Time to Live
Time to Live: Awakening the Dry Bones in Your Life
Have you ever felt like parts of your life were dead, with no hope of revival? Perhaps you've looked at your family, your community, or even your nation and seen only dry bones where life once flourished. The good news is that God specializes in resurrection power.
The Valley of Dry Bones: Understanding God's Resurrection Power
In Ezekiel 37, we find a powerful vision where God takes the prophet to a valley filled with dry bones. These weren't just recently deceased bodies—they were completely dried out, bleached by the sun, with no life remaining. Yet God asked Ezekiel a profound question: "Can these bones live?"
Ezekiel's response reveals wisdom: "O Lord God, you know." He recognized that in human terms, resurrection was impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
God then instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, declaring life where there was death. As he spoke God's words, something miraculous happened—the bones came together, tendons and flesh appeared, and skin covered them. But they still lacked breath until Ezekiel prophesied again, calling for the breath of life to enter them.
The result? An exceedingly great army stood before him.
What Are the Dry Bones in Your Life?
We all have areas in our lives that seem dead:
Relationships that appear beyond repair
Dreams that never materialized
Family members who seem far from God
Communities struggling with addiction and hopelessness
These are our valleys of dry bones. But just as God showed Ezekiel, nothing is beyond His resurrection power.
Why Do We Limit What God Can Do?
Often, we disqualify ourselves from God's purposes. We look at our past mistakes, our current limitations, or the impossibility of our circumstances and conclude that resurrection isn't possible.
But God doesn't disqualify you—only you can do that. When you focus more on His purpose for you than your ability to fulfill it, He provides the ability you need to accomplish His purpose.
The Power of Your Words: Speaking Life to Dry Bones
One of the most powerful lessons from Ezekiel's vision is the importance of our words. God could have spoken directly to the bones Himself, but He chose to work through Ezekiel's prophetic declaration.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and you will eat what you say." Your words either align with God's kingdom or with darkness. They either create an atmosphere of faith or an atmosphere of doubt.
When you begin to speak God's design over your life, your family, and your community—even when you don't see it yet—you're participating in the prophetic process of resurrection.
How to Prophesy to Your Dry Bones
Prophesying doesn't mean you need to start your sentences with "Thus says the Lord." It simply means declaring God's design and purpose even when you don't see it with your natural eyes.
Here's how to begin:
Recognize God's hand is upon you - If you're born again, God's Spirit lives in you, qualifying you for His purposes.
Learn to live in the Spirit - Walk in step with the Holy Spirit, listening to His promptings and yielding to His direction.
Speak to your dry bones - Identify the areas in your life that need resurrection and begin declaring God's promises over them.
Call for the breath of life - It's not enough to have structure; you need God's life-giving Spirit to animate what He's building.
Overcoming the "It's Too Late" Mentality
Perhaps you feel it's too late for your dream, your healing, or your restoration. But if you're still breathing, it's not too late.
Consider this testimony: At 12 years old, a young girl received a prophetic word that she would preach and minister music around the world. Fifty years later, despite numerous obstacles including cancer, abuse, and a 40-year difficult marriage, she's finally stepping into that promise by going on her first mission trip to Africa.
When you start pursuing God's dream, His dream will pursue you. The timing may not be what you expected, but His promises never fail.
From Structure to Life: The Next Step for Your Church
Just as the bones needed to come together before breath could enter them, churches need both structure and Spirit. Structure without Spirit is just a religious organization. Spirit without structure can lead to chaos.
God is saying it's time to move past just building structure and into experiencing His life in a new way. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you and can bring life to every area of your church and community.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to:
Identify the dry bones - What areas in your life, family, or community seem dead or hopeless?
Begin prophesying life - As you drive through your community or walk through your home, declare God's promises over these areas.
Take a step of service - Sometimes resurrection begins with simple acts of service. Where can you serve in your church or community?
Refuse to be a victim - Choose to be a victor rather than a victim of your circumstances. Your past doesn't determine your future.
Ask yourself:
What words am I speaking over my life and circumstances?
Am I agreeing with God's design or limiting what He can do?
Where have I disqualified myself from God's purposes?
What would change if I truly believed nothing is impossible with God?
Remember, it's time to live—not just exist. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you and can resurrect every dead area in your life if you'll simply say "yes" to Him.
