Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/1532

1532 Obeying the divine word.... effectiveness of its....

July 22, 1940: Book 25

Write down the following: The words, given from above, must be gratefully received and pondered in the heart in order to now also work as power. What has been written down should now have an effect.... It should stimulate people's thoughts and determine them to live according to the word. And now the effect of the divine word will also be felt by ennobling people, educating them to love and causing them to strive for God, for light and truth. Receiving the word of God alone is not enough, man must now put everything into practice, and that requires strength, which he must ask for. Thus prayer is always necessary in order to be able to obey the divine word, for man's strength is inadequate but will be increased immeasurably if it is requested. Man's will to serve God and to prepare himself to receive God's word is sufficient to be honoured with this grace. But now also the whole will must be mustered to make the received spiritual property, i.e., heart and intellect must be active to let the offered work in oneself, and at the same time the will must be strong to fulfil God's will, which is announced to men. What God gives must therefore also be utilized so that the blessing of it can become visible. And there are so many endless possibilities to allow the divine word to take effect in you.... the prerequisite is always the will to comply with what God demands. And depending on how this will is put into practice, the person will also feel the blessing and the strength as an increased will to serve God, increased power of knowledge and joyful service to the neighbour who needs his help. Only then is the word of God consciously received when it has become spiritual property and is obeyed. Knowledge alone without action is not enough. God wants His gift to be received with a deeply grateful heart and not carelessly put aside. Mankind, however, hears the word but lets it pass by unheeded.... And so it also lacks the power to regocnize the divine. Consequently, the power of the divine word cannot become effective either and therefore it will not be possible to prove to humanity the truth of what God conveys to people as a promise. However, the believing person who lives according to the word of God will fully experience the blessings of it in himself....

Amen