IF YOU DON'T "HEAR" THIS; DON'T EVEN EXPECT YOUR FAITH TO WORK OR BE ACTIVATED

                       THE SPIRIT OF FAITH COMES BY HEARING

                            

WORKBOOK COMING SOON

THE IMPORTANCE OF “HEARING” THE GOSPEL OR THE WORD!

“…HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE in him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14 KJV). “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

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There must be something to HEAR before people can believe. And NOT just HEAR anything, but people NEED to HEAR the WORD of God or the gospel message BEFORE they can believe, accept, or choose God’s invitation to salvation. “…HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE in him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14 KJV). “….The gospel of Christ …. is the power of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

If you are a believer you already know the benefit of HEARING the WORD of God or the gospel message. HEARING the gospel is what saved your soul. “….The gospel of Christ …. is the power of God unto SALVATION …” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

The sustained and enduring indwelling Spirit of Faith within the Christian is dependent on God’s WORK. God DOES the WORK of Faith. “…Jesus … said…the WORK of God [is] that ye believe on him…” (John 6:29 KJV). “…The Father … doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “… [God] work[s] in you … THROUGH Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).  “… [God] work[s] IN [you]… what is pleasing to him…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…It is God which worketh in you…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [you]… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

However, it is necessary for the WORD of God to be HEARD continually in in order for them to be activated to “walk by [the indwelling Spirit of]…Faith” and “…live by [the indwelling Spirit of]… Faith and not by sight.” “…WE LIVE BY FAITH…” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV). “…Walk by [the indwelling Spirit of] Faith...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…WE LIVE BY [the indwelling Spirit of] FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT…” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV).

“…The righteous will live by “his” faith…” (Habakkuk 2:4 NASB). “…Christ liveth in [you SO]…live by “the faith “of the Son of God.   …” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).  “…Walk BY [HIS] FAITH...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “… This is the word of the Lord … Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit…” (Zechariah 6:4 KJV).

The WORD of God is not just a book to USE simply to gain knowledge, but it is to be HEARD for the purposes of empowering the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Faith; two different SIDES of the SAME coin. “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him (Jesus, the Word)...” (John 6:28-29 KJV).

For instance, the WORD of God empowers the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Faith to work “IN” and “THROUGH” the believer by enabling them to live righteous. “…All scripture (WORD) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV).

The WORD of God is not simply a another book written by a bunch of different authors, but its authors were inspired to express the very heart of God through its message of love. “…For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST…” (2 Peter 1:21 KJV). They “…spake as they were MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST…” (2 Peter 1:21 KJV).

The WORD of God miraculously and powerfully activates the Holy Spirit of the Spirit of Faith simply by HEARING it. “…Then God SAID, “Let there be light”; AND THERE WAS LIGHT…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB). “…1. Then God SAID (God commanded), 2.  “Let there be light” (Jesus, the Word, SPOKE his command); 3.  AND THERE WAS LIGHT (The Holy Spirit did the work what was spoken and commanded)…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB). “…[The indwelling Spirit of] Faith [also] cometh (activates) by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

Many people are curious as to where things come from. Well Apostle Paul says the Spirit of Faith COMES from HEARING the WORD of God. This particular kind of faith originates and is activated from HEARING the WORD only.

Apostle Paul provides an example of how the Spirit of Faith comes ALONG with the grace of salvation in Christ Jesus. “…Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, ALONG WITH FAITH …. that are “IN” Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV).

“…Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You RECEIVED the Spirit because you BELIEVED (accepted, received, chose, etc.) the message you HEARD about Christ…” (Galatians 3:2 NLT).

“…When the people HEARD this (the gospel of Christ), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will RECEIVED the gift of the Holy Spirit. …Those who ACCEPTED his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day…” (Acts 2:37-41 NIV).

When you RECEIVE something you ACCEPT it, or CHOOSE it, or take it into your possession as if to take ownership of it. It NOW belongs to YOU. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). The Spirit of Faith originates FROM “HEARING” the WORD. The Spirit of Faith is activated by HEARING the WORD of God and “that” SAME faith works IN you, THROUGH you, and FOR you.“…the Father … doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…God gives us many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. ...There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are his…It is the same and only Holy Spirit who GIVES all these gifts and powers… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

You can NOT condemn others who are not empowered to obey the gospel, especially if they have NEVER HEARD the gospel or they hardly EVER HEAR it. “…How shall they believe in him of whom they have not HEARD? And how shall they HEAR without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14 KJV). “… My [OWN] people are gone into captivity… [or stay in captivity], because [they have] no knowledge...” (ISAIAH 5:13 KJV). “…My [OWN] people are destroyed for lack of knowledge …” (HOSEA 4:6 NASB). “…[ONLY]…The truth shall make [them]… free…” (JOHN 8:32 KJV). “…Thy WORD is truth” (JOHN 17:17 KJV).

The main objective is that the Spirit of Faith will NOT exist or show up in the lives of individuals IF the gospel message or WORD of God is not HEARD. “…And HOW “SHALL” THEY BELIEVE in him of whom they have not HEARD?” (Romans 10:14 KJV).

This TRUTH demonstrates the importance of HEARING the WORD of God. People are converted by HEARING the Gospel. Believers are empowered by HEARING the Gospel Nonetheless, in both instance, The Spirit of Faith is activated by HEARING the gospel or the WORD. “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…RECEIVE …the …word, which is “ABLE” to SAVE your souls…” (James 1:21 KJV).

For example, the gospel message of LOVE was sent by God, through Jesus, the WORD, for the purposes of empowering salvation when it is HEARD. ^“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and SENT HIS SON...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “….the Son of Man came …to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). “…And being made perfect, HE BECAME author of ETERNAL SALVATION unto ALL them who obey (choose, accept, receive, etc;) him…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV).

When the gospel message or the WORD is HEARD there is usually a preacher (someone who speaks the WORD) and a HEARER. “…And how shall THEY HEAR without a PREACHER?” (Romans 10:14 KJV).

God uses ordinary people to PREACH or SPEAK the gospel message or the WORD that imparts or activates the Spirit of Faith to do the WORK of salvation or empower spiritual GROWTH! “…For the prophecy came NOT in old time by the will of man: but holy MEN of God spake as they were MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST…” (2 Peter 1:21 KJV).

What needs to be HEARD is not just a bunch of entertainment, clever words, pep talk, but the gospel message, the Holy Scriptures, or the POWERFUL inspired WORD of God. “…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of “TALK” but of POWER…” (1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV). “…Our “GOSPEL” came to you “NOT SIMPLY WITH WORDS” but also with POWER…” (1 Thessalonians 1:5 NIV).

HEARING that empowers the right kind of FAITH depends on listening to the right kind of WORDS. “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

It is the WORD of God ALONE that has the POWER to activate the Spirit of Faith which converts the soul of man and enables spiritual growth and development in the lives of HIS saints. “….The gospel of Christ (the WORD) …. is THE [invisible]… POWER of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH (accepts, receives, chooses, etc.)…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…RECEIVE (accept, choose) …the engrafted word, which is “ABLE” to SAVE your souls…” (James 1:21 KJV). “…It was BY FAITH (the invisible power of God) that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before….” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…The invisible [Spirit]…from the creation of the world …is CLEARLY SEEN, being understood by the things that are MADE …” (Romans 1:20 KJV). “…Now FAITH IS …THE [invisible] EVIDENCE (PROOF) OF THINGS UNSEEN…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

HEARING the word is more than just listening to it, but it involves paying attention. What you pay attention to something or focus on something it becomes experience.

When you give something your attention you are actively and purposely concentrating on something specific.

For instance, one morning I got up early so I could give attention to my writing. It took me a few minutes, because I was distracted by sounds, things I saw, and other diversions. I heard the dogs barking next door, my mother was mowing her lawn, an airplane flew over, I watched TBN for a couples of minutes, and then listened to the fan blow. I finally managed to minimize the distractions and pay attention to one thing; my writing.

Some counselors or psychologists are trained to have some understanding of attention. To put it simple, attention is merely getting rid of all other possible and tempting distractions, so the mind can narrow its train of thought on a specific task. Narrowing the train of thought to a specific task allows you to engage in the “specific” task more efficiently.

Attention affords you the opportunity to block other possible distractions in your environment and attend to the information that has priority.

Honestly, it is difficult, with all the busyness people have these days, to give focused attention to something or someone, especially if you are not truly interested in the task.

For instance, when it comes to studying geometry my attention is easily distracted. It’s hard for me to stick to the task for any length of time and my train of thought follows after the many different distractions in my environment.

If I would give my attention to studying geometry it may take 30 minute to finish, but because of my inability to stay focused on the task and my low interest; it may take hours.

Further, when I am trying to pay attention to a specific task I realize I have to be extremely active about blocking out other distractions.

For instance, before I started writing that one day, I closed the window to block out the sounds of the dogs, the lawnmower, and the planes. I also turned off the television and the fan. I was purposefully choosing to pay attention to my writing.

Paying attention engages the mind more efficiently. The wondering mind is the reason the various distractions cause delays in the task of “priority” in the first place. Once upon a time, when my son was still a youngste, a couple of weeks or so before school closed for the summer, a teacher called to tell me my son had already gone on vacation. LOL. His body was present in the classroom, but his mind was already on summer vacation.

What is also unique about attention when you truly learn to exercise it; is that it aids you in experiencing the here and now or “...be in the moment…”

In addition, excluding attention disorders, paying attention to a specific task over all other tasks, in your environment, implies that you have some control over your mind, or trains of thought.

Once something has your attention, you will be able to focus on it. What you focus on becomes your experience. Your experiences become your abilities. The more you focus on a specific task over and over, the better you’ll become at that task. Your abilities become your expertise.

 Focus is simply the mind’s ability to pay attention to a specific task and concentrate on it at the same time. When you concentrate on a task, you are single-minded about what you are attending to.

God talks candidly about and warns his people about NOT listening. “…But my people would not LISTEN TO ME. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

“… If you do not obey (follow, listen to, etc.) the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, ALL THESE CURSES WILL COME ON YOU and overtake you…” (Deuteronomy 28:15 KJV).

Paying attention, when HEARING the WORD, is the method in which God’s uses to aid his followers in RECEIVING all that he wants to bless them with. “…And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken (LISTEN TO) diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And ALL THESE BLESSING SHALL COME ON THEE, and overtake thee…” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJV).

“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you HEAR. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given--and you will RECEIVE even more…” (Mark 4:24 NLT).  

“…The words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they RECEIVED them…” (John 17:8 NASB).

 “…For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye RECEIVED THE WORD of God which YE HEARD of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (accept, receive, choose, etc.)…” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV).

“…But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that HEAR the word of God, and keep it…” (Luke 3:28 KJV).  “…Blessed is he that readeth, and they that HEAR the words of this prophecy…” (Revelation 1:3 KJV). “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

To HEAR something not only implies you listened or paid attention, but also that you UNDERSTOOD.  ^“…For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and HEAR with their ears, and should UNDERSTAND with their heart, and should be converted (changed), and I should heal them…” (Matthew 15:13 KJV).

To understand is to KNOW or get the meaning of something expressed or communicated. To understand is to get a perception or revelation of something listened to or conveyed to you.

You HEAR to LISTEN. When you LISTEN you PAY ATTENTION. You PAY ATTENTION to UNDERSTAND. “…Trust in the Lord …lean not unto thine own UNDERSTANDING…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “… BY FAITH we UNDERSTAND that…” (Hebrews 11:3). “…Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you HEAR. The closer you listen, the more UNDERSTANDING you will be GIVEN--and you will RECEIVE even more…” (Mark 4:24 NLT).  

When you UNDERSTAND you can EXPERIENCE. You EXPERIENCE by DOING. When you DO something you gain WISDOM. “..Out of darkness into HIS marvellous light (understanding)…” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence (experience, ability to do) comes from God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV). “…By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us WISDOM from God …” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB).

“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).  The Spirit of Faith originates from or is activated by HEARING the WORD OF GOD.

Along with HEARING the WORD OF GOD comes the growth and development of an ABUNDANT spiritual LIFE. “…It is the SPIRIT who “GIVES” LIFE; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). ). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS “ABLE” to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the POWER that worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).“…I am come that THEY MIGHT have life, and that THEY MIGHT have it more abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV).

HEARING the WORD OF GOD is where an abundant SPIRITUAL LIFE begins, endures, is sustained, and culminates to all eternity. “…The Holy Spirit gives BIRTH ( begins, starts) to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).“…NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…You have been born again …through the living and enduring word of God…” (1 Peter 1:23 NIV). “…The HOLY SPIRIT “GIVES” birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).

