BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, the Bible talks about “on-purpose” giving, and receiving a God-given harvest that can affect not only a person or his family, but an entire community! Read what it says in verses 6-9: "Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.' And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, 'They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever'" (New Living Translation). This is wonderful news to the sower—the giver! It would be great news even if it stopped right there! But the Word of God goes on to say some life-altering things in verse 10: “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you” (NLT). God, our Father, ministers seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. What exactly does that mean? That He will provide the Christmas meal, too? That would be great, especially if you are believing for food on the table. But the real message here is much more amazing than a Christmas turkey. From Seed to Bread Think about the process that begins with seed and ends with bread on the table. There is so much that takes place. The farmer sows the seed, tends the field, harvests the wheat, and then sends it to the mill to be ground into meal or flour. After those processes, bread-making can begin. Bread is one of the most tedious, multistep, time-consuming things you can make. After you’ve mixed all the ingredients, you have to keep punching and kneading it—waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the dough to rise before it goes into the oven. After all that, you’ll have bread on the table. But notice in verse 10 it says the Lord ministers ALL of that to the sower: from the first seed to the final harvest and beyond—to the final outcome of bread on the table! So however the Lord has to bless your seed or your hand or your business or your talents, He will do that until you come to what He considers the ultimate objective. The Word says, “In the same way” He will increase your resources. But, He doesn’t stop there. He will increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. To God, the bread on the table (or the ultimate objective), is for you to be generous to those around you! That may be much bigger than you have thought to expect or believe Him for. But He needs us to begin to see our giving and harvesting in this way. The next few verses speak of a very evangelistic outreach—an expression to our communities and families of the very love of God. "Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!" (verses 11-15, NLT). Let us thank God for this gift He has offered to His children. Not only does He want to minister Christmas seed to you, but He wants you to harvest an ability and capacity in your life to be generous to your family and community—causing people to turn their hearts toward Him in their thankfulness and realization of His love toward them. Too wonderful for words? Perhaps. But too wonderful not to believe and receive this gift He places before us. This is the “season for giving.” But for the people of God, it is also the “season of a great harvest of generosity!” V Kellie Copeland Swisher is an outreach minister at Kenneth Copeland Ministries and developer of the Superkid Academy curriculum. Through her ministry and as “Commander Kellie,” she fulfills the mission of drawing people of all ages into a personal, growing and powerful relationship with Jesus Christ. Kellie and her husband, Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher, have five children and reside in Fort Worth, Texas. *********ADVERTISEMENT********* COMMANDER KELLIE AND THE SUPERKIDSTM RETURN Just in Time for Christmas! Order Your Movie Today and receive a FREE Superkid Creed Cling! $19.95* #S131203 Order online & save 10% skathemission.com 1-800-606-4190 #CmdrKellieReturns *Plus shipping. Offer and price valid until Dec. 31, 2013 ********************************** DEC '13 : BVOV : 21

• Cover