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Logos  and  Rhema



          As we mentioned earlier, the written word of God, is referred to in scripture as the "Logos" of God. This is the written text of the Bible as we know it. The Word of the Lord which came to the prophets (sometimes as a "still small voice" and other times as an audible declaration) is called the "Rhema" of God. This is the personal communication from God to man quickened by His Holy Spirit. This "quickening" or "confirming" of God's thoughts to our thoughts, occurs when God (by reading our thoughts and by using His foreknowledge of our steps) combines circumstances, words, people, etc. etc. with our internal perceptions--to supernaturally reveal unto us His will. This is called "walking in the Spirit" and it occurs when we begin to tune out the distractions, within and without, and begin to seek the Lord on His terms. A continual state of prayer is absolutely essential to make us open to such Divine communication.

          Now the written word of God in its "Logos" sense must always be our final authority. Still, if that was all we had, the Bible would be nothing more than a moral, historic, religious novel. Instead, it is a living, God-breathed communication to us, that the Holy Spirit brings to life as He chooses. This distinguishes it from all other books. The Bible itself declares, "the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life." Many students of scripture are satisfied learning only the "letter" of the Word; thus they experience only book knowledge. Still others are learning to live in the supernatural -- experientially moving beyond the senses -- entering the spiritual landscape chronicled by Moses, David, Peter, Paul, etc.  This is the God of the Bible -- engaging, engrossing and electrifying His creation, with the Revelation of His presence.

          However, learning to walk with God in the Spirit only comes through  first hand experience. They say the journey of thousand miles begins with just one step, and how true this is in our spiritual pilgrimage. We must ask the Lord to teach us His ways (for they are higher than ours) and ask Him to help us hear His voice; learning to follow His leading. How essential this is; because we see so much Christian activity today being accomplished on auto-pilot. The children of Israel had to follow the cloud and the pillar of Fire for 40 years, which reveals the Lord's ability to lead us in mystery and to chase us back with fire when we stray.

          Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Samuel, Paul, Phillip, etc. all shared this same common experience -- that is -- God intervened and personally directed their steps all the days of their lives. We too must enter this mysterious path; for until we touch the supernatural, we are merely dabbling in religion. The Bible is a book of ongoing miracles, awaiting all who will dare to put their trust in God.

          Of course, following God's "Rhema" voice shouldn't contradict His "Logos" word. If we think God is telling us to go in a certain direction; and what we feel contradicts His written word; it is probably not God. For example,