BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

everything there is to know, but we know a lot more than we did when we started. We know not only from the Word but also from experience that it doesn't matter what kind of problem we run into, faith in God's Word will always fi x it. Actually, I learned early on that faith would fi x even me! That was an important discovery because I had some natural weaknesses and shortcomings that could have kept me from fulfi lling God's plan. I didn't possess the natural talents and inclinations necessary to do what He had called me to do. Like everyone else who sets out to do God's will, I had what you might call an ability gap. That was demonstrated quite clearly when Ken preached his fi rst meeting. Before Ken spoke, the pastor of the church hosting the meeting asked me to stand up and say a few words to the congregation. (Traditionally, that's what preachers' wives were expected to do.) My response was, "No." That's all I said. I didn't add, "I'm glad to be here" or "God bless you." Nothing else. I didn't intend to be rude, but I felt very uncomfortable speaking in front of people and I didn't want to do it. That was the sad shape I was in when we went into the ministry. Of course after the service, I repented. "Lord, I'm sorry about that," I said. "The next time someone calls on me I will jump up, open my mouth by faith, and expect You to fi ll it." I've done exactly that ever since. Little did I know then how thoroughly the Lord would take me up on that promise. The Ability To See His Plans Through In the years since, I've preached to thousands of people again and again. How have I done it? With the ability God provides. When I tap in to His grace by faith, it is always su cient for me. God's strength truly is made perfect in my weakness. That's a fact you'll want to remember because as you step into God's Master Plan for your life, one of the fi rst things you're sure to realize is that you don't have the ability to do all God is telling you to do. When He unfolds His plan before you, you may be tempted to say, "Lord, You've got to be kidding. Have You looked at me lately? Have You checked the balance in my checking account? Are You aware that I have a track record of failure in that area? I don't think I'm Your best choice to carry out this plan!" If you've ever had thoughts like that, don't be discouraged; you're in good company. Abraham, the famous Old Testament father of faith, felt the same way when God told him he and his barren, old wife were going to have a baby. Although that was part of God's Master Plan for him and for the nation of Israel, Abraham thought the idea was so far out he actually fell over laughing. When Sarah heard God's promise, she had the same reaction. She "laughed within herself, saying, 'After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?'" (Genesis 18:12, New King James Version). Why did Abraham and Sarah consider God's plan so outlandish? Because they looked at themselves and each other every day. They were old! They knew their history of barrenness. Physically, they had absolutely no ability to have children. So the idea that they were about to become the father and mother of nations seemed ridiculous. But when Abraham and Sarah realized God was serious, they stopped laughing. They got serious and did exactly what Jesus said we should do. They had faith in God. They began to speak His Word and believe His promise would come to pass in their lives. Sarah and Abraham proved that faith works! They demonstrated it can overcome every obstacle. It can even turn barren, wrinkled centenarians into the beaming parents of a new baby boy. Developing the Faith That Takes Abraham and Sarah believed they received God's promise, just like Mark 11:24 says to do. Exactly what does it mean to believe you receive? I can tell you what it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean we just sit back and say, "Well, I'll accept whatever happens. I'd like to have God's promises fulfi lled in my life but...I'll just leave it all up to the Lord." Although that may sound very spiritual, 2 8 : B V O V MAR BVOV BROADCAST CALENDAR Feb. 27-March 3 God's WORD Is Final Authority Kenneth Copeland Sun., March 5 God's Healing Power Is Working in You Kenneth Copeland March 6-10 The Laying On of Hands Kenneth Copeland Sun., March 12 Receive Your Healing Today Kenneth Copeland March 13-17 The Power of the Armor of God Kenneth Copeland Sun., March 19 God's Covenant of BLESSING Is Yours Kenneth Copeland March 20-24 Healing Belongs to You Kenneth Copeland Sun., March 26 Develop Your Faith To Receive God's Promises Kenneth Copeland March 27-31 Living the Love Life Kenneth Copeland Watch the Spanish broadcast Enlace or es.kcm.org WATCH ON Broadcasts subject to change without notice Daily broadcast: Mon. - Fri. 3 a.m. | 7 a.m. 11 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. Weekly broadcast: Sun. 6 a.m. | 8 p.m. also Mon. 4:30 p.m. | Sat. 7:30 a.m. | 8:30 p.m. ET C H A N N E L WATCH ON Daily broadcast: Mon. - Fri. 3 a.m. | 7 a.m. C H A N N E L Kenneth Copeland

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