FROM the TEACHINGS of JESUS
Ernest Holmes
The Secret of Prayer (Matt. 6:6)
"The secret of prayer and its power in the outward life depends upon an unconditioned faith in, and reliance upon this inner Presence. We must enter the closet. That is, we are to shut out all else and enter the Presence of Spirit, in quietness and confidence - believing. Prayer has power, not through repetition, but by belief and acceptance. Prayer is to be simple, direct and receiving. We are to believe that God indwells our own life, that this Divine Presence is sufficient for all needs. we are to believe that God will provide for us and bless us abundantly. And when we enter this secret place, we are to leave all else behind; all hate, animosity and vindictiveness, for only in so doing can we enter.
How God Forgives ( Matt. 6:14, 15)
We are told that God will forgive us after we have forgiven others. This is a direct statement and one that we should ponder deeply. Can God forgive until we have forgiven? If God can work for us only by working through us, then this statement of Jesus stands true, and is really a statement of the law of cause and effect. We cannot afford to hold personal animosities or enmities against the world or individual members of society. All such thoughts are outside the law and cannot be taken into the heavenly consciousness. Love alone can beget love. People do not gather roses from thistles.
The Father who seest in secret will reward us openly. Shall we not learn to enter the "secret place of the Most High," within our own soul, in gladness? We are to fast without outward sign, but with the inner mind open and receptive to the Good alone. Our treasure is already in heaven, and our thought can take us to this treasure only when it is in accord with divine harmony and perfect love.
The Single Eye (Matt. 6:22)
If our eye is single, we shall be filled with light. That is, when we perceive the Unity of Good, we shall perceive it in its entirety, an undivided whole. But if our eye be filled with evil, we shall remain in darkness. We must cleave to the good, and trust absolutely in the Law of God to bring about any desired end. Spirit will mold our purposes when we allow It to do so. As we learn to depend more and more upon the perfect Law, we shall find that the outward things which are necessary to our good, will be provided. We shall be cared for as the lilies of the field, which live directly upon the Divine bounty. And yet they toil not nor do they spin.
The Divine Bounty (Matt. 6:26)
As God cares for the birds, who do not gather into barns, so shall we be cared for if we trust and do not doubt. But we are to seek the Kingdom first. Jesus bade us to completely trust in God for everything and in every instance. He had a complete reliance upon God. Dare we say that such confidence will be misplaced? Have we ever tried it? Until we have tried and failed, we are not in a position to contradict this theory. Those who have implicitly relied upon this theory are providing the principle to be definite, and one upon which an absolute reliance may be placed.
Have no fear of tomorrow; enjoy today. Refuse to carry the corpse of a mistaken yesterday. What untold misery is suffered through the burdens imposed by our yesterdays and the bitter prospects of our tomorrows! The good of the present day is too often sandwiched between these two impossible situations. The day in which we live is sufficient. We are to live today as though God were in His Heaven, while all is well with our souls.
Jesus made the greatest claim upon God, of anyone who ever lived. He demanded a complete and unreserved trust in the goodness and loving kindness of the Creator. And harking down the ages - since he lived and taught his marvelous philosophy to mankind - those who have followed his teachings have been justified in their faith."
Ernest Holmes
The Secret of Prayer (Matt. 6:6)
"The secret of prayer and its power in the outward life depends upon an unconditioned faith in, and reliance upon this inner Presence. We must enter the closet. That is, we are to shut out all else and enter the Presence of Spirit, in quietness and confidence - believing. Prayer has power, not through repetition, but by belief and acceptance. Prayer is to be simple, direct and receiving. We are to believe that God indwells our own life, that this Divine Presence is sufficient for all needs. we are to believe that God will provide for us and bless us abundantly. And when we enter this secret place, we are to leave all else behind; all hate, animosity and vindictiveness, for only in so doing can we enter.
How God Forgives ( Matt. 6:14, 15)
We are told that God will forgive us after we have forgiven others. This is a direct statement and one that we should ponder deeply. Can God forgive until we have forgiven? If God can work for us only by working through us, then this statement of Jesus stands true, and is really a statement of the law of cause and effect. We cannot afford to hold personal animosities or enmities against the world or individual members of society. All such thoughts are outside the law and cannot be taken into the heavenly consciousness. Love alone can beget love. People do not gather roses from thistles.
The Father who seest in secret will reward us openly. Shall we not learn to enter the "secret place of the Most High," within our own soul, in gladness? We are to fast without outward sign, but with the inner mind open and receptive to the Good alone. Our treasure is already in heaven, and our thought can take us to this treasure only when it is in accord with divine harmony and perfect love.
The Single Eye (Matt. 6:22)
If our eye is single, we shall be filled with light. That is, when we perceive the Unity of Good, we shall perceive it in its entirety, an undivided whole. But if our eye be filled with evil, we shall remain in darkness. We must cleave to the good, and trust absolutely in the Law of God to bring about any desired end. Spirit will mold our purposes when we allow It to do so. As we learn to depend more and more upon the perfect Law, we shall find that the outward things which are necessary to our good, will be provided. We shall be cared for as the lilies of the field, which live directly upon the Divine bounty. And yet they toil not nor do they spin.
The Divine Bounty (Matt. 6:26)
As God cares for the birds, who do not gather into barns, so shall we be cared for if we trust and do not doubt. But we are to seek the Kingdom first. Jesus bade us to completely trust in God for everything and in every instance. He had a complete reliance upon God. Dare we say that such confidence will be misplaced? Have we ever tried it? Until we have tried and failed, we are not in a position to contradict this theory. Those who have implicitly relied upon this theory are providing the principle to be definite, and one upon which an absolute reliance may be placed.
Have no fear of tomorrow; enjoy today. Refuse to carry the corpse of a mistaken yesterday. What untold misery is suffered through the burdens imposed by our yesterdays and the bitter prospects of our tomorrows! The good of the present day is too often sandwiched between these two impossible situations. The day in which we live is sufficient. We are to live today as though God were in His Heaven, while all is well with our souls.
Jesus made the greatest claim upon God, of anyone who ever lived. He demanded a complete and unreserved trust in the goodness and loving kindness of the Creator. And harking down the ages - since he lived and taught his marvelous philosophy to mankind - those who have followed his teachings have been justified in their faith."
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