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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">ABRAHAM<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date Month="8" Day="30"
Year="2004"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">AUGUST 30,
2004</SPAN></st1:date><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">WOODS CROSS GROUP<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">I am ABRAHAM. Greetings. How wonderful it
is that you would devote this time each week to your spiritual life or spiritual
health. You each have your demands of a busy life and it is truly good that you
would set this time aside to re-center, refocus and
rebalance.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">It is a common thought that believers
constantly give of themselves and while this is brotherly at times, it is
misunderstood. The Master taught self-forgetfulness, not so much self-sacrifice.
He did not say go without so you may reap your rewards in Heaven. The Master
completely believed in service to others, but not in a manner that would cause
resentment or emptiness.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">There are many religions that teach that
fasting is a self-sacrifice that speeds prayer God-ward. If one should sacrifice
something, surely there should be some divine attention. This is erroneous
thinking and yet, the real power of this self-sacrifice is misunderstood.
Fasting, for example, is a physical feeling that would leave one to devote
thought or send energy. It is not a sacrifice to God that brings results, but
the energy put therein. Some would believe that the more they give, the more
they get and that is the reason they give, which distorts the energy put
forth.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">Those that are God-knowing think not about
rewards to be received, for every moment knowing God is a reward in itself.
Kingdom believers gives because it feels right, it resonates within the soul.
Karma is an amusing concept. Many believe that if they withhold, they will be
denied spiritual kindness or divine acknowledgment. This is fear breeding. ‘I
must be good, for I fear what will happen if I am not.’<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">Look at the Master; He was naturally good
without effort. He thought not about self-sacrificing for Father’s attention. He
did however direct thought and energy toward the Father’s will, the Father’s
will being the best and highest outcome according to God’s overall plan and
purpose.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">Think of those individuals who seem
naturally happy and fairly balanced. They are generous individuals and fate and
fortune would seem to smile upon them. They are simply directing and receiving
energy. They are happy and those that are happy love to make others happy. Those
that are miserable would seem to draw energy in a negative way, never really
becoming satisfied or having their thirst quenched.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">This evening’s lesson is not so much about
self-sacrifice as it is for allowing time to care for the self, the physical
self, the mental health and especially for the budding soul. What better way to
care for the self than to devote an allotment of time to Father. The next time
you are directing and receiving divine energy, you are optimizing brain
functions, which release helpful chemicals that assist in Thought Adjuster
communication.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">Many say, ‘I rarely have a moment to
devote time to Father and life is so chaotic.’ Who better to organize and manage
your time than Father? Imagine a minute here and there throughout the day in
giving time to Father, directing thought to Him, directing attention to Him,
knowing He is there for you and your concerns of the day are managed by one who
manages the universes.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black">This week find time to take care of
yourself, devote some time to Father, allow Him to optimize your mind, body and
spirit. That is all. Know that I am honored each week to spend this time with
you in devotion to our Father and living the spiritual life. My love goes with
you. Until next time, shalom.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>