BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Some time later, however, it was a whole different story. When the Temple tax collectors came around demanding money, Peter didn’t even flinch when Jesus told him, once again, to go fishing. “Go thou to the sea, and cast an hook,” He said, “and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee” (Matthew 17:27). Talk about a strange set of instructions! Jesus didn’t even tell Peter to use any bait. He said, “Just throw in the hook and a money-carrying fish will get on it.” If Jesus had said something like that to Peter the first day they met, he probably would have said, “Mister, what have you been drinking?” But this time he’d been walking with Jesus for a while and listening to Him teach. He’d heard Jesus say things like, “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 14:10, 5:19). By watching what happened when Jesus heard and obeyed The WORD of the Father, Peter had gained some insight into the mysteries of the Kingdom. He’d learned that when you say and do whatever Jesus tells you to say and do, God’s power goes to work and you come out way ahead! Traveling Light Peter wasn’t the only one who learned this lesson either. Jesus taught it to all of His disciples. One way He did it was by sending them out to preach all over the country equipped with nothing but the clothes on their backs. “Travel light!” He said, “Leave everything behind. Don’t even pack a spare shirt.” (See Matthew 10:5-10.) Some people think Jesus said that because He wanted them all to be poor. But nothing could be further from the truth! He wasn’t telling them to be poor. He was offering them the opportunity to shake off the shackles of the world’s ungodly economic system and experience the thrill of having their needs supplied by the kingdom of God. He was saying, “Come to work for Me, boys. Do what I tell you to do and the Father will see to it you’re well provided for.” They obeyed Him and it turned out just like He promised. At the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus said to them, “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing” (Luke 22:35). They had learned to live free. (continued on next page) *******ADVERTISEMENT******* Introducing: Kenneth Copeland’s Personal Notes Edition New Testament Nearly 50 years in the making. It’s an exact copy! • Archival-quality • Complete New Testament, King James Version • Jesus’ words in red • Brother Copeland’s original study notes and highlights Order today! Kenneth Copeland’s Personal Notes Edition New Testament $39.95* #B131101 Order online & save 10% kcm.org/mag 1-800-600-7395 U.S. only +1-817-852-6000 *Plus shipping. Offer and price valid until Jan. 31, 2014 ************************************ 6 : JAN '14 : BVOV

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