Ed Christian's World

The God Coin…

Jesus asked those who were testing him about taxes, “Whose image is on this coin?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” To which He responded, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and render to God the things that are God’s.”

In other words, if the coin bears the image of Caesar, then it belongs to Caesar and must be given to him. But then, what is it that bears the image of God?

What bears the image of God is man. Thus, as a coin is to Caesar – so you are to God. If you bear God’s image, then you belong to Him, and if you belong to Him, you must render, give yourself unto Him.

It’s the only natural and proper thing to do – since we already belong to Him. And beyond that, it reveals that if you don’t give yourself totally and wholly for God, then your life is lived in debt. In fact, your life becomes stolen property, an illegal substance.

That’s why when you do your own thing with your life, it never works out, something is always wrong. So render unto God today that thing that is God’s – namely… you!

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

Consider this, your life bears the image of God, therefore you belong to Him. Live today as one whose entire being is owned and belongs to God – do all for His glory.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Shepherd’s Departure…

In the book of Zechariah it’s written, “And I said to them, ‘if it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind.’ So they weighed out 30 shekels of silver as my wages.”

God told Israel to give Him a price they think His services to Israel had been worth. They came up with 30 pieces of silver. It’s the same price for a slave and later the price given for Jesus’s life.

It sounds crazy to value God at 30 pieces of silver. We do the same. We often value God for the services He can provide us. Too many believers see God as their heavenly servant. Too many teachers teach that God will do whatever you ask Him to do. God has to do it.

What we’re doing is making the King of the Universe our personal slave. But God is not our slave. He’s our Lord. Come to Him with no requests. Ask Him only what He wants you to do and then serve Him. Forget about what you want. Worship Him – the King of the Universe!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Psalm 29:2

Make it your aim today to do everything as a servant of God – to seek His will for every situation and to fulfill it.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The House Of Spirits…

Jesus told his disciples of the possessed man from whom a demon was cast out. Later on, the demon returns to the man with seven other spirits – thus the man’s state becomes eight times worse than before.

This reveals a profound principle which not only applies to people but to civilization – and to the end times. Western Civilization was once pagan… as possessed. But then it became, in a sense, excorcised of paganism, swept clean.

But now we are witnessing the beginning of a return to darkness – “post-Christian” era. But according to the principle, if it does so, it will end up eight times worse – eight times more demonic than at the start.

This is why a post-Christian civilization is far worse than a pre-Christian one. Thus, end-time culture will be especially satanic. What does that mean for you as an end-time believer?

If the power of darkness is stronger and more brazen, so too the righteous must be all the more bold and powerful in the good. If we find ourselves in a world eight times more evil than what once was – let us be eight times more all out for God!

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45

Be stronger against the darkness. Be stronger for the light.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Gift Of Life vs Anger…

There are certain givens in life that everyone experiences. For example someone will say or do something that really upsets you or you will say or do something that really upsets someone.

Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.” Psalm 35:1-3

On the other hand the complete opposite will happen and everyone is happy. There will be days when you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, bringing you down and then there will be days when you feel light as air and life is at its best. This is life and we all experience it everyday.

What makes this special is how we handle these ups and downs in our world. I say handle because these obstacles or plusses happen for a reason and that reason is a lesson we need to learn. As you know I don’t believe in coincidences, but maintain everything and every person that crosses our path is for a reason. That reason could be because there is a gift hidden there for you or you have a gift to share.

Life is a gift! Everyday of our life we are given gifts or blessing we are to share with each other to make life lighter and brighter. That smile you share with a stranger might just make his or her day. That kind greeting of good morning or hello to that clerk at the checkout counter may be a blessing needed to lift their spirit.

In this same approach, how we look at the negative experiences in our life could make the same difference to us. When we look for what lesson is hidden inside, we just may find the blessing God has for this day. On the other hand if we decide the world is pushing down on us we may lose that blessing and lesson. That blessing could be something you need to share with the next person that crosses your path.

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

In other words, life is just how we accept it. We can look for the blessings or we can choose to let it overwhelm us. Life is not a bed of roses, we all know that, but we hold the reins and can make the best or worse of it. I choose the positive and look to share the blessings with all. I know what love I share makes someone’s life better, which in turn blesses me to make mine better.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Joy….

“O come, let us sing unto Jehova, Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For Jehovah is a great God, And a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:1-3

Although it is a fact that everyone is “always” in the presence of God in the ultimate sense, yet there is a special way in which men who are assembling for worship do indeed “come into God’s presence.” In this light, these verses are a beautiful and proper call to worship in churches all over the world even today.

Coming before God with praise and thanksgiving is the very essence of worship.

Having joy includes feeling good cheer and a vibrant happiness. But joy, in its fuller, spiritual meaning of expressing God’s goodness, involves more. It is a deep-rooted, inspired happiness.

The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). The Bible says God gives us joy and peace. It tells us that real joy comes from God and is ours forever. The joy that is found in God’s presence isn’t static; it transforms and regenerates us.

Paul, a follower of Jesus Christ, wrote in a letter that joy is a “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22). Spirit is another name for God. Spiritual joy from God gives us a sense of the presence of good, showing His infinite power to govern the lives of men and women. As we learn more that God is All, that He is good, and that there is no power besides Him, spiritual joy will be ours more and more, bringing healing and happiness into our lives.

At the heart of joy is an unshakable awareness that we possess good from God. Joy is part of God’s kingdom. Harmony and painless being are spiritual qualities, and expressing joy brings these qualities into view in our lives.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:4-14

I want each of you to know the real joy of Christmas. The angel announced the source of that joy to the shepherds on that first Christmas night: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Imagine how frightening the shepherd’s experience would have been. They had been sitting in the dark night, perhaps with only the light of a flickering fire, when suddenly the sky lit up like noontime! Add to that the sudden appearance of the angel. It was enough to scare anyone!

The shepherds sitting in darkness picture the lost human race, sitting in the darkness of sin and the shadow of death. When the glory of God in His holiness suddenly breaks in on people who live in the darkness of sin, the only response is great fear. In the Bible, even when godly people encounter God or His holy angels, fear is the only response.

The witness of the shepherds further confirms the historical accuracy of these events. There was no reason for them to fabricate a story about seeing the angels. Mass hallucinations of this sort are highly unlikely. Verse 20 affirms that the things that the shepherds heard and saw were “just as had been told them.”

The things that they heard and saw—a common couple and their baby in a stable—were not the sort of things one would fabricate. If people were going to make up a story about the birth of a Savior, it would have sounded more like a fairy tale, with a palace in Jerusalem, not a stable in Bethlehem. The Savior would have had magical or mythical qualities. But there is none of that. Rather we find the straightforward reporting of events as they happened.

Christmas hath a darkness

Brighter than the blazing noon,

Christmas hath a dullness

Warmer than the heat of June,

Christmas hath a beauty

Lovelier than the world can show:

For Christmas bringeth Jesus,

Brought for us so low.

Earth, strike up your music,

Birds that sing and bells that ring;

Heaven hath answering music

For all Angels soon to sing:

Earth, put on your whitest

Bridal robe of spotless snow:

For Christmas bringeth Jesus,

Brought for us so low.

_

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Infinity Solution…

The “Trinity” or the “triune nature of God” is one of the most controversial of doctrines. People, nonbelievers, and cult leaders have argued against it for ages. And even believers struggle with it.

The simple truth is, when it comes to mathematics is that 1 cannot be 3 and 3 cannot be 1. But there’s a secret here. Those laws only apply when you’re dealing with finite entities – finite numbers.

But the Bible declares that God is not finite – but infinite. So we have the realm of infinite entities or infinities. It’s 1 infinity plus 1 infinity plus1 infinity. And what does it equal? 1 infinity! 1 infinity divided by 3 still equals 1 infinity.

Thus, the infinity of God plus the infinity of God plus the infinity of God equals…. The infinity of God. Can we fully understand infinity? No. Nor could we fully comprehend God – and we don’t have to.

Rather, we just have to believe in Him. For there is no real “trinity problem” or “problem with God” – the only problem is how to open up our hearts, our minds, and our faith to that which is so much bigger.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:5

Is there an area or issue in your life – in which you are limiting God? Open up the limit, open your heart, mind, and soul – believe God for whatever it is – for with God, nothing shall be impossible.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

On Fear…

As I was growing up Grandfather would teach me what he called the litany of life. Things like: Truth has a way of repeating itself throughout history and contrary to the idea that history begins at breakfast, it actually started before you were born. The one that literally burned itself in my mind is the one on fear.

Fear is the Mind Killer

He taught me from a young age and part of the training was learning to tame and use the mind. This of course is one of the purposes of meditation. In the training series, when fear appears, we would repeat an incantation to help move their minds past the fear. The Litany goes as follows:

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Now this is a nice way to look fear in the face and to dissipate its effects when faced with a dangerous situation. It helps to focus the mind inward and to have courage. However there is a better way to look at it and know God is always there to protect us.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23

The 23rd chapter of Psalm is one of the most quoted in the bible, most often at a funeral. But, have you really looked closely at it to see how it fits our everyday life? I have broken it down here for a bit of a clearer understanding

The Lord is my shepherd and makes sure I have everything I need. Without Him I would be lost.

