Edna Lister’s Sermons, 1936

The Substance Hoped For
Edna Lister outline. January 5, 1936, Buffalo, NY. John 1:32-42, Mark 1:14-18.

  “John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”–John 1:32-42.
  “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.”–Mark 1:14-18.
  This lesson highlights two ideas necessary to faith, which are receptivity, the listening attitude, which is greater than just hearing, and discernment, the ability to see with acute spiritual perception.
  John, who represents intellect, proclaims the way, “Behold the Lamb of God.” John had waited for the Messiah until he saw the dove descending. Thus, he fulfilled his mission. Two of John’s disciples, who were receptive to truth, followed Jesus when he said, “Come and see.”
  When you stand under the Light of God, you stand where the prophet Hosea stood when he said, “I am become rich. I have found me out substance.”–Hosea 12:8. You begin to cast your net to catch God’s abundance. Jesus told faith (Peter) and discernment (Andrew), “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they followed him. Discernment of truth always has its nets ready.
  When God commanded Joshua to take the Promised Land, He told him to hold every foot of ground as a fortress, to hold as common ground in the world. The Light now is greater in degree than in Jesus’ time. Every foot of ground you’ve gained is “holy ground.” So hold your standard, your banner of Light aloft. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand—beautiful, perfect, and complete.

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I AM THAT I AM
Edna Lister outline. January 12, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Exodus 3:7-15.

  “And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And He said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”–Exodus 3:7-15.
  Through the ages, the keepers of wisdom have believed in the absolute Power of the Supreme Being, Who said, “I AM THAT I AM.” His angelic representative appeared to Noah, told him to build the ark, and Noah did so without question.
  “Enoch walked with God and was not, for God took him.”–Genesis 5:24. As the author of the Letter to Hebrews writes: “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.”–Hebrews 11:5.
  Abraham had no seed, no offspring, with which to replenish the earth; Sarah was ninety and he was one hundred. Then they had Isaac, whom an angel of the Lord told Abraham to sacrifice on Mount Moriah. God provided a ram instead.
  Later, Moses was saved from death and raised in Pharaoh’s own household, trained in all Egyptian arts, sciences, and mysteries. On Mt. Sinai, God appeared in a bush that burned without being consumed, and He said: “I AM THAT I AM.”–Exodus 3:7-15.
  Abstract universal I AM, objectified into relative concrete expression, was symbolized by the Voice in the burning bush, by Daniel in the lions’ den, and bore Elijah to heaven in the chariot of fire.
  Jesus said, “I am that bread of life,” and produced miracle of abundance. Miracles are your bread of life. The price you pay for them is silence under suffering, taking joy in children, and holding to peace in the midst of warfare.
  Jesus healed the great and small alike, and promised us all things for the price of taking two steps into the kingdom of glory. Hearing him, you are divinely guided, and seeing him, you walk straight to him fearlessly and wholeheartedly.
  “I AM hath sent me” was a new message, one which gives you a new understanding of your ideals. Do you understand how grand and glorious your heritage is, your inheritance of Light?

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Freedom From Self
Edna Lister outline, January 19, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 1 Peter 2:11-17.

  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.–1 Peter 2:11-17.
  This text contains five steps to liberty. First, “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” Second, conduct yourself honorably among the Gentiles, including what you say in conversation.
  Third, submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. Fourth, do the will of God, which is that by doing good you may “put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Fifth, act as a free bond-servant of God.
  The last four commands, “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king,” form an invisible razor’s edge of obedience to law. The metal for a razor is heated to 1500 degrees, then hardened and tempered. The furnace is hot on the inside, yet cool to the touch on the outside.
  A razor’s edge is sharpened using diamonds, and the edge is inspected at a 3000 power magnification, using cathode ray oscilloscopes that far out-strip man’s Visual perceptive faculty. They then use photoelectric eyes to detect the keenness of the edge. All these activities are used in collaboration to produce an edge that no one can actually see, but which does the job for which was designed, in perfection.

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Willingness
Edna Lister outline, January 23, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Psalm 37:4-5.

  Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.–Psalm 37:4-5.
  Wisdom, Love and Selflessness are the highest absolute abstract principles of the universe. Wisdom is always operating as both the will of God and the will of man. Willingness is listening, hearing and knowing the will of God.
  Abandonment is the act of giving up self. Surrender is abandonment of the self to Light under marching orders from your soul. When you abandon self, soul creates impressions on the eye upturned to God.
  The Father says, Commit thyself unto Me and I shall bring it to pass. Willingness allows Power to flow through you. Unwillingness (selfishness) pushes against Power. Willingness to serve God and to obey Him is the path of glory.

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The Open Road
Edna Lister outline, January 26, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 1 Corinthians 3:5-15.

  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.–1 Corinthians 3:5-15.
  Roads are intriguing, fascinating. What is over the hill? Everyone wants to know. Some travel in luxury by air, train, or auto, others by bicycle or hiking on foot to answer the call of the road. Even when the roads are snowed-over in the mountains, people travel by skis, snowshoes, dog-sled or horse-drawn sleigh.
  You are paving the road you travel, building for God or building for self. You are God’s laborers, practicing God’s husbandry, doing God’s building.
  St. Paul said that a wise master builder lays a foundation, and each builds thereon. Your structures show what materials you use. The fire of life’s adversities may burn a cheaply built structure. Good material can withstand a fire, but poor materials fail you and your work is lost. Yet you are saved by fire, the flames of the Holy Spirit.
  You pave the road you take back to God, brick by brick. When you avoid some responsibility, you leave a brick out, which makes for a bumpy road. Your road displays your ability as a master builder, or your loss of time in poor building. Build on a solid foundation, using all your past effort doubled and redoubled.
  Life is a game, and you must take a chance now and then. You never really lose, for you can always make good each time you face delays or detours.
  Perseverance builds your road, block by block, to glory, to life abundant. Thus, you travel from darkness into Light.

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Go and Preach Christ’s Message
Edna Lister outline, February 3, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Luke 24:44-49.

  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.–Luke 24:44-49.
  As Jesus commanded his disciple and apostles, we must preach the law of repentance and remission of sins among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
  Jerusalem is the city of the soul’s peace. Tarry there until the Father endues you with His Power from on high.

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Power as Life
Edna Lister outline, February 16, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Romans 5.

  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.–Romans 5.
  The Holy Ghost is the Power from on high. Spirit, as life, is overcoming the idea of death.
  St. Paul wrote, “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”–Romans 5:20-21. Shall we then continue in sin?
  Being baptized into Jesus Christ means that you are part of him. You are baptized also unto his death. His high life moves through you to break up all crystallization. Then the Father raises you up, in the likeness of Christ’s Resurrection.
  All the old is crucified, and the body built by sin is destroyed. This must include negative thoughts, imagination and desires. You shall never again serve sin.
  When you are raised, death has no more dominion over you because you live unto God. You become either the servant of sin, or the servant of the living Power of the living God. God needs you.
  The king of Sparta entertained an ambassador, who was surprised that the city had no defenses. The king replied, “Tomorrow you will see Sparta’s walls,” and the next day showed him a vast army on the plain below the city. There are the walls of Sparta, he said, 10,000 men and every man a brick in the wall that protected their country.
  You are a brick in God’s wall of safety. Thus, we rebuild the Holy City. Each will build his part of that wall in front of his own home.
  The Master is waiting for you. You may die in him, but are you alive in him? Do you turn to him in your joy as well as in your sorrow?
  Forced genius results from forced living. Yours must be a daily, hourly living with your hand in the Master’s. You may live in his likeness, if you allow it. Put your failures in your asset column as successful experiences in how not to do it. Power already uses you as life—use it as life, not as death.

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Life as Light
Edna Lister outline, February 23, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Matthew 5:14-16, 6:22-23, John 1:6-12.

  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.–Matthew 5:14-16.
  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!–Matthew 6:22-23.
  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.–John 1:6-12.
  The first idea in this lesson is that “Ye are the light of the world.” As a light, you can be as bright as a city set on a hill, a lamp, or a single candle.
  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!–Matthew 6:22-23.
  The body is a channel for Power, like an electrical connection that may wear out, so you must obey physical laws. The light of the body is the eye.
  If your vision is single-minded, it will remain focused on the Light. If you are double minded and unstable, your vision will sometimes focus on evil and darkness.
  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.–John 1:9-12.
  The second idea is, “I am light of the world.” When you follow the Master, you do not walk in darkness, but in his Light.
  Let your light so shine. Yet you must be perfectly filled with God’s life before the Light moving through you is truly active.

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Life is a Journey
Edna Lister outline, March 1, 1936, Buffalo, NY. John 1:1-14.

  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.–John 1:1-14.
  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.–John 1:1-3.
  God made the heavens and the earth with the Word, through the Word, by speaking the Word. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”–John 1:4. The life in him was the thought of Mind, the Light.
  Each soul begins life’s journey by being born into the body to parents on earth, all memory of previous existence veiled from consciousness. The soul is granted a fresh start with each life, and the opportunity to make choices for the good and to progress upward in ascension.
  Obedience to law and continual sacrifice of selfishness promote you, whereas the negative traits and taints of self hinder your progress to success in your climb. What road will you choose to follow? Where will you choose to linger. Will your journey be aimless wandering in the wilderness of self, or a well-mapped plan to go home?
  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.–John 1:11-12. The sons of God are born of God. The Word incarnate is the Logos vibration of Light. The Word is the Light that will lead you on the journey back home to God.

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Life is a Mission
Edna Lister outline, March 8, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.–2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.–2 Corinthians 5:20.
  A mission is a divinely appointed task or work, which lasts for the length of your life. An ambassador is an envoy representing someone or something.
  Reconciliation means to make persons friendly to one another after an estrangement, to reconcile a person to oneself; reunion, compatibility in practice. Reconciliation is also the Catholic sacrament of penance.
  Two men, each with a wife and children, were in a flood. Before the flood, they were estranged. Each, through self-sacrifice, helped the other in fulfilling the task of clearing his property. Thus, both men benefited by receiving mutual aid.
  We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.—2 Corinthians 5:20.

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Life is a Task
Edna Lister outline, March 15, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 1 John 2:1-10.

  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines. He that saith he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.–1 John 2:1-10.
  A task is voluntary work, which you undertake in joyous spontaneity. Labor has no spontaneity. Labor is hard work, in which you exert yourself, strive for, and which may trouble you.
  John’s address, “My little children,” suggests a high degree of openness, and loving communication.
  He that saith, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.–1 John 2:4-5.
  The truth of your speech is not proven by the tongue you use, but only by the Word of truth you speak.
  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.–1 John 2:28.
  The Word of truth is your assurance, and gives you confidence that if you dwell in him, he shall abide in you. Through Christ’s help and love, you can overlook and overcome.

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Life is a Contest
Edna Lister outline, March 22, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 1 Corinthians 13:9-13, 1 Corinthians 16:13.

  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 13:9-13.
  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.–1 Corinthians 16:13.
  We are still working out the reaction of law that resulted from Adam’s misuse. We are each paying our debt, because we have fallen so far away from God and His truth.
  You ask, “Where has God gone?” Too many people too often deafen heaven with asking, “Why? Why? Why?”
  A continent was submerged during the Flood of Noah’s time. The flood was a reaction of law, wiping out the sins and iniquity of many, making earth safe for future generations.
  Again, humanity is repeating this cycle, again creating a reaction of law. This time, we shall pay the debt in three phases: To bring the many to repentance, to pay the debt, and to earn glory.
  It has been and is a contest, every step of the way. Nothing easy lasts. The easy works, undertaken casually, do not endure.
  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.—1 Corinthians 16:13. You must stand strong for God and be on watch.
  God’s glory is so great. Today is the very day to grow interested in how and why you fell, not then, but now.

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Life is a Battle
Edna Lister outline, March 29, 1936, Buffalo, NY. James 1:2-12.

  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.–James 1:2-12.
  You, as a soul, not a self, must learn to count it all joy when you face temptation. Further, you must “Let patience have her perfect work” before you can even dream of winning life’s battles.
  James writes that if you do not waver, you will receive a crown of life. This divine promise applies to the rich man and the pauper alike.
  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.–James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and is the prize for winning life’s battle.

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Confirmation
Edna Lister outline, April 5, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Acts 8:14-17.

  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.–Acts 8:14-17.
  Peter represents the faculties of power and faith. John represents love and understanding.
  A minister lays hands on the candidate in Confirmation, as a symbol of the soul’s covenant of Baptism. Thus, Confirmation is a spiritual act to confirm a state of consciousness and strength. The Father sees perfection and your inner heart. He is perfect, and you reflect and echo His image and likeness.

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Christ is With Us
Edna Lister Easter outline, April 12, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 1 Peter 4:10-13.

  “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”–1 Peter 4:10-13.
  Christ is risen! This is Resurrection morn. Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection.
  Today, any soul may make three wishes, which are witnessed by the host of heaven, saints, and angels. When you make wishes, whether they are silent or voiced, Power moves to fulfill your wishes according to your obedience to law.
  To be “glorified through Jesus Christ,” you must practice ascension in consciousness to become a partaker of His glory.

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The Ambassador
Edna Lister outline, April 26, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Ephesians 6:10-20.

  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”–Ephesians 6:10-20.
  You put on the whole armor of God in six steps. First, gird your loins with truth. Second, put on the breastplate of righteousness. Third, shod your feet (your understanding) with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Fourth, take up the shield of faith to receive and guard against fiery darts. Fifth, place the helmet of salvation on your head. Finally, you wield the sword of Spirit, two-edged with Love and Wisdom, whose hilt is the Word of God.
  As a representative of the Light, you are an ambassador in bonds, under bonds to Jesus Christ. He is responsible to the Father to bring you back home to Him. As Christ is under bonds to the Father, you are under a bond to him.
  An ambassador is a plenipotentiary, a person invested with full power to act with free will on behalf of the monarch or government that has sent him. The word plenipotentiary is a combination of full and potent, and implies plenitude and completeness.
  No matter the conditions of your service, you can offer prayers for the Elect everywhere in all perseverance and supplication. God has created you to serve His Power and to speak the Word for Him, as His emissary.
  Open your mouth boldly to share your comprehension of the Gospel. Speak boldly as you ought to speak.

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The Invincible Mother
Edna Lister outline, May 10, 1936. Buffalo, NY. Ruth 1:1-18.

  “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay for them from having husbands? Nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.”–Ruth 1:1-18.
  Mothers in the animal kingdom defend and protect their offspring in remarkable ways, in the face of seemingly insurmountable dangers. We call their drive the “preservation of the species,” yet it is more than this.
  Naomi was a mother to her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, as well as to her sons. God tries or tests a mother’s love until she becomes invincible, unmoved in the face of any storm.
  Love without faith is worthless and selfish. Love that has been refined until it is indistinguishable from faith can move mountains.
  What degree faith do you have? All your love toward your family and affairs must be of the mother love degree.
  Mother love is the sustaining and nourishing power of the universe. A mother’s love leaves the loved one gloriously free.

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Life Triumphant and Victorious
Edna Lister outline, May 17, 1936, Buffalo, NY. John 1:1-5.

  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”–John 1:1-5.
  Triumph is “a state of being resulting from successful achievement, and exultation.” Victory is “the defeat of the enemy in a contest, a battle or a moral victory.” What is success? What is an enemy? Who is the enemy?
  When victorious, you feel triumphant, experiencing joy at your success. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”–John 1:4.
  A ship, slipping its moorings, is not automatically guaranteed victory or success. It must be fueled, provisioned and adequately crewed. The pilot must have all the necessary maps and charts, and finally, a competent captain in command to assure a successful voyage.
  If you run out or short of any provision, your voyage may end in failure. Yet, once the soul is provisioned with ample and adequate Light, your pilgrimage never fails.

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Faith and Trust
Edna Lister outline, May 24, 1936. Buffalo, NY. May 5, 1947, Tacoma, WA. Matthew 9:18-31.

  While he spake these things unto them, 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, 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. 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. 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.–Matthew 9:18-31.
  Jesus always mentioned faith when he healed because he knew that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.–Hebrews 11:1.
  We believe in an everywhere evenly present and available God, who is in all, through all, as all, as one spiritual substance, and nothing else. All form, bad or good, is of this one substance. Faith is the foundation of form, the “thing itself”—Immanuel Kant’s noumenon. 1 Faith is the only way you can look up in consciousness of God’s glory in a candle flame, a sunset, a flower, and see Power come riding back over the line of Light you have established.

1 Noumenon, plural noumena, in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, the thing-in-itself as opposed to what Kant called the phenomenon—the thing as it appears to an observer. Though the noumenal holds the contents of the intelligible world, Kant claimed that man’s speculative reason can only know phenomena and can never penetrate to the noumenon. Man, however, is not altogether excluded from the noumenal because practical reason—i.e., the capacity for acting as a moral agent makes no sense unless a noumenal world is postulated in which freedom, God, and immortality abide.

  Faith is free, and God has made you of its one substance. All things are possible to your faith, love, joy and charity, which keeps your hope alive.
  By faith and love man scales the spiritual heights. Reason must hold you on course, but faith and love are the wings of your soul and supply your motive power.
  Faith is your auto-starter, the source of your supply and fuel. Faith is the principle of activity operating within the dynamo, the generator, the magnet. Your faith makes you a magnetic center of joy.

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Sacrificing Self
Edna Lister outline, June 7, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 2 Corinthians 3.

  Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.–2 Corinthians 3.
  Earth’s glory may blind you at times with a brilliant sunset, the beauty of sea and sky, towering clouds, the transient perfection of flowers, the love light in a dear one’s eyes. All these things shall pass away. Not so with the glory of God.
  A sculptor begins with a vision and a piece of marble, rough and unpolished. He follows the pattern of his vision and removes the excess stone a hairbreadth at a time.
  So must you eliminate your rough spots, sacrifice, hurts, sorrow and losses. God sees you as being perfect until you have finished letting go of earth’s excesses. You must let go of earth to achieve heaven’s glories.
  Some souls are gifted to be able to look into the face of a tiny newly-embodied soul, an infant, and see all that soul’s relationships.
  “We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”—2 Corinthians 3:18.
  The Gospels illustrate the Christ way, the Via Christa, and the Christ sacrifice, Crucifixion of self. He has already come to save us, and he gave all, once. Now, it is our turn to do, to be, to give and become.
  How strong are you, how willing? Do you want ease or glory? That is the great question. Let us change into the same image from glory unto glory.

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I Have Chosen You
Edna Lister outline, June 29, 1936, Buffalo, NY. John 15:7-20.

  “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”–John 15:7-20.
  “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”—John 15:16.
  Jesus Christ has ordained us to go forth and bear good fruit because he has chosen us. To ordain someone is to commission or to consecrate them to fulfill a sacred task.
  “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”–John 15:18-19.
  The world loves its own. Thus, when you walk with Christ, the world treats you with the same contempt and hatred it showed him as he fulfilled his mission.
  “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”–John 15: 9-11.
  These verses paint a picture of Christ’s disciples reaching upward together, as a group, as a tree reaches up to the Light. As a group, how great is your love for God and His Christ? Are you ready to lay down your life, or afraid?

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Greater Love
Edna Lister outline, August 30, 1936, Buffalo, NY. John 15:13, Galatians 5:14,18.

  Everyone loves in his own degree, which can range from completely selfish to utterly selfless. Everyone loves someone or something. Because people love, their love can redeem them. How long this takes depends on whether they love selfishly or selflessly.
  “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”—John 15:13. So the quality of your love for others depends on how much you love the self. The quantity of love you debit from your soul to squander on self can hurt the quality of your love.
  “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”–Galatians 5:14.
  “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage…But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”–Galatians 5:1, 18.
  Unless you choose to submit to God’s laws, you remain under the threat of an avalanche of spiritual debts, which could bury you. Enough self indulged in becomes the avalanche that buries you.
  You must redeem your love and work to dig yourself out of your self-created darkness to live in the glory of the Light. When you dig your buried soul from the darkness of self, then all you know is Light and God’s glory.

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The Living Christ
Edna Lister outline, October 5, 1936, Buffalo, NY. John 6:45-58.

  “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.”–John 6:45-58
  “This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”–John 6:50-51.
  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.”–John 6:53-57.
  In the beginning, Jesus was playing a part, living as the Christ. If a person is masquerading as something, you may think he is that thing. What do you think Christ is, really?
  The Master is always calling to you. In a dream-vision, one woman saw great crowds standing before a high wall that had no gates. The crowd was dense, the people murmuring, but no one was able to get through. She approached the crowd, standing on a rise behind the people. Occasionally, she saw beautiful lights and heard a voice coming through the wall. Then one person gently pushed his way through the crowd to the wall. A great light appeared in the wall, and the man walked through the wall and disappeared from view.
  The Master simply points his finger to open a line of Light to you. Do you follow him? Do you fail to pay attention? Do you doubt the truth of his call? Do you fear to answer his call? God, your Father, is waiting for you to come to Him. He wants you to return home to Him. He must have you with Him as a sentinel for Christ.

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My Yoke is Light
Edna Lister outline, October 11, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Matthew 11:28-30.

  “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”–Matthew 11:28-30.
  Rest sounds soothing, but it can be dangerous. Too much rest may lead to inertia, which results in crystallization, and eventually death. You rest from something—earth’s burdens, old thoughts, old images, all darkness, which is lack, want, and limitations.
  You must be empty to be refilled. “Rest from” being full of worldly cares to make room to receive. “Take my yoke upon you” and through taking it, you find “rest to your soul,” from the downward pull of earth.
  What is this yoke? Oxen, joined together in a yoke, pull the load with patience, endurance, strength, and steadfastness. A yoke of oxen, pulling a plow and guided by the farmer, carve a furrow in a field. Your furrow is your road to heaven.
  The earthly road is a way full of “I, me, my, mine. I do this. I heal. Look at me. If you really knew me. My family, my things, my possessions. This is mine.” Such limited ownership leads to death of imagination, thinking and desire.
  When you are full of “I, me, my, mine,” the gate to glory is only slightly ajar. When your speech is filled with “Thee and Thine,” you can see the opening into God’s heart. You cannot lose, fail or be left out.
  To man, a yoke is impossibly heavy, so being yoked in Light must be one of God’s “possibles.” The Master could say, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” because the yoke is love. Every burden is light when you act in cooperation with Power.

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Daring to Do
Edna Lister outline, October 18, 1936, Buffalo, NY. April 22, 1956, Tacoma, WA. Hebrews 11:27-36, 1 Chronicles 11:22-23.

  “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, 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 Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked 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, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.”–Hebrews 11:27-36.
  These verses from the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews contain a history of what “daring” has accomplished in the Bible. The verse from the first Book of Chronicles illustrates exceptional courage.
  “Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lion-like men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.”–1 Chronicles 11:22.
  You can build character only on strength, not weakness. Yet strength is not necessarily showy. For example, snow, softly falling is gentle and absolutely irresistible, but it can paralyze traffic.
  Water represents emotions. Water, frozen to ice, then breaking up, starts the ice cracking. When ice thaws, it causes trouble. People can lose their lives through accidents. Yet ice must move once it starts thawing.
  Grass and leaves grow with a gentle, irresistible pushing force. Virtues, such as courage and valiance, are born of this gentle force, which we may call faith.
  Jesus the Christ was a man of gentle power, whose death led to a greater resurrection. Thousands had followed him then, but millions now do.

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Daring to Live
Edna Lister outline, November 1, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Matthew 22:35-40.

  “Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”–Matthew 22:35-40.
  Eternal life is yours when you love God with a whole heart, not broken into bits called heaven and earth, God’s and mine. You must love God with your whole soul, not with most as “me,” with your whole mind, not with scattered pieces, and with your whole strength, permitting no weakness of self.
  One morning, I opened a kitchen window and within a few minutes a small spider had begun to spin a web. As I watched the tiny creature working, I realized that it must first create its own substance through spinning the silk, anchor the pattern, then weave its web.
  That spider was a perfect example of instantly grasping an opportunity, and daring to take a chance at life in the open places. If it meets with failure, it tries again. A spider web is fragile, yet strong enough to catch a small bird. Some artisans have used a spider web instead of wire for minute work.
  Dare you let go of the past to live vitally now? Dare you give up your possessions, of things and of people? Dare you weave a new pattern when you use up your old life’s web? A spider uses its substance in a riotous calm, continual weaving its web.
  You, too, can weave a web of Light, and catch folks in your Light web, like the iridescent jewels that adorn each crossing of strands. Dare you take a chance? All you need to do is to smile, knowing that you will do well. All Light and all Power move through you. The Master always has his eye on you in loving compassion and understanding.

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Daring to Die
Edna Lister outline, November 15, 1936, Buffalo, NY. 1 Corinthians 15:36-56.

  Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.–1 Corinthians 15:36-56.
  Every seed dies to be reborn and live—it gives up its seed-life for a greater body, which God knows, but not the seed. The seed goes into darkness and death. To know how to die is to know how to be quickened. A seed and a plant both have life, and both have a body. The plant is within the seed.
  Man’s physical body is sown in corruption, dishonor, and weakness while bringing the soul to dwell in earth’s darkness and limitations. A soul is grafted upon a corruptible body, and may be grafted into a family to receive virtues. Both a terrestrial and a celestial glory exist, just as do the natural and spiritual bodies.
  The first Adam was a living soul. The second Adam is a quickened spirit, clothed in a star dust body. Adam means red earth. The first man is of earth. The second is a man of the Lord, from heaven.
  In the twinkling of an eye, the body shall be changed safely. You regain any soul loss of identity and physical substance at the last trumpet.
  Paul said, “I die daily,” meaning to the body, sin, darkness, sorrow, and lack. You raise the body in incorruption, spiritual substance, glory, and strength.
  People pyramid stock market dividends, but you can pyramid happiness and joy. Death is the victory of life triumphant, radiant and glorious. Dare to give up the past. To let go of death and darkness means Light, life, and glory.

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I Challenge Fate
Edna Lister outline, November 29, 1936, Buffalo, NY. Job 1:6-12, Job 38:1-3.

  “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is] in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.”–Job 1:6-12.
  “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.”–Job 38:1-3.
  Job was an upright man who had never sinned. Satan entered the presence of God during an open audience among the sons of God. The Lord knew he was there to tempt Job, to test whether his perfection was real or only skin deep.
  The nature of the soul’s progress is Godlike, for God does not hold back, but always pushes forward. Therefore, every soul must be tested and tempted until there is no chance of that soul failing.
  Job obeyed the law scrupulously, but worried about others and was afraid that some of those souls on his lines of responsibility might sin. You are better off hiring someone to do your worrying than to waste time and effort in doing so yourself.
  People pyramid stocks in the material world to assure their security. Yet if you pyramid joy, it begets peace and pays dividends in heaven, which continue long after you forget having done so.
  The days leading to Christmas are a period in which you are preparing for peace. With a heart singing in joy, you can pile up joy-credits to last through the time of singing nerves.
  God told Job, “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.”–Job 22:28.
  “When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?”–Job 34:29. Decree now, “I AM a child of destiny. I AM radiant. I AM ready to march. I AM unafraid. I AM strong. I AM quickened. I AM victorious. I AM triumphant.”

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Wings on Your Feet
Edna Lister outline, December 13, 1936, Buffalo, NY. John 3:1-21.

  “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”–John 3:1-21.
  “Except a man be born again” of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Water represents the catharsis of cleansing emotions. Air represents the breath of mystery. Spirit is Light filling the soul.
  Psychology is a science by which you can list and categorize a person’s actions, speech and dreams. By studying these, you can know exactly where that person is going and what he is going to do.
  “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”–John 3:8. You are reborn of Spirit through repentance, remission and surrender.
  “He that believeth on him [the only begotten Son] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”–John 3:18-19.
  Never again sink into being judgmental. God and the Master never judge unrighteously or condemn. God’s mirror of Light should be your mirror of glory.
  Forgiveness is composed of three elements, repentance, remission of sins, and surrender of the self, which is self-denial. Water and Light both provide spiritual cleansing. Surrender to God puts wings on your feet. Do you believe that God has forgiven you? Not if you still indulge in self-condemnation, which acts as an anchor to an old earthy consciousness.
  Are you exactly the same now as in your darkest hour yesterday? Of course not. Obsession with the past is a swine-like soul taint, and pigs run in a herd. Come to the Light as an individual, taking responsibility for others. When you are finally cleansed of the idea, the belief that yesterday’s truth enslaves you today, then today stands revealed as pure, beautiful, and glorious.
  “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”–John 3:20-21.
  When you do the truth, you come to the Light unafraid and unashamed. You receive promotion, and reward, because you are blameless, without blame and not blaming. What does darkness mean to you? Lifting the hold that darkness has on the self, in you and in others, brings more Light to you, and you to greater Light.
  Remove the anchors of self-condemnation and put the wings of surrender on your feet. You are new this hour, cleansed of yesterday’s darkest moment.

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