BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Living the FREE LIFE in a 9-to-5 World by John Copeland What would you do if you could do anything? How would you like to live the “free life”? The good news is that God has more for you than just your 9-to-5 job, and it’s time to find out what it is. It could be He wants you more involved in your church’s outreach. He may want you to enter the ministry. Maybe He wants you to start your own business and develop an idea He has given you. Deep down, you know God has placed a unique dream in your heart…but have you ever been willing to step out and go after it? Really go after it? It’s time! Take Action God has called each of us to do great things, but if you’re not careful life can pass you by. James 1:22 says, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” The Message spells out this truth: “Whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action” (verse 25). When we hear a word from God and know what we’re supposed to do, we need to take action. If all we have are good intentions, we won’t get anywhere. We must be doers of the Word. Only through acting on God’s instruction and sticking with it will we find “delight and affirmation” and “the free life.” Now you may be doing something from 9 to 5 that you’re called to do. Your job may be like mine: a mission and an adventure. But I believe God still has something more for each of us beyond the eight hours of work we punch in on a time clock. He has the power to give us wealth, but it takes a step of faith on our part. It takes action. It’s easy to become comfortable about life and finances, especially if you have a steady paycheck. It can keep you from stepping out into your calling. It can keep you from developing the ideas God has given you. That happened to me until God opened my eyes and led me to step out of my comfort zone. When I did, I saw possibilities everywhere. I realized the only thing holding me back from doing more for the kingdom of God was not understanding the opportunities. Unlocking Wisdom Imagine finding a rough, uncut diamond. To an untrained eye, it might look like a cool paperweight that belongs on a desk or shelf. But to a trained eye, it could look like the next Hope Diamond. I wonder how many million-dollar ideas are sitting on shelves because of a lack of knowledge. When we receive knowledge, God’s wisdom can show us how to put it to work. If you want to know more about business, study businesses. If you want to know about real estate, read about real estate. If you want to start a home-based business, find a mentor who has one. Proverbs 8:12 states, “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” The knowledge you receive will spur the revelation God has for you. Beyond 9 to 5 What’s the big picture here? Is this just about wealth? No, it’s about getting the Word out and bringing people into the Kingdom. Abraham, David and Solomon were tremendously blessed. We are entitled to that kind of blessing, too, and as the Church, we need that kind of blessing to do everything we’re called to do. If you don’t know what God wants you to be or what He wants you to do, spend some time in prayer. Don’t stay stuck in a 9 to 5 with nowhere to go. God’s clock doesn’t stop after eight hours, and yours shouldn’t either. You need to decide what you’re going to do with your free time, because the proper use of free time will lead to a free life! V About: John Copeland is CEO of Kenneth Copeland Ministries and the son of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. He lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with his wife, Marty, and their three children. 14 : BVOV : DEC '13

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