Edna Lister’s Sermons 1950

Comprehension

Edna Lister lecture outline; February 17, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scriptures: Matthew 6:22, Matthew 6:33, John 21:22, Matthew 5:25.

Comprehension is a knowing expression of wisdom and love. To know is pleasant and wonderful. Yet to act on your comprehension, you must become law and ascend in consciousness.

What you do with your comprehension depends on your practice of joy. Declare, “I rejoice in the fulfillment of this miracle, for all those on earth who may partake. Thank You, Father, that it is so.”

You gain and hold this high point of comprehension, to use it by your singleness of devotion. “If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” – Matthew 6:22.

To ascend, you must hold to an aspiration, illumination, and devotion to something you consider greater than the self. In purity of heart, mind and purpose, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” – Matthew 6:33. Practice “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” – John 21:22, and "Agree with thine adversary quickly.” – Matthew 5:25.

Light as love is the key to all this conquering of the petty little self. At the emotional level, love of self creates fear. Love of God creates faith. Passive and weak mental love, lacking a soul dimension, loses itself in contemplation. When active and strong spiritually, love acts and does.

Love is not only pervasive and aggressive, it can also slip up on your blind side. As Spirit, love gives you the strength to be, and never stops working to change you into itself.

God’s Eternal Purpose

Edna Lister sermon outline; February 24, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scriptures: Ephesians 1:9-12, Ephesians 3:9-19, Philippians 3:13-15.

“…Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:9-12.

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” – Ephesians 3:9-19.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” – Philippians 3:13-15.

Many people feel that God has no purpose in creation today. But His fine hand has written His purpose into the history of the universe from the beginning.

Three vast inhaling breaths created the explosions that formed the River of Life, the three Emanations of Wisdom, Love and the Logos, the Father, Mother and Son. Jesus, as the Word, is one-third of the whole with the Father and Mother God.

From those Emanations has come everything that exists today. The Father sent forth millions of creators-to-be who were and are destined to choose, to elect to serve Him. Yet many have forgotten that they must return as creators, pure, holy and perfect.

Jesus, the Son, represents God’s eternal purpose in action. He was the selfless lifter of darkness. He showed us how to ascend, and how to enfold all earth and our personal kingdoms of influence back into God’s arms.

Increased Power must use you now to lift the world. So, during Lent, you must clean house and lift all your selfishness and treasures of darkness to the altar. So, plan to fast from darkness during Lent. Ask for Light to move through your darkness and cleanse you.

Light can stir you up, so plan to make a sacrifice of every bit of self that comes to the surface, and to return to God all soul substance, misused by the appetitive self. Greater Power can bring sensitivity and greater irritability, but you can let the fires consume the skeletons in your closet.

The only way you can forget the past is to reach up in consciousness, to press onward and upward in soul-conquering ascension. Declare, “Today, I ascend. I lift my resentments, opinions and prejudices to the altar. Let me be healed. Thank You, Father, that I AM healed now.”

To use all phases of your mind and being creatively, you must constantly quicken, revitalize and renew your mind, body and soul. Since you have no room for self-pity, opinions or criticism, go to God no matter what happens in between. Make a sacrifice of selfish motivations.

Every facet of Jesus’ life shows you how to act like and be a conquering soul. He raised Lazarus from the dead with the Power he released on the statement, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God.” When Jesus reached Lazarus’ home in Bethany, his every statement was positive, with nothing negative. So must you do to create.

God’s eternal purpose for you is that you become a creator, so “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The desire to be perfect is all-important, so God sent His Son to show you how to become perfect. God has planted within you the desire to seek and return to Him. He has predestined you to return, and the path home is always open.

God’s Eternal Purpose

Edna Lister sermon transcript; February 24, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scribes: Kay Wilder Abstein, Ruth Bender Collord, May Clark Wilder. Scriptures: Ephesians 1:9-12, Ephesians 3:9-19.

“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:9-12.

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” – Ephesians 3:9-19.

People often question the purpose of God’s Creation. Atheists and many agnostic intellectuals believe that Creation has no purpose, yet His fine hand has written the mystery of His will in the history of the universe from the first, when God breathed and created the explosions of Light that formed the River of Life.

Creation sprang from the Emanations of Wisdom, Love and the Logos, the Father, Mother and Son, as God said, “Let there be Light,” through the Logos, the divine Word. The Father sent forth millions of living souls as potential creators, yet many have forgotten that they must return to Him as pure, holy and perfect creators.

Jesus, the Only Begotten Son, represents God’s eternal purpose. He was the selfless lifter of darkness who showed us how to ascend, and enfold earth and our personal kingdoms into God’s arms, “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”

As a creator, you must return all misused soul substance to God, yours and the world’s. Increased Power to lift the world must use you now. Yet Light can really stir you up because greater Power heightens emotional sensitivity and can cause irritability. Clean house of the remnants of self now. Fast from darkness, ask for more Light to move through your subconscious mind, then sacrifice and lift every bit of self that surfaces.

“This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind.” – Philippians 3:13. The only way to forget the past and its petty limitations is to go to God, no matter what happens.

Let the heavenly altar fires consume the skeletons in your closet. Press onward and upward, reaching higher in consciousness, using the subconscious mind creatively to quicken, revitalize and renew itself until no room is left for self-pity, opinions, prejudice or criticism.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead on the declaration, “This is for the glory of God.” When he reached Lazarus’ home in Bethany, his every statement was positive, as yours must be to create perfection. Declare, “Today I ascend. I lift my resentments, opinions and prejudices, and shall closely monitor how I use the spoken Word.”

The desire to be perfect is all-important, so that God can show you how to attain the mark and become perfect. The path home is always open, so reach for the prize of becoming a perfect creator. Perfection is, always has been, and always will be God’s eternal purpose for you.

Three Steps to Healing

Edna Lister healing lecture outline; April 12, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scripture: Matthew 9:27-34.

“And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.” – Matthew 9:27-34.

The two blind men who were following Jesus, cried out, “Thou son of David, have mercy on us,” in recognition of his identity and the Power moving through him. Recognizing the Source of Power is always the first step in healing.

Then Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They answered “Yes, Lord.” The second step in healing is always acceptance. He really asked, “Do you accept,” and each answered, “Yes, I accept.”

The final step to healing is forever “according to your faith.” Their eyes were opened immediately, restoring their vision. Jesus warned them to tell no one because he knew that the doubts of those whom they told would be too great a test for their faith, and their healing would falter.

You must allow your faith to grow and wax stronger in the stillness of the golden silence. That stillness provides the poise, peace and power that you regain for your soul by praise, joy and rejoicing.

Five Steps in Ascension

Edna Lister sermon outline; April 16, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scripture: Acts 3:1-10.

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.” – Acts 3:1-10.

A miracle is either an instantaneous act or a slow process, according to your desire, awareness, recognition, acceptance and surrender. The length of the process of healing depends on the degree of your consciousness.

Desire is the Creative Impulse, a fundamental principle, which you bring with you to earth, and use turned either up or out and down into the world.

Awareness is the awakening of consciousness. When you are unaware, you are unconscious. You are supposed to be aware of whether a friend or danger is approaching. You are more easily aware of love or hate. Yet you must synthesize all five senses into one for true awareness as apperception.

Recognition, which means “to know again,” is also a universal faculty. You use it to place a person or a thing within a frame of reference, to give it a name.

Acceptance is always personal. All too often people say, “I accept,” when they really want to think about it and still not accept it. While acceptance is crucial to ascension, it is important not to accept resentment, blame or criticism as yours before you lift it.

Surrender of self is an act of soul. People dislike the idea of surrender, thinking that it means giving in to others. Yet you surrender to God first, then to love, to forgiveness and to Light. When you have truly surrendered, you are then lifted, filled, used and happy because God needs you.

“A certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.” – Acts 3:2-3.

Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” – Matthew 28:20. Peter was with John at the Temple. “With” means you are never alone.

It’s never a case of God and you, but God with you and as you. Like Peter, you can say, “What I have, I can always give,” for I have the Light of the Creator.

The creature consciousness dwells in the darkness of self. Only a creator has the desire and the will power to surrender freely to God.

All things are made of this Light, which is always flowing and available. The Light does the work as the Power. Light is the way of ascension.

All you do and all you can use is Light to create the right emotional and mental conditions for God to move in and heal. When you use a weak love, poor in quality, it causes delay. If you want time, as length, instead of quality, you must leave so much out, which is the difference between now and later.

You receive the hidden riches from above when you create from Light. At first glance, ascension is like being a mountain climber, climbing, staying level or descending. Yet true ascension is going up always.

Jesus will return as he left, by ascending. When he ascended, he rose into heaven and disappeared. At his return, he will be unseen by the world of men, seen only by a few, riding on a cloud.

To think and declare, “He has come! He is here!” is the creator’s attitude of expectancy. The creature expects to be hurt, and thus fears. The creator lives in fervent anticipation of more Light, life and glory.

Declare, “I am health, wealth, and love for — I am become rich, I have found me out substance.” – Hosea 12:8.

The Dead Shall Arise

Edna Lister healing outline; April 19, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scriptures: Mark 5:22-23, Mark 5:35-43, Luke 8:41-42, Luke 8:49-56, Matthew 9:18-19, Matthew 9:23-26.

“And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him... While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.” – Mark 5:22-23, Mark 5:35-43.

“And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: for he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying... While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.” – Luke 8:41-42, Luke 8:49-56.

“Behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples... And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, he said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.” – Matthew 9:18-19, Matthew 9:23-26.

Healing, to Jesus, included raising Jairus’ young daughter from the dead. Notice the differences in the Gospel accounts.

Mark says that the Master took only Peter, James and John with him. He chose them because their love was enough to build up the Power. Faith rides forth on love, not indifference, disbelief, scorn, or hatred.

In Luke’s version, Jesus says to Jairus, “Fear not, only believe, and she shall be made whole.” This is all about the truth of appearances versus the truth of reality. The child’s body appeared to be dead, but the soul is immortal.

What do you believe? You must make up your mind. You must choose, then act on that choice.

“They laughed him to scorn.” The crowd’s ridicule is the single element that remains exactly the same in all three accounts. Jesus’ poise in the face of their contempt made a great impression on his disciples.

Mark and Luke record his admonition to tell no one what had happened in the room. Why did Jesus insist on their silence? Describing a miracle gives the doubters a club to use over you. Light as power works best in the silence, so resist the urge to talk about it; remain silent.

The Chalice of Love

Edna Lister sermon outline; April 23, 1950, Tacoma, Washington; see September 24, 1950. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake 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 through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13.

Jesus’ entire ministry paints a picture of his intimacy with his Father. You cannot be intimate with someone who is “far off,” they must be near. Prayer is your only method of gaining this intimacy with the Father: “Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet,” as Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote. Love is the only fulfilling of this law. Nearness to God means to have a “knowing,” and assurance that He is there. Your breathing and inspiration of His Breath of Life measures your nearness to the One God, the Source of Life. “Hands and feet” infer action, expression and execution.

What kind of action draws you near to God? According to the life plan written within her, a spider chooses the perfect place to build her web. She makes up her mind and acts. Only death can stop from recreating her web in her chosen place, despite nature or accidents.

When others tear down the fabric of your life, do you stop or become more determined to succeed? Your answer reveals the quality of your love.

How can you reach this state of God consciousness? What you gain from your prayers depends not on God, but on your approach. If you center your prayers on “needs” — money, a home, a car, health, harmony, patience, companionship or love — you fill your prayer molds with more needs.

People who say, “I hate my life” are seeking to avoid life, to escape responsibility. A painting without a beautiful background has no meaning, but portrays a characterless nonentity. You are the picture in the foreground. How you live life creates your background.

You cannot leave your place any more than you can send your parents, family or children back to the manufacturer. How you handle your daily tasks paints the highlights, and you stand out by creating your own beautiful background.

Declare, “I AM close, intimate with God, my Father. I AM a creator of beauty, by faith, hope and love, I AM in love with life, with humanity, my lessons and with God. I love life.”

Life is your challenge. Love is your answer. You are a chalice, overflowing with “faith, hope, love, these three — but the greatest of these is love.”

The Higher Pantheism
The sun, the moon, the stars, the seas, the hills and the plains,
Are not these, O Soul, the Vision of Him who reigns?

Is not the Vision He, tho’ He be not that which He seems?
Dreams are true while they last, and do we not live in dreams?

Earth, these solid stars, this weight of body and limb,
Are they not sign and symbol of thy division from Him?

Dark is the world to thee; thyself art the reason why,
For is He not all but thou, that hast power to feel “I am I”?

Glory about thee, without thee; and thou fulfillest thy doom,
Making Him broken gleams and a stifled splendour and gloom.

Speak to Him, thou, for He hears, and Spirit with Spirit can meet —
Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.

God is law, say the wise; O soul, and let us rejoice,
For if He thunder by law the thunder is yet His voice.

Law is God, say some; no God at all, says the fool,
For all we have power to see is a straight staff bent in a pool;

And the ear of man cannot hear, and the eye of man cannot see;
But if we could see and hear, this Vision — were it not He?
– Alfred, Lord Tennyson

A Miracle in the Crowd

Edna Lister Bible study outline; April 26, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scriptures: Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-33.

“Behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” – Matthew 9:20-22.

“A certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in [her] body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.” – Mark 5:25-33.

The woman in this story had suffered many things at the hands of the physicians from whom she had sought healing. She had spent all her money and was no better, but worse, in fact.

Having suffered for eleven years without relief, she had nothing good to lose. So when she heard that Jesus, the healer, would be in town, she resolved to see him.

She found him in the center of a throng and she “touched the hem of his garment” in hope and faith. He felt the virtue gone from him. Virtue is defined as strength or power. Every virtue you hone adds to your soul’s strength in the face of life’s challenges.

Power is always moving through you, so you can constantly refill your soul from the Source. Release God’s Light as power to add to the miracles needed and being created in the world’s crowd.

And It Came to Pass

Edna Lister sermon outline; April 30, 1950, Tacoma, Washington; September 10, 1950, Buffalo, New York. Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-11.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” – Hebrews 11:1-11.

The Old Testament prophecies and promises all begin with the phrase, “Thus says the Lord,” and each is always, without fail, followed by “And it came to pass.” What have you asked for, and how have you asked? Is it what you really want? Where are you really headed?

How can you know that you have asked for the right thing? Sometimes you do not want what you have asked for when it comes. When the answer to prayer is delayed, you often find that it was not good for you or what you really needed anyway.

Yet you never ask amiss if you “Seek first the kingdom of God.” This is why the Proverb says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7.

Is what I want good for the whole world? Can I ask it for everyone alike? Houses, lands, clothes, money? Yes. Can I ask for a man (or a woman) to love? No. It may be the wrong one. Just build a portrait frame, with no face. Leave the right person to God. When “Thy will” is done, “only my own can and shall come to me.”

Is this what you really want? If you forget what you asked for in three days, you have your answer. If what you are asking stays with you, pursues you until you dream of it, yes.

Act as if you already have it now. Work for it. Most people sit, doing nothing, moments at a time for so many hours a day. Fill the idle moments by practicing paeans of praise, just as the aspiring musician practices his instrument.

Where am I really headed? Outward or inward? To succeed, you must head outward, onward and upward. To rise, you must be Light, all weight and color blended into the Christ Light.

For example, before doing fine laundry by hand, you buy the right soap, and prepare, sorting your items by color, putting them on to soak. Then you change the water before you wash them, and later rinse everything.

How carefully would you shop before buying your soul’s “pearl of great price?” You must sort subconscious hunches from super-conscious intuition, and soak your mind in classes, study, prayer, praise and joy.

Seek above. Turn on the heat, turn on the Light. Rubbing removes the stains from your comprehension of truth, cleanses your love and joy. The worse the stain, the more beautiful the item when cleaned.

The spiritual waters of the River of Life are always flowing through, rinsing and cleansing. You rinse by giving of love. Love rinses away all darkness until only the purified gold of Spirit remains.

You must crucify the self until only soul remains. You can use the cross to hang from in pain, or as a ladder to climb above the world until you are suspended in joy.

Every promise shall be fulfilled. Yet you must do the fulfilling with love. Then you shall hear “And it came to pass.”

Pentecost, the Way of Ascension

Edna Lister Pentecost sermon outline; May 7, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scriptures: Acts 2:1-8, Acts 2:17-20.

“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. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” – Acts 2:1-8.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come.” – Acts 2:17-20.

What is this Way of Ascension? It is a way of life, beauty, strength and of glory. The Way of Ascension is all that is.

Jesus had appeared to and met with his disciples often during the forty days between Easter and his Ascension. He gave them “charges,” orders about what they were to do. He had charged them to remain in Jerusalem, saying, “Ye shall be baptized by the Holy Spirit.”

They watched him ascend, then a hundred and twenty of them gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem, where they waited ten days for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “Cloven tongues of fire” sat upon them, yet they remained unafraid.

Why did it take so long for the baptism to descend? The first step in ascension is receptivity, which prepares you to fulfill the great law of “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” – Matthew 6:33. Receptivity, which is open-mindedness, deals with your gifts and your relationship with God.

The disciples and apostles spent ten days in the upper room while they raised the vibration of their cells, body, brain and endocrine glands. As you ascend in consciousness, you let go of old thoughts, pictures and emotions, which lower your vibration overall. Clearing your thinking first is easiest. Then you deal with the mental pictures you have created with negative emotions and imagination. Mankind is still struggling to attain the pattern Christ set 2,000 years ago.

The second step in ascending is flexibility, to “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him.” – Matthew 5:25. Agree with God that “This is good,” and adjust to man without arguing. Learn to bend without breaking under pressure, to accept your lessons in life, and to hold your place on the path.

The third step of ascension is balance in preparation, devotion and action. Balance is poise and equilibrium in your service. Holding your balance is easier when you always ask, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” – John 21:22.

Your devotion must be great in quality and quantity. Apply devotion as gratitude and praise above, before God’s throne, and as love below, for your fellow man, which draws the blessing of joy to you.

Balanced action is always doing the next thing next, with your eyes on the Light while ignoring outer appearances. Balance knows that it is never too late, it never takes too long, and lives without fussing or worrying.

First, you must know about Ascension and Pentecost. Then you must desire to ascend, to be a witness to the descent of the Holy Spirit. Finally, you must strive upward toward both, with all your mind, heart, body and soul.

Part-time love, faith and devotion are not enough. Eyes part-time on Light, part-time on the dark are not enough, or you see “in part, through a mirror darkly.” You must exercise and practice all your gifts.

Healing the Seat of Vision

Edna Lister Bible study outline; May 10, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scriptures: Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:31-43.

“And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” – Mark 10:46-52.

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.” – Luke 18:31-43.

Bartimaeus, the blind man, knew who Jesus really was, and called him to him, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” Judea was then full of prophets, false prophets and rumors of a messiah.

Bartimaeus had no fear, but he did have faith. He had nothing to lose but the blindness. You can build your faith only by cleansing the self inside, to make room for more faith.

Jesus knew this man had surrendered enough of his appetitive soul/little self to attain that unconquerable faith. He would not be silenced. Enough faith is enough love. Enough love is the substance and miracle of healing.

Healing the Seat of Vision

Edna Lister Bible study transcript; May 10, 1950, Tacoma, Washington. Scribe: Ruth Bender Collord. Scriptures: Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:31-43.

“And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” – Mark 10:46-52.

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.” – Luke 18:31-43.

While these passages seem to have two different topics — Jesus’ instructions to his disciples concerning their travels to Jerusalem, and stopping to heal Bartimaeus the blind man — spiritual seeing or sight is the one principle that ties them together.

The Master plainly states what will happen “concerning the Son of man” in Jerusalem, and how these events will fulfill prophecies. While “seeing” means to see with the physical eye, it also means to “apprehend as with the eye, to visualize, to understand and comprehend.”

Rumors filled the marketplaces of the towns and villages through which they traveled. The whole countryside was gossiping about miracles and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

None of the disciples were blind, yet they could not see the point he was teaching because the truth was hidden from them. They saw Jesus, but did not see that he was referring to himself as Messiah.

The ancient seers had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the tribe of Judah, as King David had. They knew that Jesus was descended from that tribe, yet could not understand that the prophecies were about to be fulfilled.

The blind man could, of course, could see nothing physically. Yet when he heard the multitude passing by, and asked who was coming. They told him it was Jesus of Nazareth. He heard the answer, and knew the truth.

Bartimaeus had nothing left to lose, except his blindness. He had listened to the same rumors and gossip, and hearing, dared to hope. The disciples, hearing, feared to lose, and so they did not see.

The blind man had faith in what he could not see. So he cried out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd, who could see Jesus, but understood little of what he had to say, told him to be quiet. He cried out louder, and Jesus stopped for him.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. He answered, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” The Light of this man’s unconquerable faith in the Source shines through his answer. He did not demand, “Give me back my sight,” but, “Lord,” acknowledging the law at work, “that I may receive my sight” again as a gift from God.

Light as your unconquerable faith and unquenchable love will heal the seat of vision.

And It Came to Pass

Edna Lister sermon outline; September 10, 1950, Tacoma, Washington; September 17, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-11, Hebrews 11:29-34.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” – Hebrews 11:1-11.

“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” – Hebrews 11:29-34.

“And it came to pass” are the thrilling words that announce a miracle fulfilled. Hebrews 11 is one of the greatest chapters of the Bible, all about miracles through unconquerable faith.

To find your miracle, you must first know where you are headed. Will you go outward to the world, inward to the self, toward the little self in the Land of Egypt, or inward to the realm of soul, upward and onward to the Source of all Light?

To receive a miracle, you must arise and expand into the realm of the miraculous. Further, you must ask yourself three important questions: What have I asked for? How have I asked? Is this really what I want?

Start by adding the right things to your life. In fervent prayer, ask, “Is this right for me? Is this on my path?” If the answer is delayed, you will probably find that you do not want the miracle when it comes. That is your answer.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33. Is what you are asking for really on your path to God? Will it help you to ascend?

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7. Unless you get understanding along with the wisdom, you will remain unable to learn your lessons going forward. Let go of the world and get God.

Next, ask yourself, How have I asked? In full faith, believing? “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” – Matthew 21:22.

Do you believe in “Father, let Thy will be done,” or do you half-demand or insist on imposing a time limit? The law is, Only mine own can come to me. So, if you use force in demands, you will receive force as your answer to prayer.

Build the frame for your miracle, like a painting with only a background and no subject yet. This is how to start building a perfect prayer mold. Never permit the self to indulge in fear. Instead, march onward and upward.

Before you even pray, ask yourself, Is this really what I want? Will what you ask for serve to further your life’s plan? Can you use it to serve God? Be harmless as a dove above, and wise as a serpent before the world.

To draw up your plan, you need a vivid imagination, rigorously clear thinking, and flaming desire. Acting as if you already have your miracle is imperative, for this is the sum total of unconquerable faith.

Hold the plan in mind constantly. Do not forget your plan, or you will never reach your goal. Each hour today is part of that goal, and every minute opens a new hour. “Forward, onward and upward” is the soul’s battle cry.

The same Light that you release as power to vitalize your great plan will also quicken your life’s daily little tasks, to make them perfect. You can visualize to vitalize your plan until it pursues you. Let it thrill you, while you nurture it until you dream about it.

Work toward your plan’s fulfillment, step by step, acting as if it were complete here and now. For example, say you plan to do hand laundry tomorrow morning: Review your laundry practice right now.

First, you shop and buy good soap. Next, you sort your clothes, separating whites from colors. Then you put them on to soak, but change the water before you actually wash them. Adding soap, you begin washing them, rubbing to get any stains out. Finally, you rinse them well before hanging or laying them flat to dry.

Now, imagine you were shopping, seeking for your soul’s pearl of great price. You want it so much that you are willing to sell everything you have to buy it. Thus, desire is your first step.

Next, sort your subconscious hunches from super-conscious intuition to clarify your thinking. Then soak your soul in classes, books and study while you ponder and listen for the voice of soul guidance. Change the water that’s soaking your soul. Let pure spiritual waters flow through you constantly.

Finally, you are ready to rub out the stains, and “Aye, there’s the rub.” Life rubs off your self-made stickers of self-satisfaction and self-exaltation. The more abrasive, the coarser the initial polisher (teacher), the harder and brighter the final polish will be. Your light will shine.

Light as love is the final rinse. Immerse your self in loving God until no room for darkness exists within your heart and soul.

Light as faith, the pure faith of God, is the final accomplishment. Now you are ready to hang your soul up in Light. So, suspend yourself in joy and Light.

And it Came to Pass

Edna Lister sermon transcript; September 10, 1950, Buffalo, New York. Scribes: Edna Bender, Joan Bender Dinse. Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1-11, Hebrews 11:29-34.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” – Hebrews 11:1-11.

“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” – Hebrews 11:29-34.

This chapter of the Letter to Hebrews is one of the New Testament’s mightiest themes, all about the miracles showered on those who had faith, though it may have been unconscious. Read it often to release Power, to spark your interest in God, and to find new ways to exercise your faith, for “He rewards those who diligently seek Him.”

These verses, especially the descriptions of tribulations, prove that early Christian groups had their fair share of nitpickers. They are with us today, too, which is good, because we need them to hold us on track.

A life without adversity would allow your flame of faith to flicker and die, yet one chooses to look up to God, while another regards evil or looks at the mud. Yes, life can sometimes hurt if you let it, but you can make your personal kingdom into pure glorious Light when you see it and declare it so, for joy about even the smallest miracle brings the next.

Others often depend on your faith to bolster theirs, because the weak lean on the strong. Those who lean on others are always with you, yet to “let your Light so shine,” you must do something about it.

The Bible, which is the legacy of humanity’s evolution, expresses fundamental divine law as psychological, metaphysical, scientific, philosophical and mystical values. The Master is always releasing more Power, and writing new universal laws on your heart.

Do you want to live by the vertical law—“I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”–John 12:32, or by the horizontal earth-laws of emergence, maturity and decline?

The future is no place to start, so step up, give up a little more petty self and begin your true soul ascension. You must learn your lessons here, and every member of the Elect should be well along the Path of Ascension by age forty-five.

Each may choose his approach to ascension, outward or inward. Yet you cannot find the laws of soul ascension in the outward approach, which seeks in the world and leads to decline. So you begin with “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”–Hebrews 11:1.

Science seeks the true Way of Ascension in atomic research, and uses the invisible, supernatural atomic substance of faith to do so. Yet, since the impulses of self fill your path with stumbling blocks, delays and losses, you must unbind your body from earth’s appetites and lures or regress.

Let “Inward, upward, onward” be your motto as you expand and arise into the realm of the miraculous. Ask yourself, Where am I headed, definitely, positively in the world of people and things? Am I still concerned with what “they,” the other people do and say?

“Inward” means within the self, which leads to the world, into the Land of Egypt. Yet to walk the Via Christa, you must seek inward, within your soul, upward to meet God, and onward to the Source. To rise into the Light, you must blend all weight, identity, tone and color into the Christ Light.

Three laws apply to the inward approach to God: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” – Matthew 6:33, which means to get wisdom. You let God do His part while you do yours.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7. Finally, with all your wisdom, you get understanding, which is comprehension of divine law, learn your lessons and move onward. Love possesses you when you go inward, upward and onward to God.

First, you need to ask several important questions: What have I asked for? Seeing the goal is essential, because the answer to prayer gradually condenses as you repeatedly visualize it.

You can keep your creative prayer molds on a cloud of Light, untainted by earth, when your little self no longer hides anything. For example, if you want a new house, build a definite, positive picture of a new home on a cloud of Light and let Light as your desire furnish it in beauty.

Stop fearing that you lack faith. Faith is complete when you use what you have definitely, positively, with no willfulness or forcing, holding everything in delicate balance.

How have you asked? Have you asked in unwavering faith, nothing doubting, unafraid, or lukewarmly, doubtful and suspicious of God’s bounty? Doubt cuts your lines of Light to your goal.

Every vibration you are building eventually thins and wears out unless you mentally renew the goal constantly. You must keep your faith burning white hot, your imagination constantly vivid, and your desire flaming.

Do you tell God not to give it to you if it will push you off your path? You have freedom to choose. Do you create delay or interference? Can God trust you? When can you trust yourself?

You will trust yourself when you really begin giving up self-pity, grief, doubt and fear of having. You have this distrustful feeling only while you are hiding the little self. God will wipe out any negative expression, if and when you give up the little self that is hiding from high soul.

Have you asked for what you really want? If you forget it, you have one answer. If what you ask for stays with you and pursues you until you dream of it, you will finally act as if you already have it now.

Nothing is impossible to God, who can and will do anything in time, so you must be unwaveringly steadfast while you act as if you already have it. What you ask for is right for you, if you find that you still want it even if it is delayed.

Have you just bombarded God with petitions? You can pray fervently for three hours a day, but if you are lukewarm the other twenty-one, your neglect catches up with you.

Pray when praise, glory and joy fills your heart, and part of your consciousness always remains with your Oversoul, which forever kneels before an inner altar. Declare, “Father, You are the Source of my life. Please, fill my body with Thy substance of atomic energy.”

So many people have asked selfishly for thousands of years that they have created a vast debt of worldly force, which someone must conquer and pay. Stop adding to the world’s debt with idle words of criticism, blame and faultfinding, which create spiritual debts. Offensive words could lose friends, so you should know the exact meaning of the terms you use.

God cannot change law to save anyone, and making excuses is useless since law takes care of everyone impersonally. You will know that the time for the healing has come when the Light you release exalts the enemy.

As a member of God’s Elect, you are a volunteer for cleanup service, and He is always working with you to lift earth. Release more Power to remove the obstacles that pose a challenge. You can lift and remake darkened soul substance into Light only by declaring and releasing God’s Power.

Look up, fill your body with Light, and learn to distinguish between the subconscious and super-conscious voice, for you must know the difference. Let Oversoul illumination cleanse your intuition, which is God speaking to you.

How do you know that what you pray for is right for your ascension, for your loved ones, neighbors or the world? Avoid making the wrong request.

For example, demanding the money to pay bills is force, which pulls your consciousness down into the heavy world mind, and returns as accidents, delays and disappointment. Gratitude and praise return to you as abundant miracles. Since your Father’s “good pleasure” is to give you what you need, praise, glorify and thank God that you already have the funds you require.

Do you want what you prayed for when it comes? So many people fret and fume on a teeter-totter faith in God’s answer to their prayer that they exhaust themselves. Put your plan on a cloud of Light and love it into being, without fuss or worry.

No matter how much you pray, all you can do is prepare the way for Power to use you and manifest your plan. Success comes when you have loved enough, and your plan’s Power and glory haunt you.

Those souls who imagine that they “know better” than God may try to bypass divine law or take a shortcut to get what they want. You can have your way every time, if it is God’s way.

You shop for the right detergent to launder good clothes, and buy the best brand, even if it’s not on sale. Shouldn’t you be as choosy about your soul cleanser? The Master said to sell everything you have for the pearl of great price, including the dirty soul robes that the little self throws on your mental closet floor.

First, sort your vices, laws and virtues, culling white intuition from colored subconscious hunches and impulses of self. Knock on God’s door for illumination if you are unsure. Soak your ideas about classes, books and studies to loosen the stain of false ideas from the truth, while you ponder and listen.

Now comes the “rub.” You agitate your clothes to remove the stains, and God must disturb you, too. Life is just one group of people, good, bad and indifferent, honest and cheats combined, agitating another. Life rubs off your self-made stickers of self-satisfaction and self-exaltation. The harsher the scrubbing, the finer and brighter the final polishing for perfection.

Light pours in when you ascend in consciousness. You would not rinse your clothes in the dirty wash water, so imagine intuition as the Word of God pouring clean love-water into your brain cells. Law is already clean, perfect and creative. Let the waters of divine Spirit wash and rinse you.

Atomic energy enters to possess and heal you into perfection when you give your body and mind for Light’s use. Say, “God created me for His law to use.” Hang everything up in the Light, and suspend your self in joy to dry.

No matter where you go, you take your self along. Why take “little me?” You can invite your Oversoul to descend to be you. Wear Light like a beautiful new garment, a magnetic robe of protection.

Beauty is the living soul expressing the true glory of God, who is waiting to use you. Be joyous that God must fulfill His promises to His beloved Elect.

Promises Made

Edna Lister sermon transcript; September 17, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scribe: Ruth Johnson. Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1-11, Hebrews 11:29-34.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a reader of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” – Hebrews 11:1-11.

“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” – Hebrews 11:29-34.

Hebrews 11 is one of the mightiest chapters in the New Testament. It’s all about the miracles showered on those who had unconquerable faith. Read it often to release Power.

“Others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented.” – Hebrews 11:36-37.

These verses prove that early Christian groups had their fair share of nitpickers. Groups today have them too, but that is good because we need to have the discipline.

Those who lean on others are with you always — those who are weak lean on those who are strong. One considers God and looks upward, while another considers evil and looks down to the mud. It is all a matter of personal choice.

