Rhema

Jesus on Friendship The Lord Jesus Christ gave us the definition of a true friend: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:13-15). Jesus is the pure example of a true friend, for He laid down His life for His "friends." What is more, anyone may become His friend by trusting in Him as his personal savior, being born again and receiving new life in Him. 'Secret intimate friendship' "Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His intimate secret counsels to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) Amos 3:7 must be one of the most beautiful pictures of the early relationship between the prophet and God. The idea of secrets is not so much that of...

What is peace?  It can be defined as “tranquility, harmony, or security.” Depending on the situation, it could mean “prosperity” or “well-being.” Various forms of the word peace are found 429 times in the King James Version of the Bible. There are different types of peace, including false peace, inner peace, peace with God and peace with man. In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom, and it refers to relationships between people (Genesis 34:21), nations (1 Kings 5:12), and God with men (Psalm 85:8). Peace is a desired status in each of these arenas, and shalom is often tied to a covenant or a promise kept. A familiar friend (literally, “friend of my peace” in Psalm 41:9) is one with whom you would be at ease, a trusted companion. “Peace” was the standard greeting (1 Samuel 25:6), still used in many cultures today.  Peace is directly related to the actions and attitudes of individuals; but it is ultimately a gift from God (Isaiah 45:7; Levitic...

The word “grace” is not always used in the same sense in Scripture, but has a variety of meanings. In the Old Testament we have the word chen (adj. chanun), from the root chanan. The noun may denote gracefulness or beauty, Prov. 22:11; 31:30, but most generally means favour or good-will. The Old Testament repeatedly speaks of finding favour in the eyes of God or of man. The favour so found carries with it the bestowal of favours or blessings. This means that grace is not an abstract quality, but is an active, working principle, manifesting itself in beneficent acts, Gen. 6:8; 19:19; 33:15; Ex. 33:12; 34:9; I Sam 1:18; 27:5; Esth. 2:7. The fundamental idea is, that the blessings graciously bestowed are freely given, and not in consideration of any claim or merit.   Charis In the New Testament, “Grace” derives from the Greek, charis. In secular Greek, charis was related to chairo, “to rejo...

In the Bible, there are several words that are usually translated as “blessing” or “bless.” The Hebrew word most often translated “bless” is barak, which can mean to praise, congratulate, or salute, and is even used to mean a curse. In Judaism, a berakhah, bracha, brokho, brokhe ( pl. berakhot, brokhoys; "benediction," "blessing," "drawing down [of spiritual energy]") is a formula of blessing or thanksgiving, recited in public or private, usually before the performance of a commandment, or the enjoyment of food or fragrance, and in praise on various occasions. The function of a berakhah is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessings. Categories of blessings there are three major categories of berakhah: 1. On pleasurable experiences, such as before eating food or smelling fragrances. 2. When performing a commandment, such as the lighting of Sabbath candles. 3. In praise, gratitude, or recognition of God's justice, such as upon seeing awe-inspiring...

SEEK PEACE Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it - Psalms 34:14 Prayer for Peace  “I have told you these things while I am still with you.  But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.  Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] - John 14:25-27 (AMP) SEEK STRENGTH Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. - Psalm 105:4 (KJV) Prayer for Strength Praise the LORD! He has heard my prayer for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trusted him with all my heart...

An indispensable commodity in the Ancient Near East for food, medicine, fuel, and ritual. Oil was considered a blessing given by God (Deuteronomy 11:14   ), and the olive tree was a characteristic of the land which God gave to Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8   ). Oil was regarded as a symbol of honor (Judges 9:9   ), while virtue was compared to perfumed oil (Song of Solomon 1:3   ;   Ecclesiastes 7:1   ). The abundance of oil was a demonstration of blessing and prosperity (Job 29:6   );   Joel 2:24   ). Oil was a symbol of joy and gladness (Psalm 45:7   ), and in time of sorrow, anointing with oil was not practiced ( 2 Samuel 14:2   ). Oil has three principal uses among the Hebrew:   (1) As medicine, oil or ointment was used in the treatment To anoint the body so as to mollify the skin, heal injuries, and strengthen muscles (Psalm 104:15; Psalm 109:18; Psalm 141:5; Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34; 2 Chronicles 28:15; Mark 6:13; ...

What does glory mean? The word glory, in relation to God, has two aspects. First, the Hebrew word transliterated as kabowd or kaw-bode’ (primarily translated as “glory” in the Old Testament) can refer to praise and honor and at times even abundance and riches (Genesis 45:13; Ezekiel 20:6). Secondly, it can also refer to the brilliant splendor of God’s appearance.   The Greek word doxa, which is primarily translated as “glory” in the New Testament, also has these two aspects. Doxa is translated as “honor” in John 5:41 and 44. The King James Version translates it as “praise” in John 9:24 and 12:43. It can refer to the glory or praise that is due to God (John 17:4; Revelation 4:9). For more on this important aspect of God’s glory―the praise due to God―please read our article “Praise God.” Doxa is also used to refer to the material abundance of the kings of the earth in Revelation 21:24. But doxa can also refer to the brilliant splendor of God’s appearance. The writer of Hebrews record...

The Priestly Blessing The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace. In this way they will pronounce My name over the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27, HCSB) God blesses people in countless ways—spiritual, mental, emotional, and material. But the focus here is on blessing people with words. Notice that the word “ “ you” ” is repeated six times. What are the blessings that are ours as Christians? Six Words of Blessing to Share with Others: 1.     Verse 24, May God blesses you. 2. Verse 24, May God protects you. 3. Verse 25, May God shine on you. 4. Verse 25, May God loves you. 5. Verse 26, May God smile on you. 6. Verse 26, May God gives peace to you. Suggestion of the Trinity: In the blessing of vers...

The word Ayin means “eye,” ‘to see,” and by extension, to understand and obey (see Jer 5:21, Isa. 6:10, Matt. 13:15, etc). Ayin further represent the primeval light, that is, the spiritual light of God mentioned in Gen. 1:3 (in distinction to celestial lights mentioned in Gen. 1: 14-18). The "EYES" (ayin) in Hebrew thought are rich in symbolic meaning. Very often what is meant by the "eyes" is something very spiritual. In fact, the very FIRST use of the word AYIN is in this spiritual sense. It occurs in the verse where Adam and Eve have eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and their "EYES(ayin) were opened". Certainly more than physical sight is meant here. EYE - The light of the body. Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine ...