BE STRONG; FEAR NOT

Be strong! Fear not; Fear is man's only adversary. You face defeat whenever you are fearful! Fear of lack! Fear of failure! Fear of loss! Fear of personality! Fear of criticism! Fear robs you of all power, for you have lost your contact with the Universal Power House. "Why are ye fearful, Oh ye of little faith?" Fear is inverted faith. It is faith turned upside down. When you are fearful you begin to attract the thing you fear: you are magnetizing it. You are hypnotized by the race thought when you are afraid.

Daniel was undisturbed because he knew his God was stronger than the lions, His God made the lions as harmless as kittens, so walk up to your lion as quickly as possible and see for yourself. Perhaps, all your life you've been running away from some particular lion. It has made your life miserable and your hair grey. A hairdresser once told me that she knew a woman, whose grey hair returned to its natural color when she stopped worry. A woman said to me during an interview, "I'm not a bit fearful, but I worry a lot." Fear and worry are twins and are the same thing. If you were fearless your worry cells would be dried up. Why are ye worried, Oh ye of little faith? I think the most prevalent fear is the fear of loss. Perhaps you have everything that life can give, but in creeps the old lion of apprehension. You hear him growling, "It's too good to be true! It can't last." If he gets your attention you may well worry.

Many people have lost what they prized most dearly in life. That is because invariably they fear loss. The only weapon you can use against your lions is your word. Your word is your wand, filled with magic and power. You wave your wand over your lion and transmute him into a kitten. BUT the lion will remain a lion unless you walk up to him. You may well ask, "HOW do we walk up to lions?" Moses said unto his people, "Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you this day for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again, no more forever! The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." What a marvellous arrangement!

Infinite Intelligence knows the way out. Infinite Intelligence knows where the supply is, for every demand. But we must trust It, keep our poise, and give It right of way. So many people are afraid of other people. They run away from disagreeable situations, so of course, the situation runs after them.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?" The twenty-seventh Psalm is one of the most triumphant Psalms! It is also rhythmic and musical. The writer realized that no enemy could harm him, for the Lord was his light and his salvation. Now remember, your only enemies are within yourself. The Bible is speaking of the enemy thoughts, your doubts, fears, hates, resentments, and forebodings. Every negative situation in your life is a crystallized thought, it has been built up out of your own vain imaginings! But these situations cannot stand the light of truth. So, you face the situation fearlessly, saying, "The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear?" Jesus Christ was the greatest of metaphysicians and gave us definite rules for controlling conditions through word and thought. "Thou hast made me wiser than mine enemies." First of all, you must be wiser than your enemy thoughts, the army of the aliens. You must answer every negative thought with a word of authority. The army of the aliens will chant: "Business is dull and money is scarce." Immediately you reply, "My supply comes from God and now appears like mushrooms overnight." There are no hard times in the kingdom. You may have to keep this up for quite a while, like the song of the katydids — "Katy did—Katy didn't." and so on. Finally you win out, for the truth must prevail and you have put to flight the army of the aliens. Then, when you are off your guard, the army of the aliens begins again; "You're not appreciated, you'll never be a success." You answer immediately: "God appreciates me, therefore man appreciates me. Nothing can interfere with my divinely designed success." Finally the army of the aliens is dissolved and dissipated, because you do not give it your attention. You have starved the aliens out. Starve out the fear thoughts by not giving them your attention and acting your faith. The lion draws his fierceness from your fear, his roar is in the tremors of your heart. Stand still like Daniel, and you too shall hear the rush of angels sent to take your part.

The mission of Jesus Christ was to wake people up. "Awake thou that sleepeth." People were asleep in the Adamic dream of opposites. Lack, loss, failure, sin, sickness and death seemed realities to them. The story of Adam is, that he ate of the tree of Illusion and fell into a deep sleep. In this deep sleep he vainly imagined good and evil.

Bernard Shaw, in his book Back to Methuselah, says: "Adam invented murder, birth and death and all negative conditions." It was the development of the reasoning mind. Of course, Adam stands for Generic Mind. In the Garden of Eden stage, man functioned only in the superconscious. Whatever he desired or required was always at hand. With the development of the reasoning mind came the fall of man. He reasoned himself into lack, limitations and failure. He earned his bread by the sweat of the brow, instead of being Divinely provided for.

Jesus Christ's message was to bring people back into the "fourth dimension," the Garden of Eden consciousness. In the 14th Chapter of John we find the summing-up of all His teachings. He called it, "The Gospel," which means "Good Tidings." 

With amazing simplicity and directness, He told the people that if they asked, believing, they would receive; attributing the power always to the Father within. God is the Giver, man the receiver! This Supreme Intelligence supplies man with all that he desires or requires! This was certainly a doctrine to wake people up! He proved His statements with miracles and wonders. One of the most dramatic miracles was the healing of the man who had been blind from birth. The opponents of Jesus questioned the man, hoping to find something against Him. But the man would only say: "One thing I know; whereas I was blind, now I can see." This is a marvellous statement to make to yourself. "Whereas I was blind, now I can see." Perhaps you were blind to your good, blind to your opportunities, blind to your intuitive leads, blind to appearances, mistaking friends for enemies. When you are awake to your good, you know there are no enemies, for God utilizes every person and situation for your good. Hindrances are friendly and obstacles steppingstones. One with God, you become invincible. This is a very powerful statement: "God's Invincible Power sweeps all before it. I ride the waves into my Promised Land." Riding the waves, they take you to your destination, free from the undertow of negative thinking, which would pull you down. Your thoughts and desires are always taking you somewhere. Prentiss Mulford says: "The persistent purpose, that strong desire, that never ceasing longing, is a seed in the mind. It is rooted there, it is alive! It never stops growing!

There is a wonderful law involved in it. This law when known, followed out and trusted, leads every individual to mighty and beautiful results. The law followed with our eyes open, leads to more and more happiness in life; but followed blindly with our eyes shut, leads to misery!"

This means that desire is a tremendous vibratory force and must be rightly directed. Take this statement: "I only desire that which Infinite Intelligence desires through me. I claim that which is mine by Divine right, and under Grace in a Perfect Way!" You will then cease desiring the wrong things, and the right desires will take their place. Your dreary desires are answered drearily, your impatient desires are long delayed or violently fulfilled. It is important never to lose sight of this. Many unhappy situations have been brought about through dreary or impatient desires.

I will give an example of a woman who was married to a man who wanted her to go somewhere with him every evening. It wore her out and night after night she wished impatiently that she could stay at home and read a book. The desire was so strong it commenced to bud. Her husband went off with another woman. She lost him and his support—but she had the time to stay at home and read a book. Nothing has ever come uninvited into your life.


Prentiss Mulford has also some interesting ideas on work. He said: "To succeed in any undertaking, any art or any trade or any profession, simply keep it ever persistently fixed in mind as an aim,
and then study to make all effort toward it play or recreation. The moment it becomes hard work, we are not advancing."

As I look back on my experiences in the art world, I see how true this is. From the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, came eight men, all of about the same age, who became distinguished and successful artists. They were called "The Eight" in Contemporary Art. Not one of them was ever known to work hard. They never drew from the antique; they never did anything in an academic way. They simply expressed themselves. They painted and drew because they loved it—for the fun of it. They tell an amusing story of one of them who became a very well-known landscape artist, taking many medals and honorary mentions at exhibits. He had a one-man show in New York City, at one of the big galleries, and was seated reading a paper. An enthusiastic woman rushed up to him and said: "Can you tell me anything about the wonderful man who painted these adorable pictures?" He replied: "Sure, I'm the guy that painted the damn things." He painted for fun, he didn't care whether people liked his pictures or not.


Whereas I was blind, now I can see, my right work, my perfect self-expression. Whereas I was blind, now I can see clearly and distinctly the Divine plan of my life. Whereas I was blind, now I can see, that God's power is the only power and that God's plan is the only plan. The race thought is still with a belief in insecurity. "Awake, thou that sleepeth!" God is your eternal security of mind, body and affairs. "Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid." If you were wide awake to your good, you could not be troubled and fearful! Waking up to the truth, that there is no loss, lack or failure in the kingdom of reality — loss, lack and failure would disappear from your life. They come from your own vain imaginings.

The following is an example, illustrating the working of the law. A number of years ago, when I was in London I bought a wonderful fountain pen at Asprey's. It was Japanese and was called a Namike Pen. It was quite expensive and they gave me, with it, a guarantee that it would last thirty years. I was very much impressed, because every summer, on the 5th of August, they wrote me asking how the pen was getting along; one might have thought I had bought a horse. It was no ordinary pen and was very satisfactory. I always carried it with me and one day I lost it. I immediately commenced denying loss. I said; "There is no loss in Divine Mind, therefore I cannot lose the Namike Pen. It will be restored to me or its equivalent." No shops that I knew of in New York City carried these pens and London was a long way off, but I was charged with Divine Confidence, I couldn't lose the Namike Pen. One day, going along Fifth Avenue in a bus, my eye caught a sign on a shop for the fraction of a second. It seemed to stand out in the light. It read, "Oriental Craft Shop." I had never heard of it, but I had a strong hunch to go in and ask for a Namike Pen. I got off the bus and went into the shop and asked. The saleswoman replied, "Why yes, we have quite an 

assortment—they have just been reduced to $2.50." I praised the Lord and gave thanks. I bought three, and told the above story at one of my meetings. They were soon sold out as people rushed to get them. This was certainly an amazing working of the law—but, I was wide awake to my good. I did not let any grass grow under my intuitive lead.

The Truth student knows he must prove the Principle in his everyday affairs. "Acknowledge me in all your ways and I will direct your paths." "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do, he shall do also, and greater works than these, shall he do, because I go unto my Father." What wonderful Faith Jesus Christ had in man! He held the vision of the race to come. The man made in God's likeness and image, (imagination). "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it. He explained to the people that they were under a system of gifts. God was the Giver, man the receiver. "Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself but the Father that dwelleth in me He doeth the works." He told people to "seek the kingdom," the realm of perfect ideas, where all things would be added unto them. He woke them up!

"Whereas I was blind, now I can see, there is nothing to fear for there is no power to hurt. I see clearly before me the open road of fulfilment. There are no obstacles on my pathway." Thou madest Him to have dominion over the works of thy hand: thou hast put all things under His feet. Psalm 8 : 6

"I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER"

"I GIVE UNTO YOU POWER"

God's gift to man is power; power and dominion over all created things; his mind, his body, and affairs. All unhappiness comes from lack of power. Man imagines himself weak and the victim of circumstances, claiming that "Conditions over which he had no control" caused his defeat. Man by himself, is indeed, a victim of circumstances; but linked with God-power all things are possible.

Through a knowledge of metaphysics we are discovering how this can be done. By your word you contact this power. Then, miraculously, every burden is lifted and every battle is won. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Watch your words with all diligence. You are continually reaping the fruits of your words. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works to the end, to him will I give power and dominion over the nations." Overcoming means to conquer all doubts, fears and negative vibrations. One man with vibrations. They would melt away like snow under the sun. Jesus Christ said: "All power is given unto me to bring heaven upon earth." Let us give thanks that this is now coming to pass— for evil is unreal and leaves no stain. This God- power is within you, your superconscious mind. It is the realm of inspiration, revelation and illumination. It is the realm of miracles and wonders. Quick and seemingly impossible changes take place for your good. A door opens where there were no doors. Supply appears from hidden and unexpected channels, for "God has weapons ye know not of."

To work with God-power you must give it right of way and still the reasoning mind. The instant you ask, Infinite Intelligence knows the way of fulfillment. Man's part is to rejoice and give thanks, and act his Faith. A very well known woman in England told of this experience: She was asking, with great feeling, for a realization of God. These words came to her "Act as though I were, and I am." It is exactly what I say, over and over again—only active Faith impresses the subconscious, and unless you impress the subconscious, there are no results.

I will now give you an example to show you just how the law works. A woman came to me whose heart's desire was her right marriage and happy home. She was very fond of a certain man, but he was a most difficult person. After having shown her every attention and devotion, he suddenly changed, and dropped out of her life. She was unhappy, resentful and discouraged. I said,perfect peace and perfect poise, filled with love and good-will, could dissolve all negative "Now this is the time to prepare for your happy home! Buy little things for it as if you hadn't a minute to spare." She became quite interested in shopping for her happy home, when all appearances were against it. "Now," I said, "you'll have to perfect yourself on the situation and become immune to all resentment and unhappiness." I gave her the statement: "I am now immune to all hurt and resentment: my poise is built upon a rock, the Christ within." I said, "When you are immune to all hurt and resentment, this man will be given you or his equivalent." It took many months, when one evening she came to see me and said, "I have only the kindest and most friendly feelings for this man. If he isn't the Divine selection I would be happy without him."

Not long after, she happened to meet the man. He was so sorry for the way he had acted. He begged her to forgive him. Not long after, they were married and a happy home came into manifestation. It had built itself around her active Faith.

Your only enemies are within yourself. The woman's enemies were "hurt" and "resentment." They are indeed "serpents and scorpions." Many lives have been wrecked by these two enemies. Linked with God-power, all opposition vanished from this woman's life. Nothing could by any means hurt her.

Think what that means, to have a life free from all unhappy experiences. It is done through making a conscious contact with God-power every instant.

Many times in the Bible, the word "power" is mentioned. "Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth."

A person with a rich consciousness attracts riches. A person with a poor consciousness attracts poverty. I have seen people in this Truth, rise out of lack and limitation by linking with the God-power within, not depending on the external, trusting in God gives you irresistible power, for this Supreme Intelligence only, knows the Way of fulfillment. "Trust in Me and I will bring it to pass."

All our knowledge of Truth can bring us is to know that God is the only Power. One Power, one Presence, one Plan. When you have the fixed idea that there is only one Power in the universe, God-power, all appearance of evil will disappear from your world. In getting a demonstration we must acknowledge only one Power. Evil comes from man's own "vain imaginings." Withdraw all power from evil and it is powerless to hurt.

I will give you an example which shows the working of the law. I was in a restaurant with a friend who spilled something on her dress. She was sure it would leave a stain. I said, "We'll give it a treatment." I made the statement, "Evil is unreal and leaves no stain." I said, "Now, don't look, leave it to Infinite Intelligence." In about an hour we took a look and there was not the slightest stain.


What is true of a little thing is true of a big thing. You can use this statement for past misfortunes or mistakes, and somehow or other, under Grace, the effects will disappear, they will leave no stain.

Many people are using personal-power instead of God-power, which always brings unhappy reaction. Personal-power means forcing personal will. I will give the example of a woman I knew a long time ago. She married a man who worked on a newspaper drawing a comic strip. His drawings demanded a knowledge of slang, which he used on every occasion. She decided he should cultivate his mind and read the classics. They moved to a college town so that he could go to college. She insisted upon his going to college. He resisted a little at first then he grew to like it! Soon he was steeped in the classics. He wouldn't talk anything but Plato and Aristotle. He wanted the food cooked the way they cooked, and eat the simple food they ate. Her life had become a nightmare. After that, she never tried to change people. The only person to change, is yourself. As you change, all the conditions around you will change! People will change!

When you are undisturbed by a situation it falls away of its own weight. Your life is outpictured by the sum-total of your subconscious beliefs. Wherever you go, you take these conditions with you.

"I am strong in the Lord and the Power of His might."

"I am backed by unnumbered hosts of power." Power means dominion and dominion means control. Man controls conditions by a knowledge of Spiritual law. Suppose your problem is lack or limitation. Your urgent need is supply. Link with this God-power within, and give thanks for your immediate supply. If you are too close to the situation, if you are filled with doubts and fears, go to a Practitioner for help, someone to see clearly for you.

A man told me while at a Truth Centre at Pittsburgh he heard people talking about me and he said, "Who in heck is Florence Scovel Shinn?" Someone replied, "Oh, she wrote The Game of Life, if you write to her she'll get you a miracle." He said he promptly wrote to me and got a demonstration. Jesus Christ said, "When two of you agree, it shall be done." Do not hesitate to ask for help if you cannot see clearly your good. Jesus Christ saw clearly for the people he healed. He did not tell them to heal themselves. Of course, you can reach the state where you do not need any help, when you have the fixed idea that God's Power is the only Power and that God's Plan is the only Plan.

We cannot take blessings from Infinite Intelligence, they must be given us. Man's part is to be a grateful receiver. "Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands and hath put all things under his feet. All sheep and oxen, yea and the beasts of the fields." This is God's idea of man, but man's idea of himself is one of limitation and failure. It is only in a big moment, that man seems to rise to his power and dominion.

It isn't until we face a situation of lack, that we suddenly express the power which has already been given us. I have known people who are usually nervous and anxious to become poised and powerful when confronted by a big situation.

"Hear, Oh! Israel! Ye have no need to fight, stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord." People often ask, "What does it mean to stand still, to do nothing at all?" "Standing still" means to keep your poise. I said to a man who was tense and anxious, "Take it easy and see the salvation of the Lord." He replied, "My; that has helped me a lot." Most people are trying too hard. They carry their burdens and fight their battles and are, therefore, always in a turmoil and never get, what we call, a demonstration. Stand aside, and see the salvation of the Lord. We might paraphrase the Scriptures and say, "Hear! 0! Israel, you will never win this battle by fighting—leave it entirely to Me, and it will be given you."

Following the magic path of intuition you escape all complications and friction, and make a beeline to your demonstration. Remember we are told not to despise the day of small things. It is a great mistake to think that anything is unimportant. I was going to a shop to buy two articles. In my vicinity are two shops, an expensive one and one where all the things are a little cheaper, but the articles are exactly the same. The reasoning mind said, "Go to the cheaper place" but intuition said, "Go to the expensive place." Of course, I followed that magic path. I told the clerk what I wanted. He said: "The two articles are today sold for the price of one, because they are advertising one of the products." So intuition led me to the right place and price. The difference in price was only about fifty cents but intuition always looks after our interests. If I had been trying to get something cheap, I would have gone to the other shop and paid twice as much. Learn from the little things, and you will be ready to handle the big things.

Studying closely the Scriptures, we find, God's gift to man is power. The things and conditions automatically follow. God gives man power to get well. He gives man power over the elements. He gives man power to heal sickness, and to cast out devils.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings and eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint."

Let us realize that this invincible power is within reach of all. "Whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord, shall be delivered!" So we find the Word links man with omnipotence. This Supreme Intelligence is more than equal to lifting every burden and fighting every battle.

All power is given unto me to bring my heaven upon my earth.