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NO LIMITS 2012CalendarThis large, wall-sized calendar(11" x 17") features highlightsof ministry outreachesthat our Partners have sownseed into. Together, we aretaking the Gospel of JesusChrist to all the world.First copyFREE!(additionalcopies$7 each)Make This Christmas Count!Visit our website at www.oralroberts.com to order.Now you can study the Bible anytimewith Richard and Lindsay Robertsin the convenience of your own home!The Richard RobertsSchool of the Spirit ®classes are nowavailable ON DEMAND!Hello, everyone! My family andstaff and I send you the warmestgreetings of the Season! I canhardly believe it’s already Christmastime—time sure does fly by whenyou’re living for the Lord! As my girlsand I dive into decorating, shoppingand cooking this year, my heart is filledwith joy and I want to share it withyou. With this special Christmas issueof Make Your Day Count onlinemagazine, we’ve tried to bring youstories and articles which can help youfind peace in the middle of your holidayhustle and bustle.Do Something!I encourage you to make your giftscount for the Kingdom of God thisholiday season. Can you cook? If so,consider preparing a meal or someholiday treats for a neighbor (ideason page 10). Can you sew? Make ahomemade gift to spread the warmthof the season (easy pillow craft ideaon page 16). Perhaps you can dropoff some groceries at your communityfood bank. As you do what you canto bless others, I believe our HeavenlyFather can bring you a specialblessing, as Luke 6:38 says.Let’s remember the words of theprophet Isaiah—If we keep our mindsfixed on God, He can keep us inperfect peace, no matter what thecircumstances (Isaiah 26:3). I praythat you would have the most blessed,peaceful Christmas ever as you makeit count for the Kingdom of God!Visit our website at www.oralroberts.com toregister or for more information..®Volume 8, No. 4, December 2011. Copyright ©2011 by Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association.No part may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

In thefranticholidayfrenzy,youcan find…Christmas Joy!by Lindsay RobertsWhen the angel proclaimed thebirth of the Messiah to theshepherds on a night 2,000years ago, the angel said, I bring yougood tidings of great joy (Luke 2:10).The birth of the Savior was—andis—cause for celebration!What are you feeling as Christmasdraws near?Good tidings?Great joy?Celebration?Or is the very thought of theupcoming holidays filling you withdread?Holiday FrenzyFor many people, the holidaysare the busiest and most stressful timeof the year. There are gifts to bepurchased and wrapped...Christmascards to mail...school or churchactivities to attend. There is shoppingto be done—too often with theworry of charging credit cards to themax before all the gifts are purchased.Who has the time for good tidings(positive and joyful news)?Maybe you wish there was noshopping to do, no Christmas musicto hear, no Christmas festivities at all.In fact, you’d like it if you could closeyour eyes, go to sleep, and the nextmorning Christmas would be over.Who needs the celebration anyway?Perhaps the holidays are just toomuch. It’s said that there are moresuicides from Thanksgiving throughNew Year’s Day—the holidayseason—than any other period ofthe year. Sadly, those people were unableto find the great joy of the season.I believe the devil would likenothing better than to take the joy outof the most joyful season of the year.His greatest desire is to drive us furtherand further away from God and HisSon and His Word. Stress, anxiety,unhappiness, and sorrow are weaponshe can try to use against us.Good News for AllIn the midst of our frantic holidaypreparations, we need to rememberthat the familiar passage from thesecond chapter of Luke doesn’t stopwith the angel’s proclamation ofgreat joy. The Scripture goes on tosay that unto you is born this day in thecity of David a Saviour, which is Christthe Lord (v.11).The angel brought the news ofa Savior...a Redeemer...the Princeof Peace...not just for the shepherdswho were abiding in the fields butalso for generations to come,including us!The Greatest GiftChristmas is much more thanfood, carols, and gifts. And it’s muchmore than just a story about thebirth of a baby. That baby grew upto be Jesus, the One who came toearth to break the ties satan had onmankind by giving His life as aransom for our sins. He was sent byGod to take on our sickness anddisease so we might be healed. Hecame so we might have life and haveit more abundantly (John 10:10).The purpose of the birth of JesusChrist was to repair, heal, restore,and renew whatever is broken inour lives...and that’s worthcelebrating!This Christmas, instead of turningaway from the music, the festivities,and the miraculous birth of JesusChrist, try flipping the switch onthe devil. Say, “Satan, you will notsteal my Christmas joy from me!”Then begin repeating the declarationof joy from the Word of God untilyou’re full of the joy ofthe Lord.C e l e b r a t eC h r i s t m a sw ith joybecause inJesus, Godgave youthe greatestgift you willever receive.Jesus loves you.He wants you to bewell in every area of yourThe purposeof the birth ofJesus Christ wasto repair, heal,restore, and renewwhatever is brokenin our lives.life. He gave His life so that youcould be saved and have eternal lifewith Him.It only takes a moment to askJesus into your heart, into yourfamily, into any situation you maybe facing. As you embrace themiracle God sent to you on that firstChristmas more than 2,000 yearsago—His Son, Jesus Christ—Ibelieve you’ll find that this is thetime for great rejoicing...because theLord, our Savior, has come! Y4 D E C 2 0 1 1W W W. M A K E YO U R D AY C O U N T. C O M 5

Although Oral and Evelyn Roberts arein Heaven, the words of this messagestill ring true today. My precious motherin-law,Evelyn Roberts, was truly aselfless woman. She was a giver in thetruest sense of the word. If one of herchildren or grandchildren neededanything, she would always try to takecare of it. She made her gifts and herlove available to those around her. Andin this article, she shares with us howChristmastime is a wonderful time toshow our love and care for others. Sheexplains that it is the giving of ourselvesthat causes the hand of God to move onour behalf. She always believed thatwhether it is a smile, a hug, a meal, ora financial gift, sowing out of our ownlove is what opens the door to theblessings of God and causes usto triumph over thecircumstances of life. ThisChristmas, I pray these wordsget into your heart in afresh, new way, andinspire you to give ofyourself and believefor the hand of God toopen for you andgive back to youin the way youneed it most!—LindsayGod ALWAYScauses us toTriumphA classic word by Evelyn RobertsThanks be unto God, which alwayscauseth us to triumph in Christ, andmaketh manifest the savour of hisknowledge by us in every place.2 Corinthians 2:14The word in this verse that reallystuck out in my mind was“always.” As I meditated on thatword, I realized that we are alwayssupposed to win in Christ. Not justonce or once in a while, but ALWAYS!And according to that verse, after wetriumph, we’re to share that knowledgewith the world because there arepeople who feel as though they havelittle to be thankful for.Some may have lost a loved oneand they’re feeling alone. Some mayhave lost a job and they’re having arough time financially.Even in the midst of a famine,God is still a good God. And Hetells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, Notemptation has overtaken you exceptsuch as is common to man; but God isfaithful, who will not allow you to betempted beyond what you are able, butwith the temptation will also make theway of escape, that you may be able tobear it.One way of escape God has givenus is to practice Seed-Faith––sowingand reaping, seedtime and harvest.It’s because of the law of seedtimeand harvest that Oral and I havetriumphed in Christ over the years.We’ve learned that whatever it is thatwe sow, God can take it and multiplyit so it becomes something whichcan UPROOT MOUNTAINS ofproblems and needs and move themout of the way.I remember Oral preaching aboutIsaac sowing in famine and reapinga hundredfold return that same year(Genesis 26:12). I believe one of themost productive times to sow isduring a famine, or hard times.When you hit a time of famine andyou’re still willing to obey the Bibleand give of yourself and sow, Godcan deliver you out of that famine.God says that what we sow, wereap. So determine what you needand sow that kind of seed. You cansow a seed by praying for someone,by inviting a friend to dinner, or bycalling an acquaintance on the phoneand asking if there’s anything youcan do for them. I believe it’s thegiving of yourself in faith that causesthe hand of God to move.That’s the way Oral and I havelearned to live, and I honestly believethat when we do things God’s way,we can expect Him to bring us theharvest we need. YSeed-Faithin a NutshellThis power-packed mini-bookby Richard and Lindsay Robertsexplains Seed-Faith living—aconstant, continuous way oflife that can create anatmosphere ofmiracles!Only $2Visit our onlinebookstore atwww.oralroberts.com.W W W. M A K E YO U R D AY C O U N T. C O M 7

My miracle story...Miraculous Recoveries for my Sons!Last year, my older son Anthony attended a lacrosse camp where he hurthis back. It was a flare-up from a previous injury—a bulging disc. He wasin so much pain. Anthony was crushed because that weekend he wasscheduled to play in a big tournament with his team. He had worked sohard to qualify to play. We needed a miracle.I called the Abundant Life ® Prayer Group, laid hands on my son,sowed a seed and set my faith in agreement with my prayer partner.Anthony immediately began improving and by the weekend, he wasfully recovered! He played very well in his tournament to the gloryof God. His back is healed!My younger son experienced a miraculous recovery after having a veryscary allergic reaction to antibiotics. Luke’s doctor prescribed him tworounds but we did not know he was allergic to them. My little six-year-oldwas covered in hives and a very itchy rash, and he suffered severe coughingand congestion that landed him in the hospital forbreathing treatments. I called the ALPG forFor prayer anytime, call theAbundant Life ® Prayer Groupat 918-495-7777, or go towww.oralroberts.com/prayerprayer for my son and within a few short hours,his symptoms began to clear up. He is welland whole today.I’m so grateful for the Abundant Life ®Prayer Group prayer partners. You are ablessing to my family! Y—Linda from FloridaBaking for Bastropby Jordan RobertsBurning for nearly three weeks this summer and consuming more than1,600 homes in the Bastrop, Texas area, the worst wildfire in a decadewas finally extinguished. Firefighters from all over the United Statesworked day and night to get this massive blaze under control, but not beforeit consumed many homes and tragically some lives as well.People from all over thestate rallied in the Austin areaand helped with the cleanupby donating goods and servicesto those in need. The city alsoheld a bake sale in which 100%of the proceeds went towardsrelief efforts.Local bakeries and manyindividuals (myself and twofriends included) donated theirbaked goods for any donationto the relief fund. Volunteersworked at tables displayingyummy treats as a “thank you” for whateverdonation was contributed. Delicious lookingindulgences ranged from homemade frostedcookies in the shape of Texas (that I baked)all the way to bakery fresh pies and brownsugar butter bars with coffee icing. I was sohonored to be a part of this touching anddelicious experience.(See my recipe on page 10 for your Christmas cookies!) YClick here to watch MYDC on demand, or to find the station listing near you.

GMYDC kitchenHOLIDAY dessertsSUGAR COOKIESIngredients1 ½ cups butter, room temperature1 ¾ cups white sugar4 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract5 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon saltDirectionsIn a large bowl using an electric mixer with paddle tool, cream together butterand sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla. In aseparate medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add thedry ingredients into the butter and egg mixture until combined. Don’t overmix.Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).Roll out dough on floured surface to desired thickness. (I went a bit thicker - about½ inch thick.) Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart onungreased cookie sheets or sheets lined with parchment paper for easy clean-up. (Ifyou wanted to sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar or dots, now is the time.) Bakeat 350 degrees F for 8–12 minutes, depending on how thick you rolled them out.Makes 2 dozen large cookies or 3–4 dozen small cookies.Icing1 cup confectioners’ sugar1 or 2 teaspoons milk1 ½ teaspoons light corn syrupfrom Jordan RobertsMom and Dad at Jordan’s graduationfrom Le Cordon Bleu¼ teaspoon vanilla extractliquid food coloring (as desired)DirectionsMix the sugar and milk together until smooth. (Batter will still be thick.) Oncecompletely combined, mix in the corn syrup until it’s smooth. (This may take alittle elbow grease.) You can use a little more corn syrup to thin out icing. Afterthat if it’s still too thick, thin if necessary with a few drops of milk. Frost withicing when cookies are cool. This icing will dry hard enough to stack cookieson top of one another.SWEET POTATO PIEIngredients1-2 sweet potatoes(1 pound total by weight)½ cup butter, softened (2 sticks)½ cup milk½ cup white sugar½ cup brown sugar (packed)DirectionsBoil sweet potato whole or in large chunks in skin for 35 to 50 minutes, oruntil done. Remove the skin by running under water or letting it cool andpulling it off.In a large bowl, add the butter, and mix well with a hand mixer (standmixer will work too, but it’s more difficult). Stir in milk, eggs, sugar,nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat until mixture is smooth, no lumps, atmedium speed. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.Bake at 350 degrees F for 55 to 60 minutes, or until done (knife insertedin center comes out clean). Pie will puff up when baking and then sinkdown as it cools; that’s normal.Sweet potatoes are said to be SUPER nutritious... one of the few foods considered“superfoods” by nutritional experts.EASY PEPPERMINT BARKIngredients1 (12-ounce) package of white chocolatemorsels (I used NESTLE ® TOLL HOUSE ®Premier White Morsels.)2 eggs¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon½ teaspoon ground nutmeg1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust(freezer section at the grocery store)Great gift idea!5-6 crushed candy canes (multi-coloredones are fun, like red and green)½ teaspoon mint extract (optional)DirectionsOver a double boiler, melt the white chocolate over medium heat, beingvery careful not to burn. Stir frequently. Add the mint extract.Line a baking sheet with wax paper, or you can use a clean counter topcovered with wax paper.Crush the candy canes into small pieces, but don’t pulverize. Crush usingrolling pin or meat mallet. Once white chocolate is melted, add in half ofthe crushed candy canes and mix well. Spread onto the wax paper to thedesired thickness. I usually go about ¾ inch thick. Sprinkle the remainingreserved candy cane pieces on top. Let cool and harden for at least 2 hours.Refrigeration will speed the process up if you’re in a hurry. Store in plasticbaggies or air-tight containers.

Christmasis more thananorangeThe real meaning of ChristmasA classic word by Oral RobertsWhen I was a young boy, Ithought Christmas was anorange. You see, it was hardto get oranges in the small townwhere I lived, so I didn’t have manyof them as a boy. But on ChristmasEve, I would hang up my stockingby the fireplace, and I could alwayscount on some nuts, maybe a littletoy, an apple, and an orange.Even now I can vividly rememberChristmas mornings as a boy. I’dsearch for my orange. When I foundit, I’d peel it, sink my teeth into itsfruit, and let the juice run down thefront of my clothes. Eating that orangewas a mouth-watering experience!Christmas and the Real Fruit of LifeAnother thing I remember aboutChristmas is how my father andmother would take us kids to church.There we’d hear the story of the babyJesus being born and how He wouldbecome the Savior of the world. Butsomehow it didn’t sink in, and as ateenager I left that atmosphere andran away from home.Oral and Evelyn with daughter RebeccaI didn’t think much aboutChristmas or Christ during thattime—until I experienced a greatneed in my life. I collapsed in abasketball tournament and wasdiagnosed with tuberculosis.I was bedfast for five terriblemonths. And although the doctorsdid what they could and peopleprayed, I got worse. Finally, my casereached a critical point, and thedoctors told my father, “Your son isnow in the hands of a higher power.”That’s when I began to learn the realmeaning of Christmas.First, my sister Jewel said sevenlife-changing words: “Oral, God isgoing to heal you.” Later, my oldestbrother, Elmer, took me to a revivalwhere a man of God prayed for mein the Name of Jesus Christ ofNazareth.When the evangelist prayed forme, a great warmth swept over me.I felt my lungs opening up, and thecoughing and hemorrhaging stopped.A wonderful healing began in mybody, and in time I was well!That’s when I realized thatChristmas was more than the orangeI usually received as a gift. Christmaswas the real fruit of life, given to usby Jesus Christ.Paid in Full!Christmas has so many fondmemories for the Roberts family! Mydarling wife, Evelyn, and I weremarried on Christmas Day. A yearlater we had Rebecca, the first of ourfour children.I remember once when Evelyn,Rebecca, and I were stranded onChristmas Day. We had traveled fromOklahoma to the East Coast, wherewe were going from one little churchto another conducting revivalmeetings. We were doing fine untilone meeting over the Christmasholidays was cancelled.We didn’t know what to do. Wedidn’t have enough money toreturn home to Oklahoma, andour next meeting was not until aweek after Christmas!After counting our money, wedecided to rent a little hotel roomand just sit it out. Talk aboutfeeling blue!On Christmas Day, Evelyn,Rebecca, and I went downstairs toeat with the other hotel guests. Thedining room was beautifully decorated,and despite everything, we had awonderful Christmas dinner.When we stepped to the cashregister to pay our bill, the man said,“Mr. Roberts, aren’t you a guest inthe hotel?” I said, “Yes.” “Well,” hesaid, “it’s a policy of this hotel to givea free meal on Christmas Day to itsguests. So your Christmas dinner isfree—paid in full!”What a beautiful gift to receive onChristmas Day—our debt PAID INFULL! How much we needed that!Then I began to reflect on anotherdebt that was paid for me—the debtof sin which Jesus, my Savior, paid infull with His life.What a beautiful gift toreceive on Christmas Day—our debt PAID IN FULL! Howmuch we needed that!The real meaning of Christmas ismore than loved ones coming overfor a big dinner, and it’s more thanexchanging gifts. It’s giving happiness,joy, peace, and goodwill to others, asthe angels proclaimed to the shepherdsin Luke 2:14. And it all started withGod, who so loved the world, that hegave his only begotten Son, that whosoeverbelieveth in him should not perish, buthave everlasting life (John 3:16). Y12 D E C 2 0 1 1W W W. M A K E YO U R D AY C O U N T. C O M 13

ThisChristmas,be bold insharingJESUSby Richard RobertsHave you ever wanted to help afriend or loved one come to apersonal relationship with Jesus,but you didn’t really feel comfortabledoing it? Perhaps, like many of ushave done, you let the opportunityto witness about Jesus just slip away.I want to give you some tips thatI have learned in more than 30 yearsof being an evangelist that I believecan help you step out of your comfortzone and share Jesus with thosearound you.I believe one of the mostimportant things you can do to helpbring people to Christ is to:Share what God has done for youMark 16:15 nkjv tells us to Gointo all the world and preach the gospelto every creature.As we walk in love with others,it’s amazing to me how people cansee and feel God’s light in us. Andas you share from your own personaltestimony of what God has done inyour life, it can open the door forothers to begin to share theirquestions and concerns with you.Sometimes it’s just a matter of takingthose first few steps.I believe it’s time to be bold andnot timid. Jesus’ Great Commissionin Mark 16 gives us great authorityto share what God has done in ourlives.Be compassionateMatthew 14:14 nkjv says whenJesus saw a great multitude, He wasmoved with compassion for them, andhealed their sick.I believe that when someone isnot living for God, many times theymay already feel convicted in theirheart. So rather than “jamming”Jesus down their throats, we shouldlet His compassion for them comepouring out of us.Compassion is thelove of God in action,and I believe thatpeople often want torespond to that kindof love.Help them understandtheir need for a SaviorRomans 3:23 nkjv says, Allhave sinned and fall short of the glory ofGod. We all make mistakes; we allcommit sins. And withoutrepentance—or changing our mind,turning away from our sins, andturning toward God—we can loseour soul and go to hell. But it is notGod’s wish that this should happen.I often tell people, “Hell was notmade for people; hell was made forSatan and the demons that fell withhim.” Heaven was made for people,and that’s where God wants us tospend eternity with Him. But thatCompassionis the love ofGod in action.relationship can only come throughaccepting Jesus as Lord and Saviorof our lives. John 1:12 nkjv tells us,As many as received Him, to them Hegave the power to become the children ofGod.Encourage them to makea decision for Christ nowThe Bible says in 2 Corinthians6:2 that today is the day of salvation.Don’t put it off until later.When God opens that door andyou can tell their heart is listening,offer to pray with them.Often I will just askpeople, “Would youlike me to pray withyou right now to askJesus into yourheart?”I’ve never hadanyone turn downmy prayers, when I askin that spirit.Here is a simple salvationprayer that anyone can pray, andwhen they do it sincerely, from theirheart, they can be born again:Lord, I ask You to come into my heartand be my Lord and Savior. I repent ofmy sins. I renounce satan and all of hisworks. Please forgive me and give me afresh new start. Thank You for savingme, in Jesus’ name. Amen.Proverbs 11:30 nkjv says, He whowins souls is wise. I believe as webegin to step out in faith andobedience, God can help us leadpeople to Jesus. Y14 D E C 2 0 1 1W W W. M A K E YO U R D AY C O U N T. C O M 15

funnyboneFavorite Christmas CarolsNo one can mistake the words of a Christmas carol in a more humorous way than a child! FavoriteChristmas carols as actually sung by children:• Deck the halls with Buddy Holly• We three kings of porridge and tar• Later on, we’ll perspire, as we dream by the fire• He’s makin’ a list, chicken and rice• Noel, Noel, Barney’s the king of Israel• With the jelly toast proclaim• Olive, the other reindeer• In the meadow we can build a snowman, then pretendthat he is sparse and brown• Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap, and hay• O come, froggy faithful•You’ll tell Carol, “Be a skunk, I require”(Yuletide carols being sung by the fire)Reprinted from MYDC Vo.1 No.3Fun Christmas CraftPlacemat PillowYou will need:• 2 Christmas-motif placemats• polyester stuffing for pillows• sewing machine• Christmas-colored buttons (optional)• hot-glue gun (optional)*1. Place right sides of the placemats to theoutside.2. Sew around the outer edge of the placemats,leaving about a 3- to 4-inch opening on top.3. Stuff placemats with polyester stuffing.4. Sew opening closed.5. If you wish, you can select Christmas-coloredbuttons and hot-glue them onto one side inthe shape of a Christmas tree.*Remember to use hot-glue gun according to its instructionsand keep away from children to prevent possible injuries.