BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Consider Jacob. He had a problem with his character. He lied, cheated and connived to take the blessing and birthright away from his brother. When it came time for Jacob to return to the Promised Land, and enter into his blessing, his character wasn’t ready. After 20 years of serving his swindling father-in-law, Jacob still had to wrestle with God to be ready to receive his answer. Joseph is another example. As a 17-year-old, God gave Joseph dreams that one day his entire family would bow before him. All the trials and tribulations he endured over the next 13 years prepared Joseph to step into his miracle. At the age of 30, Joseph became prime minister of the mightiest, most advanced nation on earth—Egypt! It was well worth the delay and changes Jacob and Joseph had to make to receive their blessings, and it will be worth it for you, too! Expand Your Faith! It is “through faith and patience [we] inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). You should repeat this verse every day to remind yourself that nothing comes from God except by faith and patience. Abraham waited 25 years for his promised son to be born. During those 25 years, he made some serious mistakes. At times, he lied rather than rely on God. On one occasion, he tried to help God fulfill His promise and the results were disastrous. Yet, despite his mistakes, Abraham received his promise and is today called the “Father of Faith.” Abraham needed faith when God spoke to him after Isaac was born. God told Abraham to take Isaac to a mountain and sacrifice him. Abraham didn’t bat an eye, argue, whine or complain. He saddled a donkey and set out to obey. How could Abraham be obedient to such a request from God? While waiting for the answer to his prayer for a son, Abraham had developed great faith. He believed God could raise his son from the dead. God will delay answers to prayers to build your faith, too. Persist Until You Prevail These are the end times. God needs people who are persistent, conformed to His image and powerful in faith. When God hides, should you get mad, become depressed, stop going to church or throw your Bible out the window? No! You need to persist until you prevail. Become like a bulldog and say to yourself, “I won’t stop praying and believing until I get my miracle.” Elijah prayed seven times before it rained. Moses prayed 40 days for people who were murmuring. Daniel prayed for three weeks before he heard from God. Jesus prayed all night before He chose His disciples. Each of these people persisted until God answered their prayer. When it seems as if God is hiding, you must hang on! V About: Marilyn Hickey is founder and president of Marilyn Hickey Ministries. Along with her late husband, Wallace, she was a founder of the Orchard Road Christian Center in Greenwood Village, Colo. Marilyn and her daughter, Sarah Bowling, host a daily TV broadcast, Today with Marilyn and Sarah. For more information, go to marilynandsarah.org. *****ADVERTISEMENT********* 500+ page study guide $39.95* study guide & workbook with 2 DVDs In "Seeing Jesus," Marilyn Hickey provides a rich, life-transforming tool you can use to study Jesus from Genesis to Revelation—complete with book overviews, detailed scripture analyses, study notes, outlines, Old and New Testament parallels, and more. And now, in this package, you will receive both the 500+ page study guide and the Volume 1 workbook, including two teaching DVDs from Marilyn Hickey. Read the Bible like you never have before and have your life transformed. Start "Seeing Jesus" in every book today! Seeing Jesus Package • "Seeing Jesus Bible Encounter" study guide • "Seeing Jesus" workbook, Volume 1—Genesis to Deuteronomy (with 2 DVDs) sale $39.95* reg $49.95 #B140502 Offer and price valid until May 31, 2014 *Plus shipping. Order online & save an additional 10% kcm.org/mag 1-800-600-7395 U.S. only +1-817-852-6000 **************************** MAY '14 : BVOV : 25

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