Aligning with Divine Order for Spiritual Growth
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Unity of Chicago Beyond Wall Spiritual Community. Today, we explore the theme of "Spiritual Order and Spirituality." We begin by acknowledging the infinite source available to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or religion. This source, the principle supporting the stars, is also the principle supporting each of us. By aligning ourselves with this divine principle, we open ourselves to a world of power, possibility, and promise.
The mind is the creative cause of all that transpires in our lives. Our personal conditions are the outcomes of our ideas, and these ideas liberate tremendous energy when employed constructively. Divine order is the activity of the mind, adjusting our ability to perceive and cooperate with the law of creative cause. This inner guidance is essential for taking the first step toward a harmonious, progressive, evolutionary connection with the creative cause.
Scripture, specifically Matthew 6:33, advises us to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. This means establishing a state of harmony and right use of our God-given attributes. When we practice and work with divine order, we comply with universal law, putting first things first. This process must be complete in mind, emotion, and action, enabling us to achieve anything within the bounds of nature.
We are reminded that we don't need harsh experiences to seek truth. Through prayer and meditation, we can put our lives and thoughts in order. Prayer is a seed we plant, and order is the process of life unfolding within each seed. This combination of prayer and meditation helps us focus on what more we can do to bring our prayers into manifestation.
Spiritual order is not confined to one religion or spiritual practice; it is universal. For example, Buddhism's Eightfold Path offers a guide toward enlightenment and spiritual order. To achieve spiritual order, we must follow spiritual law, preparing our consciousness for the ultimate good. By becoming alert to the small signs of good in our lives, we increase our faith in the principle known as God, making divine order more prevalent.
Finally, divine love is non-denominational and omnipresent. When we accept this, we set the stage for a new level of life experience. By putting first things first and listening to our inner connection, we open ourselves to a higher functioning life experience. We close with a powerful affirmation from Cora Fillmore: "The law of divine order and harmony is satisfied in me. I behold myself a tower of spiritual strength and stability."
### Key Takeaways
1. Infinite Source for All: The infinite source of the universe is available to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or religion. This principle supports the stars and each of us, offering a world of power, possibility, and promise when we align ourselves with it. [01:40]
2. Mind as Creative Cause: Our minds are the creative cause of our life conditions. By employing our minds constructively, we can liberate tremendous energy and create a harmonious, progressive connection with the divine order. This inner guidance is essential for taking the first step toward spiritual growth. [02:42]
3. Prayer and Meditation: We don't need harsh experiences to seek truth. Through prayer and meditation, we can put our lives and thoughts in order. Prayer is a seed we plant, and order is the process of life unfolding within each seed. This combination helps us focus on what more we can do to manifest our prayers. [08:22]
4. Universal Spiritual Order: Spiritual order is not confined to one religion or spiritual practice; it is universal. For example, Buddhism's Eightfold Path offers a guide toward enlightenment and spiritual order. By following spiritual law, we prepare our consciousness for the ultimate good. [11:41]
5. Divine Love and New Life Experience: Divine love is non-denominational and omnipresent. When we accept this, we set the stage for a new level of life experience. By putting first things first and listening to our inner connection, we open ourselves to a higher functioning life experience. [17:16]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:40] - Infinite Source for All
[02:42] - Mind as Creative Cause
[04:49] - Seek First the Kingdom of God
[06:44] - Complete Commitment
[08:22] - Prayer and Meditation
[09:56] - Trust in Divine Order
[11:41] - Universal Spiritual Order
[13:33] - Application of Spiritual Law
[15:05] - Noticing Small Signs of Good
[17:16] - Divine Love and New Life Experience
[18:39] - Affirmation from Cora Fillmore
[19:46] - Closing Remarks
[20:00] - Namaste
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:33 (NIV): "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
3. Romans 12:2 (NIV): "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of aligning ourselves with the infinite source available to everyone? [01:40]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the mind in creating our life conditions? [02:42]
3. What does Matthew 6:33 mean in the context of seeking divine order and righteousness? [04:49]
4. How are prayer and meditation described as tools for putting our lives and thoughts in order? [08:22]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness in practical terms? How does this align with the concept of divine order? [04:49]
2. How can the mind be both a creative cause and a tool for aligning with divine order? What are some practical ways to employ our minds constructively? [02:42]
3. In what ways can prayer and meditation help us avoid harsh experiences and instead bring our lives into divine order? [08:22]
4. How does recognizing small signs of good in our lives help increase our faith in the principle known as God? [15:05]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt aligned with the infinite source. How did it impact your sense of power, possibility, and promise? [01:40]
2. What are some specific ideas or thoughts you can focus on to create more positive conditions in your life? How can you employ your mind constructively this week? [02:42]
3. How can you make seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness a daily practice? What changes might you need to make in your routine to prioritize this? [04:49]
4. What role do prayer and meditation currently play in your life? How can you enhance these practices to bring more order and harmony into your daily experiences? [08:22]
5. Identify a small sign of good in your life that you may have overlooked. How can you cultivate a habit of noticing and appreciating these small signs regularly? [15:05]
6. How can you apply the principles of spiritual order and law in your interactions with others, regardless of their religious or spiritual background? [11:41]
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you feel a lack of order. What steps can you take to bring divine order and harmony into that area? [18:39]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of spiritual order and spirituality, encouraging practical application and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: The Universal Infinite Source
The infinite source of the universe is available to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or religion. This principle supports the stars and each of us, offering a world of power, possibility, and promise when we align ourselves with it. By recognizing and tapping into this infinite source, we can experience a profound sense of unity and empowerment. This source is not limited to any one group or belief system; it is a universal principle that transcends all boundaries. When we align ourselves with this divine principle, we open ourselves to a world of power, possibility, and promise. [01:40]
Isaiah 40:26 (ESV): "Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing."
