Ed Christian's World

The Ambition of The Great…

As believers, we often consider ambition to be a bad and worldly thing. But Jesus said, “He who would be greatest among you must be the servant of all.” In other words, the desire for greatness isn’t wrong in itself, only when the greatness desired is selfish, self-centered, or self-serving.

But being truly great doesn’t come by being great at business, money, power, status, or conquest. It comes by being great with God and the things of God. Jesus is telling us to be ambitious for greatness in humility, servant-hood, giving, love, faithfulness, and goodness. Be the best at selflessness.

Turn your ambition to godliness. Be the most ambitious at becoming the most Jesus-like person. God showed us His greatness by lowering Himself and dwelling among us, by loving us and stooping down to wash our feet. He showed His greatness by laying down His life for us.

So if you have great ambition, direct it at Him who is truly great. For the greatest one is God and the greatest thing is love. So be great and ambitious in what is truly great…the love of God.

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  Jude 21

Today, direct your ambitions at being Jesus-like and walking out His love in your life.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

His Welcoming Heart…

Good morning,

Today, let’s explore Jesus’ welcoming heart and what it teaches us about God’s kingdom.

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Luke 18:16

In Luke 18:15-17, we see a touching scene where parents bring their children to Jesus, seeking His blessing. The disciples, perhaps thinking they were protecting Jesus from interruption, tried to turn them away. But Jesus, ever compassionate, calls the children to Him, saying, “Let the little children come to me.” He emphasizes that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child.

This passage is a powerful reminder of the qualities that Jesus values: humility, trust, and openness. Children come to Jesus without pretense or pride, simply seeking His love and presence. Jesus not only welcomes them but also points to them as examples of the kind of faith we all need—uncomplicated, sincere, and fully trusting.

Today, let’s embrace this childlike faith. Let’s approach Jesus with hearts open and eager, unburdened by cynicism or doubt. In a world that often values complexity, may we find joy in the simplicity of trusting Him completely. Remember, Jesus’ arms are always open, welcoming us with the same love and grace He showed the children.

How can you simplify your faith and approach God with childlike trust?

What can you learn from the openness and humility of children in your spiritual journeys?

Heavenly Father, Today, I come before You with a childlike heart, ready to receive Your love and guidance. In a world that often values self-reliance, help me embrace the humility and trust of a child. May my faith be uncomplicated and sincere, free from the burdens of doubt and cynicism. As I navigate the complexities of life, remind me of the simple truth: Your Kingdom belongs to those who come to You with open hearts. Guide me to find joy in Your presence, to trust in Your goodness, and to rest in Your unfailing love. May my life reflect the beauty of Your Kingdom, shining brightly for all to see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The child asks of the Father whom he knows. Thus, the essence of Christian prayer is not general adoration but definite, concrete petition. The right way to approach God is to stretch out our hands and ask of the One who we know has the heart of a Father.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Guard Your Heart…

Good morning,

With each sunrise, God paints a new day filled with opportunities and blessings. As you step into this day, may His love be the rhythm in your step and His grace the melody in your heart.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

The heart, in biblical terms, often refers not just to our emotions but our thoughts, will, and innermost being. This proverb is a poignant reminder of the importance of guarding it. Just as the body’s health can be determined by the state of the heart, the spiritual and emotional health of our lives can be gauged by the condition of our inner heart.

When our hearts are filled with God’s love, grace, and truth, our actions and words will naturally reflect His light. But if we allow bitterness, envy, or negativity to take root, it can influence every aspect of our lives. Guarding our heart is not about building walls, but nurturing it with God’s Word, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and constantly checking our emotions and motives in the light of His truth.

Heavenly Father, I come before You, recognizing the importance of a pure heart. Help me to guard it, not out of fear, but with the understanding that from it springs the wellspring of life. Nourish my heart with Your Word, and let me be mindful of what I let in, always choosing love, truth, and all things that honor You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Dead Sea Scrolls…

On November 29th 1947, an archeologist named Eliezer Sukenik was deciphering the writings of some parchments he’d just obtained from Bethlehem. On the other side of the globe in Flushing Queens, the newly formed United Nations was voting on whether Israel would be resurrected from the dead.

Sukenik’s son was listening to the radio reporting the vote of each country. At the very moment Israel was declared a nation after 2000 years of dispersion, Sukenik was reading the ancient words of the Dead Sea Scrolls prophecy from the scroll of thanksgiving. He read, “I was driven from my home like a bird from its nest; I was cast down, but raised up again.”

The words perfectly matched what was happening to the Jewish people; they were being raised from the dead. God keeps His promise even when it takes 2000 years! So rejoice, because if He is faithful to keep His promises to His ancient people Israel, how much will He also be faithful and keep His promises to you who follow Him?

You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous.  Nehemiah 9:8

Today, meditate on the faithfulness of God and rejoice in the fact that He has kept, is keeping, and will keep His promises to your life.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Seeds of Joy…

Good morning,

As we embrace the day ahead, let’s hold onto the promise that our present sorrows are seeds for future joy. Approach today with faith, knowing that in God’s time, you will reap a bounty of joy.

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5

In today’s verse, we find a testament to resilience and hope: the assurance that those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. This scripture serves as a beacon of light for anyone traversing through the valleys of hardship and loss, reminding us that our present sorrows are not the end of our story but the seeds of a forthcoming joy.

Consider the farmer who, amidst the toil and tears, plants his seeds with the faith of a future harvest. So are we called to live our lives, planting seeds of faith, love, and perseverance, even when the soil of our circumstances feels barren and unyielding. It’s a divine principle woven into the fabric of creation: that after every night comes the dawn, after every winter comes the spring.

Let this day be one where we embrace our trials not as finalities but as the fertile ground from which God will bring forth a harvest of joy. Let’s commit to sowing kindness, faith, and patience, even when it’s hard, trusting in the promise that our efforts will bear fruit in God’s perfect timing.

How can we actively sow seeds of hope and faith in our current situation, despite the tears?

Have a wonderful day ahead.

Father God, This morning, as I start my day, I’m leaning into Your promise from Psalm 126:5. It’s comforting to know that the tears I shed aren’t in vain but are watering the ground for future joy. Help me keep that picture in my heart, especially when the going gets tough. I ask for strength to push through the hard times, holding onto the hope that joy comes with the morning. Let me find reasons to smile even in my trials, knowing You’re with me, turning my sorrows into seeds of happiness. Today, let me spread that hope to others, showing them Your love and the joy that comes from living in Your light. And remind me, in those quiet moments when I’m alone with my thoughts, that You’re right there beside me, guiding me towards brighter days. Thank You for always being my source of comfort and strength. Knowing I can cast my cares on You makes all the difference. Amen.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD Difficult moments, SEEK GOD Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD Painful moments, TRUST GOD Every moment, THANK GOD!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Leaner…

Song of Solomon 8:5 says, “Who is this who comes up from the wilderness leaning on her Beloved?” What a beautiful picture. It reveals that the way to walk with your Beloved is arm and arm, leaning on his shoulder. It’s a picture of gentle love, warm dependence, and intimate trust.

It’s not enough to just walk with God. You have to also lean your head on His shoulder. Lean on your Beloved, because that’s what a Beloved is for. If you didn’t have a Beloved, you couldn’t lean on Him. You’d have to carry all your burdens yourself.

That’s why 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties upon Him, because He cares for you.” Stop trying to do it on your own. Stop even trying to walk with God on your own. You weren’t made to carry all that on your shoulders. You were made to lean on His.

For you too, are meant to come up and out of your wilderness. It all begins when you lay your burdens down and begin leaning on the everlasting shoulders of your Beloved.

Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

Today, lay your burdens down at His feet and lean on your Beloved.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Follow His Lead…

Good morning,

Let’s start this day with the assurance that our plans, hopes, and dreams are tenderly held in God’s wise hands.

In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9

In our human nature, we crave control. We devise plans, set goals, and plot our course, seeking to shape our future with our hands. But Proverbs 16:9 offers a gentle reminder that while we have the freedom to make plans, it’s God who directs our steps.

This verse isn’t about abandoning our dreams or goals; rather, it’s a call to align our intentions with God’s will. It’s about recognizing that our knowledge is limited, our view is partial, but God sees the bigger picture. He knows the best path for us and leads us there, often in ways we didn’t foresee.

As you go about your day, allow this verse to sink into your heart. Make your plans, set your goals, but do so with a spirit of surrender, inviting God into your planning. Trust in His guidance, for He sees the whole journey and promises to lead you where you need to be.

Heavenly Father, As I map out my day, I pause to submit my plans to You, acknowledging that while my perspective is narrow, Yours is boundless. Guide my thoughts and actions, ensuring they align with Your divine will. When my desires stray from Your path, gently steer me back, granting me the humility to accept Your better way. I place my trust in Your wisdom and love, confident that You are guiding me towards a future filled with hope and purpose. May my heart remain open to Your leading, every step of today and beyond. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Bird In The Secret Place…

The Song of Solomon is about a bride and groom in love. More than that, it’s about God’s love for you. The Groom calls the bride away as a dove to the cleft of the rock, to the secret place for a time of intimate love.

