Ed Christian's World

Tune In To God…

Good morning,

Today, let’s turn down the volume on life’s noise and tune in to the whispers of God.

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:12

Have you ever felt like you’re in the middle of a storm, with the winds of worry howling and the ground shaking beneath your feet? Maybe you’ve prayed for a clear sign, for God to boom His guidance from the heavens. But sometimes, amidst the chaos, His voice comes in a gentler form.

Elijah, the prophet on the run, experienced this firsthand. After a mighty wind, a shaking earth, and a raging fire, God wasn’t found in the spectacle. Instead, He came in the quietest of whispers.

In our own lives, filled with notifications, schedules, and constant noise, we too can miss God’s still, small voice. We expect a shout, but He often speaks in the gentle rustling of leaves or the peaceful lull of our hearts.

So today, let’s intentionally quiet ourselves. Turn off the distractions, take a deep breath, and simply listen. God might be speaking words of love, guidance, or simply reassurance that He is there, right in the midst of the storm.

Don’t miss His voice because you’re expecting thunder and lightning. Sometimes, the most profound truths are found in the quietest whispers.

Create more quiet moments to hear God’s voice!!

Dear Heavenly Father, in the storms of life, when worry and fear try to drown out Your voice, help me to remember Your faithfulness. Help me to remember that Your presence isn’t always found in the loud and spectacular, but often in the quiet whisper. Give me the courage to turn down the noise of this world, to quiet my heart, and to simply listen for Your gentle guidance. In the stillness, may I hear Your words of love, peace, and reassurance, knowing that You are with me always. Thank You for speaking to me in the quiet moments, just as You did with Elijah. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Blooming Faith…

Good morning,

Today, let’s explore how our faith can bloom into action.

For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

So often, we approach our faith like a series of obligations – prayers to recite, services to attend, and good deeds to accumulate. But Galatians 5:6 pulls back the curtain, revealing the radiant heart of true faith: a love story between us and the God who first loved us.

This isn’t a love we manufacture or earn through striving. It’s the unfathomable, extravagant love of a Father who sacrificed everything to bring us close. When we truly grasp the magnitude of this love, something profound happens within us. It’s like the first rays of dawn breaking through a long night. Our hearts awaken.

Love becomes our compass, reshaping our desires and motivations. Acts of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are no longer chores, but the natural outflow of a heart overflowing with gratitude. We begin to see the world through God’s eyes, His love spilling through us into the lives of those around us.

This kind of faith isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. It’s about stumbling, getting back up, and constantly allowing God’s love to reorient and transform us. It’s about making space for His love to reshape us from the inside out, bringing forth a life that reflects His goodness.

Dear Heavenly Father, Forgive me for the times I’ve turned faith into a performance. Help me truly grasp that You cherish me, not for what I do, but for who I am in You. Open my eyes to the hurting world around me. When I see need, fill me with Your compassion. When faced with difficulty, flood me with Your patience. In moments of conflict, help me respond with Your kindness. Let Your incredible love be the heartbeat of my day – shaping my thoughts, words, and actions. May the way I live reflect Your goodness, allowing others to see You through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ. Rather, it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Radical Righteousness….

Ayin is Hebrew for eye. Jesus said if your eye causes you to stumble, then take it out. Some translations read, tear it out or pluck it out, and throw it away.

I’ve never seen even one picture illustrating this teaching. The reason, of course, is that it’s too graphic. But that’s exactly the point.

Jesus gave us this example, not so we would put it in picture Bibles, greeting cards, or Christian coloring books, but so it would be burned into the eyes of our hearts.

He said it so that you would take that sin in your life so seriously that no matter what the cost or sacrifice, you would pluck it out and throw it away. Imagine plucking out your own eye because it causes you to stumble.

In the same way, pluck out that sin that’s causing you to stumble. Pluck that ungodly thing out of your life. Throw it away, and be done with it already. Keep your eyes, but as far as that sin is concerned, there’s only one thing to do – pluck it out.

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.  1 Peter 1:15

What is it that should have no place in your life? Today, pluck it out.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

His Enduring Love…

Good morning,

As we step into today, let’s remember that no matter what life throws our way, God’s love remains steady and true. Whether in moments of joy or in times of trial, His faithfulness endures.

