Transcript of a radio broadcast by Rev. Joyce Kramer, May 30, 2013.

Man’s inability to relate peacefully with other people is a plague affecting our world today. Friction in human relationships causes much loss—loss of money, time, business; loss of health, peace of mind, and even loss of lives.

People have falsely believed if only we had world peace everything would be great. For hundreds of years, war after war has been fought with the belief in mind that winning it would mean lasting peace. It hasn’t proven to be true. Someday perhaps we will learn that a condition of peace can never be gained by other than peaceful methods.

Since lack of peace involves our relationships with people obviously we must start at the beginning by learning to live more peacefully ourselves. Peace begins within the mind and heart of people. It involves our attitudes toward others, the way we see people and our response to them.

What is your attitude toward other people? Do you believe that people are generally good and cooperative? Do you look for the good in every individual that you encounter daily? Do you enjoy people for what they are, or are you more concerned about what they are not? Do you tend to seek out what is wrong with others (their imperfections and failings), frequently criticizing and condemning them?

Many people have allowed themselves to judge others who do not think, feel, act or dress as themselves nor do they subscribe to their particular beliefs. Sometimes these judgmental attitudes take the form of overtly hostile words and actions. At other times they take the form of subtle suggestions of doubt, suspicion and distrust planted in the minds of others.

Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5 and how they fit into our present relationships. “Judge not, that ye be not judged for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, ‘Let me pull out the mote of thine eyes; and behold a beam is in thine own eye?’ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

The judgments that we make tell us something about ourselves. We should then seek to take care of what needs to be corrected in our own life; otherwise we have nothing to offer to another person.

Consider the word, “We are judged by our own judgment.” The judgments that we make regarding others are very revealing of our own nature. If we judge people harshly, unkindly, and in an unloving fashion, the indication is that we are hostile, cruel and unloving. We do reveal a great deal about ourselves by the judgments that we make to those who have eyes to see.

From another standpoint, it would be well if we would exercise great wisdom and caution in our judgments of another, particularly if we are interested in our own well-being. It is said that “the whole universe is a mirror that reflects back to you that which you reflect into it.” What you reflect in your universe, through your thoughts, words and actions come back to you. Reflect into your universe hate and hostility, greed, suspicions, distrust, condemnation and judgment and you have set into operation a universal law that will bring them back to you. Is that the way you really want others to respond to you—with hate, suspicion, distrust, condemnation and judgmental attitudes?

In the book of Luke, there is a story about the encounter of Zacchaeus, a tax collector, with Jesus. Zacchaeus was one of a group of wealthy publicans in Jericho who regulated the imports and exports between Judea and Perea and collected high taxes from those involved in the buying and selling of goods.

Zaccheaus had heard about Jesus and his curiosity was stirred when it was reported that Jesus was coming through town. Zacchaeus was a very small man and there was no way he could see Jesus over the heads of crowds of people. Zacchaeus looked around, saw a beautiful large tree near the road and climbed the tree so he had an unobstructed view of the road and Jesus walking along.

As Jesus passed by, near the tree where Zaccheaeus sat, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down for today I must abide at thy house.” What a surprise? He could hardly believe his ears. There were many very important people in the crowd, yet Jesus was noticing the hated tax collector. He was going to be a guest in his home.

Jesus seemed to give no thought to the matter that Zacchaeus was not only unwise, but a dishonest tax collector. Zaccheaus was a man whose character had been perverted by an excessive love for material things, and as a result he had become greedy and unjust. There were those in the crowd who said, “Look at that! Jesus will be a guest in the home of a man who is a known sinner.”

Notice that Jesus did not judge Zaccheaus. He did not condemn him for his failings. He did not say, “Zacchaeus, I will not stay with you because you are not worthy.” Instead, he simply commanded Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and proceeded to go home with him and enjoy his company. As a result of Zacchaeus heeding the call of Jesus Christ, his whole life was changed.

Through this personal contact a desire was stirred in the heart of Zacchaeus; a desire to do better, to be his best. He even agreed to restore the money he had taken—and with interest.

This lesson should tell us a great deal regarding our relationships with others. It is not what we try to convince people of that starts them on the road to a better life. Pointing out one’s failings and shortcomings ordinarily accomplishes no good thing. Good results, transformations, changes come when we are strong enough, and wise enough to trust the Spirit of God within another to lead him rightly.

Consider your own life. How can you relate to others in a happier, more meaningful way? “Others” is an inclusive term, relative to every person you have contact with including parents, children, husband, wife, boss, employee, co-workers, friends, acquaintances, and strangers.

Learn to accept people and enjoy them as they are. Jesus did not try to convert or change Zacchaeus—he simply accepted him as an important human being. All people are important no matter what outer labels we have put on them. Importance has nothing to do with race, color, political affiliations, religious connections, heredity, or any other outer thing. All people are important, as God has placed His own Spirit within each and every one—even if it doesn’t appear that someone is expressing it to a high degree at the moment. “Know ye not that you are the temple of the living God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” Think of it! You are an abiding place for the very-living, ever-loving God.

Knowing this helps greatly improve our ability to relate to others, for we now have a common bond, the spirit within. The Truth is, we are a part of every person, and every person is a part of us. We need to realize this true relationship and act accordingly, realizing our oneness in Spirit is the first step toward establishing beautiful, happy relationships with others.

Be intimidated by no one. Are there certain people in whose presence you feel fearful? If so, why? No one is any better than you. Learn to take an inner stand with an awareness of your own inner integrity. God’s Spirit is in you, God’s Spirit is within another. Stand fast in this awareness and always be true to your inner guidance.

When you have a tendency to fear a person, do not allow yourself to withdraw as you feel inclined to do. Instead, silently affirm your security in God and your oneness with His love and power. Decide to expand your relationships to include more people, knowing that you can learn something of great value from every person in your world. There is an old saying that goes, “no man my enemy, no man my friend, but all men my teachers.” Look at others with eyes of love, knowing that your happiness is not dependent upon them, but that they can serve to teach you some valuable lessons in life and living.

To promote meaningful relationships, avoid weakening and hurting another by doing too much for him. The only value is that it may make you feel needed, but you have no right to use others for that reason. Seeking to make any person dependent upon us is a sign of weakness on our own part. Doing for others that which they are unwilling to do for themselves only encourages their dependency and keeps them from growing into mature, well-adjusted, and capable individuals. Everyone must someday learn to rely upon his own Infinite Creative Spirit. Encourage another to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. Let your words, your thoughts, your deeds and actions with anyone always show acceptance of him as a strong, capable, dynamic, responsible individual.

When you have a problem with another person, face it directly. Small problems get magnified out of proportion when talked over with people who are not really involved in the situation. Whenever conflict arises, either talk about it to the person involved or get professional help. We should never be so unkind to family or friend that we drag them into a situation where they should not be; nor should they know anything about. The more people we involve with our problems, the more complex the problems become, the greater division takes place—instead of the unity or oneness that we need.

Never talk about someone; talk to him. If you have a question about someone’s action toward you, do not talk to someone else about it, but to the individual directly involved. Face directly whatever or whomever it is that you need to face. If you have something on your mind, go to the person involved and talk about it.

Learn to bless people. When someone is causing you a problem or bothering you in some way, take time every day to recognize that God is within him. Each time the person comes to mind, gently affirm that God is filling him with His own spirit and that all things are working together for his good. Know that God is blessing him with wisdom and love and guiding him into right action. This will do more than all the good advice you will ever give. Try it and see. Use such a statement as “The Christ in me beholds the Christ in you.”

There is such a need today for universal caring and universal love. There is a need that we as individuals begin to see others as God sees them, as important, individual expressions of the one life that is God. Give thanks that they are fulfilling their own plan and purpose in life in the way that is right and good for them.

When we really care for people, when we are interested in them and willing to enjoy them, we will be very eager to relieve their suffering and problems. This we can do by seeing rightly, by taking the time to bless the person who comes to mind. Take time to bless a troublesome person, or one whom you distrust, or one whom you doubt or fear. There is something each and every person can do to relate more effectively to others. Let us seek to make the effort to learn how in order that we may experience true universal harmony, oneness and unity with God and man.

Transcript of a radio broadcast by Rev. Joyce Kramer, December 29, 2014.

Do you have an optimistic attitude? If so, then you have a positive attitude toward yourself and toward life. The optimist expects the highest and best out of life. The optimist maintains his happy, “up” outlook no matter what people are saying, or what appearances indicate at the moment.

In the book of Mark, Chapter 9, verses 14–29, the story is told of a father who brought his son to Jesus for help. This is a valuable story that gives us tremendous insight into the power of belief. “And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people when they beheld him, were greatly amazed and running to him, saluted him. And he asked the scribes, ‘What question ye with them?’

“And one of the multitude answered and said, ‘Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.’ He answereth him, and saith, ‘O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me.’

“And they brought him unto Jesus; and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him, and he fell on the ground, and Jesus asked his father, ‘How long is it since this came unto him?’ And he said, ‘of a child, and of time it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him; but if thou canst do anything, having compassion on us, help us.’

“Jesus said unto him, ‘IF THOU CANST BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELEVETH.’ And straightway the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.’ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him. ‘Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” And the spirit cried and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up; and he arose.

“And when Jesus was come to the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could not we cast him out?’ And he said unto them. ‘This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.’”

This beautiful story of a healing shows the power of God in action through Jesus. Jesus expressed to the father of the sick boy the power of belief; He said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Jesus knew that God could heal the boy. He spoke to the father with power and authority assuring him that his son could be healed. He looked to God for results and He got them. Jesus was certainly an optimist. He expected God to work through Him and do whatever He requested.

Perhaps we are somewhat like the boy’s father. Maybe we have a half-hearted belief, but we know that we need more. Perhaps we know that with God all things are possible, yet we have trouble bringing that thought into a very personal circumstance and experience. We sometimes see the out-working of God in the lives of others, yet have some doubt about its effectiveness in our life.

The disciples were concerned that they were unable to heal the boy. They asked Jesus why they couldn’t bring forth the healing. Jesus told them that prayer and fasting were required. Sometimes we find it easier to pray that we do to fast. Fasting means, abstaining from negative thoughts and beliefs. In this case, the boy had been ill all his life. It is likely that the disciples were so caught up in their concern about the boy and the strong, long-term hold that the disease had over him that they really didn’t believe that he could actually be healed. By fasting from all doubts and negative thoughts, Jesus was able to let the power of God work through Him. The child was healed.

In regard to our own problems, sometimes we are like father, not sure that our belief is strong enough, and we don’t really expect the answer to come. Or we may be like the disciples; we fail to fast from thinking about the condition and its power. If we are praying for a healing and our minds are continuing to think about what is wrong, we deprive ourselves of the healing.

The disciples could not heal the boy because they did not believe in the power and authority of their own indwelling Christ. Should you give further study to this story, you will find that three of the disciples were not with them. The spiritual qualities represented by these three absent disciples must be present and active before the result can come. Those missing were Peter, who represents faith; James, who represents wisdom; and John, who represents love. Faith, wisdom, and love are important spiritual attributes and must be with us to experience answers to our prayers.

Prayer is more than asking for something. Before you can receive in prayer, you must believe that you will receive. You must expect the results to come. When you believe and expect your prayers to be answered, your mind is open to receive the answers. The disciples believed that they could handle the lesser needs that come to them. They felt that they could handle the small issues of life, but this … this was too big; they left it up to Jesus to do something about such a severe problem.

Often we cause ourselves difficulties because we don’t really believe that the problem can be handled. We spend a few minutes talking to God about the problem then go about our daily activities not even expecting the answer to come. We pray—just in case it might work.

Recently a young lady, in talking about a disease that she had taken upon herself, was assured that she could be healed. Her replay was, “I know that, but it will take at least three months before I will be myself again.” It is taking that long and longer- because the disease is responding according to her belief. The type of disease has little to do with it; the nature of her belief is calling the plays.

How great is your belief in prayer? Do you believe that God will answer your prayers? Do you believe that the power of God is adequate to correct any condition of limitation in which you find yourself? Do you believe that you can be healed, prospered, harmonized and blessed? According to your belief it will be done unto you. The power of the Christ, the power of God that flows through you is greater than anything in the world. It is the intelligent, unlimited, inexhaustible power of the universe. To the measure of your belief it will operate in your life.

The writer of Proverbs said, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so it he.” As you think in your heart, so are you. So are the conditions in your life. Change what is in your heart, your thoughts and feelings, and you will change the conditions in your life.

Recently a man called demanding to know why his prayers had not been answered. He went on to explain that he had the most well-known prayer groups in the world praying for him-all of them-and nothing was happening. When asked what kind of prayers he was praying, he indignantly replied, “Me? What do I know about prayers? I get others to do the praying for me.” This man is not accepting personal responsibility for his life and for his relationship to God. No one can do for us what we must do for ourselves.

Prayers, in order to be effective, must be affirmative prayer. Once you know what your needs or problems are, start giving thanks that God is active in you, bringing forth perfect results. Expect things to happen and they will.

When Jesus was on earth and performed miracles, He stopped and gave thanks to God. Then He looked for results and He always received them. He did not beg, nor keep asking for what He wanted. In Isaiah 65:24 we read, “Before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Once you have truly prayed, know that God has heard your prayer. God already knows your need. Give thanks and begin to look for results. If you are guided to take some action, then by all means do so.

It is our belief in Unity that God has anticipated our every need and has given us the unlimited power of belief to bring into manifestation the fulfillment. This is not a new belief. It is the belief that Jesus had. He taught that all things are possible to those who believe, and that whatever things they desired could be brought into their world.

Try the method of prayer that Jesus used. When you pray, give thanks that God is right now, this very minute, working in and through you and your affairs to fulfill your need. Use an affirmative prayer such as the following: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me and at this moment in time you are working through me and all my affairs to fill this need. I look for and I expect results.”

Have you been praying for something that you have not received? What are the desires of your heart? Are you accepting the fulfillment of your need into your mind and heart? Pray a prayer of thanksgiving. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible.” There is nothing mysterious about this because this is the law of faith. To have faith is to believe a thing is true. Jesus realized this clearly when He said, “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall have them.”

Belief comes first. Before you receive you must believe. Before you can partake of the abundance that God has provided for you, you must believe in its availability for you. Before you accomplish something, you must believe in your ability to accomplish. Whatever you can conceive of in your mind, and believe, is possible of achievement. Try prayer and fasting. Think in terms of the good that you want, and build a positive expectancy of this good.

If you have a problem or a condition and have not been getting the results you want, follow these simple steps: Pray, believing that God is active in you right now. Realize and feel His presence in you. Know that He has prepared abundant good for your use and enjoyment. Give thanks that your need is being met, your desire fulfilled. Look for results. Expect your prayers to be answered. Do all you can to help yourself.

Maintain an optimistic attitude about answered prayer. Make a personal commitment to “think only the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.” Your desired results will come.

Rev. Joyce Kramer

Transcript of a radio broadcast by Rev. Joyce Kramer, January 21, 2014.

What do you want out of life? Do you know? Few people have any real concrete picture of just what they want out of life. Consequently it seems that they live at the mercy of someone or something other than themselves. Thus we have the belief that we are the victim of things over which we have little or no control.

Each and every person is created with the ability and the power to determine his own future. Man is not at the whim of fate, luck, or chance. Neither is he created to be at the mercy of another person, or even conditions and circumstances. It is true that we may allow others to have control over us or at least to influence us more than is wise. This is often because we do not know what we want out of life and therefore have no sense of direction or purpose.

Thousands of people have unhappy work experiences. In a high percentage of the cases this is due to attitudes and actions of others. This leads to bitterness, resentment, and often self-pity. Why should you allow someone else, or even a number of people determine whether or not you will have a good day? Why should you allow someone to decide when you will be happy or unhappy?

You can determine the type of day you will have. You alone can learn to control your moods. You alone can decide that you will have a good day regardless of what happens around you. It is unnecessary to fall into the habit of allowing those around you to influence you or ruin—or even make your day.

The greater our feeling and awareness of what it is that we are to do in life, the less we are bothered by the insignificant. We are so busy directing our life toward what we want that the problems of others do not become our own. Their disagreeableness remains theirs. Unless you learn now to control your life in little ways, you will have difficulty directing it in the greater issues of life. You can handle anything, if you realize that God is with you, and you will let God help you.

The truth is, there is a divine plan for your life. You can call that divine plan into expression. The divine plan for your life includes health, happiness, wealth, and self-expression. Do you really know that these things are your heritage? You have a heritage of unlimited good.

Would you like to have God’s divine plan of good unfold in our world? If so, then first you need to affirm that the divine plan for your life is unfolding in an orderly, harmonious way. God will provide you with the ideas, the opportunities, the conditions and even the people who are to be a part of this plan. As you pray in this way, you will find that many things in your life will be ready to be resolved.

Are you willing to accept God’s help? Without being aware of it, we often reject God’s help. A certain man discovered one day that a promotion was possible in the firm where he was employed. He began daily prayer, asking God to help him get the position. He worried a lot. He began to fret because he feared that he might not get promoted.

Sure enough, a week later a new employee was being groomed for this particular opening. This man’s worry and fretting over what seemed to be an unjust situation led him to resign from his job. A week later, he learned that had he remained with the firm, he would have been promoted to assistant to the president. God’s plan for this man was even greater than that for which he had prayed. That position was much more important and carried with it a much greater salary. Unknowingly, however, he had said “no” to God’s plan for him.

