

When we face delays, disappointments, or seemingly unanswered prayers, it’s easy to conclude that God has abandoned us. His delays are not rejections but purposeful orchestrations in His grand design.

Reflect on a past challenge. Can you now see how God wove beauty or purpose into that difficult season? What specific lessons or growth emerged?

How do you experience the “eternity” set in your heart? What longings or yearnings point you beyond the temporal?

Where are you currently tempted to wrest control from God’s hands? How can you practice surrendering to His perfect timing, even when it’s unclear?

How does the realization that you can’t fully fathom God’s ways impact your faith? Does it bring comfort or anxiety? How can you shift towards greater trust?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance that You are actively making all things beautiful in Your time. Forgive me for my impatience and my tendency to doubt Your perfect plan. Help me to trust Your delays, knowing they are not denials, but part of Your intricate design. I surrender my need to understand every detail and choose to rest in Your loving hands. May the echo of eternity within my heart draw me closer to You, reminding me that my story is part of something far greater than I can imagine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God’s delays are not God’s denials.

How does this:  “God’s delays are not God’s denials” resonate with your current circumstances? How can you apply this truth to your experience of waiting or uncertainty?

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Mentorship and Unlocking Potential…

Elisha’s encounter with Elijah wasn’t just a chance meeting; it was a pivotal moment of recognition. He saw in Elijah a life marked by divine favor and extraordinary action, a stark contrast to his own familiar routine.

So Elisha…took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.   1 Kings 19:21, NIV

To embrace this new path, Elisha made a decisive break, sacrificing his old life to pursue the potential he saw in Elijah’s mentorship. This act of radical commitment paved the way for him to receive a “double portion” of Elijah’s anointing, ultimately surpassing his mentor’s miraculous feats.

The lesson is clear: our potential is often unlocked by the people we surround ourselves with. We need those who have already navigated the paths we aspire to tread, those whose vision stretches beyond our current horizons.

Father, I acknowledge the favor connections you have already orchestrated in my life. Guide me to discern and embrace these relationships. Empower me to sever ties that stagnate my progress and forge bonds with those who ignite my potential. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. This underscores the importance of seeking out mentors and peers who inspire growth, challenge us to excel, and expose us to new possibilities.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Gentle Grip of Grace…

Grief, like a relentless tide, can pull us under, leaving us gasping for air amidst the swirling waves of sorrow. It can feel like a vast, empty expanse, where familiar landmarks have vanished, and the horizon itself seems to have disappeared. In these moments, the weight of loss can be crushing, and the silence, deafening.

We often search for solid ground, a place to anchor ourselves, but find only the shifting sands of memory and the sharp, jagged rocks of what might have been. Yet, even in this tumultuous sea, God’s hands reach out, not to pull us from the storm, but to hold us within it.

Think of the disciples in the boat, tossed by the raging waves. Fear gripped them, and they cried out in despair. But Jesus, walking on the very water that threatened to consume them, offered not just rescue, but presence. He was there, in the midst of the chaos, a tangible reminder that even when we feel utterly lost, we are never truly alone.

God’s comfort isn’t always about removing the pain. Sometimes, it’s about providing a steady,  grip, a silent assurance that we are held. It’s in the quiet moments of remembering, the shared tears with a friend, the unexpected warmth of a sunset that reminds us of a loved one’s smile. It’s in the whispered promises of scripture, the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit, reminding us that even in our brokenness, God’s love remains unbroken.

His hands, marked by the scars of sacrifice, understand our pain. They know the depth of sorrow, the sting of loss, and the ache of longing. And in that shared understanding, there is a profound comfort, a sense of being seen, heard, and held.

Let us surrender to the gentle grip of grace, allowing God to carry us through the storm, knowing that even in the darkest night, His light will guide us to the dawn.

Heavenly Father, in the midst of my grief, I feel lost and overwhelmed. Help me to feel the gentle grip of your comforting hands. Remind me that I am not alone, that you are with me in my sorrow. Grant me the strength to endure, the peace that surpasses understanding, and the hope that comes from knowing your love endures forever. Amen.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18

Walk daily with God at your side.

Love.always,

Ed 🙏🏼

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