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.
Job 1:21

Life can change in a heartbeat, and Job experienced this firsthand. In a single day, he lost everything—his children, his wealth, and his health. The weight of that grief is unimaginable. Yet, from the depths of his suffering, Job speaks these powerful words: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job’s response doesn’t dismiss his pain but reflects a raw, honest faith that acknowledges a difficult truth: nothing in this life is permanent. Job reminds us that even our greatest trials pass through the hands of a loving God. His faith was never rooted in his circumstances but in the unchanging character of God.

In our own seasons of joy or sorrow, Job’s faith challenges us. Can we trust God’s goodness when life feels anything but good? There’s a peace in surrendering to God—not for what He gives or takes away, but for who He is beyond our circumstances. And may we find the strength to whisper, even through tears, “Blessed be Your name.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for being with me through every season of life, especially in the moments that feel overwhelming. When I face losses or struggles that seem too heavy to bear, remind me that You are unshakable and faithful. Help me trust You, not just in the good times, but in the hardest days. Teach my heart to find peace in Your love, even when I don’t understand. Give me the strength to whisper, even through my tears, “Blessed be Your name,” knowing that Your hand will never let me go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Process of Beautification…

In the ancient Hebrew marriage, the bride and groom would stay separated for a year. The groom would prepare a place for the bride and the bride would prepare herself for the groom, making herself beautiful.

Anyone who’s witness a woman getting beautiful knows – it often gets worse before it gets better. And if you’re born again, you are the bride and this life is your preparation time. This is the time given for you to become beautiful in His eyes.

But becoming beautiful involves a process that isn’t overnight. And often, before you become more beautiful, you appear less so, or even ugly, especially in the mirror of our own eyes. So, if you’re examining yourself, your heart, attitude, and spirituality, it can be pretty ugly.

But don’t be discouraged. It’s all part of the process. In fact, it’s seeing your faults that allow you to become beautiful. This is the time of your preparation. You don’t have to be beautiful, you only have to become beautiful.

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.    1 Timothy 4:8

Today, take steps toward not looking more beautiful but becoming more beautiful in God.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

His Plans…

Good morning,

As we start this new day, let’s open our hearts to receive a timely reminder: God has beautiful plans for our lives. In seasons of uncertainty, this truth anchors us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 isn’t just a comforting verse—it’s God’s love letter to the weary and brokenhearted. Picture receiving this promise while living in exile, far from everything familiar, with hope fading. And then, God’s voice breaks through the silence: “Even here, especially here, I have a plan for you.”

Like those exiles, we all experience seasons when life unravels—when our carefully laid plans crumble and we’re left wondering what’s next. Yet, even in the chaos, God’s promise remains unshaken. His plan may not always align with our own desires or timelines, but it is always woven with purpose, hope, and anchored in His unchanging love. Trusting Him doesn’t guarantee an easy road, but it assures us that each step—especially the missteps—are guided by His hand.

Your life is a story that God is writing. Right now, you may be in a chapter of uncertainty or pain, but remember: the best authors use these moments to shape the most beautiful endings.

Whatever season you’re in today, place your fears, your dreams, and your doubts in His hands. The struggle you’re facing isn’t the final word—it’s the foundation for a comeback that only God can script, a future brighter than you can imagine.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your unchanging love and perfect plans for my life. Forgive me when I try to take control, forgetting that You are the author of my story. Calm my heart when I’m tempted to fear what I don’t understand. Guide my steps, hold my heart, and lead me through each moment. Even when I can’t see the full picture, help me trust that You are working all things for my good. You are my peace, my hope, and my strength. In You, I know my future is safe. In Jesus’ name, Amen

God’s plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Victim or Victor…

We live in a victim culture where few take responsibility for their lives. People live as victims of their parents, their society, rejection, abuse, or behavior they can’t control.

Even God’s people often walk around with lifelong hurts, wounds, self-pity, and blame. But Proverbs 18:14 reads, “A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a wounded spirit, who can bear?”

So, when you walk around feeling sorry for yourself, dwelling on what’s been done to you, you’re carrying a wounded spirit. And a wounded spirit will make your life and your burdens heavier and keep you from joy, peace, and fulfillment.