He gives a me green pasture for which to graze and sleep. He provides still water for me to drink. In case you didn’t know lambs won’t drink from moving water.

He restores my soul: He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He provides guidance in all circumstances, if we ask.

He offers me comfort and protection so that I have nothing to fear. He is always there to watch over me.

He stands with me in the presence of my enemies. He covers me with His love and blessings and my cup overflows. Goodness and mercy follows me everywhere and He has prepared a place for me in His house for me to live forever.

Psalm 91 is another good example of how God is our refuge.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91:1-6

When we open that up a bit we see: He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so.

The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is a noisome pestilence. Great security is promised to believers in the midst of danger.

Wisdom shall keep them from being afraid without cause, and faith shall keep them from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father’s will is done; and we have no reason to fear. God’s people shall see, not only God’s promises fulfilled, but his threatenings.

Then we go to verse 9-16: If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angel concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him;  I will be with him in trouble,  I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation. Psalm 91:9-16

Again, let’s take a closer look at this: Whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer; though trouble and affliction befal, it shall come, not for his hurt, but for good, though for the present it be not joyous but grievous.

Those who rightly know God, will set their love upon him. They by prayer constantly call upon him. His promise is, that he will in due time deliver the believer out of trouble, and in the mean time be with him in trouble.

The Lord will manage all his worldly concerns, and preserve his life on earth, so long as it shall be good for him. For encouragement in this he looks unto Jesus. He shall live long enough; till he has done the work he was sent into this world for, and is ready for heaven.

Who would wish to live a day longer than God has some work to do, either by him or upon him? A man may die young, yet be satisfied with living. But a wicked man is not satisfied even with long life. At length the believer’s conflict ends; he has done forever with trouble, sin, and temptation.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Lincoln’s Hand…

The Emancipation Proclamation which would officially abolish slavery in the South was brought to Abraham Lincoln’s desk on January 1, 1863. Lincoln picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and unrolled the document.

He was about to sign it, when he hesitated. He laid down his pen and did nothing for a few minutes. His hand was tired and he was afraid it may tremble as he signed the document, and that trembling would cause people to think that he hesitated in signing what would be the greatest act of his life.

After resting his hand a few minutes, Lincoln again picked up his pen and wrote with a firm hand, “Abraham Lincoln.” One of the secrets of living a life of greatness is not only doing what’s right, but doing what’s right with all your heart, without hesitation, without wavering.

The Bible tells us to do all things wholeheartedly. Therefore, whatever you can’t do with your whole heart – stop doing it. But, on the other hand, if something is right, then do it, with all your heart, without hesitation, without wavering, and, like Abraham Lincoln, with a very firm hand.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8

What is the Lord calling you to do – something you know is right? Do it today – and do it with all your heart.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The 12 Days Of Christmas…

If you’ve listened to the song “The 12 Days Of Christmas” you have probably wondered who this true love is that is spreading all these gifts. The truth is actually written in the Bible. Let me break it down for you.

The partridge in the pear tree, naturally, represents Jesus Christ.

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments.

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.

4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,” which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = The six days of creation.

7 Swans A-swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.

8 Maids A-milking = The eight beatitudes.

9 Ladies Dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10 Lords A-leaping = The ten commandments.

11 Pipers Piping = The eleven faithful apostles.

12 Drummers Drumming = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.

Our true love is God – who is and always will be there for each and everyone of us. As we understand all the blessings He gives us and how we just seem to overlook how He is always the One who pulls us back on the path when we stray.

Maybe now everyone will begin to understand just how much He is in our everyday life and just how blessed we are that He is always there.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

It Is Said – somewhere…

Hebrews 2:6 states, “There’s a place where someone has testified: What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”

It’s as if the writer doesn’t know which place or who has testified. The place he’s talking about is a Psalm, and the person who testified is King David. Why doesn’t the writer of Hebrews just say it?

It doesn’t matter who testified. The point is…God. If it’s a blessing, it’s from God. When David testified, it was the Spirit of God in David testifying. It didn’t matter so much who was testifying, because it was ultimately God testifying.

Many believers long to see God touch their lives or show a sign of His love. However, when your brother or sister in the Lord came over and encouraged you, it was God. When they put their arm around you to comfort you, or called you, or sent you a card, it was God.

Open your eyes. God’s love is all around you. The love of His brethren is His love for you. Someone has testified, and many testified, all of this truth, “God loves you.”

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Be confident today knowing that God loves you, that He cares for you, and that He will never leave you alone.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed