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paralleling ASFG 1 lesson on “IN HIS PRESENCE”
BIBLE READING: John 14:1-21
ASFG Lesson 9: In His Presence - Experiencing the Abiding Presence
(page 74)
The longing in our hearts for something eternal—something lasting and divine—is evidence that we have, at some time, truly experienced the Presence of God within us. If we had never known His Presence, we could not feel the emptiness or desire for it.
When we are aware of that Presence, even the smallest things are magnified. Just as Jesus multiplied a few loaves and fishes to feed thousands, so too does everything expand—materially, mentally, or spiritually—when it is brought into His Presence. He came to give life “more abundantly,” and that abundance begins in consciousness.
To experience this Presence, we must become as little children—pure, trusting, and free from hatred or resentment. A child forgives easily and holds no malice; likewise, Jesus never responded with anger or negativity. Living as He lived means responding always with love and understanding. Only through such innocence and forgiveness can we truly “walk with Him.”
We live, move, and have our being in God. Everything—body, mind, and soul—is part of His nature within us:
The Body expresses the Father, the Source.
The Mind reflects the Christ, the Son.
The Soul channels the Holy Spirit, the pathway to God.
Creation itself flowed from this divine unity: Spirit moving upon matter, Mind becoming the Light in the world. As we apply this awareness daily, we awaken to His Presence in all things.
Every soul yearns to attain Christ perfection—to live as He lived. Through prayer and the disciplined direction of mind (the “builder”), we gradually move toward that goal. It is not achieved by outer effort alone but by inner surrender to God’s will.
When faced with those who act contrary to divine principles, we must not meet resentment with resentment. Instead, like the innocent insight of a child, we might even “pray for the devil”—meaning, extend compassion and love to the very sources of conflict. In doing so, we transform the offense and neutralize its harm. “Offenses must come,” as the law of life dictates, but we are not to be the offenders.
Finally, when Jesus says in John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,” it is not mere sentiment—it is a living promise. Each of us can experience this if we make ourselves channels of His Spirit. His abiding Presence is real and available here and now.
Explanation and Connection to John 14:1–21
In John 14, Jesus comforts His disciples, assuring them that even though He must go, the Spirit of Truth—the Comforter—will remain within them. He says:
“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20)
Cayce’s interpretation aligns closely with this passage:
Divine Unity: The Father (Body), Son (Mind), and Spirit (Soul) live as one within us. Awareness of this unity is the consciousness of Christ.
Childlike Trust: Jesus’ call to “let the little children come unto me” mirrors His teaching that faith must be simple and pure, unclouded by resentment or pride.
Magnification through Presence: When we act in His consciousness, love and faith amplify even our smallest efforts, just as Jesus multiplied bread and fish.
Living Christ Within: The promise of “I will come to you” is fulfilled not only in the historical resurrection but in our personal realization of His Presence—moment by moment.
Summary Thought
To live “In His Presence” means more than believing in God; it means becoming conscious of Him as the living force within all things—within thought, word, and deed.
When the mind (the builder) centers on Christ, and love replaces fear and resentment, even ordinary experiences become sacred.
As we yield our will to divine love and learn to forgive as children do, the promise of John 14 becomes fulfilled:
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me… and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)
JOHN 14:1-21
Several verses from John 14:1–21 directly echo and deepen the ideas from Edgar Cayce’s ASFG Lesson 9: “In His Presence.” Below is a breakdown of key verses and how they align with the lesson’s spiritual principles.
1. John 14:1 — “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
Cayce’s lesson begins with the idea that peace comes from the awareness of God’s abiding presence.
When we remember that the Christ Presence walks and talks with us, fear and loneliness fade. This verse mirrors that state of inner calm and faith.
Lesson connection: The realization that “He walks and talks with us” brings abiding peace and dispels all fear and anxiety — exactly what Jesus promises here.
2. John 14:6 — “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The Cayce reading teaches that the Mind (Christ) is “the way, the truth, and the light in materiality.”
Through aligning our thoughts and actions with the Christ Mind, we find spiritual direction.
Lesson connection: The “Mind is the Christ, or Son,” showing the pattern for right living. When we apply this consciousness daily, we “become aware of His Presence.”
3. John 14:10–11 — “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? … the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
Cayce emphasizes the unity of Body (Father), Mind (Son), and Soul (Spirit) within each person as the reflection of the Godhead.
Jesus’ words here affirm that divine energy — the Father — works through the Christ consciousness in us.
Lesson connection: “As we live and move and have our being in Him, so He is the supply.” The same Presence that acted through Jesus works through anyone who is aware of the Spirit within.
4. John 14:12 — “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.”
The lesson says that anything that comes “into the awareness of His Presence is magnified.”
When we are attuned to that Presence, our works—whether material, mental, or spiritual—expand with divine power.
Lesson connection: Just as Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes, so too can the consciousness of God’s Presence multiply love, healing, and abundance in our lives.
5. John 14:16–17 — “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth... for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
This aligns with the Cayce teaching that the Soul is the Holy Spirit, the channel through which we approach God.
The Holy Spirit’s abiding presence within is the realization of “In His Presence” — not as something external, but as the eternal light within every soul.
Lesson connection: “The Spirit moved, matter came into being.” The same Spirit abides in us now, guiding, comforting, and empowering.
6. John 14:18 — “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
This verse is directly referenced in the lesson’s closing thought — that this is not hearsay, but an experience each of us may have if we open ourselves as channels of His Presence.
Lesson connection: Jesus’ promise of abiding companionship fulfills the longing “for something eternal.” When we surrender our hearts to Him, we truly feel His Presence come alive within us.
7. John 14:21 — “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me... and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
The Cayce lesson stresses living as Jesus lived — responding always with love, forgiveness, and innocence like a child.
Keeping His commandments in spirit (not merely by rule) makes us conscious of His Presence.
Lesson connection: As we purify the heart and live in love, Christ “manifests” Himself to us inwardly — a living awareness of the divine within.
Summary
[Corresponding Verse in John 14] Theme in Lesson⟹Core Message
[John 14:1] Abiding peace and trust⟹Faith dispels fear and opens us to peace.
[John 14:6] Christ as the Way⟹The Christ Mind is the pathway to the Father.
[John 14:10–11] Unity with God⟹The Father works through the Son — and through us.
[John 14:12] Magnified works through awareness⟹Consciousness of God multiplies our effectiveness.
[John 14:16–17] Indwelling Spirit⟹The Holy Spirit abides within forever.
[John 14:18] Never forsaken⟹We are never alone — Christ lives within.
[John 14:21] Love as manifestation⟹Obedience born of love opens the door to divine manifestation.
Affirmation
“God’s Presence abides with me now.
Wherever I walk, He walks with me;
whatever I face, His peace sustains me.
I live, move, and have my being in Him—
and His Spirit within me is my rest, my strength, and my joy.”
Repeat this softly through the day, especially when fear or worry tries to rise. Let it remind you that peace does not come from outer circumstances but from inner awareness of the Presence.
Prayer
Loving Father,
In quietness I remember that You are here.
Your Presence fills every breath and every moment.
Teach me to walk with the calm confidence of one who knows
that You go before me and dwell within me.
Let my words be kind, my thoughts pure,
and my deeds expressions of Your love.
Help me to see You in all people and in all experiences,
casting out fear, loneliness, and resentment.
May Your Spirit guide me into patience and understanding,
until I learn to rest in the peace of Your abiding Presence.
Amen.
Meditation
Centering:
Sit quietly and breathe gently. With each inhalation, say silently:
“Thy Presence fills me.”
With each exhalation:
“Thy peace stills me.”
Awareness:
Picture a soft light glowing at the center of your heart—warm, steady, and loving.
This light is the living Presence of God, the Christ within.
Reflection:
Let your mind rest on these words from John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.”
Feel that peace spreading through your mind, calming your emotions, relaxing your body.
Union:
In this stillness, affirm inwardly:
“Father, I am never alone. You live in me as love, light, and peace.”
Closing Thought:
When ready, gently return your attention to the present moment.
Carry the feeling of divine companionship with you.
Each act of kindness today becomes your acknowledgment that He walks with you.
