This article was published in the Believer's Voice of Victory magazine published by Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

Signs

by Melanie Hemry

Ed Zell crossed the street to ask for help.

It was 1972. His father, knowing his son had an artistic flair, had asked him to letter his new company truck. But after several attempts, Ed knew he needed help.

So he approached Art, the owner of a small sign company located across the street from where he worked. The older gentleman took Ed under his wing and taught him the sign business. Ed was gifted at it and loved it! He even kept the business going when Art had a stroke. And later when Art died, Ed and his wife, Judy, purchased his modest inventory from his widow. Little did he know how God would use that experience in His plan for Ed and his family to receive the fullness of God's best for their lives.

In 1983, a little more than 10 years later, Ed Zell would cross another street. This one in the small Ohio town of Bellefontaine. He needed help again, but this time the answer was not so easy coming.

Tormenting thoughts kept rolling over in Ed's mind much like the rolling hills he had passed driving into town. This can't be happening, he thought. The darkness that had settled over his soul completely blotted out the beauty of the sun's rays reflecting off the new-fallen snow of a perfect winter's day.

He pulled into a parking space and got out of his truck. Adjusting his cap, Ed darted across the street to avoid a friend walking toward him. As a well-respected state highway patrolman, Ed Zell knew most everyone.

He also knew there were few, if any, secrets in the small town. Ed and his wife Judy were facing imminent bankruptcy. He felt certain the news was already making its way through the grapevine. Did the whole town know the Zells had their backs against the wall and could possibly be stripped of everything they'd ever owned?

Ed hung his head. This time there was no sign to paint, no excited expression of a newfound talent. Instead, there was only the looming fear that a badge of shame and failure would replace the badge of honor and courage that had marked his career.

Would an attorney have the advice he needed?

The big man with the big heart had little hope as he grappled with the fact that he and Judy owed a staggering $1 million.

Hoping Against Hope

That dark day was the furthest thing from his mind just a few years earlier. In the early '80s housing prices were down. The well-liked, industrious couple began buying and renovating properties even though interest rates were up to 22 percent. Their future seemed bright. Life was good.

Then the recession hit.

Many local businesses closed or experienced cutbacks and residents moved out of the area in search of jobs. As a result, the Zells couldn't keep their properties occupied - which meant they couldn't pay the mortgages. The debt began mounting at a terrifying rate. So they sought legal counsel.

"Your only hope is bankruptcy," their attorney said. Bankruptcy wouldn't be so bad, he assured them. They would be able to keep their home and Ed's truck. In the end, all debts would be discharged and they would even come out with $17,000 in equity.

It didn't take a Rhodes Scholar to see this was a good deal that offered much-needed relief from pressure almost more than the Zells could bear. Not only the attorney, but their pastor and parents also agreed it seemed to be the only way out.

Judy's response?

"No."

Later, Ed would teasingly recall that moment as "the only time I've ever considered violence as an option!" Actually it didn't take him long to realize she was right.

Judy had been listening to Kenneth Copeland on the radio and learning about the integrity of God's Word. She had discovered that if God says it, He'll do it, and that all the paths of wisdom are peace (Proverbs 3:17). Not having any peace about bankruptcy, there was no way she could agree to it.

So Judy and Ed began seeking God's wisdom. They also began driving 45 minutes to attend a word of faith church, never missing the monthly satellite broadcasts. They drank deeply from the powerful faith-building messages of not only the Copelands, but also Norvell Hayes and Marilyn Hickey. They learned to count it all joy and let patience have its perfect work so they might be entire wanting nothing (James 1:2-4) and to hold fast their confidence for it has great recompense of reward (Hebrews 10:35).

During the month of March that same year, the Lord had personal words of instruction, encouragement and correction for Ed and Judy. He instructed Judy to stop asking Him to send buyers so they could sell the properties and pay off the loans: Don't tell Me how. Don't tell Me when. Just return My Word to Me. I watch over My Word to perform it. For Ed, the Lord dropped Isaiah 54:17 so strongly in his spirit that "the words 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper' raised up off the page about one inch!"

Peace flooded their hearts.

Ed and Judy knew God had a plan. No, they didn't know exactly what that plan was. But they did know their part - returning God's Word to Him and trusting Him to bring it to pass. And as they did their part, miracles began to take place.

First, a primary lien holder who had been unwilling to work with them missed a court hearing and another bank was given that position by the judge. The weapon that had been formed against them by the first lending institution did not prosper!

Not only that, they received unexpected favor from the new lien holder. Impressed with the improvements the Zells had made to the properties and their commitment to avoid filing bankruptcy, he asked them to manage the retired school building they had converted into 14 apartments. Ed, Judy and their two children lived rent-free while their home and other properties were being sold.

The $1 million debt steadily dwindled. After four months, all properties had been liquidated leaving a debt of $376,000 - still an impossible amount for them.

But not for their God.

Then a second miracle occurred! In an unprecedented decision, the lending institution holding the remaining balance ordered that no deficit judgment would be filed against the Zells. Their debt was totally forgiven!

"We walked out free people!" Ed beamed as he recounted the miracle. "We've since shared this testimony with heads of banking institutions. They all say the same thing, 'That's impossible!'

"And not only did God take care of the debt, He protected us from gossip. Not one person knew about our financial plight except our family and those involved in the proceedings!"

All things are possible to those who believe.

Don't tell Me how. Don't tell Me when. Just return My Word to Me. I watch over My Word to perform it.

God Makes a Way

The experience left the Zells with little in the way of material possessions. But the lessons they had learned gave them something far more precious. Spiritually - they were rich! Now they knew how to tap into heaven's resources for things even money can't buy.

There were other opportunities to minister and grow stronger in faith and in revelation about their covenant rights as believers. "All this time, we had been devouring the Word, Brother Copeland's tapes and the BVOV magazine," Ed said. "We would invite people to our apartment to watch the broadcast and discuss what we'd learned. Then we would pray."

And there were other opportunities to apply what they were learning. When Judy received a disturbing report from a routine Pap smear, the Zells were prepared. The doctor recommended laser treatments as a precautionary measure. But Judy experienced the presence of the Lord in a powerful way and heard in her spirit the words The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made you free from the law of sin and death. Once again, she followed her peace and declined the treatments.

A few months later, when Judy found her symptoms were from an unsuspected pregnancy, she understood why God's presence was with her so strongly. The treatments could have killed or injured her unborn child.

Judy was excited about the baby. The couple was already financially strapped, had no insurance and their tiny two-bedroom apartment barely had enough room for them and their other two children, Jim and Julie. But they were also in the current of God's will and His provision was present at every turn. Step by step they watched Him take care of the financial challenges of an unexpected pregnancy.

They also watched the provision God had made ahead of time for the enemy's attack on the baby's life. The Zells knew they were going to have a boy, because God gave Ed a word: I have a work for him in My kingdom. They named their new son Micah, which meanslike unto the Lord.

"When I was carrying him, God gave me a song," Judy said. "Repeatedly I sang, 'You shall tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing by any means shall harm you for My angels are about you, My joy I have placed in you. My joy shall remain in you.' I didn't know the song was specifically for Micah until I found him gray and lifeless on his grandparents' bed one day."

God had seen ahead and made provision for that moment. Judy's mom had just completed CPR training for infants and happened to be present at the time. "I called Ed then drove to the hospital while Mom gave Micah CPR in the backseat. I knew God was greater to keep Micah than the enemy to take him out."

The family stood shoulder to shoulder in the spirit and spoke life over little Micah. Within two hours of arriving at the hospital, his vital signs had improved so much the doctors couldn't believe it was the same child. Spinal meningitis was suggested, but in the end, no conclusive diagnosis was given. The doctors wanted to keep Micah for observation. Ed and Judy said, "No thanks." They were in a hurry to get him out of the hospital to have him dedicated to the Lord at church that day.

God Qualifies the Called

With victories over evil reports, financial ruin and health issues under their belts, it was time for the Zells to receive another installment in the blessings of their covenant rights. That installment came in the form of a promise found in Joel 2:25-26. God said: "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed." Their heavenly Father desired for them to experience His best in their lives.

Again, not knowing how or when, they faithfully lifted God's Word to Him expecting Him to fulfill it. And so He did, this time by taking something Ed loved to do and blessing it.

In 1984, while being delivered from the $1 million debt, Ed took a giant step of faith and went into the sign-making business full time. Judy placed a plaque in her husband's office that said: "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."

And qualify them, He did! In 1989, God led the Zells to move from Bellefontaine to Columbus to the perfect location. Their new address...Integrity Drive. God opened doors of favor and by the end of 1990 they hired their first associates. Then as their business grew, they rented additional space at that location.

For the Zells, Integrity Drive represented God's faithfulness to His Word - His integrity. For those who knew the Zells, Integrity Drive seemed a fitting description because of the way this couple honored God's Word, treated others and handled their business affairs.

Integrity Brings Prosperity

Integrity Drive soon became "Restoration Drive" for Ed and Judy as they discovered one definition for integrity is "prosperity." In 1994 God opened strategic doors that allowed them to do some of the major sign projects in their state.

"We don't take any job lightly. We pray over each job knowing God has given it to us," Judy said. "When we had the honor to redo the signs for our statehouse, we saw that as an opportunity to make a spiritual difference in the seat of our government. When we did the signage for the attorney general's facility, we saw that as an opportunity to pray over the laws of our state. When we re-signed the Columbus Regional Airport Authority at the Columbus Airport, we declared the promises of God over the gateway to our city."

That same year with their business prospering, the Zells sensed it was time to purchase a home. For 10 years they had lived in rent houses. Their search took them to a Cape Cod style home nestled on 73 1/2 acres complete with a playhouse for the kids, a horse stable and riding trails through the woods...it seemed too good to be true. It didn't seem possible that such an estate would be within their means.

But that had never stopped God before.

He kept His promise to restore the years the locust has eaten. The house and property wereover and above what they could ask or think, at a price they could afford! December 10, 1994, the Zells moved into their new home. Without delay, up went the Christmas tree, on went the twinkling lights. As the kids tore through boxes of ornaments, Ed pulled Judy close to his side. Hearts overflowing with gratitude, they praised the God they serve - the God of restoration.

Their business continued to prosper. And when they needed a larger facility, in 1995, the Zells moved their business to Venture Place - a place of adventures in God.

"Kenneth and Gloria Copeland taught us how to live a lifestyle of faith," Ed said. "We've followed them as they've followed Christ, and God has blessed us. The anointing makes all the difference."

"Sometimes the Lord will have us sow a special seed," Judy added. "For instance, in 1999 our business had grown but finances were still tight. I was strongly impressed to sow a $1,000 seed into KCM. When I sent it, I requested prayer for 'increased sales with our largest customer.'"

And God honored their obedience by blessing them with increase in their international account, just as Judy requested.

Customers, employees and vendors alike recognize there is something different about this couple. Their love for God is apparent. Their faith - contagious. Always they are reaching out, touching and changing the lives of others.

With every sign they place, Ed and Judy think about God's goodness in their lives. They remember how He's delivered them, the times He's healed them, the ways He's prospered them, and they count it all simply as...

Signs of His love! VICTORY