31 July | a.m

Open, O people, the city of the human heart with the key of your utterance. Thus have We, according to a pre-ordained measure, prescribed unto you your duty.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 304

He [Christ] did not conquer by the physical power of an iron rod; He conquered the East and the West by the sword of His utterance.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 199

29 July | p.m

This is the day in which to speak. It is incumbent upon the people of Bahá to strive, with the utmost patience and forbearance, to guide the peoples of the world to the Most Great Horizon. Every body calleth aloud for a soul. Heavenly souls must needs quicken, with the breath of the Word of God, the dead bodies with a fresh spirit.

 

- Bahá'u'lláh cited in The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 82-83

29 July | a.m

How can, then, such a man succeed in befittingly extolling the One through a motion of Whose finger all the names and their kingdom were called into being, and all the attributes and their dominion were created, and Who, through yet another motion of that same finger, hath united the letters B and E (Be) and knit them together, manifesting thereby what the highest thoughts of Thy chosen ones who enjoy near access to Thee are unable to grasp, and what the profoundest wisdom of those of Thy loved ones that are wholly devoted to Thee are powerless to fathom.

 

- Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations by Bahá'u'lláh, p. 303

28 July | p.m

Such is the inebriating effect of the words of God upon Him Who is the Revealer of His undoubted proofs, that His Pen can move no longer. With these words He concludeth His Tablet: "No God is there but Me, the Most Exalted, the Most Powerful, the Most Excellent, the All-Knowing."

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 35

28 July | a.m

It hath been decreed by Us that the Word of God and all the potentialities thereof shall be manifested unto men in strict conformity with such conditions as have been foreordained by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have, moreover, ordained that its veil of concealment be none other except its own Self. Such indeed is Our Power to achieve Our Purpose. Should the Word be allowed to release suddenly all the energies latent within it, no man could sustain the weight of so mighty a Revelation. Nay, all that is in heaven and on earth would flee in consternation before it.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 76

27 July | a.m

The sanctified souls should ponder and meditate in their hearts regarding the methods of teaching. From the texts of the wondrous, heavenly Scriptures they should memorize phrases and passages bearing on various instances, so that in the course of their speech they may recite divine verses whenever the occasion demandeth it, inasmuch as these holy verses are the most potent elixir, the greatest and mightiest talisman. So potent is their influence that the hearer will have no cause for vacillation.

 

- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 200

26 July | p.m

With fixed and steady gaze, born of the unerring eye of God, scan for a while the horizon of divine knowledge, and contemplate those words of perfection which the Eternal hath revealed, that haply the mysteries of divine wisdom, hidden ere now beneath the veil of glory and treasured within the tabernacle of His grace, may be made manifest unto you.

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 16

26 July | a.m

O friend of mine! The Word of God is the king of words and its pervasive influence is incalculable. It hath ever dominated and will continue to dominate the realm of being. The Great Being saith: The Word is the master key for the whole world, inasmuch as through its potency the doors of the hearts of men, which in reality are the doors of heaven, are unlocked.

- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 173

Today nothing but the power of the Word of God which encompasses the realities of things can bring the thoughts, the minds, the hearts and the spirits under the shade of one Tree. He is the potent in all things, the vivifier of souls, the preserver and the controller of the world of mankind.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu’l-Bahá Section, p. 296

25 July | p.m

Every verse which this Pen hath revealed is a bright and shining portal that discloseth the glories of a saintly and pious life, of pure and stainless deeds. The summons and the message which We gave were never intended to reach or to benefit one land or one people only. Mankind in its entirety must firmly adhere to whatsoever hath been revealed and vouchsafed unto it.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 96

25 July | a.m

Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instill new life into every human frame, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth.

- Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 141

Wherefore, O ye Bahá'ís, strive ye with all your might to create, through the power of the Word of God, genuine love, spiritual communion and durable bonds among individuals. This is your task.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 246

24 July | p.m

Through the movement of Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding of the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new  life into every human frame, and instilled into every word a fresh potency. All created things proclaim the evidences of this world-wide regeneration. This is the most great, the most joyful tidings imparted by the Pen of this wronged One to mankind.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 92

24 July | a.m

O peoples of the earth! God, the Eternal Truth, is My witness that streams of fresh and soft-flowing waters have gushed from the rocks, through the sweetness of the words uttered by your Lord, the Unconstrained; and still ye slumber. Cast away that which ye possess, and, on the wings of detachment, soar beyond all created things. Thus biddeth you the Lord of creation, the movement of Whose Pen hath revolutionized the soul of mankind.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 139

22 July | p.m

Beware lest ye hesitate in your acceptance of this Cause - a Cause before which the Concourse on high and the dwellers of the Cities of Names have bowed down. Fear God, and be not of those who are shut out as by a veil. Burn ye away the veils with the fire of My love, and dispel ye the mists of vain imaginings by the power of this Name through which We have subdued the entire creation.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 66

22 July | a.m

Ignite, then, within their hearts the torch of Thy love, that its flame may consume all else except their wondrous remembrance of Thee, and that no trace may be left in those hearts except the gem-like evidences of Thy most holy sovereignty…

- Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 89

The more love is expressed among mankind and the stronger the power of unity, the greater will be this reflection and revelation, for the greatest bestowal of God is love. Love is the source of all the bestowals of God. Until love takes possession of the heart no other divine bounty can be revealed in it.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu’l-Bahá Section, p. 218

21 July | p.m

O SON OF MAN!

If thou lovest Me, turn away from thyself; and if thou seekest My pleasure, regard not thine own; that thou mayest die in Me and I may eternally live in thee.

- Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words, no. 7

O Remnant of God! I am wholly sacrificed to Thee; I am content with curses in Thy path; I crave nought but to be slain in Thy love; and God, the Supreme, sufficeth as an eternal protection.

- The Báb, quoted by Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 139

God's Love it was that sustained the Báb and brought him to his supreme sacrifice, and made his bosom the willing target for a thousand bullets.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 83

21 July | a.m

Wherefore must the veils of the satanic self be burned away at the fire of love, that the spirit may be purified and cleansed and thus may know the station of the Lord of the Worlds.

Kindle the fire of love and burn away all things,

Then set thy foot into the land of the lovers.

- Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 9

If love did not exist, what of reality would remain? It is the fire of the love of God which renders man superior to the animal. Strengthen this superior force through which is attained all the progress in the world.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 111

20 July | p.m

If Thou smellest from any one the smell of the love of Thy Lord, offer up Thyself for him, for We have created Thee to this end, and have covenanted with Thee, from time immemorial, and in the presence of the congregation of Our well-favored ones, for this very purpose.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 283

20 July | a.m

Let the flame of the love of God burn brightly within your radiant hearts. Feed it with the oil of Divine guidance, and protect it within the shelter of your constancy. Guard it within the globe of trust and detachment from all else but God, so that the evil whisperings of the ungodly may not extinguish its light.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 325

Whatsoever people is graciously favoured therewith by God, its name shall surely be magnified and extolled by the Concourse from on high, by the company of angels, and the denizens of the Abhá Kingdom. And whatsoever people turneth its heart away from this Divine Love - the revelation of the Merciful - shall err grievously, shall fall into despair, and be utterly destroyed… Strive to become the manifestations of the love of God, the lamps of divine guidance shining amongst the kindreds of the earth with the light of love and concord.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 27

19 July | p.m

Give ear to the sayings of the Friend and turn towards His paradise. Worldly friends, seeking their own good, appear to love one the other, whereas the true Friend hath loved and doth love you for your own sakes; indeed He hath suffered for your guidance countless afflictions. Be not disloyal to such a Friend, nay rather hasten unto Him.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words

19 July | a.m

O SON OF BEING!

Thy Paradise is My love; thy heavenly home, reunion with Me. Enter therein and tarry not. This is that which hath been destined for thee in Our kingdom above and Our exalted dominion.

- Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words, no. 6

Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God's holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven's kindly light, the Holy Spirit's eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God's revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 27

18 July | p.m

By the righteousness of the Lord! Ye were created to show love one to another and not perversity and rancour. Take pride not in love for yourselves but in love for your fellow-creatures. Glory not in love for your country, but in love for all mankind.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 138

 

18 July | a.m

O SON OF MAN!

Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.

- Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words, no. 3

God has created His servants in order that they may love and associate with each other. He has revealed the glorious splendor of His sun of love in the world of humanity. The cause of the creation of the phenomenal world is love. All the Prophets have promulgated the law of love.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 297

17 July | p.m

A lover feareth nothing and no harm can come nigh him: Thou seest him chill in the fire and dry in the sea.

- Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 7

Wherefore this fear and sorrow? The true lovers of the Abhá Beauty, and they that have quaffed the Cup of the Covenant fear no calamity, nor feel depressed in the hour of trial. They regard the fire of adversity as their garden of delight, and the depth of the sea the expanse of heaven.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 308

17 July | a.m

Love is a light that never dwelleth in a heart possessed by fear….Verily, the wayfarer who journeyeth unto God, unto the Crimson Pillar in the snow-white path, will never reach unto his heavenly goal unless he abandoneth all that men possess: “And if he feareth not God, God will make him to fear all things; whereas all things fear him who feareth God.”

- Baha'u'llah, The Four Valleys, p. 57

By Thy glory, for Thy love, I flinch not from aught, and for Thy good pleasure I fear not all the afflictions in the world; that is but through Thy strength and Thy might, and Thy grace and Thy favor, not because I am deserving thereof.

- Bahá’u’lláh, Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 74

15 July | p.m

Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 93

15 July | a.m

One wondereth why those who have been the symbols of highest glory should now stoop to boundless shame. What is become of their high resolve? Whither is gone the sense of dignity and honour? The sun of glory and wisdom hath unceasingly been shining above the horizon of Persia, but nowadays it hath sunk to such a low level that certain dignitaries have allowed themselves to be treated as playthings in the hands of the foolish.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 94

Every star hath a setting, but the star of the knowledge of God in the divine heaven; every light shall darken save the light of the guidance of God; every dignity shall vanish away save the glory under the shadow of the Word of God.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v1, p. 128

14 July | p.m

They who are possessed of riches, however, must have the utmost regard for the poor, for great is the honor destined by God for those poor who are steadfast in patience. By My life! There is no honor, except what God may please to bestow, that can compare to this honor. Great is the blessedness awaiting the poor that endure patiently and conceal their sufferings, and well is it with the rich who bestow their riches on the needy and prefer them before themselves.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 202

14 July | a.m

Whoso hath, in this Day, refused to allow the doubts and fancies of men to turn him away from Him Who is the Eternal Truth, and hath not suffered the tumult provoked by the ecclesiastical and secular authorities to deter him from recognizing His Message, such a man will be regarded by God, the Lord of all men, as one of His mighty signs, and will be numbered among them whose names have been inscribed by the Pen of the Most High in His Book. Blessed is he that hath recognized the true stature of such a soul, that hath acknowledged its station, and discovered its virtues.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 159

…a sanctified soul illumines humanity and is an honor to mankind, conferring life upon the children of men and suffering all nations to attain to the station of perfect unity. Therefore, we can apply the name "holy soul" to such a one.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 120

13 July | p.m

Every soul that walketh humbly with its God, in this Day, and cleaveth unto Him, shall find itself invested with the honor and glory of all goodly names and stations.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 159

It is certain that man's highest distinction is to be lowly before and obedient to his God; that his greatest glory, his most exalted rank and honor, depend on his close observance of the Divine commands and prohibitions.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 71

13 July | a.m

The purpose underlying the revelation of every heavenly Book, nay, of every divinely-revealed verse, is to endue all men with righteousness and understanding, so that peace and tranquillity may be firmly established amongst them. Whatsoever instilleth assurance into the hearts of men, whatsoever exalteth their station or promoteth their contentment, is acceptable in the sight of God. How lofty is the station which man, if he but choose to fulfill his high destiny, can attain! To what depths of degradation he can sink, depths which the meanest of creatures have never reached

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 206

When perfect justice reigns in every country of the Eastern and Western World, then will the earth become a place of beauty. The dignity and equality of every servant of God will be acknowledged...

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 155

12 July | p.m

The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom. His object is to array every man with the mantle of a saintly character, and to adorn him with the ornament of holy and goodly deeds.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 298

12 July | a.m

Render thanks unto God, inasmuch as ye have attained unto your heart's Desire, and been united to Him Who is the Promise of all nations. Guard ye, with the aid of the one true God - exalted be His glory - the integrity of the station which ye have attained, and cleave to that which shall promote His Cause. He, verily, enjoineth on you what is right and conducive to the exaltation of man's station. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Revealer of this wondrous Tablet.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 5

11 June | p.m

All that is in the heavens and earth show forth the divine names and attributes until the traces of the splendor of that Sun of Truth are manifest and evident in every atom; so that without the appearance of this splendor, nothing can be honored with the robe of life nor attain to existence in the phenomenal world.

- Bahá’u’lláh, Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 28

11 July | a.m

What oceans of wisdom are hidden in a drop! Among the beings, man is especially assigned to these robes and chosen for this dignity; for all the divine names and attributes are manifest and evident in human appearances, in the most perfect and excellent manner.

 

- Bahá’u’lláh, Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 28

10 july | p.m

That which beseemeth man is submission unto such restraints as will protect him from his own ignorance, and guard him against the harm of the mischief-maker. Liberty causeth man to overstep the bounds of propriety, and to infringe on the dignity of his station. It debaseth him to the level of extreme depravity and wickedness.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 335

10 July | a.m

The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Say: O friends! Drink your fill from this crystal stream that floweth through the heavenly grace of Him Who is the Lord of Names.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 215

Men are material; the Manifestations transform them into semblance divine. They are immature children; the Manifestations develop them into maturity. Man is poor; they endow him with wealth. Man is base, treacherous and mean; the Manifestations of God uplift him into dignity, nobility and loftiness.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 111

8 July | p.m

O SON OF MAN!

If adversity befall thee not in My path, how canst thou walk in the ways of them that are content with My pleasure? If trials afflict thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty?

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words, no. 50

8 July | a.m

Quench the thirst of heedlessness with the sanctified waters of My grace, and chase the gloom of remoteness through the morning-light of My Divine presence. Suffer not the habitation wherein dwelleth My undying love for thee to be destroyed through the tyranny of covetous desires, and overcloud not the beauty of the heavenly Youth with the dust of self and passion. Clothe thyself with the essence of righteousness, and let thine heart be afraid of none except God.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 323

7 July | p.m

O SON OF MAN!

Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.

- Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words, no. 3

Strive with thy power to paint thy likeness on the pages of the hearts with such beauty as to brighten the minds. That beauty is the splendor of the Merciful and the glad-tidings of thy Lord, the Clement, whereby the faces shine with an eternal light in the course of ages and centuries.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v2, p. 242

7 July | a.m

If the mystic knowers be of those who have reached to the beauty of the Beloved One (Mahbúb), this station is the apex of consciousness and the secret of divine guidance.

- Baha'u'llah, The Four Valleys, p. 56

Well done! Well done! that thou hast turned thy face toward the invisible Kingdom. Excellent! Excellent that thou art attracted to the Beauty of His Highness the Almighty! Well done! Well done! How happy thou art that thou hast attained to this Most Great Gift!

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v3, p. 530

6 July | p.m

O FRIENDS!

Abandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die, and set not your affections on this mortal world of dust.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words, no. 14