“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

“…The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.  I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

In order to HEAR the WORD of God there needs to be a PREACHER or one who SPEAKS the WORD. “…How shall THEY HEAR without a PREACHER?” (Romans 10:14 KJV). God choose Ezekiel to speak to the DEAD. “…Then he said to me, “Prophesy (SPEAK) to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

The bones represent the DEAD: the spiritually DEAD. “…The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

Without Christ, the Living WORD, everyone is “…DEAD in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…when [you] were DEAD in sins …” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…YOU… were DEAD in your transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU were]…. DEAD and [you have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [you were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV). “…Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were DEAD …” (Romans 6 NLT).

How did mankind become“…DEAD in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV)? “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

God had one request for Adam. “…of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou  SHALT NOT EAT of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY “DIE” …” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

Of course, Adam and his wife, Eve did not LISTEN to God’s warning. They FELL “AWAY” from God or were separated FROM his Holy Spirit, which is absolute and complete Spiritual DEATH. “…Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). “…through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).

Adam and Eve became “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…All have sinned and fallen SHORT of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…and SIN, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

God in his loving mercy told Ezekiel to SPEAK to the BONES. “…This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make BREATH (Spirit) enter you, and you will come to LIFE...” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

Ezekiel saw a valley of dry BONES. He was looking at a spiritual graveyard. He was looking at a place for the DEAD. When someone dies you usually accept their earthly life is over. However, “…He (God) asked [Ezekiel]…, “Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

What would your answer have been? Remember when Lazarus died and Jesus came to see his sisters? Martha said: “… As soon as she heard that Jesus was coming … Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died… ” (John 11:20-22 KJV).

Jesus wanted to know where the DEAD man, Lazarus was. Martha said: “… Lord, by this time, he stinketh: for he hath been dead for four days …” (John 11:39 KJV).

Can you bring the DEAD back to life? Can the DEAD bring themselves back to LIFE?  God asked Ezekiel “…Can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). Ezekiel answered: “…Sovereign Lord, you alone know…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

Jesus, the WORD, told Martha: “…Jesus said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). Ezekiel SPOKE God’s WORD to the BONES. “…I prophesied (spoke) as I was commanded. …and BREATH entered them; they came to LIFE and stood up on their feet—a vast army…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

“…the HOLY SPIRIT “GIVES” birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…[The BONES had]… been born again …through the living and enduring word of God…” (1 Peter 1:23 NIV).

“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

God’s WORD is “…THE [invisible[… POWER of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

Therefore, God told Ezekiel: “…Prophesy (SPEAK) and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people …I will put my SPIRIT in you and you will LIVE …Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

“…Jesus said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). “…The HOLY SPIRIT “GIVES” birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…God has given [you] his Spirit as proof that [you]… live in him and he in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT).

“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). The WORD of God is “…THE [invisible[… POWER of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

The POWER of God is CLEARLY SEEN. “…Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE—have been CLEARLY SEEN, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE, so that people are without excuse…” (Romans 1:20 NIV).

What did Ezekiel see MADE by the POWER of God’s Word? “…As I was prophesying (SPEAKING GOD’S WORD), there was a noise, a rattling sound, and THE BONES CAME TOGETHER, BONE TO BONE. I LOOKED, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. …and BREATH ENTERED THEM; they came to LIFE and STOOD UP on their feet—a vast army...’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

The BONES were DEAD people and they had to RELY on the POWER of God’s WORD to come ALIVE again.  “…BY HIS POWER God raised the Lord from the DEAD, and he will raise us also…” (1 Corinthians 6:14 NIV).

Lazarus was DEAD and had to RELY on the POWER of God’s WORD to come ALIVE again. “And HE THAT WAS DEAD CAME FORTH, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go...” (John 11:43-44 KJV).

“…Jesus said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost (SPIRIT): and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “…the HOLY SPIRIT “GIVES” birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).

“…FAITH COMETH by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…FAITH IS the EVIDENCE of things NOT SEEN…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…Since the creation of the world God’s INVISIBLE QUALITIES—his eternal power HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE—have been CLEARLY SEEN, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE, so that people are without excuse…” (Romans 1:20 NIV).

HEAR the WORD of God! “…I prophesied (SPOKE) as I was commanded. …and BREATH entered them; they came to LIFE and stood up on their feet—a vast army…” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

“…The HOLY SPIRIT “GIVES” birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “… [The BONES had]… been born again …through the living and enduring WORD of God…” (1 Peter 1:23 NIV).

“….The gospel of Christ [ or the word of god] …. is the power of God unto SALVATION (all and any deliverance) …” (Romans 1:16 KJV).