UP Church

OCTOBER 9

THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH, THE MEDITATIONS OF MY HEART AND THE ACTIVITIES OF MY HANDS ARE ACCEPTABLE TO INFINITE MIND

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.  Ephesians 4: 24,25

The inner life of man is his most priceless possession.  In the center of our beings, we decide whether we shall be worthy of the Divine Life with which we have been endowed by the Creative mind of the Universe.  When the inner life is creative, orderly and growing then our outer activities are fine and true. We know the Law of Mind, and to be the sincere and creative people we hope to be, we have to be truly consecrated within.  We are equipped to speak the kindly word, to pray for others in the depths of our heart, and to do those things in the world which are constructive.  The equipment we have, but the impulse must arise within us to use it rightly.  God seeks through each of us to express all that Mind is, all that love is.

I believe that I was created by a perfect intelligence to be Its means of expressing thought and feeling.  I, therefore, dedicate myself this day to the original purpose of my being.  I cleanse my mind of all that is unworthy of a Spiritual Being.  I dedicate and consecrate the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart and the activities of my hands to Almighty God.  Nothing shall cause me to be unkind, unloving or mean.  I believe that God indwells me as Mind, and this eternal Spirit is now blessing the world by means of me.  I know that all my inner capacities are now quickened for good.  I am strong in my determination to speak the Truth, love my fellowman, and act as the son of God. 

 Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 8

I AM SURROUNDED, UPHELD AND MAINTAINED BY A PERFECT MIND

     The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 

Job 33:4

The people in all ages who have lifted up their eyes unto the hills of God have felt a surrounding Presence and a sustaining Life.  They have been aware of an indwelling Power that was more than body, more than material living.  It has surged up within them and has given them the power of accomplishment.  Because this Presence is eternal, we can find It and let It use us today, as it did the Prophets and Wise of old.  The living Presence which surrounded Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and Jesus is around us now, and It asks that we behold It and think of It.   The Glory of God is upon us.  We, too, can lift up our thoughts and become its vessel of expression.  Infinite Mind surrounds us and is in us; Infinite Life sustains us; Infinite Power flows through us.  All fear is removed for we are certain of who we are and of what we are doing.  We arise from the “I can’t” belief into the “I will” knowing.

     I am surrounded, upheld and maintained by Mind.  This Mind is God, forever thinking through me.  It knows no impossibility, no weakness, no lack.  It loves to live abundantly by means of me.  It loves to express Power through my hands and my heart.  I am strong in the Strength of the Lord.  I am sustained in all my ways by the indwelling action of Truth.  I am upheld in righteousness and justice, for all that I am God is and ever shall be.  I walk the highways of Spirit, knowing only the good of my fellowman.  I rejoice in the Spirit which fills and floods me with peace.  This day is the day of Good, and I accept with joy new and finer experiences of life. 

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 7

THERE ISN’T GOD AND MAN; THERE IS ONLY GOD AS MAN; AND I AM THAT MAN NOW

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well.  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me.  O God! How great is the sum of them. 

Psalms 139 – 14, 17

We believe in the divinity of man.  We believe that man is the individualization of all that God is. Infinite Mind is forever thinking by means of its beloved creation – man. Each of us stands in the midst of an omnipresent Intelligence, which seeks to express through us, and as we recognize (re-cognize, to know again) this relationship we become valuable instruments for good.  Man is God in action, and we must know this, believe this and act from this premise.  Then, we never plead with God to do something for us; rather, we rise in the integrity of our own being, and thinking rightly move into action to produce the good we need.  As we perceive this eternal process of our inner self as God thinking through us, we become conscious of great possibilities – and become co-creators with the Almighty of a good world, filled with good people living in justice, peace and love.

All that God is, is now in action through me.  Infinite Spirit fills me, Infinite Love surrounds me, Infinite Mind directs me.  There is no fear in my thought, for God’s thoughts are now my thoughts, and they are perfect.  The law of Mind produces my word into form right now. I declare that I am a prefect expression of God, and only God’s thoughts function in me this day.  No evil can come nigh me, for God is all there is in my world.  All is good for all is Love.  The peace that passeth all understanding is my peace now.  I rejoice in my Divinity and dedicate myself to its full expression in this hour. 

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 6     

MY ENVIRONMENT IS SATURATED WITH THE PRESENCE OF GOOD

Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more. 

Psalm 16:11

If we cannot demonstrate the presence of good where we are, we shall never be able to do it at what seems a better place.  The human mind likes to think that distant pastures are greener, but we know they are not.  Good is the result of right thinking based on right motives. It is not a location; it is an atmosphere which has to be revealed by us wherever we are.  There is no more of the presence of God in a great Cathedral than there is in your own home or office.  Principle is either everywhere evenly present and active, or it isn’t a principle.  An unpleasant environment is a challenge to us to see God in action at that place in the universe.  Jesus had the ability to see God everywhere and in all people.  He knew and demonstrated Omnipresence.  We, too, must make this demonstration right where we are, and we also know how to do it.

Where I am, God is.  The presence that fills every great Cathedral fills my home and my place of business today.  There is no confusion where I am, for the peace of the Almighty surrounds me, and I know it.  I live and move and have my being in the One Mind which is forever thinking rightly, thinking lovingly.  The harmony and the order of the universe now fill my life and world with good. I am surrounded by it.  I am filled with it.  I sense it in all things and find it in all people.  I joyously acknowledge God where I am at every instant.  The life, love and perfect action of Truth are mine now.  My environment is saturated with the presence of good, and I live in peace this day.

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 5

I AM IMPORTANT TO GOD AND NECESSARY TO MAN

A man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God. 

I Corinthians 11:7

It is easy to discredit ourselves, indulge in self-criticism, and walk through life thinking we are unimportant.  But, we forget one thing – God never makes a mistake.  Infinite Mind can only create people with a value to themselves, and to the world.  Not one of us is unimportant. The smallest and least-heard instrument of a symphonic orchestra is vitally important at the time it is used.  Its music gives meaning and import to the entire ensemble.  The universe suffers a sense of incompleteness whenever we indulge in self-condemnation.  God made us to be important channels through which His Mind thinks and His Love acts.  Each of us has a definite and vital part to play in the whole life and love of this world.  A unique and valuable contribution to the good of all seeks to express through us, and as we know this, we become valuable expressions of life.

I am important to God, for His Intelligence created me and works through me, and God never makes a mistake.  Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.  My present work, environment and contacts are my opportunity to prove my spiritual worth.  I rise in the dignity of my Divine Heritage and walk this world as a Son of God.  Today, I give love and creative thought to all I meet, and to all with whom I associate.  I am a center through which God gives of Himself to His universe, and I know this and appreciate this.  I have faith in myself and in my fellowman.  I express in unique ways the gift of Life, the power of thought and the holiness of Love.  I am important to God and necessary to man.    

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 4                                            

MY MIND IS ESTABLISHED IN GOD AND ONLY GOOD IS DRAWN TO ME

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. 

John 6:44

We believe that life to each of us is in accordance with our states of consciousness.  Jesus is the illustration to this age that man’s inherent Divinity can be quickened into new activities of consciousness, and thus new and better conditions can follow.  He knew that his mind was the individualization of God’s Mind.  He knew that as he thought rightly and loved greatly he would draw into his life people and conditions that were good.  As we dedicate our thinking and feeling to the Mind and Love of God, we too shall draw only that which is good, lovely and true into our experience, because our consciousness has no evil in it with which to draw the opposite.  No evil can long exist in the mind of anyone who loves Good and thinks rightly.  It automatically dissolves, and as it leaves it takes with it the unpleasant aspects of life.

The Father within me, my own eternal Self, is now in full action through me, and I am cleaned of all that is unworthy of God.  My consciousness is God’s Mind, individualized as myself, and Its ideas are perfect.  I am open and receptive to these Spiritual ideas, born of my Father-Mother God.  They are now established deeply within me, and they now direct my thinking and color my feeling.  Thus, shall no evil come nigh me, for there is nothing in me to attract it.  I give love, joy and creative activity in my world, and receive from it all that is good, and fine and true.  I accept this, and it is the Truth of this day.  I rejoice, give thanks and am glad. 

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 3

I DO NOT LABOR:  I WORK FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF MY FELLOWMAN

Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

Matthew 11:28, 30

Today, as metaphysicians we should be clear in our thoughts as to the difference between labor and work. The word “labor” infers drudgery, while the word “work” infers creative activity producing a just and fair profit for all concerned.  We are co-workers with God, co-workers with a Mind that knows exactly what to do and how to do it.  If we co-operate with the indwelling Presence of this Universal God-Mind, It makes our routine activities creative and joyous experiences.  If we condemn our jobs, our employers and our fellow workers, the law of cause and effect can only make our tasks heavier.  Jesus said to those who disliked their employment that there was a way of working that was easy and a burden that was light.  He told them to come unto his way of thinking and assured them that through this new and creative approach, a healthy change would take place in their business world.

My work in life is to express God and His ideas.  I do this joyously and lovingly in my home, my business and all my other activities.  I have faith that the life, love and intelligence of Spirit sustains me at every instant.  Therefore, I cannot be tired, exhausted or fatigued for within me is the sustaining Power of unlimited Mind. I work with ease, with accuracy and with order.  I know that through me God is giving something unusual and valuable into the world.  I now release His Mind into the activities of this day.  I dedicate and consecrate my thoughts and feelings to the Love of God, the Life of God and the perfect Action of Infinite Mind.   

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 2

I HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR, FOR GOD IS ALL THERE IS

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:  be not dismayed; for I am thy God: … yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

Isaiah 41:10

If we believe in the omnipresence of God, we can handle the age old problem of fear.  Fear is the belief that God is absent.  It is the only devil there is, and if it governs our thinking we can experience the only hell there is.  If we are overcome by it, we are headed for trouble and disease.  Both the old and the New Testaments tell us that this enemy can be overcome.  But they tell us it can only be overcome within us, not by rearranging our affairs around us.  Fear begins and ends within the mind of the one thinking it.  The nightmare of its binding and restricting thought is broken as we turn to a belief in the goodness of God, the presence of a Creative Mind and the feeling of a Love that never fails.  As we do this a peace steals upon us, a faith rises up again with us.  The Presence that sustained Jesus is also sustaining each of us at every instant.  All that It asks of us is that we believe It and accept It.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”  This is my belief.  This governs and controls my thinking today.  Nothing can stop my good from coming to me, for my mind is stayed on Truth and Love.  Peace fills my whole being.  There is nothing to fear, for God is all there really is.  I claim this Presence as my own.  I trust in the Mind of God and all is well and all is good.  I give thanks for a good day.

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living “by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

OCTOBER 1

I AM THE PERFECT CREATION OF A PERFECT GOD

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 

Genesis 1:27

We cannot conceive of the nature of God as other than a perfect Being, whose intelligence is forever creating, re-creating and sustaining a perfect universe inhabited by a perfect man.  All the arguments devised by those who are unable to perceive this Truth become as nothing when we look at our world and see God in every flaming bush and every act of Nature.  Only a perfect Mind could conceive this universe as it is.  Therefore, we must look at our individual world and at ourselves as we believe God knows us to be.  The garments of limitation are cast off when we begin to transform our individual minds with the belief that we are Divinely created and Divinely sustained. Our God is with us and our God indwells us as a perfect potential awaiting our recognition and releasement.  We know that we are born of the Spirit, that we live this day in a perfect Presence, and that we are filled this day with an unlimited Power for good.

I have faith that I am a Spiritual Being unlimited and free.  I am not merely a material body with a human mind working in a material world. This is an untrue picture of what I really am.  I now lift my thoughts to the Mind of God and know with Him that I am His beloved Creation in whom His pleasure abides.  I am Divinely quickened into new creative activities.  All the ideas of His mind now awaken within me, and I walk in paths of righteousness and ways of peace. Today I am the perfect creation of a perfect God, living in a perfect universe of order, love and endless possibilities.  All is good and all is well.

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living”by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker

SEPTEMBER 30

I OVERCOME HATE BY THE RECOGNITION OF LOVE

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:5

There is but one Presence in the universe.  Since It is in and through everything, It must be in and through you.  This Presence manifests Itself in and through all forms, all people, and all conditions.  This Presence is Life Itself.  Its nature is love and givingness.

Negation may be an experience and a fact; it can never be an ultimate truth.  Life cannot operate against itself.  Always the negative is overcome by the positive.  Good cannot fail to overcome evil.  The meek alone shall inherit the earth.  Finally, the consciousness of good must overcome the negation of evil.  Finally, it will obliterate everything unlike itself, even as if the sun dissolves the mist. 

Say:

I refuse to contemplate evil as a power.

I know that it will flee from me; it dissolves and disappears in the light of love.

I know that hate cannot exist where love is recognized.

I turn the searchlight of Truth upon every apparent evil in my experience.

This light dissolves every image of evil.

The manifestation of good is complete.

Love makes the way clear before me.

I am guided into an ever-widening experience of living.

My every thought and act is an expression of the goodness which flows from Life.

Taken from “365 Days of Richer Living” by Ernest Holmes and Raymond Charles Barker