- Via Christa
- » Sermons
- » Edna Lister’s Sermons, 1938
Edna Lister’s Sermons, 1938
What Are Vows?
Edna Lister outline, January 2, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Psalm 76:11, Job 22:27-28
Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God.
–Psalm 76:11.
Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
–Job 22:27-28.
Vows are not simply a matter of swearing I will
or I won’t
before men.
To make earth vows that involve other people is foolish. The Father, in His mercy, does not register vows you make under pressure, or that others demand. However, you must fulfill all legal vows, even those you make from a base of arrogance or pride.
Gentle Firmness
Edna Lister outline, January 9, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Mark 4:35-41
The same day, when the even was come, [Jesus] saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
–Mark 4:35-41.
Three ideas must enter into any discussion of faith—desire, decision and action. Everyone desires a better life and better things. Yet desire is more than merely to wish, want or hope. Decision means to make up one’s mind, to decide to have or to achieve.
Action means to move in the desired direction.
First, you must ask yourself, What is my true, deep, real desire for this year? Am I satisfied with last year? Did I succeed? Did I fail to reach the goal? Why? Second, ask, Was my decision right last year? Is it a right one now? Or was I weak, and made none? Third, Have I wasted time? Each day is a new page, white and clean. How have I acted? What actions have I made?
You cannot work, think or act in confusion, but must have peace and harmony.
If you want self justification to be heard of men, you cannot have peace. Your vibration then only adds to confusion. Ideas are born in stillness. Each soul has equality in God, yet your soul’s life-expression is unequal.
Some express more firmness in life. The best firm expression is not always in noisy power. Snow falls gently, covers everything, and quietly ties up traffic even in the greatest city in the world.
Last year has nothing to do with this year. Never use your darkest, weakest moment as the pattern of your life. Instead, find the highest moment of your life in strength, as your guide today. Decide to be like it now. This year you can make it all the way.
A little boy left the O off in DO in school, and received that D grade on his test. Most people leave the S off the IS in their life, and all they have left is an I—I-this and I-that, instead of Not I, but the Father works through me. Not I, but the Power works through me.
The Father wants you to hand in your day’s page to Him at night, white or smudged. If it is white, you have earned that much credit. Smudged, it is His great pleasure to make it white for you on credit. Yet, unless you balance your page at night, or you end up owing.
You cry, How long, oh Lord?
Yet all the time the Father is asking, How quickly, oh child, can you come to Me? How hard can you lean on Me? How deep is your desire for more Light? How firm is your choice? How much of My life are you using? It awaits your pleasure.
Desire, decide, and act now! Accept, appropriate and use more Light.
True Courage
Edna Lister outline, January 16, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Acts 27
Acts 27 describes Paul and the shipwreck he was involved in on his way to stand trial in Rome. Paul had warned them against indulging in the pleasure of a leisurely cruise through the Mediterranean because he knew the fierce autumn storms were on their way. Yet, his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Paul’s prayers gave the men confidence and courage. They cast out four anchors: Faith, devotion, surrender, and courage.
When the time came to act, they ate the meat he offered and were able to continue. No one is courageous on an empty stomach.
All the men on Paul’s ship finally reached the haven. Every mountain stream is a torrent tearing through at its source, but becomes a quiet meadow brook at the end, the glorious place of refuge, the haven.
Zeal: A Defense
Edna Lister outline, January 23, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Titus 2:9-15
Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
–Titus 2:9-15.
Paul’s letter to Titus begins with a recitation of the problems the church in Crete was having with teachers of Greek philosophical sophistry. Paul always paints a great word picture, and he wrought miracles.
The zealousness of which Paul writes here is not cracking down.
Zeal gives you the power to ascend in consciousness, and to win over self and any other adversary.
Instead of just moving, Jesus moved on. Jesus then lived on instead of merely living.
What a thrill this is to the soul! You can move on the power of encouraging words, such as, I have faith in you,
which carries your vibration of belief in their performance. You have faith in God, which carries your own personal vibration that you live on.
Where does your interest lie? In exhibition and displays of self, or in Christed living? When you have the zeal to live manifestations come because Power moves through, vitalizing you.
Confidence
Edna Lister outline, January 30, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Matthew 6:24-34
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
–Matthew 6:24-34.
Confidence is firm trust, assured expectation, and boldness.
You have confidence in people and in some things, such as cars, street cars, and boats, because the men behind them, the makers, make it possible for you to trust them. They test them and try them out, which is like God, tempting you to fail.
You have confidence that earth is here in the morning when you arise. You have confidence that the sun is behind the clouds, and that the moon and stars will light the night sky. Why do you not have a similar confidence in God, His mercies, gifts and miracles?
The lilies of the field are confident of their line of Light to the Source. You spin your line of Light as a shuttle
Wheat or Tares?
Edna Lister outline, February 6, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Matthew 13:24-30
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
–Matthew 13:24-30
Good seeds represent God’s children of Light who have remained steadfastly in the Way. The tares are weeds, symbolizing the wicked ones of the world who have abandoned obedience to the law. The devil is darkness.
At the end of the world, the wicked ones will be thrown into a furnace of consuming fire, and they will choose whether it burns out the dross, or burns up their body and soul.
The kingdom of Jesus is eternal life. The wicked, the tares, will be separated from the faithful Elect, the harvest of wheat, and gathered into the Father’s granary, the kindgom of God.
Emancipation of Soul
Edna Lister outline, February 13, 1938, Cleveland, OH; John 14:10-21
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
–John 14:10-21.
The essence of emancipation is a belief in an ideal greater than all humanity can accept. Progress toward that ideal brings the only emancipation possible to any soul.
Lincoln was born with an ideal in mind. Among his first memories were slaves coming through the woods to his family’s cabin, weak, ill, terror smitten, and hurt.
The experiences left him wondering what it was all about—candles lighted in the middle of the night, whispers, bated breath. Lanterns swinging on wildly ridden horses, bundles, Negroes moved on although they were almost too weak to stand.
The boy began reading scraps; men coming as scouts brought more books. The boy asked about government for one and all. Some told him one story, and others another until the idea to free the slaves blossomed.
Why? Because the young man’s life had a master plan for change. Great souls still come to earth to save it. Lincoln knew he was responsible for it, so he did> it.
One man, to whom he told his story, brought him law books, and helped to make a statesman of an uncouth, unlettered boy until the man who gave us the Gettysburg address was brought into being.
Jesus left us an ideal, which only a few are accepting today. It is too great, it must be too great for today or it would not live and grow. Jesus illustrated that the Father was in him through his complete surrender to the Father’s will. He no longer acted of himself, but the Father acted through him.
To have Jesus manifest to you is true emancipation of the soul. People always believe after seeing because it is easy.
The Gettysburg Address: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
–Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863
The Story of Lent
Edna Lister outline, March 7, 1937, Cleveland, OH; Luke 4:1-14
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.
–Luke 4:1-14.
Jesus did not open the forty days of Lent himself, although he was fasting for forty days before his entry into Jerusalem. His disciples inaugurated Lent after he ascended, to commemorate his passion and death.
Forty is the number of days for candle lighting in heaven for sacrifice or in joy because he fasted that long in the wilderness. It signifies spiritual service.
Jesus worked with his disciples before his entry into Jerusalem. Repentance of the soul is soul purification, taking stock of the little self. The Catholic church so arranged their teachings to enable sinners to pay for all their sins in forty days.
When people try to save something, they usually squeeze it to death or until they lose it. When you give up the effort to save, you receive.
Why We Observe Lent
Edna Lister outline, March 6, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Luke 3:15-22, 4:1-2
As the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comet, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
–Luke 3:15-22.
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil.
–Luke 4:1-2.
We celebrate Confirmation once a year before Easter, the Resurrection. Each must give up the old things before the new can be established.
The three sacraments of the Christian religion include Baptism by Water, the Holy Ghost and Fire, Confirmation and the Last Supper, the Eucharist. Jesus ordained Baptism and Confirmation, but the disciples commemorated the Lord’s Supper.
Sacraments are an outward visible sign of an inner sacred symbol or mystery. Baptism gives back your right to the place you left on the inner when you descended. Confirmation establishes you where you have climbed, and establishes your right to what you have earned.
Are my vows such as to take me clear through to the highest Source? Do my vows leave me feeling happier? Are my vows aiding me in lifting the people and situations around me?
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper with wine and bread, symbolizing blood and flesh. Blood represents substance, which nourishes and sustains. It is symbolized as blue at the Source, as Mother Love, but red in expression.
Flesh symbolizes the solidity of bone and skeletal structure, or law as the framework of the universes. Flesh and blood, bread and wine represent the substance of God, which you take in and of which you are made.
Jesus, the Great Physician
Edna Lister outline, March 26, 1938, Cleveland, OH; John 21:1-13
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits); dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
–John 21:1-13.
The disciples had seen Jesus heal the ten lepers, the man with palsy, the centurion’s servant, the woman with the issue of blood, cases of lunacy and possession, Lazarus, the widow’s boy, and Jairus’ daughter.
Yet in this text, the disciples worked all night at fishing, but with no results. Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side. The right side represents execution, and use of what you have. When they did so, their nets were filled.
You are always either negative or positive, empty or full. You are like a bobbin that fills a shuttle.
What do you give? Give what you have, love and faith, which are free.
The Sacraments, Baptism
Edna Lister outline, April 3, 1938, Cleveland, OH; John 1:25-36
And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!–John 1:25-36.
The method of Baptism for adults and older children is either to immerse, pour or to sprinkle with water. These methods symbolize purification or initiation for admission to the Church.
Christen is a word meaning of the Christ.
To Christen means to seal a soul for Christ and to dedicate the child to his service. We Christen babies, physically elevating them in the process, to make them Christians.
The baby must have a sponsor or sponsors who promise in the child’s name to influence the child toward Christed living. Adults who stand as sponsors to a child also serve as additional parents, whose direction is to be followed.
Sponsors must always ask of self, Where am I leading this child? How must I taught this child to live?
The Sacraments, Confirmation
Edna Lister outline, April 10, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Matthew 3:13-17, 1 John 5:1-8
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
–Matthew 3:13-17.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
–1 John 5:1-8.
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
–Matthew 3:13-17
The witnesses to confirmation in heaven are the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost. The witnesses on earth are the Spirit, water and blood. They agree as one to the truth, beauty and goodness of the soul.
Jesus, the Great Physician
Edna Lister outline, March 26, 1938, Cleveland, OH; John 21:1-13
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits); dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
–John 21:1-13.
The disciples had seen Jesus heal the ten lepers, the man with palsy, the centurion’s servant, the woman with the issue of blood, cases of lunacy and possession, Lazarus, the widow’s boy, and Jairus’ daughter.
Yet in this text, the disciples worked all night at fishing, but with no results. Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side. The right side represents execution, and use of what you have. When they did so, their nets were filled.
You are always either negative or positive, empty or full. You are like a bobbin
What do you give? You give what you have, which is free.
The Crowned King
Edna Lister outline, March 24, 1937. Cleveland, OH; Mark 16
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
–Mark 16.
Faith had brought Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome to the tomb that morning. When they entered the tomb, a young man in a long white garment spoke the three greatest words of all ages, He is risen!
The women did not believe him when he told them Jesus lived. The disciples did not believe Mary Magdalene when she told them the Lord had risen. When he asks you why, what will your answer be?
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
–John 14:1. Today he is crowned king. Do you believe? Do you believe in his glory, in the Light?
Preparation for Ascension
Edna Lister outline, April 24, 1938, Cleveland, OH; James 1:2-8
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
–James 1:2-8.
To ascend means to rise, and may refer to the rising of a celestial body. Ascension also refers to rising in a progression, an upward movement.
Three ideas relate to ascension: First, you must know about ascension. You must desire to ascend, and you must strive toward Ascension.
Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations
because
Submission to Law
Edna Lister outline, May 8, 1938, Cleveland, OH; 1 Peter 2:11-24
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
–1 Peter 2:11-24.
A mission is an errand or divinely appointed work. The prefix sub
in submission means under, beneath, below,
or in an inferior position.
Obedience through submission means taking each problem as it comes and working it out with well-doing
in silence for the ignorance of foolish men.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.–1 Peter 2:15.
Light, glory, triumph, victory, exaltation and success are yours now. This is the right place. Now is the right time for your success.
Whither Thou Goest
Edna Lister outline, May 15, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Ruth 1:1-18
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay for them from having husbands? Nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
–Ruth 1:1-18.
To incarnate means to become embodied, to take on a physical body of flesh and blood. We are each living an incarnation now. Why do we incarnate? What are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to do it?
You came to earth to gain experience. What are you doing with it? Are you concerned with your soul’s growth, with the state of your soul? Are you pondering soul or self?
Do you speak of your soul, or examine your self in public? Self uses soul’s achievements to build up its image and to inflate its personal ego. Is your self too tired, too weak, or too hungry today to speak of anything besides its appetites? Nothing is too hard when you set self aside and desire it with all your soul.
Perfection is thinking I can.
Imperfection is thinking I can’t.
Self disagrees with soul, which leads to separation. The soul leaves the body and continues on alone. Agreement is how to save your soul and live in the body while ascending.
Top ↑
Doing the Work of the Word
Edna Lister outline, May 22, 1938, Cleveland, OH; James 1:12-27
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
–James 1:12-27.
Each soul is a mirror. Each holds a mirror in front of himself. To keep yourself unspotted from the world
means you have the dedication to God and the soul to be in the world, but not of it. This is the meaning of ascension.
First, you must remember that your soul’s task is ascension from earth while living on earth.
Second, you are charged to remember to ask for wisdom, in faith, nothing wavering.
Anything less and you bounce up and down on a yo-yo string.
Third, you may not claim, I am tempted of God.
Only the self tempts you.
Finally, you must remember that every good and perfect gift comes from above. A good gift is a boon. The Father always gives you Power to spare, and greater Power when you go to Him and ask.
Oracles of God
Edna Lister outline, May 29, 1938, Cleveland, OH; 1 Peter 4:7-11, Leviticus 8:6-9, 1 Samuel 23:1-13, Hebrews 5:12
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If any one ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
–1 Peter 4:7-11.
An oracle is a person who serves as an infallible guide, a test, an indicator, a judge or judgment, a prophet or a prophecy. They were considered to be authoritative or profoundly wise. The oracles at Delphi and Dodona in Greece were among the most famous of the ancient world. People traveled great distances to consult the deities there, hoping for a prophecy or good advice.
In all these instances, people called the mysterious advisers
oracles. They served as the mouthpieces of divine revelation personal or symbolic. The wealthy and powerful often attempted to bribe or bring secret influence to bear upon the priests of various temples. They tampered to secure the desired answer, which would then carry the weight of religious authority as well.
The Hebrews held their high priest to be an oracle. He heard the pleas of the congregation and entered the Holy of Holies on their behalf, making intercession before the Mercy Seat.
Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses.
–Leviticus 8:6-9.
The ephod
Jewish tradition gives no further information about the ephod besides references in Exodus 28, Leviticus 8, 1 Samuel 2:18, 2 Samuel 6:14, for example. It is referred to as both a garment and as an object that was apparently necessary to use to become an instrument of the Divine or an oracle. David used an ephod to petition the Lord for an answer whether to save Keliah and whether Saul planned to attack him there.
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing floors. Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. Then said David, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up. Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbore to go forth.
–1 Samuel 23:1-13.
The Urim, the lights, shone in response to the petitioner’s repentance and surrender. The Thummim, or perfections, were the soul virtues that open under the sacrifice of self. You cannot speak as an accredited oracle unless you stand purified in the Light.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.–Hebrews 5:12.
Thus, the ephod was the symbol of purity of heart, mind and purpose. To be an oracle, you must become a living ensample of the Law.
Mystic tradition holds that the left-hand stone, the Urim, was yellow, engraved with eye,
symbolizing spiritual vision in the Light. The right-handed stone, the Thummim, was red, engraved with ear,
representing spiritual hearing or discernment.
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit
Edna Lister outline, June 5, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Leviticus 23:15-21, Acts 2:1-6
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord. And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord. Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the Lord for the priest. And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
–Leviticus 23:15-21.
Pentecost falls on the same date as the Jewish harvest festival Bikkurim, the Festival of Weeks, Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. This Feast of First Fruits is one of the three great Jewish feasts, with the Passover and Succoth, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, commemorating Israel being brought forth from Egypt.
The Feast of First Fruits began as a simple thanksgiving day for the harvest of crops gathered between the Passover and Shavuot. From throughout Judea, devout Jews traveled to Jerusalem to offer of their first fruits.
Jesus the Christ had ascended into heaven within sight of his disciples and followers ten days before Shavuot. He had commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
–Acts 1:4-5. The disciples returned to Jerusalem as he had orders, and awaited the promised sign.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
–Acts 2:1-6.
Jerusalem was filled with travelers from throughout the Mediterranean nations. Every man heard them speaking in the language of his own birthplace. The symbolism of the gift of tongues is an opening of the inner vision for full knowing and understanding.
You shall prophesy, see visions and dream dreams, and you shall be saved. On Pentecost, you offer God your gifts of praise for His release of the flames of the Holy Spirit.
The Sea of Glass
Edna Lister outline, June 12, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Revelation 15:2-4
I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
–Revelation 15:2-4.
What is the sea of glass?
