makeyourdaycount
Volume 9. No. 6 • November/December 2012
Tidings of Great Joy!
• The POWER of
Thanksgiving
Lindsay Roberts & Belinda Scott
• Tell Me Mary...
• You Can Reach
Out to Those in Need
by Evelyn Roberts
by Richard Roberts
Plus holiday recipes, testimonies and more!
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God makes all things new!
love a fresh start. I believe that God can make all things new! This issue of MYDC magazine is a l l about new beg inn ing s, transformations, and being thankful to our Lord and Savior for all He has done and all I believe He will continue to do for us. I believe you can find encouragement in the uplifting articles, and I hope you try some of our family’s favorite recipes, just in time for the holiday season. And I have a special announcement: the new MYDC television program is now airing exclusively on the Word Network beginning November 3. I am so excited that the Lord has given me the opportunity to bring this program into your home. On MYDC TV, you’ll meet Belinda Scott, a godly woman of faith and power who is co-hosting with me. Belinda and her husband, Darrell, pastor the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. And I couldn’t be happier that the Lord divinely led me to her
and showed me that she was to join me in hosting the all-new MYDC program. I hope you’ll join us each week for a good word, prayer, and a time of refreshing in the Word of God. I encourage you to take a moment to relax and read this issue. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you in the area you need it most. I believe He has a special Word for you to bless your life. Richard and I, along with our entire ministry family, pray that the abundant blessings of the Lord overtake you this holiday season as you make it count for His kingdom today!
PS. To watch the all-new MYDC television program on the Word Network, check your local listings for times and stations, or stream the program online at www.oralroberts.com.
Volume 9. No. 6 , November/December 2012. Copyright ©2012 by Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. No part may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
The Power of
Thanksgiving Recently on the all-new Make Your Day Count television program, Lindsay Roberts and her co-host, Belinda Scott of New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, shared their thoughts on the historical significance of Thanksgiving and how we can live a life of thankfulness to God in every situation and season of life.
Lindsay: I’d like to read something from Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation from October 3, 1863: “The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of almighty God.” He goes on to say that we are to, “set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” Isn’t that lovely? That’s where our Thanksgiving Holiday here in the United States began. Belinda: That is lovely—it sounds like something we need to hear in this generation! 4
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Lindsay: You know, President Lincoln said something interesting: “We are prone to forget the source from which they (our blessings) come.” What a timely word. My father-in-law, Oral Roberts, wrote a book about the Source—God Himself. Let me ask the question today: Is God your source? Belinda: Yes, He is my source! Lindsay: I am also reminded of Psalm 103: “Bless the Lord, oh my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” I choose to bless the Lord, as long as I have breath in my body. Belinda: I love it. I believe the Word of God gives us such strength, and it applies itself, whether we know it or not. You see, God applies Himself where He hears His Word spoken in faith. And He tells us to give thanks for our blessings and His goodness. Lindsay: And the way that verse in Psalm 103 is written, it does not
merely suggest that we give thanks. It is a divine direction from the Lord for us to give praise in all things! Belinda: Yes, that is our job! We are to give Him thanks and remember all His benefits. The Lord also instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 not to give thanks for all things, but to give thanks in all things. So, no matter what we might be facing, we are to bless the Lord and praise His name. Lindsay: And if we do that, then God can do His part, which according to Psalm 103 is to forgive our iniquities and heal our diseases—praise the Lord!
home to be with the Lord around Thanksgiving time, and it was a hard time for me. Soon after that, it was my birthday, which happens to be on Christmas Eve, and then it was Christmas. I was about to turn thirteen, and it was not a happy day. Situations like that can make the holiday season difficult for some people. There are days that aren’t happy days, and there are days that are, but let me say this to everyone: Let’s start praising God ahead of time—let’s choose to be thankful right now and see how God moves in. Belinda: Lindsay and I encourage you to bless the Lord with us, and forget not all His benefits.
Belinda: His benefits are awesome. Psalm 103:3 tells us that He will remove our iniquity, take away our transgressions, and He will bring healing and deliverance. I confess that over myself and my family. I quote it over my grandchildren’s lives. We choose to be
Lindsay: If “bless the Lord” is all you can say today, then just say it over and over. You may be about to walk into an uncomfortable situation with family or on your job, but we encourage you to thankful. We choose to be thank the Lord for His thankful, Lindsay— benefits. Remember, as you stay thankful in the good times, the bad in an attitude of thankfulness, I times, the times of abundance, and believe that’s when the Lord can the times of lack. We just choose to move in on the scene according to give thanks. Psalm 103:3. Y Lindsay: Someone might say that If you need further prayer, we invite you their Thanksgiving holiday is to call the Abundant Life Prayer Group at Our prayer partners are here anything but happy. I understand 918-495-7777. for you anytime, day or night, to pray with you that. Truly, I do. My Dad went and believe God for the miracle you need. W W W. M A K E Y O U R D AY C O U N T. C O M
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The Double Miracle
rgiveness o F by Lindsay Roberts
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hen we are hurt by someone, it’s amazingly easy to hold on to the offense. But I believe when we forgive the one who has wronged us, not only can that person be released to the most awesome power on earth—the love of God— but we also put ourselves in a scriptural position to allow God to restore our souls in a way that only He can do. But you may say, “Lindsay, you don’t know my story. You don’t know what I went through and how hard it is for me.” Well, I certainly have a story too, and forgiving was extremely hard for me, so I understand what it’s like. But I want to ask you, what does the Bible say? Does God require us to forgive in order to be forgiven? And if so, is it possible to forgive? Mark 11:25–26 says, Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. But is it really possible to forgive those who have wronged you deeply? Consider this: Perhaps the greatest example I’ve ever heard of forgiveness in the face
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of terrible hurt is the story of a precious lady named Anita and what she was able to do through Christ who gave her strength (Philippians 4:13). Several years after Anita’s father was murdered, one of the men who killed him was transferred to the prison where she was working as a chaplain. But rather than asking to be transferred to another prison, as many people in her position would have done, Anita asked to have a meeting with the man. “I thought the least I could do,” she says, “was ask him if he knew the Lord as his personal Savior.” What she didn’t know was that during this man’s previous years of imprisonment, he had accepted Christ as his Savior, stopped abusing drugs and alcohol, and had joined a prison job-training program. And one of the things he wanted
desperately was the opportunity to ask for Anita’s forgiveness. As they met for the first time, the man began telling her how sorry he was for what had happened. And as he spoke, Anita felt the Holy Spirit prompting her to forgive him and release him from the guilt he was carrying. “It was like I could see something just lift off of him,” Anita said. “I didn’t realize until later that when he was released from the guilt, I was released from all the hatred and bitterness I was carrying around inside me.” If ever there was a testimony of unconditional love and absolute forgiveness, I believe this is it. There’s no way to describe what Anita must have been feeling when she went to work that day and ran face-first into the worst nightmare she could ever imagine. The emotion she must have felt for the man who killed her father would be beyond description. And to find the ability—through the power of God—to release him from what he had done was nothing short of miraculous. But also to be released from what she was carrying inside herself was also miraculous. I’d have to call that a double healing—a double miracle of forgiveness! And just as we see Anita reaching out to God to make this extraordinary
act of forgiveness possible, I believe we, too, can reach out to Him for all that we have need of. And as we do, I believe God can take our lives into the place of the extraordinary, just as He did for Anita. Consider praying this prayer: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I submit to Your Word on forgiveness. And as tough and seemingly impossible as it may appear, I am believing that with You, all things are possible, according to Matthew 19:26. Thank You, Lord, for helping me to be obedient to Your Word. And as I do what Your Word says, I thank You for doing exceedingly, abundantly above all I can ask or think, according to Ephesians 3:20. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Now, here’s just a thought for you to consider. If you recognize that any of these feelings related to unforgiveness, offense, or hurt may be holding you back from your full potential in Christ, I encourage you to start releasing the “ junk,” so to speak. Even if you start with baby steps, I believe that as you start to move in obedience to God’s Word to forgive, you can walk right into His double miracle of forgiveness for your life. The other person involved may never change, but I believe God can touch your life in a beautiful and brand new way. Y
This article is one of 31 devotionals taken from Lindsay’s upcoming new book, Read & Pray & Then Obey. See page 9 for more information. W W W. M A K E Y O U R D AY C O U N T. C O M
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This holiday season…
You can reach out to those in need. by Richard Roberts
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grew up going to many of my dad’s healing crusades in the big tent. It was always thrilling to see the miracles that often happened as my dad laid his hands on one person after another who was sick or hurting in some way to pray and release his faith for a miracle. People Want to Be Touched Everywhere I go, I see people who are hurting and hungry for God. T he y’re look i n g for t he miraculous—a touch from the Lord. I believe God heals people through many different avenues. In Mark 16:15–18, Jesus commanded His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. As we have seen the devastation in our nation 8
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from recent storms, many are still facing all kinds of storms in their lives. Some are physical, others are financial or emotional, or in their families. So I encourage you to pray and ask God how you can be His extended hand to people in need. You can be someone who reaches out to those around you! If you’d like the Lord to use you to bless others, you can ask Him to help you with this prayer: Father, I ask for Your anointing and proper direction to reach out to people in need as You have instructed us to do in Your Word. Show me those who need a special word from You today, and use me to bring healing and blessing into their lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Comin Soon g !
Lindsay’s new devotional, Read & Pray & then Obey—featuring 31 days of encouraging Biblical inspiration you can apply to your life daily! Follow our website, this magazine, and our television programs for more on this exciting new book.
COOKING with Jordan
THANKSGIVING APPLE PIE Ingredients 1 (9 inch) double-crust pie (use your favorite pie crust recipe or a ready-made one from the store) 1/2 cup unsalted butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 8 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220째 C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer. Place the bottom of the crust in your pie pan. Fill with apples, mounding them slightly. Gently pour the sugared butter liquid over the apples. Cover with top crust. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175째 C) and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes or until apples are soft.
PUMPKIN PARTY DIP Ingredients 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 ¾ cups confectioners’ sugar 1 (15 ounce) can of solid packed pumpkin
1 ¼ tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until well combined and slightly fluffy. Add the can of pumpkin slowly and evenly mix…but don’t overmix. Add in the spices and blend well. Chill and serve with sliced fruit, gingersnap cookies, or graham crackers. ( I love green apples and mango chunks!)
THANKSGIVING CORN CASSEROLE Ingredients 2 cans creamed corn 2 eggs, beaten ¼ cup butter
Directions
¼ cup applesauce ¼ cup sour cream 1 ½ cup corn muffin mix (I use Jiffy® brand)
Mix together and bake in an oven-safe casserole dish at 350 degrees F (177° C) for 40-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Serve warm.
Everydayness with Evelyn Roberts A conversation between two women~
Tell Me, Mary… by Evelyn Roberts
I’ve often wondered about Mary and how she must have felt to be chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. If I could talk to her, I’d ask so many questions, such as…
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ow did you feel when an angel spoke to you, telling you that God wanted you to bear His Son? You must have said, “Why me, Lord?” After all, you were a virgin, engaged to Joseph. You knew what your neighbors would think and say if you were pregnant and unmarried. Did you feel like saying, “I won’t do it! It’s too much to ask.” No, instead you said, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38 niv). But afterward, when your stomach began to swell
and your friends turned away from you, did you regret your decision? Did your faith falter? When you went to Bethlehem just days before you were to give birth, did you wish you were back home? And when there was no room and no welcome for you in Bethlehem, did you ask the Lord why? After all, you were about to give birth to the Savior of the world, and there was no celebration! How did you feel when Joseph took you to a stable, knowing that your precious baby would be born
among the animals? Did your heart cry for a midwife? Or for your mother, so she could share your pain…and your elation when the shepherds arrived and told you that the heavens had filled with angels, and one of them had proclaimed, “I bring you good news…A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 niv). Your heart must have leaped with joy when you realized that God was faithful to His Word! I’m sure you were proud of Jesus as you watched Him grow. But were you frightened when you lost Him on the way home from Jerusalem? You must have been in awe when you found Him in the temple, a boy of 12 listening to the teachers. And when He began His ministry—how you must have been amazed at the miracles He performed, the healings He brought about, and the happiness and joy He brought into people’s lives. But did you really understand why He was in this world? Did your heart ache when the religious leaders rose up against Him? How could you stand it in the end, when He was tried and beaten? You had to feel the blows hit your heart as His hands and feet were nailed to the cross. And when you stood there and watched Him die, did you wonder if it was worth it? Did you ask God why He allowed such a thing to happen to His own
Son? What agony you must have suffered! But on that Sunday morning when you went to the tomb and learned that He had risen, you knew that He was more than just your son. He truly was the Son of God who arose so you and I might live! Because you obeyed, Mary, I have I’m learning that a Savior. B e c a u s e obedience brings of y o u r miracles, and miracles obed ience, we celebrate change lives. Christmas. And that is what Because you believed Christmas is about. God, we have good news to tell the world! I thank you, Mary, for your obedience. I admit that sometimes I get weak when struggles come. But I’m learning that obedience brings miracles, and miracles change lives. And that is what Christmas is about. And if I were to ask you if it was worth all the pain and suffering you went through, I think I know what your answer would be: “Yes, it was worth it! I would do it again. You see, He’s my Savior too!” Y Everydayness is a tribute to Evelyn Roberts who went home to be with the Lord in 2005. Her husband, Oral Roberts, went home to be with the Lord in 2009.
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a newborn miracle On October 12, 2011, when my grandson Elliot was born, he was not breathing and his skin looked blue. He had a high fever and the possibility of an infection, as well as f luid in his lungs. The situation was very grave, and the doctors took him to the NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) immediately. I called the Abundant Life® Prayer Group and asked for prayer. Elliot needed a touch from God. The prayer partner and I agreed in faith together for a miracle for my precious grandson. Within two hours, and with no obvious medical explanation, Elliot began to improve dramatically. When they let me see him, he was alert, breathing easily, doing well, and looking around. Blood tests showed no infection. Elliot stayed in the NICU for only two days and was discharged because he was doing so well and needed no medications. He was actually discharged early because we were told they needed the beds for more critical babies! I give Jesus all the praise, honor and glory—He answered our prayer. Today, Elliot is big and healthy. He is thriving, happy, Francelia’s and vivacious! He is our miracle baby. Thank you, Oral grandson, Elliot Roberts Ministries, for standing in faith and agreement with my family. —Francelia from Washington
Your miracle may be just a phone call away! When you need prayer, you can call the Abundant Life Prayer Group® at 918-495-7777, or log on to our website at www.oralroberts.com/prayer. We are here 24 hours a day, seven day a week, to pray with you. 14
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Jordan in La Chureca garbage dump in Nicaragua
Over 5 million meals given away to the hungry worldwide since 2007 When you donate to Oral Roberts Ministries, part of your seed gets planted in the lives of children and families who need food and medicine. This year alone, we have given away 272,000 meals to 2,349 families with a disabled child or family member in areas of El Salvador hard hit by flooding and landslides. And we’ve funded the start of the second floor in our Niger school building, where this year’s student enrollment has doubled and children are learning important life skills along with the Word that Jesus loves them and has a plan for each of them! Since 2007, our outreach, Hunger Needs A Voice®, has fed the hungry in Kenya, Niger, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua… and more outreaches are being planned! To sow your seed and help us reach more children and families, visit www.oralroberts.com and click Donate, or call 918-495-7777.
We believe God has a miracle for you! Every day we hear from people who have received answers to prayer because as they watched The Place for Miracles, it became a point of contact to reach out with their faith to Jesus Christ (Acts 10:38). We believe Jesus has good things planned for us, and He can show up in our lives as we connect with Him in faith. That’s why we are now airing The Place of Miracles more times each day. Our new, 30-minute format includes prayer, testimonies, encouraging Biblical teaching, music, and ministry to help you believe God for the miracles you need in every area of your life. Invite your friends and loved ones to tune in! You can watch us online at www.oralroberts.com or check your local TV listings for the times you can view The Place for Miracles where you live.
funnybone Chess Pun In the middle of a chess tournament at a midtown hotel, the electricity failed and the contestants were forced to wait in the lobby while repairs were being made. After some time passed, the conversation among the players turned to past chess games. It seemed that each player had only triumphs and awesome feats of skill to his credit. Soon the talk became louder and louder, until a guest stopped a hotel employee to asked what all the commotion was about. “Oh, nothing much,” replied the bellman. “Just chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.” (reprinted from MYDC Winter 2005 issue)
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