spout - Oral Roberts Ministries

Vol. 3, No. 3 2010Get under the ‘spout’where the glory comes out!Healing Servicesin Tulsa, Oklahoma

This is the time…this is the hour…“THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR MIRACLES!”People had waited for weeks to cometo the first Richard Roberts HealingService on June 4. Some came fromTulsa and the surrounding areas, butmany drove across the country—fromas far away as Pennsylvania and Florida—to be here. Many had planted seeds offaith to help Richard get the auditoriumoutfitted with the necessary equipment.And in return, they were believing Godfor a harvest of healing that evening forthemselves or someone they love.The service began with JordanRoberts, Adrian Compton, and theRichard with special guests: the Swallows,Hank and Brenda Kunneman, andKate McVeighORM Singers leading a sweet timeof praising and worshipping God forwhat He had already done and wasgetting ready to do next.Decreeing and Declaringthe Purposes of GodSeveral special guests felt led of theLord to be present at this first service,to lend their faith and their support tothe new arena of ministry that Richardand Lindsay were launching into.Pastor Jay Swallow, who had beeninstrumental in helping Richardminister to the Crow Indian nationrecently, prophesied that “the shiftwe have been forecasting for the last50 years is beginning tonight.” KateMcVeigh shared that “God put amandate for miracles” on this serviceand declared it a “launching pad. I’mgrateful to be a part of this.”Kate also shared a testimony ofhow Richard and Lindsay prayedfor her dad after a life-threateningheart attack. Her dad was healed inan unusually quick manner, and sheencouraged those getting ready forhealing prayer to “expect an unusualharvest tonight…unusually fast.”Dr. Frank Hultgren called in livefrom Australia to pray and thank Godfor opening the windows of Heaven forhealing…a work that would go aroundthe world through Richard and Lindsay.Pastors Hank and Brenda Kunnemanprophesied that God had placed aweapon in Richard’s hands…“thehealing anointing, the double anointing,for the city of Tulsa and for thisnation…” This healing work of Godwill be brought forth through Richard’smantle and ministry.Then God’s Word was preached withpower and anointing. To “plow theground” and get it ready for an explosionof miracles, Lindsay shared howGod had instructed her to minister to“letters” and to preach on “ADHD—Addictions, Discouragement, Hopelessness,and Devastation. Needs that aren’tvery glamorous,” she stated. “But if wewant to get the body healed, sometimeswe have to get the soul healed first.”Lindsay encouraged those dealingwith any of those areas to rely on thetruth of God’s Word for their hopeand their healing.Identifying the “Real Jesus”Richard began his message by explainingthat many people know aboutJesus, without knowing the real Jesus.The real Jesus, Richard shared, is revealedin Matthew 14:14, which says,Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude,Lindsay laid hands on people sufferingfrom tumors and other sicknesses.and was moved with compassion towardthem, and he healed their sick.“Jesus was always moving in a forwarddirection and being stopped by peoplewith needs,” Richard shared. It is saidthat two-thirds of his ministry was spentin healing people who came to him.“Jesus sees great crowds of people;but more importantly, Jesus sees you…as an individual with individual needs.He is moved with compassion—orthat irresistible urge to rid a personof what’s tormenting them.“And right now, I believe Jesus ismoved with compassion toward you.He knows who you are. He knowswhere you live. He knows what you’vebeen going through and what you’refacing right now. And tonight, it’s allabout you and Him.“Lindsay and I are just instrumentstonight to help you receive your mira-Jordan Roberts and Adrian Comptonlead the crowd in worship.4 Return to Table of Contents 5

This woman testified that she regainedthe feeling in her foot as well as healingin her back.Many people shared that their backsfelt better after Richard prayed.A woman who came walking with a caneshowed the crowd she could now walk.“The arthritis in my knees is healed,”this partner declared.cle. Let our words be a point of contactfor your healing. Reach out with yourfaith to receive. Your faith is important;don’t expect God to do it all. He needsyou to do your part.“This is the time…this is the hour…this is the moment for miracles!”With Those Words,the Healing Service Took Off!Richard and Lindsay began by havingpeople stand who had any kindof tumors, and then come forward tothe front of the auditorium for prayer.Lindsay emphasized the need for “collectivefaith.” She also said that this wasan “interactive service”…that it wasimportant for those in the audienceto pray one for another, as James 5:16instructs, “that you may be healed.”“These are your brothers and sistersin Christ,” she explained. “When onerejoices, we all rejoice. But when onesuffers, we all suffer. Right now, some ofyour ‘relatives’ are dealing with tumorsand other problems. Pray for them, and Ibelieve God can not only heal them butHe can bring the healing back to you.”As people filed down to the front,Richard and Lindsay began prayingand laying hands on each person, callingout more needs and sometimeshaving words of knowledge or prophecy,as the Holy Spirit led them to do.Many Received the HealingThey Came ForAfter prayer, one woman sharedenthusiastically, “I had numbness inmy back from a pinched nerve. Thenumbness is gone…completely gone!”Another woman who walked in witha cane, but no longer needed it, toldRichard, “My hip was broken. I hadsurgery twice. My hip is much betternow. I know I can finally walk outsidenow, which I couldn’t do before.”As the testimonies continued, awoman in a pretty red-flowered blousedeclared, “I had arthritis in both kneesreally bad and could hardly walk forsome time. My knees are well now.God healed one of them a month agoand He healed the other one tonight!”Richard had met a Partner earlier inthe day who told him she had come toget her healing, and that she had waitedfor a service like this one for years.“I had major back surgery on April3,” she said, “and lost the feeling inmy legs and foot. When you prayed, Igot the feeling back in my foot. I hadmany bulging disks and I know they’rehealed. I felt it when God touchedthem. My back is fine now. I havemany other problems and some doctorswon’t even touch me. But Godtouched me tonight!”After returning home, one womanfrom Arkansas called the ALPG andreported, “My mother-in-law hadbreathing problems and problems withher lungs. She has just come from asmoke-filled room and didn’t have anytrouble breathing whatsoever. Usually,she can’t be in a smoky room for evena second without choking up!” Notonly was the caller’s mother-in-lawhealed, but her husband’s back and herdaughter’s stomach problems had alsobeen healed. “Praise God for all thehealings,” she shared. “I feel like we allhad total body healings. It was such anhonor and blessing to be at that service.”Toward the end of the service, Lindsayfelt led to pray for all who lookedlike they were doing okay on the outside,but “in reality are going throughhellacious experiences.” Many peopleresponded to that call for prayer andfound deliverance and peace of mindthrough the blood of Jesus.Before the service ended, Richardinvited all those who wantedhands laid on them and had not yetbeen prayed for to come forward.As promised, he personally prayedfor everyone. “Some healings taketime,” Richard shared, “but whenthey come—My are they sweet!”Don’t Miss Out on God’sHealing Power!Join us in person or online for ourupcoming Miracle Healing Services.July 9August 20October 8November 19December 10Go online to www.oralroberts.comfor more information and to register.We look forward to having you join us!6 Return to Table of Contents 7

PARTNERS SHARE NEWSOF GOD’S GOODNESSWe serve a good God! And He is no respecter ofpersons. What He has done for these partners ofour ministry, He can do for you!Continued Giving After JobLoss Results in FinancialMiraclesOne of my jobs ended and mybudget wasn’t recovering quickly.Still, I continued to trust God toprovide for me. I prayed with theAbundant Life Prayer Group for afinancial turnaround. And I continuedto sow my seed unto the Lord,no matter how uncertain my situationappeared.One Sunday when I was feeling discouraged,a fellow churchgoer unexpectedlyhanded me an envelopecontaining a cashier’s check for $2,500.I was amazed!A few days later, I received a joboffer that increased my monthly incomeby $300. Also, the job that hadpreviously ended for me opened upagain, and my employer brought meback. Now I have all the work I need.I received a financial miracle fromthe Lord!—Sandra from CaliforniaNo Cancer in My Body!Not long ago, I received terriblenews. I had a tumor on my lung. I wasterrified! I prayed like I have neverprayed before. I also called the AbundantLife Prayer Group to agree inprayer for healing.A few nights later, I was watchingThe Place for Miracles. As RichardRoberts prayed for people with lungcancer, I placed my hands on thetelevision as a point of contact tobelieve God for healing. I also soweda seed-faith gift as another point ofcontact.Soon, I had surgery to remove thetumor. As I headed to the hospital,I prayed again with the ALPG andmy husband, Peter. I sensed the Lordspeaking to my heart that He washolding me in His arms. I knew Iwould be fine.When I awoke after surgery, the doctortold me he was able to remove theentire tumor. He was surprised that thecancer had not spread. He said I was alucky girl and that somebody up thereliked me. I answered, “Yes, it is Jesus!”Recently, I had full body CTscans, and the oncologist confirmedthat there is no longer any cancer inmy body. As a result of what God hasdone, my family came to the Lord, myhusband quit smoking, and my life wassaved. God bless you from the bottomof my heart!—Teresa from HawaiiThe Vertigo Is Gone!About five years ago, I started havingdizzy spells. I was diagnosed withvertigo and put on medication, but Icontinued to have symptoms, includinginner ear pain that grew worse astime went by.Things changed when I received avial of anointing oil from your ministry.I placed a small amount of oilon the outside of my ear. In just afew seconds, the sharp pain and awfulpressure vanished. The vertigo is gonetoo. I thank the Lord!—Stephen from West VirginiaMy Son Is HealedMy son Andy woke up in terriblepain due to a stiff neck. The next day,he woke up even worse. His head wastilted sideways, he couldn’t move hisneck, and he had trouble eating andtalking. We took him to the hospital,where tests revealed an abscess on theback of his throat that might requiresurgery. The doctors feared Andymight have a blood infection too.My mother and I both called theAbundant Life Prayer Group and believedGod for a miracle. Andy spentthe night in ICU, but the next day,blood tests showed that he did not havea blood infection after all—just as wehad prayed! When the doctor reexaminedhis throat, the abscess was healing,so there was no need to operate.Andy was released from the hospitalwithin a few days, and he is muchbetter now. Thank you for all yourprayers! God bless you!—Amy from IndianaAndy and his family8 Return to Table of Contents 9

Writing theNew Story ofYour LifeB Y L I N D S A Y R O B E R T SA n y o n e w h owatches televisionand hears reportsabout what certainmovie stars are doingin their careers,has probably heardthe expression that he or she is “reinventing”himself or herself. Theidea is that they are taking on a challengeto show how fresh and variedtheir talents are; that they’re notstuck in a “rut” of portraying justone kind of character, or acting injust one kind of storyline over andover again.From time to time, all of us feelthe need to have a chance to “startover”…to “re-invent” or “re-write”something about our lives.The other day I was in a store inTulsa, and as I was looking around Ipicked up what looked like a deck ofplaying cards…only the cards wereblank. When I turned them over, therewere no numbers on them. I thoughtto myself, “Well, I can’t play solitairewith these!”I started to lay the cards down.But as I did, I felt the Lord impressingme to pick them up and look atthem again. “Wouldn’t it be nice,” thethought came to my mind, “if youcould take your life, and everythingyou’re going through, and get a cleanslate like these cards have…and juststart over again?”It made me think of the song Richardsings, called You Can Start OverAgain. You can leave the past behind,it says, and have a brand new life.But is it really possible to do that…to begin again and write the new storyof our lives? It almost sounds too goodto be true, doesn’t it?But it is true! The good news of theGospel is that God gives us that veryopportunity every day…because asLamentations 3:23 tells us, His merciesare new every morning.Behold, I will do a new thing, God saysin Isaiah 43:19, Now it shall spring forth;shall you not know it? I will even makea road in the wilderness and rivers in thedesert. So not only can we start overagain, God will help us do it!What Is Our Part To Play?I don’t believe God wants ourlives to be stuck, or landlocked, orcaught in a rut with no way out. Infact, He’s willing to help us change,as I’ve said. But how dowe get there from wherewe are right now? Whatis the “transportationsystem,” so to speak, totransport us?I believe the answerlies in Romans 12:2 nkjv,where the apostle Paultells us, Do not be conformedto this world, but betransformed by the renewingof your mind, that you mayprove what is that good and acceptable andperfect will of God.Paul is telling us not to be in harmony,or in agreement, with the practicesof others, as people follow otherpeople in this world’s system. But weare to let the Word of God transformus. Being transformed is more than justbeing changed superficially. It actuallymeans that we can be “morphed,”or completely transformed from theinside out.Think of a butterf ly that goesthrough a metamorphosis that changesit from one way of existing into somethingcompletely different. That’s whatPaul says that the Word of God can doin our lives if we allow it to. And that’snot accomplished by copying otherThink of a butterflythat goes through a“metamorphosis”people. God wants us to think likeHim, to act like Him, and to becomelike Him, as we allow His Word totransform us.The Way OutLet me ask you a question. Are youstuck in a rut in your life? Do you feellike you’re just going through the motions…followingwhat you’ve seen otherpeople do and gettingthe same no-win resultsthat they’ve gotten?It’s important wherewe allow our mind to“dwell” or to live everyday. As a man thinks, sohe is, Proverbs 23:7 tellsus. Whatever we thinkabout affects what actionswe take and thatmakes a difference inwhat we become, becausewhat we think about and focuson will develop in our lives.So, what are you dwelling on rightnow? Perhaps you’re even re-livingsomething in your mind over andover that you need to release andget rid of.Remember that God said Hewould do a new thing in our lives(Isaiah 43:18-19)…but if we’re stillholding on to our past, we might noteven notice what God does.So let’s make the decision to startover right now. Let’s wipe the slateclean and begin feeding our mindon the right thing. Begin spendingtime in the Word of God and lettingit transform our minds until it beginsto transform our lives, as well.12 Return to Table of Contents 13

Prayers for Seed-Faith Livingby Oral RobertsWritten out of Oral Roberts’ own life experiences, theprayers in this book can help you express your heartto God, thereby opening the door to His abundantanswers for your every need. Subjects of prayerinclude: Family, loneliness, guidance, faith, discouragement,marriage, and many more. $4 LC193I Was Instantly HealedI had been suffering from lower back pain. Then I found a copy of Prayersfor Seed-Faith Living, a book by Oral Roberts. I took the book to work andread through it. When I found the prayer on page 34—“For one who is inpain”—I prayed it, and the pain was gone. I was instantly healed.—Teresa from TexasHe Sent His Word and Healed Themby Richard and Lindsay RobertsWhen you’re hurting, God’s Word says He isalways ready to help you. On this CD, Richardand Lindsay Roberts read life-giving Scripturerelated to your healing—physically, spiritually,emotionally, and financially. As you listen, letthe power of God’s Word sink into your heartand encourage you to look to Him for miracleanswers. $10 LC1556Miracles from A to Zby Richard and Lindsay RobertsIn this easy-to-use, alphabetically organizedhandbook for miracles, you’ll read more than 150dynamic, real-life accounts of people who werefacing a need—from Arthritis to Zero finances, andmany things in between—and who received theanswer they needed from God. It can encourageyour faith to believe that nothing is impossible withGod. $8 LC1985Staying Strong in the Lordby Oral RobertsAfter memorizing eight major chapters of the Bibleseveral years ago, and praying them over his lifemany times every day, Oral Roberts said, “There’snothing comparable to praying these eight chaptersand verses without stopping. It clearly illuminatesand strengthens my mind, reaches my heartand helps me through anything I’m going throughthat’s not easy.” This booklet lists the scriptureshe used. Let the power of God’s Word keep youstrong, just as it did for Oral Roberts. $2 LC26Coping with Griefby Evelyn RobertsIn this classic booklet, Evelyn Roberts shared herjourney of sorrow after hearing of the tragic deathof her daughter Rebecca and son-in-law. But Goddidn’t leave her in her sorrow. As she leaned on theHoly Spirit for strength, He took her from a point ofdesperation to a place of deep joy and victory inHim. $2 LC74Seven “Ups” for Your Lifeby Lindsay RobertsLindsay Roberts shares seven things we can doon a regular basis that can help keep us lifted upto the Lord. $7 LC1995A Supernatural Way to Prayby Richard RobertsHave you ever faced a problem you wanted topray about, but the words to do so failed you? Inthis helpful booklet, Richard Roberts discusseshow you can pray “in the Spirit” when you don’tknow what words to say, and how the Holy Spiritcan help bring answers and understanding to yourmind. $2 LC87To order: Visit our online bookstore at www.oralroberts.com,see center envelope, or call 918-495-7777.

Margaret Court, the most winning tennis player,shares about praying for America.Wimbledon 1970It’s Time to RISE UP andCry Out to God for AmericaRichard Roberts: In the mid-1990s, Imet Australia’s Margaret Court—thegreatest women’s tennis player of alltime. To this day, Margaret has wonmore grand slam events than any othertennis player in the history of the game.When I met Margaret, I learned thatshe had given her heart to the Lord inthe 1970s, in the midst of her tennis heyday.I was invited to preach at the churchshe has pastored with her husband inwestern Australia for many years.Margaret was recently a guest onThe Place for Miracles, where we talkedabout the difference in the spiritualclimates in Australia and the UnitedStates.RR: Margaret, I understand that whereyou live in western Australia you havenot felt economically what the U.S.has been feeling.Margaret Court: No, we have notgone through a recession. We have atremendous spiritual climate that weenjoy. We have prayer in parliament,prayer in the police force, prayer in themilitary, and we’ve had great prosperity,I believe, as a result.RR: I think one of the reasons is becauseof the tremendous moving ofthe Spirit of God that comes out ofyour ministry and others in that area.What are you sensing about America?MC: When I came here to preach at aconference about three years ago, I hadan experience with God as soon as I arrivedat the Los Angeles airport. Whenthe wheels hit the ground, I saw a picturein my spirit of something like a big octopusreaching across this nation, tryingto squeeze the life out of it. It felt likeit was the devil’s hand, trying to comedown on America. And I rememberthinking we’ve got to take the Wordof God—the sword of the Spirit—andchop that octopus-like thing off.You need God’s hand on America, notthe devil’s, because God’s hand is symbolicof the Holy Spirit. And when Hecomes upon a nation, God’s mercy candrop on it. He is long-suffering and willforgive His people if they ask Him to.The Church has to rise up and cryout for this land...because I believethere is a God. He’s real, He’s awesome,and He’s a God of nations. AndAmerica has been such a wonderful,giving nation to the rest of the world.In fact, I wouldn’t be where I am todayif it weren’t for America.After I finished playing tennis, Iwanted to grow in the things of God.My life had become an absolute mess. Ihad a torn heart valve, depression, andinsomnia, and I had gotten into wrongteaching. But it was through godlyteaching that came out of this nationthat I went to Bible school and foundwhat God wanted for my life. That’swhy I love America. It’s a missionarynation—a nation that has given toso many other nations of the world,and is still doing that. And I believeGod can turn anything around if wepray and begin to understand who ourGod really is.One day, the Lord showed me a vision.I was in heaven, looking down onthe earth and seeing all the competitionthat goes on between Christians.“I believe Godwants Hispeople to cometogether in thistime like neverbefore…”16 Return to Table of Contents 17

the city. I thought of what God saidthrough Paul in Athens—that Godhas made all people of one blood (Acts17:26). God is the God of the entirehuman family, not just the group youor I happen to belong to.Jonah was self-centeredThe second reason why Jonah ranaway was because he cared more abouthis reputation than he did the Wordof God. He didn’t want the Lord tomake a fool of him.There are some people who willserve God as long as there is no crossto bear and no criticism to take. Nowcompare that person with the ApostlePaul—who was misunderstood, criticized,blasphemed, whipped, shipwrecked,cursed, and imprisoned forthe Gospel. But he loved God with allhis heart and gladly made himself a foolfor Christ’s sake (1 Corinthians 4:10).When you have tasted the real powerof God, I believe you will serve Himno matter what.Jonah didn’t wantresponsibilityThird, Jonah became a runaway becausehe felt that God would just picksomeone else.A lot of people feel that if theydon’t obey God, someone else willdo it. But Romans 11:29 nlt tellsus that the gifts and callings of Godcan never be withdrawn. If the call ofGod comes to you, God will nevertake it away. It will be with you allof your life.You can’t just shrug your shouldersand say, “Well, God will getsomeone else.” But if He didn’t havea special work for you to do, Hewouldn’t have put the impressionin your mind and the urge in yourheart. I can’t do your job and youcan’t do mine. When God calls us,each must obey and do the individualjob He has given us to do.Jonah thought he couldrun awayFourth, Jonah ran away because hethought he could, as a lot of peoplethink. But Jonah didn’t reckon ondealing with the Arms that move thestars about.The boat Jonah was in began to pop,and the sails were ripped from theirpoles. And the little ship began to sink.The sailors screamed, “We’re goingto perish,” and began to lighten theload of the ship, but it continued tolook like it would go under.Suspecting the problem might bewith the stranger on the ship, the sailorswoke Jonah and asked him, “Whyare you here?”Jonah explained to them that he wasrunning from God. “That’s why thisstorm is here,” he explained.“Throw me overboard,” Jonahsaid and the sailors complied (Jonah1:10). But he wasn’t in the water long,for God had prepared a big fish thatgulped Jonah right down!I don’t know how that fish wasprepared on the inside, but Jonahwas made to fit right in. And he goton his knees, prayed to God, andrepented! God spoke to that fish andsaid, “Take him to the shore andcast him out.”Jonah had to go back to the placewhere he had run from God and startall over. But this time, he was glad togo to Nineveh!As Jonah hit the streets of Nineveh,he began to preach. “Yet 40 days hathNineveh, and it shall be destroyedunless you repent!”And if ever a town got on its knees,Nineveh did. They repented. Godlooked down, and had mercy, andsaved them.Jonah went up on top of a hill and satdown and said to God, “Now, I wishI were dead rather than alive, becauseYou’ve made a fool of me.” So thatnight, the Lord caused a gourd vineto grow. The next morning, it was sobig that it provided shade. The sun washot, but the gourd vine shaded Jonah,and he was exceedingly glad for thegourd vine.But when Jonah awoke the nextmorning, the gourd vine was dead.Jonah was disheartened and discouraged.The Lord came to him and said,“Jonah, if a gourd vine of 24 hours’growth could so bereave a man for itsdeath, how much more compassionwill the Creator feel for a city nearits destiny?“This gourd vine was very importantto you, yet you didn’t make it grow,you didn’t bring it into existence. If thegourd vine was so important to you, ifit meant so much to you, Jonah, howmuch does the city of 120,000 children—notto mention the mothers andfathers—mean to Me, the Creator?”If we are so bereaved and disheartenedabout the loss of some materialthing, how much greater is the feelingGod didn’t letJonah go, andHe won’t letyou go either.of God for the lives of human beingswho may be lost?Your Value to GodI believe man is of unmeasurablevalue to God. Jonah was God’sman for this task. What is your partthat God has for you to do thatis precious and important in Hiskingdom?God kept after Jonah, and Godwants to be Yours and you to be His.How valuable God sees you as part ofHis creation and how much He lovesyou and desires for you to be part ofHis family.In fact, you’re so valuable He sentHis Son Jesus to the Cross for you.That’s how unique and valuable youare to God.24 Return to Table of Contents 25

THE POWER OF SEED-FAITH LIVINGB Y R I C H A R D R O B E R T SMy father taught me many lessonsduring his lifetime. I often tell peoplethat Oral Roberts was not just my fatherin the physical sense, but he wasalso my father in a spiritual sense—hewas my spiritual mentor.My dad talked to me many timesabout the importance of Seed-Faithin my life because He wanted to besure I got it down in my spirit. Andnow I want to do the same thing withyou…because I know that sowing andreaping is as important to your life asbreathing out and breathing in. Onefunction needs to follow the otherin order for everything to work likeGod intended.Can You Buy a Miracle?Often on my TV program I encouragepeople to plant a seed of their faithif they need a miracle from God. Whydo I do that? Is it because you can“buy” a miracle from God? Of coursenot! If you could buy a miracle fromGod, I think most people would go tothe bank and empty out their accountsin order to get one.And who would decide the valueplaced on each need? For instance,what would be the “going rate” for ahealing from cancer, or a heart condition,or a broken leg, or any otherphysical problem? That would be impossibleto determine, wouldn’t it?And that’s just the physical aspect ofhealing. Think of someone with abroken heart, or a broken marriage,or a child who has gone missing andno one knows where they are.But I do believe that when you planta seed of your faith to the Lord—whenyou give Him something that’s of realvalue to you and requires your heartto be involved in the giving—you canput yourself in position for receivinga miracle, as in Malachi 3:10-11 nkjvwhere God said, Bring all the tithes intothe storehouse, that there may be food inMy house, and try Me now in this,” saysthe Lord of hosts, if I will not open for youthe windows of heaven and pour out for yousuch blessing that there will not be roomenough to receive it. And I will rebuke thedevourer for your sakes.Now your faith is attached to Godand you’re looking to Him as yourSource.Seed-Faith PrinciplesOne of the Scriptures Dad pouredinto me as I grew up was Philippians4:13-19. I can do all things throughChrist who strengthens me. Neverthelessyou have done well that you shared inmy distress. Now you Philippians knowalso that in the beginning of the gospel,when I departed from Macedonia, nochurch shared with me concerning givingand receiving but you only. For evenin Thessalonica you sent aid once andagain for my necessities. Not that I seekthe gift, but I seek the fruit that aboundsto your account. Indeed I have all andabound. I am full, having received fromEpaphroditus the things sent from you,a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptablesacrifice, well pleasing to God. And myGod shall supply all your need accordingto His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.The Philippian ChurchPaul had established this little Philippianchurch. He had, no doubt, sharedhis testimony with them…perhapsin an illustrated sermon…of how hewas knocked down and blinded onhis way to Damascus to persecuteand kill Christians…how he’d hearda voice—the voice of Jesus—asking,“Saul, Saul” (his Jewish name), “whydo you persecute Me?”And he most likely told them howhe was led to a certain house to a mannamed Ananias who prayed for him.As Ananias laid his hands on him, thescales fell from Paul’s eyes, spirituallyas well as physically, and he had a trueencounter with God.So the Philippians knew Paul’s story,what he had already suffered for theLord, and how he had a zeal and apassion to share the Gospel.Giving and ReceivingI believe the Philippians understoodthat the greater the sacrifice,the greater the blessing. Paul pouredinto them what God had pouredinto him, just as he did with othergroups. But these Philippians werethe only group who did somethingabout it. They gave “once and again”to Paul’s need—which had to dowith spreading the Gospel. Thatmeans they didn’t just give once. Ibelieve they got into a lifestyle ofgiving. And they understood receivingas well.They had the right motive in givingand Paul had the right motive in asking:“Not that I desire a gift,” Paul said,“But I desire fruit that may aboundto your account.” In other words, hewasn’t trying to get something fromthem; he was trying to get somethingto them. And, apparently, he was successfulat that.26 Return to Table of Contents 27

A Covenant with GodPaul taught the Philippians how toput God to the test...and they “proved”God as they did just that.My dad often talked about a blessing-pactcovenant with God. Oncewhen I asked him what he meant bythat term, he explained it like this.He said, “Richard, the Apostle Paultaught it and the Philippians understoodit—the principles that Malachilaid out. When you bring your givingunto the Lord, He opens the windowsof heaven and pours you out a blessingwhere there isn’t even room enoughto receive it. But He doesn’t just stopthere; He also rebukes the devourer—the devil—for our sakes. That’s theblessing-pact covenant with God.”Once when my dad was preachingon the road, he got thirsty in his hotelroom. With a couple of quarters inhis hand, he went down the hallwayand found a soft-drink machine. Afterhe put his money in and madehis selection, he said that he just automaticallyreached down with thesame hand to receive his selection.He said, “Richard, when I did thatit hit me that there was a contractbetween the maker of that productand the owner of the machine that,sold it. And when I, as a third party,entered into that contract, I had aright to expect that contract to be“…He [God] wasn’t trying to getsomething from them; he wastrying to get something to them.”“made good” and provide me withmy soft drink selection.”Then he said, “If we can enter into acontract with a company that makes asoft-drink machine, how much morecan we enter into a covenant, or a contract,with God who made everything.“In a very simplistic was of explainingit, that’s our blessing-pact covenantwe have with Him. When we bringour offerings to Him and fulfill ourpart of the biblical contract, He opensthe windows of heaven and fulfills Hispart of the contract.We can be just like the Philippiansin this terrible time in our economy.When others are saying, “No, I’ve gotto hold on to what I have, we can say,“Now is the time that I must sow to theLord.” We can do it, and we can expectto receive everything we need fromGod, because like the Philippians, weknow God, we operate in giving andreceiving, and our giving has provenGod. And we know, according to Luke6:38, He blesses our giving back to us“good measure, pressed down, shakentogether, and running over.”This is not the time to live in fear,but in power—the power of Seed-Faith. This is not the time to holdback, but to sow…and to prove God tobe the God of blessing that He says Heis, and to put ourselves in position to receivethose blessings from His hand.There’s Life Online atthe Oral RobertsMinistries WebsiteTV Shows—Liveand ArchivedPrayerRequestsMonthly HealingServicesMiraclesMagazineBooks, CDs,and DVDsLiving ProofTestimoniesOnlineGiving…and so much more!Log in anytime, day or night,for resources to help youstand strong and growin the knowledge of God.www.oralroberts.com28

‘Partnership Has Brought UsMany Miracles’Mike and Patricia Hatcher Share Their TestimonyMike and Patricia Hatcher havebeen Oral Roberts Ministries partnersfor over 10 years. Recently, they traveledfrom Fort Worth, TX, to attendRichard Roberts’ Miracle HealingService in Tulsa, OK.“We first discovered Richard andLindsay Roberts on TV,” the Hatcherssaid. “We enjoyed their broadcast somuch that we continued to tune in.And we immediately began sowingseed into their ministry.”Two months later, Patricia experiencedGod’s healing power. “I washaving a knee problem,” she said. “Iwas in constant pain.” One night asshe watched Richard on television, hegave a word of knowledge that spoketo her situation.“I put my hands over Richard’shands on the TV screen, and I washealed instantaneously. The pain wastotally gone! I’m still healed today.”When a serious fire broke out intheir home, the Hatchers again receiveda harvest from their seed-faithgiving. They were out of their homefor nine months. But they receivedenough reimbursement from their insurancecompany that enabled themto improve their home for sale priorto their move to Fort Worth.The Hatchers believe that sowinginto this ministry helps to show God’slove to people in need—and that’swhy they sowed generously towardthe Miracle Healing Service.Mike said, “When we see Richardministering in Africa and his daughter,Jordan, giving out food in Haitiand South America, we know we’rea part of those outreaches. We’rehonored to be partners with thisministry.”“It’s all about bringing people intoGod’s Kingdom,” Patricia added. “Andone way we can do that is through theOral Roberts Ministries.”If you would like to sow a seed-faithgift, go online to www.oralroberts.comand click on the Donate button, or call918-495-7777.A Plan to Bless Your Loved Onesand the Kingdom of GodYou may be asking, why is planning my financial future importantto me and to my family? Because failure to plan may result in accidentaldisinheritance. It can happen when you have no will oryour will doesn’t function properly. To keep from risking harm tothose you love and subjecting your estate to needless tax, you needto make a legal plan for the future.The Oral Roberts Home Ministries Department provides free, personalizedguidance to help you plan your will, bequest, and trust.Our trained Representatives can also provide you with a free WillsPlanning Guide which can save you time and attorney fees whenfinalizing your written plans.Contact us today! Go to www.oralroberts.com/bookstore or seecenter envelope to request your free brochure, Wills, Bequests& Trusts. Taking care of tomorrow means having written legalplans to address the needs of your loved ones today!30

Don’t pass by The Place forMiracles without stopping in.You’ll see “living proof” ofmiracles from people who telltheir stories of divine intervention.Listen as Richard andLindsay share God’s ALIVEWord, and then pray over theneeds of those calling in.And check out our new program,Expect A Miracle, onTuesdays over TBN’s ChurchChannel. You’ll see miraclesfrom Oral’s crusade days allthe way up to current healingshappening in Richard’s overseasHealing Rallies.Get in the right place at the righttime to receive the miracles you need!Visit www.oralroberts.comto watch us via the Internet orcheck for program schedulingin your area.Nonprofit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDTulsa, OKPermit No. 51TV that has Life!