Reflection: How can you recognize and align yourself with the infinite source in your daily life today? What steps can you take to feel more connected to this universal principle?
Day 2: The Mind as Creative Cause
Our minds are the creative cause of our life conditions. By employing our minds constructively, we can liberate tremendous energy and create a harmonious, progressive connection with the divine order. This inner guidance is essential for taking the first step toward spiritual growth. Our personal conditions are the outcomes of our ideas, and these ideas liberate tremendous energy when employed constructively. Divine order is the activity of the mind, adjusting our ability to perceive and cooperate with the law of creative cause. [02:42]
Proverbs 23:7 (ESV): "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you."
Reflection: What thoughts are currently shaping your life conditions? How can you shift your thinking to align more closely with divine order and constructive outcomes?
Day 3: The Power of Prayer and Meditation
We don't need harsh experiences to seek truth. Through prayer and meditation, we can put our lives and thoughts in order. Prayer is a seed we plant, and order is the process of life unfolding within each seed. This combination helps us focus on what more we can do to manifest our prayers. By engaging in regular prayer and meditation, we align our thoughts and actions with divine order, allowing us to manifest our deepest desires and intentions. [08:22]
Psalm 19:14 (ESV): "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer and meditation into your daily routine to bring more order and clarity to your life? What specific intentions will you focus on during your prayer and meditation time today?
Day 4: Embracing Universal Spiritual Order
Spiritual order is not confined to one religion or spiritual practice; it is universal. For example, Buddhism's Eightfold Path offers a guide toward enlightenment and spiritual order. By following spiritual law, we prepare our consciousness for the ultimate good. This universal approach to spiritual order allows us to draw wisdom from various traditions and apply it to our own lives, fostering a deeper connection with the divine. [11:41]
Romans 2:14-15 (ESV): "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them."
Reflection: How can you incorporate teachings from different spiritual traditions to enhance your own spiritual practice? What steps can you take to align your life with universal spiritual order today?
Day 5: Experiencing Divine Love and a New Life
Divine love is non-denominational and omnipresent. When we accept this, we set the stage for a new level of life experience. By putting first things first and listening to our inner connection, we open ourselves to a higher functioning life experience. This acceptance of divine love allows us to experience a deeper sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment in our daily lives. [17:16]
1 John 4:16 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
Reflection: How can you open yourself to experience divine love more fully in your life today? What practical steps can you take to prioritize your inner connection and align with a higher functioning life experience?
Quotes
1. "Let me remind you that there is an infinite source available for everyone. It is there for each who seek it, no matter their race, gender, or religion. Believe what you may, but you should know that the source of the universe is also the source of each of us." [01:40] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The scientist searching into the mysteries of human life reveals to us a wonderful world of power, possibility, and promise. He tells us that the mind is the creative cause of all that transpires in our life, and that the status of personal conditions are the outcome of one's ideas. He tells us that these ideas liberate a tremendous energy when we learn to employ our minds constructively." [02:42] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need not be forced to seek truth by some harsh experience in life. But we can start now through prayer and meditation to put our lives and thoughts in order. That's so important. Sometimes it's like I needed that bad experience so I can get my life in order. Say, well, there's another path. There's another path through prayer and meditation and focus on what you're doing, trying to bring forth divine order, bringing forth life alive in your life, participating in your life on a daily basis." [08:22] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Prayer is a seed we plant. And order is the process of life unfolding within each seed. So when there's divine order and prayer coming together, the seed begins to sprout into life. The idea sprouts into life with a combination of prayer meditation, which we were told earlier, and having order where our focus is, right? What do you mean where our focus is? Not focusing, oh, it hasn't come yet. But focused on, okay, if it's not here right now, what more can I do?" [09:56] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "To achieve spiritual order, the application of spiritual law is required. That's where it wasn't law and order, it was order and law, right? Spiritual order and spiritual law. But to achieve spiritual order, we must follow some spiritual law. We prepare our consciousness for the ultimate good or the outworking of divine order. How do we prepare our consciousness? What are you telling me? I need some steps." [13:33] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "As we began to become alert to the small signs of good entering in and around our life experience, this to that, as we began to notice, become aware of, become alert to the small goods, that occur in our life, no matter how faint they might be, as we began to increase our faith in the principle that many know as God, divine order becomes more prevalent in our life experience." [15:05] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The quality of the water that you drink, little things, and it's looking for these wonderful little things that began to prepare us to receive and be a part of divine order in our own life. Wow. Wow. Huh? So was it so hard? It was a lot easier than you thought, you know, not to study. You could stand outside and look around and look at a bird up in the sky. So, wow. Just look at that bird fly, whatever is good for you, just to see some good, to change the atmosphere of your consciousness." [15:46] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we realize that, when we're ready to accept that, we set the stage for a new level of life experience. Did you hear what? A new level of life experience. I can't tell you what your new level is, but a new level of life experience. So wherever we are in our life experience, no matter how high or how low we are, there's room for a new level of life experience as we come into divine order and use divine universal law, putting first things first." [17:16] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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