Vol. 4, No. 1 2011
2011–MOVING FORWARD ON ALL FRONTS! More International Outreaches Than Ever Before!
Preparing for Honduras crusade 2011
2011: STEPPING THROUGH EVERY DOOR GOD OPENS! As we move through the days of 2011, I firmly believe blessings await you and me as we join together to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone we can reach. This year, we will conduct healing crusades in Honduras, Guatemala, Nigeria, and among the Inuit people of Northern Canada. We have set a goal to distribute five million meals to the hungry this year—more than we have ever given before. We will be faithful to step through every door that the Lord opens for us to minister His saving, healing, delivering power to the nations. Thank you for helping us share Jesus with our world. Your seeds of prayer and giving are helping show people that He is real! And I am standing in faith with you and praying for you that God begins to pour out His blessings, favor, and abundance on you in every area of your life, in Jesus’ name.
FEATURES 4 10 14 18 24
Moving Forward On All Fronts by Richard Roberts
It’s time to move forward on every front of our lives.
Keeping the Fire Burning Through the Richard Roberts School of the Spirit™, students are learning to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
It’s Time to Take Down the Sign by Lindsay Roberts
We can choose whether we will put a Do Not Enter sign or a Welcome sign on the door of our heart.
Renewing Your Mind in Challenging Times As you choose to think as God thinks, you can receive God’s power to overcome the challenges of life.
Giving Off the Top A Classic Message by Oral Roberts
The conditions that exist in our nation are overwhelming, but you can defeat the devil and receive the blessings God has for you.
Vol.4, No.1 Jan • Feb • Mar 2011. Copyright © 2011 by Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. No part may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Your copy of MIRACLES© is made possible by Seed-Faith offerings to Oral Roberts Ministries. No subscription price. MIRACLES© is published quarterly by Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 2187, Tulsa, OK 74102-2187. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: MIRACLES, P.O. BOX 2187, TULSA, OK 74102-2187. For more information, call (918) 495-7777, or contact us on the Internet at www.oralroberts.com. Canada Publications Agreement #40774029.
It’s high time for Christians to push forward with all our might to lay hold of all God has for us. It’s time to go on the offensive and move forward on every front of our lives! Richard Roberts teaching people how to pray for the sick at New Creation Church in Singapore, December 2010. [Photo Courtesy of New Creation Church]
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MOVING FORWARD ON ALL FRONTS! I believe God has a plan to move you forward into the greatest days you have ever experienced in Him. No matter what you may be facing today, God is a God of salvation, healing, and deliverance. He doesn’t want you to be stuck in hard times or buried beneath a load of trouble. God is a good God! He wants to see you living free and victorious in Him. With His help, you can move forward in your health, your family, 4
your finances, your relationship with Him, and every other area of your life.
Moving Forward Begins With a Decision Only You Can Make There are two types of people in this world…those who are moving forward and those who are not. Jesus, our example of godly living, was always moving forward. He didn’t rest on past victories. He didn’t run from hard times. He faced life with boldness.
I believe that you and I are to have that same, strong determination to move forward in all God has for us, fulfilling His purpose for our lives, and doing it in the victory He has provided for us through Jesus. First John 4:4 says, You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Through Christ, God has made you an overcomer. You can rise above your circumstances. But you have to believe that. You have to act on it. The only person who can make the decision to move you forward is you. God can’t choose it for you. You must choose it yourself. But when you do, He can help you move into a new freedom with Him.
Don’t Be Surprised When You Face Opposition Ephesians 6:12 says, We do not wrestle against flesh and blood [people], but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age…
I believe, as you move forward in the Lord, you face opposition from the devil. Remember, the devil hates God, and he hates the children of God. He will try to steal from you, kill your dreams, and destroy the blessings God has given you. But I have good news! Jesus defeated the devil through the Cross. The blood of Jesus beats the devil every time. As a child of God, you have the Holy Spirit within you to help you defeat the devil’s tricks and strategies. You can succeed against difficult circumstances and overcome in hard times through the truth in God’s Word.
Leave the Past Behind To move forward, you begin by letting go of things in your past that don’t help you focus on where you are going in life. This isn’t people; it’s things, situations or circumstances that pull you back into the tricks and strategies of the devil. I believe that’s why the apostle Paul talked about leaving things behind in Philippians 3:13–14:
Richard speaking at Pastor Joseph Prince’s church in Singapore 5
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Pau l had many th ing s beh ind him—some good and some bad— but he didn’t dwell on the past. He constantly pressed ahead, as Jesus did. So I encourage you to follow Paul’s example, and refuse to stay comfortable where you are.
Fear Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back We live in challenging times, with our world consumed by fear, worry, and troubles. I tell you this: I believe there is nothing happening in your life that God can’t handle as long as you are anchored in Him. So, don’t let fear keep you from stepping into new victories in the Lord. Hebrews 13:5–6 says, For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.” When fear comes, remember that the Lord is with you. He isn’t abandoning you. He can help you, as He has promised in His Word. Resist the temptation to let fear dominate your thinking and your actions. Instead, go to God boldly in prayer with your needs. Expect that He will give you good ideas, favor with others, and the answers you need. As you focus on Him, the Bible says you can have a peace that passes all understanding, and guards your heart 6
and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This supernatural peace is not based on your circumstances. It’s an enduring peace that helps you press forward, no matter what comes against you.
Believe What God’s Word Says About Your Situation Everything we choose to do starts as a thought in our mind. That’s why we must make sure our thoughts line up with what God says about the situations we face. Let God give you a vision for where you are going in life. He has given you His Word to show you what He thinks about you and your future. As we renew our mind with His Word, we can look at our future as He does. Don’t allow the world to mold your way of thinking. And don’t let circumstances dictate what you believe. Instead, determine that you will be transformed as you renew your mind…as you get rid of wrong beliefs, fears, and doubts by choosing to believe God’s truth (Romans 12:2).
Put Action to Your Faith God sees you as an overcomer who can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). But it’s important for you to see yourself that way as well. You see, no matter what you can do through Christ, you won’t actually do it unless you start acting on your faith that allows you to do it. But here’s the good news: Your faith can propel you forward in any area of life (1 John 5:4).
As soon as you know what God’s Word says about your circumstances, it is up to you to act on it. You have to put action to your faith and do something to move forward. Even if it seems like you have a long way to go, a journey begins as you put your feet on the road and start moving. So, take the steps you can take right now, and expect God to fulfill His promises to you.
Use Your Words as a Weapon One powerful way to put action to your faith is to speak and pray God’s Word over your circumstances. Mark 11:22–23 tells you to speak to the mountains in your life and cast them into the sea with your words. So, instead of going by what you see with your natural eye, keep speaking God’s Word over your circumstances. Always remember, God’s Word has His life in it. It can bring life to dead situations and health to sick bodies…restore broken hearts and damaged relationships…bring about prosperity to those who have suffered loss… As you speak His Word over your life, you make a way for His power to shape the situation you are in.
Continue to Expect Your Harvest Until It Arrives The Bible tells us that we inherit, or receive, the promises of God through faith and patience, working together (Hebrews 6:12). Patience doesn’t simply mean waiting. It means holding onto your faith and refusing to quit.
It’s important to hold onto God’s promises to you with confidence that He will do as He said. Some things come quickly. Other things take time. Many things in life happen through the process of time. So, moving forward won’t always mean an instant miracle. That’s where Galatians 6:9 comes in and says, “Be not weary in your well doing, for you shall reap in due season if you faint not.” You may have to keep pushing ahead for a while before you see all the results you are looking for. But as you take steps forward with God, you can be making your way toward the miracle that is waiting for you. Determine in your heart that you are going to grow in Him! Decide today that you are going to learn more about His Word, and that you are going to be transformed even more into His likeness. Let God lead you into a fresh season of miracles, filling your life with His power and abundance…so you can walk in victory over every issue of life that concerns you and your loved ones.
DETERMINE IN YOUR HEART THAT
YOU ARE GOING TO GROW IN HIM!
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Keeping the Fire Burning at the EXCITEMENT FILLED THE AIR teaching students how to walk in the as new students took their seats for power of God and how to be led by the inaugural class of the Richard the Holy Spirit. Roberts School of the Spirit™ last fall. They had come to receive a fresh im- THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS partation from the Holy Spirit. They The school kicked off with an eighthad come to build their faith and be equipped to walk confidently in their week course, “The Healing Ministry God-given gifts and callings. And of Jesus.” Many students attended in Tulsa, as well as many via Internet they received! The school’s goal is to minister the from all over the U.S. and several forWord of God and share from the Rob- eign countries, including Canada, the erts family’s wealth of personal and Philippines, and the United Kingdom. 60-plus years of ministry experience, Drawing lessons from the four Gos-
pels, his father Oral’s ministry, and his own ministry, Richard guided students through the life of Jesus Christ, His character, His compassion, and His miracles. Richard also taught about the importance of releasing your faith for the miraculous. Using the illustration that Oral taught him when he was just a boy, praying for his own healing from warts on his hand, he explained how he threw his hands in the air and said, “Faith, get up there to God!” This helped him understand the concept of releasing your faith —a truth that can help Christians receive from the Lord. After Richard shared about the story in the Bible of the paralytic man lowered through the roof in Mark 2:4, Saiji, a student taking the course online wrote in to say, “I received faith tonight to raise the roof and pull down my miracle!”
THE POWER OF GOD DEMONSTRATED Each week, archived footage of miracles from Oral Roberts’ early tent crusades was shown on large video screens so that students could see, hear, and feel the healing work of the Holy Spirit in action. Richard also gave students a glimpse into what it was like walking alongside his father in those healing lines, and feeling the power of God firsthand. The same anointing that flowed through Oral’s hands flowed through the class. Many students testified of the impact the class had on their life, including longtime Oral Roberts Ministries partner, Reverend Tony Lupardo, who was suffering with
Rev. Tony Lupardo received healing right in class!
pain in his leg. He stood up after Richard gave a word of knowledge that God was healing someone of leg pain. Reverend Lupardo moved his leg and then testified that he was totally healed. Another student, Chad, remarked, “Dr. Roberts, during class you sent a word concerning unforgiveness and handing over to the Lord those who have wronged you. I claimed that word for myself and I literally felt a tangible weight lift off my back. Now I feel the peace of God like never before!”
TEACHING THAT CHANGES LIVES Whenever the Word of God is taught in faith, there can be miracles. And the School of the Spirit™ classes were no exception! As Richard taught, healing testimonies flooded in by email and the 11
Lindsay Roberts’ “Miracle Living Series” was the second course offered through the School of the Spirit™. In her signature illustrative style, Lindsay taught six dynamic sessions designed to help students experience God’s miracles and successful living through the principles of Seed-Faith, as God inspired Oral Roberts years ago. school’s Internet chat room. Students agreed that there was a sweet, tangible presence of the Holy Spirit in each class. The anointing touched them both in the classroom and over the Internet. Lila from Florida spoke for many of the students when she emailed, “Isn’t it wonderful that our God is everywhere? I feel such a bond with you all while I’m taking this course online.” During the classes, students were 12
introduced to an understanding of the full life available through Jesus Christ, as this truth relates to sharing His healing power with family members, friends, and neighbors. Lives were transformed as students gained a greater confidence in doing the work of God’s Kingdom themselves. Richard helped them bring their own ministry goals into clearer focus and overcome boundaries that were stopping them from stepping into their own special gifts and talents. Bonnie, a student from Washington emailed, “I had the opportunity to pray for my neighbor for healing, and he said the pain left! Praise the Lord.” And many others shared similar results as they acted on what they learned in class.
WALKING DAILY IN THE MIRACULOUS By the end of the course, many students walked out with a new boldness, empowered to fulfill the call of God on their lives, wherever they have the opportunity. Al in North Carolina noted, “The volunteer assignment part of Dr. Roberts’ class has opened up a huge door for me at my church. My pastor is giving me an opportunity to teach four Bible studies!” The spirit of the school’s teaching was summed up perfectly by a student named Shari, who spoke for many when she said, “This class is giving me the confidence to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit and reach out and minister to people.” This is exactly what the School of the Spirit™ exists for!
Take Your Faith to the Next Level! Whether you attend in person or online, or take advantage of the DVD courses, the School of the Spirit™ can be a blessing to help you take your faith to the next level! WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING: “This class is a BLESSING. I’m SO glad I enrolled.” —Hope via Email “I am volunteering by praying for the sick in my church and learning to follow the Holy Spirit, thanks to this class.”
—Jenese from Florida
“I have a co-worker who was suffering from extreme fatigue. I told her that I wanted to practice what I was learning in class on her. I laid hands on her and prayed for her, and within a few hours, she said the fatigue was gone. I AM SO EXCITED! ” —Sonja from Virginia “The Lord has been working MIRACLES in my life, thanks to this class. This class has given me the ability to sow my faith seed, and MY SEED HAS BEEN SPROUTING!”
—Al from North Carolina
“I LOVE YOUR CLASS! It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
—Dan via Email
Visit our website at w ww.oralroberts.com to register or for more information.
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It’s Time to Take Down the Sign
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away… Or, our lives can give off a sweet aroma that draws God and others to us. We can choose whether we will put a Do Not Enter sign or a Welcome sign on the door of our hearts.
Have you ever seen a “Do Not Enter” sign? “Do Not Enter” is a message that tells people: “Don’t come here. You’re not allowed. Keep out!” As I thought about things that tell us to keep out, I was reminded of life as a young mother dealing with diapers. The smell of a dirty diaper is enough to keep you out of a room. It’s a toxic aroma, and the first thing you want to do is to back off. But when you walk into a room filled with roses, it smells wonderful. You want to enter in. The Bible tells us that our words and actions—when they are filled with faith and love—are a sweet smelling fragrance to God. Ephesians 5:2 says, Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. In other words, our lives can be filled with a toxic odor that pushes others 14
Loving as Jesus Loved Us When Jesus was dying on the Cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). One of His last acts on the Cross was to forgive. You know, many of us feel as though we have been attacked, maligned, or unfairly treated. We have stories about wrongs that have been done to us. But who could have been more maligned than Jesus? He was wrongly accused and betrayed. People told lies about Him. He was crucified even though He did nothing wrong. Jesus was absolutely, positively wronged, but He refused to be bitter. Instead, He chose to forgive. He chose to love with the unconditional, unchanging love of God. Loving the Unlovely Matthew 5:44–46 says, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you and persecute you…For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? In other words, anybody can love the lovely. Even the worst sinners love their friends. That’s easy! What makes us different from the rest of the world is when we love the unlovely—those who hurt us and treat us as an enemy. When we love those who don’t deserve it, that’s when we begin to act like true children of God. Jesus loved the unlovely. He loved those who crucified Him. And we are to be like Him. We are to love others with the unconditional love that comes from God.
God’s Love Gives Us the Power to Forgive Mark 11:22–24 tells us that when we have faith in God, we can speak to our mountain, and it will be removed. What a great promise! But this Scripture goes on to say, And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him… (Mark 11:25). In other words, the power available to us when we speak God’s Word in faith could possibly be thrown out the window if we don’t forgive others when we pray. If we want to experience the fullness of what God has for us, we need to take down the Do Not Enter sign and hang up a Welcome sign, starting by forgiving and letting some things go. The secret of forgiving is in loving as God loves. First Corinthians 13:5 (Amplified) says, Love (God’s love in us)…is not touchy or fretful or resentful;
it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. Isn’t it good to know that when we ask forgiveness, God isn’t keeping a record of our wrongs? He isn’t watching us with a pen and paper ready to write down all our mistakes. No, once we repent, He casts our sin into the sea of forgetfulness and never brings it up again. And we are to have that same attitude when we forgive others. We are to let it go. Is it easy to forgive? In our humanness, no, it isn’t. But can we do it? Yes, I believe we can, because we can do all things—we can forgive—through Christ who strengthens us. Maybe you can’t forgive in your own strength, but you can ask God to help you, and you can draw on His unconditional love to love those who have hurt you.
Taking Down the Do Not Enter Sign I encourage you to check your heart today. Are you telling God to keep out by holding onto unforgiveness? If so, I encourage you to let things go. Say, “Father God, come into my heart and help me. I freely forgive, and I freely release.” And name the person who has hurt you. Say, “Through Christ, I forgive that person. The Christ in me forgives them.” When we forgive others through the power of Christ within us, I believe the Do Not Enter sign drops off the doorpost of our heart, and God can enter into our lives in a greater way… And our circumstances can begin to change. 15
Abundant Life Bookstore ™
I Need a Miracle by Richard Roberts
When everything inside of you is crying out for a miracle, this DVD from the Oral Roberts Ministries can help. Richard Roberts shares powerful healing prayers for you, Bible-based messages to build your faith, and real-life stories from everyday people who received miracles from God. You can watch this faith-building DVD over and over, believing for the miracle you need. $10 LC2346
Overcoming Stress by Lindsay Roberts
This book by Lindsay is based on the truth of God’s Word that can help build you up and make you an overcomer in the stress-tests of life. $8 LC1333
Tent Sermons by Oral Roberts
In Oral Roberts Tent Sermons, you can hear four of Oral’s most powerful messages of all time, recorded live from the great tent crusade days: The Fourth Man, Holding the Rope, Samson and Delilah, and Christ’s Mastery Over Demons. As you listen to this digitally remastered, state-of-the-art CD series, you can experience for yourself the never-changing, miracle-working power of God that’s available to meet your needs today. $15 LC2207
Encouraging Words of Hope and Life by Richard and Lindsay Roberts As you listen over and over to God’s Word about how much He loves you and who He says you are in Him, you can keep your spirit built up and your faith strong to believe for the miracles you need. $7 LC2302
When It Seems All Hope Is Gone by Richard Roberts
Richard shares biblical insight gained from his own personal experience with seemingly hopeless situations. In this book, you can discover how Jesus—our ever-living hope—can help you overcome the impossible situations in your life. $10 LC1996
The Ultimate Voice by Oral Roberts
If God is speaking, are you listening? In this book, Oral Roberts draws from his lifelong relationship with the Lord to share powerful principles for learning to hear and follow the still, small voice of God speaking to our spirit. $20 LC2382
Prayer Cover Scriptures Richard and Lindsay can help you discover some powerful spiritual, physical, and financial Scriptures from the Word of God that you can declare daily over your life and the lives of your loved ones. $7 LC2060
Blended Anointing Oil James 5:14 tells us, Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. During a special service, Richard and Lindsay Roberts prayed over portions of anointing oil sent in from our partners across the nation. This oil has been blended together and is now available to you. As you anoint yourself or others with this blended anointing oil, remember that God’s power is available to us when we reach out to Him in faith believing for miracles. Free. LC403
To order: Visit our online bookstore at www.oralroberts.com, see center envelope, or call 918-495-7777.
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A Weekend of Healing:
Renewing Your Mind in Challenging Times
Richard Roberts prays for God to meet people’s needs.
Kate McVeigh and Dr. Caroline Leaf join the Roberts for a weekend of healing.
Richard reminds the attendees that Jesus is a healing Jesus! 18
In November 2010, the Oral Roberts Ministries hosted a two-day series of meetings designed to help people receive God’s healing and life-transforming miracles so they might be made whole in their mind, in their body, and in their spirit. The weekend kicked off with a time of encouraging teaching and healing prayer. Richard Roberts spoke about the power of God to heal His people. For those who desired it, Richard laid hands on people, believing for them to receive a touch from God.
Let Go of Excess Baggage Lindsay Roberts encouraged everyone to let go of the excess baggage in our thinking that can block us from receiving God’s best for our lives. “At the airport when your suitcase is over the weight limit, you pay a high price to get it on the airplane,” Lindsay said. “And when you carry excess baggage in your life, you pay a high price—spiritually, physically, mentally, and in other ways. When we carry things we are not meant to carry, we always pay a price for it. “John 10:10 tells us that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. That word
People reach out to God to receive His life-changing power.
destroy means to pulverize beyond all recognition. The devil wants to pulverize you to the point that you are useless to everyone around you. And we sometimes open the door to the devil through the baggage we carry in our thoughts, our attitudes, our decisions, or our words. “Do you remember when Saul was king of Israel, and everybody started praising David? Saul was okay until the crowds began to chant, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, but David has killed his tens of thousands’ (1 Samuel 18:7). “Saul had a choice. He could have thought, ‘This is great! Israel will be advanced long after I’m gone. God’s people are going to go forward.’ “Instead, he chose to think, ‘The people don’t like me anymore. They used to like me. I’ve got to get rid of David.’ “If we’re not careful, our thinking can be f illed with jealousy and
other wrong attitudes and beliefs, and that can lead to problems. If our thoughts are not governed by the Holy Spirit, our mind will begin to “run away with us.” And suddenly, those wrong thoughts are leading the charge. “But we can shut the door on the devil and wrong thinking by repenting and changing what we think so that it lines up with God’s Word.”
Lindsay, Kate, and Caroline answer questions from the audience. 19
Letting God’s Word Determine How We Think Evangelist and author Kate McVeigh talked about the power of change that is available to us through God’s Word. Kate said, “We all have issues. What is your issue? Whatever it is, if you will face that issue and put your faith on it, it can change…because your life usually goes in the direction of your most dominant thought. “When I was young, I had a hard time learning in school. But the Bible says that the Lord will make you of a quick understanding (Isaiah 11:3). I began to apply that Scripture to my life. And as time passed, I began to see some changes in my performance in school. “We need to think and say what God says about us. Not what people are saying… Not what negative reports are saying… Not what the circumstances are saying… But what God is saying. “I believe there’s power in speaking the Word of God over your life. I remember a friend of mine who wanted to quit smoking. She tried everything without success. “Then the Lord spoke to her about Romans 4:17, which says faith calls those things that be not as though they were. After that, anytime she smoked, she’d say, ‘Lord, I call myself delivered. I call myself a nonsmoker.’ “One morning, she reached for her cigarettes, and it suddenly hit her. ‘Wait a minute,’ she said. ‘I don’t have to smoke those. I’m a nonsmoker.’ And she never smoked another cigarette again. 20
Kate McVeigh talks about speaking God’s Word daily.
“That is how we change our lives. As we apply God’s truth to ourselves, we can believe it and we speak it daily until our circumstances begin to change.”
Taking Control of Our Thoughts to Receive God’s Power to Change Noted brain researcher Dr. Caroline Leaf explained how God designed human beings so that we have control over our thought life and can really take on the mind of Christ on a daily basis. Dr. Leaf stated, “Every word you speak, every action you perform, everything you do was first a thought in your brain. Nothing you do is ever a
random event. You choose. You make the decision. “In other words, you are in control of your thought life. You are not a victim of your biology or a label or something that someone spoke over your life. “Every day, we can let nonsense come into our head. People may speak bad things over our lives. We can let little things irritate us, and we can get frustrated about stupid things… And then we can’t think straight, and can end up depressed, anxious, and worried. “Whatever you think about the most is what will grow in your mind. When you choose wrong thoughts and operate from toxic thinking, you upset the way your brain processes information. Wrong thinking upsets your entire body, which can lead to sickness.
