Quote from Forum Archives on February 14, 1999, 7:02 pm

Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Standing Shoulder To Shoulder With You In The Trenches
As We fight The Good Fight

TITLE: "Have You A Word From God?" (Part One ---- "The Mud, Muck, and
Mire")

My Dear Fellow Soldier:

Greetings in the mighty Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of
natural disasters, political hopscotch and compromise, international
terrorism, and potential wars, there is one praise chorus that is ringing
in my heart -----------

"What A Mighty God We Serve!" Amen to that, and hallelujah!

No matter what we see around us, my dear friend, *That* is the truth of
the matter. Whether last week was a "bummer", a "bear", a "blah" or
"brilliant", "Our God Is An Awesome God"!

As we face a new week, let's remember that fact.

A SPECIAL WORD FROM GOD:

I have been aware of special occasions in my life over the years when the
Lord seemed to have a "special word" for me at a particular moment when I
needed to hear His reassuring voice.

While I have memorized many verses and have read tens of thousands of
verses, there are perhaps ten or twelve passages that seem to be
permanently emblazoned in my memory. I not only remember the verses, but
I also remember the occasions and the circumstances surrounding them.

The biblical term for such events would be "Rhema" ---- denoting
something that is not just written, but is "uttered" in word or in
writing, not necessarily audible, but nonetheless "heard" in the inner
man or the spirit.

It is much more than "Logos", which is an expression of thought ---- the
verbalization of a thought ---- then perceived in the realm of the
intellect.

It is much more than knowledge ("gnosis"), but, lies more in the realm of
revelation ("epignosis") ---- knowledge made full through supernatural
divine revelation.

W. E. Vine, in his Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, says it
like this: "The significance of 'rhema' (as distinct from 'logos') is
exemplified in the injunction to take 'the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word (Rhema) 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."

If I have counted correctly, the word "Rhema" appears in only fifteen
verses in the New Testament, as compared to hundreds of times for
"logos". Each time it is used, it is during an occasion of great
significance. I'll share those verses at a later time. They are awesome
examples of the life-changing effect that God's special "Words" to us
will have, if we will but yield to them.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES:

You have most likely had more than one occasion when perhaps a particular
verse you had read many times suddenly, and without expectation, came
alive in your heart right in the middle of a circumstance when you needed
a clear "word" from God to help you get through that situation.

When such an event happens, it lifts off the page and marches across your
mind in larger than life Bold Faced print. It springs from the Book and
hangs suspended in mid air before your eyes blinking on and off like a
spectacular neon sign, declaring the truth God wants you to receive ----
even to embrace ---- in that situation and for that circumstance.

In the past I have wanted to do some devotional writing about some of
those special verses in my life, but have usually put it off. Numerous
friends have frequently encouraged me to share them, but I have
hesitated.

So ---- as sort of a "first step" I'm going to take a few weeks to share
some of those very special "Rhema" verses with you ---- those passages
that at a particular time in my life have stood out on the sacred pages
in "bold-face, underlined, italic" print.

It is of particular fascination, to me at least, to see the diversity of
circumstances, settings, and age in which these special moments of
revelation took place in my life. I believe, as we look at some of them
along the way, that you will find one or more with which you can
identify.

PIT OF DESPAIR:

The first such experience of receiving God's specially applied word that
I can remember was when I was a sophomore in college back in the Fall of
1957.

I was going through a very difficult time ---- I felt alone, without
clear direction, frustrated, deeply depressed. We had just moved from
Springfield, Illlinois to Tucson, Arizona where my father had recently
taken a pastorate. Most of my friends from my first year in a Missouri
college were over 1200 miles away ---- I was in a new surrounding,
separated from my family and friends, ---- and very lonely ---- and
feeling as if I were totally alone.

In addition, God had called me into vocational ministry months earlier,
but I had no clear sense of direction ---- I felt like I was drifting
aimlessly with little awareness of where I was headed. I was unsure
about classes to take or professors to prefer.

I had few friends in this new setting. It didn't take long for my two
room mates to have enough, and they moved to other rooms with more
preferred room mates. My new room mate was an asthmatic egg head with
whom I had absolutely nothing in common.

Bringing to the new campus a continued sense of insecurity and
inferiority, I continued my arrogant and frequently brash efforts to sell
myself to others in order to gain acceptance. Instead, I was met with
further rejection by some, and disdain or pathetic sympathy from others
who at least felt sorry for me.

I was a very unhappy camper ---- unhappy in every respect. Unhappy with
my surroundings, unhappy with my physical appearance, unhappy with my
insecurity, unhappy without my friends, unhappy being separated from my
parents, ---- and unhappy with my unhappiness.

Were it not for a few people who were compassionate enough to see through
to my real need and envision my real worth, and were it not for an
occasional breath of Spirit wind, I'm not sure I would have made it
through the year.

During the deepest hours of my depression I found myself circulating
between the school cafeteria (which made its own contribution to
everyone's misery), classes, and my dorm room ---- where I retreated at
any and all hours of the day to escape the reality of my misery ---- by
sleeping, often through mealtimes and classes, and sometimes for twenty
four hours or more. Little did I know until years later just how
emotionally and spiritually I was in great jeopardy.

I sought for ways to hide my misery, but it didn't take long for people
to know that something was wrong. Since I didn't have the discipline nor
the will to seriously apply myself in my studies, I looked for other
things.

Being a voice major, I took some degree of solace in my vocal
improvements and occasional opportunities to sing in chapel or in a
revival meeting somewhere. When the music ended, however, the silence of
loneliness was deafening.

I looked to sports ---- trying and then failing in baseball, golf, and
basketball ---- finally settling for intramural sports and dorm rivalry
touch football. But, when the games were over, I returned to the
darkness of quiet despair.

I looked to my ministry. God blessed me by giving me an opportunity to
serve as Minister of Music and Youth at a small nearby church. Yet, I
was so inexperienced and insecure that it was virtually impossible to
gain any fulfillment there. In fact, when I returned to the church the
second year following Summer break, they declined to invite me back on
staff.

Well, how about girls? Yeah! ---- how about 'em? But, it didn't take
long for most of them to tire of my constant self-centered monologues.
They didn't know I was crying out to be accepted ---- neither did I. So,
after the cokes, the walks, and the dates, I returned to an empty room
with an empty soul.

Words fail me in trying to describe the deep darkness of my soul ---- the
sense of purposelessness, the feeling of alone-ness, the terror of
hopelessness.

I had nothing to cling to ---- nothing to turn to ---- nothing to hang on
to. As a nineteen year old Sophomore, I was emotionally flat-lined, void
of purpose, spiritually dead.

I only knew one thing ----God was God, and He was my Savior. That's all
I knew with any certainty.

Knowing that one thing, deep down inside, I also knew that , if I waited
---- and waited long enough ---- God would come ---- and God would
answer.

I FOUND A PLACE:

But, praise the Lord, there was a "Balm in Gilead" for this sin sick
soul.

There was a group of students who met three evenings a week for what was
called "Evening Vespers". Student-led and student-attended, it was an
inspirational and devotional time consisting of about thirty minutes of
singing, testimonies, prayer, and a brief Bible study.

Two guys, Jim Richardson and Jim Goodson, seemed to be the dominant
leaders in the group ---- and ---- and! ---- they liked me! A couple
years ahead of me in class, they offered the friendship and leadership
for which I was starving.

Only today as I write this letter to you am I more fully understanding
just what significant roles they played in my life. Guys, if you happen
to receive this letter ---- THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

This group of students gave me several important things, of which I
mention four.

1. They gave me fellowship and a sense of togetherness which I so
desperately needed at that time of feeling so alone.

2. They gave me acceptance and love to help counter the deep feelings of
unworthiness and insecurity that accused me daily.

3. They gave me encouragement through their worship, their testimonies,
their prayers, their smiles, and their friendships.

4. They gave me opportunity ---- opportunity to claw my way out of my
self-imposed shell and make an effort to contribute something ---- to be
of value to others.

THE RHEMA:

One such opportunity was to invite me to give a brief Bible study at one
of the Evening Vesper gatherings. As far as I can remember, I had never
spoken publicly in such a setting before, giving some type of "teaching"
from God's Word. I knew I could never do it unless I prayed and unless
God gave me something specific to share.

That's when it happened. That's when the "Rhema" came, as far as I can
recall, for the very first time in my thirteen years of Christian
experience.

One afternoon, as I sat on the covered porch at the end of the student
center, open Bible before me, searching for something to share at the
next Evening Vespers, my eyes fell on these words:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my
cry.

The Holy Spirit seemed to interrupt me, and He said, "Bob ---- this isn't
just for the group ---- this is special ---- this is just for you."

"He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay;
and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

"And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many
will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3)

"RHEMA! RHEMA! RHEMA!" HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LAMB!

Resisting the temptation to take that apart phrase by phrase, I make
these simple statements.

1. I did one thing ---- God did Seven! What a deal! But ---- that's
the way He is, my friend.

2. I waited . . . waited . . . waited . . .and waited ---- Patiently . .
. Patiently . . . for the Lord.

3. He inclined to me ---- He looked down on me ---- He noticed me! ----
Right where I was!

4. He heard my cry ---- He heard! ---- He heard my cry ---- my cries!

5. He brought me up! ---- And out! ---- Up and Out of the Pit ---- the
Pit of Destruction. Man, was I ever headed for destruction! He brought
me up! ---- and Out!

6. He brought me out of the Miry Clay. I was born in Clay County,
Illinois, so that analogy is very real to me. I remember those times
when I was so stuck in the clay and gumbo that I could Not get loose.
But ---- He brought me Out ---- Out! He Freed Me!

7. Then He set my feet ----dirty feet which He took time to wash clean
---- upon The Rock, and made my footsteps firm ---- steady ---- secure
---- sure.

Then, friend, if that alone wasn't enough, . . .

8. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Friend,
I cannot tell you what a difference that made in my singing. Even today,
one of the great delights of my life is to lift my voice in praise to my
Wonderful Savior and King.

9. Then, like icing on a cake, My God gave me a wonderful promise ----
Many, many, many ---- will see. They will see ---- and fear ---- And
---- And will Trust In The Lord!

My dear, dear friend. I am here as a living testimony of three very
important things: First, God sees, He hears, and He knows ---- You! ----
in your need, in your present condition and circumstance. He sees you!
He hears you! He knows all about it ---- and all about you!

Second, God responds ---- always ---- without exception ---- without
fail. He will do the same for you, dear friend, no matter how distant He
may appear to be.

Finally, ---- and perhaps most important ---- God uses our experiences
and circumstances to not only change us, but also to change others.

And, that's the bottom line! Many will see and fear, and will trust in
the Lord.

CONFIRMATION:

Shortly after God gave me that memorable moment of knowing He had spoken
to my heart through His Word in revelatory "rhema", I was back home in
the church my father pastored. As was my custom, I met with the young
people during one of their Sunday "singspiration" times.

Forty or fifteen teens would sit around the piano while Dad played one
chorus after another. Last night as I wrote this letter to you, Jo Ann
was in the family ---- playing ---- on the same piano.

Those teens began singing . . . .

"He took me out of the pit, and from the miry clay;
He set my feet on a rock, establishing my way.
He put a song in my mouth, my God to glorify;
And He'll take me some day to His home on high.

I'm on the rock, Hallelujah!
I'm on the rock to stay, Hallelujah!
For He lifted me from the miry clay;
I'm on the rock to stay.

You can imagine my joy over knowing just how deeply my Heavenly Father
loved me ---- that He would not only give me assurance through Psalm
40:1-3, but then would confirm it "through the mouth of two or more
witnesses" as those teenagers tapped their feet and clapped their hands
to that wonderful little chorus.

It was confirmed.

There have been many times when I have fallen into a "pit" ---- but He
has always brought me out. There have been times when I got stuck in the
miry clay at the bottom ---- but He has always set me free.

And, always ---- always ---- without fail, He has planted my feet back on
the Rock, established my way, and put another new song in my mouth ----
always praise to our God.

He gives us no assurance that life is easy, but most certainly that, if
we trust Him and listen to Him, He'll make sure we are loosed, lifted,
and firmly landed on the Rock.

GOD HAS A WORD FOR YOU:

My friend ---- I am convinced that God desires to lift us, deliver us,
encourage us, with periodic "Rhema's" ---- those special words from Him
that transcend the emotions of the moment, and bypass the intellect upon
which we so often depend.

Have you had a "Word" from the Lord?

Well, God has a "Word" for you. I know He does. He loves you too much
to not have a special Word for you.

It is my deepest desire that you hear what God is saying to you this very
moment. If you have been so busy or so distracted that you haven't taken
time to sit down awhile and just listen, let me encourage you to do so.

Now would be a good time.

Have a great day, a great week, and a great life, my friend. Let me hear
from you sometime.

Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright February, 1999. All rights reserved.

If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.

If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know.

__
/ |
(_/____)
/ ^ ^
{ (O) (O) }
------oOOOo--------U-------oOOOo------

Hang in there! I'm with you!

-------.oooo0--------------- Ooooo--------
( ) /
| | /
(_) (_)

TO SUBSCRIBE, send any message to <[email protected]>.

___________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at www.juno.com/getjuno.html
or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]