Sunday, March 4, 2007

What's the Word?

I was talking with a friend the other day on the phone, about the "phenomena" that happens when suddenly, something from the Bible jumps out at you and seems to be completely clear and have absolute Truth. Like something inside you just "knows" - i think that feeling is something i have tended to call "i know that i know that i know." when this happens, it's like nothing i can ever describe in my mortal words. it's like God has DIMENSION.

anyway, my friend said "oh, you mean the rhema Word."

no, i did not know. but after doing some searching on the internet, i see that God's Word can be
talked about two ways: Logos and Rhema.

here's what i found:

Logos is God's written Word. the definition i found is: something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation;

when somebody says "I've read the Bible thirteen times, i know it by heart, they are probably referring to this Word. when you set out a goal to read the Bible in a year, you are probably referring to this Word. which is good, because each Word of God c0ntains His Truth. It is wholly endorsed by Him.

Rhema, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to nail down - one definition i found describes rhema as a word that God speaks to you directly.

more specifically:

1 A rhema Word is a creative word ... probably why i like it so much! Rhema is the personal Word, God speaking to JUST YOU. it's not about head knowledge, or learning. it's about Him REVEALING Himself to you, kind of like when a friend shares something about themself that they have never told anyone. It's deeply intimate, it brings a part of you (your Spirit) into aliveness.

2
A rhema Word strengthens or sustains. I never cease to be amazed by how many people go to church, but are not real excited about God!! How can that BE? The God that i have met along my journey is fascinating, compelling, more interesting than any other endeavor i have ever set out to partake in, or any relationship i have ever yearned for! How can somebody who goes to church once a week not feel the same way?! It does make sense to me that MANY churches emphasize the Logos Word more than the rhema Word. Both are Truth, both are FROM GOD, but only rhema brings one ALIVE, transforms, engages, excites!!! Rhema is truly God alive!!!

3 A
rhema word is a word of provision. Let me tell you, rhema Words keep you going. the other day a friend told me she didn't want to "fake it til she makes it" anymore, she is tired. but i don't believe God is a God who withholds Himself, if we truly seek Him. If you read God's Word everyday, you will gain. But if you read God's Word with a genuine desire and hunger for him to "show up" in your life or situation, He does. It may not be as you EXPECT or desire, but it will be MORE than enough to sustain you. Rhema words are the food that Jesus talks of so many times.

4 A rhema word comes alive with action! The thing about God's truth is, there is a recipe for living it. Faith is a key component. trying to live a life with God, without faith, is like baking a cake without the baking powder. It will not RISE! he he. God's word does require something on OUR PART. and that is a belief in our Savior, and His ability to take any part of our life and transform it. He allows US to be a part of our own salvation in this way, by choosing to BELIEVE that He came and died for us. so many times, we try to make it be that God has other motives. that He is hard and mean and has alot of rules. And true, He does have guides for us to live by, clear direction between right and wrong. But the simple fact is this: our only real task in achieving a life in partnership with Christ and therefore His father, is to have faith that He is who He is.

hallelujah to that!

Monday, November 13, 2006

woke up with a dream

Here we go with a new blog. I had a vision in my head when i woke up, with the words "the Well" on my mind.

Not sure what that means. I know that in the Bible, there is a lot of language about wells. When I was a kid, the idea of wells was kind of scary...it seemed like you might plunge into the unknown, where you would surely drown. I'm not a swimmer, so that image did not bode well with me! We did have a well in the back yard, somewhat like the picture on this blog. I never really went over there, for aforementioned reasons.

Now that I'm older, I am less afraid. I realize that there are many things in this world that are scary. Even things that LOOK on the surface to be safe to enter into, might not be so. So I rely on the Lord, the "well of salvation" to take me into the unknown, where He surely keeps His living water.

Ahhhhh. I am praying for others to jump in and join me.