BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

3 0 : B V O V God's Higher Ways People all around us are talking negatively. They're speaking fear and doom, and they have no answers. But thank God, as believers, we are not of this world! We're from above, so we can live in an entirely different system— the system of God's higher ways. Discover God's system—His Higher Ways—and get on track to live the life only He can provide. It's the life He has for you to live every day! His Higher Ways by Gloria Copeland I'd say that qualifi es as seeking fi rst the kingdom of God and His righteousness, wouldn't you? God's Ways Work To be clear, I'm not suggesting you quit your job and spend eight hours a day in the Word like Jerry Savelle did. Seeking God fi rst simply means you consistently put Him and His Word fi rst place in your life. You spend time in His Word and in fellowship with Him every day— even if it means getting up a little earlier in the morning, or staying up a little later at night. You regularly attend a church where you can hear the Word preached under the anointing. You tune in when you can to hear the Word that's being broadcast on networks like VICTORY Channel ™ . Then, you act on the Word you've heard. You honor God by believing and doing what He says—no matter what. Ken and I found out early in our faith life, the no-matter-what part isn't always easy. For example, after we made the commitment to put God's Word and ways of doing things fi rst place in our lives, we found out the Bible says we're to "owe no man any thing, but to love." Or, as the Amplifi ed Bible, Classic Edition puts it, we're to "keep out of debt" (Romans 13:8). What?! we thought. We'd lived on borrowed money ever since the day we got married. Ken had a lot of debt when we met, and after we got together we just kept adding to it. Even as broke as we were the fi rst year we got married, to celebrate our anniversary we bought a boat—on credit! If we couldn't borrow money anymore, it looked to us like we were doomed. How can we ever buy a home if we can't take out a mortgage? we wondered. How can Ken ever get an airplane? We didn't see any way. But it didn't matter. Although we didn't yet know God's prosperity promises, we knew the Word was God speaking to us and we'd committed to live by it. So we made the quality decision to pay o our debts and never borrow money again. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 that he who seeks fi nds. So, not long after we made that decision, we began fi nding out from the Scriptures how to prosper God's way. We began getting more insight into the spiritual laws of prosperity and abundance. As we kept seeking God and doing things His way, we learned to honor Him with our money, not only by steering clear of debt but by tithing and giving o erings. As we've done that, just like Jesus promised, God has kept adding all things to us! He's BLESSED us fi nancially beyond what we could have ever imagined. Will He do that for any believer? Sure He will. In fact, He wants to! But not everyone will cooperate with Him. Even many Christians who've heard the scriptural message of prosperity haven't fully gotten with His program. Instead of taking to heart everything Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, they skipped over the fi rst part. They immediately started thinking about the new car or some other material thing they've been eyeing and said, "Oh boy! All things are going to be added to me!" They forgot about seeking FIRST God's kingdom and His way of doing and being right. God wants you to have all good things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). He wants you to walk in total victory and abundance in every area of life. So there's nothing wrong with having a desire for a new car and wanting to prosper. It's just that those desires must be way down under your desire for God. He must be fi rst place in your heart and life to such a degree that you'd never consider trying to get that new car any other way except His way. God said in Joshua 1:8, we are not to let His Word depart from our mouths, but that we should meditate on it day and night, "that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." God's ways are in His Word, and His ways work! So if the material things you desire aren't being added to you, double up on seeking Him. Double up on your time in the Word. Don't do it to try to get Him to bless you—He's already blessed you as a believer with every good thing promised in the Bible—but do it so you can learn to operate more like He does. Keep seeking Him fi rst so you can fi nd out what He says, believe it and obey Him. That truly is the one sure secret to success! only He can provide. It's the life He has for you to live every day! His Higher Ways by Gloria Copeland Amplifi ed Bible, Classic Edition "keep out of debt" (Romans 13:8). What?! money ever since the day we got married. Ken had a lot of debt when we met, and after we got together we just kept adding to it. Even as broke as we were the fi rst year we got married, to celebrate our anniversary we bought a boat—on credit! If we couldn't borrow money anymore, it looked to us like we were doomed. ever buy a home if we can't take out a mortgage? we wondered We didn't see any way. But it didn't matter. Although we didn't yet know God's prosperity promises, we knew the Word was God speaking to us and we'd committed to live by it. So we KCM.ORG/MAG 1-800-600-7395 (U.S. only) FREE standard shipping included. Offer price valid through April 30, 2023 minibook $ 1 99 #B230402

• Cover