Edna Lister's Sermons from 1942

Manna for the Radiant Life
March 5, 1942 Outline
Cleveland, Ohio
John 6:32-47 & John 6:58

Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you that bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the on who comes to me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." The Jews then complained about him, because he said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he says, "I have come down from heaven?" Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall be all taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me has everlasting life." John 6:32-47

This is the bread which came down from heaven -- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever. John 6:58

What is a radiant life? It's plenty of life! We must all work, play, plan and study part-time, so isn't it good to have lively radiance?

Moses gave the children of Israel earthly manna, which was a demonstration of the manifestation of divine supply. Yet those who ate this heavenly bread later died.

Jesus gave us invisible manna, which leads to the Life Immortal. "This is the bread which came down from heaven -- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."

The radiant life is the ascended life. What happens then? We shall lose nothing! We shall see the Face of God, and won't that be a story!

Crusaders of Light
March 8, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Luke 9:57-62, Luke 10:1-3 & Luke 10:17-20

It came to pass as they journeyed on the road, that, someone said to him, "Lord, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Then he said to another, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first to go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." And another also said, "Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go and bid them farewell, who are at my house." And Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." After these things the Lord appointed other seventy others also, and sent them two by two before his face into every city and place, where he himself was about to go. Then he said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Luke 9:57-62 & 10:1-3

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name." And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you power to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:17-20

Jesus had called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, to heal the sick, and told them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them" (Luke 9:3-5). So they left and preached the gospel and healed everywhere.

They were the first Crusaders of Light. A crusader is a torch bearer, one who goes on a crusade against ignorance. The idea must always be greater than the man, to fulfill the Law of "forgetfulness of self in service."

Evil flourishes in ignorance, but Light brings the knowledge of wisdom. Jesus was a torch bearer.

The crusaders were most active during the 11th, 12th and 13th Centuries. Enemies martyred many of them, as many others were later, Catholic and Protestant. Today, scoffers still hold crusaders in contempt, and the intolerant hated them.

Crusading has three steps: First is "Lord, I will follow," which means making up your mind to carry a torch. Second is the sending forth of "lambs among wolves," to be torn by doubt and made the object of laughter. This is the bestowal of "power over the enemy."

This last step has always led to mistaken ideas. Throughout the centuries people have imagined that this power was over something outside themselves. The only real enemy is inside, the self!
When we have no real affinity for darkness, we may walk as a lamb among wolves, safely in the fold of divine protection. Until we conquer the little self, we walk as turtles, with our head drawn in!

We are crusaders, torch bearers mantled in Light. If you only hold one idea continually, that idea will be born, and you'll grow tired and weary of it.

We have been given power over self, which make us powerful before the world. The world may offer us many pearls of experience, but only by following Jesus the Christ may we claim the pearl or great price!

The Great Challenge
March 8, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
John 1:1-5

Open Doors
March 15, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Revelation 3:7-12 & Revelation 3:20-22

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one shuts, and shuts, and no one opens; I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my name. Indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but lie -- indeed, I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. And I will write on him my new name. Revelation 3:7-12

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:20-22

Philadelphia means "brotherly love." When we are reborn from above, Christ knocks from above. He lifts us up, and with him we sup on manna and the nectar of the gods, the bread of eternal life and the chalice of immortality.

Closed doors are the greatest discouragement in life. A salesman's social life is his business. If he loses a customer, the account is gone. Declare open doors to a position and good salary for him. The Father always says yes to open doors on the outer.

We must open the upper door to the City of Peace, Jerusalem. The new name of God is Love, the brooding Mother, the devouring Mother, who covers us under her wings. "Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."

We each have a garden of love, built with our every effort, in which every seed of life blooms. Some produce weeds, which are like closed doors that close out the sunshine. Every thought, every desire and every picture of imagination is a seed.

One day the garden of soul descended, and its beauty was too great to be borne! Love is your garden. Move in now!

Gates of Gold
March 22, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Psalm 24:7-10

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10

We have gates to guard treasure and to insure privacy. Solomon's Temple Porch had three sets of gates, representing the outer court of personality, the inner court of individuality and soul, and the Holy of Holies, the Christ Mind of Oversoul. The twelve gates of the Revelation are each a pearl, but the gates of Solomon's Temple are of purest gold.

The golden "portals to the soul" are Wisdom and Love, and the lock is the self. The only key to unlock them is selflessness, the "open sesame." The first set of gates guards the portal of Desires, outer emotions, the second set of gates guards the portal of the mental life of Thinking, and the third set of gates guards the portal to Imagination, our kingly faculty.

Outer personal desires must serve the "I AM" consciousness of the individual, which is the inner mental life. Only then may one enter the Holy of Holies, Imagination, which is the image creator. Then the Gates, Love and Wisdom, are in Balance.

Healing waves flow from the Source of All Life as do waves in the ocean, from shore to shore, always the same water, reforming as many waves. Life is the same.

We must reach the twelve Gates of Pearl, which represent Conquering. We plod on across a wasteland toward white spired domes seen afar, and hear a Voice, saying, "Come, child. This is your real home."

An endlessly long high wall confronts us, and we can't go around. Then we see double gates, and as we draw closer, we see an inscription above the arch of the gate, "I forgive them."

We take the first real step in surrender when we open the gate and step through onto a great sandy field, dotted with very small bushes, some with thorns, and patches of grass. We look about and see a few sickly looking flowers. No seats, no water, we're all alone.

We take time to weep in self-pity, and our tears water the scrubby thorn bushes, which instantly grow up around our ankles and knees. Then we resent, rebel, and condemn God, and a jungle springs up all around. We are still alone, torn and bleeding from our struggle!

It may be years before we accept and look up, but when we do, instantly a Light descends. The jungle begins to melt away. As we offer more praise, rejoicing, a green pathway stretches before us. We walk along and see flowers beginning to grow. Bushes are blossoming behind us. Some turn back, but only to find more jungle.

Then we reach a second gate, bearing the inscription, "Father, forgive them," and we take another step up in Ascension of soul. Living in spirit now, we go through! It's still sandy in spots, and dotted by benches and green grass plots between the paths. Some stand here and again create weeds and jungle. Others turn back, discouraged. Do not be weary in well doing!

As we march forward, we find another gate, bearing the inscription, "Father, forgive me!" We quickly open this gate and step through, finding it easier now to rejoice in our garden of the soul. Nothing can drag us back a single step. It's beautiful, filled with glorious flowers, birds singing, and the voices of heavenly choirs and symphonies.

At last we reach the great City of Forgiveness! Over the fourth archway, just farther along, is a great white cross, shining to beckon us onward! This is the cross of "crucified" self-will, personal will surrendered to be made pure Wisdom balanced by Love. Here we surrender to be possessed by Power, as the "servant of all the Power."

This archway to the "City of Forgiveness" is open! Gladly we move in to "dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Jewels of the Soul
Palm Sunday, March 29, 1942 Outline
Matthew 21:1-17

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying unto them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them, and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, meek, and sitting on a donkey, a colt the foal of a donkey.'" And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees, and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying, "Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee." Then Jesus went into the temple of God, and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those who sold doves. And said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called the house of prayer,' but ye have made it a den of thieves." Then the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, and saying, "Hosanna to the son of David!" they were indignant and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" Then he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and he lodged there. Matthew 21:1-17

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the humblest of all animals, not caparisoned in cloth of gold, but with the clothes of his own disciples. Nothing could be more simple or humble, yet he gifted us with the riches of the kingdom, all its precious jewels.

What are these jewels locked fast in a casket of gold? The lock is the lock of self, and the case has only one key, which is selflessness. The casket of gold is Immortality of Soul, as Jesus taught. It holds the jewels of Honor, Love, Faith and Joy.

The jewel of Freedom is the greatest of all, and we may gain it only by simplicity of spirit, for the world's complexities bring us only bondage. Simplicity is freedom, which never misses a trick. We live simply, by the Honor of God and the Faith of God, which brings us the Joy of the Master. It also brings us Love, which is our new name for God, brooding, devouring Mother Love.

Roll Away the Stone
April 5, 1942 Outline
John 20:1-20

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran, and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb, and he saw the linen cloths lying there, And the handkerchief that had been about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Now when she had said this, she turned around, and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus saith unto her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things to her. Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. John 20:1-20

Down through the ages, people have asked how could this, the Resurrection, be, and why. "Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

We need an earthquake to roll our stone away, a stone we have built of doubt, fear and hatred. Then, when Light comes though, we shake, quiver and quaver!

Fear not, I am with you to the end. We must let life live itself out as us!

The Silence
April 12, 1942 Outline
Job 22:22-30

Receive from His mouth now the Law, and put His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, you shall put injustice far from your tents. Then you will lay gold in the dust, and the gold among the rocks of the torrents of Ophir. Yes, the Almighty shall be your gold and silver, strength for you. For then you shall have delight in the Almighty, and you shall lift up your face to God. You shall make your prayer to Him, and He shall hear you, and you shall pay your vows. And you will decree a thing, and it shall be established [stand] for you, so light will shine on your ways. When they cast you down, and you say, "Exaltation will come!" then He will save the humble person. He will even deliver one who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered by the purity of your hands. Job 22:22-30

What is the Silence? Where do I find it? When may I enter it, and how? These are vital questions, to which we gain the answers in three steps:

The first step is prayer, in which we prepare to receive the Law and to pay our vows. This is how we gain assurance, confidence and trust in our soul's ability to commune with God.

Our second step is to give prayer treatments and to make our decrees of the spoken Word for perfection.

Then we enter the Silence, where "it shall be established [stand] for you, so light will shine on your ways."

The Key: Understanding
April 12, 1942
Proverbs 4:5-9

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you: love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you: she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory she will deliver to you. Proverbs 4:5-9

When man was created in the image and likeness of God, it included "a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding." This tells us where it comes from.

Wisdom alone is not enough. Wisdom "from the words of my mouth." The pearl of great price, which is compounded of Love and Wisdom in perfect expression. The only key to it is the key of understanding.

Three golden treasure chests are nested within each other; the innermost chest contains the pearl of great price. To open them you need only one key. A set of tiny ratchets in three places on one key fits the tumblers in all the locks. The first set is Desire. The second set is faith. The third set is devotion.

The first chest contains Desire, which transforms lukewarm indifference into flaming glory at white heat. The second chest contains Faith Unconquerable, which transforms faith in God into the Faith of God. God always trusts us, but we must learn to trust ourselves.

The third chest contains Devotion. What does Devotion mean? To stand under the Light always.

Now we have opened the three treasure chests, but we do not find the pearl! Instead we find wrapping after wrapping, like fine tissue paper, which we must pull off, thickness by thickness. We tire of the unwrapping, tear at it and hunt! This is where persistence pays its greatest dividend. We ask, seek and knock, and carry on until we conquer.

Lo! We find our pearl of glory, the ability to stand steadfastly poised to receive our reward: read scripture.

The Double-Edged Sword
April 19, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Ephesians 6:13-20

Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:13-20

To "stand" enables you to withstand any assault. Putting on the "whole armor of God" has six steps: 1. Girding your loins with Truth. 2. The Breastplate of Righteousness. 3. The Gospel of Peace on your feet. 4. The Shield of Faith. 5. The Helmet of Salvation. 6. The Sword of Spirit.

To stand, to withstand, requires that you understand. Girding your loins with Truth creates around you a circle of Light. The loins hold the liver and the spleen, metaphysically representing sincerity and patience. Without patience, you cannot know peace. Truth always stands the test of time. Anything that is not truth will fall of its own weight.

The Breastplate of Righteousness covers the lungs, which metaphysically represent the right use (righteousness) of Inspiration. The Gospel of Peace, with which you shod your feet, is understanding. A gospel is infallibly true.

The Shield of Faith provides protection for all the "cities." The Helmet of Salvation covers your head, provides protection to the soul, which must be "saved" from the lower, outer influences. Salvation, we can construe, includes being saved from our own Desires, Thinking and Imagination.

The Sword of Spirit, which is the Word of God, is double-edged with Love and Wisdom. Its hilt, or handle, is selflessness. We use the Sword of Spirit to divide asunder and to pierce, thus it must be of Wisdom and Love in balance. We dare not use it indiscriminately, or we cut off our supply, the Source of Life, and our own lifetime.

The Word Became Flesh
April 26, 1942 Outline
John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14

The Word is a strong vibration, substance made flesh as healing. On the first Day of Creation, "God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night." (Genesis 1:3-5).

On the second Day of Creation, "God said, 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.' Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven" (Genesis 1:6-8).

At the third Day of Creation, "God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear'; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth'; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind" (Genesis 1:9-12).

On the fourth Day of Creation, "God said, 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth'; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness" (Genesis 1:14-18).

On the fifth Day of Creation, "God said, 'Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.' So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them. saying, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas; and let birds multiply on the earth' " (Genesis 1:20-22).

On the sixth Day of Creation, "God said, 'Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind'; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the bird!? of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.' And God said, 'See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be found. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life. I have given every green herb for food'; and it was so" (Genesis 1:24-30).

For six days, God worked, and on the seventh day He rested. Having blessed and sanctified His Creation, He set aside the seventh day for man's work, which is the Spoken Word.

Through Creation, we may trace every fruit, seed, tree, animal and man back to the first created pair!

The Word is mental, a thought before it is spoken: "I'll do this." Desire says, "I want." The physical says, "I'll go!"

The One Miracle
April 26, 1942 Outline
The Buffalo Consistory, Buffalo, New York
1 Corinthians 13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but; have not charity, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge:, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not charity, it profits me nothing. Charity suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; charity does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, charity; these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 Corinthians 13

We define charity as benevolence or generosity. To have charity includes covering the transgressions of others. In ages past, seven avatars have come to earth, each bearing a portion of the Message of Love, which is charity.

Osiris and Isis brought the mystery of the immortality of the soul. Moses gave the Law. Zoroaster taught the fiery Light. Aphrodite brought the mysteries of the Mother. Buddha preached the sacrifice of possessions. Mohammed brought the sword of truth. Jesus taught love, and the sacrifice of self.

Each of these avatars demonstrated their teachings, until Jesus, who worked miracles. We must understand the difference between demonstration, versus speaking the Word for a miracle. A demonstration is intended to show something or prove it, and begins with a command such as "Come." A miracle is the result of seeking God first, and speaking the Word, "Let."

Each of us is a potential miracle worker when we speak the Word. To prepare yourself, first say, "I so love," and make your declaration. Nothing is impossible to love!

Awareness
May 3, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
1 John 1:4-7 & 1 John 3:1-3

These things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:4-7

Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now are we children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

Awareness is a quality or state of being, the state of being informed and conscious, but without any action or active attention. We may be aware of a thing, then either forget it or pay attention to it.

We often become aware of something through intuition before we give it our personal attention. Thus, it forms a trinity, Awareness, Attention and Action.

When we reach the Action stage, we do something about it. We start something new, or we do one thing a day for an old project. We can always memorize just one word or line of material we wish to master.

Now are we the Sons and Daughters of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be!

A Mother's Investments
May 10, 1942
Cleveland, Ohio
John 2:1-5 & 1 Kings 3:16-28

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it." John 2:1-5

Now two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood before him. And one woman said, "O my lord, this woman and I dwell in the same house; and I gave birth while she was in the house. Then it happened, the third day after I had given birth, that this woman also gave birth. And we were together; no one was with us in the house, except the two in the house. And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from my side, while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son, whom I had borne." Then the other woman said, "No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son." And the first woman said, "No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son." Thus they spoke before the king. And the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead one': and the other says, 'No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'" Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other." Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son, and she said, "O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!" But the other said, "Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him." So the king answered and said, "Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother." And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to administer judgment. 1 Kings 3:16-28

Today's texts are all about mothers and Mother Love. The way that Mary, the mother of Jesus, handled the situation at the wedding in Cana shows that she was the type of mother who just "knew" and understood her son.

Solomon had to deal with two women, both of whom claimed to be mothers, but they acted very differently. What is this Love called Mother Love?

Love can be balanced or unbalanced. Love, balanced by Wisdom, is wise. Love can say yes, or love can say no. Creed of Love.

Jesus' Love was balanced by Wisdom and therefore had a mothering, yearning quality. We must give this type of love to our own creations. We must simply love, love, love them into being! Love enough will bring success, triumph and glory.

A young woman may be a beauty at age sixteen, but at sixty, she is beautiful! Love confers beauty of soul that shines through the physical.

Many American mothers were first pioneers, living in wagons, camps, and on farms. They worked, bore pain and sought glory in the ease and comfort of others. They suffered divorce and war, but mothers are brave.

Once more, America's mothers are standing. They are yearning, working, serving and toughening up again.

Thy Rod and Thy Staff
May 17, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

The twenty-third Psalm is the most beautiful of all David's songs. In it, he is joyous about fourteen things: The first three all deal with reasons for trusting God completely.

God is our shepherd. Second, He gives us sweet rest and quenches our thirst. Third, He restores our soul so that we are renewed while we rest in confidence.

Then the tempo increases: God enables us to walk through the valley of the shadow safely, and though we are not exempt from trials, we need fear no evil.

The Lord's rod is the lightning rod of Love Unquenchable, and the staff is Faith Unconquerable. The table represents abundance.

"I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever," means that I will not come out again. The greater the vision of the future we hold, the longer it will take to build, and the more weary we may become while waiting.

Yet no matter whether we are building a hut or a palace, we must drive our foundation deep. While others cannot see the depth of our foundation on the outer, they can tell when our foundation goes deep, based on our actions, attitudes and how we react.

Intuition is more than a hunch, which is the subsoul interpreting for the higher conscious mind. Intuition has three phases or factors:

First is prayer: You look up with your eyes, lift up your voice in praise and rejoice. Always finish with "Thank You, Father, that You always say yes!"

The second step is treatment: You lift everything and everyone you can think of into the House of the Lord, the House of Light and joy.

Third, you enter the Golden Silence. You hear with your ears, but you listen with your brain cells. When you listen, you hear the vibration of the Logos, the Word, on your brain cells, and you know. This is intuition.

The soul rides out and up to glory, while life rides down the line of your unselfish giving up. You remain in this high place, waiting upon the Lord, while you are working out your own salvation below.

Now, what do you do during the times when you are not in the Silence? You continue to wait in rapturous expectance, never giving up! It's never too late, just too soon to carry on! You never stop knocking on heaven's door, and never allow discouragement to hold you down.

Self interest is always focused inward, and is selfish. Self selling is always focused outward, and anoints your head with oil.

Your Inheritance
May 31, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Colossians 1:9-12, 21-23

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious Power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light . . . And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight. If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven. Colossians 1:9-12, 21-23

An inheritance is something left to us, legally, our share or portion of a heritage. We must accept it as a gift, a possession or a blessing, freely bestowed or given.

Service, Sacrifice and Success comprise our heritage. As we fulfill these terms of the Divine Will, "grounded and steadfast, not moved away from hope," we are "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious Power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy."

While we are still "enemies in our own minds," we climb the mountain all day only to run down the grade at night to rest. As we "increase in the knowledge of God," our prayer then is, "Let God let me serve, make sacrifice of self, and achieve success."

The Joyful Conqueror
June 7, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
John 10:30-39

"I and my Father are one." Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, "Many good works have I shown you from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?" The Jews answered him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God." Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "Ye are gods"'? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me . But if I do, though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know, and believe that the Father is in me, and I in Him." Therefore they sought again to seize him, but he escaped out of their hand. John 10:30-39

When we accept the fact that we are Creator gods, as the Master said, we see our destiny, accept it, and then do all that our destiny requires. Our destiny is to be as God is and to do as God does.

Desire is the Creator, the Creative Impulse. Imagination is the Builder of blueprints and molds. Praise releases the Divine Substance that increases and fills the molds.

Joy is the spoken Word. Our words are our sheep, and our spoken Word called to us our own, even when we interfere with Law.

We cannot get away from God! There is no place else to go!

Determination builds the pipeline to our creations, while our Unconquerable Faith builds our pipeline to God.

The Faith of God
June 21, 1942 Outline
Luke 8:41-56

Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet, and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitude thronged him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of his garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press you, and you say, 'Who touched me?'"And Jesus said, "Somebody touched me, for I perceived power [virtue] going out from me." Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared to him, in the presence of all the people, the reason she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith has made you whole. Go in peace." While he was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Master." But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, "Fear not: only believe, and she will be made whole." When he came into the house, he permitted no one to go in, except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but he said, "Weep not. She is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed him, knowing that she was dead. But he put them all outside, took her by the hand, and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." And her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And he commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. Luke 8:41-56

First, the ruler of the synagogue asked Jesus to come to his house because his daughter was dying.

Second, the woman touched him, and Jesus felt the Power leave him. The disciples asked him how he could tell in the midst of that crowd.

Finally, a servant told Jairus that his daughter was dead and not to bother the Master! Jesus wen anyway. They laughed at him, he put them out, and the little girl's spirit came back.

Victory! What Price?
July 5, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Matthew 12:31-37

Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this world or in the world to come. Either make the tree good and it fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure, brings forth evil things. But I say to you that every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:31-37

"In the beginning, God." Both science and religion agree that the universe began as Light. What does religion really teach?

Everyone has the equal right to advance, to progress, to grow, to achieve. Without faith, everything suffers "death" of vibration. So, abiding dynamic faith is our only incentive.

Science is fueled by the donations of people who give because they believe. Donations paid for our latest giant telescope, and faith was the reason behind the donors' giving.

Faith is the Holy Breath that we breathe. Every idle word misuses that Holy Breath. This we must overcome, for by our words we will be justified, and by our words we will be condemned.

Turn on the Heat
November 30, 1942 Outline
Buffalo, New York
2 Peter 3:1-14

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming?" For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation. For this they willfully forget, that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth, which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire. and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. 2 Peter 3:1-14

People tell us to "turn on the heat." What heat? Where do we get it? How do we know when "hot" is hot enough?

To understand "reserved for fire," let's consider four states, or three states that create one "estate." First is "cold," which can burn, like chilblains and frostbite. Dry ice is so cold that it is really heat! Cold people are the "scoffers" who "will come in the last days, walking according their own lusts." They are unlearned and unstable.

Second are the lukewarm and indifferent people, who "willfully forget." They promise slackly, doing just enough to slide along and get by. They are really greedy, selfish and grasping, "being led away with the error of the wicked."

The third state is boiling hot, which creates a great noise in the heavens until "the elements melt fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." Such people do produce results when they boil, but everything around them burns up, and they always run the risk of burning up the body!

The ensample of the fourth state, the "estate," is steam, which symbolizes the white Light of the Christ. These people know that some things are hard to understand, but they are "growing in grace and knowledge," alive, fervent, eager and enthusiastic.

All this is wonderful, but how do we get to this point? Only one thing will get us there, the white heat of Joy!

Love of God can take us to the boiling point, but only the Joy vibration takes us higher. We can use and misuse Love, but when we use Joy as the pacesetter of our lives, it opens all doors and draws everything good to itself.

Joy is the accelerator, which increases our capacity, opens all our centers, desire, mental and spiritual, and makes a trinity of our subsoul, egoic soul and Oversoul. We are One in Joy, the Logos, the Christ Principle of the Son.

Working together, this Trinity of Soul is like a great cable, composed of millions of strands. As one alone, we are nothing. Each one of us can be strong and perfect, but one weak strand within and desire pulls against and weakens will until it tears apart, and we find ourselves falling into failure. Only as One can we advance and grow.

Love Unquenchable, Faith Unconquerable and Joy Invincible makes us One, magically magnetic. This capacity is ours, no one can steal it, and we have no need to buy it. It is ours now.

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