Sunday January 3rd, 2021 Roundtable
The Peace of God
This week’s Lesson Sermon Subject: God
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Morning Prayers
Goodness never fails to receive its reward, for goodness makes life a blessing. As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing.
— from Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 165
Discussion points
267 — WATCH lest you forget that your work is to prove to God that you can balance your thought under all circumstances, whether you ascend up into heaven, or make your bed in hell, as the Bible declares. In vaudeville an acrobat balancing somebody on his head, will climb up and down a ladder as a proof of his skill. Human experience provides us with opportunities to prove to God that we can reflect Him under the worst conditions, as well as the most favorable.
— from 500 Watching Points by Gilbert Carpenter
Golden Text — “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” — Numbers 6 : 24-26
Those employed for God may be driven from their work by a storm, yet they must go back to it. They did not say that they would not build a temple, but, Not yet. Thus men do not say they will never repent and reform, and be religious, but, Not yet. And so the great business we were sent into the world to do, is not done. There is a proneness in us to think wrongly of discouragements in our duty, as if they were a discharge from our duty, when they are only for the trial of our courage and faith. They neglected the building of God’s house, that they might have more time and money for worldly affairs. That the punishment might answer to the sin, the poverty they thought to prevent by not building the temple, God brought upon them for not building it. Many good works have been intended, but not done, because men supposed the proper time was not come. Thus believers let slip opportunities of usefulness, and sinners delay the concerns of their souls, till too late. If we labour only for the meat that perishes, as the Jews here, we are in danger of losing our labour; but we are sure it shall not be in vain in the Lord, if we labour for the meat which lasts to eternal life.
— Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on Haggai 1
We always know where to look for the real Scientist, and always find him there. I agree with Rev. Dr. Talmage, that “there are wit, humor, and enduring vivacity among God’s people.”
— from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page page 117: 9-12
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
— Proverbs 17:22 from the King James Bible
Then we say to ourselves, “O Lord, how long?” And the answer comes back, “Just as long as you deny My omnipresence.”
— from “No Malpractice” in Addresses by Martha Wilcox, page 244
Forum post — “Turn from their wicked ways” by Joanne from FL.
Forum post — “… for God gave him rest round about” by Karen from CA.
Forum post — “Valley of Decision – God’s Law of Adjustment – Victory over Invasion.” by Louise from IL.
Article — “God’s Law Of Adjustment” by Adam H. Dickey
During the years she spent in bed, she got up a petition for the abolition of slavery which she sent to President Lincoln, signed by thousands of people.
— from Golden Memories, By Clara M. Sainsbury Shannon, C.S.D.
Book — “The Psychologist and The Magician – The Story, Part One” Christian Science, Its Clear, Correct Teaching by Herbert Eustace
Complete Hymn: — Hymn 35 — Hymn 35 from the Christian Science Hymnal
Visit then this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, radiancy divine,
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.
— Hymn 35 from the Christian Science Hymnal
Article — “Put Up Thy Sword” by Mary Baker Eddy
Physical torture affords but a slight illustration of the pangs which come to one upon whom the world of sense falls with its leaden weight in the endeavor to crush out of a career its divine destiny.
— from No and Yes by Mary Baker Eddy, page 34
There is no power, intelligence or principle, mesmeric or hypnotic, in materia medica, as individual or collective mind. Therefore, it cannot blind nor hypnotize mortals, through human beliefs or will-power, from seeking the true healing, as it is in Christ Jesus and Christian Science.
There is but one Physician, because there is but one Mind; whose medicine is Truth; which destroys all error; whose attraction is Love, which casteth out all fear. This is the one Mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, and this Mind alone can draw all men unto Him — divine Love.
— from Watches, Prayers, and Arguments by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 110-111
Treatment for Pain When mesmerized by pain, turn and say: “I know what you are. This is not pain or a belief of pain. It is belief of mind in matter; a lie of belief without a believer, nothingness claiming to be something. I am not afraid. I am spiritual, and so immune.
Book — Teaching and Addresses Edward a. Kimball, C.S.D., page 140