The sea of glass symbolizes purity of heart, mind and purpose. Where is the sea of glass?
It exists in Heaven, a state of consciousness and a place.
When is it time to stand on the sea of glass?
Now is the time! This spiritual sea has always been both personality and principle.
The Master is the Lamb of God. His footsteps always lie before you as a path leading to sunlit mountains. Your choice is to follow or lag behind.
You stand on the sea of glass lifting in love and praise, selflessness, tolerance, compassion for others, leaving them free, and letting them go as they will. You burn the chaff and husks of darkness forever and ever until they become as Light.
The Rich Man Also
Edna Lister outline, June 19, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Luke 16:19-31
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
–Luke 16:19-31.
This text paints a picture of utter selfishness, and what it will do for you, as opposed to sharing and giving. It also tells a story of heaven as a place. In reality, you have only heaven in different degrees of elevation and/or consciousness.
Hades
or
Ascension is the process of substituting gratitude for selfish will and desires. Finally your will becomes Wisdom, which plans. Selfish desires become Love, which executes Wisdom’s plans.
Illumination Through Perception
Edna Lister outline, June 26, 1938, Cleveland, OH; John 15:18-27
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
–John 15:18-27.
You move from perception into understanding, which is standing in the Light. From there, you receive illumination.
John Paul Jones,
Instead, he rammed the larger British vessel, HMS Serapis, boarded it and won the Battle of Flamborough Head in 1779. In the midst of the battle, Jones shouted his famous declaration, I have not yet begun to fight!
Our own Teddy Roosevelt
These men and their deeds prove that you, too, can turn defeat into success, and profit from your defeats. A defeat cannot make you a failure. Only your ideas about defeat can do that.
A defeat is nothing more than an experience that if you choose, can gain you spirit and courage. Defeat and delays are good. They broaden your perceptions, understanding and lead to illumination.
Remembrance
Edna Lister outline, September 4, 1938, Cleveland, OH; Luke 22:14-19
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
–Luke 22:14-19.
This do in remembrance of me
are the words of a creator. We celebrate communion in remembrance of our Master, the Lord of Lords.
Communion with God grants divine courage, ghostly strength, steadfast devotion and understanding love. Then you may love one another, love your so-called enemy, and do good to those who wish to despitefully use you.
Joy and peace derive from a sacrificial act. Victory is the goal of renunciation. Your triumph comes from giving first to God, then you cannot even think of darkness.
The Path of the Senses
Edna Lister outline, September 18, 1938, Cleveland, OH; 1 Samuel 12:18-24
Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; and turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
–1 Samuel 12:18-24.
Yesterday was the one hundred fifty-first anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution. Man is now standing with his feet planted in the gateway of men with his head in the gateway of the gods, as an individual endowed with Power.
Samuel was Israel’s last judge and its first prophet in the era of earthly kings. Israel was turning from God to walk the path of the senses as men, mesmerized by the world.
Samuel told the Israelites how to free themselves from the snares of earth life: First, they must turn again to God. Second, they must give Him their devotion. Third, they must serve Jehovah in truth with all their heart.
What Is the Soul?
Edna Lister outline, October 2, 1938, Cleveland, OH; John 12:23-28
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
–John 12:23-28.
God has formed the soul out of omnipresent spiritual substance. The prefix, omni,
means of all things, in all places, in all ways.
The soul partakes of God’s consciousness, which manifests as both unconscious and conscious. The creature’s level of awareness is unconscious of the self. The creator is consciousness in an earthly sense and can become fully God-conscious, which we call cosmic or Christed consciousness.
When you love your life more than your soul, you seek to save your life. Thus, it becomes inevitable that you will lose your life. If you care nothing for your life in this world, you will find it and keep it unto life eternal.
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
–John 12:27.
How often have you cried to the Father, Save me,
from some difficult lesson that you came to earth to learn in this hour.
Acceptance of heaven results from hating
your bondage in this earthy material existence.
The hour is come! Soul lifts self into the final conquering!
.
Edna Miriam Lister
1884–1971
The original Christian Pioneering Mystic,
Platonist philosopher, American Idealist, Founder, Society of the Universal Living Christ, minister, teacher, author, wife, and mother.
Note: The Buffalo, NY population was 573,076 in the 1930 census; 278,349 in the 2020 Census.
References
The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV).
The Oxford English Dictionary: Compact Ed., 2 vols. E.S.C. Weiner, editor. Oxford University Press, 1971.