Oral Roberts Ministries • Vol. 6 No. 3 • 2013
The
Miracle Catch
Oral Roberts, circa 1950’s
S e e, H e a r,
Believe B Y
R I C H A R D
RECENTLY AS I WAS TRAVELING for the Miracle Healing Tour, God spoke to me and said, “My son, I am placing a new mantle for healing upon your shoulders and a new anointing on your tongue and hands.” He gave me First Corinthians 2:9–10 NKJV, which says, But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
doing and what My plan is for humankind. I’m going to spiritually heal ears so My people can hear My Word and have an understanding of what to do with it. I’m going to heal hardened and broken hearts. I’m going to heal people so they can really believe that no matter what they see and hear from the world, I am still in charge and I AM who I AM—a miracle-working God who hears and answers prayers.”
Then He said, “I’m going to heal eyes, ears, and hearts.” Since I was about to minister to the needs of people, I immediately thought of clogged arteries, valve problems, congestive heart failure, cataracts, glaucoma, blindness, punctured ear drums, and physical problems of that nature. And the Lord said:
SEE What God Is Doing in This Hour
“Yes, I’m going to heal those things. But I’m going to do even more. I’m going to spiritually heal eyes so My people can discern the signs of the times and see in the spirit realm what I am
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R O B E R T S
I believe God wants to heal our spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts so we can believe Him for His power in our lives. I believe He is going to move in a mighty, fresh way, and people are going to be astounded by the miracles. There is a move of God coming to our country and to the world, wherever His people call upon His name in faith. So, don’t gripe about the politicians who are in charge right now. Don’t complain or despair about the President, your governor, or your mayor. Instead, pray for
them! Pray for God to speak to them and reveal Himself to them in visions and dreams. Pray for a turnaround. Don’t criticize the darkness when you can light a candle. Be a light, and a source of hope. Why should we do this? Because 1 Timothy 2:1–4 tells us to pray for those in authority. You see, when God is able to move through our leaders, it brings peace so that we can share His Word freely. And I believe that’s what God wants in this hour…to move in the lives of people around the world who need to know His touch, His love, and His salvation.
HEAR What God Says About prosperity and success I believe another thing God wants us to know is that He has a good plan for the future ( Jeremiah 29:11). He’s the lifter of your head (Psalm 3:3). And He can turn things around, no matter what the condition or economy of the world looks like right now. You may be struggling and wondering how you are going to get out of debt or find a job or have your needs met in some other area of your life. But I believe we can look at the example of Elijah to hear what God has to say about trusting Him in challenging economic times. There was a terrible drought and famine in Israel—and drought can represent anything you are facing today when there is lack or things are drying up. But Elijah wasn’t worried about it (1 Kings 17:1–16). He believed that God would supply his needs. And God supplied—He sent birds to feed Elijah. But God wanted to minister to the entire nation, not just one man. So He instructed Elijah, “Go down to the city of Zarephath,” a Phoenician city that didn’t worship the Lord. God sent Elijah to a pagan area, and told him he would be cared for by a widow who seemingly had nothing to her name but a bit of oil and flour. When Elijah found the widow, he asked her for food. She said in essence, “You’ve come to the wrong place! All I’ve got is enough flour and oil to make one last bit of bread. After my son and I eat it, we’re going to starve to death.” Elijah said to her, “Thus saith the Lord: If you’ll give me the first portion of what you have, then your meal barrel will not diminish; neither shall your cruse of oil fail.” How strange a request to make of the widow who had just declared she had so little that she and her son were going to starve. But that was the whole point. Elijah wasn’t trying to take something FROM her, but rather trying to get something TO her. Elijah knew the nature of God, and His laws of sowing and reaping were just
“I am still in charge and I AM who I AM— a miracle-working God who hears and answers prayers.” the thing to sustain her. As she gave to God, He would multiply her seed. The widow gave the first portion to Elijah, and he blessed it, and the Bible says, “She did eat many days.” The drought continued, but the widow continued to have flour and oil— miraculously—until the drought was broken! Hear what the Lord is saying! There is an end-time transfer of wealth that is going to come to those who have a heart to sow (Proverbs 13:22). The Bible says that if you have a heart to sow, “He gives seed to the sower” (2 Corinthians 9:10). So, keep believing for your finances, and keep sowing. Don’t let discouragement cause you to stop hearing and acting on God’s Word.