That’s not God’s will for your life. Don’t go through this life as a victim. Don’t live according to how people treated you and start living according to how God treated you.

What people did is nothing compared to what Jesus did on Calvary. That’s everything. You’re not a victim – you’re a victor. In fact, you’re even more than a conqueror. Live like one.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57

Today, move away from your past and how people treated you and live solely according to how God has treated you in salvation.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Put Your Trust in the Lord…

Good morning,

As this day begins, let’s greet it not just with our plans and schedules but with open hearts, ready to trust in the guidance of our ever-faithful God.

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1

As I prepare for my upcoming surgery Friday morning, I chose to look closely at this verse. Psalm 25:1 is not just a verse; it’s a lifeline. It’s about placing our day, with its potential and its problems, into God’s hands. It’s about believing that He’s got a plan for each step we take—even the missteps. Trusting God opens us up to the peace that only He can give. It’s like stepping out into the unknown and finding the ground solid under your feet because God is there.

Today, let’s move beyond the familiar shores of our understanding and wade into the deeper waters of God’s faithfulness. Every worry, every decision, every hope—place it all in His care. Trust in Him to guide you, to provide for you, and to show you a path where you might not see one.

So, I ask myself: How can I consciously choose faith over fear, peace over worry?

The neurosurgeon is going to cut two nerves that control/report pain on the right side on my head. Psalm 25:1 is my lifeline here, and God’s will be done is my mantra. Here is the time when my faith and trust will be tested. I have complete trust that He will decide my path.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the peace that comes from trusting in You. Today, I lay all of my plans, my worries, and my hopes at Your feet. Guide my steps, hold my heart, and lead me through each hour. I am confident, not because I have all the answers, but because I know You are the answer to all I need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Fatherhood and God…

The word father comes from the Greek word ‘pater.’ It is linked to the ancient Sanskrit name ‘tata.’ In other languages, it becomes dada, baba, or papa. In Hebrew, it becomes ‘abba.’ What joins all these words? They’re all part of baby talk.

The word ‘dada’ was coined by a baby. This bears witness that having a father is the most basic and simple of things. So Romans 8:15 says, “Whereby we cry, Abba!” Knowing God is not a complicated thing.

It’s the simplest and most basic thing. It’s like breathing. It’s like being a baby and saying ‘dada.’ And the ‘dada’, like ‘papa’ and ‘abba’, are not only baby words, but words of joy.

So knowing God is not a theological proposition, it’s the most basic joy you can know. Don’t be theological in your relationship to God – call Him ‘Abba’! Learn the profound truth of calling God Abba.

Learn to call Him Papa, Dada, or Daddy. The greatest, deepest, and most profound thing you could ever know is also the most simple… Dada!

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  Matthew 6:6

Today, be like a little child. Spend time with God as your Heavenly Daddy and accept His nurturing.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Wait…

Good morning,

Today, let’s find strength and encouragement in Psalm 27:14 and trust in God’s perfect timing.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

Do you ever feel like life’s on fast-forward, and you’re just trying to keep up? We want answers now, solutions now, results now. But God, in His wisdom, often asks us to wait.

Psalm 27:14 doesn’t tell us to twiddle our thumbs, though. It calls us to an active, hopeful kind of waiting. This means trusting in God’s timing, even when it feels like a lifetime. It means holding onto hope, even when discouragement knocks.

Waiting isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be empty. It’s a chance to align our hearts with God’s, to seek His face, and truly listen to His voice. It’s trusting that He’s working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see the results yet.

And here’s the amazing thing: as we wait, God renews us. He gives us fresh strength, a new perspective, and a deeper faith.

So if you’re in a waiting season, take heart. Don’t give up. God’s timing is perfect, and as you wait for Him, He’ll fill you with the strength and peace you need.

Dear God, Life moves so fast, and waiting is hard. But I know Your timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t match my own. Help me trade my anxiety for patience and my doubts for trust. Remind me that You’re always working behind the scenes, weaving together a beautiful tapestry even when I can’t see the whole picture. Breathe Your peace into my restless heart, and give me the courage to embrace this season of waiting. In Jesus name’ I pray, Amen.

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