Holy Days – 2021

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The biblical holy days were given by Yahweh to His people as reminders and rehearsals.  These holy days are both historical markers and prophetic signposts, and they all have their ultimate fulfillment in Messiah. There are various understandings of the biblical calendar among different Messianic groups. In order to foster greater unity within the Body, we will be celebrating these special appointed times according to the “traditional” calendar on the following dates:

Passover* April 25th (Sn.)
Days of Unleavened Bread April 26th – May 2 (Mn. – Sn.)
Pentecost June 20th (Sn.)
Feast of Trumpets October 6th (Wd.)
Day of Atonement October 15th (Fr.)
Feast of Tabernacles October 20th – 26th (Wd. – Tu.)
Last Great Day October 27th (Wd.)

* – Observed the evening before



We invite you to come and be a part of these wonderful celebrations!

To read more about these amazing days, visit our Publications page.
 

Glory In This

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People glory in many different things in this world – some in their wealth, others in their power, prestige, or fame. Still others in success, their strength or abilities, the works of their hands, wisdom, intellect, or technology, or even their favorite sports team. It’s been that way down through the ages. Some today – particularly those in the media – even seem to glory in tragedy or another person’s plight or scandal.

Glory in This

But what should we glory in?  Should we glory in anything?

Jer. 9:23-24  “In this manner says Yahweh, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows Me, that I am Yahweh, who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says Yahweh.”

Interestingly, the Hebrew word here that is translated as glory is halál and literally means “to shine (with Yahweh’s favor); to flash forth light; to praise, boast, or be boastful; to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise.”

This passage in Jeremiah highlights 3 primary things in which people tend to glory: wisdom, might, and riches.  But it goes on to state that if we’re going to glory in anything, it ought to be in the fact that we know Yahweh and have a true spiritual understanding of Him.  This isn’t a casual knowing about Him, but truly knowing Him for who He is.  It’s knowing Him not only as our Creator, not just as ‘Adonai’ or ‘Elohim’, but as ‘Abba’ – Father.

Understanding the Spiritual Dimension

While wisdom, might, and riches are fleshly concerns, there is also a spiritual dimension that we ought to consider.

First, many believers reach a certain place in their walk where it becomes easy to begin to glory in their wisdom or intellectual understanding of the Word – they can quote chapter and verse at the drop of a hat and have a substantial depth of knowledge of spiritual things.  It’s good to have these things. But we need to be careful never to lose sight of what’s most important – knowing Yahweh Himself. And we must remain humble, regardless of how far we think we’ve come in our walk. We don’t want to glory in our wisdom or “put it on display.”

Glory in the Calling and Election

Second, for those who recognize the spiritual authority they’ve been given – the fact that as believers they have been called to be mighty men in the earth, manifesting His Kingdom in a tangible way – there is a temptation to begin to exult in that power and might. Yahshua had to address this tendency in His followers. When He sent out the 70 disciples, He gave them authority to act in His Name and on His behalf, healing the sick, casting out demons, etc. (Luke 10:1-2, 8-9). When these disciples returned, they were glorying in this new-found power:

Luke 10:17-20  “The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Master, even the demons are subject to us in your Name.’  He said to them, ‘I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.  Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.  Nothing will in any way hurt you.  Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ ”

Notice, His exhortation to them was to rejoice, not in the power with which they had been endowed, but in the fact that their names were written in heaven; in other words, in their relationship with the Father.  “But he who glories, let him glory in Yahweh.” (2 Corinthians 10:17)

The Gift-Giver, Not the Gift

Third, as we mature in our walk and begin to flow in our spiritual gifts, there is an inclination in some to begin to exult in these spiritual “riches” – whether teaching, in their ability to teach, or prophecy, in their ability to prophesy, or healing, in their ability to minister healing, or tongues, to be able to speak in tongues, or even serving, in their service.  Certainly we must be diligent to walk in our gifts, and we ought to be joyful in those spiritual endowments.  But we shouldn’t glory in them; rather, we ought to glory in the One who gave us these riches.

Glory in YahwehIt all comes down to perspective: why should we glory in those things the Father has freely imparted to us? Instead let us glorify Him who gave us these things; if we’re going to glory, let’s glory in this – that we truly know Him. Knowing Yahweh is intrinsically related to Him exercising lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth (Jer. 9:24) – for it is through us that He exercises or demonstrates these things to the world! And that’s something worth glorying in!

“Glory in His holy Name; let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.” (Psalm 105:3)

For more on this subject, check out our sermon

Summoned to the Summit

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Yahweh is calling us to the top of the mountain.  Individually and corporately, He is calling us.  Like Moses, we are being summoned to the summit.  Will we go up?

Exod 19:16-20    “And it came to pass on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the sound of a trumpet very loud; so that all the people that were in the camp trembled.  Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet Elohim; and they stood at the lower part of the mount.  And mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Yahweh descended upon it in fire; the smoke of it ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.  When the voice of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and Elohim answered him by a voice.  And Yahweh came down upon mount Sinai, to the top of the mount: and Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.”

Yahweh is calling us up to where the air is rare, that place in which we are totally and completely dependent upon His provision.  But more than that, He wants to bring us into His presence.

Paying the Price

Summoned to the SummitThat won’t just “happen.”  It’s going to require effort, perseverance, dedication, and commitment to scale that mountain.  It’s going to require teamwork.  And it won’t be like walking on a smooth, flat, paved road – it will be rough terrain that we’ll be ascending, through thorns and thistles and hot, dry air.  We’ll sweat.  We’ll get some bumps and bruises.  And we’ll probably experience fatigue – in fact, we may experience an almost overwhelming urge to quit.  But if we wait upon Yahweh, we will renew our strength.  If we wait upon Yahweh, we will mount up with wings as eagles.  If we wait upon Yahweh, we will run and not be weary, and we will walk and not faint (Isa. 40:31).

The Hebrew word translated as ‘wait’ in this verse is qaváh (#6960 in Strong’s), which means to bind together, collect, expect, gather, look, tarry, or wait upon.  In order for us to renew our strength, to mount up with wings as eagles, to run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint, we must qaváh – we must be bound together, collected, expecting, gathering, looking for, tarrying, and waiting upon Yahweh.  In other words, our entire focus must be upon Him.  Yahweh did not allow the children of Israel to ascend mount Sinai with Moses.  In fact, He forbade them access (Exod. 19:12-13).  Why?  Because they were unwilling to qaváh upon Yahweh.

Summoned to a Different Mountain

While He has summoned us to the mountain, it isn’t the same mountain to which He summoned Moses.  We have not come to Sinai, a mountain that might be touched by hands, a mountain scorched by fire, enveloped by blackness and darkness and tempest, a mountain whose surface quaked with the sound of the trumpet.  No, we have come to a different mountain – to mount Zion, to the city of the living Elohim, heavenly Jerusalem.  We’ve come to the mountain of the general assembly and congregation of the firstborn of those enrolled in heaven.  We’ve come to Elohim, Judge of all, and to Yahshua, the mediator of a new covenant (Hebr 12:18-25).

Yahweh has summoned us to the summit.  What is the summit?  It isn’t just the “highest point” of a mountain.  The summit is the meeting place, a “conference of highest-level officials” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).  Yahweh has called us as sons and daughters, as princes and princesses of the Most High, into communion with Him.  Will we go up?  We must.

Summoned to the SummitAnd as we ascend, we’ll begin to see things from His perspective.  We’ll begin to get glimpses of the view from the top, to see the big picture, the broader panorama.  We won’t worry about what we might have left behind in Egypt, and the trials and tribulations of life in the camp will begin to seem small and petty, insignificant.  The noise of “war in the camp” will fade and we’ll be able to discern clearly our Father’s voice.  We’ll take off our shoes and stand in His presence, beholding His awesome esteem.

Refreshed and Transfigured

As we commune with Him and receive instruction from His mouth, the breath of His Spirit, the Wind, will blow across us and bring times of refreshing.  Ruach Ha Kodesh will sweep away the hot, dry air of the desert, bringing revival and exhilaration.  Yahweh will sustain us at altitude with pure oxygen from His throne.  And we will be like Peter, James and John, transfixed by the Transfigured One.

Matt 17:2-5           “And after six days Yahshua takes with Him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and brings them up into a high mountain apart:  and He was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as the light… A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear you Him.”

After six prophetic days – 6,000 years since Creation – Yahweh wants to lead us by His right Hand, Yahshua Messiah, to a high mountain apart.  Like Peter, James, and John, we will witness first-hand the transfiguration of Messiah’s Body, a Body without spot nor wrinkle (Eph. 5:27).  There, in that place, a great, bright cloud of Yahweh’s esteem will overshadow us, and we will hear His voice proclaiming “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.”  Even now, Yahweh is seating us in heavenly places with His own Son, changing us from glory to glory (Eph. 2:6, 2 Cor. 3:18).

The Ascension Challenge

Psa. 24:3-5           Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in His holy place?  4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.  5 He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the Elohim (‘God’) of his salvation.

Yahweh has summoned us to the summit. We can go up.  We should go up.  And we must go up.  Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh!  (Mic. 4:2)

Positioned, Aligned, and Joined

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~ Positioned, Aligned, and Joined:  Finding & Taking Your Place in the Body ~

Eph. 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Elohim, (20) being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Messiah Yahshua Himself being the chief cornerstone; (21) in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Master; (22) in whom you also are built together for a habitation of Yahweh in the Spirit.

Recognizing the Assignment

We are the Body of Messiah and the household of Elohim.  We are to grow together into a holy temple, the habitation of Yahweh in the Spirit. In order to do that, we must recognize where we’re assigned – where we’re supposed to be “fitted together”. Just as “Yahweh set some in the assembly” as apostles and prophets (1 Cor 12:27-28), so He has set each and every member in place where it pleased Him.

He’s been dealing with me for several years on this subject.  Each believer must be positioned, aligned, and joined in his or her assigned place. Very few believers recognize the importance of this in their spiritual walk: most don’t recognize that they have an assigned place, much less what that means. Too often, believers adopt the lifestyle of spiritual gypsies, wandering from place to place with no sense of commitment or belonging.  Some even view the local ekklesia as an orphanage or “halfway house”, rather than the glorious manifestation of His presence that He intended it to be.

