During this holiday season many people are contemplating what kind of gift to give their loved ones. Maybe some have already set these gifts aside. Everyone likes to receive gifts! Some people may not believe in gift-giving during this time of year. Whatever your belief, I'm positive that you enjoy giving and receiving a gift at some time in your life.
Just as a parent loves to give gifts to his/her children, how much more so does our heavenly Father love to give gifts to us, his children?
God Gives Gifts to Mankind!
Psa 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Yahshua, gave up His life willingly, descended into hell, defeated captivity, ascended up to the throne of Yahweh His Father and received the gifts for all of mankind, even the disobedient, and evil ones. They have gifts too, but they use those gifts for evil against mankind.
Rom_11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
The gifts that Yahweh has given are not earned by righteousness or repentance, they are freely given to all even those outside of he household of faith. You can see that manifested all over the world, in sports, music, actors, fashion designers, architects, doctors, etc. These have nothing to do with whether you are holy or unholy.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Yes, many religious people think the gifts are talking about spiritual gifts like, faith, healing, working of miracles, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of those tongues, as in, I Corinthians 12:-10. We as believers also know that salvation, grace, love and the greatest of all gifts is Eternal Life! This is true, but that's not all.
1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
The spiritual gifts are given to believers (in Yahshua/Jesus) through the Holy Spirit that one receives once you give your life to Yahshua. Even though it's through the same Holy Spirit, no two people will use these gifts in exactly the same way! They are to be used for the benefit and edification of everyone in the Body of Yahshua. There's no room for jealousy here.
God does give spiritual gifts to His children through the Holy Spirit. Some mimic these spiritual gifts as children. How many have said, "My son is going to be a pastor, or a preacher because they are already imitating what they hear in church and can do it at home on your "soap box"!
Some parents are able to nurture this. Parents may know ahead of time, what spiritual gift the child will walk in later through a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit. But until the child receives the Holy Spirit they are just in preparation stage or just imitating. Some exceptional children receive the Holy Spirit as early as four years old! If after they receive Yahshua (Jesus) and Jesus gives them the spiritual gift of preaching or prophesying., that young person grows in it and literally launches into his or her calling as a youth, then continues into adulthood! This is truly an obvious spiritual gift, and a real blessing!
Many, though, find out theirs later on in life after receiving the Holy Spirit. Some believers have had to ask Yahweh for the manifestation of a spiritual gift like I did. I wanted, desperately, to speak in tongues. I was baptized at 18 years old and received the Holy Spirit. I knew I had it because I was a different person, the understanding of God's word exploded in me, I was an over comer! I just didn't know about speaking in tongues. Our church didn't teach it.
As I became aware of the power of tongues I began to desire it. I read some where that a person had asked for it and received it. I asked God for it and after tarrying one whole year, I suddenly, began to speak in tongues during my worship time. Yahweh gave it to me. It just burst forth from me. No one was around to prompt me nor did I have to repeat after anyone. What a joy! This gift has helped me through some turbulent times! Tongues build you up on the inside and aligns you with your destiny! It's a holy language that only Yahweh understands. You can also ask for interpretation, which the Holy Spirit gives freely.
(Act 2:3-4 And they saw tongues, like flames of fire, coming to rest on every one of them. 4- And they were all full of the Holy Spirit, and were talking in different languages, as the Spirit gave them power.) (Act 19:6 And when Paul had put his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they had the power of talking in tongues, and acting like prophets.)
But, there are other kinds of gifts, called talents which are gifts that are built inside of each person genetically from their parents or family line.
Yahweh has given each person special gifts or talents to develop and use for the service of mankind. Some people are excellent cooks (that's not my gift!), writers, actors, painters, artists, singers, inventors, scientists, athletes, etc. The list is enormous, why? Because Our Heavenly Father is so vast that all of mankind that ever existed still could not possibly
encompass all that He is! Yet He has given each one of us something that is unique to us. Even though we may have millions of artists? in the world, there are no two who express themselves in the same way.
"God gives gifts to men".
So, what is your spiritual gift (manifesting through the Holy Spirit) and or talent (passed down from your family)? What are you doing with it? Are you just sitting on it, or, did you bury it?
What is the difference between a talent and a gift? Here's my explanation:
A gift is a spiritual supernatural manifestation that the Holy Spirit gives you when you give your life to Yahshua/Jesus. It is not something you've earned or worked for. It stays with you and is never taken away, even when you make mistakes, as longans you choose to walk with Yahweh. It is freely given to you for the edification of the Body of Messiah to do the work of the Kingdom and to give glory to Yahweh.
Talents or natural gifts are found in families, passed down genetically from generation to generation. It is nurtured easily or developed through hard work, but it's joyful work and something that you love to do and are fitted for. You don't mind the time it takes to learn the skill or craft.
The more you learn the better you become. Soon others begin to notice how well you do. If you stop developing your talent you can lose some of it and would have to start all over again. But it's born into you and can be developed again. You can usually tell your natural gift by what you love to do most, whether it be a hobby or your favorite past-time, it's probably your gift! At least that's how I've come to understand it through my own experience.
Yahshua (Jesus) taught in parables. The parable of the talent is quite interesting. He's talking about the Kingdom of heaven: read it on your own-Matthew 25:14-29.
But I will mention this one scripture because it's so appropriate for those who are not doing anything with their talents...
Mat 25:29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have more: but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
So many believers are only utilizing their spiritual gifts, forgetting that they have natural talents to develop as well. Don't bury them or leave them on the shelf. Sometimes they are hidden, but you can discover what are. They are usually those things you are keenly interested in and could enjoy doing all day long if given the opportunity. You will have more variety of opportunities to do the work of the Kingdom in the market place and in the church! Let Yahweh expand your territory through all of your gifts!
"God Gives Gifts To Men".
To whom much is given, much is required! Some people have multiple natural talents. As Yahshua/ Jesus mentioned in the parable of the talents some were given ten talents some five talents and some one talent. There's time for everything under the sun, even a time to develop the talents which God has given you. Ask Him to give you opportunity to develop and use all of them to His honor and glory!
When you develop your natural talents and use your spiritual gifts to glorify your heavenly Father, whether it be in business or work, a student or a mom at home, you will have a more rewarding life on earth and multiply your rewards in heaven!
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written by:
Rachel Baht BinahYah,
Feed My Sheep Ministry &
Messianic House Of Prayer,
http://www.finding-happiness.org
"Every human being has the need to express their inner selves,"says the Lord!
That statement has never been truer than it is now. Self expression is becoming more and more frowned upon and challenged these days. There is so much going on that keeps people from living the way that they really want to, with less and less freedom and liberty.
The good news is that when you live under an open heaven, where the King of King resides, you are free indeed! Your mind and your heart are at peace and you can see the beauty of life, no matter how hard life seems to be. Our loving Father gave us a precious gift of music. It's
everywhere, all around us in nature.
Let me share with you, if I may, some revelation from the Lord about the Arts and it's relationship to mankind:
"Every human being has the need to express their inner selves. I have given mankind the capacity to express themselves artistically, in varying ways, and each person needs to engage in these endeavors as a catalyst, or bridge, to their gifts (whatever they might be). One of the most brilliant brain surgeons of our time (not named here) found revelation for the solution to the most difficult, seemingly impossible (surgery) problems through nature, music and prayer. His enjoyment and use of classical music during his surgeries was an anchor for him."
The Lord continues...
"I've created music and art to be manifested through My creation, all around mankind, because it is a part of his being. It may not be everyone's profession or passion, but, it was created for man's development--a developmental jump-start."
"The music or art within you is to bring out your science, your techie side, your high academic achievement, or your creative cooking, etc. (whatever your passion is)."
"When people are able to 'tune-in' (to the music around them), their lives blossom. A stagnant lifestyle, on the other hand, is one that ignores the 'music' of life. Music is man's (mankind's) hidden heartbeat. Expressing love is musical! Keep your ears in tune with the music of nature. You will be enriched by it. Walk in joy and in love." (says the Lord). End.
Wow! I was truly blessed by those refreshing words. As a result of my conversations with the Holy Spirit, I've been listening more when I go for my daily walks. What beautiful sounds of nature I hear every day. The birds, the wind rustling through the leaves, the crickets, the squirrels and the hawks in their cry of alarm. I am also getting back to singing a little more and playing the piano as best I can to release some more music into the atmosphere. You can too!
Imagine what heaven hears coming from the earth. Every planet in our solar system has a sound coming from it. The space shuttles have recorded them. If everyone on earth began to sing everyday, positive songs out loud, can you imagine what it would sound like?
Let's make voice prints towards heaven of songs that are thankful, positive and full of praise! If the average person all over the world began to sing songs of thanksgiving instead of negative songs, it could literally change the atmosphere of our world!
That's why worship is so important to our well being. All of us worship in varying ways. whether it be singing to our favorite tune, dancing or tapping our feet to a lively song. But worshiping our creator has a more profound effect upon our well being. Acknowledging our creator with a song or dance or playing an instrument will put joy into your spirit and bring a bounce to your step and change your outlook on life! There's something about the way Yahweh made us. Our spirit man needs refreshment and love. Our love toward Yahweh (God the Father) and Yahshua (Jesus) brings joy to us as a response from heaven. This is the reciprocity that takes place when we give our heartfelt thanks and praise to our Creator.
When you are feeling low or depressed put on some good worship music and begin the thank God for all that He has done for you. Sing your thanksgiving to him in a tune that you've made up in your heart. I will certainly change your mood. Some people say, "oh I can't sing", but we all have vocal chords (unless you've undergone an operation to have them removed) that work and all you need to do is use them to make a sound towards heaven! You will be heard. Mother's always find a way to sing a lullaby to their newborn child. It's a natural thing for us. That same voice can be used to sing a "thank you" to your Creator who blessed you with that child! Don't be shy. Go to a private place if you don't want anyone to hear you and sing softly. God will hear you! He loves hearing his children sing to Him.
There are many scriptures in the bible that talk about singing, dancing and making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Let's look at some of these:
Ephesians 5:19-20
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20-Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (kjv).
This is our inner heartbeat in action!
Exodus 15:21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Miriam sang spontaneously about their triumph!
Exodus 32:18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
Yahweh hears your singing. So sing to him!
Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
If you hate singing (I hope no one feels this way) move your feet and arms to a good praise song. Dance before the Lord like David did! Or Learn to play an instrument!
Psalm 96:1-2
Oh sing a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. 2-Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day.
Some times while I am working during the day a familiar song I know will come to me and I'll start singing it. Well, sometimes a tune will come to my spirit that I've never heard before. I'll start humming it and start adding to it as I sing. That's a new song! Song writers sometimes wake up in the morning hearing a new song. They develop it into a full piece of music.
I encourage you to take a situation in your life and start singing it through. You can make up a new song yourself!. Some children make up songs and chants about the things they love or want. Children love singing their favorite songs over and over again, anytime, anywhere.
We can learn from the spontaneity of children in making up a tune ourselves! What melody can you create to thank the Lord and praise him today? Let your music change your atmosphere to Joy! Remember, as the Lord said, music is your hidden heartbeat.
P.S. Have you ever heart earth's sounds? Check out this link: http://youtu.be/_bnU6K1y468
Written by Rachel Baht Binahyah,
Messianic House of Prayer &
Feed My Sheep Ministries
http://www.finding-happiness.org
