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[Find Substance meeting every need, even at the 11th hour!]
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on

“Substance”
for Sunday, September 13, 2015

by Rick Stewart, C.S., Dresden, Germany
+49 351 312 4736 rickstewartcs@aol.com

I love to greet each new day even before I get out of bed with Psalm 118:24, " This is the day which the Lord hath made; we (I) will rejoice and be glad in it." I have found that firmly declaring that truth before every other thought opens the door to all of God's wonderful provisions for us individually and for our world.

So as usual, I began this day with that affirmation. It was early enough that I knew I had plenty of time to study the Christian Science Bible Lesson before waking the kids for school. And this morning I decided to listen to the online reading of the lesson (actually twice!) by Judy Olson and Norm Bleichman, First and Second Readers of The Mother Church. See: http://jsh.christianscience.com/ebiblelesson-express

Then at 6:30am I began my wake-up rounds for the kids, first with Alma and Martha. As I whispered to the girls, "Time to wake up,” Martha gave a big stretch, smiled, and excitedly asked, "Papa, is it noodle day?" That caught me by surprise, and I was not sure what to answer, and then I remembered, "Yes, Martha it is noodle day!" She was thrilled. You see every Monday the lunch in Kindergarten is some kind of noodle dish. And noodles are Martha's favorite food. So her day was beginning with the thrilling anticipation of eating noodles for lunch. What could be better?

My next thought was about all the refugee families that are desperately fleeing war, danger, and uncertainty. I found myself praying, asking the Father, "Please let them wake knowing that we will respond. We will with God's help make them know there is hope." They deserve to wake with the same anticipation of substantial good as my Martha. And then I thought of this beautiful Christian Science Bible Lesson on "Substance," that awaits each of us this week. I know it will meet every single individual need and all the needs of the world. With the help of this Bible Lesson our understanding will deepen and our inspiration will move us to action in proving that that there is enough of God's Love to bless us all and meet our every need.

Mary Baker Eddy wrote about "enough" in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,

"Unfathomable Mind is expressed. The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!" SH 520:3-5 (to !)

Let's get busy and prove it!

The Golden Text points us to the importance of giving God his due. Here is the original version of that verse from the King James Version and then a couple of alternatives. Also note how helpful it is to think of Tithes as Mrs. Eddy presents it in the Glossary of Science and Health.

Golden Text: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10 KJV-

MSG – “Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” Malachi 3:10

NLT – “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10

CEB – “Bring the whole tenth-part to the storage house so there might be food in my house. Please test me in this, says the LORD of heavenly forces. See whether I do not open all the windows of the heavens for you and empty out a blessing until there is enough.” Malachi 3:10

Science and Health “Tithe. Contribution; tenth part; homage; gratitude." (595:22)

The idea of giving God his due and also of making that evident in the giving to others is introduced through the Responsive Reading. And the New Living Translation version also helped me.

Responsive Reading
The New Living Translation (NLT) version states the opening of our Responsive Reading this way: “dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.” (II Corinthians 8:1 brethren, 2, 7, 9 ye, 12–15, NLT)

The New Living Translation (NLT) version states closing of our Responsive Reading this way: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38)

Section 1: God is the source of all true substance.
This first section of the Lesson points us away from matter and the usual sources for the necessities of life: food, drink, clothes and instead encourages us to be inspired by God's provision of all necessities, even in the wilderness.

In citation B3 we read the story in Exodus 16 of the Children of Israel in the wilderness and how the whole congregation was "murmuring" against their leaders. The people were very scared as they looked at the desert-like conditions that lay before them. It is understandable that they looked fondly back to Egypt, where they may have been slaves, but at least they had enough to eat. ("when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full) They wondered why they had been brought forth into the wilderness to be killed with hunger?

But God gave a promise to Moses, "Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you;" And He did. Each morning the Children of Israel awakened to the provision of a substance almost like frost on the ground. They were able to make bread from it. It supplied their need when their appeared no possible source for the supply. They called it “manna," literally "what is it," or "what is that," from the Hebrew, man hu. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manna

In citation B4, Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus teaches us all to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;" in order to be provided with the necessities of life. [See W’s PS for Cobbey Crisler insight #1]

The Science and Health citations deepen our understanding of true substance and of how this can be made practical. As we gain clearer understanding of God and His provision we see what might be completely invisible to terrified, worried thought.

Citation S3 states: “In divine Science, man is sustained by God, the divine 6 Principle of being. The earth, at God’s command, brings forth food for man’s use. Knowing this, Jesus once said, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink,” — presuming not on the prerogative of his creator, but recognizing God, the Father and Mother of all, as able to feed and clothe man as He doth the lilies." (530:5)

If one is only used to finding food and drink in a grocery store, the wilderness can seem very bare! Spiritual guidance and inspiration can lift one's thought to the bounty that God can provide as in the story of the manna. But also practical knowledge can unlock delicious provision where the "grocery store" or "flesh pot" mentality sees nothing.

In Central Florida where I grew up you could look at a wilderness scene and yearn for shelves of groceries or you could discover what is already there for harvest. Examples, cattails which are around most bodies of water are even sometimes called the supermarket of the wild. You can make bread from the starch in the roots that is delicious. You can eat the tender white portions at the base of the shoots and you can eat the seed head. The Florida state tree, the Cabbage Palm, is the source of delicious "swampt cabbage" or heart of palm. Florida is filled with pine trees. Almost all evergreen trees provide a nutritious food source found in the inner bark, I think it is called the cambium. Fried it tastes great. The cambrian layer of all deciduous trees is edible, some is downright delicioius. And many of us have watched videos of the indigenous people of the Kalahari Desert who are able to find water in buried roots. There is food and drink where grocery-store-shelf mentality only sees nothing.

But a wonderful story that I may have shared before has to do with another form of provision that is clearly and simply an answered prayer. I remember hearing this story as a boy from one of my dad's co-workers. Mr. Cumby told us that he grew up in a really big family. His dad was a Baptist minister. And during the Great Depression their family was quite poor. At one point there was absolutely nothing to eat. His father was praying and expected an answer. As he prayed a heavy thunderstorm came up and in the middle of the storm a ten-pound bass (a kind of fish) fell right outside the family's front door. Needless to say that was a very grateful servant of God!

Section 2: The one needful thing… desire for righteousness is rewarded.
The NLT version of citation B5 puts it this way “The Lord your God will then make you successful in everything you do.” (Deuteronomy 30:9)

In citation B7 (Luke 10) we read about Jesus going to visit in the house of Mary and Martha. (The sisters of Lazarus who was later raised from the dead.) It seems that Martha was quite upset that she was busy serving her guests while her sister Mary was just listening to the Master's teachings. Jesus spoke to Martha and pointed out the Mary had chosen the one thing that was truly needful, what we might call the hunger for righteousness, or spiritual understanding. [For more see W’s PS for Cobbey Crisler insight #2]

As the NLT puts citation B7 Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38–42)

As the Message puts citation B8 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” (Matthew 5:6) Other translations shed different light on citation B8:God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[bfor they will be satisfied.” (NLT) “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.” (CEB) “Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for goodness, for they will be fully satisfied!” (PHIL)

As I read this account and the Science and Health citations from this section, I could not help but think of what came later in the lives of Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus was sick and died. The Master was called and after four days Jesus arrived on the scene and raised their brother from the grave. It occurred to me, what would have been the biggest help to making this demonstration of Christ power possible, a delicious cake or a deeper understanding of God?

As in Citation S11 "If our hopes and affections are spiritual, they come from above, not from beneath, and they bear as of old the fruits of the Spirit." (451:16)

That is indeed a fruit from the Tree of Life!

Section 3: Enough work, enough pay, full employment for all!
The phrase we sometimes here, "the eleventh hour" may have actually come from the parable in this section. (B10, Matthew 20: 1-4) A lot of folks have wrestled mentally over this parable. Is it fair for someone to work all day, through the heat, and then someone be hired at the eleventh hour, around 5 p.m., and receive the same wage? [For more see W’s PS for Cobbey Crisler insight #3]

Remember this was a parable. It was designed to teach spiritual lessons. Important spiritual lessons. And when we spiritualize these lessons we make some eye opening discoveries.

A friend of mine, Jim Graham, was healed of a life threatening and debilitating disease through Christian Science. He was so grateful that after his healing he eagerly and quickly applied for Christian Science Class Instruction. Soon he was an active member of our branch church and serving on the Executive Board of our church. He was a hungry, grateful, eager participant. It had all happened very quickly. And as a young practitioner beginning in the public practice I remember how astounded I was at fellow church members who thought this young man was too active, too soon. I guess you could say they thought he had to pay his dues (a longer time of being a Christian Scientist.) I always felt that he was paying his dues, because he knew with his whole heart that it was due to God that he was alive and could serve.

When he visited a doctor's office and heard the doctor’s diagnosis he heard a phrase in thought, "sounds like a merry-go-round." After his doctor visit he came by our house and had a visit with my mom, a Christian Science practitioner. They spoke together for hours about the truth of God and man's relationship. Jim then shared some of what he had just been told and what he was given as prospects for his life. Mom simply said, "Sounds like they have you on the merry-go-round." Jim told me at one point, when he heard that he knew everything he had just listened to about God and man was true. You can look up on the Mother Church's JSH Online to see and hear what Jim had to see about that life-changing healing.

"Getting of the merry-go-round" by Jim Graham, Winter Garden, Florida, August 5, 2015 Audio Recording is available on JSH Online to hear. If you do not have computer capabilities to listen to this healing, just give me a call and I will call you back and play it over the phone to you!!

http://sentinel.christianscience.com/audioplayer/shareview/kogjxslftk

The littleness of thought that would try and exclude or make the truth available only in tiny portions and after years of service would probably find little approval from our Master. We are all entitled. We are all loved: impartially, universally, without exception. How ready are we to accept and be grateful? How open are our mental doors for every newcomer, ever eager recipient? Are we giving to them with teaspoons or buckets of Love? Don't all deserve the very best of God's Love? We know with our whole heart that the blessings of infinite Love that others receive does not take one tiny, little bit from us, because it is infinite Love, infinite substance

As our Leader writes "It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good. The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love." (S16, 494:11–15)

Section 4: When Christ comes it is never too late.
I love the healing from the Acts of the Apostles that is included in this section. We read of Peter and John meeting a beggar at the Temple gate, "Beautiful." The man had been lame since birth. He was begging for money, but he was evidently open to something of much deeper worth, the substance of a spiritual healing.

Citation B13 reads "And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." (Acts 3: 1-8)

Mary Baker Eddy discovered that this healing power that was manifest in Jesus life and also in the lives of the disciples and apostles had not diminished. It is not limited in any way by elements of time, too late or too soon. It is not limited by material situation or circumstance, too big or too small. Actually the coming of the Christ, Truth to thought reveals that insubstantiality of mortal material claims and the eternal reality of Spirit's substantiality.

Citation S21 states "Working out the rules of Science in practice, the author has restored health in cases of both acute and chronic disease in their severest forms. Secretions have been changed, the structure has been renewed, shortened limbs have been elongated, ankylosed joints have been made supple, and carious bones have been restored to healthy conditions." (162:16–22)

Years ago my mom received a telephone call from a rather desperate mother. Her son had just been to the doctor and the family had been told the boy's thumb needed to be amputated immediately. There were fears of infection, gangrene and complications if this was not done. It seems the boy had been bitten while playing with the pet monkey of a friend. The family's only acquaintance with Christian Science was that the boy's best friend had attended our Sunday School in Ocala one time as the guest of one of our regular students. Their question, "Would my mom pray for the boy." My mom's answer was, "Yes."

The family knew nothing of Christian Science. After a brief visit with my mother and some simple ideas of the true substance of man as spiritual, not material. And the assurance that no material condition could destroy man's life as God's child the family returned to the doctor's office. The infection was no longer evident and the doctor in amazement said all was well.

That family had come to my mom "expecting to receive something of "her." And they did.

My mom said she had simply worked with the Scientific Statement of Being from page 468 of Science and Health. She knew it clearly tells us that there is no substance in matter, therefore no material substance to fear. And of course the family was grateful to have their son be healed.

Section 5: Practicing and proving the uninterrupted continuity of Good.
In early August we shared a vacation time together with our whole family and also my wife's sister's family in the German state of Brandenburg. It was near the end of the grain harvest. Huge threshing machines were cutting the golden grain and filling trailers to the brim to take the grain to the storage facilities. The weather was perfect for the harvest, warm and dry, and that would insure that the grain would not spoil in storage. This grain would then be put to use in making the bread that Germans love so much.

This section reminded me of that busy harvest time. The reaping of what had been sewn. And the promise of putting it to use.

Citation B16 includes this advice " Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." (Proverbs 3:9, 10, 27)

The so-called eleventh hour, the end of the work day, also presents a wonderful opportunity. When there is a great need, and when that need is imminent, right now, it creates an openness of thought, a receptivity to see the Good that God is ready to bestow.

In one of the first summers that I was able to serve at CedarS Camps as a resident Christian Science Practitioner, I had the privilege of getting to know Ruth Huff, the founder of CedarS. What a joy it was to take some time at the end of the day and have a little visit with Ruth. She freely shared her vision, her wisdom, and her love for the work at CedarS.

One afternoon as we visited Ruth said, "Oh, Rick, you will love this one. It was very close to the start of camp for the summer. I had a very good cook ready to serve for the summer and then I received a call that that cook would not be able to be with us. I remember thinking to myself, "Oh, Father, I can't wait to see how you work this one out.” The need was apparent and immediate. I was driving into town for some errands. As I passed a house on the gravel road, I noticed someone hanging some clothes on the line, I slowed down so that I would not stir up the dust from the road, and it occurred to me that I should stop and say hello. It was a neighbor that I did not know. As we talked I asked her what kind of work she did. She explained that she had been a cook in the local school system for years. I suddenly saw God's plan at work and asked her, "Would you like to work as our cook at camp this summer?" She immediately accepted and for the next seven years she was our cook."

There are times when the need is now. There are times when the need is big. There are times when we are in the middle of that need that it can seem overwhelming, but these are also the times when God is closest.

Many of us know how challenging these times are for millions in the world as they face war that engulfs them, danger, threats, hunger, and seeming helplessness. How important are your prayers right now. Yes, the need is apparent, but also the opportunity is great to give, to love, to pray, and to do.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians telling of some of his challenges. Doesn't it resonate with the situation of today?

2 Corinthians 1:8-11, J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity

“We should like you, our brothers, to know something of what we went through in Asia. At that time we were completely overwhelmed, the burden was more than we could bear, in fact we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet we believe now that we had this experience of coming to the end of our tether that we might learn to trust, not in ourselves, but in God who can raise the dead. It was God who preserved us from imminent death, and it is he who still preserves us. Further, we trust him to keep us safe in the future, and here you can join in and help by praying for us, so that the good that is done to us in answer to many prayers will mean eventually that many will thank God for our preservation."

Many thousands here in Germany are looking and praying for ways to give and help alleviate the suffering of those fleeing and reaching out for security and home. Prayers in support of that are vital and needed. Also practical responses and ways to help will come to mind. It is an imperative that goes with the Science of Love that our Master taught and expected us to practice. The concluding citation from our Lesson shows our Leader's faith in what her followers would do. “The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good. Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality — infinite Life, Truth, and Love." (S28, 518:15)

In working this morning I thought of the following powerful encouragements about the opportunity that exists to us right now.

A lecture by James M. McGrew, CSB: "Our Unlimited Opportunities. http://www.cslectures.org/McGrew/Our%20Unlimited%20Opportunities-McGrew.htm

An article, "Uninterrupted Continuity of Good," by Anna Herzog

Uninterrupted Continuity of Good
http://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/1gk77may0mq?s=e

(JSH-Online is the official website of The Christian Science Journal, Sentinel, and Herald.)

And most of all this wonderful, compassionate Christian Science Bible Lesson on "Substance."

I cannot wait to see the results unfold!


[Warren’s P.S.: You can download links to one-page scans of commentaries from Christian Science Bible scholar B. Cobbey Crisler on citations B4, B7 and B10 in this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson at http://www.cedarscamps.org/metaphysical/articles/2015/9/sunstance/.]


[Bracketed italics in each CedarS Met are added by CedarS Director and Met "Founder"/Editor, Warren Huff, who’s forever grateful for all the good already received and LETTING ONGOING NEEDS BE KNOWN –
[Good News!–to meet current needs… A $25,000 "Maintenace Musts" Matching Funds grant offer has been renewed by dear supporters through year-end 2015! Our first "Maintenance Must" of this off-season, before we can turn out our 77 horses into our lush lower pastures, is to do about $7,000 in fencing repairs there caused by a July flash flood! In June and July CedarS received record rainfall (~30 inches that we wish we could share with those needing it). It caused 100-year flash floods (100 feet below camp buildings) in our Cobbs Creek, washing away watergaps and pasture fencing. (Not covered by insurance… ) Any quick one-time or monthly donation online or otherwise that you or friends could give us would buy new wire and posts and would be greatly appreciated! That's http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving/give/] (Thanks for ~$1k given last week! ~$6k to go!)

[You can also reach a member of the Founding family nearly anytime by
PHONE at 636-394-6162
or MAIL your tax-deductible support to our 501C3 organization
(Our not-for-profit, Federal Identification Number is #440-66-3883):

The CedarS Camps, Inc.
19772 Sugar Drive
Lebanon, MO 65536


Significant funding is still also needed for these two special opportunities:
1. “Adopt the Herd” Matching Opportunity! Generous donors, aware of the ongoing need to care for CedarS herd, will match donations for our horse program! (~$10k needed to reach $50k goal)]

2. Over 100 needed items are featured on CedarS Giving Tree that could fit the budget of every grateful Met-recipient and camper. You can choose for yourself $1-and-up ways to give to support CedarS needs. Click here to see 2 young alumni tell their reasons to give.

[The 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. Click http://www.cedarscamps.org/giving/ for more about how you can provide even monthly support online. THIS WOULD BE A HUGE ANSWER TO PRAYER! Or you can always call the Huffs at 636-394-6162 to get information or discuss privately how to transfer securities or other assets to help support and perpetuate CedarS work.]

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

[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.]

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