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faith comes by hearing & King Josiah

Romans 10:17 NASB
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

The Bible is a powerful tool that God uses in our lives and the lives of all who turn to and hear the word.  The verse above literally says that when people hear the word their faith is in increased. By the way, I am in the business of encouraging people to strengthen and stretch their faith.  I desire to open windows for people to see God and to open doors where others can walk toward God and with Him.

Hearing the word spoken and reading the Bible is life changing.  In my reading today I came across a king that was crushed by and then changed because he read what God said.  It so changed his life that 2 Kings 23:25 says there was no king before or after Josiah who obeyed God's commands as this king did.  I love that truth and that verse.  While reading this next verse, my mind began to spin:

When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.

It was like King Josiah had never heard what God said before.  In fact the culture around Josiah was corrupt because of the kings before him being so evil that God and the worship of God had been pushed aside.  As soon as Josiah heard or read what God said, things changed.  Josiah changed.  

The things that Josiah did made an impact on every one around him.  Turning toward God meant that many people, even thousands would also turn toward God.  Josiah riped down and did away with the things that were used to worship foreign and false gods, and he put back in place the worship of God including the celebration of festivals and feasts.

What happens when you or I read and heard the word of God?  Are we changed?  Are we staying away from the Bible or getting closer to it?  Often we stay away when we are convicted or know we are in the wrong.  But there is a passion inside us, inside the people of God to know God and to do what He says.  The more we interact with God's word, the more we hear and apply God's word, the more our lives will be changed and the people around us will be challenged to be changed by our good and faithful God.

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Josiah's faith changed the lives of so many people around him.  I pray that your faith and mine will change us and many, MANY people around us.

NOTE: I am using www.youversion.com to read through and study the Bible.  YouVersion is a great tool that you can use one your computer or your phone.  Putting the Bible in people's hands will change lives much like what I shared today about Josiah.  I don't get anything for this plug of the website or the phone APP, but the people at www.lifechurch.tv have given us a great tool to stretch our faith.  Checkout www.youversion.com

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