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BIBLE READING: John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
ASFG Lesson 9: In His Presence - Let Us Remember that Our Guard is ever In His Presence
(pages 75 and 76)
Central Idea: Living in God’s Presence with Understanding and Love
The lesson reminds us that we live continually in God’s presence, and that this awareness brings both strength and responsibility. Just as the “Guard” (God’s sustaining presence) is always with us, so too are we called to live consciously within His love and purpose. When we realize that God is not far away but working through us, fear and doubt lose their hold, and we act as true “co-workers with God.”
“Let us not be afraid in the presence of our Maker… there are those universal Forces ever ready to aid and strengthen those who seek to travel this way.” (ASFG Lesson 9: In His Presence)
1. Jesus’ Simple Requests — Obedience and Love
Cayce notes how few things Jesus actually asked us to do: to love one another, to keep His commandments, and to ask in His name. Yet these few requests carry all the power of the divine promise:
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do” (John 14:13).
However, this does not mean selfish or foolish wishes will bring true happiness. Even when such desires seem to be fulfilled, they often lead to our own undoing because every desire shapes our soul. Cayce reminds us of the psalmist’s insight: “That which he feared came upon him.” What we hold in mind and heart—whether love or fear—becomes part of us.
So Jesus’ commands are few, but they are profound: Love God, love others, and live as one abiding in Him. When we do this, our prayers align with divine law, and what we ask truly manifests for our good.
2. God Is Not to Be Feared — But Understood
Cayce explains that the Old Testament image of a jealous or angry God reflected humanity’s own limited understanding. People projected their own traits—jealousy, fear, control—onto God. But divine nature is love and order, not fear and wrath.
When God told humankind to “subdue the earth,” the meaning was to understand it, not to dominate it. When we fail to understand ourselves or our world, fear takes hold. And fear—spiritual, mental, or physical—robs us of clarity and power.
Thus, true strength comes from understanding that we are always in God’s presence, that our “better selves are in Him.” When we remember this, we “may be strong in His might and unafraid.”
3. Love: The Commandment That Reveals God
Jesus said in John 15:13,
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
This reveals the heart of Cayce’s message: Love is divine giving. God gives everything—life, hope, purpose—because love is His nature. And when we truly love, we also want to give and give. Love is not self-centered; it always prefers others before self.
When we love one another, we become living channels of God’s love. Cayce reminds us that “God has no favorites.” Whoever we hold dear, we bring under God’s favor by the love we extend. We become the manifestation of His presence in the world.
4. Each Soul as Part of God’s Body
Cayce compares humanity to the cells or corpuscles in the body of God. Each soul contributes to the wholeness of the divine life. When one “cell” acts wrongly, it brings pain to the whole. Thus, sin or selfishness causes dis-ease in the larger body of creation.
But just as the body renews itself, we too can constantly renew our awareness of God’s presence. Spiritual health comes from this daily renewal—seeking harmony with God and others.
5. Feeding the Spirit: Self-Examination and Ideals
To feed our spiritual nature, we must first analyze ourselves—our motives, desires, and ideals. These must align with our highest ideal, which is Christ-like love.
Our ideal should never be “what God can do for us,” but rather “what we can do for others out of gratitude for God’s love.”
Spiritually, this means aligning our thoughts and intentions with constructive, uplifting energy.
Mentally, it means thinking thoughts that build rather than destroy.
Physically, it means serving others rather than seeking to be served.
This is what Cayce calls constructive living—living joyfully and purposefully, with love as the guiding force.
6. Joy and Service in Daily Life
Both the Cayce notes and the ASFG lesson: In His Presence emphasize joy and gratitude as essential parts of spiritual life:
“Come! Let our hearts be lifted in praise and adoration… Let us be joyful in the truth that ‘inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these, ye did it unto me.’” (Matt. 25:40)
Cayce adds that the purpose of life is not to deny pleasure, but to find joy in those things that are constructive and harmonious. Even Jesus enjoyed life—He rejoiced with others, celebrated, shared meals, and showed compassion.
Thus, joy and service are inseparable. To love and to serve others is to experience divine joy and to know the living Christ within.
Summary
Theme (Biblical Support)
Teaching
Prayer and Desire (John 14:13; Psalm 37:4)
Our true prayers align with God’s will; what we desire foolishly can also shape us.
Understanding God (1 John 4:18)
Fear comes from ignorance; knowledge of His presence brings peace.
Love and Giving (John 15:13; John 13:34)
Love gives, never takes; to love is to live in God.
Unity of All Souls (1 Cor. 12:12–27)
Each person is part of the body of God; our harmony strengthens the whole.
Spiritual Renewal (Psalm 51:10)
Examine motives and align with divine ideals.
Joy in Service (Matt. 25:40)
Life’s purpose is joy through love and service.
Closing Thought
To live “in His presence” means to live with awareness that God’s love, strength, and wisdom are already within us.
As Cayce’s prayer in the lesson says:
“May Thy presence abide with me, and thus glorify Thee.”
When we love, understand, and serve with joy, we not only dwell in God’s presence — we become its expression in the world.
Affirmation
I live and move and have my being in the Presence of God.
His love surrounds me, His strength upholds me, and His light shines through me.
I am fearless, for I know that the Spirit of Christ lives within me.
As I love and serve others, I awaken more fully to His presence in all creation.
Meaning:
This affirmation draws from the truth that God’s presence is not apart from us—it is within us. By affirming our unity with divine love, we renew our strength and release fear, as Cayce taught: “Be strong in His might… root from the body all consciousness that would hinder His entering in.”
Prayer
O Father, who art ever present,
Let Thy kingdom come within my heart this day.
Teach me to love as Christ has loved —
to give, to forgive, and to see Thee in every soul I meet.
May Thy presence abide with me,
that others, seeing Thy light in me, may glorify Thee.
Strengthen my will to serve,
cleanse my thoughts of fear and doubt,
and help me to remember that in Thee all things are made whole.
In Jesus’ name — the name of Love — I pray.
Amen.
Connection:
This echoes Cayce’s own lesson prayer: “May Thy presence in me, that the light of Thy word may shine unto those that I meet day by day.”
It also reflects Jesus’ call to self-giving love (John 15:13) — a prayer of surrender, not for favors, but for the strength to live as a channel of divine love.
Meditation
Centering Thought:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths.
With each breath, feel yourself resting in the quiet assurance of God’s presence.
As you inhale, say within your heart:
“Thy love fills me.”
As you exhale, release every fear and say:
“I rest in Thee.”
Feel a soft radiance of light expanding from your heart.
This is the Christ within — the presence that strengthens, guides, and renews.
Let this light reach out to others: friends, loved ones, even those who trouble you.
Bless them with the thought:
“The love of God enfolds you; His peace abides in you.”
Sit in this stillness, knowing you are one with the divine harmony of all creation.
When ready, end with the words:
“Thy will, not mine, be done — in love.”
Purpose:
This meditation builds spiritual awareness and emotional peace by practicing Cayce’s teaching: “Constantly renew our awareness of association with that which gives us life.”
It transforms prayer from words into living experience — communion with God within.
