The Edge of His Garment: Archive Posts

The Tempter
Posted by Maribeth on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 5:58pm
The picture to the left is a sculpture of a large jack rabbit sitting on a rock pondering upon things. It reminds me of the temptation of Jesus in the desert with Satan. (Matthew 4:-11) How Satan must have just sat and thought of ways to lead Jesus into temptation during His most vulnerable time of 40 days in the desert. Sometimes, people around us can be the same way, trying to lead us down a wrong path when we are in our weakest moments. I think we can see someone we know in each attempt. First attempt: Satan is saying, “He will not understand the power He has within Him” The tempter approached Jesus and said, “If you are the son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” Jesus replied, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’ “ Avoid this type of temptation by knowing and understanding that you already have the power of God within you to withstand any circumstances. Second attempt: Satan is saying, “Hmmm, let me get Him to test the power of His God.” The tempter took Jesus to a parapet of the temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and ‘with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” Avoid this type of temptation by knowing and understanding that you are going to go through turmoil and trials throughout your life. Turn to God’s Word for strength. Third attempt: Satan is saying, “Worship me and your troubles will be over.” “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me,” said the tempter. Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Avoid this type of temptation by knowing and understanding that regardless of what comes you way, do not give up on God. He has not given up on you; there is no other God before Him. Do not let a tempter change your thoughts or get you to stray from God. During your most vulnerable times, a tempter will suggest thoughts of doubts into your mind about your faith and God. There will be many moments of weakness in our lives, but just recognize it is the flesh that is speaking to us at that time--resist, pray and move on. Only those who resist temptations know how strong it is. The person who gives into temptation easily is more apt to not learn about the Christ power of resisting and will give into temptation effortlessly all the time. What have they learned, except to lay down their life to flesh. See anyone you might recognize as a tempter in your life? I did. Be aware of the tempters in your life-resist, pray for them and move on. “We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it.”—C.S. Lewis I am praying for God’s strength to rest in you during your times of temptation. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Matthew 6:13 Question: Do you think people give into temptation easily because they think they are going to lose the battle with it? So why struggle? Please share your thoughts in comments. Equipment for the Journey
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Power beyond the Power Rangers
Posted by Maribeth on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 3:53pm
I had the opportunity of being at the Rose Parade this year and was able to view the beautiful floats. Some floats had animation, water surfing dogs, Hollywood stars, and even a few with acrobatic performers. The floats were amazing and as one huge float came rolling down the street, the children began screaming with delight. It was a float which contained television super heroes, the Power Rangers. Although this float was fun and beautiful, it was not the one that stood out to me. The one float in the Rose Parade that caught my eye contained beautiful flowers and seeds bringing out the quality of the intricate hand work design of the picture. Like the other floats you could smell the aroma of the flowers complimentary to the beauty, but this float was different in beauty. The beauty of the float was not in the flowers or the seeds, but in the beauty of the one the float depicted, Jesus. The picture alone was awesome, but what made the float so beautiful in my eyes were the words on the float, “He who believes in Jesus will never die, but have eternal life. God’s promise for all.” Wow, what a powerful promise! A promise is an expectation of something--a much awaited anticipation for a guarantee—a sure thing. Remember when your parents made a promise to you as a child? How hope built up in you knowing that your parent’s promise was a guarantee, a sure thing, an agreement? Well, the promise from our heavenly father is the same, a sure thing. He wants that anticipated hope to remain with us forever throughout our lives. He wants us to know the power of His promise, “..if you just believe you will have eternal life.” God’s promises are more powerful than anything on earth and once He has given a promise, you can hold Him to it. He will not renege on His promises; they are covenants-secure agreements. I know that all of us know of people who believe that God will not even give them a second look because of things they have done in their life. However, it is you and I who need to communicate with them the power of God’s promises. We need to remind them of God’s love and how He is able to see past any soiled mishap in their lives. Start spreading the power of God’s promise today to others. Remind them of Jesus’ agreement with us, “If we will just believe.” God’s promise is a sure thing, something we can count on, and certainly more powerful than the Power Rangers. God is our super hero. …Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1Timothy 1:16 Question: How would you plan to tell someone about God’s powerful promise? Please share your plan in your comments. Support of the Lord
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Called to write about Lent
Posted by Maribeth on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 6:45pm
How does one prepare for Lent and just what is it? Well, Lent begins with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is to remind us of returning to dust and many people receive ashes on their foreheads. According to many denominations, it is the official first day of Lent. Lent is a time to repent and reflect on the 40 days of Jesus before Easter. It makes me think of my childhood and things we were taught about Lent such as: rice bowls, fish fries, giving up certain foods like candy, chips, etc., going to the movies and anything else that gave us pleasure. All those things we were to abstain from during our mourning leading up to the death of Jesus. We were told to be solemn and sorrowful, to wear dark clothes, not laugh or act like we were having any fun, to wrap ourselves away from the world and ask for Jesus’ forgiveness. As a child I came to dislike Lent every year. As an adult, I have come to embrace it. Not because of the rituals and abstinence, that is not what Lent is about. (Even though I still practice many of these.) I embrace it because it helps me focus on spending time with Jesus. I look forward to deepening my relationship with Him. Lent isn’t about wrapping ourselves away from the world, but about embracing our relationship with Jesus. I find Lent to be an exciting time with the amazing parables and stories leading up to Easter. What better time to share the Word of Jesus with others and also obtain a closer relationship with Him. Whether you participate in Lent or not, remember it isn’t about the rituals or abstinence, it’s about getting to know God on a more personal level. So what are some things you can do over the next 40 days? • Try to read one parable a day. • Reflect on what Jesus is trying to tell you in the parable and talk with Him about it. • Keep a journal handy and make notes so you can refer to it later in your reflection time. There are several parables contained in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. You won’t have any problem finding them. Embrace your next 40 days with enthusiasm--Jesus is waiting on you, not on candy, movies, abstinence, fish fries, or solitude, etc.,...just you. Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1 Do you have any thoughts on how to obtain a closer relationship with God? If so please share them in your comments. Time with God