So too, if you don’t make time to be in the secret place alone with your heavenly Bridegroom, you’ll never be able to truly know His love for you, to let it touch you, heal you, and change your life.

Your soul will be like a dove that has no place to land, always restless, needy, and weary. Your soul can only rest in God alone, and that’s what the cleft of the rock is all about. It’s just you and God. God’s calling you as a Groom calls his bride alone to the secret place with Him.

You need to go there, and you absolutely must dwell there every day of your life. For there, He will hear the voice of your heart, and you will become, to Him, lovely. There, you will truly know and be touched by the love of God.

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

Today, get alone with just you and God in your secret place and share your heart with Him.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Rhythm of Life…

Good morning,

Today, let’s explore the rhythm of life and find peace in God’s perfect timing.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Have you ever felt like life’s moving too fast, or perhaps not fast enough? Ecclesiastes 3:1 speaks to this universal experience, reminding us that every moment has its purpose.

Think about your life right now. Maybe you’re in a season of growth, facing new challenges daily. Or perhaps you’re in a period of waiting, wondering when things will change. This verse gently whispers that both have their place in God’s grand design.

It’s natural to want to rush through tough times or make the good ones last forever. But there’s an invitation here to embrace each season fully. In hardship, we might discover strength we never knew we had. In times of joy, we have the opportunity to spread that happiness to others.

This isn’t about passive acceptance. It’s a call to engage deeply with where we are right now. When we understand that God has a purpose for every season, it changes how we approach life. Suddenly, that difficult project at work isn’t just a hassle – it’s an opportunity for growth. That quiet period isn’t just boring – it’s a chance for reflection and preparation.

Today, whatever season you’re in, remember: it’s not random. God is using this time to shape you, to prepare you for what’s ahead. Trust His timing – He’s writing a story more beautiful than you can imagine.

Lord, Sometimes life rushes by, other times it crawls. Thank You for being with me through every season. When I’m struggling, remind me You’re here, holding me close. Give me strength for each day, even when it’s hard. In better times, help me cherish those moments and share kindness with others. God, I trust You’re using every part of my journey – the joys, the sorrows, the waiting, and the action – to guide me. Help me see Your hand at work, even when I don’t understand. Thank You for loving me always. I’m grateful You’re in control, carefully crafting my story. Help me trust Your timing, knowing You’re with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Faith is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing Who holds the future.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Let’s Pause..

Good morning,

Today, let’s pause and find solace in the stillness that God calls us to. In our fast-paced world, brimming with demands and distractions, God invites us to be still and know that He is God.

He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’    Psalm 46:10

Stillness often feels elusive, even terrifying. Our minds, conditioned for constant activity, might resist this sacred pause. Yet, it’s precisely in the quiet that transformation awaits. Psalm 46:10 offers a profound invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s not a command to become empty, but rather, to become full.

Being still isn’t merely about silencing the external noise; it’s about quieting the storms within. It’s laying down our anxieties, our need for control, the thousand voices demanding attention, and opening the deepest chambers of our hearts to God. This stillness acts as a portal, allowing His Presence to flood our souls.

Imagine it like this: The ocean’s depths hold treasures unseen on the turbulent surface. Only by diving in, releasing our tight grip on the shore, can we discover the pearls, the coral reefs, the vibrant life concealed beneath. Stillness allows us to dive into the depths of God, to experience Him in a way our frantic, surface-level living cannot offer. It’s where we find renewal, healing, and a clarity of purpose that the roar of the world drowns out.

How can you begin to carve out moments of stillness within your day?

What do you hope to find or experience in those quiet moments with God?

Heavenly Father, In the midst of life’s constant motion, I hear Your gentle invitation: “Be still.” Help me to answer this call, to quiet the noise within and without, and to create a sacred space for You. Teach me to surrender my worries, my plans, and my need for control into Your capable hands. As I step into the stillness, let Your presence envelop me, Your peace wash over me, and Your love quiet my restless heart. In the silence, speak to me. Let me hear Your whispers, guiding my steps and shaping my path. Remind me that in the stillness, I can know You more fully and find the strength to face whatever lies ahead. Thank You for the gift of Your presence, always available, always transforming. Amen.

Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you can not change. Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