Set Your Heart to BELIEVE His Word God is getting ready to do something supernatural. He has been saying to me, “It’s a new season…a new era. Get ready for what I’m going to do.” His promise to work in our lives and through this ministry has me so excited. And no matter what it looks like in your circumstances… no matter how the devil may roar against you… The Bible says God is greater. As we obey His Word, the scriptures say we can open up our lives to receive the harvest of spiritual, physical, financial, and other breakthroughs that we need. Even though there is plenty of uncertainty in the world, we can put our full trust in our God, who is greater than the devil. And with God at the center of our lives, we have all the more reason to expect something good to happen to us. Yes, I’m expecting something good— really good—from God to happen to you. And I want you to expect it too. I encourage you to ask the Lord to open your eyes, ears, and heart to Him. Ask Him to help you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to see what He is doing in your life…to hear what He is saying to you right now…and to help you believe and stand in faith on His Word for the miracles you desire to have in your life. Then, thank Him for what He is about to do, and expect to see, hear, believe, and receive all the things He has for you every day! 3
A Time of Healing and Miracles with Richard Roberts
TOUR July 14
September 8
October 8–14
Evangel World Prayer Center Louisville, KY
Praise Chapel Webster, TX
Church Growth International Seoul, Korea
July 18
September 26–28
October 17–20
World Changers International College Park, GA
anada ORM Miracle Services C St John’s/Montreal/Kitchener
Victory Life Centre Perth, Australia
July 27–28
September 29
ark Chironna Ministries M Longwood, FL
ew Creation Fellowship N Buffalo, NY
For more information, visit www.oralroberts.com/events.
Come Expecting Your Miracle!
connections letters and comments from our viewers around the world
Healed While on Hold!
Jordan Roberts and Joanna Beasley enter into worship on the set of The Place For Miracles. The presence of God flowed through the room as they lifted their voices and instruments in praise to the Lord. Joanna was a contestant on the hit television show, American Idol.
Reaching around the world—The Place for Miracles is now being seen in the Holy Land! Click here to watch The Place for Miracles online.
Hear it Pray it Speak it Love it! —Vicky T. via Facebook Click here to request Richard’s new CD, Hear it, Pray it, Speak it.
Sylvia from Georgia called the Abundant Life® Prayer Group for prayer for pain and spasms in her hands for a year. While on hold waiting for a prayer partner to come on the line, she listened to the healing scriptures read by Richard and Lindsay and declared she was totally healed.
To send the Abundant Life Prayer Group your prayer requests, call 918-495-7777. To request He Sent His Word and Healed Them, click here.
Help us help tornado victims! Oral Roberts Ministries has strong roots in Oklahoma, where we have been headquartered since the 1940s. So, when terrible tornadoes cut through parts of the Oklahoma City area in May, Richard and Lindsay wanted to do something to help. After speaking to Governor Mary Fallin, Richard pledged our support to the statewide relief effort. If you would like to join us in donating to disaster relief efforts, please click here. 5
The Essence of
Recently on Make Your Day Count, Lindsay welcomed her daughter Jordan and Leanne Benton, who have sung and played the piano for Richard Roberts all over the world, giving them a unique perspective on the power of worship.
Leanne: Absolutely. Worship opens up the realm of possibilities for miracles. And maybe for the first time, you can begin to hear what God is saying to you. It opens up your spiritual ears. I really do believe that. God is always speaking to us, but we often have so many barriers in our lives that we can’t hear Him. We have too much static. And I think something about worship just opens up communication lines where we can hear clearly. It’s like tuning in the radio. Worship can help you to tune in to what God is saying. Jordan Roberts, Lindsay, and Leanne Benton
Lindsay: Today, we are going to talk about the essence of worship—why is there worship in the church, and what does the Bible say about it? My daughter Jordan and Leanne Benton have been worship leaders around the world. Tell me about the worship music that you hear in ministry versus traditional music. Is there a difference between singing a song and worshipping? And what happens in worship that makes it different than simply singing? Leanne: First of all, I think worship is not just about the music. Worship is about the heart of what you’re bringing into a situation, opening up your heart to the Lord, and being transformed by Him. Worship can take place through prayer. It can happen through meditating on the Word of God, and it can happen through singing. So, worship is not just music. I’ve been to many concerts where I have not been ushered into the presence of God. But there’s something about when you meet someone who understands true worship and can sing and play instruments and bring you into God’s presence that changes you. When true worship begins, it’s like Heaven opens up and the atmosphere changes. I think that’s why I travel all over the world with Richard and Jordan, and go to different places that are more difficult, maybe, to minister in. When you start playing and singing the Word of God, it changes things. Lindsay: Worship breaks the atmosphere, so to speak? 6
Lindsay: I believe true worship can detoxify the atmosphere. Whatever you’ve gone through in the day, it can suddenly push things aside, and a new dimension can come in. Leanne: Absolutely! Jordan: You know, the Bible says we are to enter the Lord’s courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). So, before we reach all the things He has to offer us, like His healing, His peace, His glory, and His blessings, we first start by opening the gates of our heart. That way, as we enter His courts with praise and worship, it leads our hearts, it leads the atmosphere, and it leads us into all the good things He has to offer. Lindsay: So, there is a difference between performance and worship, and both have their place. Recently, at a Hollywood Bible Study, Jordan was introduced to a young man by the name of Javen. He was so talented! When you get someone who is a worshipper, it takes you into God’s presence. Javen is a tremendous worshipper, and he is an amazing talent as well. Jordan: Right. A lot of times, you get one or the other. Both are great on their own. But to find them in one person is rare. Javen has the talent to bring you into that element of beauty found in music. And he has a heart for the Lord that ushers you into God’s presence. Together, his talent and his love for God are like a vacuum of goodness, and before you know it, you’re standing there in a cloud of the presence of the Lord, and it’s really special.
Jordan Roberts and the ORM Singers, along with Leanne Benton on keyboards, lead worship before Richard shares the Gospel in Nicaragua.
Lindsay: There’s a scripture that describes how we might decrease, so that Christ in me increases (John 3:30). And it’s a good way to look at worship. For me, all of a sudden, before I even blink, when you two are worshipping, the presence of the Lord suddenly takes over. I’m not saying it because Jordan is my daughter; I just love her voice because she’s a singer. She’s an amazing country singer. Jordan: Country girl, country singer. Lindsay: But it’s different when she’s worshipping. Leanne, you have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree; you even have a doctoral degree. And it shows when you are playing classical music. But it’s different when you’re worshipping in a service and the presence of the Lord takes over. Leanne: Worship is an atmosphere changer. And that’s why we often start a time of ministry with worship. I think it’s a two-way street. I think it’s us being open to God, and it’s God opening up His benefits, His goodness, and all that He is to us. It’s a relationship. I am God’s friend, and He is my friend. Jordan: I think what happens for me is that the person singing the song disappears from the audience’s mind. And I think that’s a good thing. If I’m leading worship, I want to vanish, so to speak—so that the experience of worship is just between the worshipper and the Lord. I’m thrilled if I disappear from their attention, so that they can have some one-on-one time with the Lord. That’s what my job is. My job is not to perform for you, although there is an element of that. My real job, at the end of the day, is to usher you into God’s presence, and that means I’m doing a good enough job to disappear so you’ll have one-on-one worship time with the Lord.
Lindsay: I think of the things that have been very unusual when Richard prays for the sick. It can be very overwhelming. It’s not an easy task. People may think, “Oh, you travel around the world. You’re on television. You’re in the ministry. It must be a glamorous life.” But it’s not. Jordan: It’s not glamorous by any means. Lindsay: Glamour walks away about 30 seconds into the ministry. Last year alone, Richard traveled about five and a half times around the world. That’s a lot of traveling. It’s hard on your body. You see a lot of sickness, poverty, disease, and even conflict within some of the countries. Something has to open the door to God in these places where there is such a need for miracles. Jordan: That’s right. Leanne: There’s a price you pay. A sacrifice. But I think the reward is when you’re standing there on stage, and you look out and see a change from the beginning of the service to the end. You see the healings and salvations. That makes it all worthwhile. Lindsay: I want to encourage you to open your heart to experience what we’ve been talking about. I encourage you to get a worship CD, tune out the cares of the world, and enter in and experience the presence of God through worship. It’s life-changing!
To request the worship CD, Limitless, click here. 7
with a refreshing half-hour of encouragement, prayer, delicious recipes, and stories from people whose lives have been touched by God’s power. Click here to watch MYDC on demand, or check your local TV listings for the latest dates and times.
Lindsay Roberts with her guest, Pastor Mary Jackson of Faith Works in Pasadena, CA
Click here to read the latest issue of MYDC online magazine.
Chloe, Jordan, and Richard cooking up some fun in the MYDC Kitchen
Kenya
Hunger Needs A Voice Director Jordan Roberts often says, “It’s hard to feed a hungry 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. ORM in partnership with HNAV has given away over 5 million meals to hungry children and families worldwide since 2007—and more outreaches are being planned! We couldn’t do it without the support of our friends and partners. Every prayer and every seed sown allows us to feed another hungry person, both spiritually and physically. For just $19 a month, we can send nutritious, fortified meals of rice, beans, soy protein, dried fruits, and other food into the hands of hungry families.
To sow your seed and help us reach more children and families around the world, visit oralroberts.com/hnav.
Niger
Nicaragua 9
UNDER CONSTRUCTION An Interview with Hollywood Bible Study’s Tim Storey
Tim Storey, founder of the well-known Hollywood, California, Bible Study, recently joined Richard and Lindsay on The Place for Miracles. For over twenty years, Tim has been closely connected with celebrities in television, film, and professional sports—sharing the Gospel with them and offering godly guidance on the issues of life.
Richard: Tim, I thank God for you and for your ministry and our longtime friendship. Lindsay and I recently came to one of your events in Hollywood, and it was a tremendous evening. Can you share a little bit about how that got started and how you became involved in it? Tim: Well, around 1992, Dyan Cannon, the great actress
formerly married to Cary Grant and just a phenomenal lady, asked me to do a Bible study in her house. When she asked me to do it, I thought, “Ok, I’ll do it one time.” But then
she asked me if I would do it again the next month, and it just kept going—all the way to today. What I especially love about our Hollywood Bible Study is that we always go after what I call “the struggler,” meaning the person who would not necessarily come to church. I just love the Jesus style of ministering and living. I love the fact that He cared for people, and He was moved with compassion. That’s what we’re doing at the Hollywood Bible Study. We draw in people of all levels—from the big-name producers, directors, and actors, to the grips and other behind-the-scenes workers, to models and even exPlaymates. Whoever we minister to, our primary focus is on the strugglers. I love sharing the Word of God and His love with people who are working through the stuff of life. RR: That’s true for so many people! Something bad has happened in their life, and they say, “There’s no way for me to come out of this hole that has been dug for me, or maybe that I’ve dug for myself.” But there is a powerful way to be rescued and restored in the midst of destruction—and it comes from the Lord doing what
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only He can do—saving, healing, delivering, restoring, and providing! LR: And it’s so important to show God’s compassion to those who are struggling. Tim, I can see that you’re showing people that no matter who they are, if they’ve made mistakes, they still have value. TS: Exactly! The night that you came to our Bible Study,
my message was titled, “Sometimes You Have to Get Left Before You Get Right.” A lot of people think that when they get everything right, then their life will be better. But that’s not true. Here’s how I explain it: To be “right” means to be in sync, in the groove. To be “left” sometimes means to be rejected, left behind, or left out. But sometimes you have to get “left” before you get “right.” The left can be many things that you need to do to become more like Christ—even if you get rejected because of it. I’ve been saying this for years: God uses shaky people to do sturdy projects. If you look through Hebrews 11, you’ll see that so many people of great faith—Noah, Moses, Rahab, and many others—were working through issues and facing challenges in life. And that’s true of everyone. We’re all working through issues. It’s amazing how people will try to put the spotlight on people and look for the negative in them, but God doesn’t do it that way. Now, He knows us intimately, because the Bible says in Psalm 103:14, “He knows our frame.” Our frame is our makeup and our structure—how we’re wired, so to speak, and what we’re going through. It’s no surprise to Him. So, we can’t expect each other to be perfect overnight. The truth is, we’re going through recovery and discovery at the same time. And we need to be okay with the fact that we’re growing. RR: It’s like we’re under construction—the paint’s still wet. We may be going through something, but we’re not stopping there—we’re going through. LR: You know, nowhere in the Bible was there anyone
perfect except Christ. And the Church is supposed to open the door to bring the sinner in. But in many places, with many Christians, if you’re not perfect, then there is a pressure put on you to hide your imperfections, or you may be booted out. As a result, a lot of people, sadly, are turned off of Christianity by those Christians who boot them out without giving them a chance to grow in the Lord. And the way I read the Bible is that we’re not perfect; instead, we’re a bunch of people made in the image of God, pressing towards the mark of His high calling for our lives (Philippians 3:13–14). And yes, people make mistakes, but if the Church doesn’t restore them, who will?