Recognizing the Assembly

When a builder begins constructing a new brick building, the first thing he does is gather or position all of the building materials in one place – the job site.  But just piling bricks in one location doesn’t make a building.  The builder then needs to assemble those bricks according to the architect’s blueprints – he must align them.  Even then, though, the building isn’t complete.  He also has to mortar or join the bricks together.

Positioned Aligned JoinedThe same is true of the local ekklesia or assembly: the bricks (individual believers) must be positioned – gathered together in their assigned place; then they must be aligned (they must align their hearts with the purpose of the ministry and take their individual places in the overall structure); finally, they must be joined, mortared together by the Spirit with those around them. Unless all three steps are completed, the structure is incomplete, unstable, & susceptible to the winds of adversity.

The reality is that this is a time-consuming, patience-testing, labor-intensive process. It obviously cannot happen if people don’t have a heart to see it through, no matter the circumstance or adversity.  It can be very frustrating to pursue relationships with others.  This requires a lot of love and grace. Above all, it requires that all involved be led by the Spirit.

Basic Training

The first step to being positioned, aligned, and joined is recognizing by the Spirit where we’re supposed to be.  We have to ask and answer this question – to what part of the Body did Yahweh assign me?  Once we’ve answered that, then we must determine what our place is in that local work.  The Apostle Paul dealt with this topic in depth in his letter to the Corinthians (see 1 Cor. 12 – 14).  We must ask ourselves what our spiritual gifts are and how we are to use them.  Yahweh gave all of the spiritual gifts for the edifying (building up) of the Body.  It is imperative that we know what our gifts are and become adept at using them.

Paul referred to the Body of Messiah as the ‘church’ or ekklesia (see Col. 1:24 and Eph. 1:22-23, for example) and stated that the local ekklesia is “the pillar and the ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).  What many believers haven’t been taught is that our gatherings are more than just times of preaching & teaching of the Word, praise & worship, & fellowship.  Our gatherings are actually “boot camp” or “basic training”, where we are to learn to walk in our gifting and develop our ability to hear and obey the voice of Yahweh.  It is incumbent upon each of us to make a conscious, deliberate effort to take advantage of the safe and secure environment that the local ekklesia represents.  Otherwise, how will the Body of Messiah ever become all that it is truly meant to be?

May each of us find our assigned place and allow ourselves to be positioned, aligned, and joined there by the Spirit!

For a more in-depth study on this subject and more, please request our free booklet I Will Build My House

Function of the “5-Fold Ministry”

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~ The 5-fold Ministry Equips the Saints for the Works of Service ~

Blueprints-5-fold-ministryAny competent builder uses blueprints if he wants what he’s building to last.  Yahweh – the ultimate Builder – was the one who originated this concept.  When He instructed Moses to build the tabernacle in the wilderness, He told him, “See that you make it according to the pattern.” (Exod. 25:40).  Solomon, likewise, received a pattern for the Temple, a pattern, incidentally, that David had “by the Spirit” (see 1 Chron. 28:11-12).  Yet for too long the ‘church’ – the Body of Messiah – has been building according to a different pattern than the one given in the New Testament.  Is it any wonder that what’s been created is imperfect, flawed, and relatively ineffective?

There is a better way, the way Yahshua originally intended when He said, “And I will build my ekklesia (‘church’, assembly), and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18).  The foundation upon which He said He would build was the spiritual revelation of Him as both the Son of Yahweh and the Messiah [the Anointed One] (v17).  Anything built on another foundation is ultimately going to crumble.

Unity of the Spirit

The apostle Paul understood the Biblical pattern for the ekklesia.  He dealt with one major aspect of it in Ephesians 4:

Eph 4:1-3  I therefore, the prisoner in the Master, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,  (2)  with all lowliness and humility, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love;  (3)  being eager (giving diligence) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Notice, Paul was literally pleading with them to walk worthily of their calling (v1).  How does he define ‘worthily’?  He says it’s “with lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (v2).  In order for us to walk worthily of our calling, we must see and conduct ourselves with humility, meekness, patience, and love.  And we must give diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit.  In other words, we’re going to have to work hard and diligently to maintain the unity of the Spirit.  It won’t just “happen”.

One Body, One Spirit

Eph 4:4-7  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling;  (5)  one Master, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  one Elohim (‘God’) and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.  (7) But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Messiah.

There is one body, one Spirit, one Master, one faith.  While we can have differences of opinion on many things, we must be careful not to cast aspersion on those whom we deem not as “spiritually advanced” as we think we are.  That gets back to the humility, meekness, etc.  If we recognize that “to each one of us was the grace given” through Messiah, then we will show grace towards others who aren’t where we’re at spiritually.

5-Fold Ministry – Ascension Gifts

Eph 4:8-11  Therefore He says, “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”  (9) Now this, “He ascended,” what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?  (10)  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.  (11) He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers

When Yahshua ascended He gave gifts [domáta] of and to men.  That is why some refer to these gifts as “ascension gifts”, because He gave them at His ascension.  What exactly were these ‘doma’ gifts?  They were gifts of men, consisting of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.  Because Scripture identifies five, some also refer to these gifts jointly as the “5-fold ministry”.

Perfecting of the Saints

unityEph 4:11-14  He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12) for the perfecting of the saints, to the works of service, to the building up of the body of Messiah;  (13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim (‘God’), to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah;  (14) that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

Yahshua never does anything capriciously, on a whim.  Everything has a purpose.  Here Paul explicitly states the purpose of these gifts:  “for the perfecting of the saints, to the works of service”.  Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of the 5-fold gift offices is not to do the works of service, but to equip, train up, and perfect the saints so that they can do them.  The ultimate goal?  The building up of the Body, till we all attain to the unity of the faith and the true knowledge of the Son of Yahweh (v13), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah.

Are we there yet?  No.  Are we even close?  No.  Therefore, all of those five ministry gifts are still necessary.  In fact, in order for the Body of Messiah to become all that it’s ordained to be, the 5-fold ministry must be functioning properly together as one.

I eagerly await the day when the Body of Messiah not only accepts, recognizes, and receives all facets of the 5-fold ministry, but when those 5 gift offices are truly functioning together as a single cohesive unit.

For a more in-depth study on this subject, please request our free booklet I Will Build My House

Relationship: Joined at the Heart

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Yahshua, our Messiah, stated emphatically that the entire Torah is founded upon two basic commandments:  love Yahweh with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself (Mt. 22:37-39, Mark 12:30-33). Let’s talk about the latter. It all comes down to relationship.

Love Must Be Expressed

Love isn’t really love if it isn’t expressed.  We know Yahweh so loved that He gave (John 3:16).  We also know that we show our love for Him by keeping His commandments (1 Jo. 2:3-5, 5:3).  Similarly, we love our neighbor as ourselves by giving of ourselves.  It’s not a one-time act but a continual process; it means building relationships with each other.

L-O-V-E Relationship

Strong relationships don’t just “happen”.  They require work, and that’s something that most people are NOT taught growing up.  That is one of the key reasons why so many marriages end in divorce.  Too many people enter into marriage with the notion that it will just sustain itself, that it won’t require any real effort on the part of either husband or wife.  This misconception, in turn, is born out of a lack of understanding of covenant relationship.

Yahweh has called us into covenant with Him through His Son, Yahshua, but He has also called us into covenant with each other.  The Scriptures say that we are to be joined to one another, knit together into one Body (Eph. 4:16).  That’s not some weak, casual way of relating.  We are not – or should not be – casual strangers who just see each other once a week on Sabbath, then go our separate ways the rest of the week.  Nor are we members of some organization – rather, we are interconnected parts of a living Organism, an organic Body, joined at the heart to each other.

Relationship through Fellowship

Fellowship leads to relationship.  In fact, without fellowship there IS no relationship.  That is true of our relationship with Yahweh and Yahshua; it is also true of our relationships with each other.  We must actively SEEK opportunities for fellowship with each other.  With everyone’s lives as busy as they are, true, strong covenant relationships will happen in no other way.  Make no mistake – this will require effort, commitment, and perseverance.Friendship

I once heard an evangelist talking about traveling to a remote area of Africa to preach.  He said that heavy rains were pouring down and that, after reaching a certain point, he and his host had to leave their four-wheel drive vehicle and walk the rest of the way on foot due to the rough terrain.  He was certain that they would get to the appointed spot and find no one there.  But he was astounded to discover a crowd numbering in the thousands patiently awaiting him; they’d been there, standing in the open air, rain, and mud, for HOURS.

To me, that puts things in perspective:  for those of us blessed to have other like-minded believers in relatively close proximity, we have no excuse for NOT fellowshipping one with another.

Consider this quote from leadership development coach and author Art Turock:  “There’s a difference between interest and commitment.  When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permits.  When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”

Time to Cultivate

Our relationships with one another must be cultivated, and they must be cultivated deliberately.  One of the crucial elements of relationship-building is the one that few seem able to provide:  time.  Pastor Jimmy Evans stated it this way:  “Time is the commodity of relationships.”  That’s absolutely true.  If we are unwilling to invest or sow time into our relationships, we shouldn’t expect a healthy harvest in that field.

The Scriptures tell us that love is the bond of perfection (Col. 3:14) – it is the super-glue that holds the Body together.  Yahshua said that others would know us by our love for one another (John 13:34-35).  In his epistle to the Romans, Paul (Sha’ul) echoed this sentiment when he said that we are to be “kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Rom. 12:10).  We honor one another by putting each other’s needs ahead of our own.  That is sacrificial love.

Don’t Require Perfection of Others

None of us is perfect yet.  That being the case, we’ve got to learn to receive others where they’re at.  There is a Hasidic proverb that states “One who looks for a friend without faults will have none.”

Yahshua didn’t require perfection when He called His disciples.  Yes, He expected them to grow in knowledge and obedience as they matured in their relationship with Him, but even after building covenant relationships with many of them over the course of three and a half years, one of them still betrayed Him and the others all abandoned Him.  Peter, one of the great apostles of the 1st century Body of believers, denied Yahshua three times on the night He was betrayed.  Yet our Messiah still found the love in His heart to forgive him – and restore him.  Should we do any less in our relationships with one another?

We need to remind ourselves on a daily basis of just how gracious and merciful our heavenly Father is.  And we must remind ourselves that He is calling us to exhibit His character in our relationships with one another.  Each of us falls short on a daily basis in our relationship with Him; yet when we repent and determine to do better, He – in His incredible loving-kindness – wipes the slate clean and welcomes us back with open arms.  Do we do the same with our brother or sister, those who we feel have wronged us?

Perfected Love

The true test of a relationship is how one responds in the face of adversity.  Closer than a Brother Proverbs 17:17 says “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  A true friend is one who “sticks closer than a brother” (Pro. 18:24) – even in the face of adversity.

“Beloved, if Yahweh so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  No man has seen Elohim at any time. If we love one another, Elohim dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.”  (1 Jo. 4:11-12)

Let us strive for that perfect love – let us be joined at the heart one to another. Let’s pursue real and living relationships.

A Heart to Work

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Yahweh has bestowed upon each believer certain spiritual gifts.  And while there are diversities of gifts, diversities of administrations, and diversities of workings, it is the same Spirit that distributes the gifts, according to Yahweh’s own will (1 Cor. 12:4-7).  These gifts are important – otherwise, Yahweh wouldn’t have given them – and we are to use them.  Yahweh didn’t give them so that the recipient can put them on a shelf somewhere, to be admired from afar. Rather, He gave them for a specific purpose – for the building up of the Body of Messiah (Eph. 4:11-16, 1 Cor 14:12).  To do that we must have or develop a heart to work.

Each and every one of us has a high calling upon our individual lives (Php. 3:14).  We’ve got to press toward that goal and lay hold of the prize.  We’ve got to walk worthy of that calling (Eph. 4:1).

A Heart to Work

Ignorance Isn’t Bliss

You can’t walk in Truth to which you haven’t laid hold.  1 Cor 12:1 tells us explicitly, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not wish to have you ignorant.”  So first and foremost we must have a clear understanding of what the spiritual gifts are.  Once we have that understanding, then we need to focus not only on identifying what our specific, personal spiritual gifts are; we must learn to appreciate ALL of the gifts within the Body. And we must strive to optimize through use the ones we have received, encouraging our brothers and sisters in Messiah to do the same.

The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy, “Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Tim. 4:14).  Yahweh is saying the same thing to each and every one of us today – don’t neglect the spiritual gifts that you have been given.  That brings to mind Yahshua’s parable of the talents – he who is faithful over a little will be given more; he who is unfaithful over a little will lose even that which he has.  We must be faithful stewards of the spiritual gifts with which Yahweh has equipped us, ministering them among ourselves (1 Pet. 4:7-11).

2 Tim 2:15 workEach of us has a ministry in the world in which we live – in our daily lives.  But each of us also has a ministry in the House of Prayer, that part of the Body to which Yahweh has joined us.  Psa. 127:1a tells us that “Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.”
It’s Yahweh-Yahshua who is building His house (Matt 16:18, Eph. 2:19-22), but we are His hands and feet in this earth.  We are His workmanship (Eph. 2:10), but we are also His workmen (2 Tim. 2:15).  Proverbs 24:27 instructs us, “Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.”

Stirred Up to Work and to Give

If you read through the description in Exodus 35-36 about the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness by the Israelites, you might be struck – as I was – by the incredible attitude of cooperation among the people … and the fact that their hearts were stirred to WORK and to GIVE to the work.  “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service of it…” (Ex. 35:21).

Moses and the elders proceeded to take up the offering from the people, and the people gave so much that the elders had to tell Moses “the people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which Yahweh commanded to make” (Exod 36:2-5).  Because of this, Moses actually had to order a halt to these freewill offerings. “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much” (v7).

Yes, these were material offerings to do a material work; yet the people were also freely offering of themselves for the work of service.  And those gifted in different areas were contributing their gifts to the same work.

Be Strong and Work

We find an interesting parallel in the book of Haggai, where Yahweh exhorts His people to consider their ways and to build His house (1:5, 7-9).  Again, Yahweh stirs up the spirits “of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work on the house of Yahweh of hosts, their Elohim” (v14).  In the following chapter, Yahweh speaks words of encouragement to Zerubbabel, Yahshua, and all the people of the land, saying, “be strong … and work: for I am with you” (Hagg 2:4).

Just prior to His ascension to heaven, Yahshua Messiah exhorted His disciples to build His house by making disciples of all nations.  He immediately followed that command with, “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:16-20).  This is more than a little reminiscent of what Yahweh told the remnant of His people through the prophet Haggai.  Yahweh also promised that same remnant that, though none of them might have seen His house in its former glory, yet the latter glory of the house that He is building will be greater than the former, and that – in that place – He will give peace (Hagg. 2:3, 7-9).  That day is coming!

That’s an awesome promise!  The house that Yahshua is building in these last days will far exceed the former glory of that first temple.  And Yahweh WILL give us peace.  The question that we must ask ourselves is – do we truly have a heart to work?  Yahweh is still telling us today, “Be strong and work, for I am with you.  Don’t neglect the gifts that I have given you.”

Why It’s Important to Walk by the Spirit

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In the day and hour in which we live, with so many voices and opposing viewpoints, it is extremely critical for all of us as believers to “walk by the Spirit”. For many (most) people in the world today, that’s a totally foreign concept. I can relate. Growing up I wasn’t raised to walk by the Spirit. Nor did my education as an engineer lend itself to that. And after I became a believer, it still didn’t change much, probably because I never heard a lot of teaching on the subject within the Body of Messiah. But in recent years I’ve come to realize the absolute importance of walking by the Spirit.

Walk by the Spirit

What Does It Mean to Walk by the Spirit?

For most, it’s a scary concept. Anything new or foreign to our way of thinking usually is. But what does it really mean to “walk by the Spirit?” To put it simply, walking by the Spirit means walking the way Yahshua walked – not just keeping a set of commandments but actually discerning the Father’s will and purpose on a consistent basis; in other words, hearing and obeying His voice. Every day of His life Yahshua was led by the Spirit; His actions (works) were governed by the Spirit; His Words flowed from the Spirit. He never went anywhere, said anything, or did anything outside the will of Yahweh.

John 5:19-20 Yahshua therefore answered them, “Most assuredly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father doing. For whatever things He does, these the Son also does likewise.  For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does. He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

John 14:10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in Me does His works.

His Words Are Spirit and Life

John 6:63 It is the Spirit that gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and are life.

When the words we speak are Spirit and life – when we hear and convey the voice of Yahweh just like Messiah did – people will want to hear what we have to say. When the works we do are the works we see our Father in heaven doing – when it is actually Messiah doing His works in and through us – that’s when we’ll see results and see lives radically transformed. To minister the way Yahshua ministered, as a true minister of the Gospel, you’ve got to hear the voice and see the works by the Spirit. It’s not optional or even desired; it’s required!

Man Gazing Up Into HeavenHearing His voice isn’t nearly as difficult or esoteric as we sometimes seem to think; Yahshua stated very clearly that “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27). However, to learn to discern that voice does take time and dedication. It’s a lifestyle that must be cultivated. Like anything else, the more time and effort you put in, the greater the results you’ll see.

Why is it so important? Because His Words are Spirit and they are life. This doesn’t just mean those words He spoke 2000 years ago – it also means that which He is speaking today… to you and to me. Are we willing to take the time to listen? Are we willing to hear and obey His voice? And are we willing to walk by the Spirit? It’s only when we walk by the Spirit that we won’t fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

Spiritual Improvisation: Going and Flowing with the Spirit

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Music has been called the ‘”universal language” because of its ability to communicate with people from different places, cultures, and times.  There are many styles of music in the world, and some of those styles are very different from each other.  Classical music is different from jazz music.  Both utilize certain musical forms.  Within the classical music genre there are concertos, symphonies, operas, chamber music, etc.   Classical composers generally use a disciplined approach and compose according to a specific set of rules.  Jazz music, by contrast, consists of ballads, standards, blues, bossa novas, etc..  Its composers operate with very few rules.  Musicians also perform the two styles of music differently.  Classical musicians play “all the notes on the page”, i.e., exactly the way the composer wrote it.  Jazz musicians, on the other hand, start with a general melody, form, or song structure and then focus on improvisation.

Piano sheet music

Spiritual Lessons from Improvisation

We can learn some great spiritual lessons as believers  from the concept of improvisation, which is defined as “an act of improvising”.  The word ‘improvise’ means “to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize.  To compose, play, recite, or sing (verse, music, etc.) on the spur of the moment.”  The word derives from two Latin words:  im- + provisus ptp. of providere “to see beforehand, prepare, provide for (a future circumstance).”

The irony of this definition, as it relates to music, is that masters of jazz improvisation perform the way they do not because they didn’t prepare, but because they did.  They will spend hours upon hours “in the woodshed”, working on their craft so that when the time comes to “play live”, they’re ready.

A well-known jazz instructor said, “The jazz musician is an instant composer!  The melodies which come from their instruments are conceived in their mind just before they play them.  The difference between the improviser and the traditional composer is this:  the “jazzer” has no eraser to instantly correct mistakes.  They practice long and hard trying to make their physical body and their mental frame of mind an appropriate vehicle to execute the ideas formulated in their mind.”

Classical musicians practice long and hard in order to play the music on the written page. Jazz musicians put in the same effort in order to improvise.  This basically comes down to the difference between what psychologists call ‘left brain’ or ‘right brain’.  The left side of the brain is the analytical or logical side, while the right side is the intuitive, creative side.

Insight from a Movie

A number of years ago Hollywood released a movie called Mr. Holland’s Opus.  In it was an interesting scene between a high school music teMr. Holland's Opusacher and one of his students, a young lady who was struggling to learn to play the clarinet.  She wanted to quit in frustration.  Finally he sat down with her and they had this exchange:

Mr. Holland:  “You know what we’ve been doing wrong, Miss Lang?  We’ve been playing the notes on the page.”

Student:  “But what else is there to play?”

Mr. Holland:  “There’s a lot more to music than notes on a page….  It’s about heart, it’s about feelings, and moving people, and something beautiful, and being alive,… and it’s not about notes on a page.”

What does any of this have to do with us as believers?  Everything.  Too often we can become so locked into the ‘notes on the page’ in the Bible that those words no longer have any life in them for us – therefore, they don’t produce life in us and we are ineffective in impacting other lives for the Kingdom.  We lose sight of the most important thing – the relationship with the Master Composer!

Let the Spirit Speak

Mrk. 13:11            “When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour.  For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”

Yahshua was speaking about specific circumstances here, but we can apply the concept more generally in our everyday lives.  We need to be so familiar with the written Word and so in-tune with the Spirit that we don’t have to worry or premeditate what we’re going to do or say in a particular situation – we’re able to simply “go with the flow” because we are ready.  “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).

2 Chr. 3:17           “Now Yahweh is Spirit and where the Spirit of Yahweh is, there is liberty”

Jazz musicians, because they haven’t ‘premeditated’ every note that they’re going to play, are free to make a mistake at any time.  They have the liberty to do that.  Similarly, we as believers, when we’re led by the Spirit, can sometimes miss the mark and make a mistake.  We don’t do it deliberately, but when it does happen, we can have the assurance that “there is no condemnation to those who are in Messiah…” (Rom. 8:1).

Corporate Improvisation

Many modern churches are like dogmatic classical musicians; when they gather together, everything has to be “note for note”, exactly as it’s written on the page (i.e., according to their tradition, their way of doing things, or what they’re used to).  There can be no variation, there can be no liberties taken.  That mindset has got to change, because Yahweh wants us to be led by His Spirit, including in our corporate gatherings.  But in order for that change to happen and for it to work the way He intends, each of us individually must spend that practice time in the ‘woodshed’ – praying, meditating on the word, praising and worshiping Him on our own, etc.  We’ve got to have that time in our own lives on a regular and consistent basis.

“Spiritual improvisation” is allowing Yahweh, by His Spirit, to lead, guide, and direct our steps, our words, and even our thought processes (how we think) – both alone and together.

One River, Many Streams

Psa. 46:4      “There is a river, the streams of which make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tents of the Most High”

There is only one Spirit of Yahweh (one river), but there can be multiple “streams” and “tributaries” proceeding from it.  Different congregations and groups might be parts of different streams at different times.  The question is, is that “stream” making glad the city of Yahweh?

There are also different streams of the Spirit within the local assembly.  Many things affect how we flow together:  our preconceptions, past experiences, religious traditions, current circumstances.  We’ve got to learn to leave all of that stuff behind so that we can enter in and freely worship our heavenly Father.

Isa. 35:1-2, 5-7a          The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.  2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Yahweh, the excellency of our God…  5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.  6 Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the mute shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.  7 The glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.

This prophecy has a specific fulfillment, but it should also have a profound meaning to us as believers today.  We have all experienced dry ground and desert conditions in our lives.  The good news is that the glowing sand will become a pool when the water of the Spirit breaks out within us!

Practical Spiritual Improvisation

1 Cor. 14:26         What is it then, brothers?  When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

This is, in effect, speaking of “spiritual improvisation” in the local assembly.  Top jazz musicians practice diligently on their own. Then, when they come together to play with others, they are able to flow seamlessly together.  So it should be in the local assembly.  We develop and hone our spiritual gifts on our own and in little “combos”.  Consequently, when the local assembly comes together, everybody has something to offer and it all flows together by the Spirit.

Jazz improvisation

When jazz musicians improvise, most people think it’s ‘magic’ or something reserved only for those who are tremendously gifted.  Even highly skilled classical musicians tend to struggle initially when they first attempt to improvise.  However, within the jazz community there is the belief that “anyone can improvise”.  Anyone, with the proper encouragement and instruction, can learn how to improvise and become good at it with enough practice.

To many within the Body of Messiah, this concept of “spiritual improvisation” carries the same mystique. People believe that one must be tremendously gifted.  But the apostle Paul said that “you can all prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:31).  Any believer, with the proper encouragement and instruction, can learn how to ‘improvise’ spiritually, to flow in the Spirit.

Get in the Flow

Yahshua repeatedly said “whoever has ears to hear, let him hear”.  In the book of Revelations it states numerous times to “hear what the Spirit is saying to the ekklesia”.  One of the most crucial skills that we as believers must master is the ability to hear His voice, regardless of what is going on around us or what other people are saying.  It is a part of our spiritual inheritance to hear and be led by the Spirit .  It was and is the Father’s desire for us. But we must still appropriate it by faith and make the decision to live that way on a daily basis.  For spiritual improvisation to become reality, we must get in the flow!

Heart of Worship

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Just what is the heart of worship?

Because people of the faith come from many diverse backgrounds, even basic “religious” terms can sometimes carry different connotations for different people. One such term is worship. What does that word really mean? According to an online dictionary, it is defined as “the reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object” or “ardent devotion; adoration.” In Hebrew, the word is shacháh and means to bow down or prostrate oneself.

In Spirit and Truth

How important is it to understand the practical, Scriptural meaning of “worship?” According to Yahshua Messiah, it’s absolutely crucial. Speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well, He said “the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and truth: for such does the Father seek to be His worshipers. Yahweh is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). So according to our Savior, we must worship not only in truth… but in Spirit.

Most people in the Hebraic roots or Messianic movement have a genuine hunger for truth, which is a good thing. But if all we have is “head knowledge” and we never allow it to get down into our hearts, then we aren’t worshiping in Spirit. If we only worship in truth – and not in Spirit – then we’re missing the boat. Yahshua said that both must be active ingredients in our worship. In fact, He chose to put Spirit first; when we worship in Spirit, He can lead us into all truth.
worship

A Heart Condition

The heart of worship is having a worshiper’s heart. In other words, having a heart FOR worship. It has little to do with ritual and much to do with the condition of the heart. Yahshua chastised the scribes and Pharisees because they did not have a true heart for worship. He said, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you … ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’” (Mark 7:6).

We can read about the same “heart problem” in Ezekiel: people who come and sit and hear the Words of Yahweh – but don’t do them (Eze. 33:30-33). They appreciate hearing a good song – but never allow that song to take root in their hearts and bring forth fruit. We certainly don’t want to fall into that category!

What are some governing principles of true worship? According to Scripture, we’re supposed to be filled with the Ruach (Spirit), speaking to each other and teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:18-19).

As these verses imply, music is (or can be) a powerful teaching tool. Just consider how quickly children can learn a nursery rhyme when it is set to music. Likewise, we can teach, exhort, and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The apostle Paul (Sha’ul) made a decision that he would “sing with the Spirit and sing with the understanding” (1 Cor. 14:15). David declared that Yahweh would “surround (him) with songs of deliverance” (Psa. 32:7-11) and said that Yahweh is actually enthroned upon – or inhabits – the praises of His people (Psa. 22:3).

Prophetic Praise and Worship

The Scriptures give several interesting examples of what some have termed “prophetic praise and worship.” One such instance occurred after the prophet Samuel had anointed Saul (1 Sam. 10:5-10). The account states that when Saul turned to leave Samuel, Yahweh gave him “another heart,” that he became “another man.” He went out and met a procession of prophets with musical instruments who were playing and prophesying. When Saul encountered them, the Spirit of Elohim came upon him and he, too, began to prophesy.

A second such occurrence may be found in 1 Chron. 25:1-3, where David appoints a “praise team” whose job is to prophesy “to give thanks and to praise Yahweh.”

These two accounts bring up an interesting point: many people have understood “prophesying” only to mean foretelling future events. While it obviously has that meaning, in both of these examples the context indicates something different – they were praising and worshiping Yahweh under the inspiration of His Spirit. According to Scripture, that, too, is prophesying. Perhaps that is what the apostle Paul was referring to when he said that he would “sing with the Spirit and sing with the understanding.”

Worship as a Pouring Out

Yahshua poured out His soul unto death. Likewise, we are called to pour out our souls and our hearts like water before Yahweh (Psa. 62:8, Lam. 2:19), specifically when we come to the house of Elohim (Psa. 42:4). Could this, perhaps, be our “drink offering” to Yahweh? (Num. 28:1-2, 9-10). True worship, after all, is dying to self, pouring out our souls so that Yahweh can fill us anew with His presence, His glory, His esteem.
water-rapids
When we come together, it ought to be more than “3 songs and out” or having a clock-watching, can’t-wait-‘til-it’s-over mentality. We need to enter into His presence with thanksgiving and enter into His courts with joy (Psa. 95:2, 100:2). In fact, that’s where there IS fullness of joy – in Yahweh’s presence (Psa. 16:11).

At the dedication of the temple of Yahweh under Solomon, the Scriptures say that all of the priests in the “praise & worship band“ sounded as one in praising and thanking Yahweh – and that the glory or esteem of Yahweh filled the house … so much so that the priests could not even stand to minister because of it (2 Chr. 5:1-3, 12-14). Did this occur as a result of their beautiful music? Their extremely loud singing? Or was it simply due to their pure expression of unified worship? I submit that it was the latter.

Called to Have a Worshiper’s Heart

Do we, as called ones of Yahweh, desire that kind of encounter with Him, or are we satisfied to remain in the outer court? When we gather in His Name – whether on the Sabbath or at any other time – are we truly pouring out our souls before Him? That is the only way that His glory will fill His temple of believers. What if we were to experience His presence so palpably that we couldn’t even stand to minister in His house? Would we be willing to let our order of service – our structured worship – “go out the window” and just bask in His presence? These are questions worth asking.

We must worship Yahweh in Spirit and in truth – for Yahweh desires and seeks such to worship Him. And that requires that we have a heart of worship – a worshiper’s heart.

For more on this subject, check out our 2-part sermon series Release the Worshiper.