BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

crying out at the place where paths meet? That's exactly what happened to me that day. Ken and I were at a crossroad. We were about to take a particular fi nancial path—one we thought would be a benefi t. But Wisdom called out and advised us not to take that path. We could have ignored that advice. After all, we needed the money from the sale, and didn't seem to need the land right then. What's more, the television bills needed to be paid. We could easily have yielded to that pressure and said, "Well, we'll just go ahead, get the money we need…and ask the Lord to forgive us later. After all, He's merciful. He'll understand." Yes, God would have forgiven us had we truly repented. He would have been good to us and blessed us all He could, but we still would have missed part of His Master Plan for us because the Lord knew several things about the situation we didn't. First, there was natural gas on that property. In the years since, we've had a number of gas wells drilled and our ministry is being blessed by the royalties from those wells. If we'd done what we originally planned to do, someone else would be getting those royalties. Second, we were eventually able to build our dream home on part of that land. Had we ignored the leading of the Lord, the lakefront site where our home is today wouldn't have been available. It would have been part of a subdivision full of other people's homes. That's just one of many examples I could give you of how disobeying the leading of the Holy Spirit could have resulted in making a major di erence in our lives. I could tell you of other times when such opportunities to connect or disconnect from God's plan were even more subtle than that. Many, I don't even remember because they weren't spectacular. So many Master Plan connections are like that. They don't seem to be a big deal at the time. Yet if we're diligent to heed those little promptings of the Spirit, they can open big doors into our promised land. I'm not saying you'll never make mistakes. We all stumble and do things we regret at times. But when you do, repent immediately, receive God's forgiveness and cleansing, and get right back on track. Get your heart right before God and keep it right. Otherwise, your conscience will 2 2 : B V O V condemn you. You'll lose your confi dence toward God and you won't be able to hear His voice as clearly as before. The condemnation you'll feel in your heart will hinder your ability to sense the promptings of His Spirit. You'll start missing Master Plan connections without even realizing it. First John 3:18-23, NKJV, explains it this way: My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. I love that passage because it boils down obedience to God to its simplest, basic components. It tells us we can please God and keep His commandments if we'll simply: 1) Believe in Jesus; and 2) Walk in love. If we'll develop the habit of obeying those two fundamental instructions God has given in His written Word, we'll have the sensitivity of heart to pick up on what He is saying to us in other areas. If we don't do those two things, we won't get anything else right, either. I've learned over the years that if my faith isn't producing the results it should, I'd better check my love life. How have I been treating people? Nothing is going to work for me spiritually if I'm violating the commandment of love. The more you practice obeying God in the fundamentals like walking in love, the easier it will be to hear from Him about the details of His plan for your life. Your heart will be sensitive and ready to respond to the slightest divine leading. You'll be ready and able to discern the voice of Wisdom calling out to you at the place where the paths meet. You'll constantly stay connected to God's Master Plan. KCM.ORG/MAG 1-800-600-7395 (U.S. only) FREE standard shipping included. Offer price valid until May 31, 2025 hardback $ 11 99 reg. $14.99 #B250402 wells drilled and our ministry is being blessed by the royalties from those wells. If we'd done what we originally planned to do, someone else would be getting those royalties. Second, we were eventually able to build our dream home on part of that land. Had we ignored the leading of the Lord, the lakefront site where our home is today wouldn't have been available. It would have been part of a subdivision full of other people's homes. That's just one of many examples I could give you of how disobeying the leading of the Holy Spirit could have resulted in making a major di erence in our lives. I could tell you of other times when such opportunities to connect or disconnect from God's plan were even more subtle than that. Many, I don't even remember because they weren't spectacular. So many Master Plan connections are like that. They don't seem to be a big deal at the This New York Times bestseller 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

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