Ed Christian's World

Steven’s Vision and Our Calling..

In the book of Acts, Stephen’s vision is a powerful testament to the unwavering faith that can sustain us even in the most terrifying moments.  Facing a violent death, he doesn’t see an absent or uncaring God. Instead, he sees Jesus, not seated in serene majesty, but standing. 

This detail is significant. It suggests an active acknowledgment, a rising in honor of Stephen’s steadfastness.  It’s as if Jesus Himself is bearing witness to Stephen’s courageous witness, a witness so powerful it moves the Son of God to stand in solidarity.

This image resonates deeply with our own lives. We all face challenges, moments where our faith is tested.  We may feel alone, abandoned, or even question the presence of God in our struggles. But Stephen’s vision reminds us that even in those dark times, Jesus is present, watching, and, in a very real sense, standing with us. 

He sees our struggles, our faithfulness, and our love.  And just as He honored Stephen, He honors us when we strive to live lives worthy of His calling.

Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor,” further illuminates this concept.  Stephen’s humility, his willingness to submit to God’s will even unto death, is precisely what earns him this extraordinary honor. 

It’s not about seeking accolades or recognition, but about living a life of faithful obedience, a life rooted in the fear (reverence) of the Lord.  This kind of humble devotion is what truly moves the heart of God.

Let us, like Stephen, strive to live lives of unwavering faith and humble service. Let us live in such a way that our Teacher, Jesus, might be proud of us, that our lives might be a testament to His grace and love.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the powerful example of Stephen’s faithfulness. Thank you for the reassurance that you are always present with us, even in our darkest moments.  Help us to cultivate the same unwavering faith and humility that marked his life.  May we live each day in a way that honors you, that reflects your love and grace, and that would make you proud.  Help us to remember that true honor comes from serving you faithfully, not from seeking worldly recognition.  We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

Live this day in a way worthy of causing your Teacher to be proud of you… even to get out of His seat.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Time To Surrender…

Today, let’s reflect on the truth of Romans 10:9—a promise of salvation that is as simple as it is transformative.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 is a pivotal verse in Christian theology, outlining the path to salvation. Let’s break it down:

* “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’…” This emphasizes the importance of public confession. It’s not enough to simply believe in your heart; you must also express that belief outwardly. This declaration signifies a recognition of Jesus’ authority and a commitment to follow him.

* “… and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead…” This highlights the core of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Believing in the resurrection is acknowledging Jesus’ victory over death and accepting his divine nature.

* “…you will be saved.” This is the promise of salvation for those who fulfill the two conditions: confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection. Salvation implies forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life with God.

In essence, Romans 10:9 teaches that salvation is a gift freely offered to all who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and believe in his resurrection. It’s a call to both inward faith and outward declaration, a complete surrender to Christ, and acceptance of his divine role in our lives.

Have you ever whispered, “Jesus, help me” in a moment of desperation? Or breathed a quiet “Thank You” when grace washed over you? Those raw, unfiltered prayers are glimpses of faith breaking through—and they’re closer to the heart of Romans 10:9 than we might realize.

This verse reveals that salvation isn’t about flawless performance or perfect words. It’s about surrender. When we declare “Jesus is Lord,” we’re joining heaven’s eternal anthem, embracing the power that overcomes our deepest fears and failures. The same force that burst through death’s chains and rolled away the stone now lives within us, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary testimonies.

When genuine belief meets honest declaration, heaven’s power flows through our daily lives, turning every whispered prayer and quiet act of faith into an echo of resurrection victory. This is the revolution of grace—where our salvation rests not on our striving, but on His finished work; not in what we achieve, but in Who we receive.

It’s time to ask yourself:

How can I let my everyday moments become bold declarations of faith?

What small step can I take today to let my genuine “Jesus is Lord” shine?

Life is so short, and we are not promised tomorrow, so how we answer these simple questions just may open our hearts to His light.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing every whisper of my heart—the declarations of faith that sometimes tremble on my lips and the quiet prayers I breathe in the dark. When my voice feels small, remind me that Your power—the very power that burst through death’s chains and conquered the grave—lives within me. Draw my heart deeper into this beautiful truth. Where I hesitate, give me courage; where I doubt, strengthen my faith. Let my life become a living testimony of what happens when simple trust meets Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ, our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Jesus is our Rabbi

The Jewish people revere their spiritual leaders as Rabbis.  It may surprise some, but Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, was also a Rabbi. He, whose crucifixion became the most recognized symbol globally, was a Rabbi. 

We should never hesitate to share the Gospel with Jewish people because Jesus is their Rabbi, first and foremost, and they need Him.

If Jesus, or Yeshua as He is known in Hebrew, is our spiritual leader, what does that make us? Through faith, we are adopted into God’s family and become part of Israel, the Jewish people. The Rabbi of Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Calvary, and the empty tomb is our Rabbi. 

Jesus, the Rabbi of Rabbis, is our Rabbi.
Therefore, we should share the Good News with Jewish people, receiving the same blessing ourselves. 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19

As it is written in Isaiah 49:6, “It is too small a thing for you to be merely a servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have preserved. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”  This reminds us of the expansive reach of Jesus’s message and our role in sharing it.

Dear Lord, we thank you for revealing yourself to us through your Son, Jesus, our Rabbi. We recognize His role in the lineage of Jewish teachers and spiritual leaders. We lift up the Jewish people to you, praying that they may recognize Yeshua as their Messiah, their Rabbi, and their Savior. Open their hearts to the truth of the Gospel.  Help us, as believers, to share your love and the message of salvation with them, with sensitivity and understanding.  May they come to know the fullness of your grace and the joy of belonging to your family. We also pray for ourselves that we may live lives worthy of the calling we have received, as members of your household and fellow citizens with the saints. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Let us embrace the truth that Jesus is our Rabbi and that we are part of Israel. Let us pray for the salvation of His chosen people.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

What If…

If you choose not to accept Jesus as your Savior, the Bible teaches that you remain separated from God. This separation is spiritual and eternal, meaning you can not experience the fullness of God’s love and forgiveness, nor can you enter His presence in heaven after death. 

This isn’t God’s desire, but the consequence of our choices.  As Romans 3:23 tells us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and Hebrews 9:27 states, “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”

The Bible describes this separation as a state of darkness and suffering, often referred to as hell. It’s not just a place of punishment but a state of being cut off from the source of all goodness and life. 

Imagine a light switch turned off – the darkness isn’t a thing itself, but the absence of light.  Similarly, hell is the absence of God’s presence, the source of all light and love.

However, it’s crucial to remember that God is a loving and merciful God.  He doesn’t desire for anyone to be separated from Him.  As 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

That’s why He sent Jesus, His Son, to bridge the gap caused by our sins. John 3:16-17 beautifully expresses this: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

By accepting Jesus, you can receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God, experiencing His love and eternal life.  He offers us a way out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.

Lord Jesus, I understand that I am a sinner and separated from you. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died for my sins and rose again. I turn away from my sin and ask for your forgiveness. I invite you to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior.  Thank you for your love and grace. Help me to live a life that pleases you. Amen.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.  John 3:36

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Sharing Our Faith…

Good morning!

Today, let’s reflect on the power of the gospel—a message so transformative that it changes lives, including yours.

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  Romans 1:16

We’ve all faced moments when sharing our faith feels daunting—whether it’s a conversation with a coworker, a friend asking tough questions, or simply living out your beliefs in a skeptical world. The fear of rejection, judgment, or saying the “wrong thing” can silence even the boldest among us.

But here’s the truth: the gospel isn’t a script we recite perfectly; it’s the unstoppable power that transformed Saul—a man who hunted Christians—into Paul, a herald of grace. That same explosive power lives in you .

You don’t need all the answers. You just need to point others to the One who does. Boldness doesn’t always mean preaching from a pulpit. Sometimes, it’s as simple as texting a struggling friend, “I’m praying for you—can I share a verse that helped me?” Or posting a story about how He carried you through your darkest season.

Your scars tell a story of redemption. Your joy whispers of His presence. Even your quiet acts of love are echoes of His goodness. The world isn’t waiting for perfect Christians—it’s desperate for real ones. People who aren’t afraid to say, “I’m broken, but I’m loved. And this love? It’s not just for me—it’s for you, too.”

So today, live unashamed. Let your life reflect His grace—not because you’re flawless, but because He is faithful.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gospel—a message so powerful it changes lives, including mine. When fear or doubt tries to silence me, remind me that Your Spirit works through my willingness, not my perfection. Give me courage to live authentically, pointing others to You through both my words and actions. Help me step into today unashamed—not because I’m flawless, but because Your grace is enough. May my life reflect Your love and draw others closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You have one business on earth – to save souls.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

A Voice Crying In The Wilderness…

Yochanan the Immerser, also known as John the Baptist, never got married. Why? It’s probable that if John had married, he would have missed his calling and his life would have been a disaster. We don’t know.

But Jesus called him the greatest among men. If he had gone after earthly success, comfort, marriage, or business, he probably wouldn’t have been that great at it and he would have missed his true greatness.

Yet, by foregoing these things, he ended up the greatest man ever born before Jesus. Thus, you fulfill God’s will for your life and don’t worry about what others have. For even if you had a billion dollars, your life would be a failure if you didn’t follow God’s calling.

Turn away from whatever is not God’s best for you, whether it’s more money, comfort, people’s affection, fame, marriage, or whatever it is if it’s not God’s will. Just go all out for God.

Seek to fulfill the best that God has for your life and your calling. Because John probably wouldn’t have made a good husband, but he made one great Baptist.

No one born of a woman is greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater.  Matthew 11: 11

Choose God’s highest path for your walking today and avoid anything that keeps you from fulfilling God’s purpose.

Lord, help me to discern your will for my life.  Show me the path you have laid out for me, and give me the strength and courage to follow it, even if it means sacrificing my own desires.  Help me to focus on your purpose for my life, rather than chasing after worldly things that will ultimately leave me empty.  I thank you for the example of John the Baptist, and I pray that I may have a similar dedication to your calling. Amen.

The will of God will not take you where the grace of God can not keep you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Finding Contentment…

As we begin this new day, let’s find solace and strength in the familiar words of Psalm 23:1.  This verse, a cornerstone of faith, offers a profound promise of provision and peace.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

This simple yet powerful declaration speaks to the heart of our relationship with God. It’s more than just an acknowledgment of His existence; it’s a deep, personal connection, a recognition of His active role as our Shepherd. 

Think about the intimacy of that image – a shepherd, constantly attentive to the needs of their flock, guiding them to nourishment and safety.  This is the kind of care God offers us. “I shall not want” – this isn’t a promise of a life free from challenges. 

Life will inevitably present us with difficulties, with moments of scarcity and longing.  Rather, this verse speaks to a deeper, spiritual contentment.  It’s about recognizing that in God, we have all we truly need. 

He provides not necessarily everything our desires crave, but everything our souls require:  grace, strength, guidance, and unwavering love.  It’s a shift in perspective, from focusing on what we lack to appreciating the abundance we already possess in Christ.

This verse invites us to cultivate a heart of gratitude.  To look beyond the surface of our circumstances and recognize the hand of our Shepherd at work, even in the midst of hardship.  He leads us to “green pastures” – moments of peace and restoration – and “quiet waters” – times of reflection and renewal. 

He restores our souls, gently mending the broken places within us.  And even when we walk through the “valley of the shadow of death,” those dark and frightening times, we can find comfort knowing He is with us, His rod and staff providing protection and guidance.

Let’s carry this truth with us today:  We are loved, cherished, and cared for by a Shepherd who knows us intimately.  In His presence, we can find a contentment that transcends our circumstances.

Dear Heavenly Shepherd,  Thank you for your constant care and unwavering love.  Help me to truly understand the depth of your promise in Psalm 23:1.  Quiet the clamor of my desires and open my eyes to the abundance you have already placed in my life.  When I feel lost or afraid, remind me of your presence and guide me with your loving hand.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Life lived in connection with God has purpose and direction, like a sharpened pencil ready to create. 

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

We Who Are On Earth…

We are to pray, “Our Father Who Art in Heaven”. Notice that it speaks of God’s “art,” but there’s nothing about your “art” at all. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in one place or another.

Thus, it doesn’t talk about where you are because if it talked about a specific place in the Lord’s Prayer, then you would be limited to that particular place. But it doesn’t matter where you are.

