THE GIFT

by Barri Cae Mallin

Shalom. My name is Barri Cae. I was raised in a Jewish home and was saved in 1980
in my cousin's Jewish delicatessen. To God be all the glory. Shalom.

The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of Heaven
have been given to you.


~ Matt. 13:11 ~

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Merriam Webster’s defines the word gift as “notable capacity, talent, or endowment, something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation.” The word ‘give’ occurs over 900 times in Scripture. How great the Father’s love for us that we should be called children of God. Flesh and blood do not inherit this knowledge, only those who by faith embrace Yeshua, Jesus, God’s only son. Only when we get to heaven, we will understand this in full, and be able to appreciate what it actually means to be adopted into the family of God.

If we ever stopped to think about what the LORD has given us, we would be truly awed. He has given us peace as Numbers 6:26 notes. He gives us songs in the night, says Job 35:10. The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the sons of men (Ps. 115:16). As we read His word, He adds enlightenment to them The unfolding of Your words gives light (Ps. 119:130). No good thing will He withhold to those who walk uprightly (Ps. 84:11).

Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted (Prov.3:34). . . . that every man who eats and drinks, sees good in all his labor - it is the gift of God (Eccles. 3:13). For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power (Isaiah 40:29). Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26).

Material gifts are nice, yet never can be a substitute for the gifts of God. God has designed us to be a needy people, in that we need to come to Him and express to Him through prayer, what we need. God answers prayer two ways: Yes or “I have a better idea”. I like to wait for His ‘better idea’ even though the waiting can be tough. Yet when God gives gifts, they are perfect gifts.

Romans 6:23 says For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God gives to each, each individual gift as I Cor. 7:7 states However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

By far, the greatest gift God has ever given to us along with salvation is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Although we cannot see the Holy Spirit, He is here, within, guiding , directing and consoling each believer. John 14:26 states, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. The Holy Spirit is just not another aspect of Christian theology; the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is amazing, He is powerful, He is consoling, He is comforting, He is the best counselor and He takes no credit unto Himself. The Godhead is a mystery. The third word in the Hebrew Scriptures is ELOHIM, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:1-2)

Bereshit bara Elohim, in the beginning, God created. Why did God call Himself Elohim? The "im" ending denotes plurality in Hebrew. If God had just called Himself EL, would He be such a mystery? Yet all through [sic] the Holy Scriptures, God is known as ELOHIM, denoting plurality in His name.

The Holy Spirit is the greatest power within you, if you are a believer in Jesus. Jesus called Him, the Holy Spirit, the Helper. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17). Have you ever given thought to the idea that the Holy Spirit is known by you and He abides with you and He is in you? It is one thing to have a spouse who abides with you, but your spouse is not divine and your spouse is not in you. Your spouse knows you but even your best friend does not really know you , or know your insides. The Holy Spirit knows you and He knows how to guide you in every perfect way.

When a Jewish man proposes to a woman, he gives her and her family the mattan1, the promise of his fidelity. He then leaves to prepare a home for them to dwell. Usually within a year’s time, he will return for his bride. The ceremony will occur, the vows are exchanged and they enter a new relationship as husband and wife. The Holy Spirit is our Mattan, our Promise, that Yeshua Jesus, our Bridegroom, will one day return for us, His Bride. We are to wait, as Ephesians 1:13-14 states, In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Have you been feeling like you are at the end of your rope? Have you been in a quandary, not knowing where to turn or how to fix your problem? Have you gotten quiet, opened your Bible and allowed the LORD to speak to you? Have you really stilled your soul and allowed the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide you? There is no one like the Holy Spirit. He is the Best guide that there is! He is amazing! He will give you wisdom beyond your human finite abilities. He will give you insights to that which concerns you. He will quiet you with His love. He will guide you in paths of righteousness. He gives amazing advice. Be sure to get still. Grab your Bible, pray, if you just do not know where to begin, begin with Psalms. Let the dear wonderful Holy Spirit guide you. He is there to give you the best counsel ever. There is none like the Holy Spirit. He will give you help against the enemy of our souls. He will comfort you like no human can.

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. (I Corin. 2:10)

The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you,” (Matt 13:11).

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corin. 13:14)

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ENDNOTES

1. Lit., gift or giving. - ed.

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Copyright © Barri Cae Mallin.

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Barri Cae Mallin holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from
Trinity Theological Seminary.
Other devotionals by
Barri Cae may be found at
www.barricae.com.
To receive them by email, inquire at
Contact Barri Cae.

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