THE NEW CREATION

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fare of God's New Creation on earth.

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Volume 87, Numbers 9 & 10 Sep/Oct 2024

Contents
Page
Contents….....………………………………………………….….1
Editorial: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus…..…..………………………2
Important Lessons from the Account of Naaman…...……......5
So, God, Where Are You?..................................... …...………9
Q & A: Absent from the Body……..…..........................….......13
Rediscovering the Treasures of the Kingdom of God.……....16
Loving Our Enemies………….….……………….……………..18
The Epistle to the Hebrews………………………….………….19
Holiness and Sanctification………………………....................23
Living Where the Fruits of the Spirit Grow (Part 1)……..…...27
A Portrait of Jesus: Completely Selfless………………….…..32
Two Golden Days………………………………………………..34
Prayer List…………………………...…………………..……....35
Grads/Websites………..………………………...…………...…36
Conferences and Conventions ...………..……...……….........37

NOTE: The thoughts presented in the articles are those of the writer and
are not necessarily totally endorsed by the New Creation Staff. “Study to
show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15.
“Prove ALL things and hold fast to what is good.” – 1 Thess. 5:21.

The New Creation magazine and all of CDMI’s other publications are sent out
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the world. All donations are tax exempt.

1
 Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of Editor’s
witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside Page
every encumbrance and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for
the joy set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2)

The above title was the theme of the recent 2024 Christian
Believers Conference held at beautiful Gordon College in
Wenham, Massachussetts. The ‘therefore’ refers to the listing
in the proceeding chapter of outstanding faithfulness in men
and women of God prior to the Christian Age. These examples
are a cloud of witnesses to faith in God, even to persecution
and resultant death.

Thus, to the early church, which was at first Jewish, the author
continues: “For consider Him who has endured such hostility
by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary
and lose heart. You have not yet resisted to the point of
shedding blood in your striving against sin” (Heb. 12:3-4) Here
we are admonished to consider what Jesus endured of perse-
cution from sinners. This meditation will also strengthen us to
endure opposition, even to the shedding of our blood.

But how do we learn from Jesus? The best way is to know his
words – what he said and what he did and what he asks us to
do. Where do we get this knowledge? Yes, from the gospels.
Read, re-read, and re-reread the gospels to have his mind in
you.

The apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are

ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is a citizen of another
country and is its representative in the foreign country. Thus,
Paul is telling us that as citizens of heaven we are to live our
2
days here as representatives of the invisible Jesus. We now
have a ministry of reconciliation to those who will accept the
terms of discipleship. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, we can best
accomplish this ministry.

Paul was an ardent follower of Christ. He was willing to suffer

the loss of all things and be made conformable into his death,
if by any means he might have part in THE resurrection from
the dead (Philippians 3:10, 11). Through Jesus’ death all
mankind are ransomed, but the Jews had an additional death
penalty on them. They were in a covenant with Jehovah that
they could not keep (the Law Covenant). However, they were
also redeemed because Jesus took the penalty of the Law
upon himself by dying on a cross – the equivalent of being
cursed of God by hanging on a tree. Thus, Jesus death on the
cross redeemed both Jew and Gentile in the one act.

In the days of the judges of Israel (books of Joshua unto

Samuel), the Israelites had no king; rather, God was their
King. Time and again, they would slide into sin and fall into the
worship of the false gods of the surrounding nations. God
would punish them with invasions and when they repented, he
would raise up a judge to deliver them. A time came when
everyone did what was “right in their own eyes” and they
demanded of Samuel that he make them a king. At first,
Samuel felt rejected by the people, but God was the one they
were rejecting. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice
of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have
not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king
over them. "Like all the deeds which they have done since the
day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—in
that they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they
are doing to you also.” (1Sa 8:7-8) We do not want to follow
this bad example of the Israelites and desire a king other than
Jehovah and his appointed Son, Christ Jesus. We want to fix
our eyes on Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher of our
faith.

3
Our eyes are used for vision. We need to see clearly and get
the vision right. How do we do it? By fixing our eyes on Jesus.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Mat. 11:29) He will bring us the victory.
R. Whittaker

Victory in Jesus!
I heard an old, old story
How a Savior came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning
Of His precious blood's atoning
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory,

Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing

Of His cleansing power revealing
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken
spirit"
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.

Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever

He sought me, and He bought me with His redeeming
blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

4
 Important Lessons
From the Account of Naaman

The Lord provides us with many important lessons in the Ho-

ly Scriptures, all too important to overlook. This article will
touch on some provided in the account of Naaman, found in 2
Kings, Chapter 5.

Here we are told that Naaman, “captain of the host of the

king of Syria, was a great and honorable man by whom the
LORD had delivered Israel into Syria’s hands.” Yet as mighty
and blessed as Naaman was, not unlike all of us, he was
flawed. In his case, he was a leper.

Receiving word from “a little maid” captured from Israel, he

became aware of a prophet in Israel who could cure him by
the power of Israel’s God. The king of Syria gladly gave him
leave, and wrote a letter of introduction to the King of Israel.
When this letter was received, we read, “When the king of Is-
rael had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and
said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth
send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? Wherefore
consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel
against me” (2Ki. 5:7).
Here is perhaps lesson #1. The King of Israel assumed
something that was not correct, similar to the incorrect as-
sumption of Abraham, when he told a lie to Abimelech. (Gen.
20:2) Making assumptions…coming to conclusions based on
fear rather than facts is just a wrong thing to do, and leads to
trouble. To top it off, the king of Israel did not have the faith of
a young servant girl taken into captivity, who understood and
believed that the Lord had prophets in Israel who could work
miracles by the grace and power of God. That was a fact that
the king did not consider to his shame.
We saw this same faith in Rahab the harlot whose faith ex-
ceeded that of 10 of the 12 princes of Israel who went to spy
out the promised land, land that God Himself had promised

5
He would give them. Unlike these 10 leaders, forty years later
Rahab the harlot, not even an Israelite, remembered the
works of the LORD, and was greatly blessed because of her
faith in a God, who is not a respecter of persons, where titles
mean little and where faith in the LORD “moves mountains.”
(Mat. 17:20)
From incredible real-life stories, we must remember the im-
portance of faith, having God’s Word written in our hearts,
without which it is impossible to please God. (Heb. 11:6)
Additionally, from this little servant girl in captivity, we can
find lesson #2. This lesson is that we must care for a
stranger, even an enemy, knowing that is the will of God.
(Mat.5:44) We see that this little maid in captivity accepted
her lot with a positive and helpful spirit, as though it was the
will of God that she was taken into captivity, which indeed it
was. We must remember that trials never exempt us from do-
ing the will of God, and “loving our neighbor as ourself.” (Mat.
22:39)
It is interesting that Naaman, although perhaps motivated by
desperation, actually took the advice of a little girl, going out of
his way to seek not only the blessing of his King, but he trav-
eled some 150 miles with a great company to find Elisha, the
prophet in Samaria the little girl shared with Naaman’s wife.
Not like the king of Israel who came to assumptions based on
fear, Naaman was aware that Israel had prophets of the Most
High God, who could work miracles.
Now comes lesson #3. Although Naaman’s expectations
were wrong, as many of ours may be, he, not taken with him-
self, listened to the wisdom of his servants, and followed the
instruction of Elisha who did not come to him in person. We
read, “Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in
Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his
flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was
clean.”
One can only imagine the joy of Naaman, who wanted to
give great gifts to Elisha, who refused them, which is Lesson
4. The gifts the Lord provides should never be for sale. This is

6
just the wrong spirit, and will never inure to our credit. Re-
member Simon who wanted to buy from Peter the power of
laying on of hands. He was described by Peter as one “in the
gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” Jesus made it
clear to His disciples and us, “freely ye have received, freely
give.” (Mat. 10:8)
Naaman, a powerful man, demonstrated humility by listening
to his servants, and was thereby blessed. Perhaps we can
conclude that he understood the message of 1Co. 4:7: “For
who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou
that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why
dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

God has a hand in all things, and measures greatness differ-

ently than man. Remember Pro. 16:32: “He that is slow to an-
ger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than
he that taketh a city.”
Concerning God’s hand in this matter, remember what Jesus
said, in Luke 4:27: “And many lepers were in Israel in the time
of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, sav-
ing Naaman the Syrian.”

Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, showed contempt for his master

when he ran after Naaman for a gift that his master had re-
fused. Although his action was against Elisha, in reality, it was
against the Lord, which did not go unnoticed. This leads us to
Lesson #5. We know by faith that the Lord is “the silent lis-
tener to every conversation,” and beyond that, knows the con-
dition of every heart.

Clearly Ananias and Sapphira did not take heed to the Lord’s
presence in every situation, a lesson that Gehazi learned the
hard way, and which led to the death of Ananias and Sapphi-
ra. (Acts 5) We need to be led by God’s Word, and not let
greed and “the deceitfulness of riches” (Mark 4:19) blind us to
His instruction. This requires faith, humility, and the desire to
be obedient to our Maker.

7
 It became very clear that Naaman grew in understanding and
humbled himself to the “man of God” saying, “for thy servant
will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto
other gods, but unto the LORD.” He took the blessing he re-
ceived to heart, just as each of us must take to heart the
countless blessing we have received, especially the gift of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and like Naaman, commit our-
selves to the LORD by humble obedience to His Word.

J. DiCesare

"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait
for the salvation of the Lord." Lam. 3:26
The precious promises of God's Word, which are only for His
people, those who are wholly His, give these every reason for
hope; they have full authority to be strong and of a good cour-
age. The children of God will have trials and experiences simi-
lar to those of the world, besides experiences and trials pecu-
liar to them as followers of Christ. These come not to us in a
haphazard way, however, as to the world, but are under the
direct supervision of the Lord. . . . So these learn, as they are
guided by the Word of the Lord, that they are to be of good
courage as they pursue their onward way. There are many dif-
ficulties to be surmounted, and it requires courage to sur-
mount difficulties. But the courage born of faith in God and in
His "exceeding great and precious promises" strengthens
them when otherwise they might be overwhelmed. It gives
them a strength to which all others are strangers.
Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

The word "discouragement" is not found in the dictionary of

faith.

Those who see God's hand in everything, always leave

everything in His hands.

8
 So, God, Where Are You?
“Truly You are God, who hides Yourself, O God of Israel, the
Savior!” [Isaiah 45:15]
"Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked tri-
umph? They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the
workers of iniquity boast in themselves." [Psalm 94:3-4]
For about six thousand years the human race has cried out –
“God [if there is a God], where are you? Why don’t you do
something? Are you unable, or unwilling? The world and its
people are descending into madness. Help us.”
The real answer to this dilemma, that a loving God seems
hidden, is that we need to take a much larger perspective than
what is found in our short human lives. God’s plans for eternity
are so far above us as to be almost incomprehensible. He
may cause or permit things that seem strange, unjust, and
even harmful to humans, at our lowly level of understanding --
yet we have to trust Him that all will eventually work for God’s
glory. We are simply not able to know all the things that may
be progressing in this world and in the spiritual heavens under
the direction of Almighty God and His son Jesus, and how
they all work together to complete God’s plan.
“Man cannot achieve more than a certain insight
into the correlation between the life of the bee and
other manifestations of life, and the same is true with
regard to the final purpose of historical characters and
nations.” [Leo Tolstoy in "War and Peace"]
The truth is that God does exist and IS doing something, and
that is the Permission of Evil and the Restoration from that
condition. In general, the human race is being allowed to have
the widest possible experience with sin, evil, suffering and
death now, and then will have the experience of Restoration in
the future. That is, there are two stages in God’s plan of salva-
tion for the human race.
But God is also now specifically developing an elect class, the
church, to be the heavenly Bride of Christ in the future, and
both processes for the church – the old man perishing and the
9
new man developing – are occurring at the same time, in this
lifetime, like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
Sin is deeply buried in humanity and fallen angels, and must
be rooted out, no matter how long it takes, no matter how ex-
treme the measures taken seem to be. God knows when
enough is enough. God seems intent on allowing mankind to
have the widest possible experience with sin and evil, forms of
governments, rulers, and environments. This “permission of
evil” will never be forgotten and will never be repeated.
Nearly 2000 years after Jesus’ time, humanity continues to
cry “how long” must this “permission of evil” be allowed to con-
tinue; hasn’t there been enough evil and suffering to provide
adequate lessons for eternity? Perhaps in our limited view, yes
-- but God is still in control, and He knows when sufficient les-
sons have been taught.
Our lifetimes are limited; we would like to see this “permission
of evil” concluded in our times. God is not limited. When He
says “enough” it will end. He will send Jesus Messiah to
sweep away the “refuge of lies” [Isaiah 28:17] and establish
God’s Kingdom of peace and justice. But when will Jesus re-
turn and begin the Kingdom?
Jesus tells us the truth, if we would only listen:
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things
will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.
Only the Father knows.” [Matthew 24:36, NLT]
Since we cannot know, let us have patience and trust God’s
timing. For each of us, the time until the Kingdom is only the
length of our individual lives. Once asleep in death [uncon-
scious, dreamless sleep], time does not matter. Our next con-
scious moment will be in that wonderful time of Messiah. Noth-
ing else will matter; we will be home.
There are many people, whether religious or not, who seem
to have a vague hope, a yearning for a “golden age” yet to
come. The Christian, however, understands that God has a
definite plan to save His human creation, and Scripture gives
a more concrete basis for this hope. God’s plan is still working
10
itself out, as these verses state: “For the earnest expectation
of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of
God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but
because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the crea-
tion itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know
that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs to-
gether until now. Not only that, but we also who have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within our-
selves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our
body.” [Romans 8:19-23] “Creation,” of course, means hu-
manity – not rocks and rivers, not animals and birds, not trees,
mountains, and canyons.
Yes, the future holds forebodings of trouble and evil that we
can hardly imagine: "...on the earth distress of nations, with
perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing
them from fear and the expectation of those things which are
coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be
shaken." [Luke 21:25-26] But, have faith and courage. Cour-
age, as one has said, is “Fear that has said its prayers” [Karle
Wilson Baker].
Fallen human beings, addicted to sin, like those addicted to
drugs or alcohol, often need to hit rock bottom, admit they
need help, before God, and Jesus, can help them. Humanity is
not there yet. “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the
remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." [Psalm 76:10, KJV]
From the very beginning, fallen humans have fought against
one another, and each has persecuted the minorities, those
who are “different,” those who are weak, defenseless, and
without power to resist, who have a different religion or skin
color. We can see that it is ongoing today in many parts of the
world.
One day that will all stop. He, who once stilled the raging wa-
ters of Galilee’s Sea, will again cry out – “Peace, Be Still” –
and it will be so. So, let us wait patiently for God’s due time,
remembering who and what we are -- “Just an old sinner,

11
saved by grace.” [Lyrics from "Sinner Saved By Grace ,” by Bill
Gaither]
May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- the Holy One of
Israel -- bless us all.
L. Schneider
Scripture quotations from NKJV unless otherwise stated.

"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that

day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a
man spareth his own son that serveth him." Mal. 3:17

The first of these jewels was our Lord Jesus. . . . He (Jehovah)

has arranged that other jewels be cut and polished after the
similitude of His son . . . as it is written, "We are His workman-
ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." These gems
must all be found by God, who is making up these jewels. But
having been found of Him, they are placed in the hands of the
great Lapidarist, our Lord Jesus, that He may cut, polish and
fit them for the glorious work of shining with Him in the King-
dom. . . . He has not spared this class in the sense of relieving
them from all suffering, for if they were thus spared they could
not share the glory to follow this trial time. He did not spare
Jesus, the Head. . . . But He will not permit them to be tempt-
ed above what they are able to bear. He has an interest in
them and a sympathy for them, and delivers them from those
things which would prove too weighty for them.
Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

Collapse of the Christian life is seldom a blowout; it is usually a

slow leak.

The dictionary is the only place where "success" comes before

"work".

It is better to try and fail than to fail to try.

12
 Questions and Answers - Viewpoint
Does 2 Corinthians 5:8 teach that when Christians die,
they go immediately to be with the Lord?
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the
body and to be present with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5:8
Again and again we hear it quoted: “Absent from the body, pre-
sent with the Lord.” Those who quote this assert that the moment a
believer dies, he is “absent from the body” and at that very same
moment he is “present with the Lord.” This is quoted particularly to
oppose those who believe in soul sleep. Tradition has passed on
this quotation, and it has been accepted by many as Scripturally
true. But let’s look a little further and see if God’s Word proves or
disproves this belief.
E.W. Bullinger, who is probably best known for his notes in the
Companion Bible, had this to say in regard to this text: “It is little less
than a crime for anyone to pick out certain words and frame them
into a sentence, not only disregarding the scope and context, but
ignoring the other words in the verse, and quote the words ‘absent
from the body, present with the Lord’ with the view of dispensing
with the hope of the Resurrection (which is the subject of the whole
passage) as though it were unnecessary; and as though ‘present
with the Lord’ is obtainable without it.”
To ignore the scope, structure and context is to propound a lit-
erary fraud. It is somewhat like looking at a cell under a microscope
and then, without regard to its origin, proclaim it to be something
that it is not. The scope of something is the main subject of what is
stated. Structure is the way the subject is presented by the writer.
Context is the complete presentation of the subject. All three must
be considered to arrive at a proper understanding of a subject.
2 Corinthians 5:2, to the casual reader, may appear to be the
start of another subject, but this is not the case. It is important to be
aware of connectors. A connector is a word that directs you back to
what has preceded it. There are many connector words. Some are:
for, therefore, nevertheless, because. Chapter 5 begins with: “For
we know.” The question is: What is it that we know? In order to un-
derstand this, we must go back to verses 16-18 of Chapter 4 which
reads: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward
man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a
13
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which
are not seen are eternal.”
Much of the 4th and 5th Chapters refer to the temporal condition
of the earthen (human) vessel that will one day die and return to the
dust. The hope of the Resurrection is being held out as a great en-
couragement to the brethren. Vs. 17 of Chapter 4 speaks of a future
eternal glory. Vs. 1 of Chapter 5 speaks of an eternal house in
heaven. Vs. 4 holds out the hope of being clothed with life rather
than being in our human house or body which is perishing day by
day. Vs. 5 states that God “has given us the Spirit as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come.” Are these not promises of future re-
wards, the things unseen which are eternal in the heavens?
Let us look at vs. 10: “For we must all appear before the judg-
ment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in
the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
(NKJV) Note that this says all must appear before the judgment seat
of Christ. When will this be? It is when all are resurrected from the
dead. Jesus said in John 5:28-29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour
cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and
shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.”
The scope, structure and context support the thought that it is the
resurrection that Paul has in mind, and we know that the “first resur-
rection” mentioned in Rev. 20:6 is yet future. These verses do not
teach that when a Christian dies he is immediately with the Lord.
The Christian must wait in death until the first resurrection takes
place.
Philippians 1:21-24 is another set of Scriptures that is similarly
used to “prove” this viewpoint: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die
is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor;
yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between
the two, (See the Diaglott translation and footnote which shows that
Paul’s personal desire was a third choice, which was) having a de-
sire for the returning, and being with Christ, since it is very much to
be preferred. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for
you…”
The word “depart” used in verse 23 is the Greek word, analuo.
This word is used in only one other place and that is in Luke 12:36
14
where it is rendered exactly the opposite to the meaning given in
verse 23 of the KJV. “And you yourselves be like men who wait for
their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he
comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.” Though we
do not consider the Apocryphal books as inspired by God, we cer-
tainly can consider them from a scholarly perspective. When we turn
to them, we find that in every place where this Greek word analuo is
used, it specifies to “return” rather than “depart.” It would seem that
the consistent use of “return,” which far outweighs the one time “de-
part” is used, would suggest to us that the use of the word “depart”
was motivated by the preconceived belief that when a Christian
dies, he is immediately with the Lord.
The word “depart” is used 130 times and is translated from 22
different Greek words, and none of these offer the choice of an op-
posite meaning as put forth by the word analuo in Phil. 1:23. It was
for the return of the Lord and being with him that Paul yearned. If
Paul had meant that Christians who die are immediately with the
Lord, he would be contradicting his teaching in 1 Thes. 4:13-18:
“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall
asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope. We be-
lieve that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. Accord-
ing to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive,
who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede
those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel
and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up to-
gether with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we
will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with
these words.”
Let us always let the Word of God speak to us by the Holy Spirit,
while keeping in mind, as we seek to prove all things, that we do not
forget to consider the scope, structure and context of the text that
we are seeking to understand. 1 John 2:27 tells us: “As for you, the
annointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not
need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about
all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit -- just as it has
taught you, remain in him.”
E. Weeks

15
 Rediscovering the Treasures
of the Kingdom of God
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you”. (Matthew 6:33
KJV).
Every convinced Christian, transformed by the Spirit of God,
gives priority to the Kingdom of God. It is first of all important
to understand that Jesus does not say that we must seek the
Kingdom by renouncing all other things. To misunderstand this
teaching of Christ leads to religious obscurantism, because
the joy of believing is less.
The ascetic life, the renunciation of joy are not worthy in-
struments to receive the Kingdom of Heaven. We must recog-
nize ourselves as poor in spirit because we know that without
God, in Christ we can not do anything.
Many say they are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) but instead
confuse poverty with weakness of spirit. Jesus has made us
spiritually rich (2Corinthians 8:9) And the riches of new life
that he gives us (John 10:10) can not offer any religion.
Rediscovering the treasures of the Kingdom what does it
mean? Trust in God is the key to opening the casket and re-
ceiving the treasures of the Kingdom. We must recognize
what the Kingdom means for us today, because we live in a
time of confusion: many religions say they have realized the
Kingdom on earth.
The Kingdom is not a religion! The Kingdom, even before
being a time of full communion of God on earth, is today the
recognition of the sovereignty of God and the regality of Christ
in our lives. If our choices are in harmony with the Bible, then
the treasures of the Kingdom are accessible to us.
Today the Kingdom is the dimension of a holy relationship with
God revealed in Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul gives us inspired, precious indications:

16
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteous-
ness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17
KJV).
Who does not have peace and joy in his heart, how can he
define himself a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven? the Sha-
lom of God is the fullness of life that only the Gospel realizes
in us. When a religion that "talks about Jesus" tells you that
you do not have to eat certain foods, it is limiting your entry
into the Kingdom (1 Timothy 4:3-4).
“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power”
(1Corinthians 4:20 KJV).
Human words are precarious and provisional, often destruc-
tive (James 1:26; 3:5-6). But the Word of God is eternal and
constructive for us.
I know many people who seek the power of God. But how
do they want to understand it? The power of God is not re-
duced to religious performances to attract the crowds, but in
holy meetings that shake the sinners and call them to trans-
form their lives.
The treasures of the Kingdom challenge us:
In whom do we believe? How do we believe? Why do we
believe?
The Kingdom is for those born again, not for the religious.
I say this because no stubborn and proud heart can recog-
nize it and receive it. With simplicity of heart you can receive
the treasures of the Kingdom (Mark 10:14; Luke 10:21; 18:16).
The citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are special people.
They are special men and women because they are called to
a journey of life in Christ.
May God bless you in your reception of the Kingdom. My
sincere prayer is that you can recognize yourself in need of
God in every moment and situation, because Christ brings us
a message that knows no “gray areas”.
M. Soranno

17
 Loving Our Enemies
In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, He said, “You have
heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your en-
emy.’ (Deut. 23:6) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven. If you love those who love you, what reward
will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if
you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than
others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as
your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:43-48)
Here Jesus was showing his listeners the loving side of
his Father – different from the just God who taught an eye for
an eye and a life for a life. Jesus was pointing to the One who
loved the world and gave Jesus to save it by sacrificing His life
on the cross. Jesus showed his great love by praying for his
killers at the cross. He asked His Father to forgive them for
they did not know what they were doing. (Luke 23:34)
Also, Stephen, likely the first martyr after Jesus, prayed
for his killers saying, “Lord do not hold this sin against them.”
(Acts 7:60) Among the mob was Saul giving approval to his
death. (Acts 8:1) So it may be that there are many ‘Sauls’
among our enemies today. How, then, are we to love them?
Love comes in different degrees, as we know. First and
foremost is the ultimate love for our Father – complete in eve-
ry way. Next to that would come our love for our elder brother,
our Savior. We know we cannot approach His quality of love
for us, but it is a goal to strive for. Then we have family love for
human ties and greater feeling for our spiritual family. (See Je-
sus’ words in Matthew 12:47-50) Then we have our love for
our neighbors – friends and foes.
Our example is Jesus, counting Judas as a friend when
he betrayed our Lord. (Matt. 25:50) So may we have a com-
passionate feeling towards someone who hates us. We must
turn the other cheek and repeat Stephen’s prayer, thus copy-
ing our Lord. D. Anas

18
 The Epistle to the Hebrews
This epistle is written primarily to Hebrew Christians and
particularly to those who were tempted to lapse into Judaism.
It deals throughout with the superiority of the Gospel over the
covenant and arrangements connected with Moses. It does
not minimize the old covenant but rather shows the perfection
and finality of the new. The new covenant transfigures the old
one and honors it by fulfilling it. Hence, the keyword of the
epistle is “better”, which occurs fifteen times. Our Lord Jesus
is better than angels; better than Moses; better than Joshua;
better than Aaron. This is in the first part of the letter, and in
the next part we have the better covenant, based on better
promises, opening up a better sanctuary, sealed by a better
sacrifice. In the third part faith fixes on the better substance in
heaven, and looks for a better country, and a better resurrec-
tion, and inherits God’s better thing. These points will be elab-
orated on later.
There is a note of finality in the epistle - the finality of
Christ, and of the Cross, and of the new covenant. Note the
frequency of the word “once” (meaning once for all). Another
prominent feature is its being punctuated with solemn admoni-
tions, for example, the frequently-occurring challenge “Let
us...” More on all these points later!
Chapters 1 through 7 is concerned with the new and better
Deliverer. The very first verse declares that ”God, having of
old time spoken unto the fathers by the prophets... has at the
end of these days spoken to us in His Son.” All point to Him,
but there cannot be any going beyond Him. Then why go back
to them since He, to whom they pointed, has appeared? “The
sun has risen; the stars retire.”
The Messiah Jesus is far above angels. He is the Son; they
are but servants. He is the one through whom all things were
created; they are but creatures. He is the Sovereign; they are
but subjects. He is the glorified Saviour, who is not only Him-
self above angels, but is bringing many sons to glory, lifting
them also above the angels.

19
 He is better than Moses, Israel’s great apostle, greatest of
all human mediators and law-givers. Moses was the human
agent of the old economy; Christ is the Founder of the new.
Moses was faithful as a steward of God’s house; Christ is
faithful as Son over His house. Moses was a witness to better
things to come; Christ is the fulfiller.
He is better than Joshua, who led the people into the
earthly Canaan, but could not lead them into the true rest,
whereas Jesus brings us into the true rest of ‘ceasing from
works’ to enjoy a spiritual
Sabbath-keeping with God
He is better than Aaron, for He ministers in a better sanc-
tuary, heavenly, not earthly. He, typified by Melchisedec, is
contrasted with the Aaronic priesthood. He has better quali-
fication - sinless. never-dying, perfect – vs. sinning, ever-
dying. He offers a better offering, that is to say, Himself, vs.
animals; once for all, vs. daily, incomplete sacrifices. ‘Where-
fore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus.”
We now direct our attention to the new and better covenant
with its better promises, better sanctuary, better sacrifice and
better results. Hebrews 8:6-13 shows the need for a new cov-
enant, owing to the defectiveness of the old. Chapter 9:1, ex-
tending into the next chapter, sets forth a series of contrasts:
earthly against heavenly; fleshly against spiritual; temporary
against eternal; animals against the Son of God; patterns
against realities; ineffective repetition against once-for-all final-
ity: promise against fulfillment; inability to remove sins against
true sanctification; year-by-year remembrance against no
more” remembrance, never-finished sacrifice and ever-
standing priests against one sacrifice and one Priest who has
“sat down at the right hand of God.” This last great contrast
introduces the mighty declaration: “For by one offering he has
perfected forever them that are sanctified... there is no more
offering for sin.” ‘Perfected forever’ is an implied declaration to
those going forward in the new and going back to the old - “No
more offering for sin!” From this point the epistle becomes ex-
20
hortatory, with warning, encouragement, and incentive all in-
terwoven in one great: “Therefore, let us….”
From chapter 10, vs.18 to the end of the epistle, faith, the
true and better way, is emphasized. “Having therefore, breth-
ren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, and having a high
priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true
heart in full assurance of faith.” But if we apostasize after we
have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no
more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of
judgment. How can any refuse, and draw back? Let them re-
member how faith has been honored in the past - righteous-
ness by faith; promises by faith; exploits by faith. How much
more efficacious, however, is “looking (away) unto Jesus” who
is both “the pioneer and perfecter of faith”, and is “set down at
the right hand of the throne of God.”
How wonderful is this truth regarding our access to God by
this “new and living way” - the new way of the Cross, and the
living way of the ever-interceding One on high. Romans
shows how a sinner may stand before a righteous God, but
Hebrews opens up the even more astonishing truth that the
justified sinner may draw near to God in all His holiness with
utmost confidence, “having boldness to enter the holiest!” Our
boldness to enter is by the blood of Jesus and because we
have a great Priest over the house of God.
This exalted privilege of access to God is a spiritual culmi-
nation. The fact that the new covenant actually affects it
shows at once its superiority to the old. Judaism never affect-
ed it, for the “veil’ ever hung between the worshippers and the
Holy of Holies, the Holy Spirit thereby signifying “that the way
into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first
tabernacle as yet had its standing.” Now the very veil which
kept the people out let the high priest in, on the ground of the
blood of the covenant, and it therefore becomes a type of our
Lord’s body - for Heb.10:20 says that our Lord Jesus has
made the “new and living way” of entrance for us “through the

21
veil, that is to say, His flesh.” The first thing that happened as
our Lord died on Calvary was “the veil of the temple was rent
in twain from the top to the bottom.” We are bound to thank
God for that rent veil!
It may be asked that if our Lord’s death was a full and final
atonement for sin, how is it that He needs now to be ever in-
terceding for us as our Priest in heaven? The answer is that
although His finished work brings us full and free forgiveness,
we still remain sinners, sadly disqualified from fellowship with
a holy God. The heavenly ministry of our Lord answers the fur-
ther need. Through His sacrifice on earth we have for-
giveness; through His priesthood in heaven we are kept in fel-
lowship. Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost
that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make in-
tercession for them.
from The Bible Student Magazine

“The appeal of the writer to the Hebrews…in effect says: ‘Be

what you were at your best.’ If only we were always at our best,
life would be very different. Christianity does not demand the
impossible, but if we were always as honest, as kind, as coura-
geous, as courteous as we can be, life would be transformed. To
be such we need certain things. (1) We need to keep our hope
before us. The athlete will make his great effort because the goal
beckons him on. He will submit to the discipline of training be-
cause of the end in view. If life is only a day-to-day doing of rou-
tine things, we may sink into a policy of drift, but if we are on the
way to heaven’s crown, effort must always be at full pitch. (2)
We need fortitude. Perseverance is one of the great unromantic
virtues. Most people can start well, and almost everyone can be
fine in spasms. To all it is sometimes given to mount up with
wings as eagles; in the moment of the great effort, everyone can
run and not be weary, but the greatest gift of all is to walk and not
faint. (3) We need the memory of the end. In Hebrews there is
a quotation from Habbakuk 2:3. The prophet tells his people that
if they hold fast to their loyalty, God will see them through their
present situation. The victory comes only to the man who holds
on.” William Barclay
22
 Holiness and Sanctification
What is holiness? What is sanctity? The terms holiness and
sanctity mean set apart for the Lord. God is Holy and He re-
quires His children to be holy also. “He who has called you is
Holy, so be holy in all manner of conversation (conduct), be-
cause it is written: ‘Be holy, for I am Holy’” (1 Peter 1:15, 16;
also see Leviticus 11:44).
Some good people have been led to believe that sanctity or
sainthood is attained after death. This is not true; nowhere is
such a belief taught in the Bible. Rather, over and over again,
it is emphasized in its pages that sanctity or holiness is the
prerequisite of every Christian who claims to be born again.
To the child of God and disciple of the Lamb of God, our Lord
Jesus Christ, He is our sanctification. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30)
In His Sermon on the Mount, our Lord gave another com-
mandment to His disciples in different words: “Be therefore
perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”
(Matthew 5:48). In this text the Lord exhorts us to be perfect or
become perfect. But,… how? We must remember that God is
not a human being. He is a perfect and awesome Spirit being,
and therefore we should diligently work with Him towards spir-
itual perfection. How do we do this? It is by allowing God to
finish the work that He has begun in us (Phil. 1:6). It is simply
a matter of total trust and obedience to His will. Spiritual per-
fection (maturity in Christ) is possible in this present life and
should be the principal goal of every born-again Christian.
Writing to the Ephesian brethren (v.4), the Apostle Paul
says, “We should be holy and without blame before Him in
love.” But how can we be holy? Many people believe that to
be holy, a person must wear a long face, hold his hands in a
prayerful attitude, forget to smile or laugh, divorce himself from
everyday problems and activities, and lead an ascetic life of
prayer and contemplation of the world beyond. This is a very
wrong concept of holiness. Jesus and the Apostles were men
of action, busy with everyday activities: preaching, healing,
exhorting, doing good, thus giving us an example of what a

23
truly holy life is. With Christ indwelling us, we can also be holy
men and women even as they were.
The Temple of God
During this Gospel Age (the period between the first and
second coming of Christ) God is choosing rough stones, chis-
eling, shaping, polishing and transforming them into sparkling
jewels that will eventually be placed in the spiritual temple be-
ing built by Him -- Zion! The Church -- the City of God -- the
New Jerusalem that will come down from above (Hebrews
11:10; Revelation 21:1-4).
In Ephesians 2:19-22 the same Apostle Paul explains this
very clearly: “Now therefore you are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together
grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom you also are
built together an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
If you have been called by God (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1
Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9, 5:10), then God has selected you as
a stone on which to work. It is He that will chisel, shape, polish
and turn you into a glorious, brilliant jewel, reflecting Jesus
Christ, and the love, power, wisdom and majesty they share,
for all eternity. Just think about that!
Has God selected and called you because you are better
than someone else? Was it because you are more prominent,
more wealthy, full of worldly wisdom with brilliant parents, or
was it because of your race and skin color? No! It was for
none of these reasons. God does not look upon the exterior of
man but on his heart. Read the story of David in 1 Samuel 15
and see why God chose him over his brothers. The Apostle
Paul, under inspiration says in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29: “For you
see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after
the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to
confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the
24
world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yea,
and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.” So, if you
have been called by God, rejoice and seek to make your call-
ing and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). You are greatly privileged
to have been called by the Almighty Creator to become His
child, a beloved son or daughter, a member of His divine fami-
ly, a precious jewel in His spiritual temple. Again the Apostle
Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: “Do you not know
that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall
God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you
are.” Note the words of warning: “If any man defiles the tem-
ple of God, him will God destroy.” Great as the privilege we
have been given is, so also is the responsibility involved a
great one. We cannot mock God, for whatever we sow, we
shall also reap (Galatians 6:7).
Spiritual Conditions Among Christians
Perhaps the letters to the seven Churches of Asia (Revela-
tion 2 and 3) describe best the various spiritual conditions of
Christians, the called out ones like you and me. Some of these
churches had turned away from the ordinances of the Lord.
They were called upon to repent. The Ephesus Church had
started very strongly, but had forsaken their first love. They
had been so caught up in works that they had forgotten Jesus,
their first love. The Church of Pergamos had allowed some to
practice the eating of food sacrificed to idols instead of the
bread that came down from heaven, and even permitted sex-
ual immorality. The Thyatira Church had been seduced by the
Jezebel influence which also was leading them into idolatry.
The Church at Sardis was judged as having the reputation of
being alive but were actually dead and were told to “wake up.”
The Laodecean Church had become lukewarm in their fervor
for the Lord because of their worldly affluence. But still a hope
was always held out to the members of those Churches who
would repent and overcome these things with the aid of many
promises: “I will give them the right to eat from the tree of
life….” (Revelation 2:7). “To eat of the hidden manna…” (Rev-
25
elation 2:17). “I will give him power over the nations” (Revela-
tion 2:26). “They will walk with me dressed in white” (Revela-
tion 3:4, 5). “I will give them the right to sit with me on my
throne” (Revelation 3:21). What is our spiritual condition --
yours and mine? Have we been drifting with the tide, sleeping
a little, loafing some, or indulging in some worthless activity to
the neglect of growing in grace, knowledge, and in holiness
toward spiritual perfection which is the will of our Father and
our Lord Jesus Christ for us and “without which no man will
see the Lord?”
If this is so, it is time to awaken (Romans 13:11) to our privi-
leges and responsibilities. Our Christian life may need an
overhauling, a cleansing, and a purifying. Ask yourself: Am I
living a life dedicated to the worship and the glory of God?
Has God the first place in my heart, in my mind, my plans, and
all my daily activities? Do I devote a good part of my time to
Bible study, prayer, and to witnessing about Him to others?
Am I full of zeal, humility, and patience? Am I willing to be
chiseled, shaped and polished by God? Am I truly seeking af-
ter glory, honor and immortality (Romans 2:7) that will be to
His praise and Glory? In other words, can it be said of you
and of me that we are living a life of holiness, full of devotion
to God and that we are part of that chosen generation, the
royal priesthood, a holy nation, His special treasure, that we
should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of
darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)?
If so -- PRAISE GOD!
Gaetano Boccaccio

“A holy life has a voice. It speaks when the tongue is silent,

and is either a constant attraction or a perpetual reproof.”
--Hinton

26
Living Where the Fruits of the Spirit Grow – Part 1
"His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law he medi-
tates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf
also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper."
Psalm 1:2, 3

Among the very instructive and deeply significant illustra-

tions used by Jesus during His earthly ministry we have the
beautiful presentation of the Christian's possibilities drawn
from the vine and its branches. As used by our Lord (John 15)
it embraces in the closest relationship, the Father as Hus-
bandman, our Lord as the Vine, and ourselves as the branch-
es -- all absorbed in the same great objective -- the production
of fruitage. Be it noted, this illustration is particularly used to
emphasize the fruit-bearing expected of the branches. To this
end, the Husbandman watches over their union with the Vine,
taking care to prune away all unfruitful branches, and giving
still more special attention to such as are fulfilling His purpose
in bringing forth increasing measures of fruit. "Every branch in
Me that bears not fruit He takes away: and every branch that
bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit." To
make sure that we get the real import of the lesson thus illus-
trated, there comes that final reiteration of the Father's pur-
pose, and this time with such impelling persuasiveness as to
impart to our hearts something of the joy experienced by the
Vine in bearing fruit for God: "Herein is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples." Could
there be a stronger appeal made to hearts at one with Jesus
than this?

Care is taken in this forceful illustration to once more em-

phasize the inflexible purpose of the Husbandman. It is one of
those Scriptural lessons calculated to disabuse any mind of
whatever lax ideas there might be regarding the seriousness
of being a castaway. There is nothing whatever in the picture
to encourage the thought that even if the fruitage is not all that
it should be, there is nothing about which to be seriously con-
27
cerned. On the contrary, it has everything in it to remind the
meager fruit bearing branches of other Scriptural warnings of
the "goodness and severity of God." It is here made very clear
that unless there is a continual growth toward greater fruit
bearing, there will be a severance from the Vine. Unless there
is "more fruit" and "much fruit," the Husbandman must cease
his expectations of a harvest, and then, how significant the
words.” Men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they
are burned." To get more of the force of the lesson let us re-
member that a vine branch has but one use, that of bearing
fruit. We are keeping in mind, of course, that our Lord is think-
ing of a grape vine. Had He used any of the larger fruit bearing
trees, the lesson would not have been so definite, for it fre-
quently happens that the branches pruned from trees have a
further use. They may be used for fuel where firewood is
needed. But vine branches are entirely useless except for the
one purpose for which the husbandman grows them; failing in
this they are unprofitable. Thus, Paul tells us, God dealt with
the Jewish nation, and so also will He deal with us should we
fail to bring forth the fruit expected: "For if God spared not the
natural branches, take heed lest He also not spare you" (Ro-
mans 11:21).

Growth in Grace -- How Attained

How manifest it is from a study of the Scriptures that it is
God's will for the new life, which is begun in us by our being
begotten of the Spirit, to be constantly growing into greater
fullness from day to day. Clearly it is revealed that God de-
sires not merely to give life, but to give it more and more
abundantly. The new life is to be vitalized continually by an
appropriation of the exceeding great and precious promises of
the Word. And it will grow in proportion to the measure that the
sunshine of divine truth and the showers of heavenly grace
are received and thus appropriated. The possibilities of growth
are in proportion to our willingness to receive. God in His mar-
velous grace has unnumbered blessings awaiting our willing-
ness to accept, and as we receive and use these blessings,
we will experience expanding powers of growth "from grace to
grace, and from glory to glory." Progressively, this will mean,
28
first a recognition on our part of our redemption through the
precious blood of Jesus, and by virtue of that full atonement
accomplished for us, we can rejoice in a standing of "no con-
demnation." Then there must be a personal faith in and de-
pendence upon all the promises of the Father made to us
through Christ Jesus. By thus cultivating faith there will surely
follow a blessed, intimate communion with our Father and our
dear Redeemer in our daily life of prayer, and in our study of
the Word to learn our possibilities in the purpose of God. If
such be our constant attitude of mind and heart, there will not
fail to be a constant ripening of the fruit of the Spirit, making us
more and more pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. Thus, He
leads us on and on into an abiding sense of His favor and ac-
ceptance, day by day imparting to us an increasing measure
of joy in fulfillment of the promise: "If a man love Me, he will
keep My words; and my Father will love him, and We will
come unto him, and make Our abode with him" (John 14:23).

"We will come unto Him, and make our abode with Him."
What a depth of meaning there is in this promise! Does it not
literally mean that the one great desire of the Father and the
Son is to have a permanent abiding place in our hearts? Are
they not saying to us in this and other similar entreaties, “It is
not yours I want, but you.” Let our giving of time and means be
ever so great, and our work ever so zealously performed, yet
we may be robbing our gracious God of the greatest joy we
can give Him ~ the joy of supping with us in quiet communion
in the innermost chambers of our hearts. He does not say,
“We will make our abode in you, and that will be all we want.”
Ah no, that would never satisfy the heart of Him who has given
us all we can know of longing for intimate fellowship. Jesus
means much more than just abiding in us as One who has had
a place of residence given Him. What He asks of the Christian
is the joy of abiding with Him in intimate communion. If we
would experience a real consciousness of attaining growth in
grace, we must find ourselves irresistibly drawn away from all
other things, to find ourselves alone with Him ~ yes, alone with
Him ~ not to the neglect of work to be done, but to receive that

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power to work according to His will, which is indispensable to
all who would enjoy His sweet "Well done."

Into a Desert Place Apart

Not of Himself alone did the poet write when He gave to
the Church these expressions of soul hunger for God:

"I love to steal a while away

From every cumbering care,
And spend the hours of closing day,
In humble, grateful prayer.

"I love in solitude to shed

The penitential tear,
And all His promises to plead,
Where none but God can hear.

This desire to be alone with God is so much a part of the

life of abiding in true union with Him that to be devoid of such
longing would seem to be a matter of real concern. To enjoy
oneness with our Lord, and as our opening text suggests, to
"be like a tree planted by the rivers of water," there must be a
desire to be with Him where He loves to be. And does He not
love to be "in a desert place" with His own? Indeed He does!
The evidence of this fact is too great to leave any one in
doubt. It was in the lonely Midian wilderness that God ap-
peared to Moses, and there revealed Himself and His purpos-
es concerning Israel. And it was there in that solitude where
God reminded Moses that "the ground whereon you stand is
holy ground." When God came down to converse with His
servant in this way, it transformed "the backside of the wilder-
ness" into a holy retreat and rendezvous alone with God. Yes,
and it prepared His trembling instrument for his future service
to his brethren held fast in the degrading chains of bondage.
We may well observe that being alone with God characterized
much of the life and service of Moses. May it not be that even
in this he was a type of the greater Prophet he foreshadowed,
our Lord Jesus? He, too, spent much time in the solitudes
apart from all but God.
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 In later years as Moses became burdened with such great
responsibilities, we find God calling him apart. He was called
up into the mountain to spend a prolonged season of close
contact with the Lord, and with what wonderful results! His
face was made to shine with a glorious reflection of the Divine
character with which he had been in communion. Down on the
plains, amid the multitudes, he could know much of God's
purposes in delivering Israel and using them ultimately to carry
forward His plan to bless all the families of the earth, but when
God would reveal the hidden secrets of the "better sacrifices,"
and "the sufferings of Christ and the glory to follow," He called
his servant away from the plain, up into the mountain height.
The minutia of the ''great salvation" came to him when alone
with God, and as he went forth to perform his ministry to Isra-
el, and to us, he left that holy rendezvous with these deeply
significant words in his ears: "See that you make all things ac-
cording to the pattern showed to you in the mount" (Hebrews
8:5).
(to be concluded)
J. J. Blackburn

Deep Living
We love to spread our branches, the root-life we neglect;
We love to shine in public, and human praise expect;
While in the inner chamber, where creature voices cease,
We may meet God in silence, and breathe in heaven’s peace.

The secret of deep living lies in the secret place

Where, time and sense forgotten, we see God face to face;
Beyond mere forms and symbols, beyond mere words and
signs
Where in that hidden temple, The Light Eternal shines.

Max I. Reich

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A Portrait of Jesus:
Completely Selfless
Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do
not know what they are doing.’ And they di-
vided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Luke 23:34

“Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”- the repentant
thief chided him: “Do you not fear God, since you are under
the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly,
for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man
has done nothing wrong….’Truly, I say to you today, you will
be with me in paradise.’ ” Luke 23:39-43

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother…When Jesus saw

her, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said
to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is
your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his
home.” John 19:25-27

These three passages found in the Gospel accounts all take

place while Jesus is dying on the cross. Take a moment to
think about that. Jesus had been flogged and was already
near death, he was so weak he couldn’t even carry his cross
to Golgotha. Then he was nailed to the cross, every breath
was agonizing. While he was suffering the most excruciating
pain known to man, he was thinking of others! To the soldiers
who are crucifying him he offers forgiveness, “Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do.” To the thief who is dy-
ing on the cross next to him, he offers hope, “You will be with
me in paradise.” To his beloved mother, he makes sure she is
cared for in his absence, “‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to
the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ “

Each of these exchanges are ones where Jesus’ love and car-
ing for others are demonstrating his complete and total self-
lessness. No one would have thought any less of Jesus had

32
he been focused on his pain; it was real, but he directed his
focus on others while he was suffering excruciating pain. This
is an example of perfect unselfishness. It is hard for me to
even comprehend this. I guess this is what sets Jesus apart
from sinful mankind. We are so self-absorbed that we would
be totally focused on our pain and would be unable to even
see the pain of those around us.

Is there a lesson for us? Yes, when we are faced with trials
and suffering, do not dwell on your own pain but look out for
the needs of others who might be in need of forgiveness, hope
or care. Pray for others who are suffering in various ways.
Take the focus off of you and place it on those around you,
and in this way, you can be like Jesus in a small way. None of
us will ever find ourselves suffering to the extent that our Sav-
ior did, but we can still turn our focus from ourselves to others
and be a little more selfless, a little more like Jesus and in do-
ing so bring glory to God, as He did so long ago.

D. Mathewson

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

1. O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Chorus: Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2. Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
3. His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

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 Two Golden Days
“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its
own cares. Enough for each day are its own troubles.” Matthew
6:34
There are two golden days in the week, about which, I never
worry; two carefree days, kept sacredly free from fear and ap-
prehension. One of these days is Yesterday; yesterday, with its
cares and frets, all its pains and aches, all its faults, mistakes
and blunders, have passed forever beyond my recall. I cannot
undo one act that I wrought; nor unsay one word that I said. All
that it holds of my life, of regret and sorrow, is in the hands of the
Mighty Love that can bring honey out of the rock and sweetest
waters out of the bitterest desert. Save for the beautiful memo-
ries - sweet and tender - that linger like the perfume of roses in
the heart of the day that is gone, I have nothing to do with Yes-
terday. It was mine! It is God’s!
The other day that I do not worry about is Tomorrow; tomor-
row, with all its possible adversities, its burdens and perils, its
large promise and poor performance, its failures and mistakes, is
as far beyond my mastery as its dead sister, Yesterday. It is a
day of God’s. Its sun will rise in roseate splendor, or behind a
mask of weeping clouds, but it will rise.
Until then, the same Love and Patience that held Yesterday
holds Tomorrow. Save for the star of hope that gleams forever
on the brow of Tomorrow, shining with tender promise into the
heart of Today, I have no possession in that unborn day of grace.
All else is in the safekeeping of the Infinite Love that is higher
than the stars, wider than the skies, deeper than the seas. To-
morrow is God’s day! It may be mine!
There is left for me, then, but one day in the week ~ Today.
Anyone can fight the battles of Today! Anyone can carry the
burdens of just one day; can resist the temptations of one day!
O, friends, it is when we willfully add the burdens of those two
awful eternities - Yesterday and Tomorrow - such burdens as on-
ly the Mighty God can sustain - that we break down. It isn’t the
experience of Today that drives men mad. It is the remorse for
something that happened yesterday and the dread of what To-
morrow may disclose.
These are God’s days! Leave them with Him!
B. Burdette
34
 Prayer List
“Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by fail-
ing to pray for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23)

Let us be Prayer Warriors for our Brethren!

Adkisson, Grace – TX Howes, Paul & Carla - UK

Blenman Family – NJ (d) Karavas Family – CA (d)
Boswell, Arlene – IL Larson, Lynnette – IL (d)
Buxton, Jean & Family - UK Leavitt, Denise & Richard – ME
Cannon, Melissa (Bews) – TX (d) Lepitre Family - IL
Casell, Agnes & Family –VT (d) Mazzotta, Eva – VA
Cooper, Carmela – NJ Miller, Alain – Canada
Csutor, Judith – CT Moore, Maryellen – CA (d)
Day, Ronald – PA Ostwald, Dick - WI
Dalesandro, Jim and Family - IL (d) Parker, Geraldine – CA
Dickson, Roberta Jo – CA Parrinello, Sue MI (d)
Donnarummo, Carlene – CT (d) Penton, Jim – Canada
Dunn, Kim - IL Phillips, Stella – OK
Feliciano, Carmen - NY Rowe, Bryan - UK
Fischer, Mike & Liz – WI Schwartz, Ruth – TX
Foster, Jean – IL Seminoff, Brenda – CA
Graveen Family – WI (d) Spano Family – IL (d)
Hauslein, Karen – MD Tuscia, Priscilla – FL
Hawk, Barbara – PA White, Joan - NY (d)
Hildebrandt, Lois - FL Wolfenberger Family (d)
Hoffner, Steve – NH (d) = death in the family
Hogrebe, Joan – MO

Entered into rest: David Donnarummo, CT – June 2024

Jon Larson, IL – July 2024

Important: If you know anyone in the names listed above whom no longer needs
special prayers, please advise us so we may remove their names. Also, if any of
the information is incorrect, please let the editor know. Thank you.

People do not care what you think until you care what they feel.

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give

thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.” 1Th 5:16-18 KJV

35
Bible Correspondence Course New
Graduates & Websites
Congratulations to the following students who
have completed their course and have been
awarded a Certificate.

Advanced Course Graduate:

Monday Udo of Nigeria
Br. Monday has now completed all three levels of Bible
Correspondence Course materials.
You are invited to view the following websites:
(copy and paste the address into your browser)
http://www.cdmi.org (Christian Discipling Ministries International)
(Current/past NC magazine issues are available on our website)

https://www.christianbelieversconference.com/

http://www.cbfchurch.com (Christian Believers Fellowship in NH)

http://www.biblefellowshipunion.co.uk (Bible Fellowship in UK)

http://www.bbschurch.org (Lombard, IL)

https://sites.google.com/site/quietwatersdevotions

http://www.cartyorkshire.co.uk (CART)

http://www.campblessing.com (Camp Blessing)

http://www.newcovenantfellowship.org.au (New Covenant News,

Australia)

https://e-biblia.org/ (Os Estudantes da Bíblia, The Bible Students,

Brazil - Portuguese/Span) email: [email protected]

36
 Conferences & Conventions

Note: If you would like to have your Convention, Conference, Camp, or

Seminar published in The New Creation Magazine, send information or a
program at least three months in advance of the issue month of the maga-
zine to the editor, Bob Whittaker.

Notice: If you know of Christian friends who would benefit

from receiving the bimonthly New Creation Magazine via mail,
send their names and addresses to the CDMI main office,
care of Bruce Blake. The address is inside the front cover.
Donations
Many people around the world appreciate the New Creation maga-
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Also, for many, they only have it through the generous contributions
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New Creation, please consider a donation to CDMI.
Article Contributions
Please send articles for possible publication to Dennis Gorham,
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email: [email protected]
Any information published in this magazine that you know is incor-
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dress: [email protected]. We strive for accuracy but do
not have full knowledge.

37