It only matters where God is. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a high place in your life or a low place. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going through a tough time or the worst time you’ve ever been through.

Wherever you are, you can still pray. It doesn’t even matter if you’re in a place where you feel so far from God that it seems He won’t hear you. Pray! Because the Lord is seated on the throne in heaven, and He loves you.

He is in heaven, and He will always be there for you. Reach out to Him. He is reaching out to you. Pray, because you don’t have an ‘art’, but God does.

Pray without ceasing.  1 Thessalonians 5:17

Lord, thank you for your constant presence, even when I feel distant or lost.  Thank you for my location, my circumstances, and my feelings. Do not limit your love or your ability to hear me.  I bring my worries, my joys, my hopes, and my fears to you now.  Help me to remember that you are always on the throne, always in control, and always reaching out to me.  I lift my voice to you, knowing that you hear me.  Help me to pray without ceasing, to keep my heart and mind focused on you.  Amen

Today, no matter where you are, enter the Holy of Holies and spend time in His presence.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Find Your Still Point…

In the whirlwind of our lives, a gentle whisper cuts through the noise: “Be still, and know that I am God.”  It’s an invitation, not a demand, to find a sanctuary within ourselves where we can connect with the divine.  Psalm 46:10 isn’t about emptying ourselves, but about opening ourselves to the fullness of God’s presence.

Think of it like this:  a rushing river, churning with rapids, can obscure the treasures hidden beneath the surface. Only when the waters calm, when the current slows, can we glimpse the vibrant life teeming below. 

Similarly, in the stillness, we dive deep into the ocean of God’s love, discovering depths we never knew existed. It’s not always easy. Our minds, accustomed to constant activity, may resist the quiet.  But it’s in this sacred pause that true transformation begins. 

Being still means quieting the internal storms – the anxieties, the need for control, the clamoring voices – and creating space for God to fill us with peace.

Imagine the weight of worry lifting, the tension in your shoulders melting away, as you simply be in God’s presence.  It’s a moment of pure connection, a breath of fresh air in the midst of chaos.  In that stillness, we find renewal, healing, and clarity of purpose that the world can’t offer.

Heavenly Father, in the midst of the daily rush, I hear your gentle call: “Be still.”  Help me to answer, to quiet the noise both around me and within me. Create a sacred space in my heart where I can meet with you.  I lay down my worries, my plans, my need to control, and surrender them to your loving care.  As I embrace the stillness, let your presence fill me, your peace wash over me, and your love calm my restless spirit.  Speak to me in the silence, Lord. Let me hear your whispers guiding my steps and shaping my path.  Remind me that in this stillness, I find you, and in finding you, I find the strength I need for each day. Thank you for your constant presence, always there, always transforming. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Remember: Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you can’t change. Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change.

Walk with God, hand in hand, every single day!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Unlearning to Pray…

How do we pray? There are seminars, books, teachings, and all sorts of things on how to pray. Jesus, who knows best, taught us how to pray. He started out by saying, “Our Father”. Romans 8:15 says, “…we cry out, Abba, Father.”

Abba is the Hebrew word for Daddy. The Lord wants us to forget our ideas of prayer- the complexities, the formulas- and learn the most profound truth in the word Abba. Learn from that little baby in the cradle.

It doesn’t know many words, but when it’s sad, hurting, or in need, it cries out. So when you are sad or hurting, cry out. Pour out your heart to God. When you have a need, bring it to Him.

Also, when you have joy, share it with Him. Let your joy overflow in worship and praise and, like the baby, cry, “Abba.” There’s no need for eloquent words. Simply be like a baby resting in your Father’s loving arms.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.  Psalm 5:2

You don’t have to know the right formula. Just simply pour out your heart to Him. Keep it simple, keep it basic, and keep it, Abba.

Abba, Father, thank you for the gift of prayer, for the ability to come to you as a child to a loving parent.  Help me to release my worries and anxieties, and simply rest in your presence.  Teach me to trust in your care, share my joys and sorrows with you, and listen for your voice.  May my prayer be a constant conversation with you, my Abba. Amen.

Be like a child today ” pour out your heart and bring your needs to your Abba”, your Daddy.

Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