Ed Christian's World

The Way of the Fool…

Hitler, one of the most powerful men in the world; had no peace or joy. He was a miserable, wretched man. Stalin had everything and was paranoid and angry. Proverbs 12:21 says, “No evil shall befall the righteous, but the wicked will be filled with evil.”

That word evil can also mean adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, grief, misery, sorrow, and trouble. That’s the nature of evil. Sin might have its moment, but it will always end up making you miserable and wretched. Movies sometimes show evil people laughing maniacally.

But evil and joy ultimately don’t go together. In Hebrew, one of the words for blessing and joyfulness is a way of saying righteous. Righteousness and joy ultimately go together. God’s people are to rejoice always. Why? Because only God’s people can rejoice.

Turn away from evil and temptation. See it for what it is, a rip-off that takes away your joy. Pursue righteousness and godliness. The way of evil is for the miserable. But the way of righteousness is the way of joy.

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Walk in His righteousness today – turn away from all evil, temptation and sin, and do so in joy, because of joy, and for joy.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Reality of Beautiful…

Ephesians 5:26-27 says, “That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, that He might present to Himself the church in all of her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”

The ancient Jewish marriage and even today in the orthodox marriage, the bride before coming to the bridegroom has to go into the waters of a mikvah; a ceremonial bath to become clean and beautiful for the groom.

The bride of Jesus is to be presented cleansed, without stain, without blemish. She has to prepare herself to become holy. We’re here to become beautiful for Him. To have the beauty, love, goodness, and holiness that God wants to see us with.

It starts with cleansing and washing our sins. Make the focus of your remaining time on earth not to be rich, powerful, or comfortable, but to become truly spiritually beautiful, cleansed, washed, spotless, and adorned in the eyes of the Bridegroom. Because God wants you to become gorgeous.

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5

Use every situation you encounter today as an opportunity to become more beautiful for the Lord.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Rich Man and Lazarus…

Lazarus is the only biblical parable character that’s given a name. Lazarus in Hebrew is Eleazar, from two Hebrew words; El meaning God and azar meaning helps. God helps, that’s His nature.

As God’s people, we have to be compassionate and help others as well. There’s a hidden mystery in this parable. Another way you can look at it. Jesus said “When you help the poor, feed, clothe and bless them, you’re helping Me.” You’re “helping God” = Eleazar.

The rich man doesn’t have a name because God wants us to put our name there, to identify with the one who doesn’t feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or bless others. For us who live in the West, we’re very much the rich man. We have far more than most of the world. Lazarus went to heaven and the rich man went to hell.

God wants you to put yourself in the shoes of the rich man, to teach you to open the gates of your life and heart, and help the poor who are lying right outside your gates, the poor of this world. Because their name is Lazarus.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

Ask the Lord to show you how you can help others and be the hands and feet of Jesus today. Then follow through with what He shows you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Gracias of The Lord…

When someone gives you something good, you say, “Thank you.” In Spanish, the word for thank you is “gracias.” Gracias looks and sounds like the English word grace. Grace is the unmerited, undeserved, unwarranted, and wonderful love with which God showers us.

We’re saved and cleansed by God’s grace. So what does gracias have to do with grace? Because the only appropriate reaction to grace is “gracias.” The only appropriate thing to do in the face of God’s grace is to say “thank you.”

So if you’ve been saved and received God’s grace, if you consider yourself to be a person of grace, then you must be a person of gracias. You want to show the world the power of grace? Then show them your gracias.

The proof of God’s grace is your gracias. And the more thankful you are, the more open you’ll be to receiving more of His grace. Do you want to know grace? Then be a person of gracias. Be thankful in all things. Be more than that. Be a person of “muchas gracias.” Be very thankful, and your life will be filled with much grace.

I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. Psalm 118:21

Make it your aim today to give thanks for everything in your heart and with your voice, in all things.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Miracle Of Multiplication…

Thanksgiving holds the secret of performing miracles, particularly that of multiplying bread. Look at how Jesus multiplied bread. He took a meager, inadequate amount, gave thanks to God and then it miraculously multiplied.

When you need more, stop complaining and focusing on the need and being miserable. Give thanks for the little inadequate things. When you give thanks, you receive the power of the miracle of multiplication.

Giving thanks multiplies the blessings of life and performs the miracle of taking away hunger and bringing fulfillment. It transforms that which is not enough into that which is more than enough.

Do you want to be happy and full to have a life of abundance? Stop looking at what isn’t there; lift up what is and give thanks. Give thanks for all the things you haven’t thanked God for. You’ll find yourself performing miracles.

A life of unhappiness will be transformed into a life of joy. And the little things you thank God for will be miraculously multiplied into blessing upon blessing. So, learn how to become a miracle worker and start multiplying that bread.

Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name. Psalm 97:12

Make a list of things that you haven’t been thankful for and give the Lord thanks today… for all your many blessings.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

What you Dwell On…

Some people dwell on evil: of other people, of the world, of cults, of the occult or of various religions. There’s a place and need to be aware, but there’s no place for letting our hearts dwell on evil. Most people who dwell on the bad aren’t joyful and have no peace.

It’s the dwell on – dwell in principle. What you dwell on, you’ll end up dwelling in. If you dwell on the wrong of other people; on sin and on impurity; you’ll dwell in it. When judging, condemning, and looking for evil; you’ll be in sin.

The Pharisees dwelt on the sins of others, and they fell into the sin of pride and judgment. So ask yourself, “What do you want to dwell in, heaven or a heavenly life?”

Philippians 4:8 says, “Dwell on what is … pure, lovely, of good report.” Blessed are the pure in heart, they’ll see God.

Dwell on God, on His peace, blessings, and love. Dwell on heaven, and you’ll dwell in heaven. Because what you dwell on, ultimately in the end, when all is said and done, you’ll end up dwelling in.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Today, dwell on God’s overwhelming goodness and love for you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Following Your Own Command…

Some husbands quote “Wives be subject to your husbands.” While some wives quote to their husbands “Husbands love your wives.” Both are true and right. But notice that the scripture to wives begins with the wife, and the scripture to husbands begins with the husband.

When you focus on what the other person should do, it doesn’t work. But when you focus on what you should do, it fosters an atmosphere of giving and not getting. Spouses are far more likely to love and respect spouses who love and respect them.

This is true with everything. When you focus on your needs or what people owe you, you’ll be miserable. But when you focus on what you can give, an atmosphere of giving, blessing, freedom and love is fostered.

Forget about what you want and what you think you need from others, and bless. Be free and bless, and see what happens. Because God never commanded you to be loved, served, or blessed by others. He commanded you to love, serve, and bless others. Do this, and all these other things will be added to you.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Take your expectations off of others meeting your needs today. Focus on serving and loving others and trust God to take care of the rest.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Samson Factor…

Samson was the strongest of men. Yet, he fell because he never dealt with his weaknesses. Weaknesses of pride, worldliness, carnality, carelessness, drinking, women, and a weakness of not following God.

Ultimately, his weaknesses were stronger than his strength. He didn’t fall because of his strengths. He fell because of his weaknesses. He never tamed them, worked on them, strengthened them, or took precautions with them.

You might have many strengths in the Lord. But what about your weaknesses? They’re just as important. Truly being strong in the Lord is to know your weaknesses and to guard against them. If you’re weak in a certain area, put a hedge up, cover it, and take precaution.

Because even the strongest can fall, the weak who know their weakness and use God’s wisdom and grace to overcome will rise. Be strong and wise in the Lord.

Be careful with your weakness, and you’ll be like Paul, who knew the grace of God was sufficient in his weakness and who took precaution. He wasn’t like Samson, who never did.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 1 Corinthians 12:9

Today, deal with that weak area in your walk with the Lord. Ask him to strengthen you. Set up a guard to help you overcome.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Book of God’s Oracles…

In the ancient world, people would travel across lands, oceans and seas to get oracles from those who were supposed to speak for the gods. Even kings were awed by them, wanting counsel from the divine. Romans 3 says, “What advantage has the Jew? … to them were committed the oracles of God.” They were entrusted with the true oracles of God, the Word of God, the Bible.

You too have been entrusted with the oracles of God if you have a Bible. The Word of God isn’t just a book. It’s supernatural, from heaven, and it’s yours. People spend fortunes on psychics to get some supernatural counseling, getting nothing that’s going to help their lives.

But you have supernatural counsel for your life, direct from heaven. Counsel for everything in your life from the God of the universe, worth more than money can buy.

What are you doing with it? Don’t let it sit there unopened, wasting such a treasure. Open the Bible today and receive a word from the Living God. Don’t lose the treasure entrusted to you. It’s for real. You’ve got the oracles!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

You have the very words of God at your fingertips. Ask Him to make His Word come alive to you and live in its power.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The Way Of Always…

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 TLV, “Thanks be to God who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua, Jesus. Therefore, my dearly loved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord.”

We’re called to be steadfast; constant in faith; immovable. Too often, we’re moved by things that happen in the world. But here it says, “God’s going to keep giving you victory.” That’s the promise. If He’s always going to give you victory as you follow Him; then you can know that through every problem, no matter what the trouble or obstacle; you can excel in your work for Him.

God wants you to become a steadfast person, always loving and faithful in Him. You have a Rock, so you can be like a rock. You have a God who’s steadfast to you, so you can be steadfast to Him. God’s immovable in His love for you. You have a steadfast promise.

Become a steadfast believer. You have an immovable hope; become an immovable conqueror. You have an always God who’s going to always love you. That’s enough for you to become an always disciple.

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

Today, choose an area in your life where you need to be steadfast in God. Commit to staying immovable; faithful in this area and moving toward victory.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed