BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

3 0 : B V O V This New York Times best-seller unlocks the secrets of true living. Discover the 10 keys God taught Gloria Copeland that will deliver you from sickness, poverty, distress and trouble of every kind. Find out how you can live a successful and prosperous life by practicing the same biblical principles. God's Master Plan for Your Life by Gloria Copeland back to that place, I realized there was no window there. The light I had seen must have been a supernatural kind of light. While the others chatted inside, Ken and I went out on the balcony that overlooked the city and talked for a while. It was amazing how comfortable I felt with him. Later, when we took him to the airport, we were walking side by side and I just patted him on the back like I'd known him forever. Then he went home to Texas and I went back to college. About six weeks later, I was home from college one weekend. Though I had not heard anything from Ken since we'd met weeks earlier, I knew he was going to call me that weekend! My parents were going out of town and invited me to go along, but something— now I realize it was the Spirit of God—told me not to go because that guy I had met weeks before was going to call. So I stayed home and, sure enough, he called. We had our fi rst date and when we got home that night, he walked me to the porch and then did something that totally stunned me. He asked, "Will you marry me?" Dear heavens! He hadn't even kissed me. I was so shaken by his abrupt proposal that before I even thought about it, I said, "OK." Then I went into the house and closed the door. (We still laugh about that abrupt proposal and acceptance.) After I went to bed that night the reality of what I'd done began to dawn on me. I lay awake for hours thinking, Why did I say that? I don't want to get married. I hardly know this guy. I've only been with him a few hours. What was I thinking? As I fi nally drifted o to sleep, I shrugged the whole thing o . Oh well, I thought, I can get out of it later. More than 60 years have come and gone since then and I'm not out of it yet. I'm in deeper than ever…and I wouldn't have it any other way. God May Have a Better Idea Perhaps today you're like I was when I fi rst connected with God's Master Plan. Perhaps you have some ideas of your own that you hope will be included in God's plan for you. That's OK…but be ready for some surprises because God may just have a better idea. Marrying Ken wasn't in my plan, but it was in God's Master Plan for me. Preaching the gospel wasn't on the path I had mapped out for myself, but it was on the shining path God had prepared for me. Those things came as a surprise, and they've turned out to be wonderful blessings. The life God had planned for me is more that I could have dreamed of as a 19-year- old college sophomore from Arkansas. That little career I had my eye on back then would have been a total bore compared to what God had in mind. Looking back at it now, I realize it would have left me tired, empty and unfulfi lled. God knew that. He understood my heart better than I did. Now, after years of following God's shining path for me, I can't even think of anything I'd rather do than what I'm doing right now. I wouldn't trade places with anyone else on earth. I am as thrilled with my life as I could possibly be. I've literally seen the promise God gave in Psalm 25:12-13 come true in my life. It says, "Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. He shall live within God's circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth" (The Living Bible). I live in a circle of God's blessing…and that circle just keeps getting better every day! This article is adapted from the New York Times bestselling book by Gloria Copeland God's Master Plan for Your Life. To order your copy, see the ad on this page. KCM.ORG/MAG 1-800-600-7395 (U.S. only) FREE standard shipping included. Offer prices valid until Jan. 31, 2023 hardback $ 12 99 reg. $14.99 #B230102

• Cover