This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 9th day of July, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [540], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. [540], Madie Lawrence Riddick and Pearle Lawrence Woods.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the entity, [540], present in this room, and the experience she had on the evening of July 3rd, in which she saw the face of the dying Christ and one bleeding hand. It seemed to be a definite call to some sort of service for Him, in keeping with this particular time. All kinds of messages then came to her, unspoken, within herself. Some were Scriptural quotations. For instance, "You have not chosen me but I have chosen you," and "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." What special significance does this vision have? Is the entity fulfilling her place as she should at this time. There seemed to be some gentle but forceful reprimand, which the entity is unable within herself to interpret. You will give the entity that needed at this time, answering the questions she submits, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the entity here, [540], and the experience had by the entity on the evening of July 3rd.
3. In interpreting such an experience for the entity, it would be well that the premise be indicated from which such reasoning may be drawn as may aid in the entity's interpreting same within self.
4. As has been given for this entity, the entity is a very sensitive individual - and capable of those experiences that may enable the entity to be assured more and more as to the definite work to be performed, or in which the entity may aid.
5. This particular period is such that the influences of good and evil are so apparent in the affairs of individuals, that it is very much in keeping for that which was indicated to this entity, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
6. This, with that indicated as to being chosen by Him as a channel, should be of special significance to the entity; enabling the entity, with more vigor, more determination, to meet those varied conditions which arise in the experience from period to period.
7. For, as indicated by that promise, the law of the Lord is perfect. And it ever stands as a means for an individual to become the more active in ministrations to those who are so in need from every sense in the present.
8. Thus, while the interpretation must answer within self, this IS that whereunto the entity is called - to be more active daily. Not in those ways that it would neglect ANY of the obligations or necessary activities about those to whom the entity has the responsibility, yet in the very fact of the warning there is to the entity - or should be - that indication of the needs of those with whom the entity may come in contact from day to day.
9. Let the entity, then, be up and doing with the mind and the heart, as of being in keeping with those direction that may be indicated to the entity from day to day.
10. For, as He hath given, "I stand at the door and knock - if ye will open I will enter, and will abide with thee."
11. Do not be satisfied, then, with less than that; as thou hast experienced the face, the hands. It is with thy hands, thy manner that is expressed in the face, that ye need to be as a daily witness for Him in these periods when many cry unto Him.
12. Be thou, as indicated, HIS face to many, His hands to others; that they, too, may know the glory of the Lord in THEIR OWN lives, their OWN experiences.
13. Not any great thing, for it is ever line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little, that is the way of the Lord.
14. For the LAW is perfect and CONVERTS the soul. Thy choice, then, should be as His choice, - "Thy way, O Lord, show me, day by day."
15. Then, enter into those administrations, those helpings to individuals as well as groups; that they, too, may take heart and give more and more of self in ministering to the needs of those about self.
16. These, then, should be as ASSURANCES that He walks with thee, He talks with thee; as ye seek to do His biddings in the earth.
17. Ready for questions.
18. (Q) Why have I felt within the last few years that a definite, regular period of meditation or prayer is unnecessary?
    (A) This is that spirit of wavering that has been a part of the experience. And that experience of seeing the suffering face, the bleeding hand, should be that warning - be constant in prayer, meditate oft, if ye would have Him enter.
    This is as a temptation, but forsake not thy regular period, thy daily communion, thy daily walk and talk with Him.
19. (Q) From the experience it would seem that there is a lot of suffering ahead of me, that the face and bleeding hand were giving me courage to face something that would crush me. Just what is this, and how may I be prepared for it?
    (A) Not in self but as that ye may aid in, in others, with whom ye may and will come in contact from period to period. Not as to self, but rather - as has been indicated - let it be as an assurance to thee that He hath chosen thee to be a messenger.
    For, as He gave, "If ye love me, feed my lambs. If ye love me, feed my sheep."
    As the entity finds in its contact with individuals daily, many have forsaken - as ye would be tempted to do - daily communion with the Christ-Consciousness, the daily attuning of self. For, as everyone - and as this entity should comprehend, God in Christ is the same, ever. Not that any individual may by persuasion attain to having the Christ or the Father on his side, but rather there needs to be the attuning of self to the Christ-Consciousness, the oft and regular attuning of self in body, in mind, in spirit, to that oneness to which each soul may attain.
    For, as has been given, "Seek and ye shall find - Try me, saith the Lord, and see if I may not pour out a blessing such as ye have not even conceived of."
    Thus let the warning, let that heard, be as that assurance that ye CAN - if ye will - be an emissary, be a messenger of the suffering Christ to a suffering world!
20. (Q) Is it important that I take a more active part in church and group work, even at the expense of my home duties and the overtaxing of my strength, or is it better for me to continue to do the things nearest me first?
    (A) Do the things nearest thee first, but let not the greater things be left undone. Remember that warning as given Martha, because she complained that Mary neglected to do those home duties in PREFERENCE to listening to the words of the Master.
    What was His answer? "She hath chosen the better part." This does not indicate neglecting home nor home duties, but the group, the church, the individuals in same NEED that strength, that assurance which thou hast to such a degree that thy strength will be increased as ye give out.
    Remember, as He said to His disciples, "I have food, I have strength ye know not of." In giving of His strength to the woman at the well, it brought that heavenly food that satisfied the soul, that makes the growth, that brings the at-onement, yea the atonement to the soul. And this ye may have, if ye will apply thyself in the better, yea in the broader sense. For these are thy stepping stones. Do not let them become stumbling stones.
    For the way is open. His love, His wisdom, His knowledge will GIVE thee that thou hast need of daily. For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. And the greater strength comes as ye aid others in their struggle for the wisdom to apply that ability they as individuals have in hand.
    This also, in this enabling others, enables thyself to gain the broader vision.
    For, as has oft been indicated here, as each soul comes into the presence of the Father it is upon the arms of someone that soul, as an individual, has attempted to assist.
    Thy "try," thy purpose - keep them in the Lord.
    Ask, and ye shall receive the knowledge, the wisdom for the choice of things to do - daily. And these will bring that peace as passeth understanding.
    Let thy prayer oft be, though - to be sure - in thine own words, to suit that period of thine own purposes:
    LORD! THOU HAST CALLED UNTO ME THROUGH THY CHRIST, MY SAVIOR. HERE AM I, LORD! USE THOU ME AND MY ABILITIES, IN THE WAY AND MANNER AS THOU SEEST FIT.
    LET ME, O FATHER, BE WILLING TO USE MYSELF, MY BODY, MY MIND, MY PURPOSE, TO THE GLORY OF THE CHRIST, OUR LORD AND OUR SAVIOR.
    HELP, O GOD, MY WEAKNESS. MAKE ME STRONG IN THY MIGHT AND THY PURPOSE. LET ME SEE THE LIGHT OF HOW I MAY BEST SERVE MY OWN FAMILY, MY OWN CHILDREN, MY OWN HUSBAND. AND MAY I LOVE MY NEIGHBORS AS MYSELF.
21. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

1. 7/27/42 Letter from [540]: "...I wish that I might find words to express how much that last reading [540-18] has meant to me. It has been wonderful. I feel his presence with me at all times and I know that His promises are sure. He HAS given me strength. I give thanks to Him for you and the help that He has given me through you..."

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation