TableofContentsINTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 -HOWYOUCANRECEIVE THEGREATESTMIRACLEYOUCANEVERHAVE

Chapter2-HOWYOUCANBECOMEAWAREOFSININYOURLIFEChapter3 - IT'SNOTYOURFAULTYOUAREA SINNER,BUT IT IS IFYOUDON'TDOSOMETHINGABOUTIT

Chapter4 -HOWTOKNOWYOUAREBORNAGAINREGARDLESSOFYOURAGE

Chapter5 - INYOUR ILLNESS (DIS-EASE)YOUCANGET INAPLACETHROUGHYOURSPIRITTOGETHEALING

Chapter6-YOUAREASPIRITUALBEINGANDTHESAVINGOFYOURSOULISYOURWHOLELIFERESPONDINGTOGOD

Chapter 7 - HOW PRAYING WITH YOUR SPIRIT AND YOURUNDERSTANDING WILL BRING YOU INTO CONSTANT BETTERHEALTH

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERONE...StepNumberTWOChapter1 -WHENYOUDON'T LIKEGODYOUAREREALLYSAYINGYOUDON'TLIKEALWAYSTORECOGNIZEGODASYOURSOURCE

Chapter2-YOUMAYTHINKYOUDISLIKEGODWHENTHETRUTHISYOUJUSTCANTSTANDPEOPLE

Chapter3-HOWAWHOLECHURCHSOLVEDITSINSIDEPROBLEMOFBITTERNESS

Chapter4-HOWAPERSONALFRIENDLOSTHISWAYANDFOUNDITAGAIN—AND IFYOUFEELALITTLELOSTYOUCANFINDYOURWAYTOO

Chapter 5 - YOUMAY PANICWHEN YOU REALLY START PLANTINGSEED BY REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE -BUT EVEN WHEN YOUPANICYOUCANEXPECTAMIRACLE

Chapter 6 - HOW I LEARNED TO PLANT GOOD SEED THROUGHOBEDIENCETOGODWHENHETOLDMETOTAKEHISHEALINGPOWERTOTHEPEOPLE

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERTWO...StepNumberTHREEChapter1 -HOWTOLOVEYOURSELFASGODLOVESYOUSOYOUCANLIVEINASTATEOFBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

Chapter3-WHETHERYOUFEELGOOD3ENOUGHORNOTYOUCANSTILLHAVEBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

Chapter4 -HOWYOUCANFREEYOURSELFFROMTHEMYTHTHATEVERYBADTHINGHAPPENINGTOYOUISGOD'SPUNISHMENT

Chapter5 -HOWYOUCANKNOWGODLOVESYOUSOMUCHTHATHEWILLHEALYOUEVENTHOUGHYOUHAVEN'TBELIEVEDHEWOULD

Chapter6-WHILEYOUAREINYOURHUMANSKINYOUCANSTILLBREAKTHROUGHTOGOD'SDIVINEHEALINGPOWER

Chapter 7 - NOW TO SUCCESSFULLY DEAL WITH YOUR DEADLYNEGATIVEEMOTIONS

Chapter 8 - HOW TO UNDERSTANDWHEN YOU NEED A PHYSICIANANDSUGGESTIONSONHOWANDWHENTOGOTOADOCTOR

Chapter 9 - WHEN THE DOCTOR SAYS THERE IS NO HOPE ANDPRAYERHASAPPARENTLYFAILED-HOWTOFACETHEFUTURE

Chapter10-THEDAYWHENYOUWILLBETOTALLYHEALEDASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERTHREE...ThingsIMustDoToRememberMyNewRelationshipWithMyself

YourlifeisGod'sgifttoyou.

WhatyoudowithyourlifeisyourgiftbacktoHim.

OralRoberts

APERSONALWORDFORYOU

IamtotallyconvincedofthehealingpowerofprayerasamightyinstrumentofGod'shealingforyou.Nothingcanshakemefromthisstrongbelief.Whenyouknow you are going to die and then something happens inside you and savesyourlife—thathappenedtome—that'sconvincing.IthankGodforit.

But I'm also just as convinced that doctors and medicine are part of God'shealing love to us. You see, I don't really care what instrument or deliverysystemGodusestobringhealingandsuccess—justsolongasitcomes.Right?IthankGodforthat.

Then,too,I'vehadtogetmyselfbythebootstrapsafewtimesanddosomethinginsidemyselftogetoutofmyowndeadlynegativeemotions.Andthat'sanotherone of God's instruments for healing—me improving my relationship withmyself.

CanyouimaginehowIstoodupandnearlyshoutedoutloudwhenforthefirsttimeIreallyunderstoodsomethingJesussaidalongtimeago...I'vebeenreadingitforyears...

I'vepreachedonit...butnowlistentoit!

"ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthystrength,andwithallthymind;andthyneighbourasthyself"(Luke10:27).

I've always thought of that as the love commandment, or "Golden Rule." Ithadn'treallydawnedonmewhatHewassayinguntilnow.

He'stellingyouandmetogetourrelationshipsright:

1)ourrelationshipwithGod.

2)ourrelationshipswithotherpeople.

3)ourrelationshipwithourself.

AndthereallyexcitingpartofthisisthatitispowerfulSeed-Faithworkingformytotalhealingandwell-being.

Forexample:

WhenIknowGodastheSourceofmytotalsupplyandlooktoHimforallmyneeds,I'vefinallygottenintoarightrelationshipwithHim.

WhenI'mreachingouttopeopleandhelpingthemfindanswers,andgivingfortheneedsofothersandlearningtoreceivefromGodthroughothers—that'stheplantingofpreciousseedtogrowintothemiraclesIneed.Andmyrelationshipisrightwithothers(myneighbor).

WhenIgetthingsstraightenedoutinsideme...whenI'mconfidentandfulloffaith thewayGod toldme tobeand I'mexpectingand receiving themiraclesthat are comingmy way every day, I've gotten into a right relationship withmyself.

CanyouimaginehowexcitedIamaboutthis?

GodismySource—IlooktoHim.

I'llplantaseed—Ireachouttoothers.

I'llexpectamiracle—I'mgettingwhatIneed.

That'sreallyhowIgotintoSeed-Faith,tomovemyownmountainofneed.Ihadtoplantaseedoutofthatneed—aseedtomatchmyneed.ThenGodsaid,"Ifyou'rereallylookingtoMeasyourSource,don'tworryaboutmountains.

JustbesuretoplanttheseedandI'llmovethemountain."

The seed will have in it the nature of an expanding force that breaks themountainupandreducesittoasizeyoucandealwith.

Talkaboutmountainsbeingmoved! Italso included thehills that stoodbeforeme! I found I could face seriously ill people and give them a hope forGod'shealing.IfoundIcouldbuildauniversity,startingwithnothing,evenwhentheexpertssaiditcouldnotbedoneandIdiditanyway,throughGod.

IhavefoundIcouldgoonnationwidetelevisioninprimetimeatatimewhenIwasatthelowestoffinancesandwhenIthoughtmyministrywascomingtoaclose.

WhatelsewouldIfind?

I foundweweregetting through topeople. I found Icoulddealwithapersonwith themost terrible problems you can imagine: sickness, spiritual,material,family, mental—you name it—and bring them into a position to receive amiracle.

IfoundIcouldcombineGod'shealinginstrumentsofprayerandmedicinewheneveryonesaiditwasnotpossible.Iwasevenabletobuildamedicalschoolthatturns out not only skilled physicians, but also physicians who are filled withGod'sloveforpeople.

WhatelsehaveIfound?

IhavefoundIcouldfacethestressandtheanxietyofdoingallthesethingsandat the same time live in better health. I have even received a major healingwithinmyownbodyby applying the principles ofSeed-Faith—that is, givingandgivingfirst.

Next,IfoundIcouldn'twaittosharethesethingswithyou.Iwantedtoputmyarms aroundyou and say, "Youcanhave better health. You can have success,andyoucanhaveitNOW."

That'swhenIgottheideatowritethisbook,forIknewitwasn'tenoughtosay,"Youcanhaveit."IknewIhadtotellyouhowtohaveit.

Godinsidemeissayingtoyou,"IknowthatIknowthatIknowthatIknowthatyoucangetyourmountainstomove.

Youcanhavetheverydesiresofyourheart.Youcanhavesuccessandgetintomiracle-living."

Ifyouareready,let'sgo!

StepNumberONE

YouwillbeingreatpositiontohavehealthandsuccessifyourrelationshipwithGodyourSourceisright.

AUTHOR'SNOTE:

Remember, be sure to read my PersonalWord before you begin reading thisbook.MyPersonalWordwillintroduceyoutohowandwhyIwroteit.

Chapter1

HOW YOU CAN RECEIVE THE GREATEST MIRACLE YOUCANEVERHAVE

IWillPutFirstThingsFirst

Chapter2

HOWYOUCANBECOMEAWAREOFSININYOURLIFE

IAmAwareOfMyNeedForANewLife

Chapter3

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT YOU ARE A SINNER, BUT IT IS IF YOUDON'TDOSOMETHINGABOUTIT

I Am On The Road To A New Life And Better Health Because Of GodMySource

Chapter4

HOWTOKNOWYOUAREBORNAGAINREGARDLESSOF YOURAGE

MyNewLifeWithGodCanStartWhereIAmRightNow

Chapter5

IN YOUR ILLNESS (DISEASE) YOU CAN GET IN APLACETHROUGHYOURSPIRITTOGETHEALING

RespondingToGodThroughMySpiritPutsMe InABetterPositionToReHealedInMyTotalBeing

Chapter6

YOUAREASPIRITUALBEINGANDTHESAVINGOFYOURSOULISYOURWHOLELIFERESPONDINGTOGOD

MyWholeLifeCanRespondToGod...ItStartsInMySpirit

Chapter7

HOWPRAYINGWITHYOURSPIRITANDYOURUNDERSTANDINGWILLBRINGYOUINTOCONSTANTBETTERHEALTH

MyNewRelationshipWithGodHasALanguageAllItsOwn

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERONE

StepNumber

TWO

Yourlifewillbecompletely

differentifyoulearntoplant

goodseedwithGodandwith

peopleyoulikeordislike.

Chapter1

WHENYOUDON'TLIKEGOD

YOUAREREALLYSAYING

YOUDON'TLIKEALWAYSTO

RECOGNIZEGODASYOUR

SOURCE

IWillLooktoGodAloneasMy

SourceandNottoPeople

Chapter2

page109

YOUMAYTHINKYOUDISLIKE

GODWHENTHETRUTHIS

YOUJUSTCANTSTAND

PEOPLE

IWillPrayForPeopleILikeor

DislikeBecauseGodLovesThemAll

Chapter3

page117

HOWAWHOLECHURCH

SOLVEDITSINSIDEPROBLEM

OFBITTERNESS

PrayingForSomeoneElseWillBegin

AHealingInMe

Chapter4

page123

HOWAPERSONALFRIEND

LOSTHISWAYANDFOUNDIT

AGAIN—ANDIFYOUFEELA

LITTLELOSTYOUCANFIND

YOURWAYTOO

ICanLiveMyLifeRightEveryDay

ThroughGodMySourceandMy

Strength

Chapter5

page131

YOUMAYPANICWHENYOU

REALLYSTARTPLANTING

SEEDBYREACHINGOUTTO

PEOPLE-BUTEVENWHEN

YOUPANICYOUCANEXPECT

AMIRACLE

EvenWhenItScaresMeIWillPlant

GoodSeedByReachingOutTo

Others

Chapter6

page139

HOWILEARNEDTOPLANT

GOODSEEDTHROUGH

OBEDIENCETOGODWHENHE

TOLDMETOTAKEHIS

HEALINGPOWERTOTHE

PEOPLE

ReachingOutToOthersIsMiracle

SeedIAmPlantingForMyOwn

HealingAndSuccess

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERTWO

StepNumberTHREE

Youcanexpectmanymiraclesforyourself ifyouhavearightrelationshipwithyourself...andwithGod.

Chapter1

HOWTOLOVEYOURSELFASGODLOVESYOUSOYOUCANLIVEINASTATEOFBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

IAmUsingMy InbornAbilityToBelieveAndExercisingMyFaithToGetWellAndStayWell

Chapter2

HOW TO AVOID WRONG BELIEVING THAT KEEPS YOU FROMBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

IValueEveryInstrumentOfHealing,AndLoveTheSourceOfItAll-God

Chapter3

WHETHER YOU FEELGOODENOUGH OR NOT YOU CAN STILLHAVEBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

IKnowJesusRecognizesMyHumanityAndWantsToHealMeBecauseIAmAnImportantPerson

Chapter4

HOWYOUCANFREEYOURSELFFROMTHEMYTHTHATEVERYBADTHINGHAPPENINGTOYOUISGOD'SPUNISHMENT

All Sickness Is From The Devil... All Healing Is From God—I AmBelievingGodForHisBest

Chapter5

HOWYOUCANKNOWGODLOVESYOUSOMUCHTHATHEWILLHEALYOUEVENTHOUGHYOUHAVEN'TBELIEVEDHEWOULD

IWillNot"FakeIt"AboutAnyIllness-IWill"FaithItThroughToHealing

Chapter6

WHILEYOUAREINYOURHUMANSKINYOUCANSTILLBREAKTHROUGHTOGOD'SDIVINEHEALINGPOWER

IHavea"FaithMiracleinMeEverySecondandIWillAcceptIt

Chapter7

NOWTOSUCCESSFULLYDEALWITHYOURDEADLYNEGATIVEEMOTIONS

I Am Looking For New Dimensions For My Faith And Love ToShineThroughToOthers

Chapter8

HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU NEED A PHYSICIANANDSUGGESTIONSONHOWANDWHENTOGOTOADOCTOR

GodUsesPrayerandPhysicianstoCompleteHisHealingLoveinMe

Chapter9

WHENTHEDOCTORSSAYTHEREISNOHOPEANDPRAYERHASAPPARENTLYFAILED—HOWTOFACETHEFUTURE

IFacetheFutureKnowingMyLifeisinGod'sGoodHands

Chapter10

THEDAYWHENYOUWILLBETOTALLYHEALED

TheResurrectionisGod'sPerfectandUltimateHealing

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERTHREE

INTRODUCTION

by

JamesE.Winslow,Jr.,M.D.

DeanoftheSchoolofMedicine

OralRobertsUniversity

WhenOralRobertstoldmehewaswritinganotherbook,Iaskedhimwhy.Hesaid tome, "Godhas put it inmyheart and I always try to obeyGod."Thenwhenhebegantotellmethatthebookwastodealwithhealth,IaskedhimifIcouldwritetheintroduction.

Inmy career as amedical doctor, I've never read anythingmore articulate inpurposeor in content than3Most Important Steps ToYourBetterHealthAndMiracle Living. It approaches the real problems of people who are sick andshowsthemhow,where,andwhentogethelp.

1. If youhaveaneed—physical, spiritual,mental, financial, or a lovedone inneed—read this book. I can't think of anyone I know who won't be helpedimmeasurablybythisbook.

2.Everydoctorshouldreadthisbook.IbelievethatifIcouldhaveknownwhat3Most ImportantStepsToYourBetterHealthAndMiracleLiving is saying, Icould have begun the practice ofmedicinewithmuchmore understanding ofpeople thathavephysicalneeds. Icouldhavebecomeamorecompleteperson

andseenpeopleascompletepersonsintermsoftheirneedsandmeetingthoseneeds.Inshort,Ibelieveitwouldhaveresultedinmybeingabetterphysician.Just as important, thisbook tells the readerhow tobeapatient. Iwishall thepatientsI'vehadthroughtheyearshadhadthechancetoreadit.

3.Ifyouareaminister,read3MostImportantStepsToYourBetterHealthAndMiracleLiving.Yourministryandworkwiththeneedsofpeoplewillneverbethesame.

4.Ifyoufaceanyproblematall inyourrelationshipwithGod,withothers,oreven with yourself, read 3 Most Important Steps To Your Better Health andMiracleLiving.

I have been privileged to work with Oral Roberts for five years now. I firstbecameinvolvedwiththeUniversitythroughmyloveforathleticsbyprovidingforthemedicalneedsoftheORUathleticprogram.ThenItreatedOralRobertsasapatient.Insomeofthoseraretimesofrelaxationhegets,weplaygolfandhehasundertakentocuremygolfgame—oneofhisveryfewfailuresinlife,butthereisstillhope.

I agreed to serve on the Board of Regents at Oral Roberts University, firstlistening with awe and wonderment to his dreams, and then realizing that hemeanteverywordhesaidaboutobeyingGodandbuildingamajoruniversityonthe Holy Spirit and under God's authority, with graduate schools includingmedicine.Itwasincredible,nearlyimpossible.I'velearnedbynow,yousee,tosaynearlyimpossible,becausesayingimpossibletoOralislikesayingsic'umtoawirybulldog.

Finally, I agreed toconducta study todeterminewhatwouldbenecessary forORUtostartitsownMedicalSchool.

Formore than a year, nearly everySaturdaymorning, he and I and others sataroundhisbreakfast tablediscussingtheMedicalSchoolproject.Onemorningwhen the planning process seemed to be bogged down, I said, "Oral, are yousureGodreallywantsyoutobuildamedicalschool?"

Hereplied,"Yes."AtlastwecalledEvelynintotheroom.

ShecangetOraltothekeyissuequickerandwithlesseffortthananyone.Shesaid, "Oral Roberts, are you positive that God told you to build thisMedical

School?"

AtthatOralstoodupandwithoutatraceofdoubtinhisvoicesimplysaid,"Godtoldmetodoit.Icanobeyordisobey.

I'vebeendisobedientatimeortwointhepastandIwillnotknowinglydisobeyGodagain.Imustbuildit.Ihopeyouallwillhelpme,butImustdoitwhetheryoudoornot."

Fromthatpointonitbecameonlyamatterofhow,notif,notwhy.Later,whenheaskedmetobecometheformativedeanoftheMedicalSchool,ImustconfessIstruggledwithmyself,withOral,andwithGodbeforeIfinallyagreed.ButIhad learned the secret to God's success through Oral Roberts—obedience toGod'sperfectwill.GoddoesnotusuallytelluswhatHiswillisforourlivesandthenallowustositdownandchooseeithertodoitornottodoit.WemustbewillingtoobeyGodevenbeforeweknowwhatHiswillis.That'swhatIseeinOralRobertstheperson—acontinualstrivingdaybydaytoobeyGod.

Whatdoes thisbookofferyou?3Most ImportantStepsToYourBetterHealthAndMiracleLivingtellsyouinapractical,usable,everydayform,thethemeofOralRoberts'ministry.

Godwantsyoutobewhole,i.e.,well.Anythingwhichremovesyoufromastateof harmony with God, your fellowman, or normal human function, may bedefinedasanillness.

For 30 yearsOral has been going about theworld praying for peoplewithoutregard to thenatureof their sickness. I'veneverknownaperson sopossessedwiththeurgencytoseepeoplehealedandtoliveinhealth.HebelievesGodisconcernedforallyourneedsandheisexcitedaboutit.HebelievesGodwantsyoutohavespiritualhealth,tohaveemotionalhealth,tohavephysicalhealth,tobefinanciallysound,tohavegoodhumanrelationships,tohaveagoodjob,tobeabletoearnyourway.HeisdeterminedtoobeyGod'scommandtocarryallofGod's healing power to his generation. God doesn't say some of His healingpowerorjustpartofit.

SinceallhealingoriginateswithGod, justasdoeseverygoodandperfectgift,God intends forallHis healing power to go toallHis people.As children ofGod,weareentitledtothathealing.

Godutilizesmanymethodsor delivery systems to bringHis healingpower tobear on our ailments.No one canmeasure or even comprehend the power ofprayer.Yetprayerdoesnotheal,neitherdoestheonewhoprays;butGodaloneheals. Prayer puts the person who needs healing in position to be healed. Itcreates theproperconditionrequiredfor theoperationofGod'shealingpower.WewhoworkwithOralRobertsseethisinhisministryandashepraysforthehealingofpeople.Godalsousesphysicians,dentists,andnursestodeliverHishealing power. Yet neither they, their surgery, their medicine, nor their othertreatmentscanheal.

TheycanonlycreatethebestpossibleconditionsinwhichGod'shealingpowercan function. Likewise, expressions of concern which one person shows foranotherpersonpromotehealing.

IamcontinuallyamazedthatIstillhearpeoplewhoaresickaskthemselvesoutloud,"ShallweprayformyhealingorshallIgotothedoctor?"Whyshouldn'ttheydoboth?GodwantstoprovideuswithallHishealingpower,notjustpartof it.We have no right to limitGod to one system or to another, particularlysinceHewantstohealus.

The chapters in this bookdemonstrate in very real termshowGodbringsHishealingtopeoplethroughdifferentinstruments.Totheonedesperateforhealing,theinstrumentbecomeslessimportantthandoesthehealing.Inthesepages,thisgeneration'sbestauthorityonhealingforthewholepersontellsyouhowtogetintopositionforyourhealing.Ihopeasyoureadityouwillbehelpedtodirectyourspirit,mind,andbodytowardtotalhealingforyouandyourfamily.

Thisis,Ibelieve,whatOralRobertswantsmorethananythingintheworld,andIdotoo.

AUTHOR'SNOTE:

Remember,besuretoreadmyPersonalWordbeforeyoubeginreadingthisbook.MyPersonalWordwillintroduceyoutohowandwhyIwroteit.

StepNumberONE

YouwillbeingreatpositiontohavehealthandsuccessifyourrelationshipwithGodyourSourceisright.

AUTHOR'SNOTE:

Remember,besuretoreadmyPersonalWordbeforeyoubeginreadingthisbook.MyPersonalWordwillintroduceyoutohowandwhyIwroteit.

Chapter1

HOW YOU CAN RECEIVE THE GREATEST MIRACLE YOUCANEVERHAVE

IWillPutFirstThingsFirst

Ithinkjustabouteverybodyhascomeacrosstheterms,

"getting saved," "receiving forgiveness of sins," "being born again," "havingpersonalsalvation."

Ifyouhaven'tyouwill,oratleasttheirequivalent.

I'vegonethroughthismyself.I'vegonethroughitwiththousandsofothers,andstilldo.

Speakingveryfrankly,gettingyoursoulsavedandcontinuing thatkindof lifethroughyour lifespanwill leadyoutowhatIhavesooftensaid is thegreatestmiracleyouwilleverexperience.

Imean the saving of your soul is the saving of you. It is your own personalsalvation given to you fromGod.You are very important and Jesus says, "Yemustbebornagain"(John3:7).

Noiforhope-soormaybe-so—youmust!

Better health andmiracle-living are not accidents, although some peoplemayappeartohavehealthwhentheirlife-styleisagainstGod.Butbetterhealthandmiracle-living is much more than the physical health some have. I'm talkingabouttotalwell-being—inthenow...intheforever.

FIRSTTHINGSFIRST

Jesussaid,"Itisbetterfortheetoenterhaltintolife,thanhavingtwofeettobecastintohell,intothefirethatnevershallbequenched"(Mark9:45).

Bythat,Jesusdoesn'tmeanthatthemembersofyourbody,oryourmind,arenotimportant,butHeseekstohelpyouputyourprioritiesstraight.Firstthingsfirst.

Hetellsyou thatyourspirit is themost importantpartofyou,and thehealingand restoration of the spirit—from the disease of sin—is yourmost importanthealing.

MYPARENTSANDME

Myparentshadasenseofsinandtheytriedtotransmitthistome.TheyhadahardtimeconvincingmethatsinwasthenameofsomethingsIwasdoing,thatIwasasinner.

Me,asinner?

HowcouldI,ateen-ager,beasinner?WhathadIdone?

They kept saying, "Son, you must understand life from God's viewpoint, notyourown."

They would read the Bible and have me listen. One verse made such animpressionIcanstillquoteitfrommemory:

"But your iniquities have separatedbetweenyou andyourGod, andyour sinshavehidhisfacefromyou,thathewillnothear"(Isaiah59:2).

AnotherwasastoryJesustoldabouttwomen—oneself-righteous,tellinghowgood hewas and that therewas nothing in his life that needed changing; theother recognized his lifewas not so good.Thismanbowedhis head and saidsimply,

"God,bemercifultomeasinner"(Luke18:13).JesussaiditwasthismanwhoreceivedGod'sapprovalandsalvation,not theotherman.That, too, impressedme.

Asateen-agerebel,evenafterIwaslonggonefromparents,church,andGod(orsoIthought),IrememberedthesethingsfromtheBible.Iwasable,however,toputthemfrommymind.MysinsseparatedmefromGod.

Consequently, God's face was hidden fromme. AndHewouldn't hearme solongasIpersistedinignoringHim.Iwasasinnerbutthesethingsdidn'tmaketheimpactmyparentshadhoped.

TherewassomethingthathappenedtomethatinhindsightIcanseewasadirectresultofmyparents'concernformysoul,andit'sthis:Asortofbroodingfeelingwouldariseinmefromtimetotime,asifIknewtherewassomethingimportantIshouldactonandwouldn't,andhadnointentionofdoing.

IbecameawareofGodbutdidn'tdesireHim.Whatmyparentshadsaid,whichwasbasedontheBible,wastrue.IfIdidchangeinwardlyandletGoddirectmylife it would be wonderful to them, but that didn't fit my personal plans anddreams.

ITURNEDGODOFF

Afalsepictureofalifesavedfromsinpresenteditselftomymind.Thestrongdream of becoming a lawyer and, ultimately, governor of Oklahoma seemedtotally unattainable if I were to become a saved person, so I turned off allfeelingsforGod.However,Hedidn'tturnHisoffforme.Istillfeltthathauntingfeeling inside that I should admit I was a sinner; I should ask for God'sforgivenessandforpersonalsalvation.ButIdidn'taskbecauseIdidn'twantto.Ididn'tfeeltheneedto.

I remember one day it was like God and I were in a room all alone. In myimaginationIwasfacingHim.Ifeltcrowded,uncomfortable,resentful,cheatedthatwhatIwasdreamingmightnever,neverhappen.Crushedinmyspiritoverit,Ifairlyshouted,"God,getoutofmylife.Letmealone."

GODLETMEALONE

I thought that ended it since I felt a sortof release.As timeworeon I slowlybecameawareofahappeninginsideme.

Godhadgottenoutofmylife.Hehadletmealone.

Atfirst,Ithought,great!Thenitwasn'tsogood.Itwasaneeriekindoffeeling.

Godhadletmebeonmyown,togoitalone.NowIwasn'tsosureIwanteditlikethis.

As a 17-year-old it hadn't occurred to me that people died, except very oldpeople.MygrandfatherRobertshaddiedat84,butthatwasanagemanytimesmyownanditseemedlikeaneternity.

Butyoungpeopledodie,evenchildren.Theredoesn'tseemtobeanyguaranteethatanyonewon'tdieatanyage—young,middle-age,orold.Peopledie.

Well,soonafterwardIbecameveryillandinweekswasfacingwhatseemedasureearlydeath.

Nowyoucanthinkorsaywhatyouwant,butIcanassureyoulifecangetveryreal,veryquickly...

WhenIlaysomanydaysuponthebed,unabletoriseandgettingworseinsteadofbetter,myparentswerefullofanguishandconcern.

Papawouldurgeme to repent andget saved so I couldgo toheaven. I didn'tknowwhatitmeanttorepent,togetsaved,andIcertainlydidn'twanttogotoheaven,anywaynotthen.

ThefactwasthatPapaknewIwasfacingcertaindeathandhewantedhisbabyboy to be in condition for his soul to go to heaven when his body died. Hewantedthecircletobeunbrokeninheavenforhisfamily.

Mamawouldsay,"Oral,pray,pray."

"Idon'tknowhowtopray,Mama,"Iwouldreply.

Thiswentonuntilonemorningshesaidinabrighttoneofvoice,"Oh,son,youdon't have to knowhow to pray. Just openyour heart and talk toGod as youwouldtomeortoPapa.TellHimyouaresorry,thenbelieveHehearsyou.Godwilldotherest."

AlthoughIdidn'trespondthatday,Iheardwhatshesaid,"Son,youdon'thavetoknowhowtopray—justtalktoGod..."

Thathithomeandmadealotofsense.

NowbeforewegoanyfurtherIwantyoutodoTWOthings:

1.ReadthisScripture:

"Butyour iniquitieshaveseparatedbetweenyouandyourGod,andyoursinshavehidhisfacefromyou,thathewillnothear"(Isaiah59:2).

2. Then say the Key Issue: "I WILL PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST bybeginningtoreadandstudytheScripturesothatIcanlearnhowtoreceivethegreatestmiracleofmylife."

IWillPutFirstThingsFirst

Now,let'sgotothenextpage.

Chapter2

HOWYOUCANBECOMEAWAREOFSININYOURLIFE

IAmAwareOfMyNeedForANewLife

Twothingshappenedthatbroughtmetoadecision.

Thesetwothingsmayseemuniquetomebuttheyreallyaren't,asyouwillsee.

At that time I hadmade no connection with being saved from sin and beinghealedoftuberculosisandmystammering.Idon't thinkmyparentshad.Therewasat that time(in the thinkingofmanypeople)quiteaseparationspirituallybetweenthesavingof thesoul,andacurecomingtoone'sphysicalbody.Youprayed toGodforyoursoul,andyouwent to thedoctor foryourbody.Betterhealth and miracle-living didn't seem to go with salvation. The possibility ofmiracleswaspooh-poohedandlittleornoneofitwastaughteitherbyreligionormedicine.

Inaway,itdidn'tseemagoodtimetogetsaved,noragoodtimetoturnoneselfover to doctors. The distance and misunderstanding between them were toogreat,andIwascaughtinthemiddle.Still,bothwerelegitimate—theyneededonly togeta littlecloser together,especially forpersons likemewhourgentlyneededboth.

IWASN'TGOINGTOMAKEIT

ThefirstthingthatIsawwasIwasn'tgoingtomakeit.IfwhatmyparentstoldmeaboutmyneedofGodandGod'swillingness to savemewere true, then Ishouldgetseriousaboutit.

Thesenseofsinthoughhadnothitme,andIdiscoveredthatwithoutitIcouldn'tconcedeIwasasinner.

Thiswas takencareof inanunexpectedway.Whilemyparentsgatherednearmybedinfamilyprayer,withtheburdenoftheirprayerforme,IlookedupintoPapa'sfaceandwhatappearedtomeinhiscountenanceturnedmearound.

I thought I saw JesusChrist inmy father's face.The seeming imageofChristshoneandmymind, throughmyeyes, saw it. Iburst into tears.ThatapparentvisionoftheManofGalileewassorealtomysensesthatinvoluntarilyIcalledout, "OGod, come intomy life; savemy soul." The sense of sinwas onmeunexplainablybutclear.MomentslaterthepresenceofGodcameoverme.IfeltthatGodacceptedme;Ifeltnewandrenewedinside.

HOWTOOPENYOURSELFTOCHRIST

Havinganeed,andseeingsomethingofChristinanotherpersonthatgivesoneapersonal sense of his sins, are the two things I believe must happen beforeanyone iswilling to think seriously about getting saved, or receivingwhatweknowissalvation.

Idon'tmeananeednecessarilylikemine,whichhappenedtobeadirectneedofphysicalhealing.NordoImeanonehastohavesomekindofspiritualvisionofChrist,asIdid.Buteverybodyhasaneedandeverybody,Iamconvinced,willhavesomeexperienceofGod in thePersonofChrist that is real to them.Thewayithappensisnotasimportantasthatitdoeshappen.Inotherwords,whenyouopenyourmindtoChristHewillmakehimselfknowntoyou.

Youcandependonithappening—toyou.

THEOLDSHEPHERDSAWTHEGLORY

It'slikethesummerdayagreatscientistwentupintotheScottishmountainstostudy a particular flower that was blooming at that time in all its glory. Hewantedtolookatitthroughhismicroscopewithoutpickingitinordertoseeitinallitsperfection.Hekneltdown,adjustedhismicroscope,andsoonwasrevelingintheflower'sdelicatecolorandbeauty.

Hewasstillinthispositionafewminuteslaterwhenashadowfellacrosshim.Lookingup,hesawanoldHighlandshepherdwatchinghim.Withoutsayingaword,thescientistpickedtheflowerandhandedit,withthemicroscope,totheshepherdsothathetoocouldseethebeautifulsight.Astheoldshepherdlooked,tearsbeganstreamingdownhisface.

Then,handingtheflowerbackverytenderly,hesaid,"Man,Iwishyou'dnevershownmethat."

"Why?"askedthescientist,puzzled.

"Because," he said, "these rude feet of mine have trodden on them so manytimes."

SomethinglikethishasgottohappentoyouconcerningChristandHisgloryforyourlife;anditwill,Icanassureyou.

That'swhenyou,likeme,wanttogetanewheart.

THEFIRSTHEARTTRANSPLANT

ThefirsttimeIwasontheJohnnyCarsontelevisionshowIfollowedaspecialguest, the famous heart transplant surgeon, Dr. Christian Barnard of SouthAfrica. In the interview, Johnny asked Dr. Barnard what had been his mostexcitingexperienceinrelationtohiswork.

Dr.Barnardsaid,"IbelievethegreatestexperienceofallhappenedonedayasIwasmakingapostoperativecheckupononeofmypatients.Hesaid, 'Doctor,Iwonderifyouwouldletmeseemyoldheart.Ithinkitwouldhelpmyattitude.'Itwasanunusualrequest,butIconsented.Soonattendantswheeledinabigcartonwhichwasaglassjarcontainingtheman'sheart."

Dr. Barnard said, "I tookmy pen and pointed to the problem area of his oldheart. 'This',Itoldhim,'iswhatwouldhavekilledyouifyouhadn'treceivedanew heart.' The patient looked up and said with such gratitude, 'Doc, I'msogratefulyou tookout thatoldheart thatwaskillingmeandgavemeanewheart!'"

That line expresses so aptly the joy of all those who receive a new heart—aspiritualtransformation—fromtheGreatPhysician,JesusChrist!

Mynewspiritualheartmeantmyspiritwasreborn.Theterm,"respondingfirstthroughyourspirit,"hadnotcometomethenbutthat'sexactlywhatIdid.Fromdeepwithin I felthope that Iwould liveandnotdiewith thedisease thatwasdestroying me. Remarkable events began happening to me: my sister Jewelcoming and saying, "Oral,God is going to heal you"—sevenmagicwords, tome.MybrotherElmercomingtopickmeupandcarrymeforhealingprayers.MybeingtouchedbyChrist'shealinghandsforanewbeginningoflife.

ThegospelofJesusChristmyparentshadsofaithfullytriedtogivemefinallypaidoff—BIG.

PERSONAL SALVATION IS A POWERFUL STIMULANTTOWARDBETTERHEALTH

It isavery interestingfact thatmedicalsciencehasbegunto takesteps in thisdirection; at least it's talked about openly that thepreachingof thegospel canproduceawholesomechangeinaperson'slife.

I recently read a book by Dr. Karl Menninger, the famous psychiatrist fromTopeka,Kansas.Inthisbook,WhateverBecameofSin?Dr.Menningersaid,ineffect, that we have lost our sense of sin, that the gospel is no longer beingpreachedtotheextentthatpeopleareawareofsin.Hesayswithoutthissenseofsintherecanbenofullhealingofthehumanpersonality.Becausewhenapersonis engaged in wrong—such as being filled with bitterness, having hate in hisheart,orstrikingatGod—andhefeelsnoawarenessthatheisdoingwrong,itisadeadlydeterrenttohealth.

THEHEALINGPROCESS

Dr.Menningersays that forpeaceofmindwemustrecapture the senseof sin.Menmust repent and receiveGod's forgiveness for their sins. Jesus has beensaying that for a long time— that in the healing process there must beforgiveness.Ifthereissomethingwronginsidewe'vegottogetitout.

Thehardest part is to becomeaware that youneed saving, to admit you are asinner, and that you are saved by aPerson, only by aPerson and only by thePersonofJesusChrist.Thisbeginswithfeelingasenseofsin.

HOWTODEALWITHSININYOURLIFE

Youwillhearmesayagainandagain,God'sgreatestmiracleisbeingsaved.

Wehearpeoplesay:

"Theoperationsavedme."

"IwasinanaccidentbutIwassaved."

"Icameoutofitandnoweverythingisgoingtobeallright."

Theymean,ofcourse,comingthroughsomebadincident.

WhatImeanaboutbeingsavedismorethanthat,muchmore.

I mean the saving of your S-O-U-L. Your inner self made in the image andlikenessofGod.Yourspiritwhichiswhatyouareandwhichneedsanewbirth.Reallyyourtotalselfbeingsaved.

Soyoucanbecomeawareofasenseofsininyourlife,Iwantyoutorepeatthesefourspecificthings.Saythemoutloud.

1.Iamawareofmyneedforanewlife.

2.IwillpraythatIwillseeChristreflectedinanotherperson'slife.

3.Tobe aware of a sense of sin anddosomethingabout it canbring fullhealingofmywholeperson.

4. Inmy healing process, I will beginpracticing forgiveness because thisopensmeuptomyhealing.

IAmAwareofMyNeedforaNewLife

Now,let'sgoon.

Chapter3

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT YOU ARE A SINNER, BUT IT IS IFYOUDON'TDOSOMETHINGABOUTIT

IAmOnTheRoadToANewLifeAndBetterHealthBecauseOfGodMySource

I'moftenasked,"ButhowdoIknowIamasinner?"

Thinkofbeingasin-ner.WhenyoudisobeyGod,youhavesinned.Disobeyingand being sorry for it so that you ask forgiveness and begin anew withdetermination to joyously obey God is one thing; to disobey and keep ondisobeying—thatisnotonlysin,itmakesyouasinnerorsin-ner.

TheBibleteachesthatyouarebornwiththisabilityanddesiretosin.Throughyourpowerof choiceyouveryearlybegana seriesof rebellionsagainstGod.Fortunately,somerecognizethisasanexperienceofyouthandasanadolescent,change;othershardeninitandbecomeasin-ner.

Asin-nerreachesthepointinhischoiceofthekindoflifehewilllive,thatheisgoingtolivehisway,dohisthing,withoutcallingonGodandwithoutlookingtoGodashisSource.Hegoesastepfurtherbydecidingheisgoingtodothisinhislifeandcarryitwithhimintodeath.FromGod'sviewpoint,hehas"hardenedhisheart.'

ASIN-NERHASTWOCHOICES

One,hecanrealizetheBible'swaytosalvation,"Nowisthedayofsalvation"(2Corinthians6:2),so"hardennotyourhearts"(Hebrews3:8).

Two,hecancontinuekeepinghisspiritdownbylivingonlyinhisintellectandphysicalsenses,whichisindirectdisobedienceandoppositiontothewayGodcreatedman.

Ifhetakesthefirstchoice,asIdid(anddoeveryday),hewillrecognizehisactsofdisobedienceas sin, andwill eventuallycome to thepointof "changinghismind,"whichiswhatrepentanceis.Hewillchangehismindabouttryingtorun

hislifewithhisintellectandphysicalsensesandreturntohisspirit,ortohimselfasaspiritualbeing.LiketheprodigalsonJesusreferstoinLuke15,who"whenhecametohimself,andsaid...Iwillariseandgotomyfather,andwillsayuntohim ... Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight," hewill do thesame thingand find theFather lovinglywaiting to receivehimand restorehisspirittoitsproperplaceofgoverninghislife.ThisplaceshismindandbodyintheirproperplaceandcreatesthenewmaninChristJesus—thewholeman,orthefullhumanbeingagain.

If he chooses the second step which is to continue in sin until his heart ishardened,makinghimasin-ner,thenHewillhaveNOSOURCEforhislifeonearth.Hewillbe like themanwhosemarriagewas in trouble,alsohismorals,andinaskingformyhelp,heardmetellhimaboutJesusbeingabletoworkouthis problems, said, "But, Oral, what does this guy Jesus have to do with itanyway?"

"Jesushaseverythingtodowithit!"Ireplied.

"Why?"heasked.

"BecauseHeisyourSaviorANDYOURSOURCE.

WithoutHiminyourlife,andwithoutyourlookingtoHimastheSourceofyourtotalsupply,youhavecutyourselfofffromGodlikealimbiscutofffromthetree.

"Oh,"hesaid,"I'mgladyouexplaineditthatway.Ihadn'tthoughtofitthatwaybefore."

NotonlydoyouhavenoSourcebutatdeathyouwillhavecarriedbeingasin-nerintodeathandthejudgment.

Remember,Godsaid, "It is appointeduntomenonce todie, andafter this thejudgment"(Hebrews9:27).

ASTORYOFTWOBROTHERS

Ireadabouttwobrotherssometimeago.Oneofthemwasafair,just,andhard-workingman.Theotherbrotherwasane'er-do-wellwhowasalwaysgettingintotrouble.However,heknewhecouldalwaysdependonthestablebrothertoget

him out of his troubles. He'd helped him so many times that one day thewaywardbrotherdecidedthatnomatterwhathedidhisgoodbrothercouldgethimout.

Yearspassedandthewaywardbrothercontinuedtosin,payinglittleattentiontohis brother's life and the things he was accomplishing. Among theseaccomplishmentswasthathehadbecomeajudge.

Finallythewaywardbrotherwasapprehendedagainandbroughtintocourt.Ashesatdownhe lookedupand therewas the judgecoming to thebench inhisjudicialrobes.Herecognizedthatthejudgewashisownbrotherwhohadalwaysgottenhimoutoftrouble.Quicklyhebegantosignalwithhishands.Franticallyhemotionedto thejudge—"Rememberme,I'myourbrother.I'myourbrother!Lookoverhereandgetmeout—I'myourbrother!"

But thebrotherwhohadbecomea judge lookedathimashewouldanyothermanbroughtintocourt.Eventuallythetrialwasoverandthejudgepronouncedsentenceonhisownbrother. Itwas the first time thecourthadseen the judgeshedtears.Astheauthoritiestookthecondemnedmanawayheshouted,"ButIamyour brother—andyou aremy brother—you always gotme out of troublebefore."

Thejudge,withtearsstreamingdownhischeeks,said,

"Yes. Yesterday I was your brother but today I am your judge." And that'sexactlythewayitiswithyouandChrist.

Today He is here to save you. But if you continue going in your ownways,rejectingtherepeatedmerciesofChristtoyou,thenonedayyouwillfaceHiminthepositionthatHemustassume—youreternaljudgeinjusticeaccordingtoyoursins.

YOUAREIMPORTANT

Letmetellyou,neitheryounorIdealwithsomethingcasualandunimportantwhenwedealwithourlives.TheBiblesays,"Godisnotaman,thatheshouldlie"(Numbers23:19).

Goddoesn'tlie.TheBibleisHisrevealedWord.ItisthetruthaboutGod,aboutman,aboutlife,aboutdeath,andthejudgment.Ivalueitaboveallbooks.AsI

saidaboutthelibraryatOralRobertsUniversitywhenweopenedin1965,

"TheORUlibraryhas tensof thousandsofbooks,newandold,andwillhavemany more over the years. These books will contain much of the knownknowledgeofman.ButthereisoneBookthatisgreaterthanallthebooksofthislibrary,orof thewholeworld. It's theHolyBible. It'sourkeybook,central toour existence and operation as a university, and central to the success of ourpersonallives."

Iadded,"Ifwewereabletoteachourstudentsalltheknowledgecontainedinallthe books and periodicals in our library, it would never be enough. Thisknowledgemight stimulate their intellect but only theBible can fully nourishtheirspiritualbeings.IfwecanbegininourspiritwiththeBible,andworkfromitintothesegreatpublicationsofman'sknowledge,wewillfulfillourreasonforbeingauniversity—

toeducatethewholeman."

I believed that in 1965 in our beginning. I believe it more today as we haveaddedourmedical,dental,law,business,andothercollegestotheOralRobertsUniversity.

ThetwogreatestthingsabouttheBibleforyouinapracticalwayisthatitgivesyoutheManChristJesuswhois...

theWay,

theTruth,

andtheLife

(John14:6).

And it gives you Seed-Faith,making your life a seed you plant,which is thegivingofyourselfinloveandconcernasJesusdoes.Seed-Faithenablesyouto:(1)loveGodbymakingHimyourLordandyourSource;(2)loveyourneighborasyouloveyourself;Seed-Faithproducesmiracleharvestsbackintheformofyour needs so that what St. Paul says literally happens, "But my God shallsupply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"(Philippians4:19);(3)expectamiraclefromyourseedsown,knowingGodyour

Sourcehasa"dueseason"foryoutoreapyourmiracleharvest(Galatians6:9).Icannot overemphasize the value to your health in Seed-Faith living. In apowerful,positivewayittoucheseverypartofyourlife—everyday.

STEPSINBEINGBORNAGAIN

I know as you read this book youwillwant a new life.Youwant to be bornagainandtoknowit.Youwanttoknowthestepstotake.

First,cometothepointinyourlifethatyourecognizeyouarecommittingsinsand are a sinner, for "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"(Romans3:23).ThiswillleadyoutotheSavior;ifyoudon'trecognizeyouareasinner,itwillleadyouintobecomingasin-ner,meaningyouwillcarryyoursinsintodeathandintothejudgment.Youwillhavemadeupyourmindtobeasin-nerforever.Ifyoudothis,theBibletellsyouthatyouwillbeforeverlost;youwillchoosetogotohell.Therewillbenorecourse,youwillgotohell.AndyouwillgotherenotbyGod'schoice,sinceHegaveHisonlybegottenSonthatyoushouldbesavedandnotbelost.No.

Youwill go there only if you choose to rejectGod and go there because youwanttogothere.Itwillbeyourownchoice.

NowI'mnotahellfireandbrimstonepreacher.ButIassureyouIrespectthefactofahell.IaminfluencedbyitandIdon'tintendtohavehellinmewhileIliveonearth,nordoIintendtogotohellafterdeath.

So it'svery important thatyouseeyourselfasyouare,a sinneron theway tobecoming irrevocably a sin-ner (one who continues to sin and who rejectssalvation).

WhenI realizedIwasasinner, thatwasmyfirststep toGod. It ledmeto thesinner'sprayerwhichJesusindicatedis,Lord,bemercifultomeasinner,andinthatmomentIprayedthosewordsandaskedChristtosaveme.

Second,tellGodyouwantHimasyourSavior,asyourSource.Youcanonlydothis sincerelywhenyou recognize thatyouneedHim, thatyouknowonlyHecansaveyouandbetheSourceofyourtotalsupply.

WantingGodisaprocessofabsorbing—it'sfindingyouareabsorbingHimasapersonintoyourspiritandintoyourmindandbody—intoyourselfasaPerson.

Third,receiveChrist,receiveHimasaPerson.Youhavebeen"getting"ortryingtoallyour life.Butreceiving in this sense isdifferent fromgettingorbeingagetter.It'salittlemoredifficult,inaway,toreceive.Saying"I'llgetthisguy"or,"I'llgetthisthing"or,"I'llgetthisdeal,"isnotthesameas,"I'llreceiveChristintomyheartasmypersonalSaviorandSource."

Inreceiving,youhavefirstgiven.Whatdoyougive?YougiveyoursinstoGod,you giveHim your pastmistakes, you giveHim all your past.You giveHimtoday.Then you determine youwill giveHimyour entire future. Forever andeveryouaregivingyourselftoGod.Thatis,you'llbestrivingtogiveyourselfdaily toHim.Yourstart isaonetimethingbutyourcontinuing ismore; it isacontinuousseriesoflovingbygivingyourself.You'llfindnewwaystoloveorgiveofyourself.ThisistrueSeed-Faithliving.

It'sinthisspiritofgivingtoHimthatyourseedoffaithisplanted,andfromthisplantingyouwillRECEIVE.YoureceivetheLivingChrist,thegreatestmiracleofall.HecomesinandyoureceiveHimnotasaguestbutasyourSaviorandLord... andasyourSource. Inavery real sense it is important toyou todailyreceiveChrist.

ThemosthelpfulthingtomeinhavinggivenmyselfandmysinstoGodisthatImeantit.ThestartImadeat17wasarealdecisionImade.ItwassomethingIfelttothecoreofmybeing.Itwasnoflashin-the-pankindofthing.ThesinnerhadbeenchangedtoaChristian.Christian,Iamtold,means"littleChrist!'WeareremadeinHisimageandlikeness.

Christianmeanswewill carryHim in us through life, and into death and theresurrectionandlifewithHimforever.

Fourth,recognize in theprocessofChrist'sgivingyouanewbirth, takingyouintoHimandbringinghimselfintoyou,ofsavingyoursoul—inallthis,itistheworkoftheHolySpiritwhobringsChristintoyourbeing.

WhoistheHolySpirit?TheHolySpiritistheother"Comforter"(John14:16).He is the One whom Christ said He would send back to replace His ownphysicalpresenceonearth.TheHolySpirit isChrist comingback inHisowninvisible,unlimitedformto(live)"in"youandtoabide"with"youforever(John14:16,17).

You see, God is one God. "O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord"

(Deuteronomy6:4).WhenwecallHimFather,Son,andHolySpirit—theHolyTrinity—we are not saying He is three Gods. He is simply God... GodmanifestinghimselfastheFatherwithaspecificworktodo,astheSonwithaspecificworktodo,andastheHolySpiritwithaspecificworktodo.

Asanexample,let'stakewater.Itcanmanifestitselfinthreeways:asliquid,asice,orasvapor.Butitisstillwater.

SONOFGOD

ThesameistrueofGod.AsGodlovingus,Hecametoearthas theSon tobebornofawoman,tobecomeahumanbeingand(1)toshowuswhatHe(God)islike:lovingandgood,(2)tositwherewesit,feelwhatwefeel,gothroughallweexperience,andshowus theway through it, and (3) togivehimselfas thedivineseedonthecrossforoursins,thatseedbecomingthemiracleharvestoftheresurrectionsothatwe,too,willrisefromthedeadandliveforever.

HOLYSPIRIT

AfterChristdivestedhimselfofHishumanbodybybeingraisedfromthedeadandascendingbacktoheaven,HeprayedtheFathertosendtheHolySpirit.SotheFathermanifestedhimselfastheHolySpirit—notastheSoninthefleshbutSpiritwhichHeis—whocomesintoourspirit.

Remember,Godoriginallymademanaspirit.Hedidn'tmakehimmindorbodyonly.Hemadehimalivingsoulandgavehimamindandbody.

SoHolySpiritisGodhimself,butwithoutthelimitationsofthehumanbodyofJesuswhichwaslimitedtotime,tospace,andtodeath,aseachofusis.Tobewithout these limitationsHe isnowinvisible (and inus)where theycannevercrucifyHimagain.Heisalsounlimitedsothattime,space,ordeathcannevertouchHimagain.Therefore,theHolySpiritinyouisinvisible;Heisunlimited.Thisputsyouintomiracleliving.Itmakesall thingspossibletoyou(Matthew17:20). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is Christ returned in Hisinvisible,unlimitedforminyou,youareinpositiontoenterintomiracle-living.YouhaveGod'soriginalbasisonwhichtohavebetterhealthforyourtotalbeing.

Thisiswhyseekinghealthismisleading.Youdon'tseekhealth,whichisathing,you seek God who is the Source of your health. You don't go to a doctorexpectinghimtobethesourceofgivingyouhealth.GodisyourSourceandthe

doctorisoneoftheinstrumentsHeusesforhealth,andmedicineisoneofGod'sdelivery systems for your health care.But the Source of both, the skill of thedoctorandthehealingpropertiesofthemedicineISGOD!

Onceyougetthispointclearinyourmind—thatyoustartwithGodyourSourceand then seek the help of His instruments such as prayer, or medicine, or acombination of both, then you are on the right road to better health in everyaspectofyourlife.

Thesameistrueinregardtothechurch.Youdon'tattendthechurchserviceasanendinitself;ittooisanextensionoftheLivingChristthroughtheHolySpirit—it's like taking your car to a service station, not to park it but to have itservicedtocarryyouwhereyouneedtogo.

NothingisaSourcebutG-O-D.Sayit,"GodismySource!'

Hereiswhatyoucandoifyounolongerwanttobeasinner:

1.Recognizeyouareasinner—sayit:"IAM

A SINNER. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"(Romans3:23).

2.TellGodyouwantHimasyourSaviorandSourceforyour life.Say it:"God,IwantYouastheSaviorandSourceformylife.”

3.ReceiveChristasaPersonbygivingHimyoursins.ThengiveHimyourfuture—ALL

ofit.Sayit:"IgiveYoumysins—IgiveYoumyfuture,ALLofit"

4.RecognizethatreceivingChrististheworkoftheHolySpiritinyourlife(John 15:26). Say it: "I recognize theHoly Spirit as theOne who bringsChristintomylife."

IamontheRoadtoaNewLifeandBetterHealthBecauseofGodMySource

Chapter4

HOW TO KNOW YOU ARE BORN AGAIN REGARDLESS OFYOURAGE

MyNewLifeWithGodCanStartWhereIAmRightNow

Hewasanoldmannow,nearly84. Ihad readabookabouthim,howhehadfacedadversityofalmosteverykindtorisefromalaboreratasawmilltoagiantin the furniture-making industry. He had many plants and thousands ofemployeeswhohadgreataffection for themanwhoprovided themwithworkand a generous profit-sharing plan.His sonswere outstanding—one in publiclife,oneheadingtheoperationsoftheplants,theothersdoingwell.

Thismanwasknownforhisgenerousspiritandwaswellthoughtofbymany.

We started getting letters fromhim two or three years ago inwhich he statedappreciationforour televisionministry,andhowhis inner lifewas inspiredbymysermonsandprayersbothontelevisionandinmybooks.

OnedayIappearedinacertainareawhen,asIwalkedintothebuilding,amansaid,"You'reOralRoberts,aren'tyou?"Isaid,"Yes,Iam.""Well,there'samanonthephonehereaskingforyou,"andhehandedmethereceiver.

Thevoiceontheotherendsaid,"Dr.Roberts?"

"Yes?"

"Iam..."andhetoldmehisname.

"Yes?"

"YourememberI'vebeenwritingtoyouforyourprayers."

"I remember a person by that name but I don't believe I have met youpersonally."

"Youhavenot,andthatistheobjectofmyphonecall.IfeelelatedIreachedyoulikethissinceIhadahunchtocallyouatthisphone,notknowingforsureifyou

wouldbethere...butyouare."

"WhatcanIdoforyou?"

"Youcanprayforme."

"I'vebeendoingthat."

"Well, I'monly a short distance away andmy son is standingby todriveme.WouldyouprayformeifIcome?"

"Certainly,"Isaid,"justbehereinaboutahalfhourandwe'llfindaquietcornerfortheprayer."

Whenwemet,Isawamanwholookedlikeamanofstrengthandcourage.Forhisyearsheappearedhealthy.Hesaid,"Mybackneedshealing.Thesurgeonsovertheyearshavekeptmegoingbuttheyfeel,andIfeel,I'mgoingtoneedaspecialtouch,amiracleasyoucallit.Wouldyouhelpme?"

TOUCHINGEACHOTHER

I pointed out that since I could not heal but was an instrument of our Lord'shealingpower,IwantedhimtothinkparticularlyofJesus'handswhenwejoinedhands,andsuggestedweprayforoneanother.

"Youmeanyouwantmetoprayforyou?"heasked.

"Yes,"Ireplied,"that'splantingaseedoffaith,that'sgivingofyourconcernandfaithforsomeoneelse,astheBibleteachesinJames5:16,'Prayoneforanotherthatyemaybehealed,'—that is, theseedyouplant insomeoneelse's lifewillcomebacktoyouintheformofyourneed.ThenIwillprayforyouasaseedIplantandGodwillblessusboth."

Hesaid,"Iwouldlikeverymuchtodoasyouask:prayforyou,andIdopraybutreallyIdon'tfeelIcanprayeffectively.

Yousee,IwanttobesureIambornagain."

I immediately sensed thiswas the key issue. Thiswaswhy he had come.HisbackwastroublinghimandheknewIwouldbeconcernedforhishealing.He

knewdeepwithinhimthat itwasabsolutelyessential thathebebornagainbytheSpiritofGodandthatheknowitbeyondanydoubt.

At84,noteventhevastachievementshehadaccomplishedwouldsuffice.Beingbornagainisabsolutelyessentialtobetterhealthandmiracle-livingat84oranyage.

AndIknewhecouldhaveboth thenewbirthandhelpforhisbackandI toldhim so. "God is interested in whole-man healing. Everything about you isimportanttoHim."

AsIreachedmyhandstohisforthedualprayer—orwhatIcalltheSeed-Faithprayer—Isawthestrainedlookonhisface.

"Istheresomethingelsewrong?"Iasked.

"Well,I...I...justwanttobesurethatIambornagain.

I'vebeentroubledaboutitagreatmanyyears.YourcomingtothisareabroughtittothesurfaceandIwantitverymuch...IwantthelifeourLordpromised...Iwantlife..."andhisvoicetrailedoff.

THESINNER'SPRAYER

AbruptlyIsaid,"Pleaserepeataftermethesinner'sprayerwhichJesusgaveintheBible:

Lord,bemercifultomeasinner.

Slowly,withobviousdeepfeeling,hesaid,"Lord,bemercifultome...tome...asinner."

"Now,"Isaid,"tellGodyoubelieveHeheardyouandyoubelieveHereceivesyouasanewbornchildinHiskingdom."

HethankedtheLordandsaid,"Lord,Ibelieve."Whenhelookedatmeagain,Isaid,"Ifyoumeantthisfromyourspiritfirst,lettingitworkonupthroughyourmind and physical senses, you will be born again. You will feel it in theinnermostdepthsofyourbeing.Divine lifewill flowfromwithinyouand theHolySpiritwillfillyourlife."

Hesmiled."Yes,I'mbeginningtoexperienceitnow."

Then:"Thisissoimportanttome,I'vebeensolongwantingGodtoletmeknowIambornagain.Nowit'shere."

Werejoicedtogether."Whataboutyourback?"

"Oh,yes,"hereplied."YouthinkHewillhelpmethere,too?"

"AllofyouisHis.YourbodyisatempleofHisSpiritandyouaretoglorifyGodwithyourbodyasyoudowithyourspiritandmind—withyourwholeself."

Taking out my pocket-size New Testament I read to him from 1 Corinthians6:19,20:"KnowyenotthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolySpiritwhichisinyou,whichyouhaveofGod,andyearenotyourown?Foryeareboughtwithaprice:thereforeglorifyGodinyourbody,andinyourspirit,whichareGod's."

PRAYINGASASEEDYOUPLANT

Isaid,"Godwantsyou—thetotalyou—tobeinbetterhealth.There'samiracleforyourback just thesameas foryoursoul'sbeingbornagain.Nowlet's joinhandsagainandasyouprayforme,makeitaseedforGodtomultiplybackinhealingforyourback."

When theprayerwasoverhe said, "This is someexperience forme. IbelieveGodhasseenfittoanswermyprayers.I'vetriedtobeagoodman,workinghardandhelpingpeople.Butthismakesagreatdifference."

I said, "Yes, itmeans your last years can be your best years. Learn to live inSeed-Faith."

Hesmiled,"ReverendRoberts,I'vebeenreadingandstudyingyourSeed-Faithbookformonthsnow,andyourbook,ADailyGuideToMiraclesAndSuccessfulLivingThroughSeed-Faith,isofimmeasurablehelptome.Inevermissoneofyourtelecasts.I'vemadeupmymindtoflytoTulsaandseeyourPrayerTower."

"Youarewelcome,"Isaid."ManythousandsvisitthePrayerTowerattheOralRobertsUniversity each year.Many of themwriteme notes on how they feltGodthemomenttheydroveontothecampus."

Onleavinghesaid,"Beingbornagainisimportant,isn'tit?"

Isaid,"SoimportantthatJesussaidinJohn3:3-5thatitistheonlywayyoucanseeandenterthekingdomofGod.Iwasbornagainatage17andIfeelit'sjustasimportanttomenowasitwasthen—itmeansmylifeisinGodanditmeansthesameforyouandeveryonewhowantsabundantandeternallife."

Icanseehimnowashegotintothecar,lookingatmeandwaving,andbeingdrivenaway.WhatIseeishisbeamingface.Itsaid,"Iambornagain."

INTHEBIGCRUSADES

From 1947 through 1968 I conducted evangelistic crusades before largeaudiencesthroughoutAmericaandallthecontinents.Ineveryservice,ineverysermon,ineveryhealinglineIwouldalwayssay,"God'sgreatestmiracleisthesavingofyoursoul."

Since1968whenI feltGodwantedmetoconcentratemostofmyministryonweeklytelevision,plusquarterlyprime-timeSpecials(andsinceTViswherethepeople are), I have continued saying, "God's greatestmiracle is the saving ofyoursoul."SometimesIuseotherphrasesmeaningthesamething:beingbornagain,or,Godforgivingyoursins,or,acceptingChristasyourpersonalSavior.These are synonymous termsmeaning you are made a new creature in JesusChrist(2Corinthians5:17).

ButIgoastepfurthernow.Italkaboutawholemanbeingsaved—spirit,mind,andbody.Thisistoppriorityforme,foryou,foreveryone.Icallitwhole-manhealing,whole-mansalvation.OrsimplybecomingafullhumanbeingagainasGodintendedwhenHemademaninHisownimageandlikeness(Genesis1:26).Tobetterunderstandthis,letmesharewithyou...

THEFALLOFMAN

Whenman fell from the state ofGod's image and likeness itwas a choice hemadetolivewithoutGod,togoitonhisown,toputhisspiritdownandelevatehismindso thathis response to lifewouldbe throughhis intellect (mind)andbody (physical senses), rather than responding first in his spirit as God hadintended.

HischoicetolivewithoutGodwasanactofdisobedienceanditbecamesinto

him,andsinseparatedhimfromGodwhohadcreatedhim.

Iwant toemphasize that theconsequencesofhischoicewereproducedbyhischoice.Godhadcreatedandchosenhimandgivenhimmanygifts:

1.ThegiftofHisownmoralandspirituallikeness,makinghimaspiritualbeingwithamindandbody—andassuch,afullhumanbeing.

2.Thegiftofdominionandpower,toruleovereverythingonearth.

3.ThegiftofcommunicationwithGod, towalkwithhisCreator, to talkwithHim,toliveinonenessandfellowshipwithHim.Thiswasapricelessgift.

MillionswouldgiveanythingintheworldiftheyonlyknewhowtobeabletotalkdirectlyandcomfortablywithGod,andhaveHimrespondinthesameway.

4. The gift of the power of choice. To choose God or Satan. To choose torecognizehimselfasaspiritualbeingwithamindandbodymakinghimawholeperson,ortochoosetoreplacehisspiritwithhismind(orintellectuallypursuinglife rather than respondingfirst throughhisspirit,which is thewayGodmadehim).Man's power of choice lifted him above all living things and creaturessincehealonecanchoose.Theevil,thechaos,thewars,thefears,thepain—allofit—isaresultofman'sownchoicewhichheusedagainstGodand,asithasturnedout,againsthimselfandotherlivingthings.

Becauseofhissin,andhischoicetogohisownway,manwasdrivenfromtheGarden of Eden, the perfect habitat in which God placed him. There, he hadbeen given work which was to tend and dress the garden. There, he was infellowshipwithGodandwiththewomanGodgavehim.There,hewasamany-splendoredcreatureinamany-splendoredenvironment.

Thefatefuldecisionwashisandhisalone.StayingwithGodasHemadehim,manneverwouldhaveexperiencedsinorsicknessorwantordeath.

SPIRITISSTILLDOMINANT

Godmade him a spirit and placed the true governing power of his life in hisspirit.Althoughmanchosetoputhisspiritdownbyelevatinghismindandbodyoverit;nevertheless,hisspiritisstillthedominantpartofhisbeing.

Itisinastateofdeath,meaningitisseparatedfromGod,hisSource.Itisinthisstateofseparation fromtheCreator thatman'sspiritcontinues towreakhavocuponhislife.

RememberwhenGodhadmademan'sbodyfromthedustoftheground,ortheelementsoftheearth,Hewentbeyondthatanddidsomethingvery,veryspecial.He breathed His own life into the nostrils of man's body and man became aliving soul or spirit. Jesus explained the reason for it in John 4:24, "God is aSpirit:andtheythatworshiphimmustworshiphiminspiritandintruth."

Concerningman'sspiritualdeathorhisseparationfromGod,theprophetIsaiahspokeofit likethis,"ButyouriniquitieshaveseparatedbetweenyouandyourGod,andyoursinshavehidhisfacefromyou,thathewillnothear"

(Isaiah59:2).

ManhadseparatedhimselffromGodbydeliberatechoice.

As a result he is described as having a "heart deceitful above all things, anddesperatelywicked"(Jeremiah17:9).

Youneed to accept this soyouknowhowyouarrived at being a sinner. I amthrilledtotellyou...

Youcanknowyouarebornagainregardlessofyourageby:

1.Repeatingthesinner'sprayer...Doit:

"God,bemercifultomeasinner"(Luke18:13).

2. Praying for others now as a seed youplant. Here is a sample prayer:"LordJesus,thankYouforhealing..."

_____________________________________

(Writenameofperson.)

3.Nowsay,"IwillstartlearninghowtorespondtoGodthroughmyspirit."

MyNewLifeWithGodCanStartWhereIAmRightNow

Chapter5

IN YOUR ILLNESS (DISEASE) YOU CAN GET IN APLACETHROUGHYOURSPIRITTOGETHEALING

RespondingToGodThroughMySpiritPutsMeInABetterPositionToReHealedInMyTotalBeing

Themostexcitingdiscovery thatyoucanmake is toknow thatyoucanmovetowardbecomingacompletepersonality—

wholeinspirit,mind,andbody.GODCANWORKWONDERSOFHEALINGINYOURLIFE.IsaythisbecauseindealingwiththousandsofpeoplethroughtheyearsIhavediscoveredthat...

DISEASEISDISHARMONYI.WHATHASHAPPENED?

Disease(pronounceddisease)meanssomethingoutoforderinthesystem.Godmadethewholeuniverseinperfectorder.Ifanythingweretogetoutoforderinthe universe, it would produce disharmony and a catastrophe. Your body is aminiatureuniversemadebythehandofGod.Wheneverythingisinorder,everyorganfunctionsasitisintendedtofunction.

Generallyspeaking,asystemisdefinedasanassemblageofobjectswhichareunited by some form of regular interaction. Webster's Dictionary gives asspecific examples of systems: "1. The universe. 2. The body considered as afunctionalunit."Therefore, it is justasunnatural for thehumanbody to comeintoastateoffunctionaldisorderasitwouldbefortheuniversetobreakdowninitsplannedinteractions.

Sosickness,ordisease, ismaladjustmentofasystem.Asrelated to thehumanbody, this could be the skeletal system, the nervous system, the respiratorysystem,andothersystemicfunctionsofyourbody.

Asappliedtoyourlife,sicknesscanbephysical,mental,spiritual.

Whatever takes away from your peace of mind, your happiness, your normalcomfort,yourgeneralwell-beingisdisease.

Anythingthatbringsdisharmony,discomfort,ordistressphysically,mentally,orspirituallyisaformofillness.Andfromthatstandpoint,Ibelieve...

EVERYBODYNEEDSHEALING

Oh, youmaynot needhealing for your body.Youmayneedhealing for youremotions. It could be healing for your soul. It could be healing for yourmarriage,foryourfinances,foryourrelationships.Itcouldbethatyourbusinessneeds a healing. It could be to find the power "just to get by frompayday topayday,"asoneyoungcouplesufferingwithmoneyneedssaidtome,andwhoalsoaskedmetoprayforahealingforthisintheirlives.Oritcouldbeahealingforyourbodyorthatofalovedone.

It is God's highest wish for us to prosper and be in health, even as our soulprospers, and that this prosperity be in ALL THINGS and in EVERYWAY."Beloved,Iwishaboveallthingsthatthoumayestprosperandbeinhealth,evenasthysoulprospereth"(3John2).

Forexample,Godgavemeamiraclewithmyyoungestson,Richard,whowentawayfromme like IwentawayfrommyfatherwhenIwasa teen-ager.Thenonedayamiraclehappened...

Itwasahealing!

Richardwasn'tillphysicallybuthereceivedahealingfromGodinhisspiritandinhisemotions.Andnowinsteadofsayingwhatheusedtosaysobitterly,"Dad,getoffmyback"hesayswitharealconviction,"Dad,youarenolongeronmyback.Iambyyourside."Andhereallyis.HeisthefeaturedsingerontheOralRobertsandYoutelevisionprogramandourprime-timequarterlyspecials.Heisalsoatmysideinaleadershipcapacityasweconductthebusinessaffairsoftheministry. And evenmore recently, he and his dearwife, Patti, are conductingPartners'Meetingsof theirownallacross thecountry,andwithgreat results. Itellyou,that'sthesweetestnewsafathercaneverhearfromhissonordaughter!Yousee,thishealingstartedinside.

WHATASURGEONSAIDTOMEABOUTAMIRACLEHEALINGINTHEBIBLE

Themiraclehealingofthemanwiththewitheredhand,recordedinMark3:1-5,saysthatthehealingofyourtotalselfiswhatGodhasinmind.Inthis,Godsees

acureorahealingdifferentlythanmandoes.Forexample,herewasamanwhohad a limp, useless hand. But Jesus did not focusHis attention solely on theman's hand.He first spoke to theman himself and said, "Stand forth."You isimpliedhere,meaning,

"Youstandforth!"

Anorthopedic surgeon,who is a friend ofmine,was talking tome about thisparticularmiracle.Hesaid,"Oral,asadoctorIwouldhaveautomaticallyturnedmyattentiontotheman'shand.Thisgoesbacktomymedicaltraining.ButasIread this story Inoticed thatChrist didnot touch theman's crippledhand.Heseemedtoviewitasanextensionoftheman'sentirepersonality...andwithinthehealingofthewholeman,hishandwasrestored."

Then my friend added a statement that I thought was tremendous. He said,"MoreandmoreIbelievemedicine ismovingin thisdirection—towardwholemanhealing."

Isn'tthatexciting?Jesusistherestorerofthehumanbeing—thehealerofyourwhole person— body, mind, and spirit— and medicine is moving in thatdirection!

WHOLEISSOMETHINGYOURFAITHCAN"MAKE"YOU

Time and time again during theministry of Jesus,He spoke the healingwordlikethis:Thyfaithhathmadetheewhole.Thewordwholemeanscomplete,well,sound,healthy—orwell-beinginyourtotalself.

This should be yourwill too.You should commit yourself to being "made" awholeperson.Betterhealthandmiracle-livingisnotonlypossibleinyourlife—itisyourGod-givenright!

Andtheonlywaytobeginyourjourneytomakingyouwholeistobegininyourspirit—whichGodcreatedinHisspiritualandmorallikeness.ThislikenessorimageisGod'sessence,theessenceofHisownbeing.TobebornofGodinyourspirittodayisarestorationofGod'sownessenceornaturetoyourself.Youtakeon this spiritual reality in your being. Through it you can learn to respond toevery situation you face by using your spirit—your inner self—then let thisresponseflowupthroughyourmindandbodyuntilyourresponseisthewhole-person response. You can face disease or disharmony as God made you to

respond—fromyourspirit,whichisGod'sownwayofdoingit.

LearningthewayGodmadeyou(andremakesyoubygivingyouanewspiritualrebirth)...learningthewayGoddoesthingsandtryingbyfaithtodothemasHedoes...

learningthatalthoughyouareflesh(human)youcanrespondtolifefirstthroughthespiritualnatureGodre-creates inyou ... learning theseall-important thingsaboutGod,aboutyourselfandyourresponsetowhateveryoufaceinlife;that,my friend, is the beginning of a whole new life in which you have a realopportunitytobemadeawholehumanbeing.

ThisexcitesmeandIhopeitexcitesyouandwillkeepyouexcitedtherestofyourlife!

YOURRESTORATIONTOWHOLENESSISGOD'SIDEA

Thereisnorecordofanyone'shavingbeggedGodtoredeemorrestoremankindtowholeness.Nohumanbeingthoughtofit.ButGodthoughtofit,planned,andexecuteditwithoutbeingasked."He(Jesus)shallbruisethy(thedevil's)head"(Genesis3:15).

TheOldTestamentendswithathreat...Godcallinguponthepeopletorepentoftheirdisobedienceandtochange,lestHecomeandsmitetheearthwithacurse(Malachi 4:6). The New Testament begins with the birth of a Baby and thepromiseoflife—abundantlife.

InMatthew1:21weread:

ThoushaltcallhisnameJESUS:forheshallsavehispeoplefromtheirsins.

InJohn10:10weread:

Iamcomethattheymighthavelife,andhaveitmoreabundantly.

JesusisnotonlyaSaviorfromsinbutalsoaSaviorofpersons.Thewordsavedcomesfromthesamerootwordfor

"heal."Sothisversereallymeans:

"YoushallcallHisnameJESUSforHeshallhealpersons.Heshallheal themfromtheirsins,theirshortcomings,theirfailures,thedisharmonyintheirnature.Heshallhealtheirbodies,theirminds—theirwholebeings.Heshallgivethemabundantlife."

HowdoesJesusdothis?HebeginsintheSpirit.Yousee,Jesus,theMan,hadtobebornanditwastheHolySpiritwhoconceivedHim(Matthew1:20).ThisiswhyJesussaid:Yemustbebornagain.Exceptamanbeborn ...of theSpirit,hecannotenterintothekingdomofGod(John3:5-7).

Let'sgetbacktobasics.Jesusdidn'tsay,"Yemustbebornofthemind...orofthebody."Yemustbebornofthespirit!

Jesus recaptured the possibility of a new birth so you can be reborn in thespiritualandmorallikenessofGod.NolongermustyoubeseparatedfromGod.Nolongermustyourspiritbeputdown.Butonceagainyourspiritwillbeputinchargeandmadethesourceofyourtotalresponsetolife.Thisisthenewbirth,or second birth, that Jesus says you must have following your own naturalphysicalbirth.

ALLYOURPROBLEMSARESPIRITUALLYBASED

WhenJesuscame,Hewasconcernedwiththeconcernsofpeople.Hehealedallkindsofproblems—sickness,poverty,maritaltrouble,soulneeds,moneyneeds,emotionalneeds.

Eachtime,Christapproachedthepersonnotmerelyfromthestandpointofhisproblem but from the standpoint of his whole person being restored. For,actually,becausewearespiritualbeingsallourproblemsarespirituallybased.Oh,wemayfeelaproblemphysically.Wemayfeelitfinancially.Wemayfeelitemotionally.Butallproblemshaveaspiritualbasis.

AndtheLordGodformedmanofthedustoftheground,andbreathedintohisnostrilsthebreathoflife;andmanbecamealivingsoul(Genesis2:7).

Manbecamealivingsoul—aspiritualbeing!!

FromthemomentofcreationGodshowedthatman'sspirit—nothismindorhisbody—istobethegoverningpowerofhislifeonearth.Man'sspiritistohavesupremacy over the mind and body and bring them together into a unified,

harmonizedwholeman inwhichGodwould live "in" theperson.Also, that apersonwilllive"in"God."Forinhimwelive,andmove,andhaveourbeing;ascertain alsoofyourownpoetshave said,Forweare alsohisoffspring" (Acts17:28).

WeseeGod"in"manandman"in"GodintheGardenofEdenwhenGodandmanwalkedandtalkedinatogetherness.Man'slifeandbreathandbeingwerecoordinatedinthisoriginalrelationshipwithGod.God'sdelightwasevidentinHis closeness to man. God said, "It was very good" (Genesis 1:31). Whensomethingisgood,itworks;it'swonderful.

Whatwasgood tobeginwithwasman'sunderstanding thathewasa spiritualbeing.As long as he chose to keep that in proper focus hewould have greatwell-beingandsuccess.Itwouldbemiracle-livingatitshighest.

Yousee,YOURWHOLELIFEISSPIRITUALLYBASED!

Theproblemsorneedsyouhavemaylookphysical,butthat'sjustthewaytheyappear to you.Your every problembegins in your spirit and the solution to itbegins inyourspirit.So togetananswerforyourproblems,you'vegot togetbackintothespirit—God'sSpiritandyourspirit—thewayyouweremade—andthewayGodremakesyouwhenyourepentofyoursinsandbelieveonJesusasyourpersonalSaviorand thenexperienceHisHolySpiritworking inyour lifeeveryday.

GOD'SMATERIAL

The tree of knowledge in theGardenofEdenwasbeautiful to lookupon andgood to the taste; itappealed to thesenses.ButbecauseGodhadmadeAdamandEveaspirit,andtorespondtolifefromtheirspiritfirst,Hehadforbiddenthemtoeatofthetreeofknowledgeortoliveonthelevelofthephysicalandintellectualsensesonly.Therefore,whentheyateoftheforbiddenfruit,theBiblesaysthatimmediately"theyknew"(Genesis3:6,7).

Inthatmoment—asaresultofthatchoice—man'sspiritwassubmergedandhechose to livebyhis intellect.When themindascendedabove thespirit, takingover, thespiritualpartofmandied—orceased to functionas thesourceofhisresponsetoGodandtolife.

Inthatmomentmanchosetoliveonlyonthelevelofhissenses—whatappeals

tohissight,hearing,feeling,taste,andsmell—onthematerialistic,sensualleveloflife.

Fromthatmomentmandecidedhewasgoingtomanagehislifeanddowhathewantedtodo.NolongerwouldheexistasGodhadmadehim.Hewassaying,"God,Idon'tneedYou;withmyintellect(mind)Icanrunmyownlife."

From that moment there was a disintegration of the personality of man—aseparation or fragmentation of his spirit,mind, and body—and thus a lack ofharmonyandpeace.This iswhyit isestimated that85percentofourdiseasesareemotionallyinduced.Themindalonecannotcopewiththefrictionsoflife,anditpassesofftothebodyitslimitations,frustrations,fears,andtorments.

FromthatmomentmanwasnolongerGod'smasterpiece.

But, thankGod, we are still God'smaterial! And through Jesus Christ, God'sSon,wecanbe"madewhole."St.PaulsaysinRomans8:13,"Forifyeliveafterthe flesh,ye shalldie:but ifye through theSpiritdomortify thedeedsof thebody,yeshalllive."

II.HERE'SWHAT'SHAPPENINGNOWFORYOURHEALING

PleasereadJohn5:1-9andthenfollowmestepbystepintogettingyourselfinpositionforbetterhealth—and,yes,miracle-livingafteryourhealing.

First, therewere a lot of people at the pool atBethesda in Jerusalembecausetheywereillinsomeway,andbecausetheybelievedinthelegendoftheangelboilingup thewaterso that thefirstone toget inwouldbecuredofwhateverailmenthehad.

Itwasprettyexcitingtohaveatryatthewatersthatsupposedlycarriedhealinginthem.

Well,alotofpeopletodayareill—infact,Ibelieveeverybodyissickinsomeway.

Youare.Iam.Everybodyis.Sicknesstakesdifferentformsinthebody,or themind,or the spirit,or inour relationships,or inourattitude.Especially inourattitude,orthewaywelookatthingsandactinthatway.

Second, thisparticularmanwaitingat thepoolforhiscurewasapparentlynotorganicallyill.Hecouldbedescribedtodayasbeingpsychosomaticallyill.Thiskindofillness,ifthatiswhathehad,issaidtospringfromtheemotionsandisoftendismissedas,"Oh,it'sonlyinhismind."

Ifthatiswhatitwas,thenhewasinbadshapebecauseit'sjustaboutimpossibletocureitwithmedicineorsurgery.

Prayerhasahardtimewithittoo.ForGodmustgetinsidetheperson,andforthattohappenthepersonmustwillittobe.

Nowwe are dealingwith somethingdeeper than themind andmorepowerfulthan the body—the human spirit. How strong you are in your spirit! Strongbecause that is theessenceofyourbeing.That's thepartwithwhichyou startyourcontactwithGodwhoalonecansuccessfullydealwithyouinyour innerself.

If,asisreported,some85percentofourillnessesareemotionallyinduced,thenunderstandinghowtoRISEUPINYOURSPIRIT(theinnermanstandingupinyourbody)isaboutthemostimportantthingyoumustlearn.

OfcourseIbelieveGod,throughthepowerofprayer,canhealorganicdiseasestoo—those illnesses that originate in the body itself, or a combination of thebodyandemotions.

But I'vediscovered that inpraying formany thousandsofdifferentpeople, it'sdifficult to know the difference between organic and psychosomatic illness.Doctors have toldme they don't always know. Some, like a broken limb, areprettyclearlyorganic; some, likearthritis,mayormaynotbe—it isn't easy toknow.

Personally I think thekey issue for a doctor or onepraying for a healing is toaccept all healing as coming fromGod—or putting first things first. In otherwords,knowthatallhealingisdivinenomatterwhatdeliverysystemisusedtobringit.

ThisgetsusoutoftheareaoffragmentingGod'swaysofhealing.Wedon'tsayjustprayeralone,orjustmedicinealone,asifthetwoareincompatible,orthatbotharenotdeliverysystemsGodfreelyuses.

Thefirstphysiciantomakethefamousstatement,"Icut;Godheals,"knewwhathewas talking about. TheBible that says, "The prayer of faith shall save thesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup"(James5:15)isabsolutelycorrect.

Whichever method God uses in healing is good and acceptable—and morepowertoboth!

Third,thepoolofwaterseemedtobethewronginstrumentforthismanwhoseillness had brought him there over a space of 38 long years. For when Jesuswalked up and looked at him, He saw inside his being and located the realhealing problem. His spirit was wrong. "Will you bemade a whole person?"Jesusasked.

ThemanhadhismindonhisillnessandthepossibilityoftheboilingwaterofthepoolofBethesdarecoveringhisbody.

It had not become part of his thinking that he himself, his total self, wasinvolved,thatactiontowardhealingwouldhavetobeginwithinhisspirit—andhiswill.

Wearebrainwashedfromchildhoodupthatwearementalandphysicalbeings.We are taught that we either are not a spirit at all, or if we are it's not animportant part of our being human. So ourmind has been elevated above ourspirit andhas supremacyover our total being.Education asweknow it todaydealsmostlywithourmind,notwithourspirit.

ExactlyoppositetothewayGodcreatedusandintendsforustolearn,tolove,andtobuildourattitudeandmakeourdecisions.

TheSpiritofGodandyourhumanspiritmustrecognizeeachother.God'sSpiritdoesknowyoutobeaspiritualbeingandthatallyourproblemsarespirituallybased.Doesyourspiritknowthat?Doesyourspirittakechargeoveryourmindand body and determine to respond to theHoly Spirit?Do you realize insideyourintellectualandphysicalselfthereisaninnerman-—yourspirit?Yourrealself?

Jesus startswithyouasHecreatedyou—inyour spirit, the realyou.Heasks,"Willyoubemadewhole?"

You!Whole!Twokeywords,twokeyunderstandingsofwhoandwhatyouare.

JesusindicateswhenanypartofyouisillYOUAREILL.

That's true when it's psychosomatic or organic or both. You, the person, areaffected all through yourself. Therefore, He starts with your will. Your willoperates through your mind and body but originates in your inner man, yourspirit.

ThisiswhyIbelieve:

NOBODY IS EVER FULLY HEALED, REGARDLESS OF HOWSUCCESSFULMEDICINEMAYBE,ORSURGERYMAYBE,ORPRAYERMAYBE,UNTILHEWILLSINHISSPIRITFIRST-LETTINGITWORKUPTHROUGHHISMINDANDBODY-TOBECOMEAWHOLEPERSON.

Fourth,whenJesusaskedthemanifhewilledtobemadewholehereplied,"Sir,Ihavenoman,whenthewateristroubled(boilingup),toputmeintothepool!"

Hehadwhat Icall"tunnelvision." I'vehad it sooften that Iknowprettywellwhat it is and how it can negatively affect you in getting better health, or inseeinglifeasawhole.

Tunnelvisionwaslikehewaslookingthroughatunnelandallhecouldseeattheotherendwasthatoneinstrument

—thepoolofwater—andhehopedhewouldget in first.Hehadfailedfor38years.Howlonghaveyoufailedbyhavingtunnelvision?

I just wish we could put all of God's delivery systems of healing and healthwheretheybelong—inHim.BecausewecanknowGodandthroughourspiritwilltobewhole,wedon'thavetobelimitedbymedicinealone,astunnelvision;orbyprayeralone,as tunnelvision—oranythingelse,as tunnelvision.TogetawayfromthehindrancesoftunnelvisionweseeGodasthetotalSource.Theseother thingswe see as vital and necessary instruments. This can put you in apositiontoknowGODCANMAKEAWAYWHERETHERESEEMSTOBENOWAY.

Fifth, Jesus was very aware of the man's suffering body, but He began thehealing process by talking to him concerning his down spirit—of getting it torespondfirst.Themaninside—theinnerself—thecentralcoreofourexistenceasahumanwhichwasmadeinGod'simageandlikeness.

Jesusknewthismanhadcompletelyoverlookedthis.Jesussawapersoninsidethebody,andthatinnerpersonwaslyingdown.Stillthemanwantedhisbodyhealed.HesimplyhadnotrecognizedthatJesuswasconcernedabouthiswholeperson,andithadtobegininhisspirit.

WHATAPHYSICIANTOLDME

AtopphysiciantoldmerecentlythatmedicalandsurgicalhelpcouldbemanytimesmoreconsistentandlongerlastingIFtheycouldgetpeopletounderstandthere is somethingabout themthat ismore thanphysical,andsomethingmoreinvolvedintheirrecoverythanwhatdoctorsortherapycandoforthem.Hesaidthatphysiciansusemedical, rather than theological, termsbecause that is theirtraining and expertise; but they all know the healing process takes on a newdimension when something INSIDE THE SICK PERSON BEGINS TOFUNCTION.

IsharedwithhimthisencounterJesushadwiththemanatthepool,howJesusbeganwithhisspiritandwill,andfinallybycomingrightoutandtellinghimtodothreethings:RISE,TAKEUPYOURBED,ANDWALK.

Heaskedmetoexplainthat,toseeiftherewasanyrelationshiptowhathehadjusttoldme.HereiswhatIsaid:RISE.

Theman'sbodycarriedinitanillnessthatmadehimweakorunabletofunctionas one involved in normal life. He blamed others for getting in his way andpreventinghimhischance toplunge into theso-calledhealingwaters.Hewasfrustratedandfullofinnerconflictsoverit.Heseemedtobequitebittertoo.Heblamedeverybodybuthimself.

Isn'titbetterforustoacceptresponsibility?Isn'titalsobettertobefrankandgetoutofoursystembadthoughtsbyspeakingthemout:"Iambitter.""Idon'tlikemydoctor."

"Nobodyisprayingforme.""Everybodyisagainstme."Ifyoufeelanyofthese,youshouldspeakthemoutofyoursystemandaskforgivenessofGod.Thenyoucanbeginwithyourspiritandspeakforthpositivehealingthoughtssuchas:"IamapersonofworthandGod lovesme.""Godwantsme towill tobewell.""Mydoctorsareformyhealth.""MyfriendsareprayingthatIwillberestoredand I ampraying for themas a seed I plant." "God ismySourceofhealing.""Godcanmakeawayformewherethereisnoway.""Ibelieveit."

It's in thiswayyou causeyourself to standupon the inside.Your spirit is nolongerdown.

When thishappens,howhappyyourdoctorandfamilywillbe.Thoseprayingfor youwill be encouraged to believe that even amiracle can happen to you.There'sabetterchancethatyou'llmakeit.

YourspiritbeingUPmakesallthedifferenceintheworldinyourlife.

WHEELCHAIRVICTIMS

InthelayseminarswhichwehaveseveraltimeseachyearhereatOralRobertsUniversity,wetaketheclosingdayforthetimetospecificallyprayforeachonetobehealed. Ihave spenta lotof time from theopeningnight (thereare fourdays) talkingabout learninghow to seeyourself asbeinga spiritwith amindand bodywhich completes you as a human being. I talk about theMiracle ofSeed-Faith,howGodgivesusthreemiraclekeystogetourneedsmet.

One,makeGodyourSource (Philippians4:19), "ButmyGod shall supply allyour need . . . " God, not any body or any thing—just God using differentinstrumentsanddeliverysystems.

Two,give,anditshallbegivenuntoyou(Luke6:38).Thismeans,plantaseedoffaithfirstinordertoreceive,orreap,aharvest(Matthew17:20).

Three,expectamiracleoraharvestindueseason(Luke6:38;Galatians6:9).

THEN a seed is planted to produce a harvest. The eternal law of sowing andreapingfirstgivenbyGodinGenesis8:22willneverfail.Jesus'teachingyoutogive that it shallbegiven toyou, likewisewillnever fail.However,youmustexpectamiraclesoyouwillrecognizeitwhenGodsendsitandreachoutyourhandandreceiveit.

IemphasizethatGoddidsomethingfirst—HemadeHisloveanactofgiving,aseedHeplanted,bygivingHisonlybegottenSontodieonthecrossforus—thedesired result being our salvation (John 3:16). Therefore, to plant our seed itmeansour lovemust firstbecomeanactofgiving.Givingofourselves in theform of time, money, concern, etc. It must be a true expression—cheerfullygiven—ofourheart.

Now to wheelchair victims: On that last day when everyone in the seminarcomes forward for healing prayer, there are usually several peoplewho are inwheelchairsoroncrutches.Imakenodifferencebetweenpeoplewhoareillandcanwalk,orpeoplewhoareillandcan't.Why?Becausewhenyouaresickyoufeelthatyoursicknessisjustasbadasthatofothers,ithurtsandhindersyousomuch.

However, I say something different to people who can only get along in awheelchair:"Youhavebeeninthatwheelchairforsometime,maybeyears.It'sgoodyouhavesomething like that tocarryyou. If it'syour intentionandyourwilltocomeoutofitthroughprayer,thenyoumustdosomethingfirst.

Forexample,ifyoucanmoveanypartofyourbody,doit—ifit'sonlyafingerora toe.Deep inside isyourspirit,your innerperson.Yourspirit is theonlyonewhocancauseyourinnermantorespond.Themedicineyouareondoescertainthingsforyourbody,butitwilldomuchmoreifyourespondtohealingthroughyour spirit. By responding through your spirit first, your mind will feel thestimulation,includingthefaithofyoursoul,andyourbodyismuchmorelikelytofeelittoo.

"If you just sit there, moving nothing, making no effort, usually nothing willhappen. Remember, your body has nowill of its own; it's like an inertmass.Therefore,whenwetouchyouinamomentofprayer,DOSOMETHING.Youmaynotbeabletogetoutofthewheelchairthroughourprayer,orevenmovemuch.But your spirit has responded, some helpwill come to your body as aresultof it,and itmaybeyouwillRISEfromthewheelchairandstartgettingwell!Oratleastwellenoughtowalk."

TothosewhoaremobileIurgethem,inadifferentway,todosomething.Maybetouchsomeoneelseaswetouch them, to transfer theirentire thoughtfromtheintellectoftheheadtotheinnerselfofthespirit.

This issomethingIdoall the time. If Istartwithmyheadfirst IknowIhavebypassedmy spirit, and thus I have effectively cut offmy spirit's response toGod.On the other hand, I have not neglectedmy intellect by responding firstwithmyinnerself—myspirit—becausethenIletthatresponseflowupintomyintellect AND into my physical being. That's how I get into the whole-manresponse.

It'sthemostpowerfulmethodI'vediscovered.IbelieveJesususedit.IbelieveSt.Pauldid.Iknowitworksmanymiracles.

It'sreallyaseedyouareplanting.Youaredoingsomething.Youareactingfromyourinnerbeing,thenwithyourwholeselftowardGod.

The physician I referred to is often with me in the healing service of theseminars. He and I both have been amazed at the high percentage of peoplecomingoutofwheelchairs,someafterfiveortenyearsormore,andwalking!

Somejustlookatmeasifexpectingmetohealthem.Icannotheal,norcanadoctor, anymore than a farmer can grow a crop. The farmer can sow,water,cultivatebutonlyGodcanmakeseedmultiplyintoaharvest.

I say, "Move something." I say, "Let your spirit tell yourmind and body youdeterminetobewholebythepowerofGod."Isay,"Ifyoucan'tgetupyou'velostnothing,foryouhaven'tbeenabletogetup."Isay,"Whoknowswhatgoodwillstartinyouifyoumovesomethingbyfaith?"

Well, somemove a little and drop back into thewheelchair. I say, "That's nodisgrace;you tried.Maybe itwill inspireyou to tryagain."Or I say, "PerhapsGodhassomeoneelsetoprayforyou,orHehasaspecialistwhocanhelp."Or,

"Ifyouareinthatchairtherestofyourlife,youcanstillaccomplishmuchbyrememberingtorespondfirstthroughyourspirit."

Then it never fails to happen.A person in awheelchairwillmove a finger, afoot,orsomething.Theymakeanefforttogetup.Sometimesthehandstrembleorthebodyshakesasitisunaccustomedtomovement.Afoottouchesthefloor,thentheother.Ahandisgiventosteadythem.Thatfirststepisthehardest.

Then—and every time I see this I glow inside—the light dawns in the eyesmirroringthesoul:"Iamup.Iamtakingastep."

Then they turn loose, the body comes alive; bones that have creaked or beenlifeless feel life and there they go! A shout goes up. The individual walks,sometimesruns!Hebendsover, turnssideways,backandforth,gatheringnewfaith,hope,expecting.

Laterwegetaletter:Iamwell!

Thattakesyourbreathaway.Thattellsyousomething.

Especiallyayearlaterwhenhemaycometoanotherseminarandwithyourowneyesyouseehimwell!

Do they all rise and walk? I've never seen it happen except in one of theseminars. Of the 20 or more in wheelchairs, they all got up—they rose andwalked,as Jesus said.Whether theyallkept it, Idon'tknow; Idoknowsomedid.Buttheyallroseup!Theygotastartandthat'simportant.

Thesameis true inmedicineandsurgery.Amazingmiracleshappen.Theyaredoing things now that oncewe never dreamed possible.However, despite theskill and the new drugs, without the person being ready, cooperatingwith alltheirforces—spirit,mind,andbody—thesemedicalmiraclesjustdon'tseemtohappenveryoften.

In fact, when I see amedicalmiracle—and I seemore andmore of them—IknowGodisonthatcase,withorwithouttheconsciousknowingofthosewhoaretheinstruments.Howcanthisbe?Well,whenyoutouchtheeternallawsofGod'shealingprocess—medically,throughprayer,orotheraids—

theselawsworkGod'smiracles!Theyalwayshave,theyalwayswill.

RISE!TAKEUPYOURBED!WALK!

IfurtherexplainedtomyphysicianfriendaboutthismanwhosestoryisinJohn5, that attitude is all-important.He said, "I couldn't agreemore."He gavemeseveral illustrations of how a person's strong attitude made an apparentlyimprobable recovery possible through surgery, a medical wonder. He told ofsomewhobyallrightsshouldhaverecovered,orat least improved,butdidn't.He said, "As I attend theORU seminars, andwe share together, I am seeingmoreandmorethatoursuccessasphysicians,andyoursasanevangelist,havethesamebasis.Theinnermanandhisresponsetoourtreatmentandourcareareabsolutelynecessary."

I said, "Watchingyoudoctorsworkwithpeople, Inoticeyoudosomethingaswell as talk to them—and you also have the sick person to do something. Iencourageyouinthis,becausefindinghealingandhealthagainstartsbyboththedoctorandthesickpersondoingsomething.Thatmaybeanover-simplificationbutit'strue."Herepliedthathehadneverhearditexplainedinthesetermsbut

hehadexpresseditwithmanypeoplehehadtreated.

JESUSSAID,"THOUARTMADEWHOLE!"

Thosearecheeringwordstome.Inspiteofthefactnoneofushaseverfoundthe perfectway to help all we seek to help, thatwe suffer failures again andagain,stillJesus'

words,"Thouartmadewhole,"convey thepossibilityofbeingmadewhole toeachofus.

There isamakingprocessJesususes."Made"whole, iswhatHesays.There'smuch involved in that, not the least ofwhich is taking advantage of allGod'sdeliverysystems. It'susingourwillaswellasour faith. It's responding toourphysicianandtoprayer.It'sknowingourspiritisthebest

"responder"wehave inorder togetourmindandbodymoving towardbeingmadewhole.

IAMLEARNINGABOUTBEINGAWHOLEPERSON

Herearesomeenormouslyhelpfulthingsyoucansaytoyourself:

1. I'll start my journey to wholeness by believing GOD CAN STARTMAKINGARESTORATIONINMYLIFE.

2.JesuslooksatmewiththefaiththatIcanbemadeawholepersonoutofmydisease.

3.Wholeissomethingmyfaithcan"make"me.

4.Aspiritual"rebirth"canstartmetowardwholeness.

5.MywholenessisGod'sidea.

6. Allmy problems are spiritually based—therefore, I will receive ChristintomylifesoIcanbegin torespondtoallof life first throughmyspirit,thenthroughmymindandbody—awhole-manresponsetolife.

TODAY I AM A NEW CREATURE IN JESUS CHRIST (2 Corinthians

5:17).

NOWFORMYHEALING...

RESPONDINGTOGODTHROUGHMYSPIRIT

7.Understandinghow toRISEUP INMYSPIRIT (my innerman) is themostimportantthingImustlearn.

8.IbelievethatALLhealingisdivineregardlessofthedeliverysystemGodusestobringit.

9.IwillunderstandJesusisaskingme:

"Willyoubemadewhole?"

10.IbelieveGodwillmakeawaywherethereseemstobenoway.

RespondingToGodThroughMySpiritPutsMe InABetterPositionToBeHealedInMyTotalBeing

Thenextchapterispowerfulinshowingyouawaytoconstantbetterhealthandbetterlifeineverypartofyourbeing...

Chapter6

YOUAREASPIRITUALBEINGANDTHESAVINGOFYOURSOULISYOURWHOLELIFERESPONDINGTOGOD

MyWholeLifeCanRespondToGod...ItStartsInMySpirit

YoureachGod throughyour souland it is throughyour soul thatGod revealshimselfandgiveslifetoyourtotalbeing.

Remember that when God breathed the breath of life into man's body manbecame something more powerful, more valuable, and more responsible thananyotherlivingcreature.Hebecame"alivingsoul."HewasGod'smasterpiece.

It was this inbreathing of God's own spiritual and moral likeness into thephysicalbodyofmanthatcausedhimtobecomeaspiritualbeing.BecausethatisthewayGodmadehim,itissoimportantforyouandformetorespondtolifefirstthroughourspirit.Beingaspiritualbeingwemustrespondfromwhatweare.

JesusdeclaredtothewomanatthewellinSamaria,whowasasinner,"GodisaSpirit:andtheythatworshiphimmustworshiphiminspirit"(John4:24).

Inspirit.

GodwhoisSpiritmadeyoulikehimself;therefore,yoursoul,yourspiritoryourinner man, must govern your physical and intellectual life. In this way thatgoverningisawhole-mangoverningandit's thewhole-manapproachthat liftsyoutothehighestofhealthandsuccessinthislife.

RESPONDINGWITHYOURSPIRIT

Look,and listen toastringedmusical instrument respondingor reacting to thetouchofhumanfingersandthefingersrespondingtowhatthefingersfeelfromtheinnerselfoftheplayer—justso,yourbodyandyourmindrespondorreacttotheforcefromwithinyou,thatvitallife-forceGodcallsyourS-O-U-L.

Aperson'smindcancreateandsetinmotionmanywonders,hisbodycanhelp

bringthemintobeing.Buttheinnerself, thespirit, istherealguidingforcesothatwhatthemindandbodydo—forgoodorforbad—isfirstreceivedfromtheinside.

"Inspirit,"Jesussaid.

AtOralRobertsUniversitywehavemusic studentswhocanplay all kindsofinstruments,includingstringedones.AtamusicalrecitalIwatchedayoungmanplayingtheviolin.Iwasfascinatedbytheremarkablesounds,theharmony,thebeauty.FromwhereIsatitseemedtheviolinwasrespondingonlytothetouchofhishumanfingers.ButIrealizedbehindhisfingersandhandwassomethingmuchmoreimportantandthatwasthecountlesshoursofpracticeinlearningthemechanics,andbackof thatwas the imprintofhisprofessoruponhisspirit tounderstand that piece ofmusic, and back of it allwas the innerman or spirittranslating itself to the fingers, to the strings, to the entire instrument, andpresto!beautifulmusictocalmandupliftus.

YOURSPIRITCANAWAKEN

Aperson can awaken inwardly to themovingof theSpiritwhile quite young."Remembernowthycreatorinthedaysofthyyouth,whiletheevildayscomenot"(Ecclesiastes12:1).

ThroughacombinationofneedsIfeltasa17-year-oldboy,myspiritawakenedanddirectedmymindandbodyintorepentanceofmysinsandtobebornagain.Iprayedthesinner'sprayer,"Lord,bemercifultomeasinner,"andbelievedinmyheartthatGodreceivedme,andHedid.ItisfromthisbeginningwhenIwasbutayouth that Icontinually renewmyselfdaily in theSpirit tohelpmebeagooddisciple,orfollower,ofmySaviorJesusChrist.

Iamonthestairsteps.SometimesItripandfallbackasteportwobutIalwaysgetupandstartclimbingagain.The important thing tome is that Iamon thestairway;IamclimbingandsomedayI'llbeatthetopwithGodforever.Iwillbeabletogothroughdeathandtheresurrection,livingforeverasawholeperson.Thenewbirthstartedallthatforme.

Apersoncanawakentohisneedofthenewbirthinhisearlyormiddleyears.Manydo.Orinhismatureyearsasmy84-year-oldfrienddid.Iliketosay,"Itisnevertoolate."AndIalwaysadd,"Butitislaterthanyouthink."

Ifyouarealreadysavedandknowyouarebornagain, takeyourpenandwrite,"IknowIambornagainbyJesusChrist,mySaviorandmySource."

_______________________________________

Signed

On the other hand, if you do not know butwant to know you are bornagain, I earnestlysuggest you go back and read again the first importantstepinChapter3,page48.ThenwhenyoufeelinyourspiritthatChristiscomingaliveinyou,takeyourpenandwrite,

"IambeingbornagaintodaybytheLordJesusChrist,mySaviorandmySource."

________________________________________

Signed

MyWholeLifeCanRespondToGod...ItStartsInMySpirit

Chapter7

HOWPRAYINGWITHYOURSPIRITANDYOURUNDERSTANDINGWILLBRINGYOUINTOCONSTANTBETTERHEALTH

MyNewRelationshipWithGodHasALanguageAllItsOwn

Tongues,orwhatIcallTHEPRAYERLANGUAGEOFTHESPIRIT,isaveryimportantcontributionGodenablesyoutomaketoyourbetterhealth.

I personally know this to be true. I had spoken in "tongues" shortly aftermyconversionandafewtimessincebutIneverunderstoodhowvaluableitwastomyoverallwell-beingasaperson.

ItwasinaperiodofdeepstressthatIwasprayingandaskingGodtohelpme.IwaswalkingbymyselfontheopenfieldwhereGodhadtoldmetobuildHimauniversity.As Iwalked I prayed and therewas no living thing visible but therabbitsandsquirrelsandbirds.Iwastryingtopraybutthewordswerestickinginmythroatorseeminglywerebeinghurledbackatme.

AsmydistressgrewIfeltsomethingdeepinsideme,stirring.Suddenlyawarmsensation of His presence flooded upward and words came to the tip of mytongue, words I could hear, but words that were not of my own creation orunderstanding.

BypreviousexperienceIknewitwas"othertongues,"asspokenofinthelivesoftheearlyChristiansinNewTestamenttimes.Iletthemflowoutofmymouthas I spoke them.Asbefore, in the few times I had spoken in tongues, I felt asenseofreliefandreleaseinmyspirit.Butitwasn'tenoughtofeelbetter,nowIhad toknow somethingIdidn'tknow.Iwas indesperateneed todowhatGodhadcalledmetodo;buildHimauniversity,buildingitonHisauthorityandontheHolySpirit.Plus,Ihadtobuilditacademicallysound,properlyfunded,andinawaytoeducatethewholeman.ThatwasGod'scommandtome.

Frankly, my intellect was staggering under the load of this mammothundertaking.Ifeltterriblyunprepared.

By a divine prompting—or by what some might call a coincidence—when I

finishedsaying thesewords in"other tongues" I started right inpraying inmyownlanguageagain.

Butwaitaminute,somethingwasdifferent.Thewordscomingoutofmymouthin English were not the same as I had been using just before I spoke withtongues. Thesewords, although in English, had amessage formymind.Godwas speaking back tome;Hewas enlighteningme.My intellect was comingaliveinanewway.WhatIdidn'tknowuntiltwoorthreedayslaterwasIWASINTERPRETINGMYOWNTONGUESBACKTOMYUNDERSTANDING.

I knew this was in 1 Corinthians 14:13, where St. Paul said, "Let him thatspeakethinanunknowntonguepraythathemayinterpret."(Notsomeoneelse,buthimselfdotheinterpreting.)

ThethingthatwashappeningasIwalkedandprayedinmyownunderstandingof the impossible challengeGodhadgivenme,was that I couldnotworkmyway through the limitations ofmyownmind.My intellect could not grasp orunderstandhowtodowhatGodhassaid.Itwasbeyondmymentalpowersandhumanability.

NowasIprayedintonguesitwas"myspiritpraying"andreachingouttoGod.TheHolySpiritinmyspiritwashelpingmyinadequacyandinabilitytogetmyprayerthroughtoGod86

HOW PRAYING WITH YOUR SPIRIT AND YOURUNDERSTANDING WILL BRING YOU INTO CONSTANT BETTERHEALTH

andtogetunderstandingback.SuddenlyIrealizedthisnewtongueinwhichmyspirit was speaking to God was in reality a new PRAYER LANGUAGE; aprayerlanguageunknowntomymind,unknowninthesensethatmyminddidnothave theability toknowmyinnerselfasmyspiritdid.Before that, ithadbeenmoreofanintellectualprayer,myintellectcreatingthewordsoftheprayer.MymindwasunabletosolvetheproblemIwasfacing.Theanswertoitlayinmyspirit.

Unknowingly,Ihadbeenfailingtorespondfirstwithmyspirittothischallengethathadbeenlaiduponme,ratherIwasattemptingtoprayitthroughwithmymindanditwouldn'twork.Ijustwasn'tgettinganyanswersbyprayingwithmyintellect alone.When I resumedpraying inEnglish Iwas actually interpreting

God'sresponsestowhatmyspirit,bythepoweroftheHolySpirit,hadsaidtoGod in tongueswhich of coursewere incomprehensible tomymind. In otherwords,myspirithadbypassedmymind,andbythehelpoftheHolySpiritwhoknewexactlyhowtohelpmereachGod,wasusingmytongueasthevehicleofexpressiontoGodsoIcouldbettergetHisresponsetotheknow-howIneeded.

Iwasaccustomed tohavingmymindusemy tonguewhenI talkedorprayed.NowIwaslearningthatmyspiritcouldspeakthroughmytongue,independentofmymindorintellect.

But the really important thingwas that somethingwas happening tomymindTHROUGHTHEINTERPRETATION

Ihadmade. Iguess I just stumbledon to it. In the flashof a secondafter theinterpretationofwhatIhadsaidintongues—ortheprayerlanguageoftheSpirit—my mind opened up with a new understanding. It was able to grasp thatthroughGod,I,theleastlikelyonetobuildHimauniversity,coulddoit.

Itwaslikemymindwasbeingwateredandcultivated,growingandblossoming,andbecomingfruitful.Itwasburstingwithnewknowledge.NowIwasprayingwiththeunderstanding.Thatwasthefruit.

THETONGUEOFUNDERSTANDING

The tongueswith interpretationback tomymindgavemeTHETONGUEOFUNDERSTANDING.

ThenextdayI tried thisagain.Evelyn,mydarlingwife,heardmeandsaid toherself,all theseyearsOralhasbeensobalanced,nowhe'sgoneoff thedeepend.

Shechangedheropinion,however,whenshesawthestrainwasgonefrommyface,andbecameawareoftheknowingthathadcomeintomymind.ThenIwasable to share with her this understanding I now had on how to build theuniversity—frompointzero!

Soonshewasoffalonepraying,askingGodtoreleasethe

"prayerlanguage"inherspirit.Ithappenedsobeautifullytoher.ThenItaughthertointerpretbacktoherunderstanding.

Ididthisbytellingherthemomentshefinishedprayingintheprayerlanguageof the Spirit to immediately start in English, saying what came. She wasdelightedtoseethatwhatherspirithadsaidtoGodintongueswasnowmadeclear to her through words of her mind, also God's response came into herunderstanding.InthiswaywewouldbeabletoprayexactlyasSt.Paulprayed:

"Iwillpraywith thespirit (in tongues),andIwillpraywith theunderstandingalso"(1Corinthians14:15).

FromthattimeonEvelynandIhavebeenprayinginthetwo-wayprayermethodPaul used so successfully in his life andwork. First in tongues, thenwith theinterpretation back to our mind, enabling us immediately to pray with theunderstandingalso.

SoonIbegantounderstandthattherealmeaningof

"tongues"ismorethananinnerreleaseofone'sspiritandmorethanreceivingapersonal blessing (edification). I had once thought that's all itwas.But now Iknowitisalsotheenlighteningofthemindsoitcanunderstandandpraywiththetongueofunderstanding.IwanttotellyouthatthishasbeenthemosthelpfulaidtomymindIhaveeverdiscovered.IamhumblygratefultoGodforit.

ST.PAUL'SEXPLANATION

In1Corinthians14:14,St.Paulsays,"IfIprayinanunknowntongue,myspiritprayeth,butmy(mind)isunfruitful."First,Paulsays"tongues"isprayingwithourspirit.Next,hesaysprayingwithourspiritaloneleavesourmindunfruitful,orlackinginunderstandingofthemeaningofthetongues,orGod'sresponsetothe tongues.Prayingonly in tonguesdoesnot accomplish its fullmission.Butprayingintongues,followedbyourinterpretation,aidsourmindtoprayWITHTHEUNDERSTANDINGALSO.That'stheimportanceofit.

It's apparent thatSt. Paulwanted to go beyond the limitations of themindbybeginning his prayer with his spirit (in tongues) by the help of THE HOLYSPIRITWITHINHIM.

In this way his spirit would speak directly to God (1 Corinthians 14:2). HewantedtheHolySpirittosearchouthisspiritforallthehangups,theinabilities,theinnerconflicts,andanyotherhindrancetoafullresponsetolifethroughhisspirit.HeknewthattheHolySpiritknewthemindofGodandwhatthewillof

Godisforone'slife;therefore,that'swherehestartedhisprayer,withhisspirit(orintongues).

Finally,heknew through theprayer language, theHolySpiritwould intercedeforhim—orusasweusetheprayerlanguage—accordingtoGod'swill.Believeme,thisiswonderful!

Paulalsoknewthathehadtofollowhisprayerintongueswithinterpretationofthe tongues back to hismind so he could praywith the understandingALSO.The key to his praying successfully was to get in position to pray with hisunderstanding.Thetongueswithinterpretationhelpedhimtodothat.

Thisiswhathappenedtomethatdaybackin1961asIwalkedandprayedoverthebarrengroundonwhichGodwantedHisuniversitytorise.IthankGodithascontinued every day since. Daily, I pray first in tongues using my prayerlanguage,thenIfollowitwithinterpretingbacktomymindtomakeitfruitfulandgiveitunderstanding.Therefore,youcanseethattonguesarenotanendinthemselves, rather they lead to interpretation of God's response to our spirit,enablingustopraywiththemindinunderstanding.Itbringsaninnerreleasebutifthat'sallitis,itwouldn'tbeenough.

Prayingwiththeunderstandingiswhattonguesarereallyallabout.Thatistheirhighestpurpose.That'swhyIvaluethemsohighlyandusethemeveryday.

Evelyndoesthesamething.SodomyassociatesandmostoftheORUstudents.Itisacontinuouslearningprocessinwhichwestartwithourspirit,thenfollowwith the understanding deepened and increased as we follow tongues byinterpretation by prayingmore effectively in our own language. I had to havethis "extra" understanding and I have to have it more every day. I am soinsufficientwithinmyownknowledgethatonlyasIpraywithBOTHmyspiritandmyunderstandingamIabletounderstandanddowhatGodhascalledmetodo.

IbelieveitisinthisspiritthatPaulsaid,"Iwouldthatyeallspakewithtongues"(1Corinthians14:5).Hepersonallyknewthevaluetoone'sintellect(ofprayingfirstintongues)andofblossomingittobetterpraywiththeunderstanding.

Perhapsyouhaveneverunderstoodtongues,orevenheardofit.However,youdoknowhowdifficultitistoknowhowtopraywithyourmindonly,don'tyou?

One thing that will help you is to know that the Holy Spirit is the invisibleunlimitedformofJesusChristhimself.

Assuch,theHolySpiritliveINyou.TheHolySpiritisinyourspirit,andyourbodyisthetempleorhouse(1Corinthians6:19,20).ThinkoftheHolySpiritasa person being inside you—you are joined together—now.TheHoly Spirit inyour spirit creates thisnew languagepattern called tongues, orwhat I call theprayerlanguageoftheSpirit(1Corinthians14:13-15).

ADREAMSTARTEDME

ThefirsttimeIspokeintongueswasinadream.ThereasonIthinkisbecauseIwasinhibited.Tonguesweresofoolishtomymind.WhyshouldIsaythingsinalanguageIneverhadlearned?WhyshouldIspeakwordsmyminddidn'tknowthemeaningof?Thatinhibitedme?HadInotbeeninhibitedaboutthisIcouldhaveusedtheprayerlanguagetheveryinstanttheHolySpiritgavemethenewbirth.HowdoIknowthis?Well, IknowitbecauseI remember theSpiritwasfloodingup frommy inner self, comingup tomy tongue. I could easily haveopenedmymouthandspokenbymyspirit...

hadIknown.Noonetaughtmeandtheopportunitypassed.

OnenightIawakenedwithwordsofanewtongueonmylips.AlthoughIfeltareleaseinmyspiritIdidn'tknowthemeaningofwhatIwasdoing.

Later,whileprayingwithsomeChristianswhospokeintongues,Iwasabletospeakalittle,afewwordsonly.Still, Ididnotreceivethefullbenefitbecausethesefolksdidnotinterpretbacktotheirunderstanding,beingcontentwiththeinnerreleasetheyfeltintheirspirit.Apparentlythatisalltheyknewaboutthisdynamic,God-ordainedexperience.

The few times I spoke in tongues again were inmoments of deep joy in theLord,orinmomentsofdeepdistress.Itwasatahighoralowlevelofmyspirit.Itwasmoreofaspontaneousspeakingratherthanbymywill.SinceIwasnottaughtnorhadI learnedanymoreaboutthisexperience,Imadelittleeffectiveuseoftonguesforyears.Iknewitwasscriptural—andIdefendedit.IonlywishI'dunderstooditbetter.

Then in 1961, faced with God's mighty challenge to build an impossibleuniversity and tie it into the healing power He had called me to take to my

generation, the incident of walking across the open field that I have alreadyrelated,occurred.AsIindicated,thetonguescameup.Theretheywere.Becauseofmyurgentneed,myinhibitionsweregone.Ihaveoftenwonderedifmyneedtounderstandhadnotbeensogreat,wouldIeverhaveovercomemyinhibitionsto completely openmyself to the prayer language? I remember that as I waspraying I urgently wanted to pray from the depths of my being. I was notthinking about praying in tongues but I was completely open to God. Noinhibitionsinmymind.Imerelywilledtopray,reallypray.ThenasnaturallyasIbreathed,frommyspiritthetonguescameovermytongue.JustasnaturallyIcouldstopbymywillandbeginagaininmyownlanguage.

After the interpretation came and I could follow it by prayer with theunderstandingalso,fromthattimeonIhavechosenandwilledtousetheprayerlanguageatanymoment—Ican,andIdo.

I can pray in tongues at will or cease at will. It is under my will, not myemotions.Always,Ifollowtonguesbyinterpretingbacktomymind,andthenIpray with the understanding. This gives me THE TONGUEOFUNDERSTANDINGwhichispricelessinhelpingmebetterrespondtoGodandtodowhatIamtodowithmylife.Ican'tbegintotellyouhowmuchthiscontributestomygeneralhealth,andwell-beingasapersonandasaChristian.WhenIpray in tonguesIdirect it towardaneedoragoal, then interpretbackGod's response tomymind and follow it by praying inEnglishwith real anddeepunderstanding.Ifthisseemsimpossible,Icanonlytellyouitispossible.Ifitseemsstrange,Icanassureyouonceyoudoitandkeepondoingit,itwillbeasnaturalasbreathing—andasimportant.

BETTERHEALTH

IntheoveralllifeIamliving,Iknowbeyondalldoubtthisprayerpoweraidsmyhealth because when both my spirit and mind are reintegrated I am more inharmony with my total self—spirit, mind, and body. I believe God has thischarismatic aid for every child of God. Indeed, I believe it is already in himwaitingforhischoosingandhiswilltoreleaseit.Wemayhavedifferentcallingsbutthispreciousaidtoourprayingisavailabletoallofusasweneedit,whichto me is often. I've never seen anyone—I mean anyone—fail to receive theprayer language who really chose andwilled to have it from God, especiallywhen they had some guidance from one who uses it whom they trust in theSpirit.

There'sbetterhealthaheadandGodwantsusto"beinhealth..."(3John2).

Now,somehelpfulself-starters:

PRAYING WITH MY SPIRIT AND MY UNDERSTANDING WILLBRINGMEINTOBETTERHEALTH

1. The PRAYER LANGUAGE OF THE SPIRIT is a very importantcontributionIcanmaketomybetterhealth.

2.Itismychoiceandmywilltoprayinthespirit.

3.Praying inthespiritand interpretingbacktomymindhelpsrenewmymind (Ephesians 4:23). Therefore, I will prayWITHTHETONGUEOFUNDERSTANDING(1Corinthians14:15).

MyNewRelationshipwithGodHasaLanguageAllItsOwn

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERONE...

ThingsIMustDoAndRememberInMyNewRelationshipWithGod:

1. I WILL PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST by studying the Scripture so Icanreceivethegreatestmiracleofmylife—mysalvation.

2. I AM AWARE OFMY NEED FOR A NEW LIFE so I can be open tothehealingofmywholeperson.

3.IAMONTHEROADTOANEWLIFEANDBETTERHEALTHbecauseGodismySourceandmySavior.

4. MY NEW LIFE WITH GOD CAN START WHERE I AM RIGHTNOW and regardless of my age, I can be born again by saying, "Lord,bemercifultome,asinner."

5. MY WHOLE LIFE RESPONDS TO GOD, IT STARTS IN MYSPIRIT.NowthatIhavereceivedChristasmySaviorandSource,myspiritis responding to His life, and I am on the stairway to becoming a discipleofJESUSCHRIST.

6 . RESPONDING TO GOD THROUGH MY SPIRIT PUTS ME IN ABETTERPOSITIONTOBEHEALEDINMYTOTALBEING."Wholeness"issomethingmyfaithcanbringtome.

7 . MY NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD HAS A LANGUAGE ALLITSOWN.Praying in the prayer languagemeans that I can get through toGodatanytimeanditcanbringmeintoconstantbetterhealth.

StepNumberTWO

Your lifewill be completelydifferent ifyou learn to plantgood seedwithGodandwithpeopleyoulikeordislike.

Chapter1

WHEN YOU DON'T LIKE GOD YOU ARE REALLY SAYINGYOUDON'TLIKEALWAYSTORECOGNIZEGODASYOURSOURCE

IWillLooktoGodAloneasMySourceandNottoPeople

Every timeIhave felt impressed todosomething forGod that involvesheavyfinancialcosts,Ihaveneverhadanymoneytostartwith.

ThroughtheyearsofthisministryIinwardlyknewthetimewouldcometobuilda university to educate the whole man. This was to be an integral part infulfillingGod'scalltotakeHishealingpowertomygeneration.Itwasn'teasytoseebutIknewGodwouldmakeitplainifIcouldlistenandunderstand.

Godhadsaid,

"BuildMeauniversity.BuilditonMyauthorityandontheHolySpirit."

ThenHeadded,

"RaiseupyourstudentstohearMyvoice,togowhereMylightisdim,whereMyvoice isheardsmall,andwhereMypower isnotknown,even to theuttermostboundsoftheearth.TheirworkwillexceedyoursandinthisIamwellpleased."

IbegantoseethatmycalltotakeHishealingpowertomygenerationwouldnot

endwithme,andthatitwastoextendtofuturegenerationsthroughthestudents.

IHADAHARDTIMESEEINGGODASMYSOURCE

GodfoundawillingresponseinmetoobeyHimandtotakeonthistremendousresponsibility.What Ididn't likewas: I hadnomoney,no land,no faculty,nostudents, and really nobody to backme. I had a hard time seeingGod asmySource.

IhadlookedaroundandseennothingandnobodythatcouldbethesourcefromwhichIcoulddrawontocarryoutthisprojectforGod.

"Why,God,"Iasked,"areYouaskingmetodothiswhenIdon'tknowhow,Idon'thavethemoney,andthere'snooneIcanturnto—Why!Lord?"

Heremindedme,"Noonetoturnto?IAMYOUR

SOURCE.Give,and it shallbegiven toyou.Startplantingaseedof faith foreachpart of theuniversity and Iwillmultiply it back to cover everyneed foryou."

So what I would do from time to time was to empty my billfold and myassociateswouldvolunteertodothesamething.Oftenthewholepilelyingonthetablewasnomorethantwoorthreehundreddollars.Althoughabuildingwewere tobuildwas tocosthundredsof thousandsofdollars,andwehadonlyapittancetowardit, Igainedinnerstrengthfromthefactwehadplantedaseed,althoughitseemedpitifullysmall.ThenIwouldimmediatelygetaggressiveinmy actions and start digging the hole for the foundationof that newbuilding.Digging that hole was very important to the seed I was planting. It wassomethingIwasdoinginsimplechildlikefaith.Thatholewasmorethanahole,itwasmyfaithbeingreleasedsoIcouldbelieveGodformiracles.

Letmetellyou,wegotscaredmanytimes.Weranscared.

IwouldreachoutinthenighthourstoGod,pleadingforhelp.

ButGodneverseemedtobeanxious,likeIwas.I'dgetupandreadinmyBiblehowoneofHisservantswouldputaseedinandbeabletotrustHimwhoisall-powerfulandall-knowing.

I'dcalmdownandgetsomesleep.

Thenextmorning I'dgo lookat thebigmachinesmovingdirtand lookatmyassociatesandgoawaymutteringtomyself.

ThenI'dgettothinkingaboutGod,mySource.

"ButmyGodshallsupplyallyourneedaccordingtohisrichesinglorybyChristJesus"(Philippians4:19).

GOD WAS ALL I HAD BUT I REALIZED THAT INCLUDED HISRICHES

I'dmeetwithmyassociatesandwe'dtalkaboutthis.Wedrewclosetogetherinthesehours—andwestilldoforwe'restilldiggingholes;stillbuilding.

OnedaythebusinessmanageroftheUniversitysaid,

"Oral,thesinglemostpowerfulideayouhavecomeupwithis,MAKINGGODYOURSOURCE.ThemoreIhearyoutalkaboutitandseeyoutryingtodoitinbuilding theschooland inapplying it inotherareasofyour life in thehealingministry, themore I see it is the key to our success. If we can understand itourselvesandgetotherstounderstandHOWTOMAKEGODOURSOURCE,itwillchangeeverythingforthemandforeachofushereaswelaunchforthtoobeyGod."

Hesmiledandadded,"MakingGodourSourcewillgetusoutofourselvesandintoHishandsandwecandrawfromHisricheswhenwehavenoneofourown—andHewillseeusthrough."

Weallagreed,buttherewasstillsomeshakinessamongus,especiallyinmeastheleader.Iwouldleadinprayer:

"OGod,wehaveputinourseed,wehavegivenfirstasJesushassaid,andsowe undertake this Seed-Faith project, depending onYou as the Source of ourtotalsupply."

Iwouldfindanexaltationrisinginme:GodismySource!

Then later itwould die down as the devilwhispered, "You'll never be able to

build a university. You'll never get the money; besides, people won't believeyou."

ITWASFRIGHTENING

ItwasfrighteningandIdidn'tliketobeinafrightenedstate.Still,IwasabletoholdontothisgreattruththatGodisourSourceoftotalsupply.Thatbecamethemiracle key to unlock the doors of many hearts, and soon we saw buildingsrisingwhichhadseemedimpossible.Wesawfacultycomingwhentheexpertshadsaid theywouldn'tcome.Wesawstudentscomingtocast their lotwithuswhentheycouldhavegonetovirtuallyanyuniversityinAmerica.Andmiracleofmiracles,Godhelpedus to put the school together andopenon time!Thatwas in 1965 and it can never be taken away as the evidence thatGod IS ourSourceandHesuppliestheneedsofthosewhoplanttheirseedandtrustinHimformiracles.

Since then the University has found its place in God's healing plan for thisministry.More andmorewe are learning to take eachnewphase, such as theSchool of Medicine, the School of Theology, the School of Law, as anotherSeed-Faith project—and to start it with whatever seed we can plant, large orsmall,thenimmediatelystartdiggingtheholeandbeginconstruction.

OneofTulsa'smostsuccessfulbusinessmensaid,"Oral,accordingtoallreasonyoucan'tdothis.It'simpossible.Whileotherswhobuilduniversitiesstartwithgetting the funds first, you start with no money but an idea only—it's notlogical." Then he said, "But here it is, a full-fledged university known andrecognizedallovertheworld.Andyou'restillbuilding!"

Isaid,"Yes,butyoutakeawayourmakingGodourSource,andyoutakeawayourputtingintheseedfirstandputtingitinoutofourneed,youtakeawayourexpectingmiracles from the seeds of faithwe sow—take that away and IT ISIMPOSSIBLE."

Hesaid,"Well,itseemstowork."

Ireplied,"It'llwork,ifweworkitasGodsaysinHisWord."

THESTRUGGLECONTINUES

However,ImustadmitthatevennowIoftenfindIdon'tlikehavingtotrustGod

asmySource.Myhumannesswantstoseewhereeverythingiscomingfrom.Idon'twanttolaunchoutinfaithalone.Iwantallthatsecuritypeopletalkabout.

IhavesearchedtheScripture,IhaveprayedtoGod,IhavetriedotherwaysandIamcompletelyconvinced thatSeed-Faith isGod'swayand it is theonlyway.First,God'swayisforustomakeHimtheSourceofourtotalsupply.

Second, God's way for me—for you—is to start everything we do by firstseeding for amiracle. Third, it isGod'sway to expect it to happen fromHishand.AnditdoeshappeninGod'sowntimeandway.Everyseedweplanthasitsown

"dueseason"andthat'swhywemustexpectit(Galatians6:9)...Andletusnotbewearyinwelldoing:forindueseasonweshallreap,ifwefaintnot.

Many times I have said that I may not convince anyone else on seeding formiraclesbutOralRobertsisconvinced.

ThebeautifulthingisthatbeingconvincedinmyownheartandsincerelytryingtoobeyGodinSeed-Faith,Iamseeingitopenthemindsofthousandstoanewpossibility.ItiscausingthemtounderstandtheycanmakeitthroughtheirownSeed-FaithingtoGod.Theyareseeing,asIdo,thatitneverfails.

Of course the way you Seed-Faith to God for your needs may take differentforms, since your needs may be different from mine. But the Seed-Faithprincipleisthesame.ItwillneverfailyoubecauseitistheeternalprincipleofGod. It goes all theway back to the first book in theBible, toGenesis 8:22,"While theearth remaineth, seedtimeandharvest...shallnotcease."Across thecenturiesandinallsituationspeoplewhohavebelievedinseedtimeandharvestandpracticedit,havefoundGodtobefaithfultoHisowndivinecommitmenttous.

DOYOUGETTIREDOFTRUSTINGGODANDDEPENDINGONHIMALONE?

IwishIcouldsayInevergettiredorresentfuloftrustinganddependingonGodalone.IwishIcouldtellyouIneverhaveadesiretoturntocertainpeopleandmake themmySource.But I can't tell you that. I can tell you that I amoftentemptedtosay,"God,YouhavemesoboundtoYouthatIcanfollowonlyonepath,Yours.Inevergetmyownway.Inevergettolayplansofmyownmaking.

IalwayshavetocomebacktoYours."

SEEINGEYEDOG

Butyouknowthis ideaofdependinguponasource is found inmanyareasoflife. For example, I received a lot of help from a story a personal friend,Dr.BryantKirkland,pastorofalargeNewYorkchurch,told.HetoldhowonedayhewasononeofthosebusythoroughfaresinManhattan.Hewasabouttocrossthestreetwhenayoungwomancameup,ledbyaseeingeyedog.Herealizedshe was blind. When the light changed and people started crossing over henoticed a truck that had stopped at the red light from the other direction.Thetruckdriver,abigburlyfellow,jumpedout,ranovertothegirl,andsaid,"CanIhelpyouacrossthestreet?"

Shesaid,"Oh,thankyou,butno.Yousee,I'vegottotrustmyseeingeyedog.Ihavetodependonhim.IfIdependuponsomeoneelse,myseeingeyedogwon'tguideme."

Themansaid,"Howoldisyourdog?"

"He'sthreeyearsold."

"Well,howcanhetellwhenthelightchangesfromredtogreen?"

"Well,youknowadogcan'ttellcolors,"thegirlsaid.

"Thenhowdoyouknowwhentocrossthestreet,"heasked.

She replied, "I don't knowhowmy seeing eyedogknows,but he just knows.Andhe'sneverfailedme."

Themanwishedherwellandstartedbacktohistruck.

Thegirl thankedhim forhis concernand said, "I'vegottenacross every streetandI'llgetacrossthisone,thankstomyseeingeyedogthatknowshowtotakecareofme."

Whoisyoursource?Whodoyoutrusttoguideandtakecareofyou?

Your source has to know you. He has to know the way you are to take His

signals.Hehastoknowwhenandhow.GodisthetrueSourceforyou.

YoumustknowHimandtrustyourselftoHim.Inthefinalanalysis,everythingthatisnotofGodisgoingtobreakdownandfail.Lifeisgoingtobechanging,flashingredandgreenlikethestop-and-gosignals.BecauseGodistheonlyOnewho knows, He will never fail. You can trust Him. But like the girl and herseeingeyedog, if youdependon someoneor somethingelse, thenGodwon'tguideyou.

A21-YEAR-OLDDISCOVERSWHOHISSOURCEIS

AyoungmanfromAtlanta,Georgia,wrotehowharditwasforhimtodiscoverwhohisSource is.As a21-year-old college student, he acceptedChrist ashispersonalSavior.HesaidhethoughtofGodintermsofthesalvationofhissoulandwhenhediedhewouldgotoheaven.Meanwhile,hefellinloveandafteralongcourtshiphewasgettingmarried.Onemonthbeforethemarriageceremonyeverythingfellapart,andagainsthiswillheandthegirlbrokeup.

Hewrote,"Iwasdeeplyhurtandfrustrated. Ihadworkedcarefully toput thismarriagetogetherandsuddenlyIwasdevastated.

"TwodayslaterIcameacrossacopyofyourbook,ADailyGuideToMiracles.Ihadnothingelsetodothatmorningsoabout8o'clockIbegantoread.At4:30thenextmorning,withtearsinmyeyes,Ifinishedandputthebookdown.Whathappened tomewhile reading the bookwas, I learnedwhatGod's love is allabout.JesuswhohadbeenmySaviornowbecamemuchmore—areal, living,helping,loving,caringnowPerson tome.Mentally,asIreadIbeganapplyingtheprinciplesofSeed-Faith,particularlyonwhomySourceis.Inthisshorttime,by coming to knowChrist asSource aswell asSavior, it has broughtmeoutfrommy failure inputting thismarriage together andbeingdevastatedby it. IfeellovedbyGod.IrealizeHeisinchargeofmylife.IknowHehassomeonebetter for me and a better marriage. I have found myself because of therealizationthatGodismySource."

AsIreadhisletterIrememberedsomeofmyexperiencesbeforemarriagewhenI,too,wasfloundering,notknowingGodwantedtobemySource.Ithoughtofhowthisyoungmanhaddatedthisgirluntiltheywereengagedtomarry.Hehadblottedouteveryothergirlintheworldasapotentialwife,andhadconcentratedonlyonthisonegirl.Nowitwasallover.Thatcanbreakayoungpersondown,

boyorgirl.

ButhediscoverednewthingsaboutGod.God'stotalconcernforhimANDTHEGIRL.HesawhecouldgiveasaseedheplantedandhisSourcewouldmultiplyitbackintheformoftherightgirlforhim,andrightboyforher.HesawGodinthatlightforthefirsttime.Sohewasabletolandonhisfeetandbounceback,readyandexpectantforGod,hisSource,tosupplyhisneeds.

GETAGGRESSIVEABOUTTHIS

ThethingInoticeaboutmostpeopleIdealwiththroughthisministrywhoaresufferingsomeformof illnessandwhoarenot intomiracle-living, is that theyarenotaggressiveaboutknowingGodastheirSource.Theydaretostartwhenlife'sredlightisflashingandalltoooftentheygethit—unnecessarily.GodhasagreenlighttooandHeknowswhenit'sgreenandwhenit'stimeforyoutostartyourthing.

People think theyknowhow to run their livesbutnoneofusdoes.OnlyGodknowsall things, theend from thebeginning.Howcanwebe so foolishas totrustourselvesinthehandsofanyonebutGod?

Ofcourse Ibelieveyouhave tohavespiritual insight for this. It's something Ihave aggressively sought, and aggressively seek today, to have the spiritualperceptiononwhoIcantrustasmySource—God!

ManytimesI'vebeensofoolishinthinkingIknewtheway,orsomeoneknewitfor me, not realizing the all-knowing God inside me is always available andeagertohelpme.

Ibelievethesethoughtswillhelpyounow...

IMPORTANTTHINGSTOREMEMBER

1.GodisallIhave,butthatincludesHISriches.

2.When I get scared to trust God as mySource I will say: "God is mySource,GodismySource,GodismySource"...andbelieveit.

3.IwillgetaggressiveaboutlookingtoGodasmySource.

IWillLooktoGodAloneasMySourceandNottoPeople

Chapter2

YOU MAY THINK YOU DISLIKE GOD WHEN THE TRUTH ISYOUJUSTCANTSTANDPEOPLE

IWillPrayForPeopleILikeorDislikeBecauseGodLovesThemAll

Many people are disillusioned about God because they have the wronginformationaboutHim.Iencourageanyonewhoreallydoesn'tlikeGod,tosayit.Here'swhatsomehavetoldme:

"God?Hedoesn'tcareaboutanything,certainlynotwhatIamgoingthrough.IfHecaredHewoulddosomethingaboutit."

"AsfarasI'mconcerned,Idon'twantGod'snamementionedtomeagain."

"WhereisGod?He'snevertherewhenIneedHim."

"IfthereisaGod,whydoesn'tHestopallthewarsandsuffering?"

"Whydoesn'tGodcleanupourcountry?"

"IfGod is so good, as you sayHe is,why doesn'tHe healmy little afflictedchild?"

"We'resodesperateformoney.That'sonethingGodneverseemstonotice.

I'veheardeveryoneofthesestatementssaidaboutGod,andmore.

ITOLDGODTOGETOUTOFMYLIFE

IremembersomeofthenegativethingsIsaidaboutGod.

Really,IsaidsomeofthemtoGod.OnceIsaid,"God,getoutofmylife."GodknewIhadcometothepointthatImeantitandHegotoutofmylife.ItwasaneeriefeelingwhenIbecameawareofHisseemingunawarenessofme,thatHewaslettingmealone.

ItoldmyparentsmanytimeswhenIlayillwithtuberculosisthatGoddidn'tcare

anythingaboutme.

Theotherdayamotheroverburdenedwithherproblems,whohadseenmeontelevision,metmeandblurtedout, "OralRoberts, Idon't likeyourGod.Nowwhatdoyouhavetosaytothat?"

"WhatdoIhavetosayaboutyournotlikingGod?Well,IthinkifyoufeelthatwayyoushouldtellHim."

"Well,I'vetoldyou."

"TellHim."

"Oh,thatwouldbewrong."

"Why?"

"Youknow,He'sGodandI'mjust...a...woman."

"Yes, but you are a personmade in God's image and likeness. Hemade youuniqueandirreplaceable.Helovesyouverymuchandwantsto..."

Interruptingme she said, "Lovesme?Well, ifHe knew the sickness, the billspilingup,theworryIgothrough..."

"HeknowsandHecares.He'sbeenthroughitandHe's theonlyOnewhocanleadyouthroughit."

"Well,Ineverheardanyonesaythat.MostpeoplesayyougetwhatyoudeserveandIdon'tthinkIdeservewhat'shappeningtome."

Isaid,"Ma'am,canyourealizethere'sadevilintheworld,thathedoesn't likeyou,thattheBibledescribeshisgoingaboutasaroaringlionseekingtodevourpeople,thatwhenyouaresickorinjuredordownandout,itistheoppressionofthedevilthatheistryingtoputuponyou?"

Shesaid,"IsthatintheBible?"

"Yes,ma'am,it'sintheBible,"Ireplied,"andlotsmorejustlikeit.Godwantstoprosper you, heal your family, supply your financial needs, give you a closer

walkwithHim."

Tearscameinhereyes.Shesaid,"OralRoberts,willyouprayforme?"

PRAYINGONEFORANOTHER

Isaid,"Yes,ifyouwillprayforsomeoneelseasIprayforyou."

Shesaid,"Idon'tknowhowtoprayforsomeoneelse.IamsomixedupandhurtIdon'tknowhowtoprayformyself,letaloneanyoneelse."

I asked her if she knewwhat itwas to pray. She said she guessed she didn't,sinceshehadnotprayedmuchinherlife.

I toldherwhatmymotherhadsaidprayerwaswhen,assheurgedmetoprayduringmyillness,IsaidIdidn'tknowhowtopray.Mamasaid,"Oral,youdon'thave to know how to pray. Just tell God what you feel in your heart. He'llunderstandandHe'llanswer."

Sheaskedmehowshewouldknow."You'llknow"Isaid,"you'll justknow."Iknewthatdeepwithinherintuitiveselfshewouldknow.

ThefirsttimeItriedtoprayIrememberedMamatellingmetotellGodexactlyhowIfelt.Itwasbitternessanddisappointmentthatcameout.Itwasnotsonicesounding,Iamsure.ButIfelta lotbetter.Later,IaskedHimtosavemysouland He did! Before that, however, my prayers had nothing in them whichindicatedIwantedGod'shelp.

THISMOTHERPRAYEDFORTHEONESHELIKEDTHELEAST

Totheworriedandharriedmothertalkingtome,Isaid,

"Canyouthinkofthepersonyouliketheleast?"

Shelaughedbitterly,"Alotofthem."

"Calloff several tome,notbyname ifyoudon'twant,but theirprofessionorrelationshiptoyou."

Tossingherheadshesaid,"I'mbehindfourmonthsinmyrent,howdoyouthink

I feelabout themanwhosayswehave tomoveout?Andmyformerhusbandwho'sforgottenheeverhadchildren,mychildrenthatIloveandamworkingmyhands to thebonefor.Mykinfolkswhonevercomeby.Myonlysisterwhoiswell-offbutwouldn'thelpmeifherlifedependedonit."Andshewentonandon.

"That'sgreat,"Isaid,"togetallthatpoisonoutofyoursystem.IhaveafeelingyoufeeltheworsttowardGod."

She said, calmed a little by now, "Well, in the back of mymind I've alwaysbelievedthereisaGod.Butallthathellfirepreaching,allthatstuffaboutGod'sgotyournumber,Ireallydon'tknowwhattothinkanymore."

Isaid,"Lookatme,please."

Whenshedid,Isaid,"Listen,youtalkandsoundaboutlikeIdidatonetimeinmy life. I didn't likeGod. I didn't wantGod. I wantedGod out ofmy life. Ithought I couldmake itwithoutHim. I never prayed or asked forHis help. Iendeduptravelingthelastmileoftheroadwithaneedsogreatthatnomortalpower could meet it, not doctors, not religious doctrines, nothing but GODHIMSELFGIVINGMEAMIRACLE."

"Yes,"shesaid,"I'veheardyoutellthatonTV.Diditreallyhappen?Isitreallyso?"

Isaid,"It'sreallytrue.TodayIbreathebecauseIturnedtoGod.Prayerwasthekeythatunlockedthedoor.ImetGodandHemetmeandIwasrestoredinmybeing.I'mwelltoday.IknowthatIknowthatIknow..."

Wipingthetearsaway,shesaid,"Oh,Mr.Roberts,ifonlyIcouldgetoutofthismessI'min,I'ddoanything."

"Youcan!There'ssomethingyoucando.Anddoingitisveryimportanttoyou."

I remindedherof thepeople she liked the least; again I askedher topray forthemasIprayedforher.

PLANTASEED-FAITHPRAYER

Sheaskedwhatgoodthatwoulddo.Isaid,"It'sSeed-Faith.Youplantaseedby

praying for someone else even if you don't like him or he has wronged you.Jesus teaches that if you give, it shall be given to you. He says this in Luke6:38."

Quickly,shesaid,"Idon'thaveanythingtogive."

"Well, youmay not have themoney to give but you have something in yourheartyoucansaytoGodtohelptheseyoufeelhavebeenunkindorneglectfulofyou.That'saseed,too.

Seedisnotalwaysmoney.Itcanbe.Sometimesit'ssomethingmoreimportant,likeaprayerforapersonyouneedtoforgiveorwhoneedstoforgiveyou..."

Shechokedupaswejoinedhandstopray."TellGodhowyoufeelaboutHim,"Iwhispered.

I heard her mumbling a few phrases but they were mostly about her ownproblems.

Abruptlyhervoicebecamesteady.Shesaid,"OLord,Idon'tknowexactlyhowtosaythisbutIfeelinmyheartnowthatIwantYoutohelpMr._________,andhelpmykinfolks,andmyformerhusband . . . "Shekeptnamingoffdifferentpeople whom she had despised. And then she said, "I love God—I just can'tstandpeople."

When she finished, I said, "Don't feel embarrassed everbydoingwhatyou'vejustdone.Inthefuturewhenyouhaveotherhadfeelings,praythiswayagain.This is Seed-Faith praying, the kind that God multiplies back to you inmeetingyourneeds: therentmoney,healingforyourfamily,anewhopeforabetter life, a closer walk with God, joy in your heart, becoming a real solidperson."

IgetlettersfromthismotherquiteoftenandIalwaysprayandwriteherback,asIdootherswhowrite.Itisespeciallygratifyingtoreadherletterswhenshesays:

"IneverknewGodcouldbesogood."

"Iplantedanotherseedandalreadyithascomebackthreetimes."

"Myoldestchildprayedwithmelastnightforthefirsttime."

"My formerhusbandapparentlyhasdisappearedcompletelybutGod is takingcareofmyneeds."

"IfeelsoclosetoGod."

"I'velearnedhowtoexpectmiracles...Godissorealtome...IknowHe'sgoingtoworkeverythingoutinmylifeandinmyfamily."

Thebestonewas,"DearOralRoberts,I'velearnedthesecretofhowtogetallmyneedsmetthroughSeed-FaithlivingandthroughSEED-FAITHPRAYING...IkeepresentmentandbitternessoutofmylifebyprayingforothersandGodissorealtome..."

ThisladywentfromblamingGodtotrustingHimasherSource.Thismayseemimpossibletoyou,butremember,

"WithGodnothingshallbeimpossible"(Luke1:37).Ifeelsureyouarecomingtothisplaceinyourthinkingandbelieving...

NowIwanttolistsomethingsthatwillbeoffurtherhelptoyou:

1.Ifyouthinkyoudon'tlikeGod...tellHimhowyoufeel.

2.Ifyoudon'tknowhowtopray,justtellGodhowyoufeelinyourheart.HewillunderstandandHewillanswer.

3.PlantaSeed-Faithprayerbyprayingfortheoneyouliketheleast.

Youmaywanttopraysomethinglikethis:

"OLord,Idon'tknowexactlyhowtosaythisbutIfeelinmyheartnowthatIwantYoutohelp____________________,andmyrelatives...

(continuetonamethepeopleyouhavedisliked)andIthankYouinadvanceforhearingme.Amen."

IWillPrayforPeopleILikeorDislikeBecauseGodLovesThemAll

Chapter3

HOW A WHOLE CHURCH SOLVED ITS INSIDE PROBLEM OFBITTERNESS

PrayingForSomeoneElseWillBeginAHealingInMe

Recently Ihada freeSundayandcalled thepastorofablackchurchwhohadaskedmea long timebefore topreachathischurch,evenonshortnotice. If Iwould call he would change any plans so his people could hear me.When Icalledhesaid,"Comerighton.We'llgetthewordoutquick."

WhenIarrivedthatSundaymorningtheplacewasfilledandpeopleweresittingintheaislesandfillingthedoorways.

GIVEGODYOURBESTTHENASKHIMFORHISBEST

Mymessagewas,GiveGodyourbest,thenaskHimforHisbest.Attheendofthesermon,Ididtwothings:First,Iaskedeveryonethere,includingmyself,togiveGod theirbest,and in this instance,"Let itbe thebiggestmoneybillyouhaveinyourbillfoldorpurse."

Isaid,"NotbecauseGodneedsit,althoughtheremustbemoneytodoHisgreatwork here on earth, but because you have a need of your own." Everyonenoddedandamanspokeuprightoutloud,"ReverendRoberts,I'vegotabig,bigneedandnobodycanmeetitbutGod."

"Thenwiththatneedinmind,giveHimyourbiggestbilltoday."

The pastor had the people to form a line on each side of the church and theycame—men, women, children, entire families. The money filled the offeringplates,whichhadbeenplacedonchairs at the front, and spilledoveronto thefloor.Iwatchedthepeople.Theycameveryseriouslyandthemomenttheyputintheirbiggestbill,theircountenancechangedtojoy.Ihadtoldthem:

"GiveGodyourbest,

thenaskHimforHisbest,

andstartexpectingamiracle."

I'veneverfeltsuchachangeinpeopleasIdidwhentheygaveoftheirbestandreturnedtotheirseats.

Second,Iaskedeveryonetothinkofthepersonhedislikedthemostandaswejoined hands to pray the Seed-Faith prayer, he should pray especially for thatperson.

Ittooksome20minutesbeforethisprayerwasconcluded.

IthoughtofthepersonIlikedtheleastandgothimrightoutintheopenbeforeGodandmyowneyes.Ifeltsomuchbetter.

Theaudiencehadneverbeenaskedtodothisandittookthemlonger.Iwaitedandwatched.Iwouldseeamantremble,amotherbendoverintears,ateen-agerdeadserious.Thensomeonewouldcryout.Itwassomethingveryrealtheywereexperiencinginprayingforsomeonetheydidn'tlike.

Whenitwasoveryoucouldfeelsomethingsogood,sofreshandinvigorating,itwaslikeabreathoffreshairflowingintothebuilding.

AWOMAN'SDELAYEDRESPONSE

AfewweekslaterthepastorandIsaweachotheratanotherfunction.Grabbingmyhand,he toldmeabout thegreat results thatwerestill coming in from theservicethatSunday.Hesaid,"TheTuesdayafteryoupreached,myphonerang.Itwasagrandmother,apoorbutinfluentialwomaninourarea.Shesaid,'Pastor,couldyoucometomyhousetoday?'Isaid,'Ofcourse,I'llbethereassoonasIcan.'WhenIarrivedshehandedmea$20bill.'What'sthisfor?'Iaskedher.Shesaid,'WhenReverendRobertsaskedustoprayfortheonewelikedleast,Icoulddothat.WhenhesaidtogiveGodourbiggestbill,IknewIhadthis$20billandIknewIwasn'tgoingtogivesomethingthatbig.Well,GodhasshownmehowbigmyneedsaresinceSundayandHewantsmybiggestbillsoIcanbefreetoaskHimforHisbest. Ican'twait togive it toyoutoputright toworkfor theLord.'

"Shegave it tomeandIoffered itback,knowingwhatasacrifice itwas.Shesaid, 'Pastor, that's seed my God will multiply and when it comes backmultiplied,myneedwillbemet.'"

Thepastorlookedatmeandsaid,"Dr.Roberts,Godhasusedyoutoopenoureyes. There's been a lot of hard feelings among people attending our church,both towardblackpeopleandwhitepeople. It'sbeen likeacancer.Now that'sdisappearing fast and I can feel ithappening.Also,whatyoudidn'tknowwasour plan to build a new sanctuary, our third one because of our great growth.Whenweallgaveourbiggestbill,itopenedusallup,andmoneyiscomingintobuild.Bestofall,someofmypeoplehavetoldmeofnewjobs,newoffers,andone businessman is going to have to build a whole new plant. The wholespiritualtoneofthechurchisthehighestit'severbeen."

I thanked him for sharing this with me. It further confirmed my personalexperience that itworks, not only in a churchbut in one's individual personallife.

GODWILLWORKMIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE IF YOUWILL LETHIM

OneofthebestwaystoletGodworkHismiraclesinyourlife,andthroughyoutoothers,istogetoutofyoursystemallthethingsyoudon'tlikeaboutGod,soyouwillgetintoapositiveSeed-FaithrelationshipwithHim.

TalktoGod.TellHimhowyoufeel.Youmaybesurprisedtofindthatyouwillcome into a loving relationship with Him when you begin to talk to Him,becauseyouwillfindthatwhenyougettoknowHim,youwillalsoknowthatHeknowshowyoufeelandwantstohelpyou.

PRAYFORTHOSEYOUDON'TLIKE

Evenwhenyoufeelthereisnogoodwaytopersonallyapproachthepeopleyoudon'tlike,youcanapproachthemindirectlythroughGodinyourprayertoHimforthem.Thisismoreeffectivethanyoumaybeabletobelieverightnow,buttryit.

Godispowerful.Heknowshowtoconveytheforceofyourprayerstotheonesyoudislike.Even if theynever respond toyou,yourowngood feelings insidetowardthemcarrieswithitaseedoffaithwhichGodwillneverfailtomultiplyback to you in a harvest ofmiracles. Imean it, a harvest ofmiracles back toYOU!

STARTNOWGIVINGGODYOURBEST

Won't you consider starting now to give God your best through Seed-Faithprayer, time, talent, money, friendship, and concern, then asking Him for Hisbest?Itwillmeananewlifeforyouinthehereandnowwhereyourneedsaresogreat.

God has many miracles He hasn't given you yet, many inner healings, manydollars,manyfriends,manygreatfeelings,andadvancesforyourlife.

Listen, friend, IKNOWTHEWAYTOBETTERHEALTHANDMIRACLE-LIVINGisgivingGodyourbestasyourconstantpractice, thenwith thesameaggressiveness of spirit, ask Him for His best AND EXPECT IT. I repeat,ANDEXPECTIT.Lookforit,foritwillnotfailtocometoyou.

Lookingforitisveryimportantforthenyouwillrecognizeitandreceiveitforyourgood.

Saythe following toyourself:"It'sgoodtoknow that I cangetoutofmysystemallthethingsIdon'tlikeaboutGod...soHecangivemeHisbetterhealthandfillmewithHisabundantlife."

1.IwillsaywhatI feelaboutGodso itwillhelpgetme inposition toseeHimasalovingHeavenlyFathertome.

2.IwillprayforthepeopleIdon't like—this isSeed-Faithprayingand itwillbemultipliedbacktomeintheformofmyneed.

PrayingForSomeoneElseWillBeginaHealingInMe

THE WAY TO MIRACLE-LIVING IS GIVING GOD MY BEST ANDTHENASKINGHIMFORHISBEST...ANDEXPECTINGITSOTHATIWILL RECEIVE IT AS HIS GOOD FORMY LIFE ANDMY LOVEDONES.

Chapter4

HOWAPERSONALFRIENDLOSTHISWAYANDFOUNDITAGAIN—AND IFYOUFEELALITTLELOSTYOUCANFINDYOURWAYTOO

I Can Live My Life Right Every Day Through God My Source andMyStrength

LetmetellyouaboutaveryclosefriendIhaveinthebusinessworld.HeandIovertheyearshavehelpedeachother,especiallythroughprayerandexchangeofideasonhowGodworksHismiracles.

HeisthemanwhohelpedmedevelopanexpressionIusealotwithpeople.It'sthis:

GodworksHismiraclesthroughpeople,notthroughlightningandthunderandthingslikethat.

God acts through people. God speaks throughpeople. God expresses himselfthroughpeople.IfGodacts,speaksandexpresseshimself throughpeople,whydon'tyouandIgiveHimagreatandgrandexpressioninourlives?

Hehascomeasnear togivingGodagreatandgrandexpression inhis lifeasanyone I know. He understands it is through people that God works Hismiracles, thatHe is theSource, and thatbycooperatingwithHimHewill actand speak and express himself through us as persons and we will personallyexperience Hismiracles.Also, thatwewill be instruments ofHismiracles toothers.

Inthemostpracticalwayhehasappliedthistruthtohisfamilylife,hislifeasabusinessman, and to his public life as amember of his state legislature.As achurchmanhehascontributedofhistimeandmoneyandideas.InourministryhehasbeenaSeed-FaithpartnerinhelpingusbuildOralRobertsUniversityandcarryonthisministryoftakingGod'shealingpowertothisgeneration.

HELOSTHISWAY

Inspiteofallthishedevelopedsomerealproblems.

RecentlyIlearnedhehadlosthiswayspiritually.Henolongercouldprayeitherwiththespiritorwithhisunderstanding.*HehadlosthisSourceandwasbesidehimselfwith tension, frustration,and fear. Iamgrateful thatGod letourpathscrossinanairportandtherehere-experiencedmiracle-living.

I'llcallhimBobalthoughthatisnothisname,butthestoryIamabouttosharewithyouistrue.

Bob had flown to a certain city in his private jet. Iwas in the small terminalwhenhewalkedinandsawme.Hesaid,

"Oral,waitaminute.I'dratherseeyouthananyothermanintheworld."

Isaid,"Bob,what'swrong?"

Hesaid,"Everything.I'mintrouble."

I knew quite a lot about his life. As a poor boy he worked his way throughcollegeandlawschoolwithagreatdrivetomakesomethingofhislife.Earlyhetook God into his life, making the important decision to pray before everydecision he made, including business. Eventually he had a family, got aheadfinancially,madealotoffriendsandgotelectedtopublicoffice.

*SeeStepNumber1,Chapter7formoreonprayingwiththespiritandwiththeunderstanding.

Oneof his goalswas to bewealthy and he had a definite financial goal.Twoyearsagohereachedthatgoal.Thenheranacrossamanworthtwicethatmuch,sowithoutfurtherthoughthemadethatman'sworthhisgoal,raisinghissightsby100percent.

Aswesatthereintheairporthebegantalking,pouringouthissoul."Oral,uptothattimeIwasahappyman.IknewGodhadHishanduponmyshoulder,andinevery attempt I made in business or public life I prayed for guidance and IbelieveI received it.EverythingIplannedandwentforwasfoundedonbeinghonestandsincere."

Looking straight atme he continued, "Although Iwas not called to preach or

anythinglikethat,IwantedtobeGod'sman.IyearnedtoseewhatGodwoulddowithapersonofhumbleorigins,whowaswillingtoapplyhimselfandworkhard,andwhowoulddevelopapatternofgivingsothathewassharingwhathewasandwhatheearned."

AsfarasIcouldsee,his lifewasa testimonythathehaddonethisandwasaSeed-Faithman.ThepeoplehehadhelpedandtheloveHehadfortheLordandthosewhoworkedwithhimspokeofhishonesty,sincerity,andgenerosityasacommittedChristian.

Hesaid,"I'mgoingtolevelwithyoubecauseIbelieveyouwillunderstandandmaybeabletohelpme.I'mbecomingtroubledinmyspiritandforthefirsttimemymindwillnotwork, thedeals I'm inarenotworkingout. In fact, I'monaverybigonenowandalthoughit'sverypromisingfinancially,perhapsmorethananyofmyentirelife,itisworryingmetodeath."

"Doyouwanttoshareitwithme?"

"Yes,verymuch.Ihavebecomeconnectedwithamaninaverylargebusinessprojectweareattempting.Usuallywemakeadeal,shakehands,andourwordisgood.ButthismanwantedacontractandIgaveit tohim.Itwasfairforbothsides and I was at peace over it. About three months ago he came back andwanted towaterdownmypart and Idid it.A little laterhewanted itwatereddownmoreandagainIdidit."

Isaid,"Whydidyouwateritdown?Wasn'titafaircontract?"

"Yes,faironbothsides."

"Well,whydidyouwateritdown?"

Hesaid,"BecauseIamaChristian."

I said, "Why would being a Christian cause you to water down an honestcontract?"

"Well,"he replied, "Iwant towin thisman toChrist and I felt like if IwouldgiveintohimhewouldrespectmyChristianexperiencemore."

HISFIRSTANDSECONDMISTAKE

"That'swhereyoumadeyoursecondmistake,"Isaid.

"Mysecond?"

"Yes,yourfirstwastopatternyourfinancialgoalsaftertheman'sworthinsteadoflettingGodleadyouintoHisgoalsforyou."

ThenIsaid,"Backtoyoursecondmistake,here'swhatIbelieveGodexpectsofaChristian.First,youdon'tgoaroundtryingtoproveyouareaChristian.Next,ifyoumakeafairandhonestdeal, then that'swhat it is—honestandfair.Youcan'tchangeanhonestandfairdealwithout losingyourownself-respect, thentherespectoftheotherperson.AsaChristianyouhavenorighttocontributetothedelinquencyordishonestyofanyonewithwhomyoumakedeals."

Hesaid,"You'reright.Iseethatnow.ButI'mdeeplyinvolved.WhatcanIdo?"

Isaid,"I'llmakesomesuggestionsbasedontheBibleandmyownexperiencesasaChristianwho,byvirtueofmyministry,hastomakebusinessdecisionsaswellaspreachthegospel."

Hesaid,"Ineedtohearthem."

I answered, "I suggest you quit being sentimental and emotional about yourrelationshipwith thisman.Stickwith the contract.Youare anhonest and fairmanandyoushouldstandupforthesamethingsyoudidwhenyoufirststartedwithyourfriend.TheonlychanceyouhaveasaChristiantoinfluencethismanforChrististocarryoutthetermsoftheoriginalcontract.Keepinghimhonestissomethinghewillthankyoufor;ifnotnow,later.Ifhedoesn't thankyou,youhave the inner assuranceyouhave fulfilledyourword.Youhave followed thetruthofwhatyoubelieveisrightandyoucantrustGodfortheresults.Godwillnotletyoudownaslongasyouholdtothetruth."

THEREIS"SOMETHINGELSE"

Hesaid,"Ilikewhatyou'resaying,andalthoughIhaven'tdoneit,it'ssomethingIhadalreadyfeltinmyheart.Butthere'ssomethingelse."

Ithought,thereusuallyis. It's likewhenapersongivesyouall thereasonsfornotdoingsomething,yousay,"Now,what'stherealreason?"I'veseenthatworkwondersmanytimes.Thenyougetdowntorealfacts.

Hesaid,"I'vealwayslookedtoGodastheSourceformylife,theSourceformysuccess,butwhenIgotinwiththismanandsawhowwealthyandbighewas,IreallythinkIgotmyeyesonhim.Andnowthathe'sbeguntoletmedown,I'mlosingsomethingoutofmylife.Idon'thavethesamecontactwithGod."

Ilistened.Hecontinued,"Ireallyhavestoppedpraying.

OntheplanecominginhereIpickedupaBibleandforthefirsttimeinseveralweeks,readsomethingfromGod'sWord."

He looked at me, saying, "Oral, I have forgotten how to pray. Really what IwouldlikemosttohavefromyouisawordonhowIcanstartprayingagain."

Isaid,"Whatwouldyouliketosayinyourprayers?"

"Well,IwouldliketosaytoGodthatIthinkI'vegotmymindoffHimandontothisman, andmaybe I think thisman is the one I've been looking to for thesuccess of this deal, the biggest deal ofmy life, instead of to Him. And I'vemesseditup."

"Whydon't you say that?Whydon't you say it toHimas youhave said it tome?"

"Allright,I'lldoit.ButInoticeonyourtelevisionprogramsyouaskpeopletojoinhandsandprayforeachother.Wouldyoujoinyourhandswithmine,andwouldyoustarttheprayer?"

Nowthiswasrightintheairterminalandpeoplewerepassingupanddowninfront ofwherewewere seated. But I knew itwas no accident thatmade ourpathscross.Mydearfriendwasoblivioustothecrowds—hewasdoingbusinesswithGod.

IprayedbrieflythenaskedhimifhewouldspeakoutofhisspirittoGod.AsheprayedIheardhimsaywithrealconviction:"OLord,remembermyfriendandblesshim.And lethimknowthat I lovehim."Thenheforgotmeandkeptonpraying and soon I saw his eyes fill with tears which were falling down hischeeksandontothefloor.Hestillhadholdofmyhands.WhenhelookedupIsaw that the strained look on his face was gone. He straightened up, lookedaround,thensaid,"Oral,thishasbeenthemostexcitingmomentofmylife."

WhenIaskedhimwhy,heanswered,"Becauseasthe23rdPsalmsays,Hehasrestoredmysoul."

Webothleft,goingourseparateways.Afriendinhistownwrote,"DearBrotherRoberts,whatdidyoudo tomyfriendBob?He'sacompletelynewman.He'shisoldselfagainandgoinggreat."

Ithought,whatdidIdo?IguessIremindedhimofsomethinghealreadyknewand Imade him realize that the seeds he had planted, andwas planting,wereimportant. That God was his Source and by putting things straight withHimagainwouldcauseGodtoworkthingsout.

Thisiswhatyoucandoifyoufeelalittlelost:

I Can Live My Life Right Every Day Through God MySource And MyStrength

Chapter5

YOUMAYPANICWHENYOUREALLYSTARTPLANTINGSEEDBYREACHINGOUTTOPEOPLE -BUTEVENWHENYOUPANICYOUCANEXPECTAMIRACLE

Even When It Scares Me I Will Plant Good Seed By Reaching OutToOthers

Mydiscoveryoftheterm,EXPECTAMIRACLE,hitmerightinthemiddleofatimeIwaspanicking.Mylife,myministry,myeverythingwasunderphysicalthreatsanditappearedIwouldgodown.Ithappenedinthemidstofoneofourevangelisticcrusades.

Manymiraclesofhealingwerehappeningandthenewsspreadnearandfar.Aself-styled atheist took it upon himself to stop the meetings, too many werebelievinguponChristasLordandproclaimingGodastheanswertotheirlives.

Threatsweremadeonmylife,andeachtimeIwentintothepulpitguardswerepostedandmyimaginationranwild.Icouldalmostfeel thebulletshittingme.My intellect couldn't shake this off and although outwardly I appeared calm,inside Iwas afraid.Theywent so far as tomake an elaborate plan tomake acitizen'sarrestandhavemejailedonthepretextthatinprayingforthesickIwaspracticingmedicinewithouta license.Several times theseattemptsweremadebut the crowd wouldn't let the men through to me. I had been warned onemorning that thisnight theclimaxwouldcome. Itwouldbeanattemptonmylife,orattheleastamajorefforttostopthemeetingonthetrumped-upcharge.Theyknewofcourseinafreesocietynosuchchargewouldholdupincourtbutfailingtostopthemeetingsanyotherway,thismightembarrassusandholdusuptopublicridicule.

All that day I permitted this thing to upsetmymind.My body reacted and Icouldn'tdigestmyfood.Before leavingfor theauditoriumIdidwhatIalwaysdobeforeattemptingtopreachandprayforpeople'shealing.IkneltandprayeduntiltheanointingoftheHolySpiritcameuponme.ThisisanintangiblemoveoftheSpiritwhichwhenitcomesuponmeisveryreal toallmysenses.Icanfeelit.Itistheliving,movingSpiritofGodrisingirresistiblywithinmesothatIcanexperienceapowerfromGodinwhichIfeelaboldnesstofaceanything!

Early inmyministryImadea twofoldvow—totouchneither thegoldnor theglory,nortoenterthepulpitwithoutfirstfeelingtheanointingoftheHolySpirit,which is theunlimitedChrist himself fillingmewithHisholypower fromonhigh.

AsIrose,pickedupmyBible,andstartedoutthedoortheVoicespoke,"Expecta miracle. Expect a newmiracle every day. Tell your friends and partners toexpectamiracleandtoexpectanewmiracleeveryday."

IremembermyfleshtinglingasIheardthesewords.ItbroughtGodsoclosetome.

That night I walked through ten thousand people without a thought of theopposers,thekillers,oranythingthatcouldstopme.IfelttallerbecauseIknewthatIknewGodhadcalledmetotakeHishealingpowertomygenerationandaslongasIobeyedHimIcouldexpectamiracle,anewoneeveryday,includingthisonetonight.WithanewassuranceIknewthatnothingdevisedagainstmewouldprosperformytrustwasinGodthroughwhomIcouldexpectamiracle,anewoneeveryday.

StandingbeforethataudienceIrelatedthisexperience.Itoldofthethreatsandthepresenceofthenewsmediatocaptureitifithappened.Itoldofsomethingelse—theunlimitedhopewehad ifweexpectedmiracles, thatasweexpectedmiraclestheywouldhappen.Eachdaywouldbringitsnewmiraclesforus.Itellyouitwasanexcitingeveningandeverythingchangedforthebetter.

We heard nomore of the intimidating threats. The press was kind enough tocarry the news to their readers and the crowds grew larger and even moreresponsive. Many more conversions and healings happened throughout theremainder of the crusade. In the long run, however, the most importanthappeningwasGod'srevelationtomyachingspiritthatIcouldexpectamiracle,anewoneeveryday—andthatthesamecommitmentfromGodwastoothersaswellastomyself.

Today,somefifteenyearslater,Ihavemailedourlittle"EXPECTAMIRACLE"plaquestohundredsofthousands.

Homes and offices all over the world display them. "Expect a miracle" hasbecomethetheme,therallyingpoint,ofthisministry.Ithasbecomethehopeofmillions.

I have received letters—anddo daily—frompeople in virtually every level oflife,withabouteverykindof illnessorotherproblem,whohave toldmehowEXPECTAMIRACLE gave them a new perspective, a handle forwhat littlefaiththeyhadleft.Theyhavetoldmehowtheirliveshavebeenchangedbythepower ofGod.Actually they have gotten intomiracle-living which iswhat ishappeninginmylifeandwhatIthinkGodwantseachofustohave—everyday.

WHAT GOD SAID TO ME CONCERNING MIRACLES AND THESCHOOLOFMEDICINEATORU

AnotherwordtheLordhasgivenmeonthesethreepowerfulwords,ExpectAMiracle,isreallytremendous.It,too,cameinatimeofchallengeinmylife.Godhadcalledme tobuildHimaSchoolofMedicineandadd it toORU. IknowORUisamiracle in itself. Justwalkingacross thegrounds, seeing the facultyandstudents,I,andalmosteveryonewhovisitstheUniversity,feelasenseofthemiraculous!It'salmostlikeyouareonholygroundbecauseitisGod's.

WhileIwastryingtobringmymindtofocusonthepossibilityofbeingabletobuildGodamedicalschoolandfindingIcouldnotlogicallyreasonitout,Godspoketomyspirit:

"Miraclesarecomingtowardyouorpastyoueveryday."

Myfirst thoughtwasverypositive:Lord, ifmiraclesarecomingtowardmeorpastmeeveryday,thenI'mgoingtoreachoutandtakemine;I'mnotgoingtoletthempassmeby.

Mythoughtsarestillpositiveon:MIRACLESARECOMINGTOWARDYOUORPASTYOUEVERYDAY.Agreatmanyothershaveexuberantlyseizedthispowerful truth and are receiving miracles they never before had thoughtpossible. I know of no better way to wake up in the morning than byremembering:TodayamiracleiscomingtowardmeandIcanreceiveit.

HOW THESE THREE MOST POWERFUL WORDS, "EXPECT AMIRACLE,"CANCHANGEYOURLIFE

Ofthemanyletterspeoplewriteme,somegetholdofmeuntilIamtouchedineveryfiberofmybeing.Igetalift,orIgetanewunderstanding,ortheyremindmeofsomethingIhavesaidordoneanditbecomesmoremeaningfultome.

ThisletterIamabouttosharewithyouwill turnyoueverywaybutloose.It'sfromamanhereinOklahomawhoneededamiracledesperately,whowassofarfromit,YETGOTIT.

Can you imagine being on the FBI rap sheet showing 375 arrests on publicdrunkenness alone?ofbeingkickedoutof thenavy? sohopeless andhelplessthathe'sabsolutelyreachedthebitterend?Canyouimagineallthat?

Iwanthimtotellyouwhatthreewordsdidforhislife...

then I want you to start looking on your sickness or problem (which is anydisharmonyordiseaseyouhave)assomethingyouwanttobewellfrom...

DearBrotherRoberts:

Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytotellyouhow

"threewords"changedmylife.IthasbeenoverfouryearssinceIwrotetoyou.Idon'tknowifyoustillhavemyoldletterornot.Iwroteitsittingatthekitchentable, just as I'm doing now.But today as Iwrite you, "it's awhole new ballgame!"BrotherRoberts, I do hope youwill have time to read this, because IwantyoutoknowaboutthismiraclethatGodperformedthroughyouandA.A.

When I wrote to you four years ago, I felt so hopeless and helpless, and sodespondentandremorsefulthatIdidn'tknowwhichwaytoturn.For33yearsofmylifeIhadtriedeverything(includingthechurch)!andalltonoavail.Iwasahelplessandhopelessalcoholicofthetypeyouwouldhavetoknowpersonallytobelieve!

Having been born and raised in the Cookson Hills of Oklahoma, I had earlyaccesstomoonshine(whitelightning),andattheearlyageof14Iwasarrestedforpublicdrunkennessandthatwasthebeginningof33yearsofdrunkenness.Iwasaslaveto thecunning,baffling,andpowerfuldiseaseofalcoholism.TheykickedmeoutoftheNavywhenIwas19becauseIwasanalcoholicandhadnowillpoweragainstthecompulsiontodrink.IwentontobeinthegutterofabouteveryskidrowintheUnitedStatesandMexico.

Iwashospitalizedsome27 times foralcoholismandhaveanFBI rapsheetof375arrestsforpublicdrunkennessandIdrankeverythingfrompaintthinnertoaftershavelotion.BecauseIwassick,physically,mentally,andspiritually,ever-

body (includingmyself) thoughtmeahopelesscase.As I statedearlier in thisletter, you would have had to know me personally to believe the type ofalcoholic I really was. Brother Roberts, it's almost too much for anyone tobelieve (exceptGod) that a life such as I have just described to you could becompletelychangedby"threewords"butthankGod,it'strue!

Iwillneverforgetthatday,April1st,whenIsatatthekitchentable.Ihadtoldmydearwife,Isaid,

"Honey,youknowandIknowthatIhavewastedmylifeandI'mhopeless.Iwasborn to die a drunk and you will be better off when I'm gone." I was soremorsefulandsickinmysoul.ButthankGod,Iwentontosaytomywife,"Asalastresort,I'mgoingtowritetoOralRobertsbecauseIhavebeeninspiredbyhearinghimtalk."AndI'msothankfulthatIdidwritetoyou.

YouansweredmyletterandinsodoingyouandGodansweredmyprayer.Yousimplysaid,"ExpectaMiracle."AndIbelievedthis!AtthattimeIhadnothingelse tohangonto,soIhungonto those threewords,until Ibelievedit inmyheart! I kept saying tomyself, "Expect AMiracle! God has promised it, OralRobertshaspromisedit,whoamItosayitcannothappen?"Then,Ididbelieveit!! And thank God, it happened!! The miracle had finally happened after33yearsofdespairandhellonearth.

BrotherRoberts,thathasbeenoverfouryearsnowandIhavenothadthedesireor compulsion for alcohol since that day when you told me to "Expect AMiracle!"Iwasliftedfromthepitsofhellonearth,aslavetoalcohol,toahappyandnormalwayoflifesuchasIhadneverknownbefore.Inowhaveafeelingofusefulness.I'mnothopelessorhelplessanymore.IhavebeenreinstatedintheNavyandnowhaveanhonorabledischarge.IamnowanemployeeattheveryhospitalwhereIwasonceapatient(sevendifferenttimes)foralcoholism.Thelistcouldgoonandon,of themany"miracles" thatGodhasbestowedonmeoverthepastfouryears.

BrotherRoberts,IhopesomedaythatIwillhavetheopportunitytomeetyouinpersonandshakeyourhandandtellyouhowgratefulI'llalwaysbetoyouandtoGodforthosethreewordsyouwrotetomethatsavedmylifeandletmelivealifethatIneverknewexisted.AndnowyouknowwhyIsaid,"It'sawholenewballgame"

At the statehospitalwhere I'memployed, Ihave theopportunity tohelpothersufferingalcoholicsandthefirstthingItellthemis,"IfyouaresicklikeIwasandwanttogetwell,ExpectAMiracle!"

Godblessyou!

Yourstruly,

FloydMears

Manytilingsstandoutinthisletterbuttomethebestis:

"IfyouaresicklikeIwas,andwanttogetwell,EXPECTAMIRACLE."

Oh,sure,youcansay,"Whythatolddrunk,hehitbottomandhadnowaytogobutup.What'sthatgottodowithme,I'mnotlikethat?"

True,butdon'tmisswhathe'ssaying.Heissaying,"Ifyouaresick...asIwas,"notnecessarilythesicknesshehad(thoughifyouare,heincludesyou),butsick...sickbecauseyougothitbysomethingthatwon'tturnyouloose—it'sanythingfromalcoholtobitternesstohatetophysicalillnesstofeartolonelinessandjustplainunwillingnesstouseyourwillintherightway.

"...andwanttogetwell..."

YourWANTTOisapreciouspoweryoupossessandit'stheretoworkforyou.It's thatmuchofGod inyou,who is foryourbetterhealth,whowantsyou toenterintomiracle-living.

"Ifyouwanttogetwell,"thinkofthispossibilitythatyoucan,thatyouwill,andyou,too,willbesayingtosomeone,"IfyouaresicklikeIwas,andwanttogetwell,EXPECTAMIRACLE."

Yes,you'llbesayingthat.Ifeelit.Itwillbeawholenewballgame,likeFloydMears said, and you'll again have the chance you wanted. You will havecommittedtoanewpossibilityinyourlife...

GREAT SELF-STARTERS ABOUT SEED-PLANTING ANDEXPECTINGAMIRACLE

1.Mymiraclesfollowmyseed-planting.

2.GodistheSourceofmultiplyingmyseedsown.

3.IcanexpectamiracleevenwhenIamabouttopanic.

4.MiraclesarecomingtowardmeorpastmeeverydayandIamgoingtoreachoutandtakemine.

5.EverymorningIwillfacemynewdayEXPECTINGAMIRACLE!

EvenWhenItScaresMeIWillPlantGoodSeedByReachingOuttoOthers

Chapter6

HOWILEARNEDTOPLANTGOODSEEDTHROUGHOBEDIENCETOGODWHENHETOLDMETOTAKEHISHEALINGPOWERTOTHEPEOPLE

Reaching Out To Others Is Miracle Seed I Am Planting For My OwnHealingAndSuccess

Ihaveknownsomanypeoplewhowantamiracle,anythingthatwillgetthemoutofthesituationtheyareinsotheycanlive,LIVE,LIVE.Partoftheirtroubleis,theyhavelivingintheirmind—notwhatittakestomakeitpossible.

They have knowingly or unknowingly worked themselves into the jam ofwantingsomethingfornothing.

Frankly, I have never received anything for nothing but that later I wished Ihadn't. It's the samewith everybody I know. It won't work. It's grasping at astraw,andwhenyougetityoudiscoveritwon'tholdyouup.

Toridyourselfofanypartofwantingsomethingfornothing,acceptthefactthatGodhassoconstitutedyouandHisworldthatthereisbuiltintoyouandmetheeternal principle of sowing and reaping. In the Bible it's called seedtime andharvest.

"While the earth remaineth," God said of the new world after the Flood haddestroyedtheoldone,"seedtimeandharvest...shallnotcease"(Genesis8:22).

He saysyoumust sow seedor have a seedtime inorder toproduce aharvest.Youmust sow first before you can expect to reap.Yourmiracle follows yourseed-planting.

DOYOUREALIZEYOUHAVEALREADYSOWNMANYSEEDS?

Thefactisthatyouhavesownseed,manyseeds.Howcanyouknowthat?Well,every timeyouhave initiatedanypositiveaction forgood,youhaveplantedaseed.Asmile,apatontheback,helpingsomebody,sayingaprayerinsomeone'sbehalf,givingagiftofyourtimetoagoodcause,ormoney,oragoodthought—

that issowingaseedoffaithwhetheryouknowitornot.Thatis theseedtimethatGodreferredtoinGenesis8:22.ThisiswhatIwantyoutoseethatyouhavedone, that it is a seed you have planted; therefore, each of those seeds has aharvestontheendofit.Ithasa"dueseason"foryoutoreap(Galatians6:9).Ittookmealongtimetostartlearningthis.SinceIstarted,IhavecomeintoSeed-Faith living which is the basis for those powerful three words, EXPECT AMIRACLE.

DO YOU ALSO REALIZE IT IS GOD WHO IS THE SOURCE OFMULTIPLYINGYOURSEEDSOWN?

Oftenwesay,"Ihelpedthisperson,nowwhenIneedhelp,whywon'thehelpme?"

True, youhavehelpedhim,youplanted the seed.BUTyou cannot expect theoneyouhelped tobeaSOURCEbacktoyou.GodisyourSource.Nopersonhas the power tomultiply a seed.God alonemultiplies your seed sown.Godsaid, "Cast thy bread upon thewaters: for thou shalt find it aftermany days"(Ecclesiastes11:1).Thewaveyoucastyourbreaduponmaynotbetheoneuponwhichitreturns.Itmaybeanewwave.Whicheverwaveitreturnson,itwillbeGodwhosendsitback.HeisyourSource.Thismeanstheonesyouhelpmayormaynothelpyou,butGodwhoisGODOFTHEHARVEST

willcausesomeone tohelpyou. Ifyoukeepyour trust inHim,Hewillnever,neverfailyouinthis.Likeme,you'vegottobelievethisandIdobelieveit.

Do your best to understand that the seeds you plant to help people are ademonstrationofyourinnerselfbeingonGod'sside.Further,itisanexpressionofyourdeep,deepfeelings todogood. It issaidofJesus thatHe"wentaboutdoing good" (Acts 10:38). It is alsowritten that Jesus said, "[ I came not] todestroymen'slives,buttosavethem"(Luke9:56).HeiscalledintheBible,"theseedofDavid"(Romans1:3;2Timothy2:8).

Likeus,Hehimselfisaseed;likeus,whatHedidwasaseedHeplanted.Everythought,everyact,everywish,everythingHedidbecameanexpressionofHisinnerselftoheal,tosave,togivelifeandtogiveitmoreabundantly.ThatwastheseedHeplanted.

"BELIKEJESUS..."

I vividly remember when the Voice said to me, "Be like Jesus and heal thepeopleasHedid."Ididnotunderstandthisatfirst;ittookmonths,years,beforeitdawnedonmethatBEINGLIKEJESUSandhealingpeopleasHedid,iswhatGodis.ItiswhatGod'smethodis.ItistheseedsHewantsustoplantsoHecanmultiply themback tous tosolveourownproblemsandmeetourownneeds.Alsotoopenuphealingforourownillnessesandbringconstantreplenishmentforourdailyexistencewhileonearth.Youseethis,don'tyou?

Godwas actually tellingme to get into seedtime and harvest, orwhat I havecometoknowfromJesusasSeed-Faith(Matthew17:20).

NotoncecanyoueverfindJesusexpectingpeopletohelpHimfirst.Hesaid,"[I]camenottobeministeredunto,but...togive"(Matthew20:28).ThentoyouandmeHesaid,"Give,anditshallbegivenuntoyou"(Luke6:38).EvenintheGoldenRuleHegaveus,"Dountoothersasyouwouldhavemendountoyou"(Luke6:31),isanactionthatyouinitiateinyourspirit.ItissomethingyouDOfirst."DO"isthefirstpartoftheGoldenRule.Itisaseedyoustartplanting,nottheotherperson.JesushadourgoodinmindwhenintheGoldenRuleHetoldustostartitbyDOINGsomethingfirst.

DoinguntoothersasyouwouldhavethemdotoyouisanactofSeed-Faith.Ittakesfaith—andlove—toplantaseedlikethat.We,ofcourse,wantotherstodonicethingstousandforus.However,Jesussaysthisbeginswithdoingitfirsttoother people. Doing it guarantees that God will cause it to come back to usMULTIPLIED, whether from those we've done it to, or from those we leastexpect it from. It will come back to us fromwhatever person or means Godchoosestouse!

HeistheSourceofitsbeingmultipliedbacktous!

In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, "For with the same measure ye [give] it shall be[given] toyouagain." Ihavefound this tobe literally true,except it isalwaysMORE than I gave. Because what I give is a seed I plant and when Godmultipliestheseeditismuchmore.

Inoneofourseminarsapartnersaid,"Youcancounttheseedsinanapplebutwhocancounttheapplesinoneseed?"

In one of the question-and-answer periods, another partner said, "God doesn'tneedourseed,weneedHiscrop."Iagreeinpart.Goddoesn'tneedourseedlike

we need His crop. But He does have to have something from us in order tomultiplyitback.AsI'vesaidbefore,zeromultipliedbackequalszero.

THECAT-SELLER

I heard of a certain man who dealt in antiques. Many of his bargains wereobtainedfrompeoplewhodidn'tknowthevalueoftheobjectthismanwanted.One day he came into a secondhand store and saw a cat in themiddle of thefloordrinkingmilkfromanoldbowl.Hisexperiencedeyesawimmediatelythatit was no ordinary bowl, it was an antique worth a lot ofmoney. He said tohimself,thisfellowdoesn'tknowthat'sanexpensiveantique.Why,Icanbuyitforlittleornothing.

Hesaidtothestorekeeper,"Say,Inoticedthatbeautifulcat.I'vebeenlookingforacatlikethat.I'dliketobuythatcatifyou'rewillingtosellit."

Themanreplied,"Mister,I'llsellanythinginmystore.

Yougiveme$25andthatcatisyours."

Hepaidhim,pickedupthecatandbegantostrokeit.

"My,whatabeautifulcat,"hesaid."I'vealwayswantedacatlikethis."

Lookingdownatthebowl,hepickeditupandsaid,"Bytheway,Inoticethecatwasdrinkingmilkfromthisoldbowl.

It'snotworthanything,he'susedtoit,IbelieveI'lljusttakethisoldbowlwithme."

Thestorekeeperanswered,"Mister,youputthatbowldown.That'sthebestcat-sellerI'veeverhad."

What is Seed-Faith or the Golden Rule here? Is it trying to deceive thestorekeeperwho in turndeceivesback?Didn't bothmenplant abad seed thatwouldbemultipliedbackinbad things?HowmuchbettertohavetakenJesus'wayofgiving,andgivingfirst,byonesellingforafairpricesotheothercouldreceiveafairreturn?Arewereallylikethecat-seller?OrdoweseethatGodhassomethingbetterforus?

AFTER33YEARSHESTARTEDSOWINGGOODSEED

Idiscoveredlatersomethingaboutmyfriend,FloydMears.

Whenallthebadseedshehadplantedfor33yearsbroughthimaharvestsobadit was totally destroying him as aman, he began to listen tomy sermons ontelevisiononSeed-Faith.Hehadbeena"taker,"withnoregardforthejobshehad.Hecarednothingfor theNavywhotookachanceandacceptedhim.Thewife who had loved him—he constantly neglected. The children who werecountingonhisbeingagoodfather—heneglectedbecausehiswantswereonlyforhimself.Hewantedsomethingfornothing.

ThedeceitfulpromisesofalcohollayinashesatthefeetofFloydMearswhoinhisownwayhadbeenthecat-sellerandcat-buyer.

Hebecamea sickman. Itwasat thepointofhisneed thathe foundGodwaswaiting.The instinctsGod awakened in himwere to listen and start in on theeternal principles of Seed-Faith, of giving—and giving first. This is when hestarted giving. This was the response my letter struck in him when I wrote,ExpectaMiracle.Hecouldexpectashenowhadabasisforexpectancybecausehehadstartedgiving.

YouandImustknowthatanythingwegetbybeingagetter insteadofagiverwilleventually"get"us.Itwillriseupandbiteus.Ontheotherhand,wemustknoweverygoodseedweplantwill,withoutfail,bringagoodharvest.

"Benotdeceived,Godisnotmocked.Whatsoeveramansoweth, thatshallhealso reap" (Galatians 6:7). Best of all, God says that seedtime is followed byharvesttime.

ATESTORAREWARD

EverythinginlifeiseitheraTESTORAREWARD.Atleast,itisatestofyourresponsetolife,byyourspirit,yourbetterself,ORitisarewardcomingbackasaharvestforthegoodseedyouhaveplanted.

Arejectedopportunitytogiveisalostopportunitytoreceive.Jesussaidthatinthesewords:"Itismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive"(Acts20:35).Thewordblessed, as used by Jesus here, means productive. Jesus is saying it is moreproductivetogivethantoreceive.Whyisgivingmoreproductive?

Becauseonlywhatyougivecanbemultipliedback,notwhatyoureceive.

Remember, in God's eternal law of seedtime and harvest, IF YOU GIVENOTHINGANDNOTHINGISMULTIPLIED,ITISSTILLNOTHING!Zeromultipliedbyzeroremainszero!Thisreallyinspiresmetogive.Whenyouseethegoodthatissuretocomeback,itbringsyouintojoy.Youbecomecheerfulinyourgiving.Expectingamiracle—ortheharvest—

becomesGod'scommitmenttoyou.Thenyoudon'thavetoblunderthroughlifeby expecting something for nothing. You will know the rewards of working,giving,expecting,ANDRECEIVING.

THINGSINEEDTOREMEMBERABOUTSEED-PLANTING:

1.Thereisnosuchthingas"somethingfornothing."

2.Seedplantingproducesaharvest—itisGod'seternal lawofsowingandreaping(Genesis8:22).

3.ItisGodwhomultipliestheseedsown.

4.Everythinginlifeiseitheratestorareward.

5.Arejectedopportunitytogiveisalostopportunitytoreceive.

6. I do not have to blunder through life expecting something for nothingwhenIcanknowtherewardsofworking,giving,expecting,andreceiving.

ReachingOuttoOthersisMiracleSeedIAmPlantingForMyOwnHealingAndSuccess

HOW I LEARNED TO PLANT GOOD SEED THROUGH OBEDIENCETO GOD WHEN HE TOLD ME TO TAKE HIS HEALING POWER TOTHEPEOPLE

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERTWO...

Things I must do and remember as I plant the good seed of lovingGodandreachingoutto

people:

1. I WILL LOOK TO GOD ALONE AS MY SOURCE AND NOT TOPEOPLE.IfIthinkIdon'tlikeGod,IwilltellHimhowIfeelandthenplantaSeed-Faithprayer foroneIdon't likeand itwillbemultipliedback tomeatthepointofmyneed.

2. I WILL PRAY FOR PEOPLE I LIKE OR DISLIKE BECAUSE GODLOVESTHEMALL.IcanovercomethethingsIdon'tlikeaboutGodwhenIgetthistruthinsideme:GodismySource.

3. PRAYING FOR SOMEONEELSEWILL BEGIN AMIRACLE INME.The way to miracle-living is: giving Go my best and then asking Him forHis best...a miracle...and expecting it so that I will receive it as His goodformylifeandmylovedones.

4. I WILL LIVE MY LIFE RIGHT EVERY DAY THROUGH GODMYSOURCEANDMYSTRENGTH.

IfIfeelIhavelostmyway,IwillgethonestwithGodandmanandIwilllooktoGod,mySource,whorestoresme.

5. EVEN WHEN IT SCARES ME I WILL PLANT GOOD SEEDBYREACHINGOUTTOOTHERS.

Miraclesarecomingtowardmeorpastme.IwillfaceeverynewdaylookingtoGodasthemultiplierofmyseedsown,andexpectingamiracle.

6. REACHING OUT TO OTHERSIS MIRACLE SEED I AM PLANTING FOR MY OWN HEALING ANDSUCCESS. Seed-planting produces a harvest—-it is God's eternal law ofsowingandreaping(Genesis8:22).

StepNumber3THREE

Youcanexpectmanymiraclesforyourself ifyouhavearightrelationshipwithyourself...andwithGod.

Chapter1

HOWTOLOVEYOURSELFASGODLOVESYOUSOYOUCANLIVEINASTATEOFBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

IAmUsingMyInbornAbilityToBelieveAndExercisingMyFaithToGetWellAndStayWell

For many years after having dealt with people throughout the world, both inperson and through correspondence, I have felt they should have better healthandlivelongerthanisordinarilyexpected.

Imaginemy surprise—and joy—when I began running intomountingmedicalevidence gained from in-depth research that our bodies should respond betterandbeinbetterhealthamuchlongertimeonearth.

The researchers have learned, for example, that the body's organs don'tdeteriorate dramatically with age. The healthy heart doesn't age significantly,theysay.Theyindicatethelossofbraincellsinoldageisnotuniversal.

Healthy organs in our mature years tell us we have a greater expectancy forhealthandlongerlife.

In 1900, life expectancy in this country for men was about 46 years and forwomenabout48.Today,itis69and76respectively.

I read in one medical journal where it stated they are talking now of theprobabilityofextendinghealthylifefarbeyondwhatweknowittoday.Itisevenstatedthatifa1

personathishealthiestcanbehandledright,hislife-spancanbeextendedupto200,300,oreven400years.Incredible?

Yes.

MyprayeristhattheresearcherswilllearnmoreandmoreandpassitontousSOWECANPUTITINTOOURRESPONSETOLIFE.Believing ithelps itincreasehealthinyou.

AmIsayingthatthiskindofhealingisrelatedtofaithinGod?

Yes,Iam.

St.PaulsaysGodhasgiventoeverypersonthemeasureoffaith(Romans12:3).Your innate ability to believe, to exercise this inborn faith, is your strongestpowertogetwell,staywell,stayalivelonger!It'sallapartofGodwhowantstobeasmuchapartofyouasyourbreathing—andasclose!

THEEXPERIENCEOFAYOUNG92-YEAR-OLDCANADDHEALTHANDYEARSTOYOURLIFE

Irememberprayingfora92-year-oldmaninoneofourcrusadeswhowasstillquitevigorous.Ashestoodbeforeme,Iasked,"Whatisyourparticularneed?"

"Oh,"hereplied,"Iwanttomakeittoahundred."

"Doyouthinkyoucan?"

"Oh,yes,withjustalittletouchofGod'shealingpower."

HelookedstraightatmeasifImightnotrespond.Hesaid,"Youngman,whynot?Whynotgoonto100?"

Isaid,"I'mnotagainstit,"andsmiled.

Hesaid,"IhaveabledoctorsandIcooperatewithwhattheytellmetodo.Itakelongwalksandkeepmyselfinshape.

IcontroltheamountoffoodIeat.Idon'tabusemybodyormymind.AndIamaChristian!"

"HowlonghaveyoubeenaChristian?"Iasked.

"Manyyears.IbelieveGodwantsmetohavehealth.

That'swhyIlistentomydoctors.Andit'swhyIlistentoyou.

That's why I'm here. Just being in this atmosphere of faith lifts my spirit.Already, I feel better, stronger,more alive. If youwill say a prayer forme, IbelieveIcanmakeittoahundred."

Theentirecrusadeaudienceapplauded.

Iaskedhimwhathislovedonesthoughtaboutthis.

HemusthavethoughtIwasreferringtosomeone'soppositiontomyprayersforthehealingofpeople.Hebristledamomentandsaid,"Son,iftheysayanythingaboutOralRobertsoraboutGodnotbeingabletohealfolks,well,Ijustmark'emoffmylist."

Again the crowd roared.But hewas serious.He believedGodwanted him tohavehealth,tomakeittoahundred.

Iprayedforhim;hehuggedmeandwalkedoffasifheownedtheworld.

YOUHAVEALOTMOREGOINGFORYOUTODAY

But there'smore,muchmore to thisman's goal and spirit thanwemay think.Medicine is better, people are exercising and watching their weight better,knowledge of proper diet is better, expectancy for a long life is better, morepeople believe in healing prayer, there's more positiveness in many peopletowardGod,inbeingabletousetheirfaithasneverbefore.

MillionsarecatchingontothemiracleofSeed-Faith*anditsthreemiraclekeys:

1)MakingGodtheSourceofmytotalsupply.

2)Givingandgivingfirst,givingnotasadebtIowebutasaseedIsow.

3)Expectingamiracleoraharvestfromeachseedplantedcomingbackintheformofmyneed.

*Seebackpageof thisbookonhowtogetmytwobooksonSeed-Faith,freeandpostpaid.

A human being has a lotmore going for him today. I often feel stronger andbetternowthanIdidinmythirties.SodoesEvelyn,mydarlingwife.

InoticehereatOralRobertsUniversity that thegeneralhealthof thoseonourstaff and facultyand inour studentbody isonanastonishinglyhigh level.OfcoursethereisanatmosphereofpositivefaithinGodontheORUcampusthatcontributes to better health andmiracle-living. The Prayer Tower at its centerradiates God's healing love. The chapel services twice weekly are filled withGod'sWord,songsofloveandfaith,fellowship—deepandspiritual—andazestforlivingtheabundantlife.And,wehavesplendidmedicalcare.

Onthese500acresthereseemstobethefeelingfromalmosteveryfacultyandstaffmember,everystudent,"IwishforyoutheabundantlifeofourLordJesusChrist."Believeme,that'simportant.

ManypeoplevisitingourcampushavesaidtheyfeelthisthemomenttheydrivethroughtheAvenueofFlagsentrancetothecampus.

AHEALINGWHILEDRIVINGONTOTHEORUCAMPUS

Onemantoldus,"WeweredrivingwestandwhenwereachedTulsawedecidedtodrive through thecampus. Ihadbeen sufferingwithcancer andwasonmyway to a specialist in a large city.Well, when we drove into the entrance, Inoticedtheflagsofthenationsrepresentingthestudentbody.

ThenI lookedupandsawthePrayerTowerandIfeltfaithleapinmyheart.Ifelthealthstarttoflowintome.IguessitwasanexpectancyforamiracleIhadgainedfromreadingyourbook,ADailyGuideToMiracles.Anyway,beforewefinishedtouringthecampuswemetstudentswhosmiled,spoketous,orwavedatus.Therewassomethingthere,Iknewit.Ifeltit.

"Gettingbackintothecartoleave,Isaidtomywife,'Honey,somethingwarmisgoingthroughme.'

"Shesaid,'Whatisit?'

"Isaid,'It'sGod.I'mbeinghealed.'

"AllthewaytotheclinicIgrewstronger.LaterIwasdismissedfromthecliniconthebasisthatapparentlyIhadhadawrongdiagnosis.Ofcoursetheyhadmyrecordsandknewsomethingunusualhadhappenedtome.Iknewittoo.

Thedrainingawayofmylife,thepain,thelossofweight,begantoleave.Iamwell."

Headded,"AllIcansayis,IfeelIranintoanatmosphereofhealthwhichIfeltsurroundingme,infillingme,andrestoringme."

Ican'texplainallthis,neithercanmystaff.Whateveritwaseatingawayathislifelefthim,andIappreciateit.Weseethishappenoften.

FollowmeascloselyasyoucannowforIamgoingtotellyou...

HOW YOU CAN LOVE YOURSELF AS GOD LOVES YOU SO YOUCANEXPECTBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

1.Nowsaytoyourselfthekeyissue:Iamusingmyinbornabilitytobelieve,andexercisingmyfaithtogetwellandstaywell.

2.IwilllistentomydoctorandbelieveGodwantsmetohavehealth.

3. There ismore going forme in theway ofmedicine, exercise, diet, andprayer—all instruments to help me live in a state of better health andsuccess.

4.Beinginanatmosphereoffaithhelpsme.

IAmUsingMyInbornAbilitytoBelieveandExercisingMyFaithtoGetWellandStayWell

Chapter2

HOW TO AVOID WRONG BELIEVING THAT KEEPS YOU FROMBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

IValueEveryInstrumentOfHealing,AndLoveTheSourceOfItAll-God

Iwantyoutogetarighttheologyofhealing.Nowdon'tgetscaredofthewordtheology.Whetheryouknowitornot,everybodyhasatheology.Ifyouhaveagood theology you have a firm base upon which to believe in God's healingpower.Ifyouhaveabadtheology,thenyoudon'thavemuchofafoundationtobelieveanythinggoodaboutGod.Andthisiswherealotofpeopleare,theyaresonegativetheydon'tbelievemuchofanything.Theyhaveabadtheologyabouthealth andmiracle-living; therefore, they aremissing out on the abundant lifethatJesushaspromised(John10:10).

WHATISAGOODTHEOLOGYOFHEALING?

What is a good theology of healing? First, it is based upon the life of GodhimselfasHehasdealtwithmanfromtheverybeginning.Fromthebeginningof time it has beenGod's highest wish,will, and purpose to give people life.Therefore, it is important thatyou take time in reading theBible.This is veryimportanttoyouforyourwell-being.StartwithGenesis,thefirstbook,andreadtheBiblethrough.Takethetimetodoit—youwillbegladyoudid.AsyoureadyourBible,observethekeyissue—whichisthewayGodlooksatman,thegoodthat God wants man to have, and the good that He wants man to be. AndrememberthatGodisthekeyissueoftheBible.

ESPECIALLY STUDY THE FOUR GOSPELS AND THE BOOK OFACTSINTHENEWTESTAMENT

StudytheFourGospels—St.Matthew,St.Mark,St.Luke,andSt.John—andthebookofActs.These first fivebooks in theNewTestamentclearlyconcentrateuponthelifeandministryofJesus.(TheyaretheonlyonesintheentireBiblethatdo.)AsIstudiedthesebooksIsawJesusasamanofpower,compassion,andaction.Hewalkedand talkedwith all kindsofpeople.Hewantedmen tolivefreelyandfully.JesuslearnedtheimportanceofrespondingtolifewithHisspiritfirst.HeshowedthatGodlovespeople,anddemonstrateditbyforgiving

sins,byhealing thesick,andbymeetingpeople'sneeds inevery levelof theirlives. In doing these thingsHe showed uswhatGod is like.You see Jesus atwork and it isGod atwork.He showed us thatGod ismore than an idea, orconcept.HeisourCreator,ourRedeemerandSavior,ourSource,ourlifeitselfintruefullnessandlivability.

THISISOURGOD

DidyouknowChristnevermadeanybodysick?Hewasagainstsickness.InnoplacewillyoueverfindthatJesuswasforsickness.Hehadanattitudeagainstit.ThismeansGoddoesn'tgoaroundgivingpeoplecancerorotherdreaddiseases.Goddoesn'tgoaroundseekingtohurtpeople.

Everything that is good is fromGod.Every bad thing is from the devil (John10:10).One reason I respect doctors so much is that they have grasped thiseternal truth and are against sickness and FOR HEALTH Consciously orunconsciouslytheyhaveaprettygoodtheologyofhealing.SometimesIwishwewhoarepreachershadsuchagoodtheologyofhealing.Ifallofushadabettertheologyofhealingwewouldbelessinclinedtoargueaboutwhetherit'sGod'swilltohealornot.

We would positively approach people with hurts and ills with Christ's ownattitudeofwholenessforthem.IspeakoutofexperiencewhenIsaythis.ForIknowHEALINGBEGINSINTHISLIFE.Youhavethiswonderfulclaimuponthe very real promise of God which is intended personally for you and yourlovedonesintheNOW.

DOYOUKNOWITSGOD'SNATURETOHEAL?

As you study Jesus you will see that His healing ministry began in the verynatureofGodthatrunslikeasinglethreadthroughtheBible.ThehealingpowerofJesusflowedoutofHimbecauseHewasfullofit.ThewomanthattouchedthehemofHisgarment(shewashemorrhagingtodeath)feltHishealingpowerrestoringhertowholeness,andHesaidHefeltthehealinggooutofHim(Mark5:25-30).SowhenyoulookatJesusyoulookatsomeonewhoisfullofGod'shealingpower;andinanywayyoucantouchHim,Hishealingpowerisgoingtoflowdirectlytowardyouforthepurposeofmakingyouwhole.Remember,Jesus'healingpowerflowsoutofHimforyoutoreceiveintoyourownself.ReachoutandtouchHim.

DELIVERYSYSTEMSOFHEALTHFORYOU

Every skill that any human has, including that of a minister, a doctor, abusinessman,afarmer,alaborer,ahousewife—anyhonestskill—isaGod-givenskill.Wehave toworkandcultivateGod-given talentsandskills,butallgoodcomesfromGod(James1:17).Andthereisacomingtogetherforthefirsttime,atleastinmylifetime,ofthedifferentdeliverysystemsofGod'shealingpower.Tome,ALL

HEALINGISDIVINEwhetheritseemstobesecularorseemstobespiritual.GodsimplyusesDIFFERENTDELIVERYSYSTEMStobringbetterhealthandmiracle-livingtous.

AsIsaid,Iappreciatethefactthatthemedicalprofessionisagainstdiseaseandforhealthandwell-being.Ijustwishallofusintheministryofthegospelhadthesamehatredfordiseaseandthatsamegreatbelief inhealthandwell-beingthatdoctorshave. Iwishwewouldacknowledge thatGoddoesheal. It isHisnaturetoheal.Inaddition,Hehasputabuilt-insystemofhealinginus.

I am grateful that today we are seeing great changes in the attitude of bothreligionandmedicinetowardhealing.WeareseeingagreatmanydoctorswhoarepracticingatthetopleveloftheircompetencewhoalsobelievethattheinnerspiritofmanhastobetouchedbyaGreaterPower...andcanbe!

Also,weareseeingpreachersandpriestsandlaypeopleofthechurchbelievinginbothmedicineandprayerforhealing.

Theygladly accept the greatGod-given compassion andhard-worked-for skillthatthephysicianbrings.Theyalsoappreciatethevasthealingpowerofprayer.Iseethesetwodeliverysystems—prayerandmedicine—comingtogethermoreandmore every day, and people are in position to benefitmore as they openthemselvesuptowhateverdeliverysystemGodcanusetocureorrestorethem.Godwantsyouwell!

Itwas1974andIwasstandingontheplatformoftheMabeeCenterhereatOralRobertsUniversity.ItwastheclosingdayofaseminarforChristianlaypeople.Therewere about 2,000 in attendance and itwas time for the healing service.The people were coming for the laying on of hands as a point of contact toreleasetheirfaith.AndsomeofthemedicaldoctorsinTulsa,whoaremyclosefriendsandwhoarealsoSpirit-filled,werehelpingmewithhealingprayersthat

day.AndrightinthemidstofallthistheLordspoketomyheartandsaid,"Theythataresickneedaphysician"(Luke5:31).

Well, Iknewthatwas in theBible.But theLord justkept impressingmewiththosewordsuntilIsaid,"Lord,whatareYoutryingtosaytoMe?"

And He said, "When I was here in My humanity I used both prayer andphysicians—rememberSt.Luke,thephysician..."

So I began to reread theGospel ofSt.Luke and the bookofTheActs of theApostleswhichSt.Lukewrote.AndIbegantobetterunderstandtherelationshipof Jesus and doctors, and to see how both natural and supernatural healingpowersare towork together for thehealingofpeople, thusdemonstrating thatALLHEALINGISDIVINE.Ihadknownthisformanyyearsbutnowitseemedtocomeintoproperfocusformeintheministryofhealing.

JESUSSAIDTHESICKNEEDADOCTOR

DoctorLukerecordsJesusassaying,"Theythatarewholeneednotaphysician;buttheythataresick"(Luke5:31).SowehaveJesushealingnotonlybyfaithbut also by putting within that sphere of healing the physician, whichmeansfromourLord'sstandpoint,ALLHEALINGISDIVINE

whetherit'smedicalorbyprayerandfaith.

As you read in the book ofActs and inColossians 4:14, youwill find that amedicaldoctorwasamemberoftheofficialevangelisticteamofSt.Paul.Thismedical doctor's name was Luke. He joined St. Paul's healing ministry andtraveled with him in the capacity of a physician and ministered God's divinehealingwithPaul.Theyalsoworkedtogetherestablishingchurches throughoutthethen-knownworld.LukelaterwrotetheGospelofLukeandTheActsoftheApostlesintheNewTestament.Also,St.LukeistheonewhosaidmoreabouttheactualworkingofmiraclesofhealingbytheHolySpiritthananyotherNewTestamentwriter,foralongwithSt.PaulhewasverymuchinthemoveoftheHolySpiritinthatday.

ProbablybecauseSt.Lukewasamedicaldoctor,hetellsmoreofthehumanordomesticsideofJesus.He,nodoubt,spentmanyhourswithMary,themotherofJesus, and tells about the lifeof herSon fromMary's viewpoint. It is obviousthathetalkedtoher.Helistenedtoher.Andhewasabletorecordlittle-known

incidents about thebabyhood and childhoodof Jesus.He is theonlyonewhorelatesthestoryoftheChildJesusasHegrew:"AndJesusincreasedinwisdomandstature,andinfavorwithGodandman"(Luke2:52).HetoldhowJesuswasleftinthetemplewhenHewasonly12yearsoldandhowMaryandJosephhadtoretrace theirsteps tofindHim.TheyfoundHimwhere theyhad leftHim—among the doctors of law in the temple, answering their questions. And thelawyerswereamazedatthewisdomofthisChildJesus(Luke2:42-48).

St. Luke, as a physician, was interested in the human side of Jesus' life, thedomesticsideoflife,becauseheknewthiswasthelevelonwhichpeoplehavetolive every day. It's like the woman who said, "The trouble with life is it's sodaily."

Life isdailyand thankGod,He is"daily" too.HehelpsusunderstandhowtousewhateverwayHehasprovidedon this earth to receiveourhealingand toliveinhealthinourtotalbeing.

HEALINGTHROUGHSURGERY

I'mremindedofoneofmydearpartners,aninsuranceman,wholostthesightinhisrighteyeduetoablowonthehead.Theretinawasdetachedandinadditionto the loss of sight he couldn't stoop or bend over or do anything like thisbecause the painwould become so excruciating. As a result, he had a life ofinactivity for about six months. Then his doctor referred him to a specialist.When the specialist examinedmy friend, he saw thathewashemorrhaging inthat eyeandputhim in surgery immediately.He said, "Youknowand Iknowthat I'mnotGod,but Ibelieve Icanhelpyou."So thisyoungdoctoroperatedandwithhisGod-givenskillputtheretinabackinplace.Inaboutsixmonthsmyfriendwasseeinginthateyeagain.Godusedtheskillofasurgeonandmoderntechnologytobringhealingtomyfriend'seye.SoIthankGodforHisdeliverysystemofmedicalskill,andatthesametimeIholdHiminlovingaweforHisabilitytohealthroughtheprayeroffaithwhichIcontinuallywitnessdaily.

I recently witnessed a man's blind eyes opening right in front of me. Afterreceivingprayerheveryquietlysaid,

"Thank You, God. I can see. I knew it would happen." This was without anoperation—a miracle, really. But is it any greater miracle than the sight myfriendreceivedthroughsurgery?Somehowwe'vegot toclose thegapbetween

healing bymedicine and healing by prayer.More andmore I am seeing it isusually a combination of both. All healing comes from God and I amcomfortableinacceptingandbeingapartofit.Infact,Iamaggressiveaboutit.

ASCHOOLOFMEDICINE

In1961,fouryearsbeforeweopenedthedoorsofOralRobertsUniversity,Godspoke tome concerning the studentsHewould send to enroll, "Iwant you toraiseupyourstudents tohearMyvoice, togowhereMyvoiceisheardsmall,where My light is dim, and My power is not known. . . to go even to theuttermostboundsoftheearth.TheirworkwillexceedyoursandinthisIamwellpleased."

HeletmeknowthatafterORUhadbeenopenedandwellestablished,Iwastobuild a medical school, a school sending out Spirit-filled physicians, youngLukeswhoareanextensionofGod'scalltome,whowilltakeHishealingpowertothisgeneration...andbeyond.

TheLordsaid,"Theyaregoingtogowithmedicine,butyouaregoingtoteachthemhowtoshareMyhealingpowerthroughprayertoo.Theyaregoingtobeyoung men and women of prayer as well as well-trained and dedicatedphysicians.Andtheyaregoing togo intonations thatarenowbeingclosed tothetypeofmissionarieswhohaveonlyapreachingministry.Theyaregoingtogo to theuttermostboundsof theearth."ThenHeadded,"WhenI toldyou totakeMyhealingpowertoyourgenerationImeantnotonlythroughprayerbutmedicine,too,forallMyhealingpowerisforman."

HeshowedmethatHewoulduseallHishealingsystemsinmyministry—thatIwas to takeHishealing,His totalhealingpower, tomygeneration.Rememberthis,regardlessofthedeliverysystem,GodisyourSOURCEforhealing.

ITISIMPORTANTFORYOUTOKNOWGODISYOURSOURCEFORHEALING

Godsays,"IamtheLordthathealeththee"(Exodus15:26).

Peoplesay,"Themedicinethedoctorgavemecuredme."

Notso.ThemedicinecomesfromGod'snaturalresourcesinandonthisearth—suchasaplantorananimal;therefore,GodistheSOURCEandHehealsyou

through one ormore ofHis delivery systems. It could have been the doctor'sskillinusingmedicine.

Peoplesay,"Well, thenatural forcesofmybodywent toworkandI'mfeelingfine now." True. But who created your body with built-in powerful healingforces?God,whoisitsSOURCE.

People say, "Thismanorwomanprayed formeandhealedme."Theyprayedbuttheydidn'thealyou.God,whohearsandanswerstheprayeroffaith,didthehealing.Prayerandfaithareonlyinstruments,ordeliverysystems;theSOURCEisGod.

It is very important to you to know the difference between SOURCE andINSTRUMENT.

SOURCE is like a tree; INSTRUMENT is like the fruit produced by the tree.Payattentiontothetreebycultivatingitandseeingthatitiskepthealthyandthefruitwillbethereinitsseason.Butneglectthesourceofthefruitandsoonitwilldryupandceasetoproduce.

Forexample,medicineisaninstrument.

Thenaturalforcesofyourbodyareinstruments.

Prayer,asyouofferittoGodinfaith,isaninstrument.

ApersonwithfaithinGodprayingforyouisaninstrument.

Seed-Faith giving is an instrument, a powerful one, for it is a seed you plantfromwhichyouexpectamiracle.

Otherthingssuchasclimate,orloveandunderstanding,orcounseling,oraskingfor forgiveness, or apologizing to a person you have wronged—all these areinstruments.

THESOURCEOFTHESEINSTRUMENTSISGOD.GodisyourSource.YoumustalwayslookbeyondtheinstrumenttotheSource.

Asadoctor toldme, "Oral, I've learned from theBible, and fromhearingyouand reading your books, something thatmakesmy practice a real joy and it's

this,IvaluetheinstrumentofhealingbutIworshiptheSourceofit—God!"

Ireplied,"Doctor,I'veneverhearditexpressedexactlylikethatbutIbelieveit100percent."

AWORDOFCAUTION

WenowknowGodusesdifferentdeliverysystemsofHishealingpowersuchasfaithandsuchasmedicine.Butawordofcautionhereisimportant.

Takefaith.Youcanhavefaith in faithrather thanfaith inGod (itsSourceandobject),andfail.

Take medicine. You can put all your hopes in it instead of a divinely giveninstrumentfromGod,yourSource,andalsofail.

Infact,wehumansaresocomplexandourunderstandingofGodandHiswaysofdoing thingsso limited, that sometimesseeminglywith thebest faithor thebestmedicineorthebestofbothwesufferfailure.

OfcoursewemustneverforgettheBibleteachesthateachofusisgoingtodie."Itisappointeduntomenoncetodie,afterthisthejudgment"(Hebrews9:27).Deathisadivineappointment.Deathisclassedasanenemy,ourfinalenemy.

ButevenintheprocessofdyingIhaveseenmiraculousthingshappen—releasefrompain,eventhedisappearanceofthedisease.Youmayask,howthencouldthepersondie?

Because there is a time todie, aswell as a time tobeborn (Ecclesiastes3:2).Sickorwell,youaregoingtodie.Sicknessuncheckedcanhastenit.However,whendeath'stimecomesnothingwillholditback.Wemustbepreparedtogoatanymoment(rightinourheartwithGodandpeople).

AWORDOFGREATHOPE

WhileGodisnotthesourceofdeath,HeistheSourceofLife.BecauseHeistheSourceofbothabundantlifehereonearthandeternallifebeyondthislife,deathis only an interruption. Really, it is a transition from the limited stage of thesenses to the stage of the unlimited eternal existence God has in store foreveryonewhoisbornofHisSpirit.

I'veoftensaid,"Iwanttolive,tobealiveineveryfiberofmybeing.Iwanttoliveinhealth,well-being,andmiracle-living.IwanttoliveeverymomentuntilIdie. But when my death time comes I want to meet my divine appointmentwithout fear,without resentment andbitterness. Iwant to embrace it and passthrough it into the fullness of that eternal life that began in me the momentChrist came intomy heart when Iwas born again. Above all, I want to lookbeyonddeathtomyRESURRECTIONwhichisbothChrist(whosaid,IamtheResurrection)andahealingandrestoringprocessofmytotalbeingafterdeath.Thegreatesthealingofallisintheresurrection."

A good theology for better health and miracle-living-I call it ABUNDANTLIFE-is toputyour faithandexpectation inGodyourSource,and toproperlyvalueandacceptanyinstrumentasjustthat,aninstrument.Asmydoctorfriendsays,"ValuetheinstrumentbutworshiptheSourcewhoisGod."

A good theology for healing is very important to you—through it you willunderstandGod'sgreatdesiretogiveyoubetterhealthandmiracle-living.

THINGSINEEDTOREMEMBERABOUTWRONGBELIEVINGTHATWOULDKEEPMEFROMBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

1. If I have a good theology of healing Ihave a firm base uponwhich tobelieveGodforhealing.

2.Ihaveameasureoffaith(Romans12:3).

3.Iknowhealingbeginsinthislife—mylife.

4. I know Jesus, whenHewas on earth, showed us our need of both thephysicianandthepowerofhealingprayers.

5.GodistheSourceofmyhealing.

6.IvaluetheinstrumentofhealingbutIworshiptheSourceofit—God.

7. Because I make God my Source, I can expect Him to open up theproperinstrumentthroughwhichtoworkHishealingwondersinme.

IValueEveryInstrumentOfHealing,AndLoveTheSourceOfItAll—God

Chapter3

WHETHERYOUFEELGOOD3ENOUGHORNOTYOUCANSTILLHAVEBETTERHEALTHANDSUCCESS

IKnowJesusRecognizesMyHumanityAndWantsToHealMeBecauseIAmAnImportantPerson

Often I look back upon the major healing I had—from tuberculosis andstuttering—andthemanyotherhealingsfromvariousafflictionsI'vehadsince,boththroughhealingprayersandmedicalscience.

OftenIseektofindwhatIdidtohelpbringthecure.

WhatstateofmindwasIin?Whatwasmydegreeofspirituality?WhatattitudewasIinatthetime?

Then I compare thiswith the twomost common things that are said tomebypeoplewhogetill.

1)Whyhasthishappenedtome?WhathaveIdonetodeserveit?WhatkindofGodisitwhowillletthishappentomeormylovedones?

2)AmIgoodenoughtoaskGodtohealme?AmIworthy?

These things run throughmymindoccasionally, and fromwhat Ihear Iknowtheyrunthroughotherpeople'sminds.

ButthroughtheyearstheLordhasgivenmesomeconceptsaboutthehumanityofJesusthathavehelpedmereachanunderstandingthathasbeenanenormoushelp to me. And I have testimonies from thousands of others who say ithashelpedthemtoo.Perhapsthiswillhelpyouatadirectpointofneedinyourlife.

FIRST,THEPOSITIONINLIFEYOUHOLD

AsfarasIcandeterminebyreadingJesus'lifeandministry,Heseemedtobeinacontinuouspositionofhealthbeingconstantlyself-renewedinHisbeing.

Hewas involvedwith the total environment—theweather, themountains andvalleys,theswamps,thetownsandcities,thefavoranddisfavorofthepeople,the negative attitudes of certain religious leaders, the relationships with Hisbrothersandsisterswhobroughtboth joyandproblemsintoHis life,withHismotherwhoseemedtobothunderstandandmisunderstandHismission;threatsand acts of assassination against Him, intrigues He had to face, His ownhumanity that often rebelled against the sufferingsHe had to undergo to takeman's place, the constant learning process He passed through to know Hishumanself,theagonyoffacingthecrosswhenHissweatbecameasblood—andprobablymostseriousofall, throwinghimselfagainst thedevil'soppositionofpeoplethroughsin,disease,demons,fear,andlackintheirlives.

InthatpositioninlifeonecanlookatJesusandseeHishumanness,especiallyintheGardenofGethsemanewhenhis humanness pleadedwithGod to take thecupofsuffering—thecross—awaybutsubmittingtoitbymakingHiswillGod'swill.

Finally,Jesus,whowasabletosaveandhealothers,heardmentauntHimwhileHewasbeingcrucified."IfyouarereallytheSonofGod,comedown"and,"Hesaved others; let him save himself" (Luke 23:35). That must have been thecruelest blowof all.ButHedidn't strike back.He talkedwithHisFather andheldonuntilHe could say, "It is finished" (John19:30) and, "Father, into thyhandsIcommendmyspirit"(Luke23:46).

Jesusdidsaveandhealothers,largenumbersofthem.

OnewasamilitarymanmaintainingRomanruleoverthelandofIsrael,carryingoutRome'swishes.AsanoverlordthismanbesoughtChristtohealhisservantor aide—andJesusdid it.Hedid it for amanwhosepositionwasa soldier, acaptain,partofwhosemissionincludedkillingpeopletheyconsideredenemies.

In theOldTestament the prophetElisha brought healing to the general of theSyrianarmy,whohaddevelopedleprosy.

The position of Jesus was one of obedience to God in which His own self-renewalofhealthseemedtotakeplace.

The position of these two military leaders was concerned as much withdestroyingtheirenemiesassavingotherlives.

Werethesemengoodenough?Mostofuswouldsayno.

Inaddition,bothmenwerehealedatadistancefromJesus,showingthereisNODISTANCEINPRAYER.

Yourposition in lifemaybeperfect,or itmay leavea lot tobedesired. I facepeopleinvirtuallyeveryconceivablepositionwhenIprayfortheirhealing.Iseetheso-called"mostcommittedtoGod"gethealed,andIseesomeofthemfailtogethealed. I seesomeof the"so-calledworst"gethealed,andsomefail tobehealed.

I'veconcludedthatinthehumannessofJesusHerecognizesourhumanness.Heseems to want to heal people because they are people. Likewise, we in theministryofhealingwant tohelppeoplebecause theyarepeople,whether theyaregoodorbadaspeopleseethem,orwhethertheyaresuccessfulorafailure.IamthankfultoGodIcanhelpsome.

Inmyownhealingfromtuberculosis,Ihadlivedaveryungodlyandrebelliouslife.YetsomeweekspriortomyhealingIrepentedandgavemylifetoGod.Atthat timeIdidn'tknowIwasgoing tobehealed.MysisterJewelhadnotsaidthose seven wonderful words, "Oral, God is going to heal you." My brotherElmerhadnotcometocarrymetobeprayedfor.IhadseentheimageofChristinmyfather;ithadtouchedmysoulandIwantedChristtocomeintomyheartandtogivemeanewbirth.IwasasavedpersonwhenChristhealedmybody,buttosayIwasgoodenoughisn'tcorrect.Ihadcried,"Whyhasthishappenedtome;whathaveIdonetodeserveit?"manytimes,evenaftermyconversion.

Inmy30yearsofprayingforthehealingofthousands,I'veprayedforthesavedandunsavedandI'veseenhealingsofboth.

However, inmost instancestheseindividualsweregettingintoagoodspiritualrelationshipwithGod,orwerebeginningtorecognizeGodastheirSource.

SECOND,WHATISYOURATTITUDE—YOURMOTIVATION?

Attitude is about everything.Marriagesbreakuporgrowcoldbecauseoneorbothpartnersdevelopabadattitude.

Theirmotivationisnotstrong.Theygiveintodeadlynegativefeelingsinsteadofaggressivelydeterminingtobepositiveintheirlovingresponsestoeachother.

Youcanget skepticalanddestroyyour faith socompletely thatneitherprayer,medicine, nor surgery can be ofmuch help.We see this all too often.On theother hand, I'm seeing less and less skepticism andmore andmore faith. It'sreallyheartening.

Curiosityisdifferentfromskepticism.I 'veseenthousandswatchasIprayedfor thesick.Theyweredrawnbecauseofhonestwonderment.CanGodreallyheal?DoesHeheal?Iwouldliketoseesomeonehealed.

But I've usually been able to discern skepticismwhenever it is nearme, in alargecrowdorinanindividual.ItissodeadlyIsenseitinstantly.

IrememberafamilybringingtheirlittleboysufferingwithPerthes'disease.Theparentswere full of faith as theyhelpedhimupon the ramp so I could reachoverandprayfor thechild.AccompanyingthemweresomeothermembersofthefamilywhosespiritreachedclearuptowhereIwassittingandwaiting.HadtheyhadahealthycuriosityIwouldnothavedonewhatIdid.Theirskepticismor hard-core disbelief was so powerful it seemed to freeze the atmosphere offaithinwhichwehadbeenministeringallevening.

I said to them,"Whydon'tyou folksstepoff the rampsowecanhavea littlemoreroom?"Withalookofscorntheyslowlywalkedaway.Theparentswereso involved with believing for a miracle they didn't seem to notice. When Iprayedfor thelittleboyIaskedhimifhebelievedGodcouldmakehimwalk.Withabrightfacehesaid,"Yes."

Iaskedhimwhathefeltlikedoing.Hereplied,

"Running."

His parents heard this; and quickly unstrapping him from the harness holdingonelegoffthefloor,andtakinghiscrutches,theyturnedhimloose.Hehitthefloor of the ramp and he started running, leaving the ramp and racing up anddowntheaisleswherethepeoplesat.Thepeopleleapedupandtherewasaroar,ashoutofjoyfromover10,000throats.

WhenthelittleboyreturnedtotherampandIaskedthepeopletositdown,theyignoredme.Somewereweeping,somewererejoicingoutloud,allweredeeplymoved.SoIsaid,

"Well,justhelpyourselves,"andtheydid.

It tookafull tenminutesforthingstoquietdownsoIcouldquestionthelittleboyandhavehisreply,alsotogethisparents'comments.

ThedadwasoneofthosesteadyChristians,whilehismotherwasalittlemoreemotionallymoved.Shehadbeenfastingandpraying,shesaid,forthreeorfourdaysandbelievedGodwouldhealherchild.Thefatherdidn'tsaymuch,addingonly,"Iknewhewouldgethealed."

Thelittleboywastooexcitedtotalk.Hestoodthere,movingfromonefoottotheother,raisingonelegthentheother.Hereallyhadfreedomofmovement.

Afteraskingthemtoreturntotheirphysicianforacheckup,Iletthemgo.

In the Columbus, Ohio, crusade, one of the largest ofmyministry, we had asimilarcase,aboutthesameage—maybe12or13,andthoughIprayedthesameway(thelittleboycouldn'twalkwithouthiscrutches),heslumpedtothefloor.Awave of fear swept through the audience, and throughme too,momentarily. Iprayed again, so did the parents, but nothing happened. All I could think ofdoingwas toask themtobringhimthenextnightandwewouldprayforhimfirst.Theyconsentedandwerebackwithhimthefollowingevening.Iexplaineditalltothecrowd,manyofwhomhadbeenthereandseentheapparentfailurethepreviousevening.ThankGod,ourprayersseemed toget through this timeand theboy receivedhelp,butnotas instantaneousas theother littleboyhad.Nevertheless, this little boy was helped enough to walk without his crutches.Nowdon'taskme,"What'sthedifference?"Inmyhumanness,Idon'tknow.ButI would like to think that the climate of faith, virtually void of cynicism andcriticismanddoubt,waspresent.Butinthefinalanalysis,Ijustdon'tknow.IdoknowGodworksinHisownwillandHisownway.

THIRD! WHAT ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE ONEMINISTERINGHEALING?

My humanness sticks out a lot. I get impatient, irritable, stubborn, andsometimes insuchastatemydarlingwifeEvelynhasahard timecalmingmedown.IadmitthisisaweaknesswhichI'vebeenworkingtoovercomeformanyyears.

SomesayIhavemellowedbutIdon'tknow.Iknowthis,however,Godhasto

workmeoverfromtimetotime.

I believe my heart is tender, my motivation is good, and my intentions areentirely sincere. A swelled head has never been one of my problems, ratherfeelinginadequateandunworthyhasbeenmorelikeitinme.

I'venoticedwhen Ihaveahighaverageofhealings, seeminglyone rightaftertheothergettinghealed, Istart thinking,whythis isnotsohard;Godis reallyusingme.I'venoticedeverytime,though,thataboutthetimeIstartfeelingthisway someone will come before me for healing prayers and I am powerless.NothingseemstoworkwhetherIpraysoftor loud, touchordon't touchthem,cryorrejoice,nothingworks.

AfailurecanplummetmetothedepthsofdespairandIcry,

"God,whydoYoumakemesoeffectivewithsomeandI'msuchafailurewithothers?"

I'vehadfewanswersonthis.ItseemsatesttoseeifIwillcontinue.

In the early days I once askedGod, "In praying for the sick, what if I fail?"Quickly,inmyspiritIheardGodsay,

"You'vealreadydonethat."

TheclearemphasistomewasIhadonlyonewaytogoandthatwasUP.

DidJesusever fail?Mostpeople thinknot.YetatNazarethwherehegrewupandHereturned topreachandheal, therewasanattitudepresent inwhichHecouldnotheal(Mark6:5).Hecouldnot.

ItakenopleasurefromthatbutIknowitbyexperience.

For whatever reason, I know that despite the best efforts of myself, the bestefforts of the most successful physicians and surgeons, and even the bestcooperationofthesick,therearesometimesseeminglynocures.

Some of my associates through the years have suggested I not be so frankconcerningmy failures, lest itdestroy someone's faith.But Ihave to livewithmyselfandsofarI'venotseenthefaithofanypersonseriouslyseekingGodfor

healing,hurtbymyfrankness.Itseemstomepeoplebelieveevenmoreinmyprayers today thaneverbefore.Perhaps theycansense inallmyshortcomingsthatIamdedicatedandhonest.

Doctorfriendshavetoldmetherearedaystheydon'tseemto"haveit."Theysayafamilysquabblecanhinderthemortheyarehinderedwhentheyarenotfeelingwell physically themselves. They also say that even under themost desirableconditionsthereisnosurewayofgettingthejobdoneastheydesire.Theysayhealingscienceisnotaperfectart.

Still, theneedsofpeopleare there.GenerallyI find thatwehumanswhohaveseriousneedsareprettyreasonabletodealwith.Ithinktheremaybesomewhoaremadat themselvesandmadat theworld.Apparently, thereare timeswhendoctors,orpersonslikemyselfwhohaveaprayerministryofhealingthesick,andwhotrytohelpthem,getturnedoffcompletely.InsuchinstanceswehavetogotothenextpersonwhoreallywantshelpandisreadytotakeusasweareandhopeinGodforthebesttohappen.Iknowonething,fromapersonalstandpointIamamuchbetterinstrumentforpeoplewiththisattitude.

APASTORANDJESUS

Iamdeeplymovedbytheexperienceofacertainpastorwholethistheologicalknowledgepreventhimfrompreachingpracticalsermons.Hisconcerntopreachgreat sermons overrode his feelings for the individuals and families in hiscongregations.

Onedayhediscoveredanoteonthepulpit.Itread,"DearPastor,wewouldseeJesus." He stumbled through his sermon that Sunday morning and afterwardslippedawayintoaquietroomandspentseveralhoursinmeditationandsoul-searching.

"Could it be," he asked himself, "I've lost Jesus frommy heart and frommypreaching?DoInolongerreallycareaboutpeopleandtheirneeds?"

He had to admit the possibility. Through the following week he kept askinghimself, "DoI feel thesamecompassion for thesick, the fearful, theneedyasmyLorddid?Ismytheologicaldiscussions,whichIcallmysermons,somuchdirectedtotheheadsofthepeoplethatIhaveforgottentheyhaveheartsandtheyhavetroublesandtheydon'tfeelJesuscomingthroughmetothem?"

OneeveninghehaditoutwithhimselfandJesus.FallingtohiskneesheletthetearsflowandhisheartreachoutfortheLivingChristandHishealinglove.

ThenextseveralSundayshepreachedlikeamanonfire.

Hissermonscutthroughhigh-soundingphrasesandcarriedstraighttotheheartandtotheneedsofthepeople.

Crowdsincreased.Peoplewerebuzzingabouttheir"new"

pastor.PeoplebeganacceptingChrist,healingswerebeingreportedamongthemembers.

OneSundaywhenheenteredthepulpit,anothernotewasonthepodium.Itread,"ThenwerethedisciplesgladwhentheysawtheLord."

I knowof several churches—one in particular—like that now.You can't get aseatifyoudon'tcomeearly.There'sfireandcompassion,faithandfeeling,loveandconcernfromthepulpit.People,wrestlinginthecoldoftheirterribleneedsandproblems,areoverflowingthatlargechurchtofeelthewarmthoftheLivingChrist.TheHolySpiritisworkingHismiraclesandthepeopleareexcited.

AtsomeotherplacesIknowwherethegospelissupposedtobepreached,thereisadullnessandlistlessnessinpulpitandpew.Nothingofavitalspiritualandhealingnatureishappening.Thedisappointmentissostrongyoucanfeelit.

BUTIT'SSTILLHAPPENING

Inoticewhenever thechurchservicesarenotalive in theSpirit,prayergroupsspringupallthemore.Rightnowinmostcities,Irecognizetwothingsthatarehappening:

1)TherearechurchesreallyministeringthehealingChristtopeople.

2)Therearesmallgroupsmeetingindifferenthomes,whoarereachingpeopleforChristthathavenotbeenreachedbefore.

Inadditiontosuchprayergroupsworkinglikethistogether,andgivingoftheirlove to those outside, it is also good to work quietly in the church, helpingpermeateitwiththatsameloveandhealingfaith.Thesegroupshavetheirplace

butcannottaketheplaceofthechurchanditsworshipservice.

IttakessomebalancetodothisbutIseeitbeingdone.

Onethingiscertain,andyoucandependonit,Godisalive,Godlovesyou,Godisconcernedaboutyou,andGodisgoingtosendsomeoneacrossyourpathwithHishealingpower.

It'satimetobeencouraged—toexpectmiracles,andyouwillgetthem.

JustkeepJesusinview.FocusonHim.Heisyourlife,yourabundantlife.

THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT "BEING GOOD ENOUGH" TO BEHEALED

Saythis:

1.Iwillnotstrikebackorbebitter.

2. Jesus recognizesmyhumanness, andwants to healme because I am aperson.

3. Iwillhaveapositiveattitude toward lifeanddivinehealth—whether itcomesfromdoctors,medication,orprayers.

4.IwillkeepmyeyesonJesus,mySource.

IKnowJesusRecognizesMyHumanityandWantstoHealMeBecauseIAmanImportantPerson

Chapter4

HOWYOUCANFREEYOURSELFFROMTHEMYTHTHATEVERYBADTHINGHAPPENINGTOYOUISGOD'SPUNISHMENT

All Sickness Is From The Devil. . . All Healing Is From God—IAmBelievingGodForHisBest

Apersononcewrotemeandsaid,"BrotherRoberts,IbelieveJesuscanheal,butIamstillnotwell.WhatisGodpunishingmefor?"

Thiskindofthinkingbreedsdoubt,skepticism,andoftenbitternesstowardGod.It is a form of unbelief. How canwe believeGod to heal our sickness if webelieveHesentittous?

Some people go through life thinking that every pain, every misfortune thathappens,isGodpunishingthem.Iftheyhaveanaccident,Godsentit.Iftheyaresick,theyarebeingpunished.Whentheydonotsucceed,itisGod'swill.

I believe this is practicing negative thinking in the worst form. It is directlyoppositetorightbelievingandtheproperunderstandingofGod.

YOURTHINKINGHASTOBEHEALEDFIRST

Irememberayoungmanweprayedfor—a28-year-oldjusticeofthepeacefromCanada—afflictedwithmultiplesclerosis.Hewalkedwith thehelpofhiswifeandacane.Hesaid,"BrotherRoberts,IwasconvincedthatGodwaspunishingme throughmy affliction until I heard youpreach on your television programthatGodisagoodGod.IknownowthatHewantstohealme."

Thischange inhis thinkingwasessential.Forhewaspersuaded thatGodwaspunishinghimandthathedeservedit.HehadtobehealedinhisthinkingbeforeGodcouldhealhisbody.Whenherespondedthroughhisspirithewasable tochangehisthinkingandstartbelievingthatGodisgood.TheskepticismofthisyoungmandissolvedandwasreplacedwithhopeandthefaiththatGodwantedto,andcouldhealhim.Isawhimwalkwithoutanyaidwhatever,andIknewtheremoval of the "God-is-punishing-me" myth had been important to thepossibilityofhisfullrecovery.

IFGODPUNISHEDSINWITHSICKNESSWEWOULDALLBESICK

IfGodpunishedsinwithsicknesswewouldallbesick.

"Forall(absolutelynoexceptions)havesinned,andcomeshortofthegloryofGod"(Romans3:23).Goddoesnotcometoputsicknessonus,butHecomesastheGreatPhysiciantomakeuswholeandwell.

Atthesametime,weneedtorecognizethatifwedisobeyGod'snaturallawswewillsufferinourbodies.Thatis,ifwefailtoproperlycareforourhealth,orifweindulgeinanythingorengageinbehaviorthatisharmfultothebody,wewillsufferthenegativeeffectsofsuchactions.ButtheseactionsmustnotbeblamedonGodbutonourselves.Wedidthem—Goddidnot.GodwillbringonlygoodtousifweallowHimto.

GIVEGOD'STEMPLE-YOURBODY-BACKTOHIM

Singingstar,JohnnyCash,whowassaidatonetimetobetaking100peppillsaday,says,"EveryonceinawhileImeetsomeoneondrugswhoknowsIusedtobeadrugaddict,andheasksmewhathecandotokickthehabit.ItellhimwhatIlearned,'GiveGod'stemplebacktoHim!'"

TheBiblesays:

"What?knowyenotthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolyGhostwhichisinyou,whichyehaveofGod,andyearenotyourown?Foryeareboughtwithaprice: thereforeglorifyGod inyourbody,and inyour spirit,whichareGod's"(1Corinthians6:19,20).

"Thebodyis...fortheLord"(1Corinthians6:13).

"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" (Romans12:1).

Yousee,Godsaysyourbodydoesn'tbelongtoyou.Yourbody,mind,andspiritbelongtoGod—thetotalyou.ThisiswhywhenIprayforapersonIoftensay,Devil, in the name of Jesus, I command you to take your hands off God'sproperty."

Godissayingyourbodyisnotmadeforsickness,butforhealth.Thismeansthat

whenwe indulge in alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, immorality, overeating, lack ofexercise,orbitterness,andothersuchthings,weabuseanddesecratethehouseGodlivesin—ourbody.AgainIsaythis issomethingbadwedotoourselves.Wemustchoose,byGod'shelp,toceasedoingitandchoosetoreplaceeachofthesedeadlynegativeactionsbyplantingpositiveseedsoffaith.

Whenwe pay attention to our body and treat it as a sacred instrument of theLord, itputsus inposition forGod togiveusbetterhealthandmore strengththroughoutourlife.

GODREMEMBERSTOFORGET

I am told of a blind man who would not ask anyone to pray for his healingbecausehebelievedGodwaspunishinghimwithblindnesstoconstantlyremindhimofhispastsins.

He believed that in some mysterious way God was getting glory out of hisblindness.

ThistypeofreasoningiscontrarytoGod'sWord.WhenweconfessoursinsandaskGod'sforgiveness,theBiblesaysHeremovesoursinsfromusasfarastheeastisfromthewest(Psalm103:12).Goddoesnotcontinuetodigupoursinsandtrytomakeus"payforthem."Hepaidthedebtforourtransgressionsonthecross.Nowtheyareforgiven...andforgotten!Thepossibilityofacureforourbodyisinthesamepackagewithoursalvationandforgivenessofsins.

AMEDICALMIRACLE

Adearfriendwasslowlylosinghisvision.Hehadbeenagreatgolfer,theEastCoastamateurchampion.Inhisseventies,hestillcouldoftenshoothisage.

HeandhiswifefirstcametoourcrusadesinPhoenixinthe '50s.Webegantoprayforhiseyes.Hereceivedhelp that lastedanother tenyears.Graduallyhisformer state of blindness returned.For reasons I don't fully understand to thisday,prayerthereafterbroughtnofurthersight.

Meanwhile,hiswifelearnedofanewtechnique,Ithinkthroughthelaserbeam,wherehemightgethissightback.

Hewas reluctant. Somehow he felt he had failedGod in his faith. It worked

once,whynotagain?

Ifacedtheissuesquarely."Why,"Isaidtohim,"doyouseparateGod'shealingpower?Allhealingpowerisdivine."

Hesaid,"Idon'tknow."

Isaid,"But look,wheredoyou think thedoctorsgot theirskill,wheredid thehealingpropertiestheyusecomefrom—isitnotGodwhohasbeentheSource?"

Hesaid,"Willyouprayformeagain?"

Isaid,"Sure,andI'llprayforyouifyouchoosetotrythisnewlasersystem.Tome,it'sallthesame,comingfromthesameSource—God."

Ayearlaterhecametoanothercrusadeandhiswifesaid,

"Oh,OralandEvelyn,myhusbandisseeingperfectly."

"Great!"wesaid,"howdidithappen?"

"Theoperationdidit.Thinkofit!Notonlywillhebeabletosee,butsincegolfhasbeenapartofhislifefor50yearshewillbeabletoplayagain!"

Onlyadedicatedgolferknowswhatthatmeans.

Everynowandthenwhenwewerewiththemhewouldsay,"Oral,keepmyeyesinyourprayers."

Ibelievethathereachedagreatunderstanding.HeunderstoodGodhadusedthesurgeon'sskillasapartofthedivinehealingprocessforushumans.Inhishearthe still had his faith in God, his Source; therefore, he wantedmy continuingprayers. ItwasevidenthehadcometoaproperrealizationofhowGodworksHishealingwonders.

WHATABOUTPAUL'STHORNINTHEFLESH?

Occasionally someone mentions Paul's "thorn in the flesh" to me. There arenumerouswaysapersonmaysufferinthefleshwithoutbeingsickinhisbody.Paulhadbeencaughtuptothethirdheavenwherehehadabundantrevelations.

Forthisreason,hewasindangerofbecomingpuffedup.Hence,hesaid,"Therewasgiventomeathornintheflesh,themessengerofSatantobuffetme,lestIshouldbeexaltedabovemeasure"(2Corinthians12:7).

Paul's thornwas an evil power that brought continuous physical buffetings todiscourage and hinder him: weakness, persecutions, tight spots, shipwrecks,betrayalsoffriendship,andalonglistofotheropposingpowers.

Paul could not understand these hindrances and he soughtGod three times toremovethem.ButGodsaid,"No,Paul,Ishallnottakeawaythisthorn,butIwillmakeMystrengthperfectintheseexperiencesinwhichyoufeelsoweak.Iwillgiveyousufficientgraceandstrengthtobearthemvictoriously"(2Corinthians12:9).

Through God's answer, Paul realized that in his weakness he would have todependwhollyuponGodandHisstrength,knowledge,andpowerwhichwereabundantlygiventohim.

"Therefore," Paul said, "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, innecessities,inpersecutions,indistressesforChrist'ssake:forwhenIamweak,thenamIstrong"(2Corinthians12:10).

If this explanation of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" doesn't satisfy you, thenrememberthisonefundamentalfact:WHATEVERITWAS,EVENIFITWASSICKNESS, IT DID NOT HINDER HIM FROM BEING A FULLYACTIVEPERSON!People Iknowwhoare illandclaimitasPaul's"thorn inthe flesh" to them, are NOT fully active human beings. I know in my ownpersonalexperiencewithillnessithinderedmeeverytime,eventotheextentofmynearlydying.Mythorninthefleshcomestomeinformsotherthansicknessordisease—itcomesinmisunderstandings,opposition,pressures,allbecauseofthe work God has called me to do. Therefore, I must gather fromGod extrastrengthandIdothisthroughthemiraclekeysofSeed-Faith,whichkeepsHisstrength flowing intome. I, too,cansaywithPaul,"Hisgrace is sufficient forme"(2Corinthians12:9).

THESICKNESSTHATGLORIFIESGOD

Rarely does sickness glorifyGod, but theBible does record such a case. ThesicknessthatglorifiesGodistheoneHedoesnotfeelitisbesttohealsothatitmaygivewaytoagreatermiracleandservealargerpurpose.Thiswastruein

theexperienceofLazarus,brotherofMaryandMartha.

WhenLazarus fell sick his sisters sent for Jesus.Themessenger said toHim,"Lord, behold, hewhom thou lovest is sick."When Jesus heard thatHe said,"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory ofGod" (John 11:4). Jesusintended to raise Lazarus from the dead! Raising him from the dead in thatspecialinstancewouldglorifyGodmorethanhealinghim.

AfterLazarushadbeencalledforthfromthegrave,theBibletellsusthatmanyoftheJewswentawayandbelievedinJesus(John11:45).This is thesicknessthat glorifies God and it is always a special case. I've never felt this wasapplicabletomeoracasetheLordhashadmetodealwith.IleavethattoHim.

GODDOESNOTSENDSICKNESS

Donotletthedevildeceiveyouonthispoint.Goddoesnotsendsicknessuponyou.Jesussaid,"Thethief(devil)comethnot,butfortosteal,andtokill,andtodestroy:Iamcomethattheymighthavelife,andthattheymighthaveitmoreabundantly"(John10:10).TheScripturesdeclarethat,

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy theworksofthedevil"(1John3:8).

Jesuscametobringusgood,notevil.God'sgoodnessandtheworksofthedevilarenotcompatible.Theyaredirectopposites.Sinisnotrighteousness;sicknessisnothealth;povertyandafflictionarenotabundantlife.

Jesus found amongHis ownpeople thosewhodoubtedGod's goodness.TheyquestionedbywhoseauthorityHehealed.InoneplaceHiscriticssaid,"Hehealsby the power of Beelzebub, the chief of devils." But Jesus answered, "Everykingdomdividedagainstitselfisbroughttodesolation;andeverycityorhousedividedagainstitselfshallnotstand:AndifSatancastoutSatan,heisdividedagainsthimself;howshallthenhiskingdomstand?"(Matthew12:25,26).

JesuswassayingthatifHehealedsicknessbythedevil'spower,thenthedevil'shousewasdivided.InthiswayHeshowedthemthatHispowerwasnotfromthedevil but from God, who is all good. It was God's power that drove theoppressionof thedevil frompeople'sbodies. "GodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower:whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingall that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).

Healing—notsickness—glorifiesGodandtestifiesofHisgoodness.

AlthoughwecanglorifyGodwhilewearesick,sickness itselfdoesnotglorifyGod.Whetherwearesickorwell,wewillserveGod.However,anysicknesswehaveisnoexcusetoblameGod.

SICKNESSISNOTABLESSING

IthasbeenarguedthatsicknessisablessingbecauseitdrawsusclosertoGod.Ifthisweretrue,thenallofusshouldbeprayingfortheLordtomakeussick,becauseallofuswanttodrawclosertoGod.Sicknesshasawayofwearingyoudownphysically,mentally, and spiritually.This iswhySatan afflicts people—becauseheknowsitisaformofoppressiontotheirlives(Acts10:38).ItisveryhardtoserveGodaswellwhenyouaresickaswhenyouareinhealth.Peoplemay remain sickbecause theydon't alwaysknowhow touse their faith togetwell,orbecauseinspiteofall theydothesicknessseemstoholdon.Inmanycases theydon't haveanyone topray for themandhelp thembelieve for theirhealing.Ortheydon'tseekthehelpofacompetentphysicianorseekonewhoisskilled in theirparticular areaofneed. Ihavebeenwith toomanysickpeopleand seen their sufferings to believe their illness was a blessing. In my ownfailureorfutilityofeffort tohelpthem,IstilldonotbelievesicknessisawayGodblessesus.WhenIseesomeonesufferingwithnoapparenthopeofhealthagain, then I must believe all the more in the RESURRECTION! For theresurrectionisthegreatesthealingofall.(IwilldiscussthisindetailinthissameStep,Chapter10.)

SICKNESSISNOTASAVINGPOWER

I'vetraveledovertheworld,andhavefoundthatthereismoresicknessinpeoplewhoarenotsavedthananywhereelse.

If sickness is a saving power,why are not the heathen saved today? SicknessmaycauseamantothinkuponGod,buthegetssavedwhenheknowsGodisgood,Godisavailable,andGodiswillingtogivehimanewlife.

David,writinginPsalm119:67,said,"BeforeIwasafflictedIwentastray;butnowhaveIkeptthyword."Itistruethatinaperson'sweaknessandsicknesshemayrealizethatheneedsGod;andif inthatsicknesshecomestorealizethat,thenhehasdoneagoodthing.Thishappenedtome.

But thousands of people realize they needGodwithout ever getting sick.TheBiblesays,"THEGOODNESSOFGOD

leadeththeetorepentance"(Romans2:4).Also,"GodsentnothisSonintotheworld tocondemn theworld; but that theworld through himmight be saved"(John3:17).

GODISNOTYRANT

ApersonwhohasgraspedthisgreattruthoftheBiblewroteme:

"Brother Roberts, the wall has tumbled! Thirty-five years of fear, guilt, andmental torment which stood as insurmountable barriers betweenme and Godhavecrumbled.Fromyourteaching,IthinkIhave—no,IKNOWIhave—foundtheanswertomyproblem.

"AllmylifeI'velivedunderthecharge,'Youreapwhatyousow!'Itookthatthewrongway. It meant tome: 'You'd better watch out, or else!' I was afraid toapproach God for forgiveness of my sins. All I could think about was howunworthyIwasandhowGodwasgoingtopunishme.

"ThroughyourministryI'vecometounderstandthatawarm,joyousrelationshipispossiblewithmySavior.GodisaGodoflove...notatyrant.HelovesmeandwantsmetobewellandliveabundantlywithHimasmySourceoftotalsupply."

Letmesaythistoyououtofmyheart.IfyouarestrugglingwiththefeelingthatGodispunishingyou,tellittotheLord.LetHimhavethoseguiltfeelings.ThenacceptHisforgivenessandneveragainallowthemtodominateyourmindandheart.RejoiceinaGOODGod.AndletthejoyofknowingHisgoodnesssweepoveryourspirit,andbelievethepowerofGodtomakeyouwhole.

Now, let's look at some concrete things we can do to deal with physicalmalfunctionsanddeformities.

HOWIFOUGHTAGAINSTMYIMPEDIMENTANDTHECYNICISMOFPEOPLETHATCAMEWITHIT

The terrible impedimentof speechwithwhich Iwasbornwasbadenough formetobear.Insomewaysitwasworsetofacethecynicalattitudeofpeoplewhotookdelight(fiendishdelight,itseemedtome)inteasingme.

Notonlydidtheyenjoyhearingmestutterandlaughingatme,butneveroncedidtheyindicatebyanyactionthatIcouldovercomemystuttering.

Mymotherand fatherwere theonlyoneswhogavemeevidenceonwhich tobuild hope. Mama said, "Oral, some day youwill talk. God will loose yourtongueandyou'llpreachthegospel."

PapatoldanunclewhohadthoughtIneverwouldamounttoanything,"Oh,yes,hewill.He'sgoingtopreachthegospel."

Myunclesaid,"Oral,preach?Why,hecan'teventalk."

Andheburstoutlaughing.

BothMamaandPapatiedmycurefromstuttering,toGodANDtoapurposeformylifewhich,forme,happenedtobeGod'scallonmylifetopreachthegospel.

Whatever your impediment is—stuttering, or something else—the best way IknowforyoutocomeintofaithforovercomingitistoputGodsquarelyinyourthoughts as the Source of your new freedom,AND to tie your inner self to apositivegoal,somethingyoufeeldeeplyinsideandthenworktowarditwithallyourmight.

Thisseemstoreleasetheadrenalininyoursystem,alsoitmakesGodmorerealtoyou,whointurnreleasesdirecthealingpowertowardyourproblem.

THEHEALINGTOUCHOFGODISPOWERFUL

Iwasbornastutterer.IstutteredwhenIfirstlearnedtotalk.ThemoreIfoughtit,themoreIstutteredandthemorefrightenedIbecamethatIwouldstutter.Inlooking back at it I would estimate that 20 percent of it was a physicalimpedimentand80percentwasrootedinfear.

WhenIwaswithmyparentsormybrotherVaden,withwhomIgrewup inaverycloserelationship,Istutteredverylittle.WhenIgrewtenseorwasafraid,Icouldn'tsaythewords.WhenIwascaughtoffguardandaskedaquestionwhichrequiredmetoreply,Istuttered.ThemoreIwasremovedfromfamiliarthings,themoreIwasunabletotalk—thewordsfreezinginmythroat.

WhenElmercarriedmeforprayerformyhealingoftuberculosis,thepresence

ofGodfilledmybeing.Ittouchedbothmyphysicalbeingandmyinnerself.Icouldbreatheallthewaydown,andIcouldtalk!

Thestrongest, themostexhilarating, themostpositiveforceIhaveever felt isthe presence of God. You feel so strong, so capable, you feel you can doanything(andyoujustaboutcan).ThroughthehealingpresenceofChristIseepeople walk that couldn't walk. I see them coming out of wheelchairs, theirbonescreaking,theirbodiestrembling,butwhentheirfeettouchthefloortheystartwalking,getting stronger every step. I seepeoplewhocan't hearwell, orbreathewell,gatheringanewpowertobefreefromthoseimpediments.

It'sthehealingpresenceofGod!

NotenoughpeopleunderstandthattheycanexperienceGod'shealingpresence.Many who believe in it do not expect to feel it often and powerful enough.Others are cynical, critical, opposed, not realizing they are hurting themselvesandotherdearpeople.

MOREONIMPEDIMENTS

Medical research and developments are doing God's wonders with manyimpediments today such as harelip, facial and body disfigurements, tooth andgumproblems,hipdisplacements,etc. I couldn't begin toname themall sincenewbreakthroughsareappearingeveryyear.

In addition, wewho pray for the sick sometimes see short legs lengthened. Irecentlywitnessedacancerousgrowthliterallyfalloffaperson'sear.

It'sanexcitingtimetobeabeliever.TobegintoknowinyourspiritthatGodisconcernedaboutyouasaperson,andasanindividual,isexhilarating.ToknowyoucandosomethingtowardgettinghealedthroughprayerANDhavehopeofsomuchbeingdonemedicallyforyou,isacauseforrejoicing.

Justdon'tgetmixeduponwhoyourSourceis.IfyoukeepGodastheSourceofyour better health, you can accept prayer or medicine or both with equalhumility,andappreciation.

YoucanbegratefulforthoseinstrumentsbutknowinyourheartthatGodistheSourceofyourhealing,andyourcontinuingbetterhealth.

Nowsaytoyourself:

"I HAVE FREEDMYSELF FROM THEMYTH-'GOD IS PUNISHINGME'"

1.IfGodpunishedsinwithsicknesswewouldallbesick.

2.Mybody is the temple ofGod; therefore, Iwill take care of it throughrightbelieving,rightfood,andproperexercise—IwillgiveitbacktoHim.

3.JesuspaidthedebtformysalvationANDmyhealing.

4.ThereisonlyonesicknessthatglorifiesGod—theonethatgiveswaytoagreatermiracle(John11:4).

5.Goddoesnot send sickness tome—He sent Jesus todestroy it (1 John3:8)andthatincludessicknessinanyformittakes.

6.Sicknessisnotasavingpower(Romans2:4).

7.Godisnotatyrant,HeisaGodoflove.

Helovesmeandwantsmetoliveabundantly.

HOW I FOUGHT MY IMPEDIMENT AND THE CYNICISM OFPEOPLETHATCAMEWITHIT

1.IwillputGodsquarelyinmythoughts.

2.IwillvisualizethehealingpresenceofGod.

3.Iwilltakeadvantageofwhatmedicalsciencecandoforme.

AllSickness IsFromTheDevil...AllHealingIsFromGod—IAmBelievingGodForHisBest

Chapter5

HOWYOUCANKNOWGODLOVESYOUSOMUCHTHATHEWILLHEALYOUEVENTHOUGHYOUHAVEN'TBELIEVEDHEWOULD

IWillNot"FakeIt"AboutAnyIllness-IWill"FaithItThroughToHealing

(ThisisanexcitingtestimonyofDr.JamesBuskirk,averydearfriendandtheDeanoftheOralRobertsUniversityGraduateSchoolofTheology.)

AsIdrovethe85milesbackfromthespecialist,hiswordsburnedinmymind,"I'msorry,butinsixmonthsyouwillbeblind..."

AndIrememberthinking,thatmeansmyministryisover...

Iwasso threatenedby thedoctor'sdiagnosis, Iwasafraid to tell thepeople inmychurchthatIwaslosingmyeyesight.

Iwasafraidtheywouldn'twantmeanymore.

I loved theministry and I lovedmy people so I decided to fake it as long aspossible.

When I could no longer see to read the Scriptures I d memorize them bylisteningtotapes.AndthenwhenI'dgetuptopreachI'dholdupmyBibleandPretendthatIwasreading,whenreallyIhadmemorizedit.

Ispentmanytedioushours in thechurchsanctuarymemorizing thestepsfromthebackofthechurchtothepulpit.Intime,Icouldmovefromthelecternintothepulpit and take theofferingandput it on thehighaltar—allwithmyeyesclosed.Imovedwithstudiedease.Ididn'twanttostumbleforfearthatsomeonewouldsuspectthatsomethingwaswrong.ButtheLorddoesn'talwaysletusgetbywithourways—Heusuallyhasabetterway.

Heusedaladyinthechurchwhosespiritualmaturitythreatenedmeatthetime.Shehadaprayergroupthatreallybuggedme.Theyinvitedmeonetimetocomeandgivethedevotionfortheirgroup.AndinthecourseofmytalkIsaidinrealnicepastorallanguage,"Ifyouladieswouldputsomelegsonyourprayers,I'd

believeinyourprayingmore..."

Towhichthisladyanswered,"BrotherJimmy,ifyou'dlearnhowtopray,you'dstoprunningyourlegsoff..."

One day she came intomy office and said,"Brother Jimmy,what's thematterwithyou?"

Shereallytookmeoffguard,butIknewhowtododgesoIsaid,"Whydoyouask?"

Andshesaid,"Well,youkeepmeawakeatnight.

SometimesIwakeupandIprayforyouforawholehourbeforeIcangobacktosleep."

Ireallydidn'tunderstandthis.Thenshesaid,"Ifyou'regoingtokeepmeawake,I'vegotarighttoknowwhat'sthematterwithyou."

Well,IwasjustflooredandIsaid,"Well,I'vegotacold..."

Towhichshereplied,"Oh,hell\Jimmy,Iwanttoknowwhatisreallythematterwith you." She obviouslywas a personwho couldn't tolerate sham and couldspotaphonyamileaway.

AndIthought,O,Lord,ifshe'sreallysuchasaint,itlookslikeYou'dcleanupherlanguage.But,really,Iwaskindofgladthatshehadaproblem.Yousee,Ididn't use that kind of language and Iwanted to beahead of her somewhere.Mymother taughtmeasavery small childnever touse rough languageor totakethenameoftheLordinvain,"Because,"

shesaid,"ifyoutakeHisnameinvainnow,Hemaynothearyouwhenyoucallon Him in earnest." So it was deep in my consciousness never to use roughlanguage.

IknewthiswomanhadneverhadadayofcounselingandIknewshewouldn'tbeabletohandlemyproblem.SoIdecidedtojustdropthewholethingonherandwatchherreaction.AndsoIsaid,"IAMGOINGBLIND."

Well,itdidn'tupsetherabit.Itkindofmadememad.ItwasmyeyesthatIwas

talkingaboutandIwantedhertogetupsetatleastalittle.But,instead,shejustsaid in a verymatter-of-fact way, "I'm not sure that's going to happen.We'regoingtopray..."

Andshewasn'tasking—shejuststartedpraying.Idon'tthinkI'lleverforgetherprayer.Shesaid:

"Lord,weknowYoualwayshealYourown,sometimeshereandsometimesintheresurrection..."

I thought, I don't believe that. I've known good people who died. But that"sometimesintheresurrection"reallyhitme.

"Sometimeshereandsometimesintheresurrection..."

Andagain,Ithought,that'snotfair.

Butshewenton,"Lord,we'renottellingYouwhattodoorwhentodoit.That'sYour program and Your calendar. But I just pray that You will help BrotherJimmytotrustYourfantasticlovesomuchthathecanacceptthehealingalreadyinprocess.Lord,wejustpraiseYou."

Andjustasabruptlyasshewalkedin,shewalkedout,closedthedoor,andshutmeupintherewithGod.AndIbegantopray—ImeanIreallyprayed.Isaid,"God,IthoughtI'dgivenYouallofme.MaybeI'venevergivenmyeyestoYou,so it has occurred tome, Lord, thatmaybe I've never givenYoumyministryeither.I'vebeenterriblyconcernedaboutthefactthatIwasgoingtoloseit,andI'vebeggedYoutogiveitbacktome.But,Lord,IreallyGIVEYoumyministry,andwhateverIhavefromthispointonIclaimasabonus—asagiftfromYou."

Buteventhen,Ididn'treallysurrender.Iwantedto—butsomehowIdidn'thavethestrength,thesurrenderpower.ItwasatthispointthatGodusedmydad.

MyfatherwasaUnitedMethodistminister.IgrewupinMethodistparsonagesandDadandIwereclose.ButIcouldcommunicatebetterwithmymother.SheandIcansometimescommunicateevenwithouttalking.Theproblemwas,Dadwantedme to preach but Iwas determined not to preach unlessmyHeavenlyFather calledme to preach—notmy earthly father. So therewas a timewhenDadandIgrewalittlebitapart.AndIsupposeIstayedclosertoMotherlongerbecauseofthis.

ButDadcametomyofficeonedayalone,whichwasalittleunusual.Hecameinandsaid:

"Mother'sdownatthehouse."

Isaid,"Great,let'sgo."

Hesaid,"No.Icarriedherdownthereforareason.Iwantedtocomeherealone.IwanttotalktoyouandIdon'twantanyresponseexcept'yes.'"

Hesoundedserious.Thenhestarted,"I'vegotonlyoneyearleftinthisministrybeforeIretire,andyou'vegotyourwholelifetimeinfrontofyou.IwantyoutocallDoctorMcKinneyinMemphisandtellhimwewillcomeanytimehesays.TellhimIwanthimtotakemyeyesandputtheminyourhead.AndIwanthimtogivemeyoureyes.You'vegotperipheralvisionandthat'senoughformetoseetogetaround.Withmyeyesyoucancontinueyourministry..."

Here I am the professionalministerwho knows how to dealwith all kinds ofthings suddenly coming apart as I hear my father's words. Stalling, I turnedaround to get a book out of the bookcase behindme. Then I said, "Dad, I'mfakingit.Idon'tneedthisbook...butI thinkI'mabouttocomeapart...wouldyouletmebealoneforjustalittlewhile."

HeleftandIputmyheaddownonmydeskandIdidn'tjustpray,"Lord,IgiveYoumyministry," that time. I reallydidgive it toHim. I realized that allmybeggingGodtogivemebackmysightwasnotreallyfaith.Itwaslackoffaith.IwastryingtoconvinceGod.AndsuddenlyIrealizedifmyearthlyfatherwantedmetohavemyvisionsomuchhe'dgivemehiseyes,thatIcouldaffordtotrustwhateverGodwoulddoforme,becausemydad'sloveisjustareflectionofmyHeavenly Father's love. And my vision started returning from that point. Itreturnedgraduallywithinaboutayear.

Iwentbacktomyspecialistandafterexaminingmehesaid,"Youknow,we'vebeenconcernedaboutyourothereyegoingfast,buttheeyethatwe'dgivenuponisbeingrestored."

Thenhesaid,"Iknowyou'vememorizedthechart,soreaditbackwards..."

IreaditbackwardsandthenIsaid,"Doyouwantmetoreadthechartorthoselittlenumbersbytheside?"

Hesaid,"Canyouseethose?Thattakesbetterthan20-20vision!"

AndIsaid,"Howdoyouexplainthis?"

Andhesaid,"You'reaministerandyou'reaskingme?

Why,son,GodandIhavebeeninbusinesstogetherforyears.

I treatandHeheals.ThemedicineIgaveyoumayhavearrestedtheinfection.Butwhateversightyouhave,theGreatPhysiciangaveyouthatandyououghttothankHimeverymorning..."

AndIdo.

Whatatheologythatdoctortaughtme!AllhealingisfromGod—Hejustusesdifferent instruments. Sometimes it's throughmedicine, sometimes it's throughsurgery, sometimes through loveandprayer. Inmycase itwasmyown fatherand the lady in my church who reflected God's healing love to me throughprayer,andofcoursemydoctor.

HOWYOUCANREFLECTONDR.BUSKIRK'SHEALING

1.IwillnolongerfakeitaboutanyillnessIhave.

2.IwillmakemyselfopentoanyinstrumentGodsendstome.

3.AnypartofmeIhavenotgiventoGod,Ihumblydoitnow.

4.Ifa lovedone, likeDr.Buskirk's father,wouldofferhisowneyestohisson,howmuchmoredoesGodoffermeHisownlifeandhealth.

5.For everygift ofGod'shealingpowercoming tome throughprayer ormedicalhelp,IwillgiveGodthanks—daily.

IWillNot"FakeIt"AboutAnyIllness-IWill"FaithIt"ThroughToHealing

Chapter6

WHILEYOUAREINYOURHUMANSKINYOUCANSTILLBREAKTHROUGHTOGOD'SDIVINEHEALINGPOWER

IHavea"FaithMiracleinMeEverySecondandIWillAcceptIt

Jesus Christ wore a human skin exactly like yours. His body had the sameorganic structure.Heworeclothes.He lived inhouses.Heate at the tablesoffriends and family.Heworked, bathed, slept.At timesHe lived outdoors.Hewalked the dusty roads of the Holy Land, climbed its mountains, worked atphysicalfitness.HereadtheScriptures,attendedGod'shouse,andlearnedfromGod the ideas to apply toHis humanness.He laughed, cried, sighed, angered,whispered, shouted, tensed, strained, rested, relaxed.Hewas admired, adored,worshiped, loved. He was opposed, ridiculed, criticized, brutalized,discriminated against, on occasion denied a place to sleep or rest. He slippedawaytorelax,topray,tomeditate,toreplenishhimselfinwardlyandoutwardly.InallthesethingsHegotintunewithlife,withpeople,withGodandhimself.HehadagoalandHestuckwithit.

WhenIwasstudyingtheFourGospelsandTheActsbacktherein1947,IsawHimjustasIhavedescribedHim.ThatfreshnewlookthatItookofHimcausedmetoseeHim:1)asamanjustasIamaman,2)astheSaviorandSourcewhohelpsmetobecomethemanGodwantsmetobewhileIaminthesamekindofskinHewasin.Igotexcitedaboutthisandstillam.

Iglimpsedthepossibilityoftotalhealth.

YOUHAVEAFAITHMIRACLEINYOUEVERYSECOND

You have this possibility. What you must do about it is another thing. Thatmeansyoumustgetanattitudeforthisfaithmiracle.

Howdoyoudothis?

Do it like Jesus did it while Hewore a human skin. Hewas always fightingagainstfear.Hesaid,"Fearnot"and,

"Don'tbeafraid."Hesaidthistohelpothers,butitwasalsoaseedHeplantedtohelphimselfnottobefearfulorafraid.

Jesushadalotofthingstobeafraidof,andhadHeallowedhimselftobecometerrifiedbyanyofthem,thenfearwouldhavedestroyedHimasitwoulddestroyanyofus.ByresistingfearHewasabletomoverightintofaith,andwhenHegot into faith therewas the instant possibility of a faithmiracle happening toHim or through Him. I personally try to live in an attitude that this samepossibilityofafaithmiraclecanhappeninme,andthroughme,asitdidJesus.I'vetaughtittomanyothers.I'mteachingittoyounow.

Inmyhumanskin,inwhichIlive24hoursaday,Ifightagainstfear.Itattacksmeoneveryside.Sometimesitkeepsmeawake.SometimesIwakeupinacoldsweat.Sometimesitgnawsatmystomachandmakesmeill.ButthroughChrist,whoIknowexperienced itbeforeme, Iwillnothave it. Iwillnotbeafraid. IwillhavefaithinGod.Godmademeabletobelieveandhavefaith,thesameasHehasyou.Hehasgiveneachofusafullmeasureoffaith(Romans12:3).Itisnotsomethingwehavetoget,wealreadyhaveit.

Ifyouthinkyoudon'thaveanyfaith,I'mgoingtoshowyouthatyoudo.Everytime you step into a car to go somewhere, that is faith.You. can transfer thatsame kind of faith into your inner self and respond to life with your spirit—whichisthewayGodmadeyouandintendedforyoutorespond.It'sinthiswaythatyoucanunderstandthatfaithissomethingyoudo.

HAVEYOUPRESSEDTHEBUTTON?

Iheardaboutagroupofpeoplestandingbeforeapublicelevator.Whenthedoordidn't open, they began to say, "Whydoesn't somebodydo something? Isn't itterriblethewaythingsare?"

Then a voice from the edge of the crowd asked, "Has anybody pushed thebutton?"

No.Theyhadnot.

WhatIamtryingtosayisthatsimplefaithisanecessarything,somethingyoudoeverydayofyourlife.

But it is thesame inusingyour faith tobelieve inGod, tobelieveagainstsin,

disease, demons, fear, and ALL self-defeating, self-limiting forces comingagainstyou.

Itisreallyfaiththatcausesyoutopushanelevatorbuttontocausethedoortoopen, toclose,and for theelevator to rise.Thekindof faithyouuse toget incarsandelevatorsandotherthingsisthesameasspiritualfaith.Therereallyisnodifferenceinsimplefaithandspiritualfaith,theybothhappenwhenyoudosomethingthatmustbedone.

The elevator button to be pushed is the Point of Contact which sets off theelectroniccircuittomakeyourelevatorgointoaction.Thesespiritual"buttons"aretobepushed,aspointsofcontactforthereleaseofyourfaithwhich,inturn,setsinmotiontowardyouallGod'shealinggood!

But don't expect something for nothing.Don't expectGod to overwhelmyourpower of choice and forceHismiracles on you. The elevator doesn't do that,doesit?Youpushthebutton.

TherearespecificwaysGodwantsyoutoliveandspecificthingsHewantsyoutodowhichwillcauseHisabundantlifetoflowtowardyou.

I believe themiracles of Jesus are coming TOWARDYOU, OR PASTYOUevery day! Youmust use your faith to believeGod is sending thesemiraclestowardyouandnotpastyou.

YoumustbelieveGodwantsyoutohavemiracles,andreachoutandtakethem.

WHATIHAVELEARNEDABOUTHAVINGTOTALHEALTHWHILEIAMINMYHUMANSKIN

Nowsaythesethingstoyourself:

1. I can learn tobemore likeJesuswaswhileHewasonearth inhumanskin—Icanhavehealthtoo.

2.TheKeyIssue is:"Ihavea 'faithmiracle' inmeevery secondandIwillacceptit."

3.Iwillnotfear,butworkonmovingintoafaithattitude.

4.InmyhumanskinIwillfightagainstallnegativeforcescomingagainstme,becauseGodhasgivenmeafullmeasureoffaithtofightwith.

5.Iwillpressthefaithbuttononmyspiritualelevatortomakeitrisetomyhighestexpectationformiracle-living.

6.Miraclesarecomingtowardme,orpastme,everyday!Iwillreachoutandtakemine.

7.JesuslivedinHishumanskinsuccessfullyandIamdeterminedtodothesame.

IHavea"FaithMiracle"inMeEverySecondandIWillAcceptIt

Chapter7

NOW TO SUCCESSFULLY DEAL WITH YOUR DEADLYNEGATIVEEMOTIONS

I Am Looking For New Dimensions For My Faith And Love To ShineThroughToOthers

One thing I am sure of about myself is that I am an emotional being. NotnecessarilyanemotionalpersonsinceImanagetokeepmyselfprettywellundercontrol,butanemotionalbeing.Thereisadifference.

Built into our very nature are our emotions, our ability to feel, to respond, orreact.When you respond you are usually positive and in control ofwhat youwish to do—or be. When you react you are permitting the other person—orwhatever it isbuggingyou—todetermineyouractions.NowIdon't like todothat.Nopersonorthingshouldbeallowedtohavesomuchcontroloverusastoforceustoreactinanegativeway.Wereallyhurtourselveswhenwedothat.

I'llneverforgetstayingwithafamilywhoselittle4-year-oldsonwhowhenhewas reprimanded, or he hurt himself, or if anything happened he didn't like,would rush to the brick fireplace and butt his head against thewall.His littleheadwasbatteredandblue.

I'vedonethat,onlyinadifferentway.Presumablyyouhavetoo.

Isn'tthereabetterwaytodealwithournegativeemotions?

BLESSORCURSE

I remember one day that one of our attorneys told me about a pretty badexperiencehe'dhadwithafellowlawyer.

Andhesaid,"Oral,youknowwhatIsaidtohim?"

Isaid,"No."

Hesaid,"Itoldhimtogotohell."

"Didyoumeanit?"

"Sure,Imeantit."

"Doyouknowwhathellis?"Iasked..."HellisaseparationfromGod.Hellisaplaceoftorment.Youdidn'treallywanthimtogotohell,didyou?"

"Well,sinceyouputitthatway—no;Ireallydidn'twantthat.Ijustwantedhimtogetoutofmysight."

AndIsaid,"Well,thenwhydidn'tyoutellhimtogotoheaven?"

"Gotoheaven?Ididn'twanthimtogotoheaven."

"Well, heaven is a good place. It's where everything is right in a man's life.Wouldn'tyoulikeforthingstoberightwithhim?"

Hesaid,"Well,Isurewishhewouldgetrightsomewayorother."

Ididn'thearanythingmorefromhimandafewweekslaterIsawhimagainandhesaid,"Oral,youknow,Ihavebeenthinkingalotaboutwhatyousaidtomeabout telling that guy to go to heaven. And every time I've started to tellsomeonetogotohell,I'vecaughtmyself.OnceIeventoldaguytogotoheavenand,youknow,hereallydidn'tknowhowtotakeit."

Laterhesawme,cameover,andsaidwithasmile,"Tellhimtogotoheaven!Youknowyoureallycleanedupmylanguageandsomethingdeeperthanthat."

I've used this approachwithmanypeoplewhose emotionsplay fast and loosewithbadlanguageandbadthoughts.

Almostallturnouttobegrateful.

SAY,"GODBLESSYOU"

ThelateThelmaShaw,belovedwifeofJudgeOrasShaw,dearfriendstoEvelynandme,oncetoldussheusedthe

"God-bless-you" approachwhen her emotions began getting her into reaction.Shesaid,"Iwouldbreathealittleprayer,sortoftakeabreathandsayofthemto

myself,"Godblessyou"OvertheyearsshedevelopedthisasaresponseandatherdeathwhentheJudgeinvitedmetosayafewwords,Isharedthiswiththeaudience.Tomysurprise,peoplealloverthechurchwerenoddingtheirheads,remembering this about her. Obviously, many there had been helped by thisterrificChristianwoman.

We had the honor of printing her story, "God bless you," in our quarterlypublication,DAILYBLESSING, in theApril-May-June 1971 issue.Hundredswroteofthegoodimpactithadmadeonthem.

Letmetellyouthatanaked,raw,uncontrolledormisdirectedemotioncanhurtpeople,andcertainlyyourselfmostofall.Todealwithityoucanreplaceitwithsomethingbetter.Youcanandyoumust.

IN BEING PRAYED FOR OR TREATED,WATCH YOUR NEGATIVEEMOTIONS

Richard,myson,andIplayedagameofgolfonedaywithaTulsasurgeonwhohad as his guest a surgeon friendwho had expressed a desire to play a roundwithus.Weplayedafewholesbeforewegottotalkingaboutthekindofpeoplewhorespondor react to recovering fromsome illnessorbadsituation.Hehadheardmeon television andknewquitewellwhat I thought about this kindofthing.

Hesaid,"Dr.Roberts,letmebringsomethingveryimportanttoyourattention.Theworstkindofcasetogetinsurgeryisthefellowwho'sbeeninanaccidentandyouarecalledtorushovertotheemergencyroomandifnecessarydoquicksurgery on him. First, he doesn't want to be there. Next, he's upset that he'sinjured. Then he doesn't know me, I'm a stranger to him. Also, he's afraidsomethingishurtrealbadorhe'sgoingtodie."

Iasked,"Whatdoesheusuallydo?"

"Well,"hereplied,"helooksatmewithalookthatsays,

'WhatamIdoinghere?Whydidthishappentome?What'sthisdoctorupto?IwishIwereamillionmilesfromhere.'"

"Whatdoyoudo?"

"What do I do?Brother, the best I can. If I can calm him down, help get hisemotionsundercontrol,andifIcangivehimmyverybest,oftenhecomesoutofitasgoodasever."

"Andifyoucan'tgethisemotionsdown?"

"Well, I try first of all to havemineunder control because I am in a hot spotmyself. Idon'tknowhim, Imayhavean impossiblecaseonmyhands, Imayevengetsued.ThenasbestIcanIseektoshowhimhowtohelpmehelphim."

AWILDMANACCOSTSUS

ItoldthissurgeonaboutaserviceinwhichIwasministeringtothesickwhenaman leaped up and came through the audience jumping over people until hereachedthestage.Fourmengrabbedhimbutcouldn'tcontrolhim.Hegotcloseenough to me until I saw his eyes seemed glazed. He was actually a man,berserk,andhisstrengthwasunnaturallygreat.IsaidtotheORUchaplain,BobStamps,whowasalsoseekingtorestraintheman,toturnhimloose.

Isaid,"Comeoverheretome."

Hedid,andIsaid,"Putyourarmsaroundmyneckandtellmeyouloveme."

Ahushhadfallenovertheplace.Theyoungmanputhisarmsaroundme,laidhischeektomine,andwhispered,

"BrotherRoberts,Iloveyou."

Isaid,"Areyoureadytogobacktoyourseatandwaityourturntocomewiththeothersforprayer?"

Hesaid,"Yes."

"Gothen,"Isaid,andhedid.

Bobsaid,"PresidentRoberts,I'mgladthatwasyouinsteadofme."

I smiled, "Bob, I've been down the path for nearly 30 years. It makes adifference.However,anyonecandothisWHENhisownemotionsareunderthecontroloftheHolySpirit."

I told the doctor that story. He said, "Well, you put it in terms that youunderstand,andIinmine,buthopefullyitworksoutthesameway."

Isaid,"Yes,Ibelieveitisveryimportanttoyou,tome,toeveryone,tolettheinnercalm takeover—andIbelievethoseweseektohelphavetocomeunderthesameemotionalcontrol,howeverharditis."

One dear woman I prayed for was accompanied by her husband. She talkedincessantly. Each time I attempted to guide her into prayer, off shewould goagain.Inorherhusbandcoulddoanything.

IfelttheHolySpiritflowupinmeandIsaidforceably,

"Stop."

She flinched like she had been struck. "Just stop," I repeated quietly, "and letGodhaveachancetosaysomethingtoyourspirit."

Shehushed.Weprayed. Inmoments shewas sohelped thatherhusbandsaid,"Godhasgivenmeanewwife."

Ifyouwanthelpfromaminister,adoctor,orsomeoneabletohelpyou,trytocooperate inapositivemanner. Ifyoudidn'tneedhelp,youwouldn'tbe there.Youmaybepleasantlysurprisedatthewondersofyourrecovery.

HOWABOUTYOURBITTERNESS?

"Lestanyrootofbitternessspringinguptroubleyou,andthereby...bedefiled..."(Hebrews12:15).

Bitternessspringsfromaroot.Arootisfromsomethingplanted.

Iusedtosay,"Oh,hemademesobitter."GodrevealedtomeinthisScriptureandothersintheBiblethatmybitternesswasnotforcedonmebysomeoneelse.Ididit.Iletithappen.Ihadplantedabadseedbypermittingmyselftobecomebitter.

One man had especially been awful to me. I fought and fought with myself,calling on God to H-E-L-P him and to H-E-L-P me. Finally, I fell upon awonderful plan. It was to think not of thewrongs I felt hewas doing tome.

Instead,ItriedtothinkofChristinHim,andIprayedtotheChristinhimwhowasalso inme. Iactuallydid thisseveral times."OLord,Youare in thismanandYouareinme.IcalluponYou;helphim;helpme."InoneoftheseprayersIfelt a release inmy spirit.Thewrongswere still therebut theydidn't hurtmeanymore.IfeltbetterandBETTERuntilIfeltGodwhisperinmyheart,"IfyoutrustMe,noonecaneverhurtyou.Youcanonlyhurtyourselfbyplantingtheseedofabadreaction."

Iusethisplanoftenanditworks.ItworksbecauseallofGod'schildrenarepartofChrist,andpartofoneanother.YouandIaresowingourseedandreapingitbackwhenwepraytoChristwhoisinus.ThehelpweaskfortheotherpersonisaseedthatcomesbackMULTIPLIEDlikeanyotherSeed-Faithweplant.Thishasanamazinghealtheffectuponourentirebeing.Frankly, I think it'spartofbetterhealthanditcertainlyleadstomiracle-living.Willyoutryit?

RESENTMENTS...

Whenyouareinthepublic,asIam,theycanwritegoodstoriesaboutyou—alsounflatteringones.Ofcourseyoueatupthegoodonesandhopeyouremotionswillnotgetyoudownoverthebadones.Thefactisthebadonesareasgoodasthegoodonesbecauseinthelongrunyouneedbalance.AsSt.Paulsaid,nottothinkmorehighlyofourselvesthanweought(Romans12:3).

Butintheshortrun—it'stoughtokeepouremotionsundercontrol.

Severalyearsagoanunflatteringarticlewaswrittenaboutmyministry,andthemanresponsiblewasa friendofmine. It reallyhurtmeand Iwasangry.Veryangry.

Ihonestly tried toovercome the resentment.The resentment Ihad inmyheartwasworsethanwhatthismanhaddonetome.AndeverytimeIthoughtaboutthatman I got a sick feeling in the pit ofmy stomach.Andmy attitude washinderingmeindealingwithotherpeople.Finally,Irealizeditwasn'tthatIhadtheanger—theangerhadme! Ibeganprayingabout it andoneday I feltGodspeakingdeep insideme, "Oral,write thismana letterandapologize foryourfeelings."What!Ithought.Heshouldapologizetome!

ButGodkepttellingmeIhadtolovethemanasifhe'dneverwrongedme.

SoIsatdowntowritetheletter.Anditwashard.ItoldhimI'dfeltbadtoward

himandIaskedhimtoforgivemeforit.WhenImailedtheletterIwasreleasedfromtheanger.IconsideredthisactaseedoffaithIwasplantingformyfeelingsto change. This was the desired result for which I planted my seed. And ithappened.Ifeltgreatandwasabletodismissthewholethingfrommymind.

Thenloandbehold!Afewdayslaterherecameareplyfromtheman,saying,"Iamtheonewhoneedstoapologize..."WewerereconciledandtodayheandIaregoodfriends.

But even if he had not replied, theRESENTMENTwas released inmy innermanandIreceivedahealinginmyspirit.Again,theSeed-FaithprayerandtheSeed-FaithletterIwrotehadpaidoffforme—andhim.

WHENPEOPLEWONTPAYWHATTHEYOWEYOU...

Suppose that you have done everything legal and proper to collect—and fail.Talk about emotions running wild. Some people have fist fights, or knifesomeone,orevenkill.Othersburnandseetheinside.

IthelpsmetofeelbetterinsituationslikethesewhenIcangetquietenoughtoremember a debt I oweANDCANNEVERPAY. I oweChrist everything fordyingonthecrossforme.

Bringing that down to wages, ormoney loaned, or other favors rendered, it'simportanttorememberWHOYOURSOURCEIS.

Anassociateofminewhobelieves inSeed-Faith livingas Ido, toldmeofanamountofmoneyhehadfoolishlylost.Hehadsignedanoteforafriendwhenheknewthefriendmightnotseriouslytrytopayhimback."Iknewbetter,"hesaid,"butthefellowgotonmysympathy."

Hesaid,"Oral,hejustwouldn'tpayandIhadtogopayitmyselfbygoingtothebankandborrowingit!EverytimeI'dmakeapaymenttothebank,I'dbetakingsomethingfrommyfamily,andthethoughtsIhadtowardthismanweremorebitterthangall.Itmademesicktomystomach."

Isaid,"Youactuallyfeltitphysically?"

Hesaid,"Yes."

"Well,youlookOKnow."

"I am. I am fine. In your book, MIRACLE OF SEED-FAITH, you saidsomethingaboutgivingalosstoChristasseedyouplant,andinthatwayGodwouldmultiplytheseedbackanditwouldwipeouttheloss."

Ireplied,"Yes,IsaidthatandItrytopracticeit."

Hesaid,"Iwasdesperatetokeepmyemotionsfromeatingmeup,fromharmingmyself with all those bad feelings I was harboring. I prayed for this man, Iprayedformyself,thenImentallytookthatloss,allofit,andgaveittoGod.AsIpaidtherestofthebankpaymentsIthoughtonlyofgivingittoGodandGodhasmultiplieditback100percentandmore."

"Youwonthen?"

"Yes, I won by getting myself released so I could apply myself to moreworthwhilethings.It'sbeenmultipliedinmoneyandpeaceofmind."

Wonderful things happen to peoplewho can finally get themselves opened upfromresentmentbygettingintoSeed-Faith,whichcanwipeouttheloss.

THEEMOTIONOFTENMOSTNEGATIVEISSELF-PITY...

Weareallafflictedat timeswith thisone.Even thestoicaloftenseethewithinbecausetheyfeeltheyarenotgettingtreatedfairly.Wehaveeveryrighttofeelappreciated,wanted,loved.Butitappearsimpossibleforotherpeopletoseeusaswefeeltheyshould.

Self-pityhitsmeworsewhenIhaveworkedhardandgivenofmyselfuntilIamwornoutinmybodyandmaybecan'tsleepwellforafewnights.OrIpickupwhatsomebodyIadmirehassaid,whichisnegativetowardme.OrItakeacoldthatgetsworseandgoesintosomethingelselikeasorethroatorahurtingchest.The throat and chest are vital to a speaker—one who has to talk and sharevocallywithpeople,bothpubliclyandprivately.Somepeoplecangohomeandrest until it's all over; we can't. The work of television, prayers for people,ministeringtoindividualsandlargegroupskeepsusfromstopping.SoIhavetoconstantlyfightfeelingsofself-pity.

OfcoursemydarlingwifeEvelynhelpsme."Now,Oral,"

she will say, "you're just feeling sorry for yourself.You tell others wonderfulthingstohelpthem,trythemonyourself."

Sheisrightandthisreallysnapsmetoattention,becauseself-pitycandestroyallGodwantsustobe.

HATE...HOWJESUSKEPTHISEMOTIONSUNDERCONTROL

Manyaperson isbehindprisonbarsbecauseofpermittinghisemotions togointohateuntilhedidsomethingviolent.EveryprisonIhavevisitedstruckmeasbeingfilledwithahateyoucouldfeel.

IrecallspeakinginalargechurchonceandIfeltlikealotofhatewastherealso.Howcouldhatebeinachurch?People.

People who planted bad seed by misdirecting their emotions and becomingdeadly negative toward each other. In that situation I prayedwhile I preachedthat theLivingChristwould speak throughmeand that thepeoplewould feelHisloveinme.Laterthepastorofthatchurchtoldmethatsomethinghappenedtohispeoplethroughthatsermon,andespeciallythroughwhattheyfeltcomingoutofmetowardthem.IrealizedthatthegoodseedIhadplantedinmysermonhadbeenmultipliedinblessingstothepeople,andbacktomealso.

Youknow,it'ssotruethatwhatpeoplefeelcomingoutofyouisasimportantaswhat theyhearyousay.This is true insermons, Iknow,aswasproved in thiscase.

Ifanyhumanbeingeverhadareasontofeelhate, itwasJesus.TheveryonesHesoughttohelp,rejectedHim.

UltimatelytheywantedtotakeHislife.

Being rejected and hated was no picnic even to Jesus because He was fullyhuman.IhopeyourememberHewasman,anemotionalbeinglikeyourself.

Thethingthathelpsmemostisthatinthemidstoftheirhate,Jesuscouldcallupon His inner man and respond from His spirit, rather than from the coldcalculatinglogicofHismind,whichwouldhavecausedHimtohatethemback.

Jesus resisted hate.He determined not to hate. Itwas a battle forHim towin

overhimselfjustasitisforus.HewonbyplantingseedsofHisloveforthem.

IbelieveJesuslovedallpeoplebutHelovedhimselftoo.

Heknewthathate, likeacid,candodamageto thevessel inwhichit isstoredjustas itdoes to theobjectonwhich it ispoured.Hatred,Heknew,canblindyour reason, send poison into your bloodstream, upset your digestive system,makeyourheadhurt,causeyoutobeirritable—itcanpunishyouuntilallyouthinkof ispunishingsomeoneelse. It isabad,badseedand thehatergetshisseedmultipliedbackinhateforhimself.

Howdidyoudoit,Jesus?Ioftenask.InstudyingHislife,andinobservingHimworking inmy life, I have concluded that love sown as a seed of faith is theanswer.

AlovethatistowardGod.Alovethatistowardtheperson.Alovethatistowardyourself. "Loveyourneighbor asyou loveyourself," Jesus said.He is saying,"Plantthegoodseed,notthebad."

"ASYOULOVEYOURSELF."Lovingothersalsomeansnothatingyourself.You are on the same plane as other people are.You have self-worth, youaresomebody. God is very aware of you and values you as highly as He doesanyone!Afterall,Hediedforyou!Soplantagoodseedinbehalfofyourself.Godwantsyoutodoit.

MYMOTHERHELPEDME

Once I came home from another country where we came close to death forpreachingthegospelandprayingforthesick.Isatdownwithmydearmotherandtoldherallaboutit.

The news had preceded me, as newspaper reporters had phoned to get hercomments.Shehadproudlysaidtothem,"Iamproudofmyson,proudheisapreacher,anevangelist,andisdoingwhatGodcalledhimtodo.IraisedhimtoobeyGod."Thensheadded,"There'sonlyonelikehimintheworldandIgavehimbirth."

Onereporterlatertoldmethataftertalkingwithmymotherhewasgoingtogivemeobjectivereportingthereafter.

"Why?"Iasked."Well,"hereplied,"anybodywithamotherlikeherhasgottobeallright."

Irecountedtomymotherthatexperienceoverseas,howthegreatcrowdscame,and of the tremendous results in conversions and healings. Then of the finaloverwhelming of the services by hoodlums, with no protection for us by theofficersofthelawwhowerestandingbywiththeirarmsfolded.AndInoticedasoftnesscameintohereyes.Shesaid,

"Oral,yourdaddyandIhavecarriedthegospelsincebeforeyouwereborn.Wewent through heat and cold, plenty and starvation, praise and hatred—butwecarried on.We've taught you about Jesus and howHe never struck backwithbitternessorhateorrevenge.Justrememberthisaboutthosewhotriedtoharmyou;Godknows all about it.Also consider the source of their opposition, thedevil.KeepyourtrustinGodandHewillbringyouthrough.Somedayyouwillcomethroughitallshininglikethestars,andyou'llbeglad,oh,sogladthatyouneverstruckback...”

As I reflect today IknowMama is right. I cansee thestars shiningand I feelgladnessinmyheart.NotonceinalltheyearsofthisministryhaveIstruckbackatanyone.TherewereinnerthoughtsandemotionsIwrestledwith.PrivatelyIwasterriblyupset,againandagain.ButIcouldfeelJesusinmysoul,thesameJesuswhosufferedtenthousandtimesmorethanIhave.IcanseeHimandhearHimonthecross,"Father,forgive..."

Lovingforgivenessistheseedtoplanttowipehatredfromyourheart.Onethingaboutafarmerplantingaseed,he'sdoingsomethingconstructive,notsomethingdestructive.

He's planting his seed for a desired result.When you see Jesus' own way offorgiving,youseeHeisdoingsomethingconstructive.HeisseeingtoitthattheseedHeisplantingistheseedofforgiveness,nottheseedofdestructionofthosewhoareagainstHim.Whenyouseethisthenyouknowtheonlyseedyouwillplantareseedsofloveandgoodness.Inthisway,youneverharmanyoneanditcomesbacktoyoumultipliedagainandagain.

Oh,thatwemightstudyourSavior'sactionsmore,andbetterlearnhowtolove,howtoforgive,andhowtohavethesuperiorhealthHehadinspirit,mind,andbody,andinallHisrelationshipswithpeople.

SOMETHINGGOODISGOINGTOHAPPENTOYOU

ThosewordswithwhichIopenallourtelevisionprogramsandwhichIusewithpeoplewhereverIgo,wereborninmyheartwhenbadthingswerehappeningtome.

Back in1968 throughamisunderstandingbysomeofmy friendsandpartnersovermychangeinchurchdenominations(whichGodguidedmetomake),myministrybegantosufferquickandseverelosses.IhadtoborrowmoneytomakeourpayrollanditappearedevenORUwouldgounder.

I had served people, thousands of them. I had given of myself, I knew thatbeyond anydoubt.Manygood andpowerful things hadhappened throughmeandthroughthisministry.NowwhatIconsideredanobediencetoGodbecamearallyingpointtothosewhoputdenominationaboveobeyingGod.

Aftermuchsufferingand loss, Icame toadecision. IwouldcontinueobeyingGodasHegavemethelight.Iwouldnotstrikeback.Iwouldnotreplyinkindto the largenumberofnegative letters I received from former close friends inhighandlowplaces.Rather,Iwouldanswereachletterasaseedofmyfaithandlove—andIwouldtrustGodasmySOURCE.

Looking back and seeing the great thingsGod has done through thisministrysince then, more than quadrupling our work with people who have needs itseemssucha light thing Iwasexperiencing. Itwasnot light then,however. Itwasaroughandapotentiallydestructiveperiodinmylife.

WhatfinallyhappenedwasthatIwasabletoplantaseedforanequalbenefit.ItbeganwithmyexaminingmybeliefsaboutSeed-Faithgiving,andIfoundthemfullyscripturaland100percentworkable.ImadeupmymindIwouldgotothePrayerTowerhereontheORUcampus,closemyselfinwithGod,andworkmywaysodeeplyintoSeed-FaiththatIwouldcomeoutofthiswithmyfaithintact,andleavetheresultswithGod.IfIwon,Iwon;ifIfailed,Ifailed.ItwouldbeinGod'shands.

Ashort timelaterwehadanoffer tosella largepieceofequipmentnolongerneeded,andwedesperatelyneededthemoneytotideusoverafewmoredays.WhileprayingIfeltadeepurgetogiveitratherthansellit.Ifeltlikeplantingaseed. I tested thaturgebyseeing if itwasamerewhimsoon topassora truemoveoftheSpiritwithinthatwouldn'tleaveme.

The urge stayedwithme until itwas like an old friend.A knowing filledmyheartandIknewthatIknewthatIknew.

ThisisthewayIalwaysknowitisGodtellingmetoplantmyseedsoffaith.Ithasneverfailedme.

Togive thatpieceofvaluableequipmentwasgivingOUTOFOURNEED. Itwasalsogiving foradesired result fromGod,ourSource.Yes,wedidgive itand it opened me up in my spirit, getting me beyond my intellect and myphysicalsenses.Afterwehadplantedourseedoffaith,Ifeltthesewordscomingoutofmyinnermostbeing...

Somethinggoodisgoingtohappentoyou!

"Somethinggoodisgoingtohappentome,Lord?"Iasked.

"Yes,toyou,"swelledupinmyheart.

ThegoodthathappenedwasthatallIhadknownaboutplantingaseedoffaithand expectingGod tomultiply it back by amiracle, came to a climax inmythinkingandbelieving.

It gaveme the push I needed to launch completely into Seed-Faithwithm ywholebeing:TogiveGodmybest,thenaskHimforHisbest.Ihadbeendoingthatalltheyearsofmyministry;however,nowIsawIcoulddoitbetter,moreconsistently,more joyously,andwithagreaterexpectationformiracles. Itwasanotherturningpointinmyselfasapersonandasaspiritualleader.

Almostovernightwedevelopedthenewtelevisionformatwehavecontinuallyrefineduntiltodaymillionssayitwithme,"Somethinggoodisgoingtohappentoyou...tome!"

Peoplewriteandtellme,"BrotherRoberts,youwillneverknowwhatitmeanstometohearyousay,'Somethinggoodisgoingtohappentoyou.'Itliftsmeup,itcheersmeon,itgivesmereasonforliving,itbringsmeclosertoGod..."

Itdoesthesameforme.

Afriendwrote thathis90-year-oldmotherhadgottenuponeSundaymorningandcameintothelivingroomwhereontheirTVsetIwassaying,"Something

goodisgoingtohappentoyou."

Hesaidhismotherwipedthesleepoutofhereyes,gavealittlelifttoherhead,andsaid,"Let'erhappen,sonny."

Itellyou,thatkindofup-attitudecertainlyisaboontoyouremotionalbeing.

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED TO DO ABOUT DEADLY NEGATIVEEMOTIONS

Saythemwithme:

1.IknowthatIamanemotionalbeing—howIactorreactisimportanttome,andtoothers.Itisagoodseedplantedorabadseedplanted.

2. Bitterness and resentments within come from a bad seed planted—therefore,Iwillnotletanyrootofbitternessspringup (Hebrews12:15).Iwillplantgoodseed.

3.IwillgivemylossestoGodasaseedoffaithIplantandletGodmultiplytheseedback,wipingouttheloss.

4.Iwillnotindulgeinself-pity...itcandestroyallGodwantsmetobe.

5.Iwillplantseedsoflovetowardpeopleinsteadofhate.

I Am Looking For New Dimensions For My Faith And Love To ShineThroughToOthers

Chapter8

HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU NEED A PHYSICIANANDSUGGESTIONSONHOWANDWHENTOGOTOADOCTOR

GodUsesPrayerandPhysicianstoCompleteHisHealingLoveinMe

Jesussaid,"Theythataresick...needaphysician."

First,inunderstandingthatyouneedaphysician,learntoappreciateamanorwomanwho has spent hard years inpreparation to be a physician or dentist.What a price they pay. Without dedication they couldn't even complete theirmedical degrees, nor could they actually continue to practicemedicine. Don'tlightlydismissthis.Appreciatingthemwillhelpyou.Itcertainlydoesme.

Second, when you go to a physician recognize you are bothhuman, he's justbettertrainedthanyouareinbringingbetterhealthcare.Heisnotyourenemy.Don'tbawlhimoutovertriflesormerelybecauseyoudon'tfeelgood.Heisanemotional being as you are.You are human too.That iswhat he has toworkwith.Yourhumanness.Youcanhelpyourselfbyhelpinghim.

Doctorswilltellyoutheydon'tknoweverythingaboutmedicine,aboutcures,oraboutyou.Theydon'tknowexactlyhowyoumayreacttotheirtreatment.Youmayreactlikesomeotherperson,oryoumaynot.Youareauniquepersonandsoisthedoctor.Worktogetherforacure.

Sure,somemedicinesmaybebetterthanothersandtheyareseekingeverydaytomakethembetter.Whogavethempowertodiscoverthem?Toimprovethem?Who provided the rawmaterials inHis universe?GOD. That says somethingveryspecialtoyou:don'twinduponthewrongsideofGodbybeingmeanwithyourdoctorandafterseekinghishelp,byrejectingthebesteffortsheknowstohelpyoumedically.

I suggestyouhaveapersonalphysician.Get toknowhimorher thebestyoucan.Doctorswanttohelpyou.Theywanttohelpyouasmuch,ifnotmore,thanyouwanttobehelped.

Inthis,theyreflectthenatureofGodwhowishesyouto"beinhealth"(3John

2).

Speaking personally, I have been in the hospital four different times and eachtime Ihaveexperienced tenderand lovingcare—theverybest thesededicatedpeoplehadtoofferfromthehospitalstaff,thenurses,andthedoctors.Also,inthese experiences there was always a close bond developed in which we allknewGod is theultimateSourceofhealth.Withallmycalling toprayfor thehealing of people, I am keenly aware Jesus knewwhatHewas talking aboutwhenHesaid,"Theythataresickneedaphysician"(Luke5:31).

Unfortunately,when I grewup I didn't learn to go to a dentist early.Dentists,however,havehelpedmesavemyteethsothatIhavebettergumsandteeththanever. I amverypunctual in going tomydentist aminimumof twice a year. Ievenhadanexperienceinadentist'schairwhenthedentistandIprayedoveratooththatwasnotrespondingtotreatment.Throughhishelpandourprayer,mytoothwassaved.Iappreciatethat.

Agood professional relationshipwith your physician or dentist is oftenworthmore thanyoucaneverpay. It is an integralpartofGod'swonderfuldeliverysystemofhealthforyouandyourfamily.Despiteflaws,mistakes,failures,it'sahealinggiftthatIintendtohavewhenIneedit,bothpreventiveandcurative.

DOMEDICINEANDHEALINGPRAYERSBELONGTOGETHER?

SomethinkbecauseIhadahealingoftuberculosisandamcalledtoprayforthesick that I thinkmedicine and prayer don'tmix. That's foolishness. I've neverdividedthem.

Physicians and surgeons anddentists havehelpedmeandmy family sooften,and Imust say the same about healing prayers, that I combine themwith thegreatestofjoyandwarmestappreciation.IthankGodIhaveBOTH.Ialsoknowthat in praying for many physicians, or members of their families, I haveencounteredtheirwarmestappreciation.

I personally know many physicians and dentists who are at home with bothmedicineandhealingprayers,andthenumberisgrowing.

Ihatetoseeareligiousfanaticoramedicalfanatic;IliketoseeJesusyokethemtogether in a common goal of caring in His kingdom of love, salvation, andhealth—that'swheretheybelongforourgood.

I'vedealtwithmanypeople in themedicalprofessionand it ismyobservationthatthey(asawhole)arereceivingthecharismaticexperienceoftheHolySpiritmore readily thanotherswithwhom I deal. St.Luke, themedical doctorwhowasatravelingcompanionofSt.Paul,wassointerestedinhealingsbyfaiththathewasaco-workerwith thegreatapostle. It isalsoDoctorLukewho tellsusmore about the work of the Holy Spirit and miracles than any other NewTestamentwriter.

The prayer language when interpreted brings the tongue of understanding, aswellasadeepercompassion,andcanbeverymeaningfultoapracticingmedicalperson.Also,Ithinkmedicalpeoplesensetheirlimitations.Manyofthemknowtheyneedadivinedimensionintheirpractice.

The reason I believe the staffing of theORUmedical and dental schools hasgonesowellisbecauseofthisonepoint:highlycompetentmedicalandclinicaleducators on receiving the Holy Spirit, want to see a charismatic school ofmedicine from which ALL GOD'S HEALING POWER CAN BE TAUGHTANDCARRIEDTOTHEENDSOFTHEEARTH.

I, of course, continue to pray for the healing of people by the thousands.MydeepappreciationforJesus'statement,

"They thatare sickneedaphysician" (Luke5:31),doesnotprecludeme fromGod'swords, "Theprayerof faith shall save the sick, and theLord shall raise[them] up; and if [they] have committed sins, they shall be forgiven [them]"(James5:15).

Bestofall,IseeJesususingthephysician,thedentist,andpersonswhoprayforthe miraculous intervention of His healing power. It's just great to be aninstrumentofGodinwhateverwayHechoosestouseus.Theimportantthingisthehelpthatpeopleget.TheirbetterhealthisGod'sownwish(3John2).

SUGGESTIONSONHOWANDWHENTOGOTOADOCTOR

TheLord'shealingforourbodiesandlivesisoneofthetrulymagnificentproofsofHispersonalconcernineverythingthattouchesourlives.Hishealingpowerstandsoutasoneofthegreatloveforcesofalltime.ItistheoutstretchedhandofGod.It is the thoughtofGodrevealedinmiraculousactiontowardyouandme.IlovethehealingpowerofJesusChrist.

AndyouandIneedHishealingtouch!

ThegreathealingpowerofJesusChristisreadilyavailabletous.Wecan'tseeitanymorethanwecanseethewind.Wecanhearthewind.Wecanfeelthewind.Butwecannotseethewind.WecanfeelthegreathealingpowerofGod.Wecanexperienceit.Butwecannotreallyexplainittoanybody.

Manypeoplewantmetoexplainmyministryofhealing,totellthemwhyIprayforthesick,andtheysay,"Howcanthisparticulardiseasebehealedbyprayer?"

Well,inthefirstplace,therearemanydifferentdeliverysystemsforhealing,allofthemgiventousbyGodinHistrulygreatloveforusall.

Ourphysiciansareskilled.Theirskillisofdivineorigin.

TheirskillhasbeenmadeobtainablebyagoodGod.Weneeddedicateddoctors,andweneedtocallthemwhenwe'reill.

Weneedtopaymoreattentiontowhattheydoandsayinourbehalf.

THEMISSINGLINK

But,whatelsedowedo?Becauseifthatisallwedo,theninmostinstanceswecan never fully recover. The Bible supplies the rest of the missing link. TheBiblegivesustheanswerforthetotalhealingofourspirit,mind,andbody.

InthatgreatbookwrittenbytheapostleJamesintheNewTestament,hesays,"Isanysickamongyou?Lethimpray."Thenitsays,"Lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch(spiritualleadersofthechurch);andletthemprayoverhim...

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up"(James5:13-15).

NoticethestepsGodhasgivenusfortheLord'shealingtoenterourbodies.

1.CALLFORHELP

Thisincludesmedicalcare.Jesussaid,"Theythataresickneedaphysician."Lethimcallforhisphysician.Lethimcallforprayer.

2.PRAY

Second,theBiblesays,"Lethimpray"(James5:13).5:13).

TheBiblesaysthatwhenyou'reill,youshouldpray.

DuringthattimethestudyoftheBibleisapartofyourprayer.IknowwhenIsufferanyformofillnessthatIinevitablywindupreadingmyBible.Ioftentakeittobedwithme.SometimesIhaveitverynearmewhileItrytosleep.IhaveenormousconfidenceinthetherapyofBiblereading,ofsearchingtheScripture,and of reading certain passages out loud to myself. I have sometimes read aspecific passage, such as the 23rd Psalm, as many as five times out loud tomyself.

Lethimpray.LethimreadhisBible.LethimcontemplateGodandhisownlife.Lethimthinkabouthimselfandlethimmeditate.

3.CALLSPIRITUALLEADERSTOPRAY

TheBibleoffersusthisvaluablestep!Lethimcall...Lethimcallforthespiritualleadersofthechurch.

Nowthechurchiscentral inour lives.It is theBodyofChrist,andthepersonwhoignoresChrist'sChurch is ignoring thegreat fundamentalhealingforce inouruniversetoday.Somepeoplewhobelieveinprayerturnoffdoctors.

They leave their physician out of their scheme of life. I have no quarrelwithanyonealongthatline.Butasformeandmyhouse,Idonotleavemyphysicianout.Hehasaparttoplayinmyfamilyexistenceandinmyownpersonallife.

Whilesomewillneglecttheirphysician,otherswillneglecttheirminister.Theyturnaway from thechurch.ButGod remindsus thatHehasplacedbothhere.Theyareputhereforourgood.Ourphysicianandourchurch—especiallywhenwehaveaccesstospiritualleaderswhohaveanunderstandingofthemiraculouspowerofGod'shealing.Iacceptbothprayerandmedicinereverently.

Some time ago I became very illwith a kidney stone. If you've ever had thisexperienceyouknowhowpainfulitis.

MywifeEvelyncalledtheAbundantLifePrayerGrouptoprayforme.Shealso

calledourfamilydoctor.Hecameandgavemeashot.Thenhesaid,"Oral,I'vetreatedyoumedically;nowIwanttoprayforyou."Helaidhishandsonmeandprayedasimpleshortprayer,fullofsincerityandfaith.

InacoupleofhoursIwasOK.NowIdon'tknowifitwasbecauseofprayerorbecauseofmedication,orboth.Itdoesn'tmatter.. .Iwaswell.Tobehonest,Idon'tmakedemandsonGodastowhatdeliverysystemHeuses.IfGodwantstohealmethroughprayer,IacceptitfromHim.IfHechoosestouseadoctorastheinstrumenttobringhealingtome,thenIacceptthat.Orifit'sacombinationofboth,Igratefullyacceptit.FortheSourceofallhealingisGOD.

"Lethimcallfortheelders,"orthespiritualleaders.

Lethimcall...WhyamIemphasizingthecallingsomuch?

BecauseIhavediscoveredthousandsofpeopleareoutoftouchwithGod...outoftouchwiththeirchurch...outoftouchwiththeirminister.TheydonotrealizetheenormousabilityofthechurchofJesusChrist tobringhealing,notonlytotheirsoulsbutalsototheirmindsandbodiesaswell.

Doyouknowtheactofcallingforprayerisanactoffaith?

Ithelpsyoureleaseyour faith. Itbecomes, ineffect,apointofcontact for thereleasingofyourfaith.Whenyoupickupyourtelephoneandcallyourministeroraspiritualpersoninthechurchandsay,"Willyouprayforthehealingofmybody,orforamemberofmyfamily,ormyfriend?"youaremakingitanactoffaith. When you sit down and write a letter to someone like myself: "DearBrotherRoberts,Ihaveanillness.

Iamcallinguponyouforyourprayer,"you'redoingwhattheBiblesaidtodo:"Lethimcallforthespiritualleadersofthechurch,andletthemprayoverhim...theprayeroffaith"

IamoneofthespiritualleaderssentforthbytheLordtoprayforthehealingofpeopletoday.Someofusinthechurchhavebeengiventhisspecialcalling.Wefeel a rapportwith peoplewho are ill.We have a feeling for them that somepeopledonothave.ThatfeelingwasgiventousbyGod,andaswecarryonourministrythatfeelingcontinuestoincrease.

Those of us who pray for the healing of your body cannot be negative or

uncertain in our believing.Weare to bedominate in our faith, positive in ourbeliefthatGodisahealingGod,thatGodwantstorecoverourphysicalbodies—yes,ourtotalselves.

It isone thing toprayover theperson,andanother thing topray theprayeroffaith—tobelieve,toreleaseyourfaithforhealing.

I thinkIdo thisbestwhenIprayuntil I reachan innerfeelingofknowing—aknowingthatIhavetrulyprayed.Icannotheal,neithercananyoneelseheal,butIcanreachastateofknowinginmyspiritthatmyprayerhasreachedGodandthe possibility of a cure is in His hands to use whatever delivery system Hechooses.

It'svery important tome inmyhealingprayers for aperson tohave the innerknowingthatitisnowinGod'sgoodhands.That'swhenIknowIhaveprayedtheprayeroffaith.

Toseeitworkingsoeffectivelyforsomanyisthemosthearteningthinginmylife;formyprayerisforthehealingofthewholeperson.

Nowsaywithmewhatweare learningabouthavingapersonalphysicianandhealingprayerforhealth:

1.Doctorsareagainstsicknessandforhealth.

2.Medicineandhealingprayersbelongtogether.

3.JesussaysIneedaphysician.

4.Theprayeroffaithstillworkstoday.

5.God'swishisforyouandmetobe"inhealth."

STEPSTHELORDHASGIVENFORHISHEALINGTOENTERMYBODY

1.Iwillcallforhelp.Jesussaid,"Theythatarewholeneednotaphysician;buttheythataresick"(Luke5:31).

2.Iwillpray—theBiblesays,"Lethimpray..."(James5:13).

3. Iwillcall thespiritual leaders topray (James5:14)ormakecontact soprayercanbeoffered.

GodUsesPrayerandPhysicianstoCompleteHisHealingLoveinMe

Chapter9

WHENTHEDOCTORSSAYTHEREISNOHOPEANDPRAYERHASAPPARENTLYFAILED—HOWTOFACETHEFUTURE

IFacetheFutureKnowingMyLifeisinGod'sGoodHands

Aphysician friendsaid tome,"Dr.Roberts,whatdoyousay toapersonwhoevidentlyisnotgoingtogetwell?Howdoyoupreparehimfordeath?"

I said, "Doctor, let me turn your question around. I know you face the sameproblem when you have done all you can, including surgery, and the persondoesn'tgetwell—letmeask,whatdoyoudo?"

Hesaid,"Well,onedoesn'talwaysknowwhattosayexceptgivethetruththatinspiteofexhaustingallmedicalhelpwecangive, theindividual isnotgoingtomakeit.Ofcourseifitisanagedpersonweallknowthathistimeisnecessarilylimited;it'stheyoungeroneswithwhomwearemostbaffled.Frankly,althoughwefeelverydeeply,wedon'talwaysknowwhattosayordobeyondtheserviceswehaverendered.ThisiswhyIammostinterestedinyourresponse."

I said, "Well, doctor, the one thing I try to remember is to put everything inperspective;forexample,theBibleteachesthatitisappointeduntomenoncetodie, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). So I know that everyone youtreat,oreveryoneIprayfor,andeventhoseweneversee,ultimatelyaregoingtodie. Death is an appointment each of us is going to keep. This includes eventhose who have recovered through medicine or through prayer or through acombination of both. This includes you and me. Everyone is going to diewhetherheissickorwell.Thereisatimewhendeathwillcome."

He said, "I understand, and from the theological point of view I can see thatfollowingthiscoursecouldbeveryhelpful.

From themedical sidewephysiciansoften feelweknow thatdespiteourbesteffortsdeathisgoingtotakeover,butit'snevereasyforthepatientandfamilyorforus.Moreandmorewearebeingveryfrankwiththepersonandthelovedones.Atleast,wecanassurethemwehavedoneallwecanmedically."

I said, "Do you ever see what you think is certain death turn out to be theopposite?"

Hereplied,"Wegetsurprises,don'twe?Accordingtoourbestmedicalpracticeand judgment, somewho are not supposed to recover, do; and somewho aresupposedto,don't.

It'spuzzling,tosaytheleast."

Isaid,"Fromtheverybeginningofmyministryofhealingin1947,therehavebeen timesIhaveprayedforpersonsI feltwouldrecover;somedidandsomedidnot.ButIknowthatIamnotGod,onlyHisinstrument.Mypartistopray,Hisistomakethefinaljudgment."

Henodded."Let'ssayyouhaveapersonwhohashadmedicalcareandyouareaskedtoprayforhim,doyouaskGodtocomforthimortohealhim?"

"That'saquestionIfaceeveryday,"Ireplied."Iamconstantlyprayingforthesick. Iverydefinitelyprayforhealing insteadofcomfort.NowImustexplainwhat Imean. I pray forhealingbecause I believe it isGod'spurpose tomakepeoplewell.However, I don't always knowwhen a person is going to die, orshallwesay,isgoingtomeethisdivineappointment—soIpraywithallthefaithIhavejustasyou,asaphysician,useallyourskilltomakethepersonwell.

There's always the chance, however slim the chances of recovery seem to be,thattherewillbeacureorahealing.IknowImustfulfillmyselfandmycallingbyprayingwithallthecompassionandfaithIpossess.Still,IknowGodisthefinaljudgeofthetimeofdeath.

"On theotherhand, I recallcaseswhere Iprayedwhen Idiscerned thepersonwasgoingtodie."

Thedoctorsaid,"Howdoyoudiscernthis?"

Isaid,"It'sdifficulttoexplain,it'saknowingthatcomesinmyheart.Ithinkyouphysiciansoftenfeelthissameintuitivepower."

He said, "True, but when you feel it, how do you pray? Is it a prayer forcomfort?"

I said, "I try to remember one thing aboutGod.Nomatterwhat I feel,GODCANSTEPINSOTHATTHEPERSONMAYSTILLLIVEFORALONGERTIME.Therefore,ifIprayonlyforcomfort, thenthepersonmaylosethatonethreadofhope"

Hesaid,"Isn'tthereamomentwhenyouactuallyknowthepersonisnotgoingtolive?"

Isaid,"Yes,sometimesthereis.WhatIdothenistoaskpermissionofthelovedoneorlovedonestobefrankaboutit,totellthemthereisadeath-timeandit'shere,thepersonisgoing.OrifIamdealingdirectlywiththeindividual,Isay,

'Theremaybe something inmedicine left for you, orGodmay still intervenethroughprayer,butinmyownspiritIsenseyourhomegoing.AndIwanttopraywithyouinaveryspecialway.'

"Then I offer to pray that the person will die without pain, without fear andanxiety,andthattherewillbeagreatpeaceinmeetingourLord."

Thedoctorasked,"Isthisusuallywellreceived?"

"Sofar,"Ireplied,"theonesIhavedealtwithinthismannerbelieveIamaGod-calledman;theyrespectmydeepfeelingsandmyfrankness.Mosttellmetheyare grateful to know what the real situation is. I recall only a few negativeresponses."

Hesaid,"Icanseefromatheologicalpointofviewyourintuitionandfranknessarehelpful.FromthemedicalviewwealsooftenknowwhendeathisnearbutI'mafraidourtraining—orourtemperament—doesnotalwaysequipustodealasdirectlywiththepatientabouthisapproachingdeath.

Onethingweassurehim,however,isthatwearedoingallwecan."

I replied, "When my time comes I want to be dealt with in the most frankmanner.Theultimateaimofmylife is to livewithGod, to livebeyonddeath.Death holds no terrors for any believer who knows that he, after death, willimmediatelybewithourLord(2Corinthians5:8).

"Dopeopleeverapparentlylookuponyouastheysometimesseemtolookupondoctors,asGod?"

"Oh,yes,"Ireplied."ButIcanunderstandthat.Wearegiftedpeople.That'snotbraggadocio, but fact. We wouldn't have lasted this long unless we hadsomethingtogive."

"Howdoyouhandlethis?"

"Bybeingveryfrank.ItellthemIcannotheal.Iamaninstrumentonly.Godisthehealer.Inwhateverwedotobringabouthealing,Godmustbecentralinourthoughts.HeistheultimateSource."

"Doesthatturnmanyoff?"

"Notmany.Inthefirstplace,Iandtheyneedtobetoldthetruth.Also,iftheygettheireyesonme—oronyoudoctors

—other thanasan instrument, theyare looking to thewrongsource,and that'sbad.AnotherthingIfindimportantisthespiritinwhichIsayIcannotheal,thatonlyGodcanheal.IfinsayingIcannotheal,Idwellonthat,boththepersonandIgetlowerinourspirit.IfIsayit,thenimmediatelytransferourattentiontoGodwhocan,andwhowantsustobewell,thatUPspiritiscontagiousforbothofus.I'vehadsomuchexperiencewithGodinprayingforpeople,Iknowthathealingcanhappen.Itdoesn'talwayshappenbutthatdoesn'tdetermefromknowingitcan."

Thedoctorsaid,"Letmeaskyouadifferentkindofquestion:let'ssayapersonhas hadmedical care and you are asked to pray for him, does the fact he hasbeenmedicallytreatedhinderyourfaithforhim?"

"Onthecontrary.ManytimeswhenIwastoldthepersonrefusedmedicalcare,Itold him I didn't feel he had done what he could do. My faith seemingly isstrongerwhenIknowmoredependsontheprayer.Iaskedonepersonifhehaddone something for his illness.When he said no, I said, 'Don't you think youshoulddoforyourselfwhatyoucando?'IthelpsmepraybetterwhenIknowtheperson has had good medical care. I would think prayers would also aid thedoctorinthetreatmenthegives.Atleast,that'sbeenmyexperience."

He said, "Good point. But let me ask you this, do you think when prayer isofferedthatGodshouldbeaskedtoactuallyintervene?"

I replied, "Doctor, I noticeyoumenandwomen in themedicalprofessioncut

through all the theological red tape and go for a cure. You even hurt peoplesometimesbycertaintypesoftreatment.Surgerycanbetraumaticbutunlessyoucutthethingout,howareyougoingtogetthehealingprocessgoing?Youareagainst disease; you are for a cure, for health, and I appreciate that. Tospecificallyansweryourquestion,yes,IaskGodtoactuallyinterveneandgivelife."

Iadded,"OneofthebiggestcriticismsI'veeverreceivedisthatIdon'tstopandsay, 'God,if thisisYourwill,healthisperson!Ibelievesincewedon'talwaysknowthedeath-timeofaperson,weshouldgoafterafullhealing.That'swhyIsay,OGod,heal!'"

ISTHISADANGERPOINT?

Hesaid,"Isn'ttheredangerinthatapproach?"

Isaid,"Nomorethanyourrollingupyoursleevesandgoingtoworktogetthepersonwell.Still,Iadmittheremaybesomedanger.ButIseemoredangerindestroyingthefaithofthepersonbysowingdoubtinhismindaboutGod'swillconcerning his health andwell-being. He's got to feel the positiveness of ourfaithinagoodGod.He'salreadydowninhisspirit;instinctivelyhewantstobewell, and yet perhaps he hasn't heard a spiritual word that strengthens hiscapacitytorespondtogettingwell.Anydoubtcontributedbythepersonprayingonlyaddstotheperson'sself-doubt.Hemustbebroughttoapointofreleasinghisfaith."

Hesaid,"Whydoyousay,releasinghisfaith?Doeshehavefaith?"

Isaid,"Hecertainlydoes,orwhywouldhehavecometothedoctorinthefirstplace,orforprayer?Hebelieves.Andyoupersonallyknow,Iamsure,thatifhecomes to youwith a believing attitude, you aremuchmore effective in yourtreatmentofhim."

He said, "Oh, yes, that's certainly true.A cynical, doubtingpatient prettywelldefeatseventhebestmedicine."

Isaid,"Ibelievethat'sbecauseweareaspiritandshouldrespondfirstfromourspiritwithastrongdesiretobewell.

Ourspiritshouldtellourmindandbodytogetwell.IfIwereadoctorIwould

wishforbelievingpatients.InmyownministryI trytoworkwithpeoplewhobelieve,otherwiseIamprettyhelpless."

Ireferredbacktohisquestiononcomfortingthesick.Isaid,"Inasense,whenyou treat a person orwe pray for him,we are bringing comfort. That's doingsomethingthathecanholdonto.It'salsocomforting—andencouraging—whenasmileisgiven,orapatontheshoulder,oragentlesqueezingofthehand,orawell-chosenword,orjustourpresenceforafewmomentsbesidetheindividual.ButIwanttomakeitclearthatthatcannotbeasubstituteformedicaltreatmentdesigned tocurehim.And itcertainly isnota substitute foradefinitehealingprayer."

APERSONALEXPERIENCE

WetalkedofaboutIhadhadafewyearsagowithkidneystones.IreferredtothisinthepreviouschapterbutIelaboratedonitwhileItalkedwiththisdoctor.Itoldhimthepainwassosharpitnearlydrovemeoutofmymind.

Fortunately, theORUcampus doctor, a Spirit-filledmanofGod, lived nearbyandhecamequicklyandadministeredashot.Thenhesaid,"BrotherOral,mayIprayforyou?"

Imurmured,"Pleasedo."

Hegotuponthesideofthebedonhisknees,puthishandonmyforeheadandprayed for Jesus to bless the shot he had givenme and to add to it His owndivinehealingtouch.Ifellasleepwhileheprayed.TwohourslaterIawakened,well!

I said, "I can't tell you if the shot did it, or his prayer did it, or if bothwereinstrumental. I don't know.What I do know is that when the doctor added aprayerwithhistreatment,ithelpedmebelievebetter."

He said, "This may surprise a lot of patients but I personally know manysurgeonswhoneveroperatewithoutfirstbowingtheirheadandquietlyprayingfordivineguidance."

Isaid,"Iwishmorepeopleknewthat,atleastthetypeofpersonIdealwithinprayer.Prayerispowerful ingettingapersontorelaxandtoexpectsomethinggood."

Aswetalkedon,Itoldthedoctorofpeoplewritingme,saying:

"OralRoberts,untilIheardyouontelevision,Ididn'tknowGodwasremotelyconcernedaboutmyhealth,ormoneyproblems,ormypersonalneeds.IthoughtHeonlywantedme to go to church, read theBible, andgo to heavenwhen Idie."

ItoldhimIgetlotsoflettersfrompeoplelikethisandIcan'tignoretheirhealingneed. I said I must deal with it—because I care, I am concerned. This is ingeneralwhatItellthem:

"Youliveinyourbody24hoursadayandyouwilluntilyoudie.Yourbodyisvitallyimportanttoyourwell-being.

"Youthinkthroughyourmind;Godcaresthatitisastrongandsoundmind,andHecaresthatyouareabletopraythroughyourmindwiththeunderstanding.

"You havemoney problems, bills, etc., all the time. God cares that you havemoney,andenoughmoneytoliveagoodlife.

"WhenyouleaveoutGod'sconcernforthesmallestdetailorneedofyourlife,itcan contribute to your problems getting worse. It certainly negatively affectsyourgettingwellfromillness."

Then I said to the doctor, "Experts talkmuch of functional diseases, the onescausedbystress,byemotionalupheavals,bybadrelationships,orbyfear.Well,Iwanttopointout,basedon longexperience, thatphysicalmaladiesalsoaffectthe mind and spirit. The body can throw off its hurts upon themental andspiritualpartofmantoo.

"Ithinktomoresuccessfullydealwithit,wemustthinkofhealingintermsofthewholeperson.Actuallythetreatingofdisease,ifitcouldbeseparatedfromman, probably could be cured by medicine quite easily. But it is notdisconnected,it isthepersonwhohastheillness.ThefoundationofhealingasgivenbyJesusbeginswiththeperson.'Thyfaith,'Heoftensaid,'hathmadetheewhole.'Thepersonmustbehealed.

Somesayifcanceriscured,isn'tthepersoncured?Notnecessarily.Idealwithpersons all the time whose bodies have been cured but who are not wholethemselves."

Mydoctorfriendsaidhecouldn'tagreemore.Thenhecamebacktotheoriginalquestionaboutpreparingpeoplefordeath,referringspecificallytoterminallyillpeople.

ItoldhimIwasonceoneofthosepeople.Icouldhavedied,butdidn't.Ifacedthepain,thefear,thethreatofleavingdearlovedones,thelyingtheredayafterday,waiting...Hesaid,"Whataresomeofyourideasorexperiencesinhelpingpeoplewhonolongerhavehopethroughmedicine,andforwhomprayerhasnotworkedeither?"Thefollowingis,inessence,whatIsharedwithhim.

HOW TO FACE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IF YOU APPEAR TOBETERMINALLYILL

First,howtofacetheproblemofthetimeleft:Thiscanbedays,months,orevenyears.Youmaywanttogoquickly,oryoumaywanttoholdontolifeaslongaspossible.

Tosome,thelongerthetimetheharderitistobear.TheywouldrathergoontomeettheLordthansufferanylonger.

This was my personal experience when the doctors gave me up withtuberculosis. As a 17-year-old, and on my way to the state tuberculosissanatorium,Ididn'treallywanttofacelyingthereinbed,languishingawaydaybydayuntil. . . Iwanted todie,get itoverwith. Ihad toface themonthsandperhapsseveralyearsofslowdying.Itwashorrible.Iwassoyoung,sofullofdesireandgoalsahead.

TheyoungMethodistpastorinwhosechurchIhadgrownupinpartofmyearlylife, visited and prayed for me. At that time healing through prayer was notunderstoodaswell,oraswidelyacceptedasitistoday.Eachtimeheendedhisprayerbysaying,"Son,bepatient."

In that daywhenwehad little knowledge of healing prayers, alsowhen therewerenoneof theso-calledmiracledrugswhichare sohighlyeffectivenow intreating tuberculosis, being patientmeant resignation and thatwas contrary tomynature.IthinkIwouldhavediedlongagohadIbeenpatient,asmypastorhadsuggested.(I'mgladthatmoreandmorepastorsarechangingthisapproachtoamorepositiveone.)

Fortunately, I hadparents and a sister and a brotherwhobelievednot only in

medicinebutinhealingthroughprayer.

Theybelieved. Iwasbeing treatedmedicallywith thebest thatwas available.The medicine was in my body when I was carried to a revival meeting andprayed for and feltGod's Spirit flowing throughme, and almost instantlymylungswereopenedupandIcouldbreathe,mycoughingstopped,andinafewmonths Iwaswell! I havenowayofknowing just howmuchhelp I receivedfrommedicineortheprayer,oracombinationofboth—forIhadthemall.AllIknowisthatfollowingtheprayerformyhealingIbegantogetwell—andIdid!

What if I hadn't been healed? I've asked myself that many times. Someapparentlyarenot. Isayapparentlybecausewedon'talwaysknow. Imeanbythatthereisevidence,atleasttome,thatsomeIhaveprayedforwerehealedandstill died almost immediately. Because following the prayer all pain hadvanished, even the symptoms of the disease; therewas an ease in their entirephysical system; a peace and calm.Was it a healing just before the appointeddeath-time?Iliketothinkso.ThatiscertainlythewayIwouldliketogoundersimilarconditions.

Ihatesickness.Likephysiciansandsurgeons,Iamagainstit.Iamforhealth,forwithoutwell-beingwhatareyou?

APERFECTOPERATION!YETTHEPATIENTDIES

Another surgeon friend ofmine toldme of instances in his practicewhen theoperationwasperfect.Thebodyrespondedexactlyashoped,andyet,abruptly,thepatientdied.

Iaskedhimhowhefeltaboutit.Hereplied,"Ifeltgreatabouttheoperationbutterribleaboutthepatient'sdeath."

Thenhetoldmethatearlyinhispracticesuchanexperiencealmostdrovehimoutofmedicalpractice.Hesaid,

"Icouldn'tunderstand it. Ihaddoneeverythingpossibleand itwasworking. Iactuallyfeltaglowinside.Ihadbeeninstrumentalinsavingahumanlife,whichtheytaughtusinmedicalschoolisofsupremevalue.IwantedthatpersontobewellsobadlythatIpouredmywholebeingintopreparinghimforsurgery,forthe surgery itself, and the postoperative care, even though I hadn't know himbeforehisreferraltome.

IgavehimeverythingIhad.Still,Ilosthim.Andtherewasnounderstandablereason."

I askedhimwhat he said to the lovedones.He said, "Iwas so emotional I'mafraidIdidn'tgivethemmuchhelp."

"Butyoustayedinpractice?"

"Yes, it ismy training,my dedication—really as aChristian,my calling fromGod.Icouldn'tquitandrespectmyself."

"That'sexactlythewayIfeel,"Isaid."IamcalledofGodtoprayforpeople,togivethemmyverybest.It'sthrillingtoseemiraclesworkbutnooneknowshowithurtswhenyoupray,andseeminglythepersonishelped,butthenhedies.

Still, Ihave toobeyGod'scallingonmy lifeandpray for thosewhoseekmyprayers."

ACANCERCASEIPRAYEDFOR

Ionceprayedforayoungmotherinthelaststagesofcancer.Thefamilyheldonto everyword ofmy prayerwhichwas coming out ofmy heart.When I hadfinishedtheycrowdedaroundme."Isshegoingtobehealed?"Isaid,"DoyouwantitlikeIfeelit?""Yes,tellus."

Isaid,"Mydeepestfeelingsarethatshewillbereleasedfrompainbutshewillgo."

"When?When?"

"Idon'tknow.Itfeelssoon,perhapsindays."

Takingmyhandthehusbandandfatherthankedmeandsaid,"Well,ifshejustdoesn'tsuffer."

Recently, I was back in that area doing a television special when I met thehusbandagain.Hewasgladtoseeme.Hesaid,"Isupposeyouhavewonderedwhathappenedtomywife?"

Isaid,"Yes,Ihopedforthebest."

Hesaid,"Itwasexactlylikeyousaid.Fromthehourofyourprayershehadnomorepain.Shewasabletositup, talktous, takehermeals.Attimesshewasvery joyful andgaveushope shemightmake it.Each time though shewouldlapse back, seemingly knowing shewas going to die. Therewas a peace thatcame overme, and over the children untilwe could accept it. She died aboutthree weeks later in her sleep. We remembered what you said because ithappenedasyoutoldusitwould."

Afterfiveyearshehadjustremarried,alovelyChristianwomanwhomhesaidwasarealmothertohischildren,andtheywereveryhappy.

WHENNOTEVENTHEPAINCEASES

Inother cases there havebeen timeswhennothing seems towork in the timeleft, not even release from pain. Heavy medication was administered so thatoftenthepersonwasdrowsyorunconscious.Ihavenoquarrelwiththisforpaincanbecomeunbearable.TheonlyquestionIaskistheological.

IfthepersondiesinadruggedstateandisnotrightwithGod,whatthen?Whoisthereintheperson'slucidmomentstohelphimrepent—ifhehasnotdoneso—and prepare to meet God? This is something doctors and loved ones shouldconsider.Forlifedoesn'tendatdeath.

AlwayswhenIprayforsuchanindividualIministertothesoul,askinghimtorepeatthesinner'sprayer,andaskChristtocomeintohisheart.I'veseenalotofconversionsinsituationslikethis.TheheartisusuallymoretendertowardsGod.Ibelieve theconversion isgenuine.Conversioncanhappeninan instant,evenonadeathbedbecauseGod'smercyextendsonandon.

Justrecently,oneoftheORUcoachesandhiswifetoldmeofawoman,adearfriend,whohadreceivedaspiritualconversion,andeventhoughshewasawaredeath was near she was rejoicing in the love of her Savior. They said, "Thatmakes it somuch easier for us to bear, and also her family, if she should diesoon."

Second, how to face the problem of informing the person: In our evangelisticcrusadespeoplewouldbringalovedonewhomightbedyingwithadiseaseandaskmenottorevealwhatthediseasewas.Irefused.Isaid,"I'drathernotprayifIhavetoleaveyourlovedoneinthedark."

Ineversawanypersonwhoseemedtoresentmytellinghimthediagnosisofthedoctor.Heseemedrelieved.

Sometimeshealreadyknew.Peopleseemtoappreciatemyfranknessaswellasmyprayers.Somerecovered,somedidnot.Theimportant thingformewastogivemybesttothesickpersonandtotrustmySource.

LETTERSAREPOWERFUL

InlettersIgetfromillpersons,notonlyaretheirwordstherebuttheirdeepestfeelings as well. Their spirit comes through. Because a letter conveys suchdepths of a person's condition and needs, I usually am able to pick upwhat Iordinarily would in person. I write back very candidly and always include aprayerforhealing.Ialsogivethemapointofcontacttouseasahandlefortheirfaithtobereleased.

WhetherIfeelIcandiscernifthepersonwillrecoverornot,Ialwaysprayforhishealing.Why?

Askanydoctor.Hegoesrightaheadandgiveshisbest,regardless.Heisagainstdiseaseandforhealthandlife.

There's always the hope he will administer what will work, or that in someseeminglymiraculouswaythepersonwillrecover.

AtnotimedoIfeelitadvisableforanyonetowithholdvitalinformationfromavery ill personwhowritesme for prayer. In this way, I feel there is a betterpossibilityofdiscoveringhowtopraywiththefullestpoweroffaith.

Thereismuchtobelearned.ThankGod,IbelieveinthecontinuingrevelationofGod'shealingprocesses.Iamacandidatetolearnmore.

Third, how to face the problem of the loved one's loss: Several years ago IpreachedthefuneralofadearoldfriendinChrist.Hisfirstwifehadpassedonyearsbeforeandhehadremarried—thistimetoarelativelyyoungwomanandaverydevoutChristian.Welovedthemdearly.

AthisdeathwhenIfinishedmymessageandwereachedthecemetery,thewifewenttopieces.AverylargecrowdwaspresentandIwasattemptingtocompletethe committal service when she screamed and cried and attracted the startled

attentionofeveryone.

Weallunderstoodthegriefbutnotthehysterics.Yousee,itdawnedonhershehad lostmore than a husband. She had lost relationshipwith a familywhosemotherhadbeentheirfather'sfirstwife.Shesensedthatthewarmplaceshehadoccupiedhadbeentakenandshewouldsoonfaceacoldworld.

Shewasterrified;shewasbreakingupthedignitythatbelongedtothisman'slifeandmemory,amanwhoasaChristianleaderhadstronginfluencewiththegreatandsmall.When thingsgotoutofhand I steppedover toher, tookherhands,andwhispered,"Weallloveyou.Bequietnow.

Remember,Godiswithyou."

She screamed louder. The Lord gaveme a word of wisdom in the form of aquestionasIgotherquietagainforamoment."Areyoustill,evenatthedeathofyourbelovedhusband,aChristian?"

Shesaid,"Yes,oh,yes."

I said, firmly and I hopegently, "Then as aChristian youmust believe in theresurrection of him from the dead. You must also believe the Lord of theresurrectionwilltakecareofyou."

Itwasnearlyenoughbutnotquite.Shescreamedagain.

ThistimeIwenttheextramile."Listen,thesepeopleareherebecausetheyknowhediedinhopeofabetterlifeafterdeath.

Iunderstandyourfearoftheunknownfuture,thefearsyouhaveofit.ButyouaremakingaspectacleofyourselfandbyyouractionsyouarecastingdoubtonyourChristianbeliefs."

Itwaslikethecalmafterathunderstorm."Yes,"shesaid.

"Yes, Imust get control, Imust remember I amaChristian, Imust rememberChristisclosetomestillandHewilltakecareofme."

Isaid,"Hesurelywillandyoucandependonit."

Theservicewascompletedonaquietnoteofhope.Later,shetoldmeshehadbeen totally unawareof anyonebut herself and thankedme for dealing firmlywithher.Todayisanewdayforher,forasshesays,"IhavefoundnewoutletsfortalentsIdidn'tknowIhad."

Tome,itisveryimportanthowaChristianconductshimselfatafuneral.Ifweas Christians believe what we say we do, there is never any need to go intohysterics.Tears—ofcourse.Tearshaveahealingpowerin themselvesandyoushould let the tears flow freely.But hysterics—never!We can knowGodwilltakecareofusandourfuture.WecantrustHim.

WITNESSINGATDEATH

AChristian is aChristian in life and in death, in high and lowmoments.TheancientpatriarchintheBible,themanJob,infacinghissufferingssaid,"Though[God] slayme,yetwill I trust inhim" (Job13:15).That is thepositionof thechildofGod,ingoodandbad,hewillserveGod.

Ipersonallyfeeldeathisamostperfecttimetogiveawitnessofourfaith.Itisn'teasy, nothing of value is ever easy. The one dying, the loved ones so deeplytouched,areinaspecialpositiontolettheLivingChristshinethrough—andHewill.

Fourth,theproblemofwhattodowithoneselfinalingeringillness:

Afriendwhohasaterminalillnesstellsmeheisonamedicalformulathathisdoctorchangeswheneveranewprovendrugemergesandithelpshimthroughthelongdaysandparticularlythelongnights.

Hesayshehasbecomeamemberofaprayergroupwherehehasreceivedthecharismaticexperience,whichconstantlygiveshimstrengthforhis innerman.Through tongues, or the prayer language of the Spirit, he pours out his innerbeing toGod, interprets back to his understanding and so is able to praywithTHE TONGUE OF UNDERSTANDING. He says he doesn't know what hewoulddowithoutit.

And he mentions my books, such as theMiracle of Seed-Faith and ADailyGuidetoMiracles,asbeingparticularlyhelpfulinthattheyinspirehimtoreachout toothers inSeed-Faith,knowinghewill receive in returnashehasgiven.Also,mylettersinanswertohis."Everynowandthen,"hesays,

"after reading your letter I lay it onmy body as a point of contact andwarmhealing sensations flow through me. I have not been cured but I am beingsustainedbythepresenceofChristIfeelinme."

Why isn't thisman restored to health?He received goodmedical care, lots oflove,andearnestbelievingprayers.Butnocure.IsupposeoneoftheveryfirstquestionsIshallaskGodwhenIseeHimfacetofaceis,"Lord,tellmewhy."

Fifth,how to face thepossibilityofanewpossibility:Tosome, theprospectoffacinganewpossibilitymayposeanotherproblem.Theymaysay:Ihavebeentold somany times I can't getwell that I've accepted it.Nowdon't bothermewithaso-callednewpossibilitythatmayleavemeevenmoredistressed.

Ontheotherhand,I thinkevenmoredistressmightbecausedbyoneshuttingouttheremotestpossibilityofsomethingnewbeingdiscoveredinmedicine,orGod working through the prayers of one He especially has gifted, or acombinationofboth.Puttingmyselfinthisperson'spositionisnotdifficult,forIhavebeenthere.Forme,thepossibilityofanewpossibilityisbetterthangivingup.Evenifthenewpossibilitynevercomes,Iamastrongerpersonbytrying.

AMANFACINGANEWPOSSIBILITY

Irecentlyprayedforacrashvictimwhonearlylosthislife.Inthehospital,lyingin traction and pain, he found our Sundaymorning television program talkedrighttohimandthatitbroughtGodtohisbedside.WhenIreachedhimhewasready.Before thismomentmyprayersprobablywouldhavebeen receivedbutnotwith the openness required for full effect.We hit it just right, the prayershelping the injured leg ina tangibleway. Itdidsomethingelse.The followingmorning pinswere to be put in his hip and his apprehensionwas such that Iknew the orthopedic surgeon would be hindered by the negative emotionsinvolved.IntheprayerIdiscernedthisandtoldhimtorelaxandtrustHisSourcetoguidethesurgeonwhoisoftenaverynecessarypartofGod'sdeliverysystemofhealth.Withadeepsighofreliefhesaid,"Ifeelreleasedofthishorrorinmymind,whichIcouldn'tgetoutofme.NowitisgoneandIknowthedoctorwillbesuccessfulinthemorningwhenheputsthepinsinmyhip."

Inoticedhesaid,"Iknow."It'ssoimportanttoknow,toreachaknowinginyourheart, for that is what faith i s — a knowing inside. It helped him face thepossibilityofanewpossibility.Really, thespecial techniquetobeusedforhis

hipwasaradicalnewbreakthroughinsurgery.Itwasindeedanewpossibility.Ithadonlybeenperfectedasasurgicaltechniqueashorttimebefore.Forthekindof surgeryheneededonhiship, itwas important tohim tobeopen to anewpossibility;otherwise,hemighthaverefused it,ornotknownitexisted."WithGodallthingsarepossible"howeverthepossiblecomes!

APERSONALTESTIMONY

Inthewinterof1975arespiratoryproblemdevelopedinme.Ithoughtitwouldleavesoonbutitstubbornlyheldon.

Dayslateramedicaldiagnosisshoweditcouldbepermanent.

Itwassoseriousmyentireministrymightcease.Franticfeelingssweptthroughme. Iwas scared.Then I gotmad at the devil.Evelyn,mydarlingwife, said,"Oral thisis justanothertrickofthedevil.Hetriedtokillyouwhenyouwere17,andmanytimessince.IbelieveGodhasawayforyou,don'tyou?"

Itwasimportantthatshesaid,"IbelieveGodhasawayforyou,don'tyou?"

Insaying,"Don'tyou?"shesensedIneededtosay,YES,IDO!

Wedidthreethings:

1) Obtained good medical help which was lovingly given by Spirit-filledphysicianfriendsofours.

2) We took one of our little alabaster boxes of oil and anointed each other,touching the other's forehead with a drop of the oil, as in Bible days. Webelievedthehealingweaskedforeachotherwouldcomebacktous.ThisistheSeed-Faithprayerinwhichyouplantaseedforamiracleharvest.

3)Beforethistime,IhadrealizedthatGod'stimehadcometobuildaSchoolofMedicineatOralRobertsUniversity.NowIfeltIshouldplantthefirstseedwithsome funds I had, and of some I would trust Him to bring into my hand.AleapingresponsetowardGodforthemedicalschoolcameintomyheart.AndinawaythatIcan'texplain,aknowingcameintomyinnerbeingthatGodwouldmultiply this seed back to me in the form of wholeness for my respiratorysystem.Iwenttobedwiththisproblem,wheezingandhurting,andfinallyintofitfulsleep.WhenIawakenedthesunwasshiningintothebedroom.Iheardthe

birdschirping.Igotup,showered,shaved,anddressed.Isatdowntobreakfast,hummingatune.

SuddenlyIdiscoveredIwasbreathingnormally.Iwasopenall thewaydown.Nopain,nowheezing.Itwasdelightful.

Evelynnoticedthelookonmyface."PraiseGod,"Isaid.

"Honey,Iamrestored,Iamhealed!"

Wedecided tokeepa recordof themiracles fromthatseedof faithwhichshehad joinedme inplanting.HerSeed-Faithwasgiving the royaltiesofhernewbook,His Darling Wife, Evelyn (in bookstores across America), to the newmedicalschool.Inthefirst60dayswehad18miracles,largeandsmall,thatweknewof, including the restoration to full health ofmy respiratory system. If Ihadallthemoneyintheworldandhadusedittohavethishealing,Iwouldhavegladlydoneso.PlantingaseedfromthesmallsumsIhad,andEvelyngivingherroyalties as her seed of faith, opened me up to receive my healing. This isanother reminder from God to me of the miracle of Seed-Faith, which issomethingwedoandsomethingGoddoes,throughwhichneedsaremet.

Still, I ask the question,when the physicians and the prayers have not gottenthrough,whatdoyoudothen?IfeelcompelledbytheHolySpirittoremindyouthere is always the possibility of A NEW POSSIBILITY! Particularly if youkeepyourselfopentoit.

WHATTODOWHENYOUARETERMINALLYILL

There is one other thing I feel is so important I am devoting the entire nextchaptertoit—THERESURRECTION!

WHATICANDOWHENTHEDOCTORSSAYTHEREISNOHOPE...ANDPRAYERHASAPPARENTLYFAILED...HERE'SHOWTOFACETHEFUTURE

1.knowthatdeathisadivineappointment(Hebrews9:27).

2.IknowGodisthefinaljudgeofthetimeofdeath—still,Icanrememberthatnomatterwhat I feelGODCANSTEPINSOTHATIMAYSTILLLIVELONGER.

3. The ultimate aim of my life is to live withGod, to live beyond death.Deathholdsnoterrorsforthebeliever,forafterdeathhewill immediatelybewiththeLord(2

Corinthians5:8).

HOW,EVENTHOUGHTHEYSAYYOUARETERMINALLYILL,YOUCANFACETHERESTOFYOURLIFE...ORYOURLOVEDONES

1.KnowbeyondashadowofadoubtthatChristlivesinyourheart.Callforaministeroraborn-againChristianwhomyouhaveconfidencein,andaskhimtodirectyouthroughtheScripturesandthenpraythesinner'sprayer:OLord,bemercifultomeasinner."

2.Befrank.Asktoknowthetruthaboutyourcaseorthecaseofyourlovedone.

Thiswayyoucanbetterprepare.

3.Shouldyoulosealovedone,ofcourseyouwillfeelthegriefoftheloss,solet the tears flow—they are healing.Thenremember the resurrection andknowGodwilltakecareofthefuture.WecantrustHim.

4.Alwaysrememberthatnewandimprovedmethodsarebeingdiscoveredeveryday.

Thishopewillhelptosustainyou.

5.BeingaChristianandpraying in thespiritandwith theunderstandingalsohelpssustainyou.

6.Rememberthatthereisalwaysthepossibilityofanewpossibility.

IFacetheFutureKnowingMyLifeisinGod'sGoodHands

Chapter10

THEDAYWHENYOUWILLBETOTALLYHEALED

TheResurrectionisGod'sPerfectandUltimateHealing

Christ our Lord has one other healing instrument, the most powerful, theultimatecure.Whatisit?

THERESURRECTION,THEULTIMATEHEALINGOFYOURTOTALBEING

TheResurrection!

IthrillateveryhealingactofGod.Tome,allhealingisdivine.YoursalvationbyfaithinthedeathandresurrectionofJesusChrist.Yourdeliverancefromfear,fromfrustration,andinnerconflicts.Thesupplyingofyourfinancialneeds.

Your body getting well or even better, your sense of great well-being. Yourentrance into miracle-living through Seed-Faith. Your guidance into a careerwhichisrightforyou.YouruseoftheprayerlanguageoftheSpirittohelpyoupraybetterandtobetterreceiveGod'sresponsethroughyourspirittoyourmind.Allthese,andmore,arepartofGod'shealingpowerforyou.Somecomefrommedicalhelpandcare,somefromprayerandfaith,somefromlove,somefromproper exercise, some from using good judgment—but all come fromcooperating with the life forces God has put here for our better health andmiracle-living.

There is a time,however,whennoneof these instrumentsworkany further toprolongourphysicalexistenceonearth.

Notthebestmedicineorsurgeryorexerciseorcounselingorprayerorfaith—youaregoingtodie.Allofusare.

"It is appointed untomen once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews9:27).

CONVERSATIONWITHAYOUNGCOUPLE

Ayoung couple, parents of three small children,who are very close tome inhelpingbringpeopleintoagreaterfaithforbetterhealthandmiracle-living,saidtome,"Wehaveseenmanyhealings,eventhingswebelievearemiracles.

Still,peopledie,don'tthey?"

Before I could reply the youngwife said, "You know, death is somethingwedon't talk about;we don't seem to realize there is death.We are so youngwedon'tencounterdeathoften.Butwethinkweandeverybodyshouldrealizewearegoingtodie."

I said, "Yes, and not become morbid about it, or not go to pieces wheneverything we know to do ultimately does not prevent death. Death is anappointmentweshallallkeep,whetherwearesickorwell."

ItoldthemIwaswritingthisbookandwasonthechapterof:

Whenthedoctorssaythereisnohope,andprayerhasapparentlyfailed,howtofacethefuture.

Hesaid,"Oh,that'sveryneeded.Whataresomeofthethingsyousay?"

Irelatedsomeofthethingsonthissubject,thenIsaid,

"One thing we must keep foremost in our thinking and believing is—theresurrection."

He said, "Yes, we believe in the resurrection but how does that relate to thehealingofsickness?"

I said, "It relates in everyway becausewhatever the doctormisses, or prayermisses, or any other healing instrument misses, the resurrection WILLGET!""That'swonderful,"hesaid."Buthow?"

"BecausetheResurrectionisaPerson,thePersonofourSaviorandLordJesusChrist who told us He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). TheResurrectionisnotathing,itisourRisenLordwaitingtogiveusthefullnessoflife,torestoreeverythingwhichhasdiminishedus,includingourbodies,inanyway.It'scompletehealing,it'simmortality,it'swhole-manlifemadeeternal,it'slifeafterdeathinthesamewaythatChristlivesinHisglorifiedbody."

Myyoungfriendsalmostshoutedwhentheysaid,"Super!

Super!"

Turningtoeachothertheysaid,"I'mgladI'maChristian,aren'tyou?"

I said, "To be a vital Christian is the greatest thing in theworld.We serve aMANwhoistheonlyOnewhosaysthatweshallrisefromthedeadforHesays,'BecauseIlive,youshalllivealso'"(John14:19).

THISISWHATSUSTAINEDST.PAUL

IbelievetheBiblewithallmybeing.Tome,itistheWordofGodanditspeaksGod'slifetomedaily.It'salsotheexplanationoflifehereandafterdeath,andwhattodoaboutit.Itistheonlybookthatdoesthat.

Themanwhowrote half of ourNewTestament, St. Paul, really opens up thehealingandrestorativepowersthatcomethroughtheresurrection.

It sustained himwhen hewas stoned and left for dead, held in filthy prisons,shipwreckedseveraltimes,beaten,striped,scarred,persecuteduntilhedespairedofhislife,hitwithwearinessandpainoften,leftinhungerandthirst,sometimescoldandwithoutproperclothesforwarmth.

ItsustainedhimwhenSatan'smessengerstruckhimwithathorninhisflesh,hewasforsakenbyclosestfriends,hewasliedon,spiton,calledunfittolive,whenhelaboredsohardthatnooneequaledhim,whenhisprayerswerenotalwaysgrantedoranswered thewayheasked,whenhisvisionwassoclouded itwaslikeseeingthroughadarkenedglass,whenhehadfearswithinandwithout,andinthemidstofallthesedeadlynegativeforcesworkingagainsthim,hehadthecareofthenewchurchesuponhim...

Hisgreatesthopeisexpressedlikethis:"ThatImayknowhim,andthepowerofhisresurrection"(Philippians3:10).

Anditismyhopetoo.

IlikePaulverymuchbecausethereisalothefacedthatIrelateto,andsocanyou...

THEBELIEFSOFST.PAULTHATWILLHELPYOU

First,hebelievedwhateverhappenedTOhimhecouldbearaslongasheknewhehadGod'sgrace.

When the satanicmessenger bore in on his fleshwith opposition like a thornstickingintohisbody,andheprayedthreetimesforGodtoremoveitandGoddid not, he stood up to it until God spoke in his heart, "[Paul,] my grace issufficientforthee:formystrengthismadeperfectinweakness"(2Corinthians12:9).

ItwasthenthatheknewGod'sgracewasstrongenoughtoseehimthrougheventhethornymessengerofSatanandhecouldrelax,knowinghecouldwin.Itwasthenheknewnothingcoulddefeathisspirit.NothingcouldbreakhisholdonhisfaithinGod,orGod'sinhim.Nothingearthlyorsataniccouldputhimdownandkeep himdown. Such is the power of knowing you haveGod's grace in yourheart,yourlife.

Ihaveseenmanypeoplehitbybadthingsandhaveseenthemgotopiecesandneverrecover.AndwhenIseethis,IamremindedthatnotoneofthesepeoplehadGod'ssustaininggraceinaknowableway,orifhedid,hedidn'trelyuponitashavinganypowertosustainhim.

Theway Iuse thisonmyselfwhenmyoppositionmakesme reel and staggeruntilIfeellikegivingup,istorememberthatGodisall-powerful.Godisinme,andIaminHim.Hisgrace isreal inmylife. Iamnotalone.Godiswithme.ME.Igetverypersonalaboutit.

WhileIamnotgoingtorelateallthebadthingswhichhavehappenedtome—andstilldo—Iwillsaythatmyministryofhealinghasbeenverycontroversial.Ihave made many mistakes and have been the cause of some just and unjustcriticismandopposition.Ontheotherhand,thejunkandfilthinsomepeople'smindsthattheyhavethrownatmefromeverysidehasbeenenoughtosourmeonlifeortowipemeoutcompletely.ButIamstillhere.Theministryisstrongerthan ever.More people are getting help through us as an instrument ofGod'shealingpowerthaneverbefore.

Thousands,evenmillions.ItisawonderofGod,inmyeyes.

Theoverallsustainingpowerthathaskeptmesteady,andkeptmegoingwitha

goodattitudeandpositivefaith,isthegraceofGodIfeelinmyheart.HisgracethatmakesmeknowGodlovesme,Godbelievesinme,Godiswithme.Inmyweakness, and even my mistakes, He becomes more real to me as we walktogether.

Second,PaulwasthestrongestinSeed-FaithlivingofanymanIknow.

ItisPaulaloneofalltheNewTestamentwriterswhourgesustorememberthewordsoftheLordJesus,howHesaid,"Itismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive"(Acts20:35).

Better togivebecauseonlywhatonegives,notwhat is received, ismultipliedback,asJesussaidinLuke6:38,"Give,anditshallbegivenuntoyou."

ItisPaulwhosaidoftheLord,Godlovethacheerfulgiver(2Corinthians9:7),meaningyoucanonlygetintoGod'sdeepestlovewhenyoustartmakingyourloveanactofvoluntary,joyousgiving.Wantingtogiveuntilyoujustcan'twaittodoit.

ItisPaulwhotakesusbacktoGod'seternallawofsowingandreapingthatgoesback to Genesis 8:22 where the Creator said, "While the earth remaineth,seedtimeandharvest...shallnotcease."

Paul referred to this as the eternal Seed-Faith principle uponwhich a person'ssuccessfullivingisbased.Sowing,thenreaping,isamatteroflifeitself.Withit,onesucceeds;withoutit,one'slifeisafailure.

PaulsaidofthiseternallawofGod,Hewhichsowethsparinglyshallreapalsosparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully (2Corinthians9:6).

Notice,Paulrefersto"Hewhichsoweth..."Thisisyouandmeaspersons,youand I are the sow-ers.We are also the reapers. And we sow OR reap eithersparinglyorbountifully.

Sparing,orscantysowingproducesascantyharvest—themiracleistoosmall.

Bountiful sowing produces a full harvest—themiracle big enough tomeet allyourneed(Philippians4:19).Thatistremendoustoknowallyourneedcanbemetwhenyousowbountifully.

It is Paulwho said everyman is to give, he is to givewith purpose of heart,startingwithhisspirit—hisinnerself—notgrudginglyorwitharmtwisting—orofnecessity(meaningtogiveonlybecausesomeonehasaneedofhelp)buttogivebecauseyouhaveapurposeforit(2Corinthians9:7).It'sthesameasJesusteachingyoutogivebecauseyouhaveaNEED.

YouhaveaneedtoGIVEandyougiveoutofyourneed,asJesussaidthewidowdid,"Shegaveofherwant."orneed(Mark12:44).

It was Paul who said if you give everything and don't do it with love—yourgivingwill profit you nothing; you are like one throwing something infinitelyvaluableaway(1

Corinthians 13), but if you give with love, the profit back to you will be ofinestimableworth.

Itwas Paulwhowas the onlyNewTestamentwriter to speak ofgiving ANDreceiving, as being inextricably woven together, inseparably linked, workingtogetherinaperfectwhole.

"Nochurchcommunicatedwithmeasconcerninggivingandreceiving,butyeonly"(Philippians4:15),Paulsaid.GIVINGandRECEIVING,hesays,belongtogether.

Headded,"NotbecauseIdesireagift:butfruit(orharvest)thatmayaboundtoyouraccount"(Philippians4:17).

PaulsaidgivershadanaccountwithGodwhichtheycandrawonandthereturnwillbeverylarge—itwillaboundtoyou!

Yougivefirst,andreceivingwillfollowasdayfollowsnight.Asyoubreatheoutyoubreathein,soasyougiveyouwillreceive.

ItwasPaulwhosaid,"ButmyGodshallsupplyallyourneedaccordingtohisrichesinglorybyChristJesus"(Philippians4:19).

NootherNewTestamentwriterusedthosestrongunequivocablewords.Why?IbelieveitwasbecausePaulhadsuchtoughexperiencesthathehadtolearntheway intoGod's richer grace andGod's sureway of giving back to him so hecouldsustainhislifeabundantlytotheveryend—todeathitself!

Ibelievethiswithmywholebeing.Istakemylifeonit.

OