Join us for the best summer yet!

Practice abiding in Truth — witness God’s healing power!
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

“Truth”

For January 18-24, 2016

Prepared by Kathy Fitzer, CS of Lake St. Louis, MO and Park City, UT

314-323-4083 kathyfitzer@gmail.com

In order to see through a lie or correct a misconception it is important to understand the truth about something. This week’s lesson reveals God as Truth. Clearly understanding Truth enables us to correct the misconceptions of mortal mind and find freedom and life in God.

Golden Text and Responsive Reading: Acknowledge the might and glory of Truth

Mrs. Eddy based her seven synonyms for God on what she found in the Bible. Looking at the Golden Text and Responsive Reading, we find a foundation for identifying God as Truth. Now, look for the attributes that are identified with Truth. Here are some of what I found: Truth is good and virtuous (without iniquity,) fair, unbiased, honest, principled (just,) powerful, merciful, and righteous. This lesson shows us how entertaining these qualities in thought allows the blessings of Truth to be made manifest. We can bring healing to our world by shining, celebrating, and praising (glorying) Truth, and knowing that all people everywhere are naturally governed and blessed by Truth.

Section 1: Get to know and understand God — Truth

In order to understand God, we need to spiritually discern Truth. (S-1) Truth doesn’t change — doesn’t fluctuate — doesn’t come and go. It is dependable and sure. The 91st Psalm clearly paints a picture of certain protection, and has been turned to on countless occasions by people seeking safety from any kind of difficulty. Truth will “rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.” (B-3) We can totally trust God to fulfill His promises [with instantaneous and permanent results – NO “gradual recovery… (or) possibility of relapse… no side effects, no after effects.” Cobbey Crisler (CC) online Download on Ps. 33:9, (B-4)] And, what a promise this is: “I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.” (B-5) CURE — not just make better, but completely restore health (or wholeness.) Notice the word reveal. Peace (in the world, in the body, and in personal relationships) is the natural state of God’s creation. It is the role of Truth to uncover this reality so that it may be perceived by human consciousness. Spiritual understanding enables us to see what Truth is always actively revealing. In order for us to understand God, we must be thinkers. (S-4) We must refuse to go along with what the material senses are reporting. Rather, we practice looking through the material mist to discern “the reality of all things brought to light.” Understanding is given to us by Spirit (by God that is Love and Truth.) (S-2) No need to struggle to intellectually understand some difficult concept. Instead, joyously practice discerning Truth! (S-6)

Section 2: God’s word is truth! It can be relied on to sustain us!

God spoke to the prophet Elijah and, as he obediently followed directions, both he and the widow woman were blessed by God’s Word (B-7). In the New Testament of the Bible the name Elias is used for Elijah (and that’s the name Mrs. Eddy uses in the glossary of Science and Health.) A key part of that definition (as it relates to the Bible story here) is the part that says, “Christian Science, with which can be discerned the spiritual fact of whatever the material senses behold.” (S-9) So, just as Elijah saw right through the picture of lack and limitation presented by the material senses, we can lean on the teachings of Christian Science to enable us to discern the spiritual fact in the face of the material picture — whether the lie calls itself lack, disease, war, death, destruction, or anything else. Remember that what God says is true. (B-10) And, if God didn’t say it, there is no truth in it at all. So, check your thinking – can you accurately add “thus saith the Lord” after a thought or observation? If not – you know you don’t have to believe whatever is being presented. God’s word isn’t always heard as we hear things that we say to each other. But, whether audible or not, we can be sure that God is speaking to each and every one of us. We hear as we are still and really trust. It goes against all common sense and compassion for Elijah to have told the widow to fix him a cake before taking care of herself and her son. But, he had had enough experience to know that if he perceived this as a command from God, he could trust that it would bless everyone. Elijah understood not to base a sense of supply from the limited resources evident to the material senses. God’s abundant good is ever available! It really goes back to understanding “spiritual causation” as not having a starting and ending point — but being evidence of Truth’s perpetual unfoldment of good.” (S-10) So, let’s follow the example of Elijah and the widow. When God speaks, let’s be sure we are listening and responding. No “buts”! Be still, be confident, and know that there is truly only one Word. Then, expect and be prepared to accept God’s unfailing, infinite blessings. (B-7)

Section 3: Truth purifies, saves, restores, and adjusts the balance

The role of Truth is to make adjustments, purify, and bring things into perfect balance. Christ Jesus didn’t just tell people about God, Truth – he demonstrated Truth. To demonstrate is to give proof or evidence of something. We have many examples of Jesus healing physical disease, but in the case of Zacchaeus he showed the effect of Truth to change the character of a man and to right a wrong. And, not only was Zacchaeus blessed, but also was balance restored for the others who had suffered at his hand. Jesus said of himself, “the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” I was struck by his words to Zacchaeus … “make haste and come down; to-day I must abide at thy house.” (B-12) God’s light of Truth (Christ) is calling to the consciousness of each one of God’s children all the time … “come down from wherever you have wandered and welcome Truth into your thought and your life.” There is no reason to ever feel that we (or others) have messed up so much or so many times that redemption is out of reach. Or, that we or another can be a victim of wrongdoing that can’t be compensated for. No mistake (no error) — even if something appears to have been done with premeditation — is beyond the reach of the purifying touch of Truth. We can’t imagine how the adjustment will be made. Those waiting for Jesus to pass by that day never could have outlined the solution that came. But, everyone there had shown up. They were watching for Christ to pass by. Part of error’s trick is to make people think that they can get ahead by holding someone else back. But, it just doesn’t work that way. “Right adjusts the balance sooner or later.” (S-15) This light is revealing how we can “find… the way to health and holiness.” (S-17) [or “Find wholeness in the ‘way of holiness’.” (Isa 35:8), CedarS 2016 theme from our Bible-based purpose.] Jesus knew that all people really want to walk in that blessed “way to health and holiness”. (S-17, 241:23) As he mentally baptized everyone in the light of Truth, some responded and some didn’t. But, ultimately Truth will win out. Like Jesus, we have a job to acknowledge the ever-active influence of Truth and to trust its ability to purify consciousness and heal wrong-doing. Demonstrating the influence of Truth on the thought of man can result in finding solutions to societal problems such as economic disparity, as well as seeing the “balance of God” demonstrated in all areas of life. [See S-16 and B-11 with its CC online Download.] Truth can be trusted to purify and adjust!

Section 4: Abiding in Christ yields the fruit of Truth demonstrated — healing

Jesus expected his disciples to follow his example: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.” (B-16) [and CC online Download] He assured them that if they would follow his teachings (continue in my word) they would naturally “know the truth, and the truth [would] make [them] free.” (B-14, [“Daily Lift” themed on this Bible Lesson and CC online Download] We are Jesus’ followers! It’s really important for us to remember that it is the action of Truth that heals. Our job is to know (connect with and respond to) that Truth. Jesus used an agricultural illustration to help us better understand what it means to “continue in [Jesus’] word.” In order for the branch to bear fruit, it must remain attached to the vine. If a branch is not bearing fruit, it must be cut away. If it is bearing fruit, it is pruned (dead wood cut out) so that it is able to bear even more fruit. Jesus identifies himself as the vine, and God as the husbandman — the gardener, or the one who cares for the vine and the branches. (B-15) We (Jesus’ followers) are the branches. The Greek word, kathairo has a double meaning — “to prune” and “to cleanse.” Love cleanses thought — pruning away that which is not productive — and healing results. Healing of thought and body is for the glorification of God (making evident God’s works.) Healing is Truth demonstrated — the truth of man’s oneness with God. Having the Mind of Christ, we abide in Christ (Truth) and Truth abides in us. Prayers are answered (healing takes place) as all non-productive thoughts and actions (anything that isn’t bearing fruit, including non-productive physical ailments of any kind) are pruned away and consciousness cleansed by Truth. God’s creation is then free to bloom and unfold in its natural harmony and completeness. (B-15) The last citation of this section challenges us to ask ourselves a couple of questions: “Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good? Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love?” (S-21) Answering the first question with a yes enables us to also respond positively to the second. Abiding in Christ — and knowing that Christ abides in us — brings healing!

Section 5: Truth destroys what is untrue — so argue on the side of Truth!

Paul commanded the lame man to stand up on feet and legs that had never before held him up. (B-19) Wow! Think about the conviction and faith exemplified — by both Paul and the man who was healed. Paul is a great model for us because he, like we, wasn’t one of the disciples who had been taught directly by Jesus. But, he could (and we can) still call on the authority of Christ (Truth) to destroy that which is not true — anything that is not good, so not of God. [See CC online Download on Acts 14: 8-10, (B-19)] This section is filled with ideas of what is required to achieve success in healing. To me, one of the most important things to never lose sight of is the fact that it is God that heals. (S-22) So what’s our part — as healers, and as those seeking healing? The conviction exemplified by Paul is a good place to start. Mrs. Eddy says that “God, Truth, Life, Love does heal the sick through the prayer of the righteous.” (S-22) It might help to think a bit more deeply about what it means to be righteous. According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, to be righteous is to be “just; accordant to the divine law; holy in heart and observant of the divine commands in practice.” So, to me, it means keeping thought in line with God’s law, expecting to see that law in action. This is such a simple statement: “Truth is real and error is unreal.” (S-23) But, it is an example of a statement of divine law that we must be accordant (in agreement) with. In order to bear witness to God’s healing power, we need to argue on the side of Truth. We need to see health as more real than sickness; and “be astounded at the vigorous claims of evil and doubt them.” (S-24) We are told to “speak the truth to every form of error.” (S-25) So … our job is to choose what to agree with. It’s never too late to line up with the winning team. By siding with Truth, we’re no longer fooled by the lie. Health (in all areas of life) is the law of Life. Knowing that God’s works stand forever (B-17,) we can speak with conviction (as Paul did) and error (sin, disease, and death) must cower and yield. No matter what the physical evidence, you don’t have to believe it! Align your thought with the healing power of Truth. The unreal must yield to the real!

Section 6: Name the name of Christ — Practice living Truth

This section seems to me to elaborate on the ideas we’ve already been thinking about — living on the side of Truth, or as Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy, “rightly dividing the word of truth.” In the next verse, we see reference to “every one that nameth the name of Christ.” (B-20) Mrs. Eddy elaborates on what it means to do that. She writes in Miscellaneous Writings (19: 11), “He who has named the name of Christ, who has virtually accepted the divine claims of Truth and Love in divine Science, is daily departing from evil: and all the wicked endeavors of suppositional demons can never change the current of that life from steadfastly flowing on to God, its divine source.” All that is required is accepting Truth and departing from evil. Think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. (see B-21) And, if a thought does not qualify (or if evidence doesn’t coincide) it can be dismissed as worthless and powerless. It takes practice to live with Truth and reject error. But, it takes practice to master most things! Practicing right thinking is a big part of prayer. The Christian Science textbook teaches that “prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual desire to know and do the will of God, will bring us into all Truth.” (S-28) Living in Truth is certainly never be dull or boring. New views of amazing good continually appear as we see more and more of the reign of Truth. So, look for the good that is true, insist that the good that is true IS present, even when it hasn’t yet appeared. Practice, practice, practice living and witnessing Truth and you will see it. And, as Truth becomes more apparent, it will destroy “what mortals seem to have learned from error.” (S-31) Step by step keep walking toward the light. Darkness can’t endure in the light! Error can’t endure in Truth.


[W's P.S.: Horse-loving matching fund donors will match dollar-for-dollar your "Adopt the Herd" gifts to provide needed care for our wonderful herd of horses. Other needs starting with $1 items can be found and met on our Giving Tree. Every gift matters, is tax-deductible and adds up to big blessings in the lives of Sunday School students.]

[IT WOULD BE A HUGE, HUGE ANSWER TO PRAYER to have MORE MONTHLY GIFTS ONLINE which you can easily set up at https://www.cedarscamps.org/donate/?a=donate-recurring .

To discuss privately how to transfer securities or other assets or planned gifts to support and perpetuate CedarS work, you can reach a member of the Founding family nearly anytime by calling the Huffs or their daughter Holly Huff Bruland at 636-394-6162

or MAIL your tax-deductible support to our 501-C-3 organization
(Our not-for-profit, Federal Identification Number is #440-66-3883):

The CedarS Camps Office
1314 Parkview Valley Drive
Ballwin, MO 63011

THANKS TO YOU PRECIOUS DONORS FOR YOUR ONGOING, GENEROUS and NEEDED SUPPORT OF CedarS IMPORTANT WORK!]


[CedarS weekly Metaphysical Newsletter is provided at no charge to the 1,200 campers and staff blessed each summer at CedarS, as well as to CedarS alumni, families and friends who have requested it. However, current and planned gifts are a big help and are greatly appreciated in defraying the costs of running this service and of providing needed camperships, programs and operations support.

[The Met application ideas above are provided primarily to help CedarS campers and staff (as well as friends) see and daily demonstrate the great value of studying and applying the Christian Science Bible lessons throughout the year, not just at camp! YOU CAN ALSO SIGN UP for weekly emails from past CedarS staff of possible ways to share Bible Lesson applications with older, as well as younger, Sunday School classes by clicking the "Subscribe Now" button (lower left) at http://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/ ]

[For additional "Director's Notes" on the history, development & 4 translations of CedarS weekly Bible Lesson "Mets" go to Notes in our online version of it.]

American Camp Association

MAIN OFFICE
(November - May)
410 Sovereign Court #8
Ballwin, MO 63011
(636) 394-6162

CAMP OFFICE
(Memorial Day Weekend - October)
19772 Sugar Dr.
Lebanon, MO 65536
(417) 532-6699

Support our mission!

CedarS Camps

Back
to top