Sunday, December 15th, 2024 Roundtable
God is not Absent From the Blessings He Bestows
This week’s Lesson Sermon Subject: God The Preserver Of Man
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Morning Prayer
Beloved children, the world has need of you,—and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through contact with the world. What grander ambition is there than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to know that your example, more than words, makes morals for mankind!
from Miscellaneous Writings, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 110
Let the good you can do and the stimulation of action keep your mind from dwelling on the past, for the present demands your care, and you must go forth to meet the future calm and strong.
God is your refuge and a strong deliverer. He will hide you under His wings till the storms are past and the sunlight of His presence cheers and invigorates you with new strength and exaltation.
from Divinity Course and General Collectanea, (the “Blue Book”), by Mary Baker Eddy, page 139
Daily Watch
285 — When Mrs. Eddy found students trying to put food aside, instead of a material sense of food, she said, “Don’t say there is no intelligence in food. The earth brings forth food for man’s use and we must reflect the divine intelligence that enables us to use that food; adhere to the statement that divine intelligence directs man and governed by it, man eats, sleeps, walks and talks harmoniously. Depict the real Christ; the man-made is not the image.”
The world of mortal belief malpractices on food just as it does on nerves. This malpractice is the talking serpent that must be handled. Jesus encouraged the eating of food, showing that at our present stage of experience, it is not food that we must eliminate, but the belief that it is material, that it can affect man adversely either through quality or quantity, or that it can be the medium for mortal mind. If God is not absent from the blessings He bestows, then we must never consider that His goodness and love are absent from the food He supplies to His children.
When Jesus met with his disciples at supper, the eating of food became a channel for a spiritual uplift. When food is seen as a channel for inspiration and blessing, man’s spiritual nature is fed, at the same time his temporary material needs are taken care of.
Food and nerves are never the cause or the source of man’s discords. It is the serpent, or mortal belief, that claims to use matter as a medium through which to enslave mortals. When this mortal belief is extracted from food, it might be likened to dehydrated vegetables, out of which all water has been taken. One might say that this is what the prodigal son did. When he had taken all life, truth, substance and intelligence out of matter, nothing but husks remained, that which no longer had any weight to hold his thought on a mortal level. Then he rose spontaneously into the consciousness of Mind as the only true substance; the husks became the channel for Mind’s blessing and were no longer seen as matter.
Discussion points
“Not matter but Mind satisfieth.” — Mary Baker Eddy’s quote on the souvenir spoons
“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” — Matthew 15:11
4. 388 : 20-5
If food was prepared by Jesus for his disciples, it cannot destroy life.
The fact is, food does not affect the absolute Life of man, and this becomes self-evident, when we learn that God is our Life. Because sin and sickness are not qualities of Soul, or Life, we have hope in immortality; but it would be foolish to venture beyond our present understanding, foolish to stop eating until we gain perfection and a clear comprehension of the living Spirit. In that perfect day of understanding, we shall neither eat to live nor live to eat.
If mortals think that food disturbs the harmonious functions of mind and body, either the food or this thought must be dispensed with, for the penalty is coupled with the belief. Which shall it be? If this decision be left to Christian Science, it will be given in behalf of the control of Mind over this belief and every erroneous belief, or material condition.
a land of wheat
The Hebrew word for “wheat” is “חִטָּה” (chittah), which is a staple grain in ancient Israel and symbolizes sustenance and provision. Wheat was a primary food source, representing God’s promise of abundance and His provision for His people. In a spiritual sense, wheat can also symbolize the Word of God, which nourishes the soul.
barley
Barley, or “שְׂעֹרָה” (se’orah) in Hebrew, was another essential grain in ancient Israel. It was often the first grain to be harvested, symbolizing the beginning of God’s provision. Barley is associated with humility and simplicity, as it was considered a food for the poor. This reflects God’s care for all His people, regardless of their social status.
vines
The Hebrew word “גֶּפֶן” (gephen) refers to grapevines, which were crucial for producing wine, a symbol of joy and celebration in the Bible. Vines represent fruitfulness and the blessings of God. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the true vine, emphasizing the importance of remaining connected to Him for spiritual vitality.
fig trees
The word “תְּאֵנָה” (te’enah) is the Hebrew term for fig trees, which were common in the land of Israel. Figs are often associated with peace and prosperity. The fig tree’s fruitfulness is a metaphor for spiritual health and well-being. In the Gospels, Jesus uses the fig tree as a symbol of Israel and a lesson on faith and fruitfulness.
pomegranates
The Hebrew word “רִמּוֹן” (rimmon) refers to pomegranates, a fruit known for its abundance of seeds, symbolizing fertility and prosperity. Pomegranates were used in the decoration of the temple, representing beauty and the richness of God’s blessings. They remind believers of the abundant life promised by God.
a land of olive oil
Olive oil, or “שֶׁמֶן” (shemen) in Hebrew, was a vital commodity in ancient Israel, used for cooking, lighting, and anointing. It symbolizes the Holy Spirit and God’s anointing. Olive oil represents healing, consecration, and the presence of God. The olive tree’s resilience and longevity also symbolize peace and endurance.
and honey
The Hebrew word for honey is “דְּבַשׁ” (devash), often referring to the sweetness of God’s provision. Honey represents delight and satisfaction in God’s blessings. It is a metaphor for the richness of God’s Word, which is sweet to the soul. The land flowing with milk and honey signifies a place of divine favor and abundance.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 8 from the Berean Study Bible
Chapters 12 through 17 in Volume II: The Founding of Christian Science (1888-1900) by Doris Grekel
The James Gilman Story, Illustrator of Mary Baker Eddy’s poem, Christ and Christmas
November 2020 issue of Love is the Liberator: “Christ and Christmas”
November 2021 issue of Love is the Liberator: “Christ and Christmas,” Part 2
Golden Text: Psalm 37 : 3
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
We are to trust Him in the temporal as well as the spiritual; to trust Him for things of the body as well as the soul; to trust Him in time and into eternity; to trust Him in all the ages and stages of our lives; to trust Him in the insignificant menial tasks of the day as well as the grander decisions that face us in life, and to trust Him in every aspect of His great plan of salvation. For He knows the plans He has for us, but He wants us to trust in Him, to believe His Word, to have faith in Him, even when we don’t understand….
All good flows from the Lord and the only good of which we are capable is that which is done in His power and strength. God has prepared all these good works in advance for us to do, but remember that all that we do should be to His praise and His glory.
It is through faith in the Lord and submission to the Spirit that we can feed on His Word by faith with thanksgiving, be nourished with the gospel of His great salvation, and rest in His love. No matter what happens in life, our times are in His hands and we are called on to trust all into His hands – for this is good and honouring Him. We are to do the good things that He has prepared for us to do in His strength and power, knowing that He is a faithful God and His faithfulness is new every morning. And He will feed us like a Shepherd and guide us through all the valleys of life. Great is His faithfulness.
Yes! God Loves Me by Florence Roberts
“God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies.”
from Miscellaneous Writings, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 307
“One step enough for me” — Hymn 169
“If You’re Going Through Hell, Keep Going.” — Winston Churchill
Your Background by Una Willard