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Hearts afire--Steps to rekindle God's love
Posted by Maribeth on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7:53pm
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 ********************************************************************************************************** Our hearts should be on fire for God every minute of the day-- but are they? Sometimes the flame we use to feel might now just be a smoldering ash. We begin to wonder if anything can be done to rekindle that fire. It makes me think of couples who have been together for a long time and complain that the flame has gone out of their love. They state they still love the other person, but the flame in their heart is just not burning as intensely as it use to blaze. You might feel that way sometimes about your love for God. It just doesn’t feel that intense as it was when you came to know Him. Do you want to make some changes to rekindle the flame? If so, then you must believe it can be done and trust in God to make it happen. You have to want to rekindle the flame and take some steps to get the fire burning again. Listed are some things which helped me and may help you. 1. Read the Word of God. Even if it is just reading a scripture a day, read it and begin to understand the love God still has for you. If you can, choose scriptures which describe God’s love for you. 2. Study God’s Word. Attend a bible study, in person or online. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of God’s love for you. Find a study partner or group. It is a joyous experience to talk with others about God and His love. 3. Have a date night/day with God. Schedule a date with God at least once or more a month. Set some time aside (more than five minutes) just for you and God. Then commit to that time. That means no interruptions. That time is for you to talk, pray and be yourself Don’t let the flame in your heart linger to a slow burn. Make some changes to stoke the embers of your heart. 4. Subscribe to Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin, etc.. Yes, you heard me correctly. Follow several God loving people on these accounts. You will be surprised how many people, on these accounts, tweet/write scriptures, talk about the goodness of God or just about His love on a daily basis. It keeps you inspired and focused on God. 5. Show your love to others. Help someone with a kind act or word without expecting anything in return. God’s love will fill your heart as you help His people. His love will ooze out of your heart to others like a flame burning candle dripping wax. God wants to give you more of His love; so much love that a single heart won’t be able to contain it. So find a way to share it with others. 6. Ask the Holy Spirit to help rekindle the fire. Pray for Him to come into your heart and stoke any embers to restart the dying flame. Ask and it shall be given to you. 7. Keep your thoughts on God. When you love someone you think about them all the time. Let your thoughts linger not on things of the world, but on God. Tell Him daily that you love Him. God wants you. He’s not going to give up on you. He is pursuing you like a long time lover. He wants your heart to burn with desire for Him. God’s love is a burning passion. However, you must have the desire to rekindle the flame and keep it burning with love. The work is on you. Try some or all of the things on the list to stoke the fire. You will find those embers igniting to a red glowing flame of passion-- like a heart afire with God’s love. Do you have other ways, not listed, to rekindle the fire? If so please share them with your comments. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17 Time with God**
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Looking for a few Good Samaritans
Posted by Maribeth on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 4:54pm
Cactus Garden at Huntington Park Cactus plants come in different shapes, sizes and forms. Some have protruding spines that can be quite prickly and sticky. Many people do not even want to come near a cactus plant, let alone walk through a garden full of them. However, Cacti are beautiful to look at, but be cautious while touching them, especially the prickly ones or you might come back with a bleeding finger. Cactus plants are known to hold moisture and over time some of their bodies become thick and harden.They are one of a few species that have adapted well to particularly hostile environments. How many times have you come across someone who reminded you of a cactus plant? Someone who portrays a hard callus exterior and ensures their prickly spines are showing to keep you and others away? Many times this works to their advantage shielding themselves from others, but what are they really trying to protect? What are they trying to hide? Their body language can send out signals saying, “Leave me alone. Don’t bother me. You don’t know what I am going through. I don’t feel like being nice to you today.” I know I have come across a few of these people in my lifetime and at times I have been one of them. In the picture above you will notice some beautiful red flowers located right behind the cactus plants. You can’t get to the beautiful flowers inside this section of the garden without going through the cacti. The cactus plants act almost like a circular barrier protecting the beautiful flowers and preventing anyone from any kind of contact with them. The cactus garden reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan in the bible. The parable tells how a traveler was robbed and beaten and left for dead. A priest and then a Levite came by and noticed the beaten man, but both avoided him. Then a Samaritan came by and noticed the beaten traveler. It was stated that during those times the Jews and Samaritans despised each other. The Samaritan was aware of the dangers of helping the beaten traveler, but this did not matter to him. He just wanted to help the stranger. He bandaged his wounds, poured oil on them, gave him wine, and then took the stranger to an inn for care. Are you willing to be a Good Samaritan and go beyond the barriers to help a stranger? Are you willing to take a step forward even if it means you may be stuck by the prickly spines and experience some pain while doing so to help a neighbor? It is easy to walk by and ignore your neighbor like the priest and Levite did in the parable, but God is calling you to do the opposite. Love your neighbor and become a Good Samaritan. The next time someone is portraying a prickly barrier, look for the inner beauty of their heart. Do not let their callus exterior prevent you from helping them. There is beauty beyond that thick harden skin; help that beauty shine through like the flowers in the cactus garden. God is looking for a few good Samaritans. Are you one of them? “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 Equipment for the Journey
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