“Sometimes we hold onto these problems for years because we choose to keep thinking about them. We let them define our whole life. We say, ‘This is who I am.’ But you are not that. You are the righteousness of God in Christ. “Brain science has shown that the brain is incredibly flexible. As you pray, as you listen to the Word and read the Bible, as you praise and worship and build your relationship with God, changes happen inside your brain. “As you focus on God’s Word, you build the part of your brain that controls your thinking, your will, and your decision-making. Your thoughts can change over time. “Thank God, we can acknowledge our sin and admit our wrong thinking. We can repent and receive forgiveness. As you repent and as you forgive, the
Dr. Caroline Leaf describes the science of thinking and renewing the mind.
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chemicals in your brain begin to flow in such a way that you can see real change in your thinking and behavior. That’s the power of the Cross! “We have to take responsibility for our thoughts, our decisions, and our actions. It doesn’t take long. It takes less than a second to call on the name of Jesus. You don’t have to be in church to do it. “When you call on Him and spend time with Him, the part of your brain
that makes you more positive and wiser is growing stronger. “As you build your faith in God and you realize who God is, you build healthy thinking in your brain… And this healthy thinking can help you get through the hard times in life. “Don’t wait until trouble comes. Get Scriptures in your head now, so that when problems pop up and wrong thoughts arise, you can do something about it.”
Get Equipped to Renew Your Mind and Be Made Whole in Challenging Times! In these challenging times we face today, God has a way that you can experience His overcoming victory in every area of your life. You can develop essential tools for building up your faith and renewing your mind with the DVDs from November’s Weekend of Healing. Just go to our online bookstore at www.oralroberts.com to order your copy.
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Feeding widows and orphans in Central America
Helping People Hear the Good News Through
Hunger Needs A Voice It’s hard to feed a person spiritually until they are open to hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ. And many times, they simply can’t hear the message because their immediate needs are talking too loudly. Hunger Needs A Voice ® Director Jordan Roberts often says, “It’s hard to feed a person spiritually until you give them something in their belly.” As we feed the hungry through HNAV, we can show people in a clear way what it means to love as Jesus loves… unconditionally, and with open arms to anyone who comes to Him in faith. Our goal for 2011 is to send up to five million meals to the poor, the hungry, the sick…to those the world calls “the least of these.” And we couldn’t do it without your support! Every prayer you pray helps to open doors in foreign nations, giving us favor with the government officials who make it possible for us to come in with food and other donated supplies that help people open the doors of their hearts to Jesus.
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And every seed you sow allows us to feed another hungry person, both spiritually and physically. In many nations of the world, it takes only a few dollars a day to feed a person. Your gifts help us to put nutritious rice, beans, dried fruits, and other food into the hands of hungry families. You are helping us provide fortified baby formula to children who might otherwise be malnourished. YOU are the difference in their lives. And every time you give to the poor, you are lending to the Lord, who will repay you, according to Proverbs 19:17. Thank you so much! For more information or to sow a seed, go online at www.oralroberts.com, or use the center envelope.
Our goal in 2011 is to send up to 5 million meals to the poor. 23
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R O B E R T S
The conditions that exist in our nation are overwhelming, but you can defeat the devil and receive the blessings God has for you...by
Giving Off the Top EDITOR’S NOTE: Oral Roberts shared this message in 1975, and the message is as relevant today as it was then.
IT’S A DARK HOUR Unemployment is affecting thousands, bills are piling up, and there’s not always enough money to pay them. Marriages are in trouble because of the stress and strain of life in a wicked world. A loved one has seemingly lost their way. People’s faith is being shattered. It’s a dark hour. But I praise God that we can see His light better when it’s the darkest. 24
GOD GAVE FIRST At the darkest hour in the history of humanity, God gave that He might get a desired result. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life ( John 3:16). God didn’t wait until we loved Him. He loved first. And His love became a gift. Giving is what love is.
When God gave His only Son, He gave His best. He didn’t take one of millions of angels, or something He could easily spare. He spared not. He sent His only Son. He gave His best! God loved people who didn’t love Him back… most of whom would never love Him back. He gave for a purpose, so that He might receive something back. Yes, that’s right—God gave for a desired result.
