Many years ago, I invested many weeks studying two Greek New Testament words--Logos and Rhema. I called it "Word4Word". During that time, God gave me this spiritual song I called: RHEMA FROM THE LOGOS RHEMA FROM THE LOGOS A personal Word from Above Give us Rhema from the Logos Speak to us, Lord, in Thy Love. Rhema...from the Logos A personal Word from Above... Give us Rhema...from the Logos Speak to us, Lord, in Thy Love. Rhema is not separate from Scripture; it is the Scripture plus a portion that the Holy Spirit quickens and makes alive to us as we read and study God's Word. This understanding of Rhema allows us to apply the Promise of John 15:7-8 and experience God's marvelous results from it. "If you abide in me, and My words (rhema--what you have heard Me say to you from the Bible) abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (NKJV, parentheses added). One day when I was studying this Bible word--Rhema, I came across this explanation in "Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words." 1 It states the following: "The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take 'the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,' (Eph. 6:17); here, the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture." Since then, I have heard some great Bible teaching on this subject from Chuck Swindoll, David Jeremiah, Adrian Rogers, Anthony George, and several other reputable men of God. I have also read A.W. Tozer, Hudson Taylor, D.L. Moody and a host of other Bible teachers concerning Logos and Rhema. The study of Rhema is actually a study on how to hear from God on a regular basis. "Hearing from God" IN His WRITTEN WORD involves two key Bible Doctrines--Illumination and Animation. THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF ILLUMINATION-- Simply put, illumination (in the spiritual sense) is "turning on the Light" of understanding of a spiritual Truth in the Scriptures. The question arises, "How does God do it?" The most basic level of illumination is our initial knowledge of sin. Without that knowledge, everything else is pointless. Psalm 18:28 says, "For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness." Psalm 119, which is the longest chapter in the Bible, is a song about God's Word. In verse 130, it says, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." This verse establishes the basic method of God's illumination. When God's Word enters the heart of a person, it gives light and understanding to him. For this reason, we are repeatedly told to study the Word of God. Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (NKJV). Verses 98 and 99 say, "Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation." Regular reading of the Word of God will give us information, but that will never be enough. We need direction and understanding in the issues of our spiritual Life and spiritual walk. It is not enough for us to figure out how a verse applies to us or our situation. We must hear from God directly, as we read and study His written Word.' RHEMA MUST COME FROM THE LOGOS AND WILL USUALLY BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIRMATION OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES according to Matthew 18. Have you wondered how to hear from God? You go into God's Word expectantly and ... Read More Here
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Pastor "Dos" Carter (Georgia, USA) is a contributing writer for IOM America--Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchange Life Development and IOM America's VP Digital Communications. He is also part of Digital Ministries Consulting & Publishing and The Prayer Cloud Net (for exchanged life believers worldwide - prayer, biblical discussions, and spiritual interaction).
1Vine, W.E. "Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words" (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996), 683.
Permission obtained from author to republish: The Foundation for Receiving Rhema. Copyright © 2012, 2014 by Bruce Wayne Carter (AKA Pastor "Dos" Carter). Originally published by ChristLivesIn.Me™ (exchanged life digital devotion) Dec. 7, 2012. Changes to original authorized by author.
All Scriptures, unless otherwise stated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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