COUNTING THE OMER – 50 DAYS OF MEDITATIONS AND PRAYER
WEEK 3
May 1 – Nisan 30 – Omer 15 The Word
Week 3 Day 1
The two primary Greek words for “word” in the New Testament are logos, and rhema. Logos refers principally to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, who is The Living Word.
Rhema, refers to the spoken word. Rhema literally means an utterance (individually, collectively, specifically from Holy Spirit) Rhema should be tested for authenticity by how it lines up to the whole of Scripture.
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
Reflect on the following Scriptures about The Word
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 NASB
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 AMP
So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11 AMP
But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
Matthew 4:4 NASB
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 BSB
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35 NASB
All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness… 2 Timothy 3:16 NASB
But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. James 1:22 AMP
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… John 1:14 KJV
May 2 – Iyar 1 – Omer 16 Cleansing by the Word
Week 3 Day 2
Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word (logos Strong’s 3056) which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you]. John 15:3 AMP
(parenthesis is mine)
Logos refers to the Lord’s teaching as a whole. Cleansing is brought by the revelation of God’s Word and spiritual life given, and must be maintained.
When we were saved we were transformed instantly from the old to a new spirit life. (2Corinthians 5:17) But our minds and flesh are still in the world and need cleansed often.
Are there things in your mind, things with your conduct, things that have to do with your character or attitude that need cleansed?
God’s Word has power to cleanse a person’s mind. God’s Word causes us to think in accordance with His Word, and when we believe the Words, they will begin to cleanse and purify the way we think.
Read the Word of God, let His Words settle in your heart cleansing all the places needed.
He made the church holy by the power of his word (rhema- Strong’s 4487), and he made it pure by washing it with water. Ephesians 5:26 CEV (parenthesis is mine)
God calls us to be holy. God makes us holy by the power of his Rhema Word.
Situate yourself in “your prayer hole.” That is what the kids say when they cross their ankles, fold their hands, bow their head, and close their eyes. Now listen for that sweet rhema Word of the Lord.
May 3 – Iyar 2 – Omer 17 Reading to Hear
Week 3 Day 3
Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word (rhema) of God.
Faith, the evidence, comes from hearing –
But hearing comes from the Word of God.
Your ability to hear is enhanced by the reading of Scripture – pouring the Word in you.
Man does not live on bread alone -but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.
You live because God talks.
Whether you hear audibly, by the still small voice, a color, a number,
by a nudge, a knowing or His Presence that is the Voice of God you are “hearing.”
…Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28 BSB
May 4 – Iyar 3 – Omer 18 – You are What You Eat
Week 3 Day 4
The phrase. “you are what you eat,” is simply stating that the food one eats has a bearing on one’s state of mind and health. God’s Word does this and more.
Eating the Word of God;
is like honey to my lips
satisfies my heart
produces a fire in me
is light to my spirit man and
gives me life.
Eating the Word to be fed requires more than just speed reading through the pages.
We are to taste and see that the Word is good. Taste and savor the essences.
We are to hunger for righteousness, righteousness is found in the Word.
God commanded Joshua to meditate day and night.
This is not a posture, nor emptying your mind, but instead ruminating over the Word.
Reading Scripture fast to see what God highlights, reading it slow defining it word by word, changing the pronouns to me, my, mine, and your name. Writing it. Saying it aloud. Repeating it over and over…this is the meditation God is calling us to.
You rehearse it until it is no longer just in your head, but in your heart and you talk it as if it is yours.
Believing is also an important part of digesting the Word, it becomes a part of you when you believe what you read.
Put God’s Word to use, allow it to be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Psalm 119:11
Cultivate a taste for His Word, let your hunger for His Word become insatiable, and devour His Word.
He wants you to consume His Word so it becomes a part of you.
That is why He calls Himself the Bread of Life and says “take eat.”
May 5 – Iyar 4 – Omer 19 – “I know what you need,” God.
Week 3 Day 5
Sometimes when I am struggling with a situation I try to find a Scripture that references my situation to give me guidance. On one such occasion I was searching the Scriptures and God spoke and said, “don’t worry about finding the exact situation, just read My Word, I am present when you read, My Word is active and alive and I know what you need.”
Read Psalm 19- The Works and The Word of God
The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun, which is like a groom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices like a strong person to run his course.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat. The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, Your servant is warned by them; In keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me; Then I will be innocent,
And I will be blameless of great wrongdoing. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
May 6 – Iyar 5 – Omer 20 – Encountering “THE WORD”
Week 3 Day 6
The Holy Spirit also works in us through the Word of God to bring us to Jesus.
“Bible study without Bible experience is pointless.” Bill Johnson
The significances of studying the Scripture is transformation. Romans 12:3
He uses the power of Scripture to convict us and influence our way of thinking. He does this to shape us into godly people.
Paul says that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Holy Spirit always takes us to Jesus.
Studying the Scripture without letting Holy Spirit teach us puts us in control.
Let the Word bring you to an encounter with the One Scripture points to – Jesus.
May 7 – Iyar 6 – Omer 21 I got it backwards
Week 3 Day 7
For a long time, I would get up and say my prayers first, and then if I had time I would read a little. And the same at night, I would lay in bed and say my prayers and if I was still awake when I finished, then I read His Word.
However, I realized there is nothing I can say to Him He doesn’t already know. It isn’t that my prayers are not important to Him, because they have great importance and accomplish much. But I have come to realize what God has to say to me when I am reading His Word carries so much more value.
His Word is infallible, immutable, timely, and eternal.
If you are reading His Word daily, don’t stop! Continue on.
But, if you have it backwards like I did, consider switching it up for a season and read His Word first.
“For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name.” Psalm 138:2
Blessings,
Pastor Karen-Elisabeth