HOW GOD DOES THINGS We’ve got to learn how God does things, and then we must do like God does. I must so love that I give. I give of my best. I don’t reach down to the bottom and give some little inferior something. When my father was a pastor, a family once gave him a one-eyed chicken. Early the next morning, the man knocked on my parents’ door and said, “Pastor, I apologize for bringing you the worst chicken I had. Here is my best.” And the man gave my dad a perfectly whole chicken. That’s the difference between giving off the bottom and giving off the top. SEED CORN IS THE BEST When I was a little boy, I grew up on a farm. My brother Vaden and I were my father’s helpers. He would tell us, “Boys—be very careful with that corn. Take the big ears, the good ears, and put them in a special pile over here. Put the rest in the barn.” Papa said, “Boys, those big, good ears are my seed corn. That’s what we’ll plant next year so we’ll have a better crop. We don’t want to plant corn from
those little ears; we want to plant the best.” He was concerned about his seed corn being saved off the top, because he knew whatever he planted, that’s what he would get back.
A NEW WAY The New Testament opens with the birth of a baby and the promise of a great blessing: Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus opened up to us a whole new way of giving. First, He gave Himself totally to the needs of people. Then He paid the price for our sins by dying on the Cross. It’s no longer a debt you owe; it is a seed you sow! Why? Because Jesus Christ paid the debt, so you don’t have to. I don’t care if you had a billion dollars, you couldn’t pay it even if you wanted to. It cost Jesus His life, and it’s a completed work. You can’t add to it. You can’t do something and then say, “I’m paying God. I’m discharging my obligation.” Someone may say, “Well, you owe it to God. This is your duty. Giving is your obligation.” No, I give because I’ve found a way according to the Bible. A CHEERFUL GIVER When I talk to people about giving, I never talk about obligation or a debt to God, because you can’t pay it. Only Christ could pay that debt. But one thing you can do in your giving is to seed with your giving, and give of your heart, give of yourself—not merely money, but time, talent, love, compassion, and so forth. 25
What is anything worth unless you put your heart in it—unless what you do for God, you do cheerfully? People often say, “Well, let’s go to church because we’ve got to go—it’s part of our religion.” They drag in like corpses and mummies. I’ve tried to preach to a crowd like that, and you just don’t get much response! What a difference it is when the people come eagerly, cheerfully, expecting something to happen. Now that is an exciting group to talk to! And do you know what? Something good can come out of that.
FOCUS YOUR GIVING When you believe that your giving is a seed you sow, and you believe God is going to multiply that seed back… When you believe you’ve given off the top, and that’s exactly what God’s going to use to multiply back… Then you can get excited about it. You are giving for a desired result. You are focusing your giving, and God can give back to you. People say, “I was never taught to expect back.” I was taught the same way. They say you’re to give and not to expect anything back. That’s true, halfway. You’re not to expect back from the person you help. You’re simply to give freely, whether the person ever gives anything back or not. Your expectation is not from people, but from God. I give to God to achieve a desired result. I focus that giving, and He never lets me down. GOD CAN MULTIPLY BACK Acts 20:35 says, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Many people misun26
derstand this. They say, “See there? He says, ‘Give,’ and that’s more important than receiving.” But the word blessed in the original language means “productive.” It is more productive to give than to receive. It doesn’t tell you not to receive. It doesn’t forbid your receiving. It simply says that when you give, God can multiply back.
SEED FOR YOUR NEED Jesus said in Matthew 17:20, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed [a very tiny seed], ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove. When you have a problem—which the mountain represents—that’s often what you start thinking about. I know that’s what I usually do. But Jesus said, “Don’t start with the mountain. Don’t start with the problem… Start with the seed.” Imagine that a farmer needs a thousand bushels of corn. He doesn’t start with that problem. He starts by going out to the field and sowing seed, because the corn he needs will grow from the seed he plants. So if one has the courage to plant a seed, he then can speak to the problem. This is the key issue of what I’m saying—when you have a problem, instead of first dealing with the problem, consider dealing with putting in the seed. You can have the courage to put the seed in. The seed is yourself. It’s any part of yourself. It could very well be nothing more than a smile, when that is what is needed. If you need to be smiled
at, then the way for you to receive a smile is perhaps to smile first and give God something to multiply back. In your finances, it could well be that you take some amount of money, and you give it first, and then you get to your financial problem. You speak to that problem, because now the money you gave can be multiplied back.
THE WAY OUT OF TROUBLE There are people all over the country who are down in their spirits. You may be facing financial troubles that you don’t even want to think about. But I believe there is a way out! Not only for now, but for the rest of your life, I believe you can get your needs met. It’s all wrapped up in these verses: Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38). But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Jesus said to give off the top… and you can receive. Your needs can be met—not half of them, but all your need. But you’ve got to believe that. God can supply all your need… not according to the riches of the government… not according to the riches of the company you work for… not according to your paycheck… but according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!
“Don’t start with the mountain. Don’t start with the problem… Start with the seed.”
