The Logos / Rhema Delusion - UBM [David Eells]

When I was young in the Lord, I was full of faith in the Word and acted on it with results. Shortly after I became familiar with the fact that I could believe what the promises said and speak healing, the Logos/Rhema doctrine came out of the more liberal, unbelieving side of non-Spirit-filled Christianity. It started as an excuse for why they were not getting any results for healing. Vines Expository Dictionary, the best I've found, says that the Logos is (I) The expression of thought... (II) The Personal Word, a title of the Son of God. However, the Rhema denotes that which is spoken, what is uttered in speech or writing. Logos is a root word for thought and Rhema is a root word for speaking, so we think of a Word or promise and when we speak it as God's mouthpiece on earth, things happen. {Rom.10:8} But what saith it? The word (Rhema) is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word (Rhema) of faith, which we preach: {9} because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: {10} for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Notice when the Logos is spoken in agreement with God it becomes a Rhema and saves, delivers, heals, provides. This is just what Jesus said. {Luk.10:16} He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.

Those in the Logos/Rhema error do not understand about the Rhema being spoken by God's people who are "ambassadors of Christ" and represent and speak for Him on earth. {Joh.3:34} For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words (Rhema) of God... As Jesus was the body of Christ and spoke the Rhema to see God's provision, so are we the body of Christ to speak His provision. {Eph.6:17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (Rhema) of God. What Jesus spoke as a Rhema became a written Word or Logos until His people speak it again as a Rhema. {Rom.10:15} and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! {16} But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? {17} So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema) of Christ. {18} But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words (Rhema) unto the ends of the world. Notice those who are sent speak the Rhema to the ends of the earth. However, those who don't believe the report or Word (Logos) cannot speak the Rhema of God. What they speak is a false idle Rhema. {Mat.12:36} And I say unto you, that every idle word (Rhema) that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. How can one speak an idle Rhema? They quote the Logos but it has no power to save, heal or deliver because it is not in agreement with the context because their doctrine is wrong. All of their speaking of the Word has not brought the people their benefits.

The truth is, while God's wise people are speaking the Rhema, the Logos/Rhema sect are unbelievingly waiting for God to speak it in their mind or ears. This false, faith-robbing doctrine is that you cannot stand on the written Word (the Logos) of God for anything until God actually speaks the verse to you as a Rhema to tell you that what He had said already in His Word is true. Ridiculous, huh? Why would God have to repeat Himself, which He often refuses to do when people are not believing, even while they wait for their benefits. The rich man in torments wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to his brethren to tell them not to go to that place. {Luk.16:31} And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets (in the Word), neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead. Jesus came to us from the dead and these people will not hear Him. So I say to you, hear the Word or you may never hear God. When they first came to me as a young Christian with this doctrine, I noticed that they were not getting any signs, wonders or healings, etc. I asked them why they believed in this, since it didn't bear any fruit. All they had was a theological argument that destroyed the Scriptures that were getting a lot of people healed and delivered. It was and is very destructive. The purveyors of this doctrine are guilty of the death of multitudes through destroying their faith to accept what the Word says already happened at the cross. I was getting healing consistently for my family, myself and many others but they were proud of their doctrine and just did without. Their doctrine is, if you hear a Rhema, you get healed; if you don't, that's what God made the doctors and drugs for. But Jesus and His disciples relied on neither of these. Some of these people died of the side effects of drugs because they would not hear God's Rhema. If you have "ears to hear" when you read the Logos, you hear the Rhema that was spoken by Jesus. Everyone else just reads the Logos and gets nothing.

When we give God's healing gift to others, they need to believe, too. {Rom.1:16} For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth... Like Jesus said to them, "Be it unto you according to your faith"; or "As you have believed so shall it be unto you"; or "thy faith hath made thee whole"; or "If two of you agree...it shall be done"; or "seeing their faith". A teacher of the Logos/Rhema error, who has written against me, teaches that Jesus had to hear from the Father which one He should heal, as though God is a respecter of persons. But the Bible says He healed them all over and over and this was because they had a covenant with God through faith in their sacrifices. Here it is, using just one Gospel, that He healed them all: Mat.4:24; 8:16; 9:35; 12:15; 14:35,36; and His disciples healed all, too: Acts 5:16; Heb.13:8. According to their doctrine, surely the Father would have said "NO" just once. No, God says "yes" to all of His promises "For how many soever be the promises of God in Him is the yea." "God who cannot lie" will not break His covenant. The only condition to partake of this covenant is faith, not another word, as Jesus said over and over. When individual instances were taken out of the multitudes and described in detail, it was clear that Jesus (the Logos) asked for some expression of their faith as the only condition to receive. It works the same through His disciples today.

The only thing you have to add to the Logos of the good news is hearing faith. {Heb.4:2} For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word (Logos) of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. {3} For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Notice that we are not waiting for God to speak because the works of healing, etc., were already finished, for "by whose stripes ye were healed". Notice God said you "were healed" because He "took our infirmities" and "bare our diseases" -- all past tense. Because Logos/Rhema folks do not believe this gospel that our healing was already accomplished at the cross and is to whosoever will believe our words, they are not healing people. {Mar.16:15} And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. {16} He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. {17} And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name ...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. This is plain: those who are not getting results in healing are not believing the true Gospel. We are getting results by the thousands, as you will see below.

It is clear that Jesus wasn't waiting on the Father to speak a Word of healing; He was just waiting for them to believe. These folks don't understand that the Father gave Jesus authority, which is the right to use power yourself. {Joh.5:27} and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Notice he got this authority, not because He was the Son of God, but because He was the Son of man -- because man was given authority over the creation. Adam lost this authority but Jesus restored it by not sinning. Jesus gave authority unto us as sons of man, saying, "as the Father sent me so send I you". {Luk.9:1} And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. {Mat.18:18} Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The Logos/Rhema folks don't believe the Logos, so they have no Rhema and are waiting for God to tell them again what He already said. Everyone knows that we don't have to wait to hear God tell us that He saved us or forgave us because we just believe what He wrote in His Word. "He sent His word and healed them".

Jesus' disciples didn't say to the sick, No you have to wait to hear the voice from God as a Rhema before you can get healed. They proved this by healing all who came believing and confessing faith. James agreed that if you were doubtful you would not receive. {Jam.1:6} But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. {7} For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; {8} a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways. Notice that any doubt can thwart healing or deliverance. The Logos/Rhema doctrine says when one is not healed it is because there was no Rhema. But this is a false assumption for the sake of winning an argument because they don't know the conditions of hearing faith were met by the ones prayed for because Jesus said everyone who believes receives. James said if you are doubleminded, "think not that you will receive anything from the Lord". When you speak a Rhema to someone, if they don't hold on to it and speak it themselves until the end, it will not come to pass. Also, the Logos/Rhema folks do not know there was no willful disobedience for which God says He will not answer (Heb.10:26,27).

These people scoff at the idea that sin or unbelief, which are synonymous, has anything to do with the curse having a legal right over people. Jesus healed a man and warned him not to sin or his curse would come back even worse. {Joh.5:14} Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee. Notice that sin, including unbelief, could kill this man, even after Jesus prayed for him. Of course, according to the Logos/Rhema doctrine, if this man died later it would be Jesus' fault. Perhaps they don't know that the generation that Jesus healed of "spirits of infirmity" lost what He gave them because of continued sin. {Mat.12:43} But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. {44} Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. {45} Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. Because they lost the healings and deliverances Jesus gave, was it His fault? I was once called to pray for a young girl who was dying. Cancer had spread through five of her organs; she was skin and bones and couldn't get out of her bed. I quoted to her {Jam.5:16} Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. She confessed her sins to her parents and so I commanded the spirit of cancer to leave her, which it did. She immediately became better and better and was a picture of health, doing everything she was before. Then I heard that the parents had given credit for this healing to their idol, herbs, and that they were in unforgiveness to one another and speaking of divorce. Then this girl went down hill as fast as she had recovered and died. I am sure if some of these people got wind of this, I got the blame.

Jesus taught you didn't need to hear a voice; just believe you have received anything and you would receive it. {Mar.11:24} Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Greek) them, and ye shall have them. Those who falsely judge others for not having a Rhema have three fingers pointing back at them for never bringing healing or deliverance to those who are dying with his theology. They are walking in the steps of the theologian, Karl Barth, who, among others, passed this theology on down to them and never healed or delivered anyone either. Karl also passed on down to them his belief that you can't believe in the literal interpretation of the Scripture. All of the liberal apostate church believes this. Some of these also received Karl's doctrine of Ultimate Reconciliation of all, so they expect you to forget Jesus' warnings of an eternal hell for the wicked, too. I have seen for over 35 years that the effect of this demon doctrine on Christians is that, like the eternal security adherents, they no longer fear the Word of the Lord, which in itself sends many to hell. There are three sure things the devil would have you believe:

Don't believe you can just ask and believe the Word.
Don't believe the promises are literally true and for you NOW.
Don't worry about hell; you won't be there long.

These are "doctrines of demons" which pervert the Word and mind. Beware, because I prove with their own words on the page linked above that if what they say is true, when the wicked come out of hell, God will die and you will go straight to hell from heaven. Lies never stand the test of the rest of scripture.

Jesus spoke His Word "to him that hath eyes to see and ears to hear". The emphasis was not on God speaking but on the persons hearing what is said. While the Logos/Rhema folks are waiting for a voice, the wise are reading the Logos and hearing what was spoken Rhema by God and then speaking the Rhema. Otherwise, the Logos on the page is useless. Those who have ears to hear don't just get a dead letter when they read the Logos; they hear the Rhema in their spirit. The Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance everything He spoke as a Rhema to us. The person who has this experience cannot be deceived by theologians, who have an argument, but no experience of consistent personal healing. If you want healing or anything from God, you can go to those who get results for themselves and learn from them how to receive. Don't go to the theologians who talk you out of having ears to hear and speak your Rhema. They say 1 Peter 2 :24 is not for physical healing. "Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed". Like the old mainline denominations, they say this quote from Isaiah 53 is not about physical healing but Matthew also quoted Isaiah 53 and showed it clearly was physical healing. {Mat.8:16} And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick: {17} that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases. They are too late to stop millions of believers through the centuries from getting healing through that verse. I can't imagine God answering their faith in that verse if it was a lie. The Logos/Rhema lies are destroying the faith of many to receive their gift that, as you can read, was already given.

The proof is in the fruit, which this lie would rob you of. The non-Spirit-filled would agree with this unbelief because they have no experience with healing either and have to make excuses why they don't get it or give it. If they don't believe that the stripes of Jesus have already healed us, then they won't be healed because they refuse Jesus' command to "confess me before men". The Greek word for confess means, "speak the same as". When you speak what Jesus said in the Logos, that is the Rhema. Notice in the verses above, God said you "were healed" because He "took our infirmities" and "bare our diseases" -- all past tense. Since it's already done, we are waiting for no more Word to receive our benefit. "Let God be true and every man a liar". The condition to receive deliverance from the curse is not hearing a voice in the future; the condition is hearing the Gospel from the past. {Rom.1:16} For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Jesus already bore the curse of all sickness, enumerated in the curse of the law in Deuteronomy 28. {Gal.3:13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: {14} that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. When you hear God's Logos, it has spoken to your spiritual ears. So while the Logos/Rhema cult are waiting for a voice from heaven, which rarely comes as they miss out, true believers are hearing the Rhema from when God spoke it in the past and getting their promised provisions.

God cannot change His mind when He says something or He would be lying. You may not meet the condition of faith, which is believing you have received at the cross, and therefore cannot have the benefit because you have no Rhema. God says if His Word is in you, you can ask anything you desire and you will receive. {Joh.15:7} If ye abide in me, and my words (Rhema) abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Notice it's not God's will by whether He speaks to you that you are healed, but your will created by His Word in your heart. Now you know why these people do not receive what they desire; they do not abide in Christ nor are His words in them. If, like Karl Barth, you do not believe the promises are literally true and that you cannot literally interpret the New Testament, you will get no Rhema hearing, for you are a closet unbeliever. It is impossible to talk Scripture with such a one, for you have no foundation to stand on in their eyes and ears. If the Jews spiritually interpreted their covenant while they were still under it and did not abide by what was written, they were transgressors. It is the same with the New Testament. You cannot spiritualize away what is written while under this New Covenant. There is a true spiritual revelation behind much of the New Testament but it will never destroy what is written unless what is written is clearly an allegory, as in parts of Revelation. God doesn't send those who do not rightly divide the Word of truth.

On our website are hundreds of voluntarily sent in testimonies of different healings, deliverances, provisions, etc., most of which are a result of our teachings or prayers. Since we only started posting these a few years ago, only a small percentage take the time to write up a testimony and these are, in turn, teaching many others how to receive, then the actual manifestation of God's promises during this time were in the thousands and in the past were even more. Why would anyone listen to a person who has no experience in healing people? If a doctor never showed some semblance of healing people, would anyone with common sense go to him? Since I was a year old in the Lord, I have received Word of Knowledge and Word of Wisdom, as the Lord wills, which are Rhema Words from God. Although these came for many different purposes, usually specific direction, like what will happen or where and when to go next, it is not written in the Word so we need to pray for a Rhema from God on such things. Other written and guaranteed covenant benefits, like healing, deliverance, provision, etc., are already given and only an unbeliever would repetitively ask for something that is already given. These people are fond of saying that Moses and the prophets needed specific words on direction, which is true, but this has nothing to do with what is already promised. I can tell you that rarely did Father ever have to tell me someone was healed, etc., because I just believed the covenant promises for my Rhema hearing and spoke it.

When Jesus said, "It is finished", concerning the covenant, He meant it. Jesus didn't say if you got a word you can receive but "if ye have faith...ye shall receive". {Mat.21:21} And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done. {22} And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Notice He said "all things whatsoever", not just when you receive a word. Those who say they need a Word from God before they can believe the Word are totally carnal and doubleminded. Many saints never hear a word from God, so they would never receive according to the Logos/Rhema delusion. This is a deadly doctrine. Thank God many with childlike faith just believe the simple Gospel and receive and ignore the theologians who want to make this complicated. {2Cor.11:3} But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. Children can understand "all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive". I have sent my children to go and lay hands and pray over washing machines, refrigerators, squirrels, people, lawn mowers, to command the storms to move, etc., and they obeyed and saw miracles. I am so glad no theologians got to them to complicate their minds.

The Logos/Rhema people like to misuse this verse to say Jesus had to get permission to heal anyone. {Joh.5:30} I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge... but what did he hear just before this verse? {27} and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Jesus healed because He heard the Father give Him authority to do it and if you have authority you don't keep going back to the one who gave it, as though he didn't give it and you didn't believe Him. What gives these people the right to speak as though they are an authority on healing and able to judge others when they aren't being used to heal people? Paul said he dared not do such a thing. {Rom.15:18} For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, {19} in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. These people have to throw out much of the Word to believe something that hasn't worked for them. They believe Paul's thorn was a sickness, so we can't hope to have healing just by God's promises, but the Word says differently. Believing this has killed many for want of the truth. Jesus said those who have the truth and believe it will heal the sick. {Mar.16:17} And these signs shall accompany them that Believe... {18} ...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. {Joh.14:12} Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. No one should be judged a believer in what the Bible says about healing who has no signs following. Those who hear and believe what the Father says in His Word will speak the Rhema healing to many. {Joh.7:38} He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. Those who don't believe what the "scripture" or "writings" say will have no Rhema to speak healings.

The inexperienced, immature and unfruitful, in this regard, have no right to speak against the brethren. {Jam.4:11} Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. They have told others that they are correcting me for my false doctrine. James and Paul spoke against those who made themselves judges of their brothers concerning doctrines but who had not sinned. {Rom.14:1} But him that is weak in faith receive ye, [yet] not for decision of scruples. {2} One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs. {3} Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. {4} Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. Notice the Apostles refused to judge those who were doctrinally wrong, giving them time to grow in their faith, as we all have needed. They did judge those who judge them and those who willfully sinned and so should we. Jesus judged as hypocrites those who judged others when they were not right themselves. {Mat.7:1} Judge not, that ye be not judged. {2} For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. {3} And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? {4} Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? {5} Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

When Jesus opposed even the Pharisees, He never named them, as these people do, but spoke against their false principles in a general way. John named names once against a man who railed at them because he was just seeking his own preeminence. {3 Jn.9} I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. {10} Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words. Paul spoke names once against two men who had defiled their conscience and lost the faith because of speaking against others. {1 Tim.1:19} holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith: {20} of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme. The Greek meaning of blaspheme is "to speak against" either others or God . Very similar words used in scriptures are railing or reviling, which mean to speak abusively about or to someone. Paul said to avoid those who did such things. {1 Cor.5:11} but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be ... a reviler ... with such a one no, not to eat. {12} For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? {13} But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves. As you can see, the only examples we have from scripture for naming the names of offenders is when they are sinning by speaking against others for their own ego's sake. These people have done just this. To them, God says, "and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full" {2 Cor.10:6}. They have tried several times to get me to believe in this doctrine and are somewhat offended that I have not given in, so they retaliate. If this is not so, why would they pick me to single out and name and not the millions of others who deny their doctrine and are getting results because of it? And why would thy revile me in emails to others who have tried to correct them and then told me about it?

These people and millions more have done without and died early because of this false doctrine.

Where Logos/Rhema Came From
James Rule - 09/28/2009

Dear Brother,

I have been prompted of the Spirit, and by the request of another brother in Christ to write you. As you can see, I am writing you the "old fashioned way", pen, paper and print. Hope you don't mind. I like communicating in this way.

Now obviously you do not know me, and neither do I know you, except that I came across your website in August 2009. It happened that I was perusing the internet for good Christian testimonies, and information about divine visitations, outpourings, visions and revelations. Some time earlier, mid-summer of 2009, I had come across another website called unleavenedbreadministries. I was blessed by the testimonies I was able to read about brethren who had believed Jesus and Scripture for healing, provision, protection, deliverance, etc. When I came to your article about Understanding Faith and Healing I was immediately interested in what you had to say. What I read caused me to be grieved and sorrowful in view of what you set forth there. It was not new to me though.

So for this reason I am prompted of the Spirit to write you. Additionally, and because you named Unleavened Bread Ministries and David Eells, I contacted him by email in view of what you wrote. We have talked on three occasions and exchanged a few emails. On the whole we are still on a very casual basis of knowing each other. I have had no other contact with them previously. May I say that I am just a believer and disciple of the Lord Jesus. I have nothing else by way of ministry organization. The main calling I have at present is intercession.

Nevertheless, my heart and spirit were stirred not a little when I read your article, copied it off, and have been re-reading it. My purpose is to set forth a Scriptural answer to your article. I am not linguistically trained so you may find me at fault when it comes to sentence structure or punctuation. I plead guilty if so. But I do believe that I can present to you a testimony and witness in the love of Jesus and by the Spirit of Truth as is spoken of by the apostle Peter (I Peter 3:15).

I will seek to be as plain as possible (2 Cor.12), and speak the truth in love (Eph.4:15), peradventure your heart and mind might be enlightened and changed to know the Truth as it is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:24-26, 2 Cor. 11:10. Eph. 4:21).

May I humbly and respectfully beseech this of you as you read the rest of this letter, and hopefully you will be of the same heart and mind as the Bereans were (Acts 17:10-12).

Observations From a Believer and Disciple of the Lord Jesus and Holy Scriptures Concerning Logos/Rhema Teachings in the Article at His Website Entitled - Understanding Faith and Healing.

Please permit me to say at the outset that it is not unscriptural nor un-Christ-like to discern error and deception when it comes to matters of the Truth, Scripture, and the Lord Jesus (Mt. 24:4, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:8, Rev. 2:2,6,13-16,20-25).

I was not long into your article until the Spirit gave me an inward witness that something was amiss here. As I continued reading it became quickly apparent.

Your article began with reference to a couple of news articles about parents who professed faith in Jesus for the healing of their sick children. In both cases the child died.

From there you moved on to some lengthy quotes of David Eells with respect to his involvement with one of the families and their child. Personally, I thought that what David said was good. The inward witness I had that something was amiss here is because you start out your article by using unregenerate, ungodly, and unbelieving news media reports to make your case.

Having been a believer/disciple now for many years (Feb. 1, 1974), and for many years trusting in Jesus and Scripture alone for healing and health, I have gained a fair amount of knowledge about the devices and tactics used by the unregenerate world and professing Christians alike when they decide to oppose believers who have chosen to trust Jesus and Scripture alone. Such was the case in your article. Where, I ask you, do you see such tactics used in Holy Scripture? Yes, examples are given in Scripture of those who did not receive manifested healing, or who in fact died. Case in point-Elisha, who died of the sickness he had (2 Kings 13:14). NEVER, sir, do the writers of holy Writ use such devices, nor do they use such tactics to go on and say what you say in your article, which does not engender faith in Jesus and WRITTEN Scripture for healing and health. Rather, for a true believer such as I, it only alerts me to the unscriptural nature of what you are going to say later. You, like so many I have heard and read over the years, will find those who do not get healed, or who die on occasion, and you will pass over the multitudes who have been healed - even those who have been raised from the dead, in order to make your case. It may work for convincing unbelievers or those weak or unenlightened but not for those who have seen the light by the Spirit of God, and tasted of the Living Word - the Lord Jesus Christ Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Heb. 13:8, John 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:13-15).

You go on in your article to state in view of what you deem to be "error in belief regarding the doctrine of faith and healing""...that a necessary ingredient of faith is receiving a word from God specific to our situation, and without such a word there is no foundation for faith". You repeat this statement or ones like it several times in your article. Immediately the Spirit of God witnessed to my heart that this was the Logos/Rhema - faith or presumption teaching. As far as I am concerned, Brother, this is a very unscriptural teaching and is itself an error and deception of the worst kind! So as I beseeched you afore, so I do again. I do not think that I am the first witness the Lord Jesus has sent your way to seek to enlighten and correct you.

I was first confronted with this doctrine about 1977, several years after my salvation (1974), and Spirit baptism (1975). Thankfully it was through the godly and beloved pastor/teacher the Lord Jesus blessed me with, that, I received a thorough scriptural answer and refutation of this teaching.

Brother, the ORIGIN of Logos/Rhema is in Neo-Orthodox teaching/theology. Are you not aware that one of the central tenets of their teaching is a DENIAL of the scriptural teaching of its plenary, verbal, inerrant, authoritative, inspired/God-breathed nature and origins? Are you not aware that one of the chief proponents of the Logos/Rhema teaching when it first came out was a man by the name of Charles Farah, a professor/teacher at ORU at that time? Are you aware that in his book entitled From the Pinnacle of the Temple, where he espoused the need to have a "specific word" from God in order to have a "foundation for faith" in a written scripture, he admitted to drawing this belief from the writings of Karl Barth? Sir, Karl Barth was the leading theologian of Neo-Orthodoxy, and he and his Neo-Orthodox teachings would easily fit the scriptures that class such men and teachings as "false teachers, false apostles, deceivers" - who have evil spirits that are called in Scripture "lying, seducing, deceiving and antichrist spirits"(1Tim. 4:1; 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7; 2 Cor. 11:4, 13-15; Jude 4-19). Have you never discerned this? There are many scriptural injunctions to do so (1 John 4:1-6; 2:26-27) being but two of them.

Perhaps I can enlighten you some. I have read Karl Barth's teachings/ theology many years ago. What Charles Farah quoted in his book at that time is essentially Barth's/Neo-Orthodoxy's view of Scripture and Logos/Rhema. Neo-Orthodoxy is but an enlargement upon the totally unscriptural teachings of the rampant unbelief of Higher Criticism/ Modernism/Social gospel/Liberalism. The BASIC belief of ALL of these is that which I mentioned before. Please bear in mind that this runs totally contrary to the beliefs of the true saints for all of history and the testimony of the WRITTEN Scriptures themselves by God ALMIGHTY Himself and the human vessels He breathed out His Word unto! (2 Tim. 3:16; Ps. 147:19-20: 2 Pet. 1:20-21)

Neo-Orthodoxy and other forebearers falls under the Divine indictment of the Spirit of God speaking through His prophet Isaiah, To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them (Is. 8:20). Karl Barth and Neo-Orthodoxy, like their earlier counterparts, also denied the Biblical doctrines of 1) Jesus' virgin birth (Is. 7:14; Luke 1:26-35); 2) Jesus' penal, vicarious, substitutionary blood atonement, and with that a denial of divine physical healing in it (Is. 52:13: Mt. 8:16-17; Romans chapters 4 and 5; Hebrews epistle: Heb. 9:11-28; 1 Peter 2:24); 3) The literal existence of a literal hell/lake of fire where sinners will suffer eternal torment and punishment for eternity - what about Ultimate Reconciliation? (Mt. 5:21-22; 18:9; Luke 16:23; Rev. 20:4-15); 4) The bodily resurrection of Jesus and believers who die in Christ (1 Cor. 15; Rev. 20:4-6); 5) Jesus' literal, visible return to earth to reign and rule over the earth/nation - also called the Second Advent (Rev. 19, 20; Zech. 12-14; 14:3,4; 9-16; Acts 1: 9-11).

Now for the true disciple of the Lord Jesus, which you profess to be, ought not all this evidence cause you to give sober pause? Ought not this cause you to fear and tremble at the thought, (more correctly), the reality of the dangerous ground you find yourself on? Neo-Orthodoxy, which the original teachers of Logos/Rhema borrowed their "revelation" from, is nothing more than a doctrine of devils, evil spirits! Have you ever really understood this?

As I read on in your article I came to the place where you dealt with the matters of "parallelism". Your statement I do not find disagreeable with respect to the poetic style of the Hebrew and parallelism. In fact, the Scriptures you cite are good in that respect. But the problem with your conclusion is this, Brother, - the very DIVINE ORIGIN of Hebrew poetic parallelism disproves your conclusion that physical healing is not in the Messiah's atonement/sacrifice! Let us not forget that it was GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF Who proclaimed HIMSELF to be the I AM, the LORD that HEALETH thee! (Ex. 15:25, 26; 23:25; Ps. 103:1-3). And the context teaches and reveals it was not spiritual healing but physical healing. It is the same Lord God Who Himself declares to Israel that He is their REDEEMER from sin, transgression, and iniquity (Ps. 103:1-3; 78:35; Is. 41:14; 49:26; Ps. 130:8). Yes, Brother, there is the Divine use of parallelism, but contrary to your conclusion that this parallelism disproves physical healing in Messiahs atonement/sacrifice, it proves it. How so? Because GOD ALMIGHTY Himself uses the "parallelism" to: 1) Teach and reveal various aspects of His redemptive work and forgiveness of sins (Ps. 103:1-3a), and healing of physical disease/sickness (Ps. 103:1-3b); 2) To teach and reveal that the sacrifices that provided atonement for sin were some of the same sacrifices/offerings that provided atonement for healing of physical disease (Lev., Num., Deut., Ex.; Lev. 13-15). Parallel to the Lord God's provision for sin was His provision for physical healing!

Furthermore, this DIVINE parallelism is perfectly presented and revealed in the monumental words and revelation of Messiah in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. And when we come to the N.T. gospels and epistles, the Lord God Almighty continues this DIVINE parallelism in Messiah manifested - JESUS CHRIST (Mat. 1:20-23; 8:16-17; John 1:29; 6:2).

This DIVINE parallelism is continued by the Holy Ghost as He anointed the believers of the Lord Jesus from the day of Pentecost and onward to believe and preach Jesus Christ the Divine Healer of sin and sickness - spiritual and physical (Matt. 8-16-17; all of Acts 10:38; 1 Peter 2:24). Brother, there is none, zero, zilch parallelism as you teach in the revealed WRITTEN Scriptures.

I want to interject at this point an observation that you ought to prayerfully and soberly consider. The late 1800s saw a tremendous resurgence of understanding divine healing for physical sickness and disease by faith alone in Jesus Christ - His Name, blood, atonement, and the WRITTEN Scriptures. To name a few - Andrew Murray, A.B. Simpson, G.C. Bevington, Maria Woodworth-Etter, John G. Lake, Smith Wigglesworth, Lilian Yeomans, Carrie Judd-Montgomery and a host of others - well known, lesser known or, unknown. All of these I named were prior to the Joel 2, Acts 2 outpouring of the Spirit that commenced in 1900. The Spirit's outpouring further heightened and deepened the DIVINE revelation of Scripture and the Lord Jesus, which by the way parallels the experience and ministry of the apostles/disciples during Jesus earthly ministry (Mat. 9:35; 10:1; 28:19-20; Mark 3:13-16; 6:7, 12-13; Luke 4:14, 17-19; 4:40-41; 9:1-2; 10:1-2, 17-20) prior to the Joel2/Acts 2 outpouring and EMPOWERING of the Spirit and the "day of Pentecost and after" revelation of Jesus the believers had, and the greater and mightier works enduement of the Spirit's power in and upon them! (Luke 3:16; 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; Mark 16:15-20; Acts 2 and onward). Brother, do you want to go argue with these brethren in any real and meaningful way? Do you want to go argue with the godly manifestations and fruit that was in their personal lives and public ministries when they took Jesus at His Word - the WRITTEN Word, and by faith alone experienced physical healing in their own lives and experienced multitudes of souls saved and healed by preaching and teaching Jesus as the Divine Physician for sin and sickness! (Mat. 8:16-17; 9:12-13). I would challenge you, if you have not, to read Modern Day Miracles Through Prayer and Faith by G.C. Bevington. Read his testimony and the divine revelation the Lord Jesus gave him with respect to divine healing in Jesus and His atonement. How about my beloved pastor/teacher? He testified many times that though he was truly saved and born again with much training in Scripture and theology (he said he could paper a wall with all the degrees he had), yet he was in unbelief and blindness to Jesus as present day Healer of sickness and disease. He said that all changed the night he received the baptism in the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues. He said that he had a mighty inward revelation of Jesus Christ as the risen Saviour and Lord (Acts 2:1-4, 24-36) and with that a mighty revelation that the WRITTEN Scripture was as true today as it was in the apostles' day and time! I myself coming from a liberal Neo-Orthodox denomination (United Methodist) had a divine revelation inwardly when saved and born again about Jesus, Scripture, and healing. Mark 16 was the primary one. And when baptized in the Spirit with speaking in new tongues, there came a mighty revelation of the Lord Jesus as Healer of sickness. Jesus teaching in John 14, 15, and 16 about the Spirit's ministry of teaching, revelation and guidance into all truth became REAL to me. The Spirit quickened the WRITTEN Scripture to me that Jesus Christ was the Divine Physician/ Healer AND He had provided, procured and promised to heal ALL thy disease!! HALLELUJAH to Jesus forever!

