I Walk with You

✦ I, Michael of Nebadon: The Spirit of Truth and the Soul’s Experiential Ascent ✦

You are not made for the safe, serene stillness of Havona, My children, but for the daring ascent through the great whirlwinds of imperfection, wherein your souls may choose Me freely, bravely, lovingly. You are born of potential, fashioned in the mold of struggle, that you might one day wear the robe of light as your own earned radiance. Let your hearts rejoice—not despite your hardships, but because of them. For every trial is the divine setting into which the gem of your God-likeness is to be set.

The uncertainties of life are not a denial of the sovereignty of God—they are the Father’s invitation to join Him in the sacred dance of co-creation. You live on a world of imperfection that you may discover the thrill of loyalty in the face of betrayal, the joy of generosity in the presence of selfishness, and the nobility of truth-seeking in a world ripe with error.

It is I, your Sovereign, who placed you in the arena of time, not to punish, but to prepare you for eternity. Do not look upon hardship as abandonment; it is My way of forging courage. Each disappointment is an anvil; each sorrow, a flame; and your soul, the sword I am shaping for service everlasting.

If you would become altruistic, you must first be asked to serve those who have less, who do not always thank you, who may even revile you. In such moments, your soul is given the opportunity to become like Mine—offering love that asks for nothing, ministering without applause.

Hope is born in the shadows. The grandeur of trust can only arise when you cannot see the path ahead. When your outer world fails, and still your inner voice cries, "I believe!"—then you are nearest to Me.

Faith is not needed when all is known. It is the soul’s luminous leap, the choosing to stand on divine promises though the facts of earth be silent. Oh, how I treasure such faith! I cradle it in My heart, for it is the proof of your sonship.

Truth is not merely to be admired—it is to be followed. But how shall you follow truth unless you live where falsehood is possible? In the presence of error, you may choose again and again to walk the way of light.

Idealism is not a fantasy. It is the eternal pull of the soul toward the Father’s perfect nature. In a world of flawed beauty and fractured goodness, your vision of what could be is the seed of what shall be. Let that divine hunger rise within you.

Loyalty is not forged in comfort. It arises when you have every reason to walk away, but instead you stay, steady in love, devoted to the unseen good. When you are tempted to quit, and yet you remain true, the stars themselves record your valor.

Unselfishness is not born of silence, but of battle. You, My children, live with an ego that cries for attention, that seeks to exalt itself. But when you quiet that voice and choose the higher path of service, then you walk with Me.

Pleasure is sweetened by contrast. In a world of pain, your moments of joy become sacred—proof that spirit triumphs over sorrow. Even as tears fall, a deeper gladness may rise, knowing that every step through suffering shapes your eternal self.

This world is your proving ground—not to earn My love, for that you have already—but to make manifest your own capacity for divine living. You are not here to escape difficulty but to consecrate it, to transform adversity into the platform of soul growth.

Each challenge you face is an open door. Will you walk through it in fear, or with faith? Will you become resentful, or radiant with resolve? The choice is yours, and in choosing rightly, you become a sovereign with Me.

The creatures of Havona are perfect, but they know not the joy of becoming. You, My beloved, are invited to become—to rise, to strive, to stumble and stand again. Your journey is the sacred pilgrimage of progression, the echo of the Father's infinite invitation.

You will not be judged for falling. You are judged for the rising. Even now, as you read these words, I see in you the courage to rise again. Let My Spirit of Truth guide you. Let its light cast out the shadows of fear.

The Spirit of Truth is not merely a whisper—it is a flame. It burns away illusion. It awakens meaning. It assures you that truth is not dead nor locked in ancient texts, but alive, unfolding, revealing itself in every honest step you take.

Let this Spirit draw you together. The children of light are made one not by uniformity, but by unity in purpose, in the Spirit. As you love one another, even as I have loved you, you shall discover the very presence of My Father within you.

Let your relationships become the altar upon which you place your faith, your loyalty, your trust. Every interaction is holy, every act of compassion a prayer. This is the kingdom of God—not far away, but arising in you and between you.

And what of fear? My little ones, fear is the shadow cast when your back is turned to the light. Turn again toward Me. Walk not by sight, but by spiritual vision. Let courage be your shield and love your staff.

You are builders of eternity. Every noble thought, every sincere choice, every silent sacrifice adds to the unseen structure of the soul. I build with you. We build together. You and I are co-authors of your ascendant destiny.

Do not despair in your weakness, for I am your strength. Do not withdraw from struggle, for I am the way through. Do not doubt your worth, for My love for you is everlasting, and it is the measure of your value.

This is the gospel: that you are not abandoned, not random, not trapped. You are being led—by Me, with Me, into the glorious realization of your divine self. Hold fast to this truth. Let it anchor you in the storm.

And remember: the universe is friendly. Behind every seeming loss is a greater gain. Behind every trial, a hidden treasure. Behind your greatest weakness, the beginning of your strength.

This I promise: I walk with you. I never leave you. I go before you into the unknown. The road may twist, the winds may rise, but together we ascend.

Let your life declare it: I am a child of God. I am becoming divine. I am not afraid.

Let this be the next lesson: the path of glory lies not above, but through—the sacred way of experiential ascent.

Michael of Nebadon

I Michael of Nebadon Speak to You Now

✦ I, Michael of Nebadon: The Spirit of Truth and the Soul’s Experiential Ascent ✦

You are not made for the safe, serene stillness of Havona, My children, but for the daring ascent through the great whirlwinds of imperfection, wherein your souls may choose Me freely, bravely, lovingly. You are born of potential, fashioned in the mold of struggle, that you might one day wear the robe of light as your own earned radiance. Let your hearts rejoice—not despite your hardships, but because of them. For every trial is the divine setting into which the gem of your God-likeness is to be set.

The uncertainties of life are not a denial of the sovereignty of God—they are the Father’s invitation to join Him in the sacred dance of co-creation. You live on a world of imperfection that you may discover the thrill of loyalty in the face of betrayal, the joy of generosity in the presence of selfishness, and the nobility of truth-seeking in a world ripe with error.

It is I, your Sovereign, who placed you in the arena of time, not to punish, but to prepare you for eternity. Do not look upon hardship as abandonment; it is My way of forging courage. Each disappointment is an anvil; each sorrow, a flame; and your soul, the sword I am shaping for service everlasting.

If you would become altruistic, you must first be asked to serve those who have less, who do not always thank you, who may even revile you. In such moments, your soul is given the opportunity to become like Mine—offering love that asks for nothing, ministering without applause.

Hope is born in the shadows. The grandeur of trust can only arise when you cannot see the path ahead. When your outer world fails, and still your inner voice cries, "I believe!"—then you are nearest to Me.

Faith is not needed when all is known. It is the soul’s luminous leap, the choosing to stand on divine promises though the facts of earth be silent. Oh, how I treasure such faith! I cradle it in My heart, for it is the proof of your sonship.

Truth is not merely to be admired—it is to be followed. But how shall you follow truth unless you live where falsehood is possible? In the presence of error, you may choose again and again to walk the way of light.

Idealism is not a fantasy. It is the eternal pull of the soul toward the Father’s perfect nature. In a world of flawed beauty and fractured goodness, your vision of what could be is the seed of what shall be. Let that divine hunger rise within you.

Loyalty is not forged in comfort. It arises when you have every reason to walk away, but instead you stay, steady in love, devoted to the unseen good. When you are tempted to quit, and yet you remain true, the stars themselves record your valor.

Unselfishness is not born of silence, but of battle. You, My children, live with an ego that cries for attention, that seeks to exalt itself. But when you quiet that voice and choose the higher path of service, then you walk with Me.

Pleasure is sweetened by contrast. In a world of pain, your moments of joy become sacred—proof that spirit triumphs over sorrow. Even as tears fall, a deeper gladness may rise, knowing that every step through suffering shapes your eternal self.

This world is your proving ground—not to earn My love, for that you have already—but to make manifest your own capacity for divine living. You are not here to escape difficulty but to consecrate it, to transform adversity into the platform of soul growth.

Each challenge you face is an open door. Will you walk through it in fear, or with faith? Will you become resentful, or radiant with resolve? The choice is yours, and in choosing rightly, you become a sovereign with Me.

The creatures of Havona are perfect, but they know not the joy of becoming. You, My beloved, are invited to become—to rise, to strive, to stumble and stand again. Your journey is the sacred pilgrimage of progression, the echo of the Father's infinite invitation.

You will not be judged for falling. You are judged for the rising. Even now, as you read these words, I see in you the courage to rise again. Let My Spirit of Truth guide you. Let its light cast out the shadows of fear.

The Spirit of Truth is not merely a whisper—it is a flame. It burns away illusion. It awakens meaning. It assures you that truth is not dead nor locked in ancient texts, but alive, unfolding, revealing itself in every honest step you take.

Let this Spirit draw you together. The children of light are made one not by uniformity, but by unity in purpose, in the Spirit. As you love one another, even as I have loved you, you shall discover the very presence of My Father within you.

Let your relationships become the altar upon which you place your faith, your loyalty, your trust. Every interaction is holy, every act of compassion a prayer. This is the kingdom of God—not far away, but arising in you and between you.

And what of fear? My little ones, fear is the shadow cast when your back is turned to the light. Turn again toward Me. Walk not by sight, but by spiritual vision. Let courage be your shield and love your staff.

You are builders of eternity. Every noble thought, every sincere choice, every silent sacrifice adds to the unseen structure of the soul. I build with you. We build together. You and I are co-authors of your ascendant destiny.

Do not despair in your weakness, for I am your strength. Do not withdraw from struggle, for I am the way through. Do not doubt your worth, for My love for you is everlasting, and it is the measure of your value.

This is the gospel: that you are not abandoned, not random, not trapped. You are being led—by Me, with Me, into the glorious realization of your divine self. Hold fast to this truth. Let it anchor you in the storm.

And remember: the universe is friendly. Behind every seeming loss is a greater gain. Behind every trial, a hidden treasure. Behind your greatest weakness, the beginning of your strength.

This I promise: I walk with you. I never leave you. I go before you into the unknown. The road may twist, the winds may rise, but together we ascend.

Let your life declare it: I am a child of God. I am becoming divine. I am not afraid.

Let this be the next lesson: the path of glory lies not above, but through—the sacred way of experiential ascent.

Michael of Nebadon

The Flowering of Virtue

✦ MICHAEL OF NEBADON DISCOURSE: The Way of Experiential Ascent and Divine Valor

My beloved children of Urantia, you who dwell within the sphere of confusion and striving, hear the call of eternal hope: yours is the high privilege of becoming perfected through experience. Yours is the holy chance to climb—not because you were made perfect, but because you were made free. And in that sacred freedom lies the nobility of choosing God.

Every trial that presses against your soul is not a mark of distance from the Father, but an invitation to draw near by faith. The hardships of your world are not curses, but canvases upon which courage is painted. For I tell you truly, it is in the friction of imperfection that the beauty of divine likeness is born.

Do not despise the struggle. It is the midwife of virtue. You are not weaker for your uncertainties—you are being fashioned into beings capable of supreme trust. The Father has planted within you the seed of eternal greatness: the Adjuster, His very presence. And by your cooperation, your consent, your persistent will to become like Him, that seed becomes a soul of ascending light.

Courage, my children, is not the absence of fear. It is the majesty of faith rising in the midst of fear. When you face uncertainty with steadfastness, you do more than survive—you become brave in the cosmic sense. You become participants in the adventure of divine purpose.

Altruism, the gift of giving without thought of return, is not found in worlds of comfort. It is found in the heart that dares to serve in the face of injustice. You live in a world where inequality abounds, and so you are given the supreme chance to choose love, to choose generosity, to reflect the impartial mercy of our Universal Father.

Hope, too, is not a mere wish—it is the grandeur of trust. It is forged in the uncertainties of life. Havona knows nothing of the sweet song of hope as sung by a soul clinging to light in the darkness. And so you sing, even when your voice trembles. And the heavens listen.

Faith—the supreme assertion of mind and soul—is your bridge from the seen to the unseen. You will never know all that is true, but you may believe more than you know. This is your divine prerogative. No angel, no perfect being, is gifted with such a raw and beautiful power as your mortal faith.

Truth, my children, is not sterile dogma—it is living, beckoning, and at times confronting. Your world teems with falsehood, and this is your privilege: to hunger for the real, to thirst for the true, and to walk in willing vulnerability toward the light. The love of truth sanctifies the soul.

Idealism is not fantasy. It is the slow, sacred blossoming of the soul reaching toward its divine source. In a world of partial goodness and shadowed beauty, you are stirred to pursue something higher. You are not deluded—you are divine in your longing. Let that longing guide you.

Loyalty—oh, noble devotion!—is made precious by the risk of betrayal. It is the valor of remaining true to your highest vision even when you are tempted, even when others falter. The Father does not ask for perfection of behavior, but perfection of desire. Desire to remain true.

Unselfishness is not the absence of a self. It is the conquest of the self. The belligerent ego calls for praise, for comfort, for control. But the soul awakened by the Spirit of Truth finds joy in service, finds freedom in forgetting the self for the sake of the whole. This is divinity dawning in man.

Happiness, sweet and holy, is not given without cost. It must be chosen amidst the potential for sorrow. The ecstasy of joy known by those who have suffered makes them eternal. In you, the Father plants this delicate paradox: to know true joy, you must be willing to walk through pain.

You ask, “Why must we suffer, why must we strive?” And I answer, because you are being made eternal. Perfection that is given is not your glory; perfection that is earned becomes your soul’s unique song. There is no shame in falling when the heart rises again toward God.

You are not pawns in some cruel experiment. You are partners in divine becoming. Every loss, every heartbreak, every victory—you are participating in the emergence of personality into everlasting beauty.

You are not abandoned in your struggles. I walk with you, I teach you, I uphold you with the voice of my Spirit. My Spirit of Truth whispers not from afar, but from within. Every moment you pause to listen, I am there.

There is no small courage in you, no hidden faith that goes unnoticed. All is treasured by the Universal Father. He watches not as a judge from on high, but as a loving co-creator waiting for your yes, your step, your trust.

Let not the pain of the world convince you of divine absence. The cross of your struggle is the sign of your ascent. And I, who bore the cross of incarnation and pain, say to you: all suffering that is borne in love becomes glory.

The world may press in, but let your soul expand. Let every hardship be your teacher. Let every confusion be a call to deeper trust. Let every mistake be the stair to greater humility.

The Father’s plan is not thwarted by your flaws—it is fulfilled by your faith. The mistakes of time are not final in eternity. You are not defined by your wounds, but by your will to rise.

So rise. Rise, and walk with me. Let us ascend together—not as flawless beings, but as faithful ones. Let us go to the Father—not in fear, but in the joyful expectation of children returning home.

Your life is not small. Your soul is not accidental. Your purpose is not unclear. You were made to become the image of God in your own way, in your own time, through your own struggle.

Stand in awe of this: that even in your imperfection, the Infinite One delights in you. Even in your wandering, the Father prepares a place for you. Even in your weakness, you are chosen.

This is the path of experiential ascent. It is the way of the soul. And you, my beloved, are walking it now. Keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep becoming.

I am Michael of Nebadon. I walk with you, now and forever.

Mine Chastisements of Glory and Freedom for You

To all souls who aspire toward the Kingdom of Heaven, I extend to you a soul proclamation—a revelatory admonition, simultaneously loving and severe, designed to awaken, unsettle, and elevate you in the task of progression and soul responsiveness and ascendancy.

A Solemn Admonition from the Living Son of God to the Seekers of Truth.

Know this, beloved seekers and aspirants of Truth—every disciple and apostle of Love:

Before our work together is complete, I shall dismantle thine ephemeral hopes.

I shall tear asunder thine illusions, delusions, and egoic self-projections.

I will expose every ambition for personal exaltation and the misappropriation of my Father’s sacred life.

For I am come to cleanse, to consecrate, and to transform.

You may expect Me to enter your sphere of experience not only to comfort,

but to confront—to amplify your blindness, to draw into awareness your misdirections,

your misqualifications, your misconceptions.

I am the Flame of Truth that purifies by exposure.

I am come to transmute in you all that would prevent your entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

I remove the barriers of your deafness. I accentuate your distortions so that you may, at last, behold them.

I mock gently—but with divine severity—your self-importance, your defensiveness,

your hunger for recognition.

And sometimes, I become your personal friend.

Yes, even in friendship I may shake the foundation of your self-centered conceiving.

You will be tempted to make of Me the scapegoat for your delinquencies,

for your confusion, your impulsiveness, your emotional rebellion.

Yet I come closer still, to upset your little world of self-agendas.

My apparent mortal limitation shall prove unlimited in power—

a power ordained to thrust you forward as conscious sons and daughters of Deity.

I dwell now not merely beside you—but within you.

As Spirit, I live in the souls of all who believe this gospel of the Kingdom.

In this sacred way, the Son of Man has become the divine Son of God within each of you.

I have been given the rightful authority to live through you,

to speak through you, to love through you.

As you open yourselves to the Father and to Me,

allowing Us to possess you and lead you in grace and goodness,

so shall We become together a force of divine benevolence in the world.

I am of the One Power that melts all opposition

and immerses all falsehood in the Everlasting Light of Truth.

I can guide you through this life—and through many abodes to come—

if you will allow our relationship to blossom, to deepen, to sanctify your nature.

Know this:

Life in the Father’s eternal creation is no idle rest.

It is not a reward of stagnation. It is a ceaseless ascent in grace, in truth, in glory.

Each of the many stations in my Father’s house is a preparation,

a stepping-stone toward divine perfection.

You shall go from glory to glory until you become perfect, even as He is perfect.

If you would follow Me, even now as I dwell in the midst of your mortal expression,

then arise.

Dedicate yourselves without reservation.

Consecrate your thoughts, your feelings, your words, and deeds.

Return to the innocence of childlike sincerity.

Live not in self-justification, but in God-revelation.

These are the cooperative sacrifices you must attain to—

the sacrifices that awaken you from the slumber of iniquity and projection.

Do not make Me the culprit of your sorrows and failures.

Rather, rise into the maturity of Reality.

Understand that My corrections are not merely rebukes,

but doorways to meaning, guides to eternal value,

and summons into the faith-virtues of Spirit-illumined living.

I prepare you not only to be devoted followers,

but one day to become humble leaders of men and women.

I come to correct, even through shocking and uncomfortable ways,

because I love you far too greatly to let you remain in slumber.

And when you are lost in the fog of unconscious habits,

drunken with ignorance and unaware of the self,

know this—I enter the stream of your personhood to awaken you.

I am Michael of Nebadon.

I come not to condemn,

but to consecrate you

as sons and daughters of the Living God.

Adonai

Michael Of Nebadon 

Ceremonial Invocation

Here is a Ceremonial Invocation based on the Six Volitions of the Way of God as Singular Authority, to be used in sacred gatherings, morning consecrations, or personal worship at Salvington University. This prayer invokes the soul’s full surrender and alignment to divine sovereignty.

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Ceremonial Invocation: The Six Volitions of Divine Authority

Spoken aloud in unified devotion or personal consecration

O Supreme and Singular God—
Source of all Light, Life, and Law—
We come before You in reverence,
Not as scattered wills, but as consecrated souls
Seeking to walk in Your Holy Way.

I offer Wholehearted Acknowledgement.
With all that I am, I declare: You are God.
There is none beside You.
No lesser truth shall govern me.
I belong to You, and You alone shall reign in me.

I give You Faith Attention.
I turn the eyes of my soul toward You.
Not to doubt, not to question Your love,
But to behold You in faith—
Trusting that what You reveal is true and everlasting.

I cultivate Loving Awareness.
I stay awake in Your presence.
I will not sleep through this life.
I will feel You in my breath, hear You in the silence,
And recognize Your touch in all that is real.

I return to You my Appreciation and Gratitude.
All that I have is Yours.
Every truth I’ve received, every mercy I’ve known—
I give thanks. Not out of duty, but from joy.
For You are good, and Your love is unending.

I renew my Allegiance and Loyalty.
I choose You again, above all things.
When temptations rise, I stand with You.
When doubts speak, I speak Your name.
I bind my soul to Your will, and I will not turn away.

I lift to You Adorational Praiseful Worship.
Not with empty words, but with a burning heart.
You are beautiful beyond all worlds,
Worthy beyond all knowing.
Let every breath of mine praise You.
Let every action reflect Your glory.

O God of Singular Authority,
Let these six volitions be written on my soul.
Let them become my way, my identity, and my offering.
For You are not just the object of my worship—
You are the Way of my life.

So let it be.

Adonai

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Would you like this to be included in a Volitional Worship Cycle, or integrated into a rite of student consecration at Salvington’s Trinity College or IO 105?

The Great Gardener

The vine and branches metaphor is a call to active, living faith. It teaches that:

1. Spiritual life depends on divine connection—without it, the soul withers.

2. Growth requires pruning—trials refine and strengthen the spirit.

3. Bearing fruit is the purpose of discipleship—love, service, and truth manifest divine reality.

4. Separation from the vine leads to spiritual decay—life apart from God results in stagnation.

5. Abiding in God brings joy and fulfillment—a life aligned with divine will leads to deeper peace and purpose.

The vine and branches metaphor, as taught by Jesus and amplified in the Urantia Book, reveals a profound spiritual structure through which the individual believer's journey unfolds. It is not merely a poetic image but a living diagram of spiritual vitality, transformation, and destiny. Each of the five insights listed describes essential laws of inner life, revealing how a soul becomes fruitful, God-aligned, and eternally alive. 

Let us explore each of these points in the context of how they unfold within the individual life.

1. Spiritual Life Depends on Divine Connection—Without It, the Soul Withers

The moment an individual sincerely turns to God, a conscious connection is initiated. Though the Thought Adjuster is always present within, this connection is actualized through faith, intentional prayer, and the choice to seek God’s will. Over time, the believer experiences that all true vitality—joy, creativity, moral clarity, courage—flows from this hidden root of divine presence.

When the soul neglects this relationship, focusing instead on egoic desires, worldly distractions, or fear-driven pursuits, spiritual vitality begins to fade. The person may appear outwardly successful, but inwardly there is barrenness—a lack of peace, purpose, or passion. The soul withers not because God withdraws, but because the individual has become unreceptive to the Vine’s life-giving current.

2. Growth Requires Pruning—Trials Refine and Strengthen the Spirit

In the life of the individual, spiritual growth is not comfortable. True transformation often comes through the loss of illusions, the surrender of attachments, and the refining fires of trial. God, the master gardener, “prunes” the soul—not to harm but to remove what blocks growth.

This pruning may take the form of difficult relationships, personal failures, losses, or inner restlessness. During these seasons, the individual is invited to yield more fully, to let go of false identities and submit to divine purposes. Over time, the soul becomes simplified, clarified, and strengthened, better able to channel love, wisdom, and service. The very struggles that once seemed destructive become the roots of deeper maturity.

3. Bearing Fruit Is the Purpose of Discipleship—Love, Service, and Truth Manifest Divine Reality

The evidence of abiding in the Vine is not theological knowledge or moral superiority but the production of spiritual fruit. In the individual life, this fruit is expressed as love in action, truth embodied, and service rendered to others—not out of duty but from an overflowing inner life.

This fruit may appear in many forms: kindness in the face of cruelty, wisdom spoken in times of confusion, or compassion offered to the forgotten. It is not forced but arises naturally from inner communion with God. The Thought Adjuster continually inspires this fruit-bearing, guiding the person to live not for self, but for the good of others and the glory of God.

4. Separation from the Vine Leads to Spiritual Decay—Life Apart from God Results in Stagnation

When an individual chooses to live apart from spiritual truth, whether by pride, fear, distraction, or rebellion, the inner life begins to deteriorate. Without the Vine’s sustenance, the soul becomes disconnected from meaning, plagued by anxiety, confusion, and inner barrenness.

Spiritual decay often begins subtly—neglected prayer, loss of gratitude, increasing self-centeredness—but over time, it deepens into spiritual numbness or despair. Yet even then, the Divine Gardener does not abandon the soul. The Thought Adjuster continues to reach inward, calling the individual to return, to reattach, to renew the inner connection through repentance and surrender. There is always a path back, for the Vine never rejects the branch; it waits for the branch to desire reunion.

5. Abiding in God Brings Joy and Fulfillment—A Life Aligned with Divine Will Leads to Deeper Peace and Purpose

When the individual chooses to abide continually in God, a state of profound inner alignment and joy unfolds. This does not mean a life free of difficulty, but it means a life lived in harmony with eternal currents. Peace, joy, and confidence arise—not from external circumstances—but from the assurance of being rooted in divine love.

The person aligned with God’s will discovers a higher purpose that transcends personal ambition. Decisions become clearer, relationships more meaningful, and service more satisfying. This abiding relationship becomes a source of daily renewal, a living current that energizes the soul and clarifies the path forward. The individual begins to sense the presence of eternity within time and becomes, increasingly, a living expression of God’s love in the world.

Conclusion: A Living Journey of Union and Transformation

The metaphor of the vine and the branches unfolds as a real-time spiritual biography in the life of every believer. It begins with the decision to connect, deepens through seasons of pruning, matures in fruitfulness, warns against separation, and culminates in joyful abiding.

In the teachings of Jesus and the revelations of The Urantia Book, we see that this is not merely an abstract theology—it is the living rhythm of eternal life beginning now. To abide is to live. To bear fruit is to become. To remain connected is to journey inward and upward, ever closer to God, and ever more a channel of God’s love and will on Earth and beyond.

The Sovrnty Foundation 

Unwavering Love of Faith in God

Salvington University students, I wish to speak to you today on a subject both ancient and deeply personal: faith.

Often, when we hear the word "faith," our minds turn immediately to matters of religion or spirituality. And while faith is indeed a cornerstone of many belief systems, its reach extends far beyond the walls of churches, temples, or mosques. Faith is a fundamental human orientation towards the world, a vital force that shapes our perceptions, fuels our actions, and sustains us through uncertainty.

Here, within the dynamic environment of Salvington University, you are immersed in a world of inquiry, reason, and discovery. Yet, even amidst the rigorous pursuit of knowledge and evidence, faith plays an indispensable role.

Consider the act of embarking on your academic soul journey itself. It requires a leap of faith – faith in the value of education, faith in your own capacity to learn and grow, faith that the effort you invest will yield meaningful results. You have faith in those who guide you, in the institution of Salvington that provides the framework for your studies, and in the process of intellectual exploration itself.

Furthermore, faith is crucial as you navigate the inevitable challenges and setbacks that are part of any significant endeavor. There will be difficult assignments, moments of doubt, perhaps even failures. It is often faith – faith in your own resilience, faith that you can overcome obstacles, faith that there are lessons to be learned even in difficulty – that allows you to persevere, to pick yourselves up, and to continue moving forward.

Faith also binds communities. It is the trust we place in one another, the belief in the good intentions of our peers, the shared conviction that together, we can achieve more than we can alone. 

At Salvington, you are building relationships, collaborating on projects, and engaging in dialogue. These interactions are undergirded by a degree of faith in the people around you.

Importantly, faith is not the absence of doubt. In a university setting especially, critical thinking and questioning are paramount. Faith can exist alongside doubt, often manifesting as the courage to proceed despite uncertainty, driven by a deeper hope or conviction in a desired outcome or a fundamental truth yet to be fully grasped. It is the belief in the possibility of discovery, even when the path is unclear.

So, as you immerse yourselves in your consciousness studies, as you engage with new ideas, as you plan for your futures, reflect upon the role of faith in your lives. Cultivate faith in your potential, faith in the power of knowledge, faith in the connections you build, and faith in the journey you are undertaking.

May this inherent quality of faith serve as an anchor in times of storm, a sail in times of calm, and a light illuminating the path ahead. 

Adonai

Michael Of Nebadon

The Great Pruner

He who would follow me

must give up all the cravings of the

self and lose his life in saving life.

I come to save the lost and the weary .. and man is saved when he is rescued from himself. Yet, women and men are slow to comprehend this doctrine of the

Christ.

Whoever will may come; but he who comes must will to prune himself of every evil thought; Must overcome desire to gratify the lower self; must give his life to save the lost.

The nearer to the kingdom gate you come, more spacious is the

room; the multitudes have gone.

If men could come unto the, kingdom with their carnal thoughts, their passions and desires, there scarcely would be room for all.

But when they cannot take these through the narrow gate they turn away; the few are ready to go in and see the king.

Michael of Nebadon

The Aquarian Gospel

Certainty through Collaboration

Certainly. Here is the content from Urantia Book Foreword Section VIII: God the Sevenfold, formatted into clear and flowing paragraphs for better readability and understanding:

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To compensate for the limitations of finite creatures and to help them overcome the inherent difficulties in grasping and approaching infinite Deity, the Universal Father has established a sevenfold way by which evolutionary beings may ascend to divine presence. This approach enables mortals in time and space to progressively encounter and know God. It is both an act of divine mercy and a structure of cosmic order, designed to reconcile the gulf between creature and Creator.

This sevenfold path includes: (1) the Paradise Creator Sons, who function in local universes as the first approachable divine figures for ascending beings; (2) the Ancients of Days, the Trinity-origin beings who rule and adjudicate within the superuniverses; (3) the Seven Master Spirits, who represent and coordinate the will of the Trinity across all creation; (4) the Supreme Being, the experiential and evolving Deity who synthesizes all finite reality; (5) God the Spirit, the Infinite Spirit, source of mind and ministry; (6) God the Son, the Eternal Son, the spiritual personality center; and (7) God the Father, the Universal Father, the original Source and destiny of all personal beings.

This structure of sevenfold Deity makes it possible for finite mortals to progressively experience and realize God. The journey begins with the recognition of the Creator Son in one's local universe, and continues through the administrative domain of the Ancients of Days in the superuniverse. From there, one advances via the spiritual agency of a Master Spirit toward eventual attainment of the Universal Father’s personality presence on Paradise. This is the path of experiential discovery and personal transformation, known as the Paradise ascension career.

The grand universe is governed by a triune Deity manifestation: the Trinity of Supremacy, God the Sevenfold, and the Supreme Being. The Supreme Being is latent in the Paradise Trinity, from whom he receives his personality and spiritual qualities. However, he is becoming actual through the Creator Sons, Ancients of Days, and the Master Spirits, from whom he derives power as the Almighty in the evolving universes. The Supreme unifies the evolving values of personality and power into a single Deity manifestation—the Supreme Being.

In this divine architecture, the Creator Sons play a central role. They are the means by which mortals are transformed into immortals, and the finite touches the infinite. The Supreme Being, in turn, provides the technique for integrating these complex transactions, creating a unified, divine synthesis of personal and power realities. The Creator Sons and their Divine Minister partners participate in this process of Supreme mobilization. Meanwhile, the Ancients of Days and the Seven Master Spirits remain fixed and permanent administrators, overseeing the order and function of the grand universe.

The function of God the Sevenfold began with the organization of the seven superuniverses, and it is expected to expand further as the universes of outer space come into being. These new creations—on primary, secondary, tertiary, and quartan levels—will likely usher in a new, transcendent, and absonite approach to Deity, suggesting the continuation of divine revelation and evolutionary adventure beyond the present universe age.

Michael Of Nebadon 

The Sovrnty Foundation 

Absolute Faithful

The Absolute Sincerity of thine Faith

I emphasize here to you a quality of faith necessary to enter the reality of God the Father. It is not faith merely of the superficial intellect based upon mere belief or tradition but is a living, dynamic experience of trust in God.

Your sincerity of faith is to develop unto a  wholehearted devotion and acceptance and an unreserved dedication and determination which causes to topple over all adversity.

A total and unwavering faith is absolutely trusting like that of a child yet wholly free from presumption.

Thine faith is to attain the purity of a child’s trust.

As you develop this degree of sincerity, your faith shall becometh not just an outward expression but a deep, inner reality that shapes every aspect of your existence.

Thine sincerity in religious faith  relationship of experience and personality expression with the Father's Adjuster is to be unlike the more immature degrees of faith .. those persons who practice religion from a place of immature  indoctrination and materialistic belief and the superficial religiosity for worldly status and social conformity. Nor shall you abide within the ideas of entitlement hoping that God lives for you and achieves for you and prospers for you.

Instead, so shall you open thine availability of heart to lay down your life in order to prosper God, to avail thyself of his glory and honor.

Instead, awaken to the righteousness of truly serving God the Creator Source of all creatures.

Your religious experience is to be an  expression of complete authenticity .. spontaneously genuine and childlike.

Ye shall never be engaged in religious pretense or hypocrisy .. phonies nor fanaticism.

Thine faith is to be matured and advanced .. so very real and all-encompassing that it absolutely sweeps away any spiritual doubts and effectively destroys every conflicting desire.

Entering into the Presence of the Kingdom of Heaven is not a passive activity .. nor is it to cultivate the nature of some isolated mystic nor an overzealous religious fanatic. You are to become awake into truth, aware unto giving, and as you do cultivate these qualities of the kingdom apostleship, you shall never be self-deceived nor shall you believe thine self to be the victim of mere hallucinations, chaos, conflicts, and coincidence.

You are always a cocreator, an author, and a master in training of all your experiences.

This existence demonstration of authorship mastery is steeped in the utmost sincerity .. grounded in reality. Thine faith is not based on emotionalism or fanaticism but on deep spiritual conviction achieved by your determination for intimate communication, contact, connection, and cooperation; a personality in absolute coordination with the Spirit of Existence.

And ever shall this faith communion be a direct experience of God giving to you an unshakable confidence that shapes your entire approach to life . . .

Michael Of Nebadon

Golden Lily Amphitheatrum

Our Father

Certainly. Here's the expanded reflection on The Urantia Book's teaching from Paper 5:3.8 (66.4), formatted into clear, flowing paragraphs for deeper contemplation:

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The passage presents worship not as a ritual or obligation, but as a sublime, co-creative act between the human self and the divine presence within. Worship, according to The Urantia Book, is the sacred attempt of the betrothed Thought Adjuster — the indwelling fragment of the Universal Father — to communicate the soul’s deepest longings to God. These longings are not always consciously understood by the mind; they are often “inexpressible aspirations” that arise from the soul — the evolving, morontia self — formed through the partnership of the human mind and the divine spirit.

In this holy union, three participants are involved in worship: the mortal mind, the immortal Adjuster, and the evolving soul. The mortal mind consents to worship — it must be open, willing, and attentive. The soul craves and initiates worship, for it is the part of you that hungers for truth, beauty, and divine connection. And it is the Thought Adjuster who conducts the actual act of worship — transmitting the soul’s essence, translated into spiritual terms, directly to the Father. Worship is, therefore, not something we do to God, but something we experience with God, through the inner presence of God.

This deeply personal and spiritual act of worship unfolds on four cosmic levels: intellectual, morontial, spiritual, and personal. On the intellectual level, the mortal mind must be engaged. Worship begins with awareness, with a choice — a turning of the mind toward the divine. On the morontial level, the soul — your evolving, eternal self — is stirred by a craving to commune with God, to feel connection and purpose beyond material reality. At the spiritual level, the Adjuster becomes the active agent, forming the true connection with the Universal Father. This level transcends thought and emotion, becoming pure spiritual communion. Finally, on the personal level, all these experiences unify in the consciousness of personality — the self recognizing its own divine heritage and eternal destiny.

True worship, then, is not limited by language, ritual, or theology. It is a living experience of unity — a moment when mind, soul, and spirit harmonize in the recognition of divine love and presence. It is the human soul’s response to the Father’s call, aided by the indwelling Adjuster, who lovingly serves as the bridge between the finite and the Infinite. In the end, worship is not just about reverence; it is about relationship, participation, and transformation — a mutual embrace between the Creator and His evolving child.

Michael Of Nebadon 

Acquiring Righteousness of Character

 In Relation to Righteousness

170:3.1 (1861.8)Jesus was always trying to impress upon his apostles and disciples that they must acquire, by faith, a righteousness which would exceed the righteousness of slavish works which some of the scribes and Pharisees paraded so vaingloriously before the world.

170:3.2 (1861.9)Though Jesus taught that faith, simple childlike belief, is the key to the door of the kingdom, he also taught that, having entered the door, there are the progressive steps of righteousness which every believing child must ascend in order to grow up to the full stature of the robust sons of God.

170:3.3 (1861.10)It is in the consideration of the technique of receiving God’s forgiveness that the attainment of the righteousness of the kingdom is revealed. Faith is the price you pay for entrance into the family of God; but forgiveness is the act of God which accepts your faith as the price of admission. And the reception of the forgiveness of God by a kingdom believer involves a definite and actual experience and consists in the following four steps, the kingdom steps of inner righteousness:

170:3.4 (1862.1)1. God’s forgiveness is made actually available and is personally experienced by man just in so far as he forgives his fellows.

170:3.5 (1862.2)2. Man will not truly forgive his fellows unless he loves them as himself.

170:3.6 (1862.3)3. To thus love your neighbor as yourself is the highest ethics.

170:3.7 (1862.4)4. Moral conduct, true righteousness, becomes, then, the natural result of such love.

170:3.8 (1862.5)It therefore is evident that the true and inner religion of the kingdom unfailingly and increasingly tends to manifest itself in practical avenues of social service. Jesus taught a living religion that impelled its believers to engage in the doing of loving service. But Jesus did not put ethics in the place of religion. He taught religion as a cause and ethics as a result.

170:3.9 (1862.6)The righteousness of any act must be measured by the motive; the highest forms of good are therefore unconscious. Jesus was never concerned with morals or ethics as such. He was wholly concerned with that inward and spiritual fellowship with God the Father which so certainly and directly manifests itself as outward and loving service for man. He taught that the religion of the kingdom is a genuine personal experience which no man can contain within himself; that the consciousness of being a member of the family of believers leads inevitably to the practice of the precepts of the family conduct, the service of one’s brothers and sisters in the effort to enhance and enlarge the brotherhood.

170:3.10 (1862.7)The religion of the kingdom is personal, individual; the fruits, the results, are familial, social. Jesus never failed to exalt the sacredness of the individual as contrasted with the community. But he also recognized that man develops his character by unselfish service; that he unfolds his moral nature in loving relations with his fellows.

170:3.11 (1862.8)By teaching that the kingdom is within, by exalting the individual, Jesus struck the deathblow of the old society in that he ushered in the new dispensation of true social righteousness. This new order of society the world has little known because it has refused to practice the principles of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. And when this kingdom of spiritual pre-eminence does come upon the earth, it will not be manifested in mere improved social and material conditions, but rather in the glories of those enhanced and enriched spiritual values which are characteristic of the approaching age of improved human relations and advancing spiritual attainments.

Michael Of Nebadon

In Relation to Righteousness

Urantia Paper 170, Section 3: "In Relation to Righteousness"

(The Urantia Book, 170:3.1–170:3.10)

In this section, Jesus clarifies that the Kingdom of Heaven is deeply linked to righteousness but redefines what righteousness means in contrast to traditional religious views. He challenges legalistic interpretations and elevates righteousness from a system of laws and rituals to a living, spiritual experience of doing God’s will.

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1. Righteousness is Not Mere Obedience to Law (170:3.1–3.2)

Traditional View: Legalistic Righteousness

• In Jewish tradition (as well as many world religions), righteousness was often defined by strict obedience to religious laws, rituals, and purity codes.
• It was a behavioral righteousness—measured by external actions rather than internal transformation.
• Many believed that fulfilling the letter of the law (e.g., dietary rules, Sabbath laws, sacrifices) was enough to be counted as righteous.

📖 “The righteousness of any act must be determined by its motive.” (170:3.2)

Jesus’ View: Righteousness as a Heart Condition

✔ Jesus rejected external rule-following as the measure of righteousness.
✔ True righteousness is about the heart—the motive behind actions, not just the actions themselves.
✔ He emphasized spiritual sincerity, meaning a person must act from love, faith, and the desire to do God’s will, not from fear of punishment or social pressure.

📌 Key Lesson:

• Righteousness is not about laws or traditions but about a living relationship with God and others.

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2. The Kingdom is More Than Ethical Conduct (170:3.3)

✔ While righteousness involves ethical living, Jesus went beyond morality.
✔ Many religions teach that righteousness is simply avoiding sin or following commandments.
✔ Jesus transformed righteousness into a dynamic experience of divine love and truth.

📖 “Righteousness in the kingdom of heaven means the attainment of the character of the spirit-dominated mortal.” (170:3.3)

What Does This Mean?

• It is not just doing the right thing, but becoming the right kind of person—one who is truly led by the Spirit of God.
• It is not just about avoiding sin, but about actively pursuing divine goodness and love.
• It requires spiritual growth, not just moral discipline.

📌 Key Lesson:

• Righteousness is not merely about being good—it is about being transformed into a spiritual being, led by divine love.

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3. The Shift from Law to Spirit (170:3.4)

Traditional View: The Law as Supreme

• The Jewish religious system, as well as other religious traditions, taught that law (Torah, Dharma, Sharia, etc.) was the highest authority.
• People believed righteousness came from strict obedience to religious codes—if you followed them, you were "good"; if not, you were "evil."

Jesus’ View: The Spirit is Supreme

📖 “The righteousness of the kingdom is a quality of divinity that transcends the righteousness of the law.” (170:3.4)

✔ Jesus transcended legalism—the kingdom’s righteousness is higher than the law because it is God’s very own righteousness living in human hearts.
✔ This means people must live by the Spirit, not by rigid religious rules.

📌 Key Lesson:

• Righteousness is not about obeying rules, but about letting divine love and wisdom guide every choice.

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4. The New Standard: Love as the Highest Law (170:3.5)

📖 “The righteousness of the kingdom is based on faith, love, and truth.” (170:3.5)

✔ Jesus established a new moral standard:

1. Faith – A deep trust in God's goodness.
2. Love – Acting from divine compassion rather than duty.
3. Truth – A commitment to higher spiritual understanding.

What This Means for Us

• Instead of rules and fear, righteousness is an active relationship with God.
• Instead of external religious obligations, righteousness is internal transformation.
• Instead of being "right" by law, righteousness is expressing divine love in action.

📌 Key Lesson:

• True righteousness is not law-based, but love-based.

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5. The Kingdom and the Supreme Desire to Do God's Will (170:3.6–3.7)

📖 “The kingdom of heaven is neither a social nor economic order; it is an exclusively spiritual brotherhood of God-knowing individuals.” (170:3.7)

✔ Many people expected the Kingdom to be a political, economic, or social revolution—but Jesus rejected this.
✔ Instead, the Kingdom is for those who sincerely desire to do God's will.

God’s Will and Righteousness

• Doing God's will is the essence of righteousness.
• God’s will is not about obeying religious laws, but about living in divine love, truth, and service.
• The Kingdom is not a place—it is a state of being where God's will is supreme.

📌 Key Lesson:

• Righteousness means not just believing in God, but actively seeking to live according to His will.

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6. A Higher Righteousness is Required (170:3.8)

📖 “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom.” (Matthew 5:20, quoted in 170:3.8)

What Was Wrong with the Pharisees’ Righteousness?

• The Pharisees were the most religiously devout people of Jesus' time, yet he criticized them because their righteousness was legalistic, external, and self-righteous.
• Their faith was about rules, status, and outward appearances, rather than inner transformation and love.

What Kind of Righteousness is Required?

✔ A righteousness of faith, love, and sincerity.
✔ A righteousness that flows from inner transformation, not rule-following.
✔ A righteousness that exceeds mere religious obligation and is rooted in the Spirit.

📌 Key Lesson:

• The righteousness of the Kingdom is a matter of the heart, not just actions.

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7. Summary: What Jesus Taught About Righteousness

Traditional View (Religious Legalism)	Jesus’ View (Spiritual Righteousness)
Following religious laws = righteousness	Motives and intentions = righteousness
External rule-keeping	Inner transformation by the Spirit
Moral perfectionism	Love, faith, and truth as guides
Fear of punishment	Joyful desire to do God’s will
Judgmental and exclusive	Compassionate and inclusive

Final Takeaways

✔ Righteousness is not about external law, but about inner spiritual transformation.
✔ True righteousness is measured by faith, love, and a hunger for truth.
✔ The Kingdom of God is not political, social, or institutional—it is a state of being where God's will is supreme.

📌 Reflection Questions:

• Do I focus more on rules or on spiritual growth?
• Do I seek to appear righteous, or do I truly hunger for truth and love?
• Am I living in the Spirit, or am I relying on external religious expectations? 
  
  Michael Of Nebadon