I pray that this letter finds you well, and that your search continues joyfully. Your phone call last night was a delight, my friend, and I enjoyed hearing that you can recognize Elohim's hand administering discipline in your life. It is obvious that He wants your attention, so I am not surprised that you are finally beginning to hear Him. Interestingly, many "Christians" confuse spiritual warfare with Elohim's discipline, but I am confident that you now know the difference.

Your questions about the root of my desire to help you, and the abilities that you perceive that I have acquired over the years, all deal with the topic of our Spiritual Gifts; a subject I truly enjoy discussing. As one still seeking the truth, however, you must know that the Ruach ha Qodesh reserves His gifts for those who have accepted Yahshuah as Messiah and Master, and you must also be aware of the fact that Elohim knows our hearts and minds. Elohim is not interested in an ego that only yearns for the gifts and power of His Ruach (Acts 8:17-23), because Elohim wants every aspect of our being.

I was as amused by your response to our discussion about Elohim. I too was amused when I first realized the truth about Him. After all those years of thinking of Him as some sort of ogre, a product of my youthful schooling and upbringing, I was almost giddy in the realization that Elohim truly is Love, Light and Truth. And I am overjoyed to hear that you now view Him through different eyes. We cannot forget that He remains a wrathful Elohim, but the amazing thing about that aspect of Him is that His faithful children will never experience His wrath [tc] (Romans 5:8-9).

Regarding your inquiry about the gifts, Zeteo, you will be surprised to know that many professing "Christians" get upset when the Rauch ha Qodesh, (or the gifts) is discussed. I have even had people walk away from my lectures when the topic has turned to the gifts. I believe this is so, because the deception is so great over the Word of Elohim being the absolute truth, the deception about the manner and content of our assembly is so complete and the deception about the fullness and purpose of the gifts endowed upon us by the Ruach ha Qodesh is so absolute. Yet the fact remains, that the Ruach ha Qodesh endows every born-again believer with spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4: 10-11). Whether we acknowledge their presence, however, is quite another matter.

SPECIAL NOTE:
For a quick explanation of the NAMES used throughout The Letters, please click here... For an in depth accounting of these matters though, please read Letter #22.

Letter #5 continues here:

Through Elohim's Word, the moving of the Ruach ha Qodesh in my life, and my practical experiences, I have learned that the correct application of our spiritual gifts brings unspeakable joy to our heart, honor to the Ruach and great glory to our Father in Heaven. All this, naturally, is through His Son, Yahshuah. And all of this speaks in part to my motivation for working with you in your search for Elohim and the Truth

Regarding the abilities you see in me though, I joyfully and humbly confess that they are my gift from Elohim.

You have known me a great while, Zeteo, and have known what sort of person I was. As you have said so often, I am not the same as I was in my youth. The changes you witness in me are a product of that "Born-again" process that we have discussed, because when I accepted Yahshuah as my Master and Messiah, I did so knowing that my life was not right. And through Him, I have changed. Over the years, Elohim has taught me many things, not the least of which is that, "Before honor comes humility" (Proverbs 15:33). And as Elohim has trained and disciplined me, I have changed because I want to honor Him. My motivation is purely for Elohim, for your salvation and for the fulfillment of my life purpose. And my greatest desire is for you to discover these truths for yourself.

Throughout the religious enclaves, it is being taught that many of the gifts are not being given today. Contrary to this common teaching, however, the Word of Elohim tells us that: None are Withheld (Ephesians 4:12-13). And in the fullness of Elohim's giving and our receiving, Elohim's children can powerfully display the love of our Messiah to the world. While this may sound Charismatic or Pentecostal, it is not, because also contrary to common practice; the gifts are given to glorify Elohim - in the building up of the EKKLESIA - and not to be flaunted for our edification, entertainment, manipulation or financial gain. And the gifts can never be utilized to test the Ruach of Elohim. Abuse, misuse or the simple lack of use of the gifts permeates the ranks of most institutions, but as seekers and disciples, we are obligated to discover the truth of Elohim's Gifts; not only the truth of their existence, but also the truth of their purpose and application.

There are three types of gifts that the Ruach ha Qodesh gives to Elohim's children, Zeteo, and a good classification for them is: support, service and sign. There is no limit to the number of gifts that He might give to a child, because we receive a mixture of abilities - a mix of talents - and the mixture supports a primary gift. The intensity of any particular gift, given to any member of the body though, differs from member to member (Romans 12:6).

Support gifts are those that allow someone to equip other members of the body for their work of service. If these letters assist you in your search for Elohim, and help you hear His call in your life, then the gift utilized to produce these messages would fall into the support gift category. While every child of Elohim has at least one service gift, not all of His servants possess support gifts. Too many chefs spoil the pot. The support gifts are: Apostle, Evangelist, Pastor, Prophet and Teacher.

Where certain support gifts, and all the sign gifts attract notice, the service gifts are those that keep the body functioning properly. During my time in Vietnam, I was stationed at our group headquarters in Nha Trang for a while, and then went out to an A-team (A-242 - Dak-Pek) for the rest of my tour. The A-team assignment was dynamic, to say the least, but without the backup we received from the B-team, C-team and H.Q., we could not have functioned as a fighting unit. For an A-team to survive, each member of the service teams had to perform to the best of their ability. So it is with the service gifts (1 Corinthians 12:14-25) because without them, the body can not survive. The service gifts are: Administration, Authority/Leadership, Discernment (Distinguishing of spirits), Exhortation, Faith, Giving, Helps/Service, Knowledge, Mercy and Wisdom.

The third group - the sign gifts - are those that literally authenticate the truthfulness of the Gospel of Yahshuah ha Mashiach, both to the world and to the body (1 Corinthians 14:22). The sign gifts are: Effecting of Miracles, Gifts of Healing, Prophecy, Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues. Unfortunately, because the sign gifts can be faked, especially in our high-tech world, they are a source of tremendous conflict. Tongues and interpretations are a snap to pretend, and with planning, phony healings can easily be staged as well.

I witnessed an occasion in a Pentecostal "revival" some thirty years ago, where a man spoke in Latin before the assembly, and somebody else rose with an interpretation - not getting one word correct. Instead of rebuking the interpreter when the man confronted them with what he really said, the leaders of the revival had the man escorted from the building. What a sham! What a shame! In his own way, this gentleman may have been searching for authentication to what he heard (testing the spirits), possibly even trying to verify the existence of Elohim for himself. But instead of confessing their sin and silencing any further use of tongues, the false practitioners of faith who were present that day, turned him out in their pretense and continued in their delusion. I left!

On another occasion, I watched a televangelist ply his trade, as he spoke on, "The purity of the body that was pure before God". In essence, what he said was, because his heart and motives were pure before his god, his body was pure as well. By his standards, he was a perfect physical specimen. Furthermore, he said if everybody had this same purity, his or her bodies would be as perfect. He then challenged his congregation to confess their sins, repent and claim the perfection he knew was theirs.

As he spoke, my eyes were fixed on a young lady who was sitting in the very front row on the right side of the screen - in line with the camera. As she silently clutched her Scriptures, tears streaming down her face, every word uttered by that man had to rip at her heart. I knew she wanted to run from the building, but the crowd pushing in behind her, and the cables stretched out in front of her, prevented her from moving her wheelchair from the auditorium. As this false pastor / teacher spoke, I wondered how many souls were watching and being deceived, or how many were seeing the same display of lies and hatred, and in the process were being turned away from Elohim.

Amazingly though, the deception did not end here. This "pastor" then went on to "lay hands" on the brethren for healing, quite noticeably bypassing the young woman. I cried in the pretense of what I saw that day, because I was witnessing Satan's work in the institutions first hand. Elohim's children will not pretend though, Zeteo, because those who faithfully use their gifts will have been taught obedience, and humility will always accompany them. Elohim wants His children to speak His Word in love, truth and humility, and when we do, His power will always accompany our message. I will never forget what I saw that day, the televangelist who brought such pain and deceit, or that young woman. I pray for her frequently!

Typical of all false teachers, that televangelist was interested in promoting his self, and his program, but Elohim's faithful children will expose the false use of gifts, and they will "come out" from those institutions that refuse to repent of their phony events. Therefore, the pastors, prophets and teachers who permit and encourage the staged displays of any gift must be silenced in the Ekklesia, because disciples of Yahshuah, appointed as leaders, will only be interested in glorifying Yahshuah. Where the false practitioners lead many seekers into thinking that Elohim is a deception, Elohim's children will show who the real deceiver is. The movement of the Ruach will never be orchestrated by man, Zeteo, which is why we must always test the spirits, rebuking everything that is false.

Is it any wonder how Satan has deceived the world into thinking that Yahshuah (and His disciples) is a sham? Is it any wonder why professing disciples are skeptical or afraid to deal with the Ruach ha Qodesh and His gifts? The false healers, teachers, prophets, preachers, and speakers and interpreters of tongues, must, in humility and love, be exposed and silenced. Otherwise, the Ruach cries out, "COME OUT OF HER!"

The gifts are beautiful, my friend, but Satan has destroyed their beauty in the eyes of many, and eliminated the power of their use through our hands. Because we are timid in our faith-walk, Elohim appears puny to the world (2 Timothy 1:7), but Elohim is not puny. In our faith and understanding of Him and His Word, we must seek the fullness of the gifts that He gives us, and utilize them to glorify our Messiah and King.

Many false teachers want us to believe that most of the sign gifts, and some of the support gifts, are no longer being given. As if they can pick, choose and dictate to Elohim. But Elohim says we will have the gifts, "Until the perfect comes" (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). Elohim says we will have the gifts, "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Mashiach" (Ephesians 4:13). Considering that the Perfect had already been crucified, died, was resurrected and ascended into heaven, when Paul penned those words, and considering that the EKKLESIA has yet to be unified, Elohim was speaking of the second coming of Yahshuah as when, "the Perfect comes". Every gift will be with us until His return, and anyone teaching differently is a false expositor, detracting from Elohim's Word.

Only faithlessness would teach that the gifts are dead, and anything not of faith is sin.

Search through the Scriptures, my friend, and discover the reality of Power and Proclamation. See how the gospel was always accompanied by the power of Elohim, and how the power of Elohim was always displayed when the true and full testimony of Him was presented (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 4:19-20; 2 Corinthians 9:10-12; Philippians 1:19-20; etc.). You see, Elohim still calls us to His work of service, and He still works in and through His children, just as He has from the beginning. We must believe this truth though, because without that faith, we will not see an outpouring of the Ruach of grace, and revival will not arrive for this generation.

Search Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, where the gifts are established, outlined, and explained, and realize that while we can easily find mention of the gifts, we have lost sight of why we really have the gifts to begin with. Because, simply, the gifts are given to glorify Yahshuah ha Mashiach - in His Body. Somehow, however, we now feel that the gifts are for our edification - given to verify our faith or the indwelling of the Elohim's Ruach ha Qodesh.

The institutions that expect Elohim to perform in their gatherings, must reassess their motives, because the Ruach empowers us when our hearts are right before Him (Acts 8:18-21); when our intent is to glorify Yahshuah to the world (Acts 14:3). Members of those sects who leave their gathering feeling fulfilled because they laid hands on each other and spoke in tongues, must ask if Elohim is really being glorified before the world. The excitement and fervor of many Pentecostal and Charismatic gatherings attract vast numbers of onlookers and money, but Elohim is not interested in these things. ELOHIM IS INTERESTED IN THE INDIVIDUAL. If we proclaim the Blood of the Lamb in love to the individual, the power of Elohim will be present. That is a spiritual law!

Everything we have is a gift from Elohim (John 3:27; 1 Corinthians 4:7) but the wisdom of stewardship we utilize over spiritual matters must exceed that which we exercise over our material things (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Wise Stewardship of ability, therefore, includes the proper use and exercise of that ability (1 Timothy 4:14). The gifts of Elohim are given to each one in the body (Romans 11:29), for a purpose (1 Corinthians 7:7) and we are to utilize our gifts in service to each other (1 Peter 4:10-11). We do not use or lose our gifts, in so much as they will be taken away, but we can use or lose them inasmuch as the gifts are like a muscle. If we exercise a muscle, it grows healthy and strong, but abuse or lack of use will damage it or cause it to atrophy. We must never allow our gifts to atrophy.

Additionally, the command issued in Proverbs 3:27, "Not to withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it", applies with certainty to the use of everything we have received from Elohim, including the spiritual gifts. Which also speaks toward my motivation in reaching out to you, because those within the body, who are fearful of their gifts, are in affect denying the power of Elohim; they are withholding good from those to whom it is due. Like the servant who buried his talent in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), those who deny their gifts today, have buried their treasure. Prayerfully, your zeal for discovery will not permit you to bury what you are so faithfully seeking to find. And, prayerfully, I will never hide what the Ruach has imparted to me. There is no fear in love!

While we are at it, let me also clarify the difference between the gift of grace (1 Corinthians 1:4-7), the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:15-17), the gift of the Ruach ha Qodesh (Acts 11:15-17), the fruit of the Ruach (Galatians 5:22-23) and the gifts of the Ruach ha Qodesh, which we are discussing. The gift of grace is an outpouring from Elohim that allows the recipient to believe in the gift of righteousness (Yahshuah ha Mashiach). Without grace we cannot believe that Yahshuah is the Son of Elohim; without grace we could not accept His gospel. Once righteousness is received through Yahshuah though, the gift of the Ruach ha Qodesh is imparted to every sanctified child, and that child begins to bear fruit (we grow as His children). Though our lives gradually change, and we bear the fruit outlined in Galatians, the gifts of the Ruach ha Qodesh are different. The moment we receive the Ruach ha Qodesh, He bestows gifts, "as He wills," upon each child of Elohim. Saving souls is not the same as bearing fruit, however, so while the gift of the Ruach assists in bearing fruit, the fruit has no link to the gifts that the Ruach freely gives.

And although we may recognize a gift or gifts in a disciple's life today, Zeteo, our complexion as Disciples who walk in the Way, changes as we mature. Therefore, we will most likely identify other gifts as time passes. It would be a sin against the Ruach ha Qodesh, however, to deny the possibility of any gift being given to any one of us, at any time. And as we discuss the gifts, please remember that no two children of Elohim are alike; no two children of Elohim are to be compared - one against the other.

As you know, I am the second of two boys born to my parents. My brother is two years older than me. As unique individuals, nobody in their right mind should ever have attempted to compare us. But compare us they did. Physically, he was tall, while I was a runt. Athletically, he was faster and more agile, and though I may have been pound for pound stronger, his height and weight provided him an advantage. Mentally, he was a better student, although I might have been more creative. We were nothing alike. If people liked him, and expected me to be like him, they would be disappointed. My heart and mind were devoted to things inconceivable to my brother, while many of his interests were obscure to me. We had the same parents, but we were as diverse as two individuals could be. So it is with Elohim's children!

Blessed with a specific set of gifts, and enriched by a unique life experience, each child moves in the EKKLESIA in a special way. In His wisdom, Elohim permitted and pre-planned each experience of our life; in order to combine them with the gifts He is now giving us. The pain, anguish, grief, sin, hardness of heart, delinquency, drinking, drugs, sex, violence, ups and downs, peaks and valleys, are all useful to Elohim - provided we have the courage to surrender those experiences to Him. We are a product of our experiences, but now we are born-again unto the living Elohim, and are gifted by Him for ministry. The fullness of who we are in the EKKLESIA is a combination of our life experiences surrendered to Him, working in unison with His gifts to us. That uniqueness is invaluable in the hands of a loving Creator.

Those who have been physically violated, for example, either as a child or as an adult, have much more compassion with those who are being violated today, than anyone whose knowledge is book learned. I do not say this as an attempt to eliminate the pain, only Elohim can do that, but the truth of the statement is a reality. Ministry is directly related to our experiences, and is enhanced by the fact that in Elohim, we can overcome whatever He has brought us through. Overcoming a wrong is not memorable, but in the hands of Elohim, a ruach of peace, love and compassion can replace painful memories.

I know people who think their life is too awful, calloused or painful for Elohim to forgive or change. But Elohim is greater than the greatest evil. He not only forgives, He has promised that He would never bring to recollection the sins of our lives, once judgment has passed (Isaiah 65:17; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12, 10:17). We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of Elohim, but we who know Yahshuah as Master and Messiah, and all who will come to Him, are a new creation. That which we were is dead, covered by the Blood of the Lamb, but our minds continue. That which we did we rebuke, but we know what we know. Our knowledge, added to His gifts, is to be used for His glory.

I had a friend, who has since gone home to the Master, who used to play the guitar professionally. In his youth, my friend played in some pretty nasty rock groups, and his testimony included the fact that he lived the life of a rocker to the fullest. When he accepted Yahshuah as His Master and Messiah though, he quit the groups, put the guitar into a closet and didn't touch it for over ten years.

I met this man and his wife when they began attending a new Sunday school class I was teaching. (It was a very small group for newly married couples). After we had met for a few weeks, I expressed a desire to have a period of praise and worship at the beginning of our class, and innocently enough, I asked if anyone knew how to play an instrument that could possibly be used to lead our singing. To his absolute horror, my newfound friend's wife blurted out that he knew how to play the guitar. I asked him if he would care to play for us, and his immediate response was an emphatic, "NO"!

A few more weeks passed, with very little being said about music, when this man suddenly brought "Martin" (the maker of the guitar, and the name we playfully gave it) to class. After our initial time of prayer, I turned to my friend and asked if he had anything to share. Slowly, he opened the case, brought out the guitar and began telling the class about his past life. With tears streaming down his face, he confessed a sinful past, sought forgiveness from Elohim, and strummed his guitar for the first time in over a decade.

After a few moments, and without any written music in front of him, he began to play Amazing Grace. He followed this initial piece with about a dozen more songs of worship - all from memory, before his hands finally tired and he was forced to put "Martin" away. The music was incredible!

For weeks our class had been discussing the realities of walking with Elohim, and as part of that walk we explored the faithful use of our talents, abilities and gifts. The Ruach ha Qodesh, through Scripture, convinced this brother that although Satan had lured him into using his talent for evil, Elohim's forgiveness was all-inclusive, and what was once used wrongly could now, in Elohim's grace, be used to glorify our Father in Heaven. And glorify Him he did. For the remainder of his life, my friend and "Martin" played with inspiration, and we were all blessed by the use of this talent.

Such is life, Zeteo. You know my past, and I know a great deal of yours. Nothing you have done is beyond Elohim's ability to forgive. And nothing you have experienced is beyond Elohim's ability to use. Trust him, dear friend, and you will be amazed by what He will do with you.

Furthermore, the events of our lives are meant to instruct us in other ways as well. The sin of our life is meant to teach forgiveness and humility, and without this knowledge we remain lost under the veil of judgmentalism and pride. While forgiveness is among the first things we claim when we accept Yahshuah as Master and Messiah, offering forgiveness to those who have offended us, frequently comes much later in our walk with Elohim. Time helps us find the love of Elohim with which we can forgive though, and sin teaches us humility. It takes time to apply some of the hard lessons of life!

It also takes time for us to develop a faith-walk that trusts Elohim explicitly, and that can humbly portray Him to the world. Elohim has told us that positions of leadership should not be given to, "A new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6). The devil's condemnation was incurred because of his pride - and the jealousy that resulted from that pride.

The full development and use of our gifts takes time, because we must be convinced of Elohim and convicted by Elohim, before we can watch Elohim work through us. The gifts are tremendously powerful, Zeteo, but without humility - of which we must now speak, we become deceived into thinking that we actually have something to do with generating Elohim's power (That is, aside from being faithful). Which is another of Satan's sly deceptions.

A marvelous example of how Elohim fights for us can be found in 2 Chronicles 20, where Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, came under attack by the neighboring nations. Although Jehoshaphat allowed some idolatry to remain in the land during his reign, he truly desired to follow the Master. Upon learning that his enemies were approaching, the king assembled the people and humbly prayed for deliverance. In 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 Elohim answered his prayer, and what Elohim told Jehoshaphat to do, is exactly what He is telling us to do today. Elohim said, "Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but Elohim's. Tomorrow go down against them, behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Master on your behalf, O Judah, and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for YAHUAH is with you."

Jehoshaphat's response is to be ours as well: "`Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in YAHUAH your Elohim, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.' And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to YAHUAH and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army, and said, 'Give thanks to YAHUAH, for His loving-kindness is everlasting.' And when they began singing and praising, YAHUAH set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed" (2 Chronicles 20:20-22). Isn't that wonderful?

We must learn the lesson of Jehoshaphat, Zeteo. Confronted with battle, Jehoshaphat prayed and humbled himself before Elohim. Confronted with battle, our command is to be humble and pray as well. Within our prayer we are to exercise the authority Elohim has blessed us with, but in the face of the enemy, we are to sing unto Elohim - praising Him, and through our praise, He will send out His army to fight the battle for us. Elohim is our victory! Our duty is to remain humbly faithful in the use and application of all He has given us, so that He can fight for us.

The process of seeking reverence before our King is truly worthwhile, my friend, but it is not an easy lifestyle. Issues that concern Yahshuah's disciples are not of the world, which is why we cause society discomfort whenever we confront them over those divisive matters. Elohim's discipline and humility in our lives are essential to our victory in the end time period, however, because the lifestyle dictated by those days will not be easy. In our humble obedience though, Elohim will provide our needs just as He provided for Israel once before (Exodus ALL), and as we stand still, we will see the salvation of Elohim once again.

As Disciples come out from Babylon (the false religions) and as we prepare for the harvest to come, we must humbly submit to the will of Elohim. While it is a simple matter to say, "I will surrender all," it is quite another thing to actually do it. Even though the Ruach ha Qodesh is our comforter, and even though His motives are pure, I assure you that every instinct of the natural man will run against Elohim's will. Our methods and ways are not His. Our thoughts and desires are not His. Our angers and hatreds are motivated by fear and jealousy, but Elohim is motivated by love and righteousness. There is no fear in love, and Love is our teacher. In our humility, Elohim will guide, discipline and nurture us, that we may magnify Him. We may not want to use our gifts in certain situations, fearful of the crowds, or fearful of the results, but we must believe that Elohim will direct us in every situation, and in that belief we can humbly surrender to Him.

The Ruach ha Qodesh is One with the Father and Son, and He desires oneness in the Body of our Messiah as well. In these last days, the EKKLESIA will spring forth to glorify and magnify Yahshuah, but we must recognize that we are incapable of fighting this battle alone. As each member faithfully performs our predetermined work, the body of Yahshuah, united in repentance, will display the power and authority already given us. Subsequently, as we discover and use our spiritual gifts once again, the battle around us will increase. As a seeker, you must know these things, Zeteo, so that you may be armed and prepared, should you ultimately determine that Yahshuah is precisely Who He says He is. And, should you decide for Him, and discover your personal gifts, be amazed by the Elohim who loves you and entrusts His children with such power and authority. In grasping the full array of authority given to the EKKLESIA, therefore, we can understand why Satan has built his rampart to the very door of worship. But also understand that he can never break down the doors of the truly faithful. As you realize the call of Elohim in your life, be prepared for whatever task He requests of you. Some will be difficult, some will be easy, but in your humble submission to Him, all will be accomplished.

Throughout these letters, I am attempting to weave a teaching that points directly to repentance, submissive obedience [tc] and humility [tc], because without these, we will remain useless. Listen to other servants, as they were inspired to speak on this matter:

"With what shall I come to YAHUAH and bow myself before Elohim on High... He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does YAHUAH require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim" (Micah 6:6-8)?
"Thus says YAHUAH, `Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being' declares YAHUAH. `But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My Word'" (Isaiah 66:1-2).
"Do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: `He jealously desires the Ruach which He has made to dwell in us'? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, `Elohim is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Submit therefore to Elohim. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to Elohim and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Master, and He will exalt you" (James 4:5-10).

Humility is the correct estimate of our self, and involves a deep realization of our unworthiness to receive Elohim's grace. It is a lowliness of mind and an evaluating of ourselves as small, inasmuch as we are so before Him. But while the world would have us believe humility is a sense of inferiority, Elohim wants us to possess a proper estimate ourselves.

Talents and abilities frequently cause jealousy and strife, but in my understanding of humility, we would not be good stewards if we did not use the gifts given us by Elohim. If He gifts us to accomplish a task, are we humble or faithless in not performing that task? It is impossible for any brethren gifted with "effecting of miracles", or "gifts of healings," to follow the leading of the Ruach ha Qodesh, without drawing attention to themselves. Pride is evident whenever the fingers point to self, but obedience to Elohim in the use of a gift always glorifies Elohim. We do not flaunt our abilities, because we are not motivated by pride. Faith is not to be held in an attitude of personal favoritism (James 2:1), but like Paul, we should boast of our weaknesses, so the power of our Messiah may dwell in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). This is the reality of our call.

Paul spoke at length about the humility of Yahshuah, and we need to dwell on this teaching as well. He said, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Mashiach Yahshuah, who, although He existed in the form of Elohim, did not regard equality with Elohim a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also Elohim highly exalted Him" (Philippians 2:3-9).

This passage reveals a great deal for us, Zeteo, because Yahshuah did not regard equality with Elohim a thing He could not temporarily sacrifice without loss. He could forego anything for the Father's glory, knowing that it was not really lost (See John 17:4-5). Yahshuah had faith! Elohim tells us to be humble, and to seek humility (Luke 18:14; Zephaniah 2:3). He says we are not adequate in ourselves; our adequacy is from Him (2 Corinthians 3:1-6). He also says that He will raise up those who bow down (Psalms 145: 14), that before honor comes humility (Proverbs 15: 33) and "the reward of humility and the fear of YAHUAH are riches, honor and life" (Proverbs 22:4). The Ruach said, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Mashiach Yahshuah" (Philippians 2:5), and in so saying explained the reality of this life -vs- our eternal reward. If in dying to Mashiach, we live, then we too must realize that equality with Elohim is not to be grasped. We can forego anything for Him here, because it really is not lost - not eternally. Our kingdom is not of this world. Our wealth is entrusted to Him for our eternal use and pleasure. And, what we deem pleasurable here pales in comparison to the realities that await us with Him in heaven.

As we consider humility further, we find that the key to Moses' relationship with Elohim was his humility and sincerity (Numbers 12:3). Though Moses talked with Elohim, he never flaunted his relationship with Elohim over the nation of Israel. He hid under a veil instead. Elohim said, "Blessed are the humble" (Matthew 5:5), "Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:11), and "For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Master commends" (2 Corinthians 10:18). Moses understood the fullness of humility, and looked toward the reward.

The prophets also, empowered with tremendous gifts, humbly bowed before the Elohim of Creation. Jeremiah's prophecy is a pronouncement of destruction because of arrogance. The prophets looked to the reward.

Yahshuah did not regard equality with Elohim a thing to be grasped because He was Elohim. His submission and humility were already a part of His essence. Yahshuah had a correct estimate of Himself. He did not exaggerate or put on false pretenses. He is exactly Who He said He is.

And, in the fullness of these things, neither do we need to exaggerate or put on false pretenses, BECAUSE WE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED Yahshuah ha Mashiach AS OUR MASTER AND MESSIAH ARE CHILDREN OF ELOHIM!

As a child, I wanted to be a grown-up. I never grasped at being a human, because I was as much a human as everyone else. Not surprisingly, my child looks like me in just the same way as I look like my parents. Again, therefore, I will reiterate:

WE WHO HAVE YAHSHUAH
AS OUR MASTER AND MESSIAH
ARE CHILDREN OF ELOHIM!

We must accept this, and act accordingly. We too must look to the reward - with Messiah-like humility.

As Satan accuses us before Elohim, he also tries to puff us up personally, that we might think more highly of ourselves. Satan's pride caused his downfall, and according to James 4:6-10, he must flee from us as we resist him in our submission to Elohim. Seeing as humility involves, "casting all your anxiety upon Him (Elohim), because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7), we can understand how humility can promote sound judgment (Romans 12:1-3), and allow Elohim to work and dwell within us (2 Corinthians 12:9). Satan must flee from true humility, because humility is the correct estimate of our self. It involves a deep realization of our unworthiness to receive Elohim's grace. It is a lowliness of mind and an evaluating of our self as small, inasmuch as we are so before Elohim. Satan could not handle this, and he fell (Isaiah 14:12-17 & Ezekiel 28:11-19).

The glory and majesty to be ours in heaven, surpasses even that which caused Satan to fall. Elohim is preparing us to inherit His kingdom, but we must become like our Messiah in the process. Yahshuah was humble in His walk, because it was part of His essence to be humble. It must become a part of our essence, as His children, as well. The working of Elohim in our life, and the gifts of the Ruach ha Qodesh, will become increasingly evident as we humbly submit to Elohim, because He cannot work through an arrogant heart. We must follow the leading of the Ruach ha Qodesh though - as did Yahshuah - and through our humble submission, Elohim will be magnified.

He who is love, light and truth, desires that His children become as He is. To accomplish this task, He waits for us to dedicate and surrender our lives to Him. He waits for us to accept Him as Messiah and Master. He provides for our salvation, and waits for us to either accept or reject His plan. Once we accept Him, however, and once we give ourselves to Him, He begins the arduous task of disciplining each of us. In love, light and truth He guides us toward godliness. He gives us spiritual gifts, and invites us to work in His field. He permits that we not only join Him in the harvest, but that we become instrumental in His harvest. How can we not be humble? How can we not accept this wonderfully free offer of eternal life, which Elohim has set at our feet?

The plan and salvation of Elohim streaks across the pages of Scripture as clearly as the sunrise of a summer morning, Zeteo, and I was compelled to tell you these things. Be humble as you seek Elohim, my friend, and when you find Him fully in your life, be humble when you finally realize His selection of you. And, be expectant in the use of His gifts. Additionally, when you do find Him, be bold in proclaiming His glory, because power is always displayed in the proclamation of His Word.

I remain faithfully yours in Yahshuah our Messiah,

larry vosen

Author's note:
[Four letters addressed to Mathetes, Letters #13, #14, #15 and #16, deal in great detail with each gift of the Ruach ha Qodesh. Within those letters are specific examples of the application, use and misuse of the gifts. Additionally, Letter #13 contains a questionnaire which, when answered, may assist the disciple in identifying the gifts that they may possess. The intent of this letter, #5, is to introduce the seeker to the fact of the gifts, and to impart the truth of walking humbly with Elohim].

Topical concordance:

Gifts (In General):
Old Testament: Psalms 37, 51:10-13; Proverbs 3:27.

New Testament: Matthew 7:6, 10:4-8, 15:36, 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-16; John 3:27, 4:35-38, 7:4, 9:4-5, 11:54, 14:12; Acts 3:1-16, 6:2-4, 8:18-21, 9:20, 11:17, 14:3, 20:35; Romans 1:9-11, 5:15-17, 11:29, 12(all); 1 Corinthians 1:4-7, 2:1-13, 3:7, 4:1-2, 4:7, 4:19-20, 4:27, 7:7, 12(all), 13:8-10, 14:1,22,39; 2 Corinthians 5:10, 9:10-12; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:8-10, 4(all); Philippians 1:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6-9; Philemon 1:6; Hebrews 2:4, 5:1-4; James 1:17, 5:13-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Revelation 2:5-7.

Humility:
Old Testament: Numbers 12:3; Psalms 37:11, 113(all), 138(all), 145:14-16; Proverbs 11:2, 15:33, 16:19, 22:4, 25:6-7; Isaiah 66:1-3; Jeremiah (all) see 45:5; Daniel 4:37, 9:3; Micah 6:6-9; Zephaniah 2:1-3.

New Testament: Matthew 5:5, 18:2-4, 19:25-28, 20:26, 23:2-12; Luke 14:8-11, 18:14; John 13:5-15, 17:4-5; Acts 14:9-19, 18:24-26; Romans 12:1-3, 10, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, 4:44-11, 7:6, 10:12-13,18, 12:9, 13:9; Ephesians 4:1-2; Philippians 2:3-10; Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 5:1-2; James 2:1, 4:6-10; 1 Peter 3:8-12, 5:5-7.

Obedience:
Old Testament: Leviticus 19:36-37, 20:22; Deuteronomy (all); 1Samuel 15:22-23; 2 Kings 17:37; Ezra 7:23; Psalms 106(all); Ecclesiastes 12:13; Jeremiah 38:20; Daniel 7:27.

New Testament: Luke 11:28; Romans 6:17; Ephesians 6:6-8; Philippians 2:5-18; 1 Timothy 6:14-18; 2 Timothy 1:7; James 1:22, 2:10; 1 Peter 1:14.

Wrath of Elohim:
Old Testament: Psalms 2:12, 18:37-42, 94:20-23, 95:11; Isaiah 48:9-11, 66:15-16; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Ezekiel 7(all); Hosea 9:7, Joel (all); Micah 6:9-16; Habakkuk (all); Zephaniah (all); Haggai 2:6-9, 2:21-22.

New Testament: Romans 1:18-19, 5:8-9, 9:22-24; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:5-6, 3:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, 2:10-11; Hebrews 3:11, 10:31; Revelation 6:12-17, 11:18, 14:9-20, 15:1, 16(all).

Letter 5 - Gifts, Humility & Elohim's Power.

WE WHO HAVE YAHSHUAH AS OUR MASTER AND MESSIAH ARE CHILDREN OF ELOHIM!

WE WHO HAVE YAHSHUAH
AS OUR MASTER AND MESSIAH
ARE CHILDREN OF ELOHIM!