WAIT ON THE LORD Now, it’s up to God to cont rol when the harvest w i l l come. A ny farmer can tell you that. He doesn’t know exactly the day that the harvest will bloom. He plants the seed, and the harvest comes at different times, depending on moisture and soil, the weather, and the type of seed planted. Some harvests are early, and some come later. Galatians 6:9 says, Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. The due season is very important. When I plant my seed, I believe there is a due season for it. But I cannot control the due season. I must trust that God will multiply back my seed at His time, in His way, and in His place, the place He chooses.
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GOD’S GOODNESS We serve a good God! And you can believe God that what He has done for these partners of our ministry, He can do for you! gency room and all my tests came back Back Healed During Your normal. Praise the Lord! Program I also want to share that my 80-yearAbout a month ago, during your old mother called your prayer group television show, The Place for Mira™ after she was diagnosed with congescles , Richard Roberts gave a word tive heart failure. After prayer, she of knowledge from God that someone’s tailbone was being healed. I underwent a stress test and they found believed and received that word from absolutely nothing wrong with her the Lord and began to thank God heart! Thank you for your ministry. daily. Within a week, the healing I will continue to plant my seeds of manifested in my body. Glory to faith in this good ground. —Judith from Arizona our great God! —Barbara from South Carolina God Is Providing for Us in a Down Economy Thank You For Praying For Healing I get Richard Roberts’ letters often, I called the Abundant Life® Prayer and they encourage my soul. Thank Group this morning for the prayer of you for your prayers, your letters and agreement regarding my high blood support, and the Abundant Life Prayer pressure and pain in my gallbladder Group. As a result of our connection area. After prayer, I went to the emer- with you, my husband has more work 28
than ever now, even with the economy like it is. We are slowly getting our debts paid off. Praise the Lord! —Elizabeth from Georgia
Miraculous Healing in my Hip I was watching your television show The Place for Miracles™, when Richard Roberts said God was healing someone’s hip. I claimed that word by faith, and immediately the pain left. I jumped up out of my chair and walked all over the house! Praise the Lord! —Lennie from Texas Our Family Is Being Restored Our Lord Jesus is so faithful. I have been praying and believing God over four years for my marriage to be restored, and God has answered my prayers. My husband has received the Lord, and my children have rededicated their lives to the Lord. I thank God for His mercy, grace, and forgiveness! Thank you for your many prayers for my family over the years. —Kenta from Louisiana By The End of Your Program, I Was Healed! Last night on your television program, The Place for Miracles™, Richard Roberts prayed for shoulders to be healed. My left shoulder has been stiff and in pain all the way up to my neck. As Richard prayed, I felt heat coming into my hands. By the end of the program, I noticed that all the stiffness was gone from my shoulder and neck. I praise God for it! —John from Michigan
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Home Ministries: Helping Partners Find New Ways to Advance the Gospel Oral Roberts was ahead of his time when he established the Home Ministries Department of Oral Roberts Ministries. He knew he could not be in two places at one time, and he knew his ministry would grow to many, many partners. So he gathered a group of ministers who could be an extension of himself. Richard and Lindsay have continued this valuable service by assembling a team of seasoned and anointed ministers who are available to all our partners for ministry and assistance with charitable gift planning. This team can help you 30
f ind a wise, tax-eff icient way to use your resources to help spread the Gospel. Our Home Ministries Representatives can serve you right where you live. In addition to pastoral services, the Home Ministries Representatives are also given specific, in-depth training on how to advise people on their retirement and charitable planned giving. They can make recommendations to help you save on your taxes and provide for your loved ones’ future while supporting the outreaches of Oral Roberts Ministries. Here are just a few of the
ways they can be of service to you in your financial planning for the future: • Wills • Gift Annuities • Trusts • Life Insurance Gifts • Appreciated Property Gifts To reach any of our representatives, write us at Oral Roberts Home Ministries, Tulsa, OK 74102-2187, or call 918-591-2020. For more information, visit www.ormgift.org.
Meet Your Home Ministries Representatives Dr. Jeff Ogle Director of Home Ministries Phone: 918-591-2020 Email: jeff.ogle@orm.cc Rev. Allen D. Turner Assistant Director of Home Ministries, Northwestern Region Phone: 918-591-2020 Email: allen.turner@orm.cc
For more information on charitable giving options that can help you save on taxes, or to take advantage of any of the Home Ministries services we offer, please contact your representative directly.
Rev. Harry L. Turner Southwestern Region Phone: 918-591-2020 Email: hl.turner@orm.cc
Be sure to use the center envelope to request your FREE Wills Planning Guide. This guide can save you time and money by helping you organize what you own and state who you intend to benefit.
Rev. Bob Mills Central Region Phone: 918-591-2020 Email: bob.mills@orm.cc
Once your guide is completed, then you can see your advisor or attorney to finalize your plan.
Rev. David F. Howden Eastern Region Phone: 918-591-2020 Email: dave.howden@orm.cc
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