Fear Not …

Wednesday Bible Readings

February 26th, 2025

From The Bible

TIn the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. ...And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ...... ¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion ... over all the earth, ...And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. ...Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
(Genesis 1:1, 2 (to 1st .), 3, 26 (to dominion), 26 4th over (to 6th ,), 31 (to 1st .); 2:1)

But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. ...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? ...
(Genesis 2:6; 3:9–11 (to 1st ?))

And Job spake, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. ...For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
(Job 3:2–4, 25)

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. ...Where is the way where light dwelleth? ...Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? ...Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, ...I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
(Job 38:1–4, 19 (to ?), 36; 42:1, 2 (to ,), 5)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. ...
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
(Psalms 119:130, 133, 134)

Thus saith the LORD that made thee, ...Fear ye not, neither be afraid: ... ¶ I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: ... Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. … I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: … Look unto me, and be ye saved, ... for I am God, and there is none else.
(Isaiah 44:2 (to 1st ,), 8 (to :); 45:5 (to 1st :), 11 Ask, 13 (to :), 22 (to 2nd ,), 22 for)

And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, ...
(Mark 11:11 (to 1st ,))

¶Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. ... ¶ And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, … And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, ...When he saw Jesus, he cried out, ... What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. ...And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: … And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: ...Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, … and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: ...
(Luke 8:22, 26 (to ,), 27 (to 3rd ,), 28 (to 2nd ,), 28 What, 29 (to 1st .), 30 (to :), 32 (to :), 33, 34 (to 2nd ,), 35 and (to :))

¶ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; ...
(Ecclesiastes 5:8 (to ;))

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. ...The LORD is on my side; ...
(Psalms 56:11; 118:6 (to ;))

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. … These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, ...... ¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; ...Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
(Matthew 10:1, 5 (to 3rd ,), 16, 17, 34)

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; ... Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: … And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
(Luke 21:9 (to ;), 10 Nation, 17, 18)

... I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, … Even the Spirit of truth; … Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(John 14:16 I (to 2nd ,), 17 (to 1st ;), 27)

... God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. …

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: ...
(I John 4:16 2nd God, 18 (to :))

“Let there be light,” is the perpetual demand of Truth and Love, changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 255:3–6)

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” (Genesis i. 1, 2.) In the vast forever, in the Science and truth of being, the only facts are Spirit and its innumerable creations. Darkness and chaos are the imaginary opposites of light, understanding, and eternal harmony, and they are the elements of nothingness. ... Paul says: “For the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” (Romans i. 20.) When the substance of Spirit appears in Christian Science, the nothingness of matter is recognized. Where the spirit of God is, and there is no place where God is not, evil becomes nothing, — the opposite of the something of Spirit.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 479:18, 29–5)

Truth has no beginning. The divine Mind is the Soul of man, and gives man dominion over all things. Man was not created from a material basis, nor bidden to obey material laws which Spirit never made; his province is in spiritual statutes, in the higher law of Mind. Above error’s awful din, blackness, and chaos, the voice of Truth still calls: “Adam, where art thou? Consciousness, where art thou? Art thou dwelling in the belief that mind is in matter, and that evil is mind, or art thou in the living faith that there is and can be but one God, and keeping His commandment?”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 307:25–4)

The parent of all human discord was the Adam-dream, the deep sleep, in which originated the delusion that life and intelligence proceeded from and passed into matter. This pantheistic error, or so-called serpent, insists still upon the opposite of Truth, saying, “Ye shall be as gods;” that is, I will make error as real and eternal as Truth. Evil still affirms itself to be mind, and declares that there is more than one intelligence or God. It says: “There shall be lords and gods many. ... makes evil minds and evil spirits, and that I aid Him. ...This error has proved itself to be error. Its life is found to be not Life, but only a transient, false sense of an existence which ends in death.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 306:32–9; 307:10 makes (only), 14–16)

The true theory of the universe, including man, is not in material history but in spiritual development. … It is this spiritual perception of Scripture, which lifts humanity out of disease and death and inspires faith. ... Christian Science separates error from truth, and breathes through the sacred pages the spiritual sense of life, substance, and intelligence. In this Science, we discover man in the image and likeness of God. We see that man has never lost his spiritual estate and his eternal harmony.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 547:25–27, 31–32; 548:2)

Genesis i. 31. And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. … The divine Principle, or Spirit, comprehends and expresses all, and all must therefore be as perfect as the divine Principle is perfect. ... Human capacity is slow to discern and to grasp God’s creation and the divine power and presence which go with it, demonstrating its spiritual origin.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 518:24–25, 27–29 (to 1st .); 519:11–14)

The relations of God and man, divine Principle and idea, are indestructible in Science; and Science knows no lapse from nor return to harmony, but holds the divine order or spiritual law, in which God and all that He creates are perfect and eternal, to have remained unchanged in its eternal history.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 470:32)

Christian scientific practice begins with Christ’s keynote of harmony, “Be not afraid!” Said Job: “The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me.”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 410:29)

FEAR. ... inflammation; anxiety; ignorance; error; ...
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 586:11 (only, to .), 11 inflammation (only, to 4th ;))

Fear, which is an element of all disease, must be cast out to readjust the balance for God. Casting out evil and fear enables truth to outweigh error. The only course is to take antagonistic grounds against all that is opposed to the health, holiness, and harmony of man, God’s image.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 392:5)

Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger. The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love. The Apostle John says: “There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear. . . . He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.” Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 410:14)

No hypothesis as to the existence of another power should interpose a doubt or fear to hinder the demonstration of Christian Science.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 445:5–8)

Job said: “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee.” Mortals will echo Job’s thought, when the supposed pain and pleasure of matter cease to predominate. ... Starting from a higher standpoint, one rises spontaneously, even as light emits light without effort; ...
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 262:17–20, 24–25 (to ;))

The procuring cause and foundation of all sickness is fear, ignorance, or sin. ...
Always begin your treatment by allaying the fear of patients. ... The great fact that God lovingly governs all, never punishing aught but sin, is your standpoint, from which to advance and destroy the human fear of sickness. ... The power of Christian Science and divine Love is omnipotent. It is indeed adequate to unclasp the hold and to destroy disease, sin, and death.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 411:20–21, 27–28; 412:1–4, 13)

It is recorded that once Jesus asked the name of a disease, — a disease which moderns would call dementia. The demon, or evil, replied that his name was Legion. Thereupon Jesus cast out the evil, and the insane man was changed and straightway became whole. The Scripture seems to import that Jesus caused the evil to be self-seen and so destroyed.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 411:13)

The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. ... The despotic tendencies, inherent in mortal mind and always germinating in new forms of tyranny, must be rooted out through the action of the divine Mind.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 225:14–16, 25)

Discerning the rights of man, we cannot fail to foresee the doom of all oppression. ... “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Love and Truth make free, but evil and error lead into captivity. Christian Science raises the standard of liberty and cries: “Follow me! Escape from the bondage of sickness, sin, and death!” ... The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs, crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 227:14–15, 18–23, 26)

The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses. ... Dropping their present beliefs, they will recognize harmony as the spiritual reality and discord as the material unreality.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 228:11–13, 17)

As light destroys darkness and in the place of darkness all is light, so (in absolute Science) Soul, or God, is the only truth-giver to man. ...God, good, being ever present, it follows in divine logic that evil, the suppositional opposite of good, is never present. ... Not personal intercommunion but divine law is the communicator of truth, health, and harmony to earth and humanity.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 72:9–12 As, 21–23, 30–32)

Divine Science, the Word of God, saith to the darkness upon the face of error, “God is All-in-all,” and the light of ever-present Love illumines the universe. ... This also shows that there is no place where God’s light is not seen, since Truth, Life, and Love fill immensity and are ever-present.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 503:12–15; 504:11–14)

