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paralleling ASFG 1 lesson on “FAITH”
BIBLE READING: Exodus, 3rd Chapter
(pages 34 and 35)
ASFG Lesson 4 Faith - "Need of Faith"
I. Faith as the Bridge Between Spirit and Matter
Cayce begins by affirming that the divine promise — “Ask, and ye shall receive” (Matthew 7:7) — is spiritual in essence, yet must be realized in the material world. Faith is the bridge that brings the unseen into the seen, the spiritual into the physical. This aligns with Hebrews 11:1:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
In other words, faith is not a vague belief; it is substance — a real, active spiritual force. Cayce says:
Faith will move us to action. Without this faith, the promise seldom materializes.”
Similarly, the “Need of Faith” text explains that faith must be living — demonstrated through acts that show “we know ourselves to be children of God.” It is not enough to think or speak of faith; it must become an active expression of divine trust, shaping how we live, speak, and serve others.
II. The Harmony of the Triune Self
Cayce parallels the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) with the human triad of body, mind, and soul. Just as the Father and Son are one yet distinct in purpose, so our body, mind, and soul must act in harmony — each in its rightful domain.
In Exodus 3, God speaks to Moses from the burning bush, saying:
“I AM THAT I AM.”
This symbolizes the divine presence that exists within each level of our being. Moses’ fear to look upon God reflects humanity’s hesitation to face our higher self — the divine spark within. Cayce reminds us that true faith is possible only when body, mind, and soul are aligned with that divine pattern — “the Great Triune, of which we are but a shadow.”
III. The Substance and Power of Faith
Faith, Cayce insists, is dynamic and real — “It will remove mountains of doubt.”
Jesus illustrated this when He said:
“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove” (Matthew 17:20).
Yet, Cayce clarifies that Jesus never used faith to manipulate material conditions for personal ease — “He didn’t even move the Cross out of His own way.” Every miracle He performed had a spiritual purpose, transforming the supernatural into the natural for those who believed.
In the “Need of Faith” supplement, the author echoes this, saying:
“Faith is victory... for where there is faith rightly placed, there is no failure, but true success.”
This implies that faith rightly placed in God aligns us with divine law and brings peace and purpose, regardless of external hardship.
IV. Misplaced Faith and the Danger of Ego
Cayce warns that faith can be wrongly placed when it centers on our ideas rather than divine ideals. We often have faith in what we expect God to do for us — yet little faith in what we are called to do for others.
This is mirrored in James 2:17:
“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
The story of the busy woman preparing for Jesus’ visit — yet ignoring the three beggars — teaches that faith without compassionate action misses the blessing. As the “Need of Faith” text says,
“Let us have more faith in our fellow human beings... It is therefore more necessary for us to trust them, even though appearances may be against it.”
Faith must express itself in trust, service, and love, or it becomes self-centered and powerless.
V. Faith in Divine Order Amid Human Authority
Cayce’s reading also speaks to faith in the midst of unjust or imperfect leadership. Like Jesus before Pilate, we are reminded that “they have no power save that given from the Father” (John 19:11). This reinforces Romans 13:1:
“There is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Even when rulers or systems appear corrupt, our faith must rest in the divine order beyond appearances, trusting that God’s justice prevails. This mirrors the passage’s call to “trust them, even though appearances may be against it.”
VI. The Example of Moses and Misused Faith
Moses’ struggle to trust his higher self — and his occasional imposition of personal will upon divine law — shows how knowledge without faith can lead to error. True leadership requires faith in divine guidance, not reliance on personal intellect or control.
Just as Moses doubted his worthiness before the burning bush, so too we often doubt the divine within ourselves. Cayce reminds us that this doubt of self is ultimately doubt of God, since “we are workers together with God.”
VII. The Test of Faith in Trials
Faith shines most brightly in adversity. Cayce says:
“It is easy to have faith when everything is lovely... but when everything goes wrong, we begin to cry to God for deliverance.”
The “Need of Faith” essay echoes this:
“Faith is a bridge that spans the gulf from the seen to the unseen. It is often all we have left when everything seems against us.”
We must praise God in joy and in hardship, for faith matures through endurance. As Philippians 4:13 declares:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Faith thus becomes a fortress — built before the storm — that sustains us when “the storms of life begin to beat upon us.”
VIII. Christ as the Author and Finisher of Faith
The lesson concludes with the ultimate model: Jesus the Christ, who perfectly united body, mind, and soul in submission to the Father’s will. Hebrews 12:2 describes Him as
“The author and finisher of our faith.”
Where John the Baptist doubted when his expectations went unmet, Jesus fully surrendered the ego — even unto the Cross. In that surrender, faith reached its divine fulfillment.
Thus, as Cayce summarizes:
“Only in Jesus do we find the complete surrendering of the selfish ego... In Jesus, the Christ, we find the Author and the Finisher of our Faith.”
Synthesis and Reflection
Both Cayce’s reading and Need of Faith agree that faith is the living connection between God and humanity. It is:
Substance — a spiritual reality that bridges heaven and earth.
Action — manifesting in trust, love, and service.
Harmony — aligning body, mind, and soul with divine law.
Surrender — yielding personal will to divine will, as Jesus did.
To “increase our faith” (Luke 17:5), we must practice it daily — not as theory, but as the living power of God working through us.
“Lord, increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
Affirmation
“My faith is the living power of God within me.
I am one with the Father, as the Son is one with Him.
In body, mind, and soul I trust His perfect law.
No appearance of fear or doubt can shake me,
for the Christ within is my strength, my peace, and my victory.
I walk by faith and not by sight,
knowing that the unseen is greater than what appears before me.”
(Based on 2 Corinthians 5:7; Philippians 4:13; and Cayce’s “Faith is the substance which bridges the seen and unseen.”)
Prayer
O Lord, Source of all light and life,
I thank You for the gift of faith —
that divine substance which moves mountains of doubt
and brings Your promise into being.
Teach me to see with spiritual eyes,
to trust when the way seems dark,
and to act in love toward my fellow travelers,
even when I do not understand their path.
As Moses heard Your voice in the burning bush,
let me hear You in the stillness of my own heart.
Align my body, mind, and soul in harmony with Your Spirit.
May my faith not be in what I desire for myself,
but in what You would have me do for others.
Increase my faith, Lord —
until it becomes a living flame that dispels all fear,
and I may say with joy,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Amen.
Meditation
Theme: “I AM THAT I AM — The Presence Within.” (Exodus 3:14)
Preparation:
Sit quietly, close your eyes, and breathe deeply.
With each breath, feel your mind, body, and soul aligning — as one.
Focus Thought:
Whisper inwardly:
“The Lord is my strength and my substance. Faith is alive within me.”
Visualization:
Imagine a gentle light within your heart —
a flame that never flickers, the divine presence of I AM.
With each breath, the light expands —
filling your body with warmth, your mind with peace,
and your soul with quiet strength.
Silent Realization:
Rest in this awareness:
You are one with the Source of all creation.
The same power that guided Moses, strengthened Jesus,
and lives in every act of love, is moving through you now.
Closing Thought:
“Faith is my bridge between heaven and earth.
I will trust, and I will act — in love, in peace, in oneness with God.”
Stay in silence for a few moments, letting the peace of that realization flow through you.
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