As to your assertion that believers who believe that Jesus has provided healing of ALL diseases in His sacrificial atonement, and that this provides a general promise of physical healing for all sicknesses are in error is soundly refuted by ALL of Scripture itself and the Lord Jesus Himself! Brother, it's all in Jesus and WRITTEN Scripture! See and read Ps. 103:1-3, Is. 53:3-5; Mat. 8:16-17; 10:1; Luke 6:19; Acts 5:16. Now if Jesus provided and did ALL in the 1^st century A.D., He has NOT changed! (Heb. 13:8) You teach that there is a general promise of forgiveness of sins in Jesus atonement/ sacrifice, do you not? You quote WRITTEN Scripture, do you not? Well, it is WRITTEN Scripture that teaches healing of ALL disease for believers in Jesus' atonement. By the way, why is it that the Logos/Rhema teaching never talks about having to have a "special and specific word" to claim forgiveness of some sin? Does it not follow that the same should be true with respect to claiming forgiveness of ALL sins? You've got a Big Problem here as far as I'm concerned.

The sacrificial, atoning work of the Messiah/Lord Jesus cannot be divided up as so many do. It is eternal and forever settled. God ALMIGHTY Who is eternal and unchanging (Mal. 3:9; Heb. 13:8) by nature is also by nature eternally, unchangingly the DIVINE Healer/Physician (Ex. 3:14; 15:26; Mal. 3:9; Is. 53; Mat. 8:16-17; Heb. 13:8). And, yes, it is patently true that there is a general promise and provision that a believer can believe for with regard to physical healing just the same as they can do with respect to forgiveness of all sin (Ps. 103:3; Is. 53:3-5; John 14:13-14; Mark 11:22-24; 1 John 5:14; 1 Peter 2:24). It is neither a mark of "poor Bible translation" or "lustful hearts desire" that prompts sincere believers to lay claim to forgiveness of all sins and healing of all diseases. Do you want to really lay this kind of stuff on the saints of Scripture itself who believed and taught all the things I've referred you to? You would charge modern day believers with "poor Bible translation and interpretation and lustful desires", but what of the saints of the Scriptures who wrote, taught and believed all these? Do you want to lay the same charges on them? Remember, it was the LORD JESUS Himself Who made those bold, all-encompassing statements and faith truths as set forth in (Mat. 9:299; 17:20-21; 18:18-20; 21:21-22; Mark 5:34, 36; 9:23; 11:22-24; Juke 17:5-6; John 12-14). Now, if Jesus was afraid of His disciples having "lustful hearts" all the time, why did He ever make them? And look at the context of these statements - they were often made with reference to healing or supernatural works. Repeatedly through the years I have read or heard these kinds of arguments and rationale, but I see it as a lot of false assumptions.

As to your reference to George Muller with respect to prayer and Scriptural conditions, I would disagree. I have read a number of books on brother Muller, and I hold him in great respect in his life of faith alone in Jesus and Scripture for material/financial provision. I disagree with your reference to him in support of your teaching of Logos/Rhema. Brother Muller just did not have a scriptural understanding of divine healing. Additionally, I would call your attention to the names of believers from that same time who also trusted Jesus and Scripture alone for finances and material provision, in addition to faith alone in Jesus and Scripture for divine healing! Do you want to lay your charges on them of being lustful or poor interpreters, especially in view of the godly fruit they bore?

Why is it that it is lustful for a believer to desire and believe for physical healing of every disease but not forgiveness of every sin? Did Jesus ever lay such charges to any He ministered to as recorded in Scripture? Quite to the contrary! If He didn't then, then He won't today! And as my beloved pastor/teacher used to say, "If you've got a wrong heart, repent and get it right; or get a new heart, and then you can go believe, ask, and lay claim to all the promises and provisions of your heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus, and Scripture".

As to conditions for receiving God's provisions and promises - well, the Scriptures are filled with them! Repentance, forgiveness, a right heart, confession, faith actions, patience, endurance, holding fast, etc. are all believed, taught and understood by true faith walkers and talkers (Ex. 15:26; 23:24-26; Prov. 1-4; Ps. 91:14-16; Mark 11:22-26; James 1; 5:12, 13-15, 16-20; Heb. 10-11; 1 John 1-5; 5:14-15) and on and on I could go.

Yes, I know there are those who teach a form of faith, the "name it, claim it" faith is all gain; but Brother, that does not nor will it ever change the TRUTH of WRITTEN Scripture with respect to these things.

Are there not conditions to receiving forgiveness of sins though there is the general promise of forgiveness of ALL sins to every believer? Of course there are. Well, it's no different with regard to healing of all diseases.

And then I am impressed of the Spirit to mention a few instances of the Spirit of God speaking in some form of direct revelation concerning healing of disease. I recall one instance of a sister in Christ, born again/saved, but not Spirit baptized. She testified that she became totally incapacitated by rheumatoid arthritis except for her hands, and she could move her head. She'd had no teaching from Scripture about healing. She began to look to God and as she began to diligently study the WRITTEN Scripture, she said that the Spirit of God taught her and revealed to her Biblical truths about healing. She believed, asked, received, and confessed the Scripture. One morning she awoke and heard the audible voice of Jesus, and He said, "Arise, dress, and walk". She lay there awhile contemplating this, and the audible voice of Jesus came again saying the same thing. Still she lay there. Jesus spoke again and said, "Arise, dress, and walk; stand on my Word"! What "Word"? All those WRITTEN Scriptures He had given her. She did, and her healing was manifested. Praise Jesus!

Another sister and wife testified how that her husband - a medical doctor - heard about Jesus as Saviour and Healer of sin and sickness. He heard the WRITTEN Scripture preached. He was smitten down by the power of the Spirit. When he went down, he was an avowed unbeliever and skeptic. When he came up, he was a believer; the Spirit baptized him with speaking in tongues, and he was saying, "Every chapter, every line, every verse in the Bible is true"!

And how about the testimonies I have heard and read through the years of doctors, nurses, and people in the medical field who get saved and Spirit baptized, or who are already believers; and the Spirit of God illuminates His WRITTEN Scripture to them about divine healing of physical disease/sickness. I've NEVER once heard them testify that there was no provision in Jesus' atonement for physical healing.

Now sir, what and who am I (we) to believe? Furthermore, it raises a very serious question in my mind, as I believe it ought to in any honest and sincere believer. The question is, what spirit is it that teaches Logos/Rhema - the Spirit of God (John 14, 15, 16; 1 John 2:20-21; 2:27; 4:6) or the spirit of error? (1 John 4:6; 2 Cor. 11:9) Why would believers repeatedly get direct revelations by/from the Spirit of God and the Lord Jesus Who repeatedly quote the WRITTEN Scripture They inspired in the matter of healing of physical sickness?

I believe it's VERY OBVIOUS. The "special word" that comes by the Spirit/Jesus repeatedly CONFIRMS the WRITTEN Words God has spoken through the ages!

Again, I ask the question, what or who is it that teaches Logos/Rhema and denies physical healing in Jesus atonement? To me it is VERY OBVIOUS - an evil spirit of unbelief. That may be news to you, but it is not to me and others who know Scripture and the spiritual dimension. Repeatedly, disciples who have encountered evil spirits associated with false teachings and revelations, have encountered literal evil spirits by the name of unbelief. And believe me, GOD ALMIGHTY, the SPIRIT of GOD, and the LORD JESUS are NOT confused about physical healing; nor are THEY going to teach "Logos/Rhema - have to have a special revelation word to believe/ claim the Written Scripture", and then teach others that they can take God at His Word - the WRITTEN Scripture. Jesus will not contradict His written words with His voice! The Spirit always bears witness to the WRITTEN Scripture He breathed out and gave godly men to write (Mat. 4:1, 4, 7, 10; Luke 4:1, 4, 8, 12).

You also state that if one has not heard anything from God, faith is not present, and belief is not possible. Again, I ask, where is that in WRITTEN Scripture? Does not WRITTEN Scripture state, And His name, through faith in His name hath made this man strong whom you see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all (Acts 3:16)? This faith which is by Him (Jesus) was NOT by some "special word", but by the WRITTEN Scriptures of the O.T. that the apostles were preaching and teaching (Acts 2; 3; 4; 8:28-35, 31 - Scripture/O.T.). The WRITTEN Word/Scripture will produce faith in and of itself, and it's the Spirit of God Who gave it that quickens, enlivens, illuminates, reveals, and empowers His Holy Scriptures both to the speaker and the hearer! That's seen all through the Bible - the Gospels and book of Acts ABOUND with examples.

God gives a person faith in order to believe unto salvation (Eph. 2:8). The apostle Paul by the Spirit writes, "...according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3). Jesus said, "Have faith in God" (Mark 11:22). Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). Am I to believe you or Logos/Rhema when Jesus, a true apostle, and the forever settled WRITTEN Scripture say otherwise? And why are saved/born again believers repeatedly called "believers" in the Bible? Am I to believe that faith is present when a special revelation comes from God, and the rest of the time I'm in a constant state of faithlessness and unbelief? I don't think nor believe that for one second, Brother! God help us and have mercy on us if it is otherwise!

As to your contention that we should follow Jesus example of being led by the Spirit and minister by the Spirit, I agree! But as to your contention that this proves the Logos/Rhema special word to the exclusion of belief and ministry based on WRITTEN Scriptures, I disagree. True believers are very dependent upon the Spirit's leading in ministry (Rom. 8; John 14, 15, 16); but remember, Brother, it is Jesus the Truth, and the Spirit of Truth Who gave us all the WRITTEN Scriptures to believe, stand upon, and minister! (2 Cor. 1:18-21)

Furthermore, this contention of yours and so many others I've read or heard through the years about "formulas" is nothing but a smokescreen by you all to veil and confuse the issue. You all have made this up, for neither I nor any other true believers I know of teach or minister by formulas. It would be better and more properly understood as systematic. And it appears plainly to me, Brother, that you and the proponents of Logos/Rhema have a formula and system of your own.

And then what of your statement, "Those who declare that all we need is God's Word have made the Bible into an idol"? This is absolutely mind-boggling to me! I say again, this is not the heart nor intent of true believers in the time of the Bible or down through history to the present day, myself included! NEVER do true believers separate daily reliance upon Scripture and the SPIRIT. Go back over all the things I've written you. This again is evidence of Neo-Orthodox doctrine and the evil spirits behind it. It's also another evidence to me of fleshly religious thinking and talk. I do not see how you can honestly call yourself a true believer and say such a thing. The apostles of Scripture were men of the Spirit and Word as were other examples I've given you in this letter.

And then you give the old but patently false example of Paul's sickness. Brother, the Scriptures you quote do NOT teach that Paul had an eye disease. He got healed of blindness (Acts 9:3, 8, 9, 12, 18). Paul also had a lot of trials, temptations, and persecutions in the flesh that cause infirmities/ weaknesses at times (Acts; 2 Cor. 11; Gal. 6:17). Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was "the messenger of Satan" (2 Cor. 12:7). Three times in Scripture this refers to one's physical enemy and no doubt Satan/evil spirits working through them (Num. 33:55; Joshua 23:13; Judges 2:3). Bad exposition Brother! You want to make Paul a sick man, and yet look at the things he went through and overcame! (Acts; 2 Cor. 11) Now wouldn't it have been something if the time he got bit by the poisonous viper, he'd have had to wait for a special word in order to have faith to be healed? No doubt he knew Jesus' words already spoken, promised, and written in Mark 16:15-20 and Luke 10:17-19. Likely he knew his O.T. WRITTEN Scripture too (Ps. 91; 91:2, 3, 5, 6, 13). He believed, he spoke, he shook it off, and he was healed with no hurt or harm! (Acts 28 1-6) You may deem this some great spiritual revelation, but it does not impress me.

Whether God by His Spirit in some mode of revelation speaks and reveals something to a believer or quickens a Scripture to a believer - it is the Word of God; and the faith that is already present in the believer (Act 14:9; Rom. 12:3; Eph. 2:8, which faith is described in Heb. 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen), can be exercised by the will of the believer to obtain from God the thing(s) desired and promised (Mark 11:22-24; 2 Cor. 1:18-21; Acts 14:9; Mat. 8:5-13,....as thou hast believed, so be it unto thee; Mark 5:34, 36).

You, and many wonder why there is so little faith in the earth (Luke 18:8) and why it is that so many have difficulties in believing and receiving? Man is full of unbelief by nature (Rom. 1-3; Eph. 2:1-7). Religious man is in the same state, and that covers a large segment of professing Christendom (note Jesus' description of professing believers in Rev. 2:3). And Brother, there is you and all others of the Logos/Rhema crowd and whoever else seeks to undermine faith alone in WRITTEN Scriptures, and this explains to me why there is so much unbelief concerning healing for sickness. Mark 6:5-6 is a remarkable revelation along this line, as in Psalm 78.

I would leave you with some of the following Scripture (Heb. 3-4, 10; 2 Chr. 20:20; Is. 53:1; Rom. 3:3; chapters 9-11; Rev. 21:8). Thus are my observations and comments ended. I leave them in the hand of GOD ALMIGHTY whether you believe or reject.

Sincerely and respectfully,

A believer and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Timothy 1:12

Proverbs 3:5-6

Psalm 118:8-9

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Jude 20

Psalm 119:42, ...for I trust in thy word.

Psalm 138:1 A Psalm of David. I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Overcoming the Logos/Rhema Error to Receive
Darrell Strong - 10/16/2009
(David's notes in red)

Darrell wrote Bill and the prayer ministers:

I was inspired to pray for a microphone on my Bluetooth headset that stopped working last Sunday. I heard the testimony from the brother who prayed about the audio problems he was experiencing while creating the UBM videos. After hearing that and reading a few more testimonies about restored hard drives, iPods, etc., I want to stand in faith that God would restore this microphone on my headset. I recognize that God can heal not only physical ailments but also physical devices.

Bill replied with a prayer. Here is a portion of it:

Father, we add our faith to Darrell's and believe, according to Your word, Mark 11:24, Matthew 18:18-20 and Hebrews 11:1.

Darrell replied:

Bill, just wanted to pass on a testimony. You agreed in faith with me on 10/06/09 that my microphone on my headset would begin to work again. Well, praise God, sure enough on 10/08 my mic began to function properly again. I told others around me the 'real good' news and gave glory to God, not me.
But then the next day came and the trial of my faith began. My microphone would not work the next day for no apparent reason. I resisted the thought of buying another set or take the unit apart myself and sought the Lord through his Word in order to come against the doubt that was beginning to grow in my mind.
It's funny, as I looked at the examples given for saved and salvation (sozo and soteria), I realized that this includes physical healing, saving from difficult situations and deliverance from demons. But I wondered if this indeed included the fixing of things. And although I have read of others having their broken items fixed via prayer, I still had this doubt inside my mind as to whether God desired to do this or not.
So I looked at the two verses you had mentioned in your response to me: Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Based on these two verses, I KNEW God desired to do this. By scripture, I had the right to ask and believe. So I did all I could do at this point ... I rested. Then, on Monday morning, 10/12, I tried my mic again and it worked! And it has given me no problems since. Praise God!!!!
When I testify to other Christians about standing in faith on the promises that God has given us as believers, I am usually always met with a response of "God will only heal/deliver/fix/etc. by faith those people/things that He gives you a specific word before hand". (This is the Logos/Rhema error that the verses above soundly refute.)
Most Christians I know think that God won't honor His Word or His promises for every believer, unless He tells them He wants to. I don't agree with this. I believe that His promises of salvation ARE available to us today IF we stand on them without doubting and we put ourselves in a position of weakness for God to deliver us. This is not an easy thing to do since we need to wield the sword of the Word in our own life to come against our own doubting thoughts and feeling that betray us.
As a matter of fact, I discovered these verses two nights ago which confirm this:
2 Peter 1:2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
2 Peter 1:3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
2 Peter 1:4 whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers (partners or companions) of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust.
So I read that and it confirms to me that He has ALREADY given these promises to us. THEY ARE OURS if we believe them and walk in them by faith. We don't need a voice from God telling us when to walk in them. We can today! (Amen!)
Funny thing is, I've heard these three verses many times through the years but it wasn't until yesterday that I realized just what they meant. AWESOME stuff. Thanks for praying with me, Bill and all you folks at UBM.

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