“God uses shaky people to do sturdy projects.” TS: That’s a good point. And what we’re saying is not a license
to go out and sin or make mistakes on purpose, but it’s about understanding our own frailty as human beings. You know, a lot of entertainers that I work with as a life-coach…If you go into their background, and you see the challenges their parents had, no wonder these entertainers do goofy things. I once asked a famous actor, “Why did you medicate yourself for so long?” He was involved in drugs and alcohol, and he was always in the news with his struggles. He told me, “I knew I was messing up; I just didn’t want to feel it.” And so, as you know, there are choices. If you make a mistake, you can either run to the TRUE Refuge, God, or you can run to another refuge—a manmade one that won’t work for long. So if the Church can’t be the source of the true Refuge because we’re condemning people, they will run to something else. But Jesus worked with people while they grew. Peter was working through dilemmas. So was Judas. Everybody was working through dilemmas. God understood that, and He was still using them at the same time, knowing that as they grew in Him, they would change. (continued) 11
RR: Look at the life of Joseph and the family he grew up in. His own father stole the birthright of his uncle. His brothers wanted to kill him; they wound up selling him into slavery. He was accused of a crime he didn’t commit and ended up in prison. Yet he still hung on to God. And God still worked in and through his life. God is not the one who lets us down. There is always that group out there that comes against you. But if you keep your eyes focused on God, He’ll never let you down. TS: The answer is in knowing Jesus Christ. I was raised
on the scripture Jeremiah 9:23–24, which says, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. To understand and to know God in an intimate way is the difference. If you start to get to know Him, then His ways can become your ways. As we grow in our knowledge of who He is, we become compassionate, caring, loving, merciful, and full of grace. It’s just part of what takes place in our lives that we call the fruit of the spirit in the New Testament (Galatians 5:22–23). So, that’s the difference. And I think a lot of our young people now are very turned off by religion and negative people and even church people who talk negatively about their own people. LR: What Oral used to call it is “beating you over the
head with the Gospel.”
“Don’t run to a manmade refuge... Run to the TRUE Refuge–God.” TS: Yes. Young people today are turned off by that. They won’t go for it. I meet so many young people in airports, in places all over the world who say to me, “I used to go to church.” I say, “Well, where do you go now?” And they respond, “No, no. I used to go to church. I’m not into that now.” What they can’t take is the judgmental side of religion. They’re still looking for God, though.
I believe there’s a new generation of people who are looking for the Jesus style of life. He preached, He prayed, but He also went and blessed people. He helped the underdog. And maybe you’re saying, “You know what? I’m going through something.” Well, don’t get stuck in your setback. Don’t settle. Don’t cement yourself. Because when you feel the sting of your setback, God can be preparing your comeback! If God is for you, who could be against you? Let God breathe His life into you today. Don’t run to a manmade refuge… Run to the true Refuge—God— because He’s right there for you, right now.
More than 139,000 people have reported receiving a miracle from God while watching The Place for Miracles®. We encourage you to tune in and release your faith in God’s promises, expecting a miracle! For a station near you or to watch online: www.oralroberts.com /theplaceformiracles For prayer anytime, call 918-495-7777 12
Prayer Makes a Difference
“I felt like I was accepted into heaven and that Jesus was right beside me. It made me want to share the Gospel always to everyone.” —third grader
“I heard ‘I love you’ and got a picture of heaven in my heart.”
When Pastor Ron Halvorson of Bethel Christian Center in Riverside, California, heard about Richard Roberts’ green prayer cloths as a point of contact to pray for the protection of our children, he sowed a seed and ordered 500 of them to give to the children in his church and Christian school. Pastor Halvorson’s staff and teachers prayed over the prayer cloths and the children and then handed out the prayer cloths. It was a powerful time of ministry!
—third grader
“For the longest time, I have wanted to hear God’s voice. I wanted Him to tell me what to do, to actually get a mission from Him. When I heard that God was trying to speak to me, it made me cry tears of joy. I still keep the prayer cloth!” —ninth grader
“I felt so safe and protected!” —fourth grader
“I want to have my prayer cloth for our soccer game today.” —fourth grader Pastor Halvorson
“After the prayer service, my students asked if we would do this again, because they really felt special. They were overwhelmed at the fact that so many people would pray just for them.” —Mrs. Gasso, teacher
“When I found out we were going to get prayer that would help guide and protect our lives, I was so, so, so ecstatic… At that point in time, I needed that guidance and protection at my home, and I’ve just been hearing a lot this year from lots of people that I was not going anywhere in life. When I went up to get the cloth and be prayed for, I felt a sudden relief... I just want to thank you for giving us these cloths, because I feel like you honestly do care for us, and I’m so grateful for that.” —ninth grader
Request a green prayer cloth for the children you love! www.oralroberts.com/ bookstore 918-495-7777 13
Richard Roberts School of the Spirit®
“I don’t understand how this could happen!” Last year in April, I was having great pains in my lower back. By June, I couldn’t get out of bed in the mornings. Doctors hospitalized me after diagnosing a staphylococcus infection in my spine. After a month in the hospital and two months of heavy medication, I had great pain in my joints. I was searching for healing and asking God to intervene and take this pain away because I know He promises in His Word that He will. I was searching the Internet for evangelists, and thought to myself, “Everybody knows Oral Roberts.” Well, I saw that Richard had taken over the ministry—then I found the School of the Spirit through his Facebook page. I went to the website and found Richard’s class called The Anointing of the Holy Spirit. I began watching the class and about ten minutes into it, he stopped and looked into the camera and said that there was a person with pain in his right hip who was being healed from those pains. The moment Richard finished speaking the word of knowledge, all the pain was gone. I haven’t had it since. I was so surprised! What was even more surprising was when I realized that Richard spoke these words about two years ago when he first taught the class! Aage
Healed while watching Richard’s online class!
I have no pain and have been able to start playing sports again and practicing my karate. Thank you for this word of knowledge. I don’t understand how this could happen, but I take it. Thank you, and blessings in the name of Jesus. —Aage in Denmark
Online On Demand Courses Are Now FREE! Sound biblical teaching from Richard and Lindsay Roberts to help you learn God’s Word and enjoy His abundant life—all in the comfort of your own home, and at your own pace. This FREE offer is for a limited time only, so be sure to register today and get started! (Note: high speed Internet access required; classes may also be viewed on mobile devices)
Visit our website, sos.oralroberts.com, for more information and to register. 14
BY R IC H A R D ROBE RT S
A
mericans celebrate freedom every Fourth of July with flags flying and fireworks blazing against a star-filled summer sky, grateful for the patriots who gave everything for future generations. We are called the land of the free and the home of the brave, but our freedom comes at an enormous cost. And I am so grateful for the sacrifices that those in the military, our brave servicemen and women, have made over the years so that we and others around the world could experience freedom. Because our personal freedom comes at such a great cost, I encourage you to make time to pray and be thankful for all those who are in authority, who give of their time and efforts for our sakes. Let’s pray for all our leaders, including the president, the federal government agencies, and our state and local leaders. We can also pray for the leaders of other nations, as well as those who serve us as police officers, firefighters, and other service members to our communities. I encourage you to pray for them according to 1 Timothy 2:1–4: Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Free Indeed There is another kind of freedom that can be celebrated every day of the year: the true freedom that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior. In John 8:36 NIV, Jesus declared, If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Your Personal Independence Day If you don’t yet know the freedom that Jesus Christ offers, you can call the Abundant Life® Prayer Group anytime, day or night, at 918-495-7777. Our prayer partners are here to pray and agree with you in faith for a life of freedom and joy through Jesus Christ our Lord. 15
Miracle Stories from Partners and Friends
I got my me on her condition. I prayed that God would just show Himself in this situation and that everyone would be able to see His healing power in little Laila’s body. I also asked your ministry to send me a prayer cloth so I could have something tangible to take with me to the hospital and lay on the baby.
Laila
Baby’s Health Improves Overnight My son called to tell me that my second grandchild had been born. But within an hour, he called me again to tell me they were taking the baby to the ICU because my precious new granddaughter, Laila, was having trouble breathing and something was wrong with her liver. I didn’t have much information, but I knew it was very serious and we needed God to intervene in the situation. I called the Abundant Life® Prayer Group and asked them to pray with me. And I continued to stand in faith and pray for my granddaughter. My son would call me every day and update
When we got the prayer cloth, we took it to the hospital and put it on the baby and we all prayed together. Laila had been in the hospital for a month at this point, and the doctors were telling us that she would need to be in the hospital for several more weeks. But I knew God was her healer. The very next day, the doctors called us to say that Laila had made a dramatic turnaround overnight—all her levels had normalized, and the doctors didn’t know how it happened! They told us to come get her! It was an absolute miracle, and we are praising God! Click here to see the full story!
Connie from Louisiana
Remarkable Healing from Seizures Back in 1995, I took a bad fall and hit my head so hard that by the time I was taken to the hospital, I was declared brain dead. I miraculously recovered, but I suffered with seizures ever since. So when I heard Richard Roberts was going to be preaching and laying hands Mark on the sick here in Riverside, I knew I wanted to be there, and I wanted to bring my three boys. On the way to church, I was explaining to them that whatever they were believing for in their lives, the power of God was going to be there to perform miracles if they just believe. My oldest son, Patrick, said to me, “Dad, can I believe God to heal you from seizures?” He really touched my heart at that moment. My other two sons joined in and 16
we agreed as a family that God would touch me in that meeting. Before anything really got started in the church service, Richard began to call out words of knowledge from God about people in the audience being healed. I was listening to the people testify about what God had done when I began to feel a very warm sensation in the left side of my head. It was like I could feel the sensation actually inside my brain. It’s hard to put into words, but it was just an amazing feeling of warmth on the left side on my head that traveled down my neck and down through my whole body. I knew at that moment that I was healed. I have not had another seizure since that day. Thank you, Richard, for coming here and reminding me that there is nothing God can’t do! Click here to see the full story!
Mark from California
Business Blessed After Seed Sown
Katherine
“My bank account dwindled down to $5.00...”
I was laid off from my job in a large law firm in 2009, and I needed to very quickly set up my own private law practice. For nearly a year, my financial situation was very thin. In one particular month, three weeks went by without a single call from a potential client, which meant no money coming in. My bank account dwindled down to five dollars.
I went to the Lord in prayer for nearly an entire day. That evening at six o’clock, I turned on Richard Roberts’ program, The Place for Miracles. He was talking about an upcoming crusade in Africa and showing video footage from his last trip there. The sea of faces and the miracles really touched my heart.
Richard said that the Lord told him that He was raising up Gideons (Judges 6–8) who would give toward this crusade. It was my heart’s desire to be one of those Gideons. I told the Lord, “Your Word says You will give seed to the sower, and I believe You can put seed in my hand.” Within ten minutes, my phone rang. A woman had seen my advertisement on the Internet and she wanted me to take her legal case. She had extensive property, and my regular retainer was not sufficient to cover her case. I had to raise my retainer fee in order to represent her. She agreed to the amount, and we moved forward with her case. The increase in the retainer more than paid the $1,000 seed that I wanted to give towards Richard’s crusade in Africa, and I planted my seed. The work I have done for this client has provided for my immediate needs and helped me get to the place where I could purchase the home that I plan to retire in. You hear the phrase a lot that this minister or that minister is “good ground,” but I can tell you from personal experience that Richard Roberts is truly good ground. I’m so thankful for him and so thankful that I am a partner with the Oral Roberts Ministries. Click here to see the full story!
Katherine from California
Planning for Your Future Planning for your future is always a wise decision. And the ORM Home Ministries Department can help you make your future financial plans today. Our ORM Home Ministries website at www.ormgift.com has information about the many ways you can prepare for your financial future and maximize your gifts to the Oral Roberts Ministries as we join together to reach more people for the kingdom of God. Go online today to use our online guide to planning your will. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get financial tips and read the stories of partners like you who are successfully planning for their financial future. And don’t forget to request our step-by-step estate planning guide. And it’s all online at www.ormgift.com! Visit us today. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you find ways to plan for your future and make the most of every charitable seed you plant into the Oral Roberts Ministries. FREE ESTATE PLANNING GUIDE
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The
Miracle Catch A
C L A S S I C M E S S A G E B Y O R A L R O B E R T S
This excerpt from Oral Roberts’ classic conversational style sermon, Peter… Reed or Rock, appeared in Healing Waters Magazine in April 1953.
P
eter was a fisherman, and one morning Jesus walked up where he and his buddies were washing and mending their nets. Jesus was followed by a tremendous crowd who wanted to hear Him preach so they could see miracles. Jesus stopped to preach to them, but the crowd was so great that His voice couldn’t reach them. Seeing this bunch of fishermen nearby and seeing that Peter was one of them, He said, “Peter, lend me your boat.”
Peter said, “Sure, Lord.” Jesus did a most remarkable thing. He said, “Push Me out from the shore.” Jesus knows that when you want to change a man, you don’t start by doing something for him; first, you ask him 18
to do something for you. So He asked Peter to do two things: First, to lend Him his boat, and second, to push Him out from the shore. He got Peter working, moving in the right direction. So Jesus got in the boat and began to preach to the people. As Peter listened to Jesus, he forgot about his nets, he forgot about the fish, he forgot about the “water haul” (that is, nothing but water) he had made the night before, because for Peter, time stood still while Jesus talked. Jesus preached that day until the hearts of men were still and calm. He preached until little children stopped crying and sat in their mother’s laps. He preached until great men forgot their problems and sat down before Him like children. He preached until the sick lifted their hearts with faith and believed a better day was dawning. He preached that day until He moved the hearts of men…and when He was through, Peter was standing there. In my mind, their conversation
You can’t do something for God without getting something bigger in its place. might have been something like this:
down. Man the nets. Right now. Throw it over.”
Jesus said, “Peter, come here.”
Peter did as the Lord instructed and told his men to throw the net into the water.
Peter walked over. He said, “What do You want, Lord?” He said, “Where is your crew?” “They are over there, mending my nets.” He said, “Go get them.” “What do You want with them?” “I want you to go get them, then get in the boat and launch out for a catch of fish.” Peter said, “Did You know, Lord, that we fished all night and didn’t get a bite? We have toiled.” You know, when a man catches fish, he is fishing. When he doesn’t catch any, he toils. Peter said, “We have toiled all night and haven’t caught a thing.” Jesus said, “Launch out in the deep and let down your net.” He said, “Jesus, You are a great preacher, but You don’t know much about fishing, do You?” Jesus said, “Peter, you loaned Me your boat, and you pushed Me out so I could preach to the people. You can’t do something for God without getting something bigger in its place. Come on. Get in this boat.” Peter looked in Jesus’ face and saw that He meant it. So he said, “All right, if You say so, I will do it. Come on, men.” His men came over and said, “What do you want?” Peter said, “Men, we are going fishing.” They said, “Again?” He said, “Again.” They said, “Why?” “The Man said so.” “Who is He?” “He is the Man—get in the boat.” They got way out in the lake. Jesus was in the boat watching, waiting. Pretty soon He said, “Peter, slow the boat
And the net went over the side of the boat and landed right in the middle of a big school of fish. The fish gathered so fast that they began to break the net. Peter and his crew pulled up the net just in time to keep the fish from tearing it apart. They caught so many fish, the old boat began to rock, and it started to sink! They had caught a net-breaking, boat-sinking load because Jesus Christ, the Master Fisherman, had gone fishing with them. Those of you who may feel you have failed in life, have you had “the Man” in the boat with you? Are your “old nets” worn out? Bring those old nets in the boat with Jesus. Let Him tell you where to fish, so to speak. With “the Man” directing your life, you can catch a net-breaking, boatsinking load of the best things of life, in Jesus’ name. Well, that was just the beginning. All the way back to the shore, Peter looked at those big fish and then looked at Jesus. He looked at his hands, and his old past life floated up in front of him. Peter stood there, looking at the f ish. He and his crew had caught them right where they had a failed haul the night before. Then Peter looked up and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). He had never realized he was a sinner until he saw the miraculous power of God. There is a powerful way to bring the lost into God’s kingdom, and that is for the Word of God to go forth with signs following (Acts 4:29-31). That is the way Jesus said for us to do it. Jesus said, “These signs shall follow them that believe. In My name they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” They “went everywhere preaching, and the Lord worked with them, confirming His Word with signs following” (Mark 16:17–20).
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The power of God can make men fall on their knees like Peter and say, “Lord, I am a sinner. I want to be saved. I want the grace of God to change my life.” If you have never asked ”the Man,” Jesus, to be in your boat...that is, in your life... you can do so right now by praying this simple prayer:
Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to You. I believe You are the Son of God Who died for our sins and rose from the dead. I confess You as my Savior and Lord. I truly repent of my sins. I ask You to come into my heart and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice so that I could be free. Amen.
For prayer anytime, call 918-495-7777, or log on to our website, oralroberts.com by clicking here.
®
Oral Roberts often said, “The Abundant Life Prayer Group is the HEARTBEAT of this ministry!” That’s been true since 1958, when the ALPG first started taking calls for prayer, and it’s true today. We’re here for you! If you’d like us to join our faith with yours in believing God for a miracle in your life, call us anytime day or night at 918-495-7777.
“I believe as Christians, we can have the ultimate and best source of Good News that there ever was and ever will be—and that’s the Word of God.” —Lindsay Roberts
With all the demands we face daily in our busy world, it can be a challenge to find time to build our relationship with the Lord. Yet He can be the source of great strength and refreshing for us. In this inspirational book, Lindsay Roberts shares 31 encouraging Biblical devotionals that you can pick up at your convenience any time during the year. With each entry, Lindsay shares wisdom gained from her rich heritage of more than 30 years of ministry and her family relationship with Richard, Oral, and Evelyn Roberts—wisdom that can be applied to everyday living.
here Click uest to req opy! c your
Vol. 6, No. 3, 2013. Copyright © 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 electronically published bimonthly by Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, 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.
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