Hearing the Word of God - Rhema
The Lord Calls Samuel
1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
God's Judgment against Eli
10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth…” 1 Sam. 3.1-10 (KJV) (Emphasis added).
Over the past three months, my Lord Jesus, through His indwelling Holy Spirit placed upon my heart to reinstate and update the BibleStudyNH website (est. in 2022) and add to it Restoration Prayers. That is in process. I also heard that I needed to update the Next Door app, and to consider an Instagram site. The latter I’d been reluctant to do for many reasons. So being obedient, I asked for a confirmation in the Scriptures and I just opened my Bible to Joel 3:25. My eyes just fell first on that verse. For context I then read verses 23-32 looking for words and phrases that seem to be highlighted or appear to “jump off the page” to me.
So yes, the Next Door app was updated. And yes the Instagram site for BibleStudyNH was opened; and, my contacts were carefully chosen as well and included what was placed under the “My Story” tab.
The purpose of this post is to present how I now read the Scriptures, and how I now look for the Holy Spirit to guide me in all truth when I ask for a “Word” obout a decision, or a challenge or difficulty being confronted. I had done this many times since BibleStudyNH was created in 2022, and there has never been one time when the Holy Spirit did not direct me when I opened the Bible for a “Word.” including a phrase or phrases dealing directly with my questions.
In the 1990’s, I officed in Austin in the same building with a brother in Christ, named Stephen. For over seven years we engaged in daily word by word studies in the Bible (many times with other brothers and sisters). Stephen and I became proficient in using an interlinear Bible text (hard copy) researching the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek original words and the various meanings, usages, and references cross referenced from many lexicons such as Gesenius Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon (LINK), Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (Brown Driver-Briggs) (LINK), Vines Expository (LINK), and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon (LINK) as well as others. We also had pastors mentoring us, as well as Rabbis to assist with difficulties we may have confronted at the time.
I have stayed in contact with my brother Stephen over the 30 years or so since, and he recently sent me a linked entry from biblehub.com featuring Vine’s entry on the subject of the English usage of “word” in Old Testament and New Testament passages; and, how translations into English from the Greek (rhema) and the Greek (logos) are both rendered together; that is, into all English translation as “word;” with the separate usages and meanings between rhema and logos being “lost in the translation” to those reading the Bible in English alone. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (LINK) explains “God’s Word” in the Bible appears sometimes as “word,” “the word of the Lord,” “the word of Life,” and in the passage “no word from God shall be void from power.”
So why is this important? That question is one motivation for this post, and it relates to my personal experiences. I have since learned other Holy Spirit filled Christians have also shared these experiences. What is meant here may be your experience as well. If not, this humble suggestion is offered. When you are faced with a decision or difficulty, consider asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in all truth; after, first seeking the Kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness. While alone in your “prayer closet,“ consider this passage from Mather Chapter 6.:
The Lord's Prayer
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him…. (Mat. 6.5-8 KJV) (Emphasis added)
A great film by the Kendrick Brothers as producers is “War Room.” The main theme of the film is “a prayer closet” and the form it takes and is portrayed in the movie as a visual is highly instructive. (LINK)
In an online article entitled “Rhema vs. Logos", (LINK) Shawn Manaher writes: “… When we say rhema, we are referring to a specific word or phrase that is spoken by God to an individual. This can happen through prayer, reading the Bible, or even through prophetic words. Rhema is a personal, individualized message from God to a person. On the other hand, logos refers to the entire Word of God. This includes the Bible as a whole, not just specific words of phrases. Logos is the objective, universal truth of God’s Word that applies to all people.” (Emphasis added).
This post is not intended to be an intellectual exercise, but a heart-felt testimony of personal experiences. Kindly seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all truth with this question: Could it be true in a manner which cannot be explained in the “natural” or “scientific” sense; that is, the “living Word of God” includes the gift of personal experience of the witnessing of rhema … as we walk upon this earth with the indwelling presence of God? Could this be what Paul refers to as a part of the “mystery” he describes; and, … a change that is freely given to us occuring in “the twinkling of an eye?”
I would be interested in any and all readers who either have had this experience or have the experience after humbly reaching out to the Holy Spirit in this manner. I am now reminded “Iron sharpens Iron” (Proverbs 27.17), and I look forward to possibly hearing from you. The most expedient way is to either email me at biblestudyinnh@gmail.com or text at 603-832-4717. May the Lord’s peace and blessings continue upon you and your families … in Jesus’ name. Amen