To hold yourself superior to sin, because God made you superior to it and governs man, is true wisdom. To fear sin is to misunderstand the power of Love and the divine Science of being in man’s relation to God, — to doubt His government and distrust His omnipotent care. To hold yourself superior to sickness and death is equally wise, and is in accordance with divine Science. To fear them is impossible, when you fully apprehend God and know that they are no part of His creation. Man, governed by his Maker, having no other Mind, — planted on the Evangelist’s statement that “all things were made by Him [the Word of God]; and without Him was not anything made that was made,” — can triumph over sin, sickness, and death.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 231:20–2)

Thou whose almighty Word / Chaos and darkness heard, / And took their flight; / Hear us, we humbly pray, / And where the Gospel-day / Sheds not its glorious ray, / Let there be light.

Christ, thou dost come to bring / On thy redeeming wing / Healing and sight, / Health to the sick in mind, / Sight to the inly blind; / Ah, now to all mankind / Let there be light.

Spirit of truth and love, / Life-giving, holy dove, / Speed forth thy flight; / Move on the waters’ face, / Bearing the lamp of grace, / And in earth’s darkest place / Let there be light.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 401)

Abide with me; fast breaks the morning light; / Our daystar rises, banishing all night; / Thou art our strength, O Truth that maketh free, / We would unfailingly abide in Thee.

I know no fear, with Thee at hand to bless, / Sin hath no power and life no wretchedness; / Health, hope and love in all around I see / For those who trustingly abide in Thee.

I know Thy presence every passing hour, / I know Thy peace, for Thou alone art power; / O Love divine, abiding constantly, / I need not plead, Thou dost abide with me.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 7)

A glorious day is dawning, / And o’er the waking earth / The heralds of the morning / Are springing into birth. / In dark and hidden places / There shines the blessed light; / The beam of Truth displaces / The darkness of the night.

The advocates of error / Foresee the glorious morn, / And hear in shrinking terror, / The watchword of reform: / It rings from hill and valley, / It breaks oppression’s chain. / A thousand freemen rally, / And swell the mighty strain.

The watchword has been spoken, / The light has broken forth, / Far shines the blessed token / Upon the startled earth. / To hearts and homes benighted / The blessed Truth is given, / And peace and love, united, / Point upward unto heaven.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 2)

Be … Loved

Wednesday Bible Readings

February 12th, 2025

From The Bible

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
(Jeremiah 31:3)

For thus saith the LORD, ...As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; ...
(Isaiah 66:12 (to 1st ,), 13 (to ;))

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: ... I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
(Isaiah 45:2 (to 1st :), 5 2nd I)

... the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? … Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: ...When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. ...Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: ...
(Psalms 27:1 2nd the, 3 (to :), 10, 14 (to 2nd :))

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: … And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ... turn not aside from following the LORD, … Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you.
(I Samuel 12:19 (to :), 20 (to 1st :), 20 turn (to 2nd ,), 24)

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; ...
(Deuteronomy 33:27 (to ;))

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. ...Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, ... askest drink of me, ... for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ... whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. … The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
(John 4:7, 9 (to 2nd ,), 9 askest (to 4th ,), 9 for, 10, 14 whosoever, 28, 29)

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
(John 4:27)

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, … I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, ...And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
(John 10:7 (to 4th ,), 14 (to 2nd ,), 16)

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, ...
(Isaiah 55:1 (to 3rd ,))

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ...Then saith he unto his disciples, ...
(Matthew 9:35, 37 (to 1st ,))

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. … Give to him that asketh thee, and … do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
(Matthew 5:6, 42 (to and), 44 do, 45)

Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14 (to 1st .), 16)

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; ...I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: ...I pray for them: ... for they are thine. And all mine are thine, ...
... Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. … Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; ... that they also may be one in us: ... and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
(John 17:1 (to ;), 6 (to :), 9 (to :), 9 4th for, 10 (to ,), 11 Holy, 20, 21 2nd that (to :), 23 2nd and)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: … Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. .... God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
(I John 3:1 (to :); 4:11, 16 2nd God)

“God is Love.” More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 6:17–18)

Asking God to be God is a vain repetition. God is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever;” ...
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 2:31–32 (to ;))

... the all-knowing, ... all-loving, ... Principle; Mind; ...
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 587:5 2nd the (only, to 1st ,), 6 all-loving (only, to ,), 6–7 Principle (to 1st ;))

The creative Principle — Life, Truth, and Love ... There is but one creator and one creation. This creation consists of the unfolding of spiritual ideas and their identities, which are embraced in the infinite Mind and forever reflected.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 502:27–28 (to Love), 29–3)

God fashions all things, after His own likeness.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 516:9 (only))

Man is not the offspring of flesh, but of Spirit, — of Life, not of matter.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 289:31–32)

Man is idea, the image, of Love; ...He is ... the conscious identity of being as found in Science, in which man is the reflection of God, or Mind, and therefore is eternal; that which has no separate mind from God; that which has not a single quality underived from Deity; that which ... reflects spiritually all that belongs to his Maker. ...

Man is incapable of sin, sickness, and death.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 475:13–14 (to ;), 14 (only, to is), 16–20 the (to which), 22 reflects, 28 (only))

Man is the family name for all ideas, — the sons and daughters of God.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 515:21–22 Man)

All nature teaches God’s love to man, but man cannot love God supremely and set his whole affections on spiritual things, while loving the material or trusting in it more than in the spiritual.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 326:8)

The supremacy of Spirit was the foundation on which Jesus built. His sublime summary points to the religion of Love.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 138:14)

Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he defined Love. With the affluence of Truth, he vanquished error.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 54:3–5)

Jesus aided in reconciling man to God by giving man a truer sense of Love, the divine Principle of Jesus’ teachings, and this truer sense of Love redeems man from the law of matter, sin, and death by the law of Spirit, — the law of divine Love.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 19:6)

Experience teaches us that we do not always receive the blessings we ask for in prayer. ... That which we desire and for which we ask, it is not always best for us to receive. In this case infinite Love will not grant the request.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 10:22–23, 28–31)

The sharp experiences of belief in the supposititious life of matter, as well as our disappointments and ceaseless woes, turn us like tired children to the arms of divine Love.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 322:26–29)

Divine Love corrects and governs man.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 6:3 (only))

Waking to Christ’s demand, mortals experience suffering. This causes them, even as drowning men, to make vigorous efforts to save themselves; and through Christ’s precious love these efforts are crowned with success.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 22:6)

Through the wholesome chastisements of Love, we are helped onward in the march towards righteousness, peace, and purity, which are the landmarks of Science.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 323:6–9)

In divine Science, God and the real man are inseparable as divine Principle and idea.

... God is the Principle of man, and man is the idea of God. Hence man is not mortal nor material. ...

Learn this, O mortal, and earnestly seek the spiritual status of man, which is outside of all material selfhood.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 476:4, 9–11, 21–22)

Let us rid ourselves of the belief that man is separated from God, and obey only the divine Principle, Life and Love. ...

Absorbed in material selfhood we discern and reflect but faintly the substance of Life or Mind. The denial of material selfhood aids the discernment of man’s spiritual and eternal individuality, and destroys the erroneous knowledge gained from matter or through what are termed the material senses.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 91:5–7, 16)

Understanding this, Paul said: “Neither death, nor life, . . . nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God.” This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 304:5–14)

To be “with the Lord” is to be in obedience to the law of God, to be absolutely governed by divine Love, — by Spirit, not by matter.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 14:9)

In divine Science, where prayers are mental, all may avail themselves of God as “a very present help in trouble.” Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 12:31)

Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need. ... to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 494:10–11, 13 to)

Universal Love is the divine way in Christian Science.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 266:18 Universal)

Brood o’er us with Thy shelt’ring wing, / ’Neath which our spirits blend / Like brother birds, that soar and sing, / And on the same branch bend. / The arrow that doth wound the dove / Darts not from those who watch and love.

If thou the bending reed wouldst break / By thought or word unkind, / Pray that his spirit you partake, / Who loved and healed mankind: / Seek holy thoughts and heavenly strain, / That make men one in love remain.

Learn, too, that wisdom’s rod is given / For faith to kiss, and know; / That greetings glorious from high heaven, / Whence joys supernal flow, / Come from that Love, divinely near, / Which chastens pride and earth-born fear,

Through God, who gave that word of might / Which swelled creation’s lay: / “Let there be light, and there was light.” / What chased the clouds away? / ’Twas Love whose finger traced aloud / A bow of promise on the cloud.

Thou to whose power our hope we give, / Free us from human strife. / Fed by Thy love divine we live, / For Love alone is Life; / And life most sweet, as heart to heart / Speaks kindly when we meet and part.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 30)

Love one another,—word of revelation; / Love frees from error’s thrall,—Love is liberation. / Love’s way the Master trod; / He that loves shall walk with God. / Love is the royal way.

Love knows no evil, neither shade of sadness; / Love casts out every fear, lifts the heart to gladness. / Love heals our every ill, / All the law does love fulfill. / Love is our answered prayer.

Love now is dawning over every nation; / Showing true brotherhood, publishing salvation, / Love bids all discord cease. / Conquering hate, enthroning peace, / Love, Love alone is power.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 179)

Let there be peace on earth, / and let it begin with me. / Let there be peace on earth, / the peace that was meant to be. / With God our creator, we are family. / Let us walk with each other / in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me; let this / be the moment now. / With every step I take, let this / be my solemn vow: / To take each moment and live each / moment in peace eternally! / Let there be peace on earth, / and let it begin with me.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 521)

Wilderness experiences

Wednesday Bible Readings

February 5th, 2025

From The Bible

Hi Skye and Julia

Hope all is well with you both.  

Here are readings from last night.

thx

John

Topic:  Wilderness experiences

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. ...

To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
(Psalms 136:1, 2, 16)

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer–sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. ¶ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: ...
(I Kings 19:1–4 (to :))

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. ¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
(I Kings 19:5–12)

... And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, ... I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: ...

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. ¶ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. ...

... Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
(I Kings 19:13 4th And, 14 (to 1st ,), 14 2nd I, 15 (to 1st :), 18, 19, 21 Then)

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. ...

The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; ...
(Psalms 29:4,8 (to ;))

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)

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. ...

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. ...

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
(Mark 6:45–51, 53, 56)

... walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
(Ezekiel 20:19 walk, 20)

... it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(Luke 12:32 it)

I was suddenly left alone, with many troubles and trials, and I took up the study of the Bible. ... I had attended all sorts of churches from my childhood up, but never could find any that met my need. As time passed on, my condition became very alarming. ...

About this time I made some inquiries of my sister in reference to Christian Science, as she had already turned to that faith, and I soon found that it was just what I had been looking for. I saw at once that it declared the truth and nothing but the truth. I commenced reading Science and Health, also the New Testament. I wanted to find out what Jesus said, as I did not expect then to live long. I did not go to the meetings, nor did I read Science and Health to be cured, — not thinking of that, — but to be saved from an everlasting hell hereafter. My sister urged me to have a practitioner, but I kept on reading, and praying to God in silence, and what happened? Where had the diseases gone? I persisted in reading Science and Health, together with the Bible, with the knowledge that God as revealed by Christ Jesus can do everything, that He made everything that was made, that He can and does heal the afflicted. He has healed me, thanks to His most holy name. — G. J. H., Charleston, Ill.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 615:22–23, 25–28; 616:9)

WILDERNESS. Loneliness; doubt; darkness. Spontaneity of thought and idea; the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 597:16 Wilderness)

If we pray to God as a corporeal person, this will prevent us from relinquishing the human doubts and fears which attend such a belief, and so we cannot grasp the wonders wrought by infinite, incorporeal Love, to whom all things are possible. ...

Entirely separate from the belief and dream of material living, is the Life divine, revealing spiritual understanding and the consciousness of man’s dominion over the whole earth.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 13:20–24; 14:25–28)

As a material, theoretical life-basis is found to be a misapprehension of existence, the spiritual and divine Principle of man dawns upon human thought, and leads it to “where the young child was,” — even to the birth of a new-old idea, to the spiritual sense of being and of what Life includes. Thus the whole earth will be transformed by Truth on its pinions of light, chasing away the darkness of error.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 191:8)

We are sometimes led to believe that darkness is as real as light; but Science affirms darkness to be only a mortal sense of the absence of light, at the coming of which darkness loses the appearance of reality. So sin and sorrow, disease and death, are the suppositional absence of Life, God, and flee as phantoms of error before truth and love.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 215:15)

We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God’s creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings — our efforts to find life and truth in matter — and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the Godlike man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.

... They will then drop the false estimate of life and happiness, of joy and sorrow, and attain the bliss of loving unselfishly, working patiently, and conquering all that is unlike God. Starting from a higher standpoint, one rises spontaneously, even as light emits light without effort; for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 262:9,20)

Now is the time for so-called material pains and material pleasures to pass away, for both are unreal, because impossible in Science. To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously. This thought is apprehended slowly, and the interval before its attainment is attended with doubts and defeats as well as triumphs.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 39:22)

Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger. The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love. The Apostle John says: “There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear. . . . He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.” Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 410:14)

When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not. Let Christian Science, instead of corporeal sense, support your understanding of being, and this understanding will supplant error with Truth, replace mortality with immortality, and silence discord with harmony.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 495:14)

The “still, small voice” of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe’s remotest bound. The inaudible voice of Truth is, to the human mind, “as when a lion roareth.” It is heard in the desert and in dark places of fear.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 559:8–12)

As the children of Israel were guided triumphantly through the Red Sea, the dark ebbing and flowing tides of human fear, — as they were led through the wilderness, walking wearily through the great desert of human hopes, and anticipating the promised joy, — so shall the spiritual idea guide all right desires in their passage from sense to Soul, from a material sense of existence to the spiritual, up to the glory prepared for them who love God.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 566:1–9)

There is to-day danger of repeating the offence of the Jews by limiting the Holy One of Israel and asking: “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” What cannot God do?
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 135:17)

When God is seen with men to dwell, / And all creation makes anew, / What tongue can half the wonders tell, / What eye the dazzling glories view?

Celestial streams shall gently flow, / The wilderness shall joyful be; / On parched ground shall lilies grow / And gladness spring on every tree;

The weak be strong, the fearful bold, / The deaf shall hear, the dumb shall sing, / The lame shall walk, the blind behold, / And joy through all the earth shall ring.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 384)

Shepherd, show me how to go / O’er the hillside steep, / How to gather, how to sow,— / How to feed Thy sheep; / I will listen for Thy voice, / Lest my footsteps stray; / I will follow and rejoice / All the rugged way.

Thou wilt bind the stubborn will, / Wound the callous breast, / Make self-righteousness be still, / Break earth’s stupid rest. / Strangers on a barren shore, / Lab’ring long and lone, / We would enter by the door, / And Thou know’st Thine own;

So, when day grows dark and cold, / Tear or triumph harms, / Lead Thy lambkins to the fold, / Take them in Thine arms; / Feed the hungry, heal the heart, / Till the morning’s beam; / White as wool, ere they depart, / Shepherd, wash them clean.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 574, Words by Mary Baker Eddy)

Breaking through the clouds of darkness, / Black with error, doubt, and fear; / Lighting up each somber shadow, / With a radiance soft and clear; / Filling every heart with gladness, / That its holy power feels, / Comes the Christian Science gospel, / Sin it kills and grief it heals.

Christlike in its benedictions, / Godlike in its strength sublime; / Conquering every subtle error, / With a meekness all divine, / It has gone across the ocean, / It is known in every land, / And our sisters and our brothers / Are united in one band.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 29)