BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

“We know the devil is responsible for the attack on Tony’s life! He tried to stop this worldwide move of coming together in Jesus as one. Too late, Devil! THE BRIDGE IS ALREADY BUILT! IT’S A LOVE BRIDGE—A BRIDGE THAT WILL NEVER FAIL. And, Gloria and I, and all in this ministry, are thrilled to stand strong on THE BRIDGE that grace built—through Tony Palmer.” On June 30, 2014, Brother Copeland discussed the papal visit with attendees at the Southwest Believers’ Convention in Fort Worth, and explained the significance of the meeting, including events leading up to the invitation. Robison joined Brother Copeland via telephone during the convention meeting, and offered his perspective on their visit with the pope. V There are 180 million spirit-filled, born-again, faithful Catholic Christians. kcm.org/papalvisit Watch a video of Brother Copeland’s discussion about the papal visit. You can also read Robison’s comments on his website at jamesrobison.net. ****************************** ***continued from pg. 7***** Of course, as it turned out, a lot of other believers had gotten there before me. They’d actually beaten me to the punch. One of them showed up just before the meeting started, when I was about to go out and preach. He stuck his head through the curtain behind the platform where I was standing and said, “Brother Copeland! I’m a blackjack dealer and I’m working the floor tonight so I can’t be in the meeting, but I just want you to know a lot of us here will be praying for you!” I probably looked a little startled. “Really?” I said. “Oh yeah! A lot of us who work here are born again. We witness and win people to Jesus all the time. Those of us who aren’t working will be at the meeting tonight. The rest of us will be backing you up in prayer.” I had to laugh! Here I thought I was going in there to break new ground, and God had already invaded the place. He already had people positioned there. Those meetings turned out to be some of the greatest we’ve ever had! I’ll never forget what an amazing time that was. One day, in between meetings, I was walking through the hotel and The LORD drew my attention to a particular couple, a man and a woman who looked to be in their 30s. 'I want you to witness to them,' He said. I obeyed Him and right there in the middle of the hotel, after asking their permission, I told them everything The LORD instructed me to say. When I finished, they just looked at me like a dog at a new pan. They didn’t know whether to eat out of it or not. I thanked them for their time and walked away. Well, that went over big, I thought. I hadn’t taken more than about three steps when another fellow stopped me. He’d overheard the things I’d shared and wanted to talk to me. “I’d like you to pray for me,” he said. Although he was so drunk he could barely stand up, we managed to walk over to the restroom where it was little quieter. He leaned against the wall and I laid hands on him. The power of God hit us and I found myself praying all the same things I’d just finished telling the other people. I realized with a shock that God had been talking to this man all along instead of to them. Why He chose to do it that way, I don’t know. He’s the Boss. I just work here. I just do what I’m told to do. But I can tell you this: By the time I finished praying, that man was stone-cold sober—standing upright, with his hands raised, praising God and praying in tongues. “I want to thank you!” he said. “I’m a backslidden Pentecostal preacher. But I’m not backslidden anymore. I’m back!” Years have come and gone since then, but I still love having those kinds of encounters. I still relish those kinds of fights: first, because the devil is the one I’m fighting; and second, because Jesus conquered him at Calvary, so they’re fights I can always win. This is why we, as believers, are here, my friend! To fight the good fight of faith. To swing the sword of the Spirit in the heat of battle and set the captives free. So pray, listen to God and get your marching orders. Let Him send you where the action is—out there in the darkness where you can really shine. V BVOV : 9

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