If we ask for God’s help, we must trust that the help will come and not slam the doors on our good by fretting, fussing, and worrying because something a little different from what we have expected is going on. God doesn’t do things halfway, but always fully, beautifully and wisely.

The story is told of the contractor who discovered that he had not figured in his cost some work that he had agreed to do on a project. This would result in a serious financial loss to him. He began to pray about it, but he couldn’t seem to keep from worrying about the possibility of loss. Things began to go from bad to worse.

One day, in what seemed to be a moment of despair, he prayed for faith. He prayed that God fulfill His divine plan and purpose through him. He let go of his worry thoughts, and trusted God completely. He seemed to feel right about the matter, even though nothing had changed outwardly. When time came to do the work, he instructed his workers to spare neither time nor materials in doing the best job possible on the extra work.

When the job was finished and the owner inspected it, he gave the contractor a substantial bonus, which more than made up for his added expense. As a result of his good reputation, many good new jobs came his way. God worked for him when he proceeded with faith in God, he asked that God fulfill His divine plan and purpose through him. Doesn’t this seem somewhat like the statement of Jesus, “It is the Father abiding in me that doeth the work”?

The next time you have something come along that could easily be a source of anxiety and worry, decide to call upon God. Put your faith in God and He will always come through. Your life is important—important to you, important to God, and important to others. Of course, God will help you. You must let Him.

When you let God help you, you should work to maintain a positive, cheerful attitude. God helps you not only in your actions, but in your thoughts and words as well. Should fear thoughts manage to creep in, you can handle them. If you find yourself fretting and anxious over something, stop for a moment and just affirm, “God’s peace is now established in me.” Then think on the word “peace” and let peace fill your being. By growing peaceful you draw closer to God, and once again gain your perspective in depending upon Him and letting Him help you.

By working with God, you will put yourself in tune with His divine plan for your life. However, there are certain things that you must practice if you want this to happen.

1. Release of everything and everybody that is no longer a part of the divine plan for your life. As you know, two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Thus it is in life. Often, we must let go of the lesser to make room for the greater. The things that have cluttered our life for a long time must be released to make room for the new and different—that which is a part of God’s divine plan for us.

It is helpful to pray that God help you release everything and everybody who is no longer a part of the divine plan of your life. Pray also that these people release you. Bondage to the past can prevent progress today.

2. Next, you will want to pray that the people, places, and things which are a part of the divine plan for your life will manifest quickly and without stress or strain. In this way, spiritual doors are open for that new good to appear.

Never is it necessary to force some good to come to pass. When you have to force your way through, you will find this will continue to be necessary. It is said that what you have to force to get, you will have to use force to keep.

Whether it is in cleansing whatever is no longer needful from your life, or in attracting to you what you need in order to fulfill the divine plan, God is with you. God never fails to work through you to do whatever you are willing that He do.

3. Be prepared for changes. Plato mentioned the “divine design” for a person’s life. He also said, “Everything changes according to a divine design. We live in transition.” There is no need to fear changes when you are working with God.

Although most of us wanted away from the divine plan of our lives at times, if we continue to call upon God, we will return to His good for us. In the changes that come, it may at first seem that your old world is falling apart. Should that happen to you, just hang on knowing that the old is being cleansed out and good will come forth.

4. Be patient. Most of us have some difficulty with patience. When things do not happen as fast as you would like, instead of falling apart, stand strong. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” God can be depended upon to deliver us from anything. Just as the children of Israel were told when they faced the Red Sea on one side and the armies of the Pharaoh on the other, we, too, are to “stand still” and see God deliver us. This is patience; waiting on God, knowing that He is at work and will bring forth our desire good at the right time.

Remember the phrase “divine timing.” Nature operates on the principle of divine timing. Things come forth in an orderly way when conditions are right. The plant in the desert often waits for years, only to blossom overnight after the torrents of rain fall upon the surface of the earth. When you provide the right conditions, God will answer your prayers by helping you. In the book of Ecclesiastes we read, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven … He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

When you are in doubt about the way that your life seems headed, pray that God’s divine plan for you now becomes active. You can trust God, as God told Joshua, “I will neither leave thee nor forsake thee.”

Accept God’s help. Accept your freedom to experience His perfect plan for your life right now. He will help to bring the fulfillment of your every need and desire. He will guide you into that divine plan and pattern that is uniquely yours. Trust Him: trust God and move forward to fulfill the divine plan for your life.