Be Mind-full of precious GEMs meant to bless YOU—and ALL!
from insights of Cobbey Crisler and others** for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Mind”
for August 16-22, 2021
shared by Warren Huff
CedarS Executive Director Emeritus warren@cedarscamps.org
**A longtime friend, Kathy Merrill, after years of leading weekly Bible studies both for Peace Haven, and before that for Principia School, has launched her own weekly “CSBible Insights” blog — along with several Bible Lesson-enrichment call-in sessions each week. I can highly recommend— in addition to CedarS (COMING SOON) Metaphysical application ideas with audio and CedarS series of Inspirational GEMs including Sunday School Teaching ideas — that you try out and support Kathy’s inspiring Bible Lesson enrichment options! To do so you will need to contact her directly for her schedule and access info for her “CSBible Insights” blog at
either Louryn4@gmail.com or 618 980 2207
COMMIT TO PRAY WITH A SENSE OF GOD’S ONENESS AND ALLNESS TO AVOID WAVERING!
Cobbey Crisler on James 3:17 (Golden Text) after comments on James 1:17 plus James 1:6, 8
[Cobbey:] James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect—free, large, full—gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”—as in an eclipse.
… [James 3:11 and SH 287:12/citation S1] “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” That’s variableness and instability!]
James 1:6 tells us how we should pray. You’ll find when prayer is not prayer… “Let him ask in faith nothing wavering.” Wavering suggests this to-and-fro state of mind… James 1:8 “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”…
GOLDEN TEXT: James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above” all stems from the commitment to oneness.”
“The Case of Job,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
DROP CONFORMITY WITH THE WORLD AND ITS PLEASURES! BE RENEWED AND COMPLETELY CHANGED FOR THE BETTER BY THE MIND OF CHRIST! BE THE BEST VERSION OF THE YOU THAT GOD MADE BY USING PAUL’S TIPS IN ROMANS 12:2 (Responsive Reading):
“. . . be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
J.B. Phillips’ translation – “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.”
James Moffatt’s translation – “Instead of being molded to this world, have your mind renewed, and so be transformed in nature, able to make out what the will of God is, namely what is good and acceptable to Him and perfect.”
“The direction is to, ‘put on another form, change the form of the world for that of Christianity.’ This word would properly refer to the external appearance, but the expression which the apostle immediately uses, “renewing of the mind,” shows that he did not intend to use it with reference to that only, but to the change of the whole man. The meaning is, do not cherish a spirit, devoted to the world, following its vain fashions and pleasures, but cultivate a spirit attached to God, and his kingdom and cause” (Barnes Commentary from www.biblehub.com).
Conformed is syschematizo in Greek which means “to conform one’s self, one’s mind and character, to another’s pattern, to fashion one’s self according to (www.blueletterbible.org, Strong’s Lexicon 2964).
And be not conformed … – The word rendered “conformed” properly means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc., of another” (Barnes from biblehub.com).
Transformed is metamorphoo in Greek which means “to change into another form, to transfigure, i.e. resplendent with a divine brightness, to the same image of consummate excellence that shines in Christ, reproduce the same image” (www.blueletterbible.org, Strong’s Lexicon 3339).
Renewing is anakainosis which means “a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better” (www.blueletterbible.org, Strong’s Lexicon 342).
“Acceptable – That which will be pleasing to God. or which he will approve. There is scarcely a more difficult text in the Bible than this, or one that is more full of meaning. It involves the main duty of religion to be separated from the world; and expresses the way in which that duty may be performed, and in which we may live so as to ascertain and do the will of God” (Barnes Commentary from www.biblehub.com).
“Perfect is free from effect, stain, or injury. That which has all its parts complete, or which is not disproportionate” (Barnes Commentary from www.biblehub.com).
In one of Mary Baker Eddy’s Bibles, she wrote beside Romans 12:
“Romans 12 is Christian Science.” (MBE Accession #B00017.C)
LIKE JOB, FIND THE IDENTITY & UNITY OF 1 MIND & 1 SOUL TO SOLVE CONFLICTS OF MANY OPINIONS! Cobbey Crisler on Job 23:13, 14 (citation B2):
“In Job 23:13 we find two revelations from God to Job about God’s nature. Because there’s only one way that you and I can ever find out anything out about God who is the only one who knows who God is, God [Himself/Herself]. God must do the revealing and here Job has two concepts revealed to him about God. And you know we don’t get anything unless we’re ready for it. Job is ready. He needs this, doesn’t he?… Why does Job need to know God as “one [mind], and as soul”?
What’s been his problem? One problem is identity. He said (in Job 9:21, 22) even “[if I said] I am perfect… Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul:” Here if soul is identified with God, where does one find one’s identity? The, whatever he was thinking about as his soul, if he had it, would have to image forth the One Soul. How many souls are there? If you relate the word “soul” to God, there is no other possible alternative than for a monotheist to see one, with whatever is revealed to us about God. That may be tough logic, but if soul is related to God, as a synonym, then there can only be One. So, to seek his identity in that oneness-of-God will tell him more about himself.
What about one mind? Why did he need to know that? [Voice: Because it was God?”] That’s right. And he’d been having a dialogue with many minds, hadn’t he? Nothing but just One Mind as opposed to many, polytheistic gods, or many minds, many opinions… Just think of that beautiful revelation that comes as a solution to all that.”
“The Book of Job: A Mental Court Case” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
[Warren Huff’s P.S. on a verse 14 bonus: It relieves all fear of poor performance to know that “…he performeth the thing that is appointed for me…” This could be restated that “God is the performer; and we are the performance”… and that “many such things are with him.”
KNOW THAT YOUR “ABILITY & OPPORTUNITY ARE COORDINATE IDEAS” AND THEN “RISE TO THE OCCASION!” Application ideas offered by Warren Huff on citation S18, 571:16.
“Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil.” Science & Health, 571:16
“What occasions or opportunities are demanding your best these days?
1. Hard assignments, unbelievable work load and killer deadlines?
2. Important tests of our abilities or our faith and resilience?
3. A big game, presentation or performance?
4. Group Leadership role(s)?
5. An important date or social event?
6. A sticky situation where taking a moral or ethical stand and integrity are needed?
7. Challenging restrictions that keep testing your patience, equanimity and reliance on God?
Whatever opportunities you face, you can meet them as their master by obeying this powerful two-word command.
“Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil.” Science & Health, 571:16 (S18)
“Know yourself as God knows you – as an ever-perfect expression of “infinity, freedom, harmony and boundless bliss.” (see S&H 481:3) Totally accept and simply express each of these elements of your divine identity to eradicate their illegitimate opposites. Without a body-based sense of self, you will be open for God to eliminate from your experience: all of matter’s debilitating drag of limited energy, funds, intelligence, speed, inspiration; all its sapping slavery of restrictions (injuries, illness, red tape, tie-ups); all its regular rub of inharmonious relationships and its constant cloud of frustration and unhappiness. All gone! These are all just fables that were never part of you or of those you love.
In the next couple of days, “your assignment, should you choose to accept it,” will be to simply do your part—know yourself spiritually—and watch God do Her part, to supply you with all the wisdom and occasions where victories are wanted. You may also enjoy highlighting in every lesson all of God’s jobs in one color and all of yours in another color.
A friend shed new light on this passage with this one-line insight:
“ABILITY (the wisdom) and OPPORTUNITY (the occasion) are coordinate ideas.”
By accepting this divine law and knowing yourself spiritually, you will never have ability without being given opportunity to express it. (no unneeded bench-sitting) And, you’ll also never be given opportunities (like the seven listed at the top) without having the God-given abilities to rise to the occasion!”
Warren Huff originally posted this on CedarS website on December 5, 2002
THINK AGAIN TO PROVE THAT IT’S NOT PROBLEMS, BUT HARMONY, THAT IS AT HAND!
Cobbey Crisler on Matt 4:17 prelude to Matt. 4:23 (cit. B16):
[Cobbey:] “Verse 17“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” … Jesus’ opening word, according to Matthew’s gospel is “Repent.” Change your concept. Again, just as John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:2, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” That is radical good news for mankind.
“It’s not a far-off event. Many denominations have left the impression that heaven is something attainable in the far-off future. But, the opening words of John the Baptist, as well as of Jesus, are “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” right here. That means that we must be able to do something with it and about it. And, apparently that had something to do with the changing of our concept, even theologically, that heaven can do something about the problems that that seem to be at hand.
“… Are the problems at hand, or is heaven at hand? That’s the test question that Jesus met in the preceding verses so beautifully as a sovereign over it in the wilderness. He proved that heaven was at hand.”
“Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
[W.] We follow our Master Jesus, as we dismiss dualism like he did to feel a heavenly harmony that heals EVERY PERSON & EVERY ISSUE! (cit. B16, Matt. 14:23) As a prelude to these verses from this week’s lesson, you’ll enjoy Cobbey’s insights on Jesus’ wilderness testing experience where he overcame feeling isolated and alone, by feeling ALL One with his Abba “Daddy”! You’ll enjoy this even more if you’re feeling vulnerable to attacks from a devilish, divisive virus! (Devil or diabolos means to try to throw in 2 opposite directions at the same time.)
Cobbey Crisler on Jesus “acing” his long isolation tests & healing all, Matt. 4:1-11 before verses 17, 23 (in citation B16):
[W. Before the Matthew 4:17 and 23 verses in this week’s lesson is what enabled Jesus to heal everyone.]
[Cobbey:] “There is what we might call an identity-crisis test in Chapter 4 (of Matthew). The Anglo-Saxon word “tempt” has almost picked up a theological meaning. It really means “test.” That’s what the word means. It’s a test. (Verse 1) So, “Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness” to be tested on the fact that had recently been revealed (directly from God in Matthew 3:17 (and Mark 1:11) that Jesus was God’s “Beloved Son”).
Verse 23. And “healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Here are human problems that had defied solution, and Jesus solved them all based on his concept of theology, namely the kingdom. Remember a kingdom is not chaos. It’s an ordered government of heaven and harmony at hand.”
“Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master, A Tax Collector’s Report,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
WHEN A PERSON (OR GOVERNMENT) SEEMS TO BE POSSESSED BY A DEVILISH DIVISION, FIRST BIND THE RESISTANCE, THEN HEAL THE INHARMONY.
Cobbey Crisler on Matthew 12:22-28 (cit. B17)
[Cobbey:] “Matt. 12:22/cit. B17). “Now we have someone brought possessed with a devil and healed.”
(Verse 25). Jesus talks about “a kingdom divided against itself ” which we have already discussed.
(Verse 26). “How could he use Satan to cast out Satan?”
(Verse 29). He makes a very interesting parallel in referring to a strong man’s house. “To enter into a house, and spoil the goods, you have to really render the strong man powerless.”
To do this means giving priority to the strong man before you begin to mess around in his house. Then the strong man would resist the healing. Was it mentality arrayed against the possibility, both in the environment and in that man? Did Jesus bind that mental resistance first, and then heal the case?”
“Book of Matthew, Auditing the Master: A Tax-Collectors Report,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
Bring EVERY thought—NOT every OTHER THOUGHT — “to the obedience of Christ.”
Cobbey Crisler on 2nd Corinthians 10:5/citation B18
[Cobbey Crisler:] Then, you’re a king. In that sense Jesus was always a king. There’s nothing wrong with that messianic attribution to him of “king.” He ruled and nothing overruled him. But, look at all these things that [would attempt to] take over our “within” where the kingdom of God is supposed to be. And instead, we find anarchy most of the time.
What is disease? If the kingdom-of-God-within is the healed, whole state, then anarchy-within must also tell us what disease is. It’s an outright rebellion. It’s a “Declaration of Independence” by one organ over the rest of the bodily systems. The Bible endorses only one system [Romans 8.28] “All things work together for good to them that love God.” There is the prerequisite. We always have to have a prescription filled. We’ve got to love God. Then, “all things work together for good.” That’s the ideal situation for any system, bodily or solar, all things working together for good. That’s the definition of perfect health as well.”
Don’t be hacked from within by the VIRUS of unwise atheism and its family members (according to Wikipedia) of “the supremacy of human reason… secular humanism… religious criticism…free-thought skepticism…” They all doubt Paul’s assertion that that “God is always at work for the best of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, CEB)
Coordinate ideas related by Cobbey Crisler in insights on Ps. 14:1-3
“In Chapter 14, Verse 1, “The fool”— that’s the kind of point of view it is, completely unwise—“The fool that said in his heart, [There is] no God,” has a foolish point of view that exposes you to the infection of that idea. It communicates a contaminating influence if it cuts one off from the very source of life and health. Because treatment is available.
In Verse 2 “The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God.” Notice what arena we’re dealing with here. God was not checking our pulses [W: or our temperatures], but our thoughts. How do we know what effect thoughts actually have ultimately on the pulse, for example? “To see if there were any that could understand and [seek] God” because that’s the bottom line.
Instead, in Verse 3 “They are all gone aside, and become filthy.” Something that is unsanitary doesn’t belong; it’s not part of the health code of the Bible any more than it’s in the health code of material medica. Because what is unsanitary [W: is part of the unreality family and] is liable to cause or promote a disease.
It’s also interesting to note that the word “virus” which is being used so generally today as the cause of much of man’s physical complaints and effects [W:—as well as the cause of issues from implanted computer viruses or hacks].
The virus, according to Webster, is able to break down the defensive mechanism of the host. And, by the way, it comes from a Latin word that means poison or slimy liquid, virus. The word “filthy,” in part of its Hebrew meaning, is morally corrupt. So, we know we’re dealing really at both levels here, moral and physical. If out of that filthy condition, that polluted state of human consciousness, we’re coming to the conclusion “[there is] none that doeth good, no, not one,” has the defensive mechanism broken down? Have we become the host of ideas that are contaminating to our pure relationship to God? Or are we ingesting only those pure Words? It’s a question of thought. It’s the faculty of knowing that which God is addressing here.
Consider what Jesus lists in Mark 7, Verse 20, where he lists the toxic causes of man’s problems. He says, “That which comes out of the man, that defies the man.” Now we’re going the opposite route from those pure Words from God.
[Mark 7, Verse 21] “From within,” and, by the way, that is almost the literal translation of the Latin word intestin from which our word “intestine” comes. “Out of the heart of men, proceed,” and look at the list; it’s certainly not intestinal fortitude, “evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, porneia, root of our word pornography, murders.” [Verse 22]. “Thefts,” do we need to go into the headlines as current as this morning? “covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.” [W: fool, as in Psalm 14.1] And Jesus says in Mark 7, Verse 23, “All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” That’s where disease is also felt; the “within.”
[W: Instead of affirming that in God (and in reality) we have everything that we need,] We [often tend to] yearn for so much within, don’t we? How imperfectly that’s often expressed. Our longing often, perhaps most of the time, is expressed in terms that we would conquer the world outwardly in some way. [W: have lots of social media “likes” or followers…] Be appreciated. Be applauded. Be loved. Be served. Be patted on the head. Be comforted. Have obeisance shown to us. That we have the homage of the world outwardly. We want to conquer the world in some way. That’s trying to impose domination. That kind of longing is imperfectly expressed. A more perfect sense of longing, the desire that Jesus calls prayer, would be to conquer all the influences of that same world inwardly.
“Leaves of the Tree: Prescriptions from Psalms,” by B. Cobbey Crisler**
Have a ONE-ness Mind-Set to Unfold HEALING POWER & Fulfill Bible PROMISES!
from cit. B14/Exodus 15:26 & Job 33:24 as quoted by Mary Baker Eddy in citation S20/276:1-4
“Having one God, one Mind, unfolds the power that heals the sick, and fulfills these sayings of Scripture, “I am the Lord that healeth thee,” and “I have found a ransom.” [cit. S20/276:1-4, bold added]
[Warren Huff:] Mary Baker Eddy made Christian Science a truly Bible-based religion.
In her textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, she quotes the Bible 60 times in the opening 20-page chapter on Prayer.
In this Christian Science Bible Lesson on “Mind” in just one citation (cit. S20/276:1-4) Mary Baker Eddy quotes two Bible promises from the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and outlines their fulfillment.
Bible quote #1: “I am the Lord that healeth thee,” (cit. B14/Exodus 15:26)
Bible quote #2 “I have found a ransom” There are additional precious promises to count on from getting a fuller context of Mary Baker Eddy’s quote of “I have found a ransom” from Job 33:23-26: “If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth: He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.” (Job 33:23–26, italics and underlining added)
More Scriptural quotations in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures are woven throughout every Bible Lesson and on almost every page of the book. Here are a few more from the last two sections of this week’s Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on “Mind.”
- “Our Master asked: “How can one enter into a strong man’s house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?” Citation S22/399:29-1 referring to B17/Matt. 12:29 about first binding the strong man.
- “Mortal Man is “the strong man,” which must be held in subjection before its influence and health and morals can be removed.” (Citation S23/400:4-6 referring to B17/Matt.12:29 & first binding the strong man.
- “If we wish to follow Christ, Truth, it must be in the way of God’s appointing. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.” Citation S25/326:3-5 referring to
- “When the divine precepts are understood, they unfold the foundation of fellowship, in which one mind is not at war with another, but all have one Spirit, God, one intelligent source, in accordance with the Scriptural command: “Let this Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Citation S26/276:4 referring to cit. B8/Philippians 2:5
- “Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also in Christ.” (cit. S27/467:13/ referring to B8/Philippians 2:5