You can make your kingdom into pure Light. Life hurts if you allow it to, but is glorious when you think it so and see it so. Your joy about one miracle is the blessing that brings the next. The law is “Let your Light so shine.” So, you must do something about it.

Do you want to live by the horizontal earth-laws of emergence, maturity and decline? By age forty-five, you should truly begin to ascend. The vertical law is “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” – John 12:32.

Step up. Give up a little more of the self to make room for the soul. You must learn your lessons of ascension here on earth to reach freedom.

What have you asked for? How have you asked for it? Do you want it when you get it? Analyze these three questions — Is this thing right for your ascension? Is it right for everyone around you, for the world, for your loved ones? Can you ask it for your neighbor and really mean it?

Three laws apply: First, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” – Matthew 6:33. Second, Get wisdom and let God. Third, With all your wisdom, you must get understanding, which is comprehension of law.

How have you asked? Have you just bombarded God with statements or petitions? You can pray for three hours a day, but if you are lukewarm the other twenty-one hours, it will catch up with you. Pray with praise, glory and joy in your heart.

Your Oversoul kneels at your inner altar day and night. Extend part of your consciousness there, saying, “Father, You are my breath of life and the Source of my life. Please fill my body with Thy divine substance as atomic energy.”

You may not use the force of demands under law, or you sink into the world mind. For example, say the house and car payments are due by a certain date. You may not demand the money-substance to pay them; just praise, glorify and thank God that you have the funds you need.

Do you want it when you get it? Do not think of ways to circumvent law, or that your life’s purpose is to get what you want. This merely proves that you think you know better than God. You can get your way every time, if it’s God’s way.

Make your great plan and put it on a cloud of Light. No failure is possible in God. Success comes when you have loved enough and your plan’s power and glory haunts you day and night. No matter how much you pray or how many words you use, all you can do is to prepare the way for Power to move in and use you to bring your plan into manifestation.

Before you do hand laundry, you shop for the right detergent to launder your good clothes. Shouldn’t you be as choosy about the cleanser for your soul? Buy the right cleanser, even if it is not on sale.

The Master said to sell the little that you have for the pearl of great price. That “little” is the little self, the dirty clothes you wear.

Then you sort your laundry, like sorting between super-conscious intuition and subconscious hunches. When you ascend in consciousness, Light pours through and waters your brain cells — what you include in your first wash load.

If you do not sort whites from colors, you bungle, and the colors run. Just so, you must know the meaning of the words you use, for your words may offend and you could lose friends. Knock on God’s door and put some thunder in your knocking. You do not rinse clothes in the same water you used to wash them. Take a life-inventory. Light as intuition is the Word of God dropping into your brain cells. Declare, “God created me for His law to use.”

Law is already clean, perfect and creative. Whenever you let the waters of divine Spirit wash you, you experience healing. When you have given up your body for Light to use, atomic energy enters to possess and heal you.

You rub your clothes and agitate them to get the stains out, so you must rub self and agitate it, too. The harsher the rubbing, the better the polishing for perfection.

Life is just one group of people stacked against another, all agitating each other. Democrats are a group, good, bad and indifferent, honest and cheats combined; Republicans are just the same. Changing political parties does not change the nature of the people you meet.

No matter where you go, you take self along. Do not take your little self of appetitive soul, but God’s Seventh Cavalry. A funny story is told about a U.S. Army cavalry unit uniformed in blue. When the North Koreans saw them, they fled in fear, thinking they were sent by the gods.

Wear Light like a magnetic wall of protection. Declare that magnetic walls of Light surround all nations. Always remember, our nation’s watchword is “onward, upward and ascend.”

Promises Fulfilled

Edna Lister sermon outline; September 24, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio; May 13, 1956. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and 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, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake 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 through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” – 1 Corinthians 13.

Philosophy deals with God as principle. Mysticism deals with God as personality. Since I was twelve years old, I have asked why the Master used the word “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13 instead of “love” when he gave this message to St. Paul. Today I heard the word “comprehension.”

We all love someone or something and most would agree that hate is inverted love. The Master’s whole ministry epitomized intimacy with God the Father. “I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” – John 14:9.

Tennyson wrote, “God is closer than breathing, nearer than hands or feet.” If you eliminate the idea of separation from God, you would lift all darkness. In the moment of soul ecstasy, you are yourself. Anything lower than that moment is unworthy of God, who has created you.

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13. To abide means that a thing is deathless, ageless and abiding. This is the foundation of your personal intimacy with God.

Recognizing the Light of your faith is the first step back toward God. The Light of faith is action, the action of kneeling and praising God, the use of divine creative fire.

Light as faith is your rod of power, the activity of your life. Hope is the goal. Charity is love, the substance of all your creations. Faith is action. Hope is expression. Love is execution. The sum of your life can be totaled with these three words.

You gain all your experiences and accomplishments through action, expression and execution. If you are cold regarding them, you have a static condition. Thus, despite your prayer, you are waiting for words to start you.

Light as faith is action, the starter, yet of what kind of action? One morning this summer in Yellow Pine, Idaho, we went quite early to haul water for the day. The path was blocked by a huge, exquisite spider web, bejeweled with glittering dew in the early morning sun.

We had to tear it down to bring the water through. We watched, and for nineteen days that spider worked to spin her web in the same place. We finally cut back the brush and helped her to relocate.

This spider represents the determination to rebuild each time your web of life is torn down. You must mix your deathless, ageless and abiding desire with faith to put faith into action.

Expression is the essence of the personality you show the world. Individuality is the soul, and personality is a reflection of the soul. Your expression of soul as personality may be hope-less or hope-full, but you must base your expression on hope. Hope is born of soul vision backed by imagination.

Hope is your expression, that which you show the world. If you center your hope on material needs only, then you encircle your hope with needs until you spell it “needy.”

The law is “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33. In His kingdom “all else” is added, which supplies all your needs.

The connotation of execution has evolved from “the act of completing or accomplishing” to mean “capital punishment; death.” But execution still denotes the verb to do. First, you must have determination so strong that it brings your faith to the point of white heat. Then you must visualize your expression.

This is how to see yourself accomplishing your goal. Whatever your goals, do not see yourself as drudging, for that dilutes execution to expectancy.

Charity enters here because your execution begins with the glory of God. Charity is the pure compassion of the Almighty. Like sunshine, it shares itself with all. You get compassion when you give of yourself freely with no thought of self.

Your life is a picture you paint, with foreground and background, light and dark, with richness of color and depth of view. Some people think compassion is sweetness, the perfect background.

For example, many women bind their families by acting sweetly, but this has no depth of background for it lacks compassion. In the foreground, you paint that which is beautiful. Stroke for stroke, you paint your life for others to see.

When darkness comes, that background does not really darken. It is only temporarily veiled by a film over the white Christ Light to heighten the beauty of your brightness.

You build your new life pattern using your creative tools of imagination, thinking and desire as your action, expression and execution. If you do not build a new pattern, you limp along on an obsolete plan. It is all up to you. You must do something toward it and act as if you had it.

Faith is full of the glory of God. Hope is your goal, which is God. Charity produces your miracles. You have known just a faint breath of what is to come when you finally love God enough. “I am in love with You, Father.” Get your credits on high by loving God.

Some women spend forty years seeking a companion to love. If all you want is a companion, you will get him, but you may not like him when he arrives.

The perfect way to get is to love God. Lift your consciousness to Him. Say, “I have fallen in love with God,” until you mean it. Then, if you still wish for a companion, or anything else, your desire will be anchored in God.

Declare, “Faith, my highest moment of ecstasy, is now full of God’s glory. His hope, which is the goal of my life, now becomes my vision of humanity walking earth as gods. His compassion now becomes the substance of my perfect creations.”

The Higher Pantheism
The sun, the moon, the stars, the seas, the hills and the plains,
Are not these, O Soul, the Vision of Him who reigns?

Is not the Vision He, tho’ He be not that which He seems?
Dreams are true while they last, and do we not live in dreams?

Earth, these solid stars, this weight of body and limb,
Are they not sign and symbol of thy division from Him?

Dark is the world to thee; thyself art the reason why,
For is He not all but thou, that hast power to feel “I am I”?

Glory about thee, without thee; and thou fulfillest thy doom,
Making Him broken gleams and a stifled splendour and gloom.

Speak to Him, thou, for He hears, and Spirit with Spirit can meet —
Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.

God is law, say the wise; O soul, and let us rejoice,
For if He thunder by law the thunder is yet His voice.

Law is God, say some; no God at all, says the fool,
For all we have power to see is a straight staff bent in a pool;

And the ear of man cannot hear, and the eye of man cannot see;
But if we could see and hear, this Vision — were it not He?
– Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Promises Fulfilled

Edna Lister sermon transcript; September 24, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scribe: Ruth Johnson. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and 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, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake 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 through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” – 1 Corinthians 13.

For more than fifty years, I have asked why the Master used “charity” when he gave St. Paul this message about love. Today I saw that we also may read the text as comprehension. We all love someone or something, and even hate is nothing more than love inverted. Philosophers study God as principle, but mystics seek to know God as personality.

The Master’s entire ministry epitomizes intimacy with God as the Father of personality. “I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” – John 14:9. You could lift darkness instantly if you eliminated the separation idea from your view of God.

“Now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13. The foundation of your intimacy with God is “deathless, ageless and abiding” faith, your rod of Power connecting you to the Source. Faith is the activity principle of your life.

The first step back to God is kneeling and using the divine creative fire to speak the Word as you praise Him. You apply divine Mind as hope to reach the goal. Love is the Substance of your creations.

Faith is your action, hope is your expression, and love is your execution. You gain your experiences and accomplishments through action, expression and execution, which total the sum of your life.

If your action, expression and execution are cold, a static condition results in illness or paralysis in your affairs. Despite your prayers, you are still waiting for words or the world to start you. Faith is the starter, but of what kind of action?

One morning this summer in Yellow Pine, Idaho, we went early to haul water for the day. A huge spider web, exquisitely dew-jeweled and glittering in the morning sun, blocked our path, and we had to tear the web aside to bring the water through.

That spider worked for nineteen days to spin her web in the same place. She illustrates the fortitude to rebuild each time the world tears your web of life. So you must add deathless, ageless, abiding desire to put faith into action.

Expression is the essence of the personality you show the world. The individuality is the soul’s character, but personality reflects the soul.

Your personal expression may be hopeless or hopeful, but must be founded on hope, which is born of soul vision backed by imagination. If you center your hope on material needs only, then needs envelop your hope until you spell it “needy.” Seek first the kingdom, where God adds all things to supply your needs.

The meaning of “execution” has evolved to suggest destruction, but still implies “fulfillment” and the verb “to do.” Determination sparks your faith, and you express how you see yourself accomplishing the goal. If you imagine yourself as drudging to obtain your goals, you dilute execution to mere expectancy.

Execution begins with God’s glorious charity, which is pure compassion that, like sunshine, shares itself with all. You get compassion when you give freely with no thought of self.

Your life is a picture you paint, foreground and background, light and dark, with richness of color and depth of view. Stroke by stroke, you depict what is beautiful in the foreground, as you paint your life for others to see.

Some people think the perfect background is sweetness. Many women, for example, bind their families by acting sweetly, but this lacks the depth of compassion. Similarly some people spend forty years seeking someone to love. If all you want is a companion, you’ll find one, but you may not like him when he arrives.

The perfect way to get anything is to love God. Lift your consciousness to Him and say, “I have fallen in love with You, God” until you mean it. Whatever you wish for, anchor your desire in God.

Build a new life pattern using imagination, thinking and desire as your action, expression and execution. If you do not follow a new pattern, you limp along on an obsolete plan. Doing something about your plan is up to you, so act as if you’ve already attained the goal.

Faith is full of God’s glory, hope is your goal of perfection, which is God, and charity produces your miracles. Take your credits on high by loving God enough. You’ve known just a faint breath of what will come when you finally love God enough to fulfill His promises to you.

You are your true self in your soul’s moment of ecstasy. Anything lesser is unworthy of God, who has created you.

“I am in love with You, Father. Faith, my highest moment of ecstasy, is now full of God’s glory. Hope, the goal of my life, now becomes my vision of humanity walking earth as creator gods. Your Light as compassion now becomes the substance of my perfect creations.”

What I Do Have, I Give

Edna Lister sermon outline; October 1, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scripture: Acts 3:1-10.

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.” – Acts 3:1-10.

The story of the lame man describes Peter’s first miracle, and we call it an act because it was instantaneous. Sometimes instant healing is not best for a person, because he must cleanse subconscious fears and ideas first, and burn with desire to ascend before the appearance of an ailment will disappear.

Early in the 20th century, when healing was still closely related to practical applied psychology, Dr. Thomas Parker Boyd, an Episcopalian priest and a psychologist, healed a woman of a psychosomatic appearance of a goiter. However, it returned until she cleansed her subconscious mind of certain earthly ideas. She needed a process before the act of a miracle could occur.

A pianist learns the keyboard, notes, then the scales. Yet no matter his field or how brilliantly he performs, an artist must grasp the basics first — healing works the same way.

“A miracle is either an act or a process according to your desire,
awareness, recognition, acceptance, and surrender.”

Peter and John’s first miracle has a definite aura of glory, though the story provides no background information about the man in need of healing. The psychological basis is apparent in many stories about miracles Jesus performed.

For example, Jesus anointed one blind man’s eyes with mud, then sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam because ideas of blindness had filled his subconscious mind from birth. You must remove every prejudice, opinion and negative emotion from your life before you can receive a lasting miracle.

A miracle is either an act or a process according to your desire, awareness, recognition, acceptance, and surrender.

Desire is the Creative Impulse, a fundamental principle, which you bring with you and use, turned either up to heaven, or out and down into the world. A person who desires nothing different is lukewarm, just a step from the creature-consciousness stage of living by three urges, eating, sleeping and mating.

God had all Wisdom, Love and Power, but had no one upon whom to lavish it. He desired companions, so He created with three Emanations of the one supernal Light.

Father Wisdom plans and builds the molds, Mother Love fills them with the same invisible Substance that forms your body, and Christ, the Son of Light, animates the filled molds, just as Spirit fills justice with mercy to form compassion.

You first express God’s Wisdom and Love as will and desire. Wisdom as your will opens the pineal body to illumination. Love as your desires opens the pituitary gland to intuition, and desire, added to will, opens the creator’s Oversoul I AM consciousness.

The Armageddon violence and war today are cleansing the world’s subconscious mind of its opinions and prejudices. Christ has come again, and lives in the hearts and minds of ascending humanity. Flaming desire makes you aware that God is greater than self, and you ponder the mysteries of consciousness in that awareness.

Awareness means “to be cognizant, conscious, awake, alert, watchful, and vigilant.” The world is unconscious of being unconscious, and most people live in a vaguely aware state.

Intellectuals are conscious enough to desire to win arguments, yet many are now recognizing that what they have is not enough, and intellect without consciousness is futile.

Awareness is the awakening of consciousness. When you are unaware, you are unconscious, not paying attention. You are supposed to be aware of what approaches — a friend or danger. You are easily aware of love or hate. Yet you must synthesize the five senses into one for true soul awareness.

Recognition is also a universal faculty. You use it to place a person or a thing in the right category, and to give it a name. Recognition means “to know again,” and you notice “it” when “it” hits you hard enough to affect your consciousness.

You name it, give it a value, and accept or reject it. Recognition is the key to acceptance of Light, the first condition you knew, as God was the first Person you knew.

Acceptance is always personal. Too often people say, “I accept” when they really want to “think about it,” not accept it. While acceptance is crucial to Ascension, not accepting resentment, blame or criticism as yours before you lift it is important.

You reject God and the Light if you disapprove or prejudicially reject a person or condition. Give up your pride of intellect and opinions. Accept what wounds your vanity about being right.

Every surrender to God is a rebirth to Light. Complete surrender to be possessed of Light will lead you to become the servant of all Power, exercising compassion for everyone. Surrender is an act of soul.

People dislike the idea surrendering, thinking that it means giving in to others. Yet you surrender first to God, then to love, to forgiveness and to Light. When you truly surrender, you are then lifted, filled, used, and happy because God needs you.

Now you are ready for an instantaneous miracle. Stop asking for it, and start declaring, “I have it.” Seek first the kingdom, and God will add everything else.

The sense of wealth is essential. Have an “I am rich” consciousness. Like everyone else, you have been on the receiving end of poverty to gain understanding and compassion. Yet, you should have beauty, health and wealth, everything you desire.

Declare, “I am the wealth of God. I am the wealthiest person in the world.” Now go and collect your inheritance!

Peter, who represents the faculty of faith, and John, who symbolizes love, were “together.” You are never alone because God is always with you in faith and love. “Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” – Acts 3:4-6.

Peter symbolizes Power, yet Power can do nothing without Love, which John epitomizes. The lame man expected to receive something from Peter and John. His expectancy, the creative step, was the healing.

The creature’s type of expectancy is usually based on fear that he will be hurt. The creator expects plenty of Light, life and glory because he knows “I AM health, wealth and love.”

“What I do have, I give.” What you have is the Light of the Creator. The creature dwells in the darkness of self. Only a creator has the power to surrender freely to God’s Light.

All things consist of this Light, which is always flowing and available. The Light, as the Power, does the work, and Light is the Way of Ascension.

You receive the hidden riches from above when you create from Light. To most people, ascension is like climbing a mountain — they go up, turn, cross laterally and descend.

Soul ascension is going up always. All you need to do is use Light to create the right emotional and mental conditions for God to move in and heal.

When you use a weak love, poor in quality, it causes delay. You must leave so much out if you use time, as length, instead of love as quality, which is the difference between now and later.

Love contains peace, which is a lesser principle of harmony. Dedicate time daily to lifting war and poverty, release Light to vitalize substance, and lift the vibration of the masses.

“Such as I do have, I give you.” Give while you work, dedicating everything you do to God, to His Love, Wisdom and Power. Lift in dedication, knowing that all will become a joy.

Whether you are a musician, a cook or a typist, you are a creator. Accept your divine heritage and give!

What I Do Have, I Give

Edna Lister sermon transcript; October 1, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scribe: Ruth Johnson. Scripture: Acts 3:1-10.

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.” – Acts 3:1-10.

Today’s story is about Peter’s first miracle., which has about it a definite glory, although the story provides no psychological background. The psychological foundation is apparent in many stories about the miracles Jesus performed. For example, Jesus anointed one blind man’s eyes with mud, then sent him to wash in the Pool of Siloam because his mind was filled ideas of blindness from birth.

We call a miracle an act because it is instantaneous. However, sometimes instantaneous healing is not best for you. You must cleanse subconscious fears and ideas first, and have a burning desire to ascend before the appearance of an outer ailment will disappear.

Early in this century, when healing was closely intertwined with psychology, Dr. Thomas Parker Boyd, a minister and psychologist, healed a woman of psychosomatic goiter. It returned, however, and remained for a year until she had cleansed her subconscious mind of certain earthly ideas. She needed a process before the act of a miracle could occur.

You must remove every prejudice, opinion and negative emotion from your life, a process of five essential steps. A pianist, for instance, first learns the keyboard, notes, then scales. No matter how brilliant an artist’s performance, a process of learning the basics preceded it. All cases of healing are the same.

A soul who desires nothing different is the lukewarm type, just a step from the creature stage where one lives by the three instinctive creature urges — eating, sleeping and mating.

What is desire? God had all Wisdom, Love and Power, but had no one upon whom to lavish it. He desired companions, and so Creation began.

All things begin with the three Emanations and the Holy Ghost. The Father of Wisdom plans and builds the molds. The Mother of Love fills the molds with the same invisible substance of which your body is formed. The Son of Light is the Holy Ghost, surnamed the Christ, which animates the molds, formed and filled.

In humanity, wisdom and love express as will and desire. The Holy Ghost is that which fills justice with mercy to form compassion. Desire, expressing as love, opens the pituitary to intuition. Will, expressing as wisdom, opens the pituitary to illumination. Thus, desire, added to will, becomes the creator’s I AM consciousness.

The Armageddon we see on earth today, the violence and war, is cleansing the world’s subconscious mind of all its opinions and prejudices. Christ has already come again, and lives in the hearts and minds of the ascending Elect.

Once you have built a flaming desire, you are led into a state of awareness of something greater than self, of what God is. In that awareness, you may ponder the mysteries of consciousness. The world is unconscious of being unconscious. Many people live in a vague state, only half awake.

Intellectuals are conscious enough to desire to win arguments. Many are now becoming aware that what they have is not enough. Intellect alone, without consciousness, is futile.

Recognition means “to know again.” You recognize something when it hits you hard enough to affect your consciousness. Recognition names it, gives it a value, and then you either accept or reject it. This third step is the key to acceptance of Light.

Light was the first condition you knew. God was the first person you knew. If you reject a person or condition because of prejudice or disapproval, you reject God and the Light.

Give up your pride of intellect and opinions. Accept all that offends your vanity about being “right.” From acceptance comes the fifth step.

Complete surrender to Light, to be possessed of the first principle of God, leads you to become the servant of all Power, exercising compassion for all others and yourself. Every rebirth in consciousness is a surrender to the Light of God, the first things you knew. Then you are ready for an instantaneous miracle.

Stop asking for it. Instead, declare, “I have it.” Seek first the kingdom, and everything else will be added. You must have the sense of wealth. You should have beauty, health and wealth, everything you desire. You find yourself on the receiving end of poverty to gain understanding and compassion.

“I am in constant contact with the wealth of God.” Now go and collect it. Have a “collecting” consciousness. Declare, “I am the wealthiest person in the world.”

Peter symbolizes Power. John symbolizes Love. Power is Energy, which cannot do anything without love. The cripple in this story expected to receive from Peter and John. This was the healing itself, that expectancy, the creative step.

Choose your hours or day to dedicate to lifting world poverty, to vitalize and lift the substance and vibration of the masses. Lift everything that way. Light absorbs bacteria and viruses.

“Such as I have give I thee.” You can give while you work; dedicate all you do to God, to His Love, Wisdom and Power. Lift in dedication to knowing the truth — that all shall become a joy.

The end is joy. This is true in all walks of life, whether you are a musician, cook or typist. Peace is the principle of harmony contained in Mother Love.

I Remember

Edna Lister sermon outline; October 8, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scriptures: Acts 2:1-8, Acts 2:16-20.

“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. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” – Acts 2:1-8.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come.” – Acts 2:16-20.

Pentecost is the Jewish festival of first fruits and it occurs seven weeks after Passover. The prefix, pente-, means fifty. Christians call it Whitsunday and use it to celebrate the descent of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus had told his disciples that they would go and teach all nations. They waited together in prayer for ten days before Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Ghost, which they saw as cloven tongues of flame on their shoulders.

You have nothing to fear in the flames of Spirit; they are the Light and life of God, who does not destroy. Doubts and fears drag you down.

They spoke in tongues. God sent forth a vibration of Light and the words fell on the hearers’ developed brain cells. The hearers interpreted the vibration in accordance with the speaker’s needs. If their brain cells were opened, they heard.

You may hear earth’s noises with your ears, but listen to God with your brain cells. You cannot use the mystic eye unless you open your brain cells under prayer.

The hundred twenty disciples were caught up on a common vibration of prayer. They brought in three thousand people the first week because the vibration that had come though the disciples in the upper chamber attracted them.

Take stock every night, but retain no sense of unworthiness or sin. Every day is a day of judgment. Reach out with your arms of love and gather in your own negative thoughts, deeds or words spoken while subconscious mind used your voice.

Lift each hour up to God, into the Light. Consecrate your self each night to something constructive for the following day so the Holy Ghost can descend to you.

Keep your accounts paid and up to date. Do not carry yesterday’s limitations forward into today. The only tragic thing is to drag one day’s limitations into the next. Balance all the day’s activities nightly and wipe the slate clean.

The process of ascension is “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” – Matthew 6:33. Do you look down for the kingdom? Look up in consciousness.

Reaching forth for the high calling of Christ causes petty things to shrink. Nightly, see that your mountains of grief become molehills.

How does your ministry compare with Christ’s? “Ye are gods.” – John 10:34, and, “It doth not yet appear what ye shall be.” – 1 John 3:2. Your Oversoul is formed of substance higher in vibration than an atomic bomb; this is your electronic fire body. How can you then invoke the Power that Jesus invoked and still be afraid? How can you invoke the Spirit of Christ and suffer harm?

When you stand and act like a creator god to make your statements, they are filled with the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven. “All things else shall be added.” Nothing is more definite.

“Agree with thine adversary quickly.” – Matthew 5:25. Most arguments result from people being afraid to tell the truth to their families and friends about their opinions. The first step in agreeing with your adversary is to seek first the kingdom of heaven. When you do, the Father puts the words of love on your lips. Are you going to drag along cantankerous family members? If you fear admitting your convictions, remain quiet.

When you lift others into your kingdom of Light, you will see what a small problem they really are; you will have understanding and compassion. Declare, “She is right where she is. It is her right to live as she desires until she completes her lessons.”

All degrees and kinds of people exist. You have five seconds in which to declare the adversary good where he is. God never sent you to cleanse another person’s will, but gave everyone freedom to choose.

First, root out the lying adversary in your own heart. You have no one to blame but yourself. It’s like being the prodigal son. A time always comes when you look up and cry, “God, I cannot stand this any longer.” Then the Father’s Light can move in.

“What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” – John 21:22. You may not impose a time limit on healing for yourself or another. Each must be healed according to the class he occupies.

For an alcoholic, declare that every glass becomes a chalice of communion that melts and dissolves every earthly desire so it becomes pure Spirit. Then the very thing he touches becomes the healer.

Do not waste time by looking around to see if you are having a miracle or you kill the miracle vibration. Joshua led Israel around the walls of Jericho for seven days without once looking back.

God has never been able to completely work through any Christian group because their leaders stumbled and their followers left them. You have no right to criticize any teacher, preacher, minister, or anyone. You will not even think to do so if you are listening for God in contemplative receptivity.

Remember — “Only my own can come to me.” Search for gifts of darkness to give the Father. Black pearls are more precious than white ones. Make your blackness of idle thoughts and words into a rosary of pearls of glory leading to the white Christ Light.

Flexibility allows the other fellow to let the Light come through, not you. Practice absolute surrender to be used by the Power. March on in Light, keep your mind open, and love.

“Come unto me,” said the Master, “all of you, and receive from the fount of life. I will come unto you on a cloud.” And he has come on a cloud. He does lead us on.

You are God’s sons and daughters. You have sought and found, and now must hold it. Back it up with devotion.

Prodigal sons and daughters return to their Father. This is humility in action. “This is good” are your magic words. Your magic wand is always lighted from above for your creations. You must stand, even if a thousand fall at your right hand. When you have finally ascended, you are not born again of flesh.

I Remember

Edna Lister sermon transcript; October 8, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scribe: Ruth Johnson. Scriptures: Acts 2:1-8, Acts 2:16-20.

“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. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” – Acts 2:1-8.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come.” – Acts 2:16-20.

Pentecost is the Jewish Festival of First Fruits held seven weeks after Passover, which Christians celebrate as the descent of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had told his disciples to go to Jerusalem where the Holy Spirit would baptize them. They were united on a common vibration of faith and expectancy as they waited together ten days in prayer.

The Pentecost flames are nothing to fear, for they are the Light and life of God made manifest. The Holy Spirit descended upon them because they agreed as one, being of one heart, mind and purpose.

“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” – Acts 2:6-8.

The Father’s vibration of Light attracted 3,000 people that week. The Light fell on their brain cells as words, which they heard and interpreted according to their needs, if their brain cells were opened. Your ears hear earth’s noises, but you listen to God with your brain cells as the mystic eyes and ears open under prayer.

Every day is Judgment Day, so take stock nightly, with no sense of unworthiness. Reach out arms of love and gather negative thoughts, deeds or words spoken while subconscious mind used your voice. Consecrate yourself to constructive action tomorrow so the Holy Spirit can descend on you.

The only tragedy is to drag one day’s liabilities into the next, so never carry today’s debits into tomorrow’s ledger. Keep your accounts up to date, balance the day’s activities each night, and wipe the slate clean.

Remember where to go. The process of ascension is, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33. Do you look down for it? You look up.

Most people are more concerned about their relationships with other people than they are about their relationship with God. The “high calling of Christ” will shrink petty matters, and your mountains of grief will become molehills.

How does your ministry compare to Christ’s? “Ye are gods” and it does not yet appear what you shall be. The vibration of your Oversoul fire body is higher than an atomic blast, so how can you fear to invoke the Power Jesus invoked? What can harm you?

You always choose between putting on an outer show and true ascension. An adept “demonstrates,” while the ascending soul waits on God for the miracle of “added things.” Though you may have some outer loss, righteousness fills your words when you stand and act as a creator god to speak. “All these things shall be added to you.” Nothing could be more definite.

Remember to be receptive to change. To do this, you must “Agree with thine adversary quickly.” – Matthew 5:25. You have five seconds to declare an adversary good, where he is, or fail the test.

Most spats result when people say they “just can’t lie” about their opinions. The first step in agreeing is to seek harmony in the kingdom of heaven, where the Father will put words of love on your lips. Since you cannot push a cantankerous person ahead of you, remain quiet if you think that admitting your convictions will cause an argument.

Remember to be flexible. People come in all degrees and kinds. God never sent you to cleanse another person’s desire or will, but gave you freedom to choose.

Your responsibility is “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” – John 12:32. Lift the stinkers, see how petty they are, and you’ll understand them with compassion.

A perfect strategy for curbing your will and desires is to recall that “It’s her right to live as she chooses until she finishes learning her lessons.” Flexibility, not your will, encourages the other fellow to let the Light in. Practice absolute surrender of self to God to let Power use you.

Remember whose you are and from where you came. You must “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:22. You can blame no one but yourself.

The time always comes when you look up, cry, “God, I can’t stand this any longer” and Light moves in, but first you must root out the lying adversary in your heart. Like the prodigal son, you can turn to God whenever you choose.

Remember to hold your balance under fire. The perfect emotional and mental brakes are found in “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” – John 21:22. Do not limit any healing.

You can declare that an alcoholic’s every drink is a Chalice of Communion to melt and dissolve his earthy desire into pure Spirit. Then, every drink he touches will become the healer. God must heal each according to the class they occupy, not according to your will.

Never look to see if the miracle has come. Joshua led Israel around Jericho for seven days without once looking back, and the walls fell when they finished that monotonous marching. March in Light, with an open mind, and love God.

“And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” – Acts 2:18. God has not used any Christian group so completely since the events recorded in Acts because their leaders stumbled and their followers left them.

You have no right to criticize anyone, and you will not even think to if you listen in contemplative receptivity. “Only my own can come to me.” Search for gifts of darkness to give the Father. These black pearls are the most precious, so string them as a rosary of glory leading to the white Christ Light.

“Come to me” says the Master, “all of you. Receive from the Fount of Life, and I will come to you on a cloud.” He has come on a cloud, and he leads us. We are God’s prodigal sons and daughters, who must return to Him in humility of soul action.

This is good are your magic words, your magic wand, always lighted from above for your creations. You must stand as a creator, no matter what. “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” – Psalm 91:7. You have sought and found, now remember to hold your magic wand in devotion.

The Way of Ascension

Edna Lister Bible study outline; October 29, 1950, Buffalo, New York. Scriptures: Acts 2:1-8, Acts 2:16-20.

“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. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” – Acts 2:1-8.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come.” – Acts 2:16-20.

Jesus had appeared to his disciples several times during the forty days between his Resurrection and Ascension. He gave them orders and charges about what they were to do.

They watched him ascend and one hundred and twenty gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem, where they waited ten days for the baptism by the Holy Spirit. Cloven tongues of fire sat upon them, yet they were unafraid.

What is this Way of Ascension? It is a way of life, beauty, strength and of glory. The Way of Ascension is all that is.

The first step is preparation to fulfill the great law of “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness.” – Matthew 6:33. The disciples and apostles spent ten days in the upper chamber while they raised the vibration of their cells, body, brain and endocrine glands.

The second step is flexibility, to agree with God and to adjust to your fellow man without arguing. Here you learn to bend under pressure, not break. You learn to accept your lessons in life, and to hold your place on the path.

The third step is balance in devotion and action. Holding your balance is easier when you always ask, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” – John 21:22.

Your devotion must be great in both quality and quantity. You apply devotion as praise above, before the heavenly thrones, and as love below, for your fellow man, which draws the blessing of joy to you.

Balanced action is always “doing the next thing next,” with your eyes on the Light while ignoring outer appearances. Balance knows that it is never too late, it never takes too long, and lives without fussing or worrying.

Part-time love, faith and devotion are not enough. Eyes focused part-time on the Light, part-time on the dark are not enough.

“Come unto me” the Master says, and when you do, the Holy Spirit descends. You must bring all of your self — all love, all faith, all devotion, all actions. “Bring it unto me” and it all becomes rich seed planted for a rich harvest.

Life is your pathway of glory, and walking it afire with zeal and zest for life brings you to the triumph of health, strength, companionship and love.

Unconquerable Faith

Edna Lister sermon outline; November 5, 1950, Buffalo, New York; February 19, 1956. Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11.

“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” – Matthew 4:1-11.

“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.” – Matthew 4:1. Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights, and Satan tempted him when he was as weak as a man can be.

What are the three temptations? First is the misuse of Light as divine Substance, second, the misuse of Light as divine Mind and knowledge, and third, the misuse of Light as divine Power, for the self.

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:3-4.

The law to apply in the face of such a temptation is to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33.

Everyone has the equal right to advance, to achieve, to conquer self. Still, eventually you reach the same drab, gray, desert of loneliness, where all you ask is “Why is this happening? How long will this last?” Here you either choose to quit, or add to your faith’s completeness every hour.

You must have a strong purpose behind your faith to create, or you will tend to misuse divine substance to the self. You must climb from blind faith and belief into a deep conviction that God is.

You can stand only by an abiding, unalterable conquering faith. Then you climb from your “conviction” into the full Light of faith in God, which is the faith of God.

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” – Matthew 4:5-7.

This temptation involves the knowledge gained of divine Mind for the self. For instance, Scripture says that you would be unhurt by poison, yet you would not deliberately drink arsenic to prove the point.

More subtly, you may know another person’s main point of weakness, yet if you prey on his flaw, use it or manipulate it for your gain, you misuse divine Mind. The world is full of such manipulation for greed and power. You must reach the point of obedience to all known laws, and to attend every detail, unwaveringly, with eyes ahead.

“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” – Matthew 4:8-10.

Under the temptation to use divine Power for the self, you move from faith “in” God to the unconquerable faith “of” God. You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve. It does not say to worship the self, human nature or any “parts” of God, but all of God.

Now comes the need for persistence in asking, seeking and knocking. Are you tired? You are. I am. God is tired of waiting. You count on God to deliver, then ask, “When, oh Lord, when will it come?” The real question to ask is, Can He count on me?

A tired desire “looks on” while others do. A tired choice moves on, but not far. Active faith, the faith of God, lives on, never tiring, but always refreshed.

Three Temptations on the Way

Edna Lister sermon outline; November 12, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scriptures: Genesis 3:8-15, Matthew 4:1-11.

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:8-15.

“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” – Matthew 4:1-11.

The Lord walked in the garden in the dusk of evening. In Job, Satan appeared before the throne of God. Any saint or sinner may ask to appear before a Council and have a hearing. Satan told the Council that Job was not as perfect as he thought he was. Job was on the brink of blaspheming after his trouble. Yet his estate was greater than ever at the end.

The descended creator gods disagreed. Some decided God's evolutionary process was just too slow. Others challenged that no one could live a life on earth in all perfection, with no negativity in thought, word or deed. They spit on Jesus as they led him through Jerusalem bearing his cross.

Jesus fasted forty days and nights in the wilderness, and though he had manna from heaven he was hungry. That's when Satan appeared, and said, “Turn these stones into bread.”

The three temptations are on the misuse of Substance, of Mind, and of Power. All those who walk the Path of Christ face these temptations to demonstrate with Power on the many sub-levels of the Adept Degree.

Yet when you achieve the Master Degree, your temptations deal with self-centered interpretations. One famous master of occult wisdom spent the declining years of his life begging for funds to pay for a headquarters building, his monument to self.

Eventually, you face the challenge of a dark, drab place where you feel alone. Here you must “Seek first the kingdom of heaven” while you work to the glory of God, not to the self.

Your loved ones often forsake you at that point, as do the followers of a teacher from whom they expect miracles. You can stand on faith or just plain quit. Increasingly, your conviction that God is everything that you want to be and to become grows great enough, and you move onward and upward in consciousness.

The gift, from Adept to Christos, is that law tempts you to ask why this test has come and how long it will last. Your answer is to look up and ascend in consciousness. You do not live by demonstrations but by the Word of God.

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” – Matthew 4:5-7.

“I won’t” and “I will” are a challenge to law. You must always eat those words. They are payable-on-demand drafts to pay your debts now because you tempt the Lord with “will” or “won’t.”

Lift your darkness and earth’s into the Light, which is the Elect’s privilege and choice on sacrifice. The world is full of those who tempt law. The business world generally runs on preying or tempting others. They use the weaknesses of many to pander to a few.

If it is not good for the whole world to do all the time, it is not good for you to do even once. Your task is to be responsible to God and to your soul. Attention to details alone will put you into the place that God has waiting for you.

Satan showed Jesus the kingdoms of earth and said, “Fall down and worship me.” Thus, he tempted him to misuse Power.

The sign of the Christos Degree is the yearning burning desire to help and to heal. In so doing, you become a house built on a rock foundation. Your faith of God cannot be touched. Finally, He rolls all your service and love into a mighty bundle and gives it back to you in glory.

The first temptation is to just plain quit. How do you know when you have prayed enough? Not until God performs the miracle.

A person who is weak in the knees is first weak in the brain. So many people in life look on, hope for the best, expect the worst, and quit. Why quit when every choice can move you a step closer to God?

Faith lives on, but desire looks on. Choice moves on, but faith lives on as you. Start drawing on the Father’s limitless joy for your expression. God even loves joyful sinners.

Come out from behind your dark glasses. Contrast yourself with Jesus, with the laws of God. Dare to live up to the Light of God, as the pure faith of God, the Love of God, the Wisdom of God. Let your faith live on as God.

Three Temptations on the Way

Edna Lister sermon transcript; November 12, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scribe: Ruth Johnson. Scriptures: Genesis 3:8-15, Matthew 4:1-11.

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” – Genesis 3:8-15.

“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” – Matthew 4:1-11.

Any saint or sinner may ask to appear before a heavenly Council and be heard. Satan appeared before the throne of God, which means he petitioned a heavenly Council, told them that righteous Job was not as perfect as they thought, and that he could expose Job’s weakness.

Job had always been an apple-polisher, so he really thought he had reached the ultimate and was perfect. The temptations always strike when you dare do that.

The Lord gave Satan power over everything Job had, and he lost family, lands, house and wealth. Job bore all the trials, but when Satan smote him with “sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown,” he could take no more.

He was “too good” to sit on boils, which represented his weakest points of selfishness, so he sat in the ashes of his immolated self, the sign of healing. Understanding, compassion, and consideration for others’ feelings all grow from the ashes of immolated self.

Job was on the brink of blaspheming God after his trouble, but remained true, so his estate was greater than ever at the end of his trials. Just so, some rebellious descended creator gods challenged that no one could live a life on earth in perfection, without expressing negativity in thought, word or deed. Jesus came to face their challenge and they spit on him.

The Spirit had led Jesus to the wilderness, where he presented himself for formal initiation. He fasted forty days and nights, and though angels fed him manna from heaven, he was as weak as a man can be, still hungry! Satan appeared when Jesus was least prepared:

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:3-4.

All who walk the Path of Ascension are tempted to misuse the Light as Substance, Mind and Power under every degree, from Neophyte to Christos. Most people are initiated under the Adept Degree, where you learn how to demonstrate selflessly, make a show to prove themselves.

Jesus had already earned his Master Degree, so his Christos temptations dealt with self-based interpretations of Law. Many great souls have mistaken the path at this point, begging for funds to build monuments to ego instead of to God.

The challenge always comes when you find yourself alone in a drab place. Students often leave a teacher when life presents a dull or bumpy road. Self asks “Why should I have to?,” and “How long will these tests last?”

The answer is to look up in consciousness, hold the conviction that God is, then move onward and upward. You live not by manipulating substance, people or events, but by the Word of God. Work to the glory of God, not to the exaltation of self.

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” – Matthew 4:5-6.

The world is full of people who tempt law by misusing Mind, daring others to take chances or unwise risks. Many businesses prey on or “tempt” others, manipulating the weaknesses of many to pander to a few.

If it is not right and good for the whole world to do all the time, then it is not good for you to do even once. Lift your personal darkness and earth’s in sacrifice, which is the Elect’s privilege and choice.

You must act responsibly, and attention to life’s many details brings you to God. “I won’t” and “I will” challenge law and “tempt the Lord.” You must always eat idle words, so why speak them?

“The devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” – Matthew 4:8-9.

This initiation is about misusing Light as Power. Yearning burning desire to help and heal is the sign of the Christos Degree. When you build your house on rock, where your faith of God cannot be touched, God finally rolls all your service and love into a mighty bundle and returns it to you as glory.

The first temptation is always just plain quitting. A man is weak in the head before he’s weak in the knees, meaning that he lacks mental staying power before he lacks physical stamina. Such people watch others do, hope for the best, expect the worst, and quit.

Desire looks on, choice moves on, but faith lives on as you. Choice takes you a step closer to God, where you can express the Father’s limitless joy. God loves joyful sinners.

You have prayed enough when God finally performs the miracle. First you must take off your dark glasses and live in the Light.

Contrast yourself with Jesus and the law, then dare to live up to the Light of God, as the pure faith, Love and Wisdom of God. Let your faith live on as God.

I Will Arise and Go to My Father

Edna Lister sermon outline; November 19, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scripture: Luke 15:11-32.

“A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” – Luke 15:11-32.

We are all like the prodigal son in one degree or another. If you are looking for ways to shirk responsibility, you will find them. God is just and merciful; He is all powerful, perfect and good.

This text paints a picture of a household. The older brother was jealous when the prodigal son came home to his father’s celebration. The father had given the boy money, but had not divided his land or the house.

The young man had wasted everything. The older brother had increased his material wealth. The younger son loved his father. The older son loved the land, crops and animals.

Something is always wrong when a boy leaves home. Elaborate on the story of the prodigal son as a swineherd, poor for first time in his life. He became aware of what he had left behind. In sorrow, despair, hunger and loneliness, he thought of how well his father’s servants were fed. His love for his father was stronger than his dread of his older brother.

“I will arise and go to my father’s house. I have sinned against God and my father and will tell him so.” He assumed the blame for his whole life, from childhood on, and was ready to pay his debt. He gave up everything for the sight of his father and to have his belly full.

The gift of a robe, ring and shoes meant the initiation was on complete surrender of self. Faith is like a grain of mustard seed, grown into a mighty tree, which describes how unconquerable faith grows to comprehend God as love.

The Wanters belong in the blame class. Whatever goes wrong, it must be God’s fault. “If God wants me to ascend in consciousness, He should lift these obstacles from my path.”

The Wisher class is always waiting for it to fall into their laps. “I wish God would just give it to me, if I am supposed to have it.” Everything else is too much trouble.

The Off-in-a-corner type says, “I can’t stand the vibration of a group. I can only get it by staying in my little corner and getting it alone. I don’t need a teacher.”

God help the fellow who gets everything he wants; he is already on the slide into decline. You can arise and become a creator god. One good shot of Light could lift you like an atomic bomb.

The Fearful type is afraid to be wealthy in strength, afraid to be trusted with money. Those who say, “I didn’t come for loaves and fishes” are foolish. You cannot pay the bills by being proud of being poor.

God trusts you with free will. Why shouldn’t He trust you with His endless substance? If you cannot imagine spending, you have no million dollar plans. You should be able to decide on what to buy within an hour or you have no plans. Stop being afraid that if it is good for you it will hurt someone else.

If you have had enough, rise up and say so. Learn not to be soft. You get not a single credit in heaven for being overly soft. Continue planning, despite family opposition.

The boy had forgotten that his father still had land and other assets. No injustice can exist in God, only whole, complete love, justice tempered with mercy. The Father’s love is so great that He gave us His Son. Can you realize how much love this is? Wisdom must balance the love of God.

Declare, “I arise! I accept my responsibility. I surrender to live the Christed life. I ascend to love my Father with praise, undiluted by any petty self. I will go to my Father’s house to dwell in pure, perfect, glorious love.”

I Will Arise and Go to My Father

Edna Lister sermon transcript; November 19, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scribe: Ruth Johnson. Scripture: Luke 15:11-32.

“A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” – Luke 15:11-32.

The story of the prodigal son paints the picture of a household and its members. Family life is meaningful because we all live life in cycles, and must face the same annual vibrations, which are ever new, never old. We are all like the prodigal son in one degree or another. You can invariably find ways to shirk responsibility if you look for them.

Something is always wrong in the family when a young boy leaves home abruptly. The older brother was envious when his father celebrated the prodigal son’s return, which probably reveals a lifelong pattern of jealousy.

The younger son loved his father, but grew tired and resentful of his brother’s nagging rivalry. He took his inheritance, left for the city, spent his money entertaining fair-weather friends, and became a swine herd when he had nothing left. In regret, despair, hunger and loneliness he remembered what he had left behind and how well his father fed his servants.

Meanwhile the elder brother had increased his father’s material wealth because he loved the land, crops and animals. He also had chosen to do what he enjoyed.

The father had not divided his land or bequeathed the house, but the younger son had forgotten the other property. He knew he had sinned, but love for his father won over dread of his older brother.

Through suffering and sorrow, the prodigal son learned that true wealth is intangible, not money or material things. And when he knew, he did something about it.

The initiation was about complete soul surrender of self, which comes in several degrees, and most people yield no more than from the teeth out. The prodigal son assumed the blame for his whole life, gave up all false pride, and was ready to pay his debt, to see his father and fill his empty belly.

When he used the magic words, “I will arise and go to my father,” he had perfect faith that his father would love him anyway. Faith is like a mustard seed grown into a mighty tree, which symbolizes unconquerable faith comprehending God as love.

His father’s gifts illustrate your divine inheritance, the ring of unity with God, the robe of soul purity, and sandals of complete understanding. From poverty, he returned to the riches of his father’s house.

Do you feel wealthy, like a millionaire? So many poverty-conscious souls answer this question with, “I can’t feel like a millionaire while I’m in this fix. Why should I want to feel like a millionaire? They have so much trouble. I don’t want to be wealthy. It’s too much responsibility. I wouldn’t know what to do with so much money.”

To feel wealthy, you must first accept your inheritance, the Light. Too many people balance the world’s ideas against their divine inheritance, and find God wanting! The “I don’t know” type says, “I don’t know what I want.”

The “moochers” and “freeloaders” want God to do it for them, and blame Him when life does not go their way. You can tell who they are by what they say: “If I knew what God wanted, I’d do it. God never answers my prayers. If God wants me to ascend, He should lift these things from my path. God is punishing me.”

The “wisher” class waits for it to fall into their laps, and everything is too much trouble, effort, work and long hours: “This is so hard. I just wish God would take care of it. I never get what I want. God doesn’t answer my prayers.” The fellow who gets everything that he wants is on the slide into decline.

The “off in a corner” type wants to live in a hut on an island, and says, “Why should I arise? I already pray. I can’t stand the vibration of a group. I don’t need a teacher. I can get enlightenment by staying in my little corner and doing it alone by myself.”

The “fearful” type is afraid to be wealthy. How foolish to say, “Money isn’t important to me.” Who can pay the bills by being proud of their poverty?

Some say, “I don’t want that kind of money. I can’t trust myself with it.” God trusts you with the priceless gift of free choice, so why shouldn’t He trust you with His infinite substance?

“Oh, well, God must not want me to have it.” Stop being afraid that if it’s good for you, it will hurt someone else.

You have no million dollar plans if you cannot imagine spending your first million. Continue planning despite your family’s opposition. You don’t get a single credit in heaven for being soft, so be flexible, not flabby.

Arise and say, “I’ve had enough.” You can arise and become a creator god. One good shot of Light could lift you like an atomic blast! Your wealth increases each time you conquer and receive new illumination.

God shows no partiality, only complete love, and justice tempered with mercy. So must you balance love with wisdom and learn to love with Godlike Wisdom. The Father’s Love is so great that He gave us His Son. Can you see how much love this is?

“I arise! I accept my responsibility. I surrender to live the Christed life. I ascend to love my Father with praise, undiluted by my petty self. I will go to my Father’s house to dwell in pure, perfect, glorious love.”

My Soul Has Wings

Edna Lister sermon outline; December 3, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scripture: Acts 12:1-17.

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.” – Acts 12:1-17.

This story is all about the power of faith and prayer without ceasing. When the miracle of deliverance came to Peter in the form of an angel, he thought he was dreaming. His people, his devoted supporters, who had been praying continually, thought he was a “ghost,” a “spirit,” or an “angel.”

You may be tempted to think, “What has such a story to do with me?” Each person is bound by chain to two soldiers, whose names are World Ideas and World Economics. World ideas include such thoughts as “I’m too old. It’s too late. What will they/What do they think of me?”

So you are bound with chains to prejudices, opinions and your own pride on one side. World economics includes beauty, happiness and devotion in chains, love on crutches, faith crucified and hope buried. If you do not believe this, witness the world today, held in bondage to war, violence and strife.

How do you break free from the chains of bondage? An old story tells of an eastern potentate who had four sons, and a grand vizier, Yusef, who was his chief adviser.

When the king died, his will commanded each of his four sons to choose one portion and all the responsibility that went with it. He left everything else to Yusef, his favorite and powerful slave, whom he had raised and who had always carried out his orders, a man trusted and feared.

The oldest son chose the palace, throne and province that included the capital city and its wealth, enough to maintain it. The second son chose the summer palace, second in size only to the capital. It included orchards, farms, servant and enough wealth to maintain it. The third son chose a province to rule, with its own vast wealth.

The youngest son was a stripling of sixteen years, untried and innocent, whom his brothers thought would ask for a horse or some silly thing. He chose Yusef, and all else was added. How does this relate to you?

To “fight and struggle” is the hard way of the creature. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God; and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33.

When you choose God, an angel of the Lord always calls you to follow the Way of the Creator, where everything you need is added. God has enough and to spare for each of His sons and daughters. I choose “I AM THAT I AM,” the whole, all. “I AM THAT I AM,” is the Way of the Creator.

It’s your choice. Some choose worldly fame, wealth and honors, others prefer martyrdom, invalidism or poverty, but everyone chooses. The question is, do you choose consciously or unconsciously?

Indifference and lukewarmness are choices. Only a few choose God and the pathway of the soul, conquering and becoming.

No longer are you in bondage to the world, a handmaid of doubt and fear, a slave in chains of lukewarmness and indifference, shackled by opinion and prejudice. You need no crutches, are no longer a crucified martyr, and hope is resurrected. How do you hold fast to this choice?

Declare, “I am in love with life, strength, glory, Power and Light. Life is my challenge. Love is my answer. I am intimate with God. I am in love with God! He is my upholding faith, my foundation of hope. He is the source of my life, my creative substance. I am a collaborator with God. And because I love Him so, my soul has wings!”

My Soul Has Wings

Edna Lister sermon transcript; December 3, 1950, Cleveland, Ohio. Scribe: Ruth Johnson. Scripture: Acts 12:1-17.

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.” – Acts 12:1-17.

Herod had killed James, the brother of John, and imprisoned Peter. His loved ones had heard and gathered at John Mark’s home, to pray without ceasing. An angel of the Lord, shining with great Light came, to Peter in prison. He awakened Peter, and the chains fell from his hands.

He ordered, “Follow me,” and they went forth. The story of Peter is so human. Like him, you may be bound with chains between two soldiers, whose names are World Ideas and World Economics.

Peter knew his group was praying, yet when the miracle happened, he was so shocked he could not believe it till he was out on the street. He said, “Now I know of a surety.” He came to the house of Mary, the mother of James and John.

All tests and parables written are meant to help you in daily life. God is always with you. He never sent anyone to earth with an idea without providing the agents to finance it. Yet to realize the vision, you cannot be weak.

Some people make endless statements and prayers, yet say, “I can’t afford it.” Fears about money, job, health, time, etc., are all chains that hold you in bondage.

World ideas all pick at your emotional pin feathers and conflicting desires. World economics deals with your mental life, your will power and intellectual concepts.

You must lift desire and will in the first marriage of the Lamb to become I AM consciousness, to get from the Gates of Light into the city of New Jerusalem for the second marriage of Lamb. It marks the difference between the creature stage and the creator.

If you forget to agree with the adversary or someone hurts you, you feel self-pity. Remembering all the laws is still difficult. Just one law takes you up, out of the dry rot of self. You will be pushing up daisies at the end if you just spend your time sitting and talking versus doing.

Legend has it that a great Eastern potentate ruled the known world, from jungles to desert wastes, all lay at his command, endless wealth, jewels, slaves. He had four sons, and a slave named Yusef, whom he had raised and who was his administrator and executed all his orders.

When the ruler died, he left a peculiar will. The three oldest sons were strong, but the youngest was an innocent youth. The will allowed each his choice of one thing in kingdom and all that went with it, and all that remained went to Yusef.

The first son chose the throne because it contained the wealthiest province. The second son chose the summer palace, second only to the winter city. The third son chose the third province in size, but half the gold was there.

The fourth son, the youngest, chose Yusef. With Yusef came untold wealth. Then the other three sons, who had laughed at him, wished they had chosen Yusef.

Some people choose wealth, but martyrs choose poverty and escape from responsibility. What passes as their motivation is nothing more than indifference and lukewarmness.

You could emulate the Yusef idea, saying, “I choose God, all His power, faith, atomic energy, and wealth of ideas.” He holds everything else in the hollow of His hands. If you choose God, what will you get out of it?

God is a cause. Every cause has an effect, according to kind and degree. Illumination and intuition form the “I AM” consciousness. At the worst, most difficult point in life, you can declare, “I choose God.” The miracles will begin to pile up because you are no longer a slave to fear, no more living with crutches.

“I am become rich, I have found me out substance.” – Hosea 12:8. Joy and hope are resurrected. With bonds cast off, your soul has wings and you begin to ascend to health, alive and alert with new ideas.

You move from the creature class of bondage to self to the creator class, away from the Land of Egypt, which would drag you back to worldly ways. Herod represents despair, self-pity, pride, condemnation, resentment, doubt, fear, and being the slave of darkness.

Ascension carries you on light feet into a sphere of Light that mops up world darkness behind it. Thus, you are an ascended soul with a body, ascending.

Even the creature who needs only to eat, sleep and mate will eventually develop patience. The creator declares, “I am one with Living God. I arise. I ascend into the heart of the fire. I have chosen God and all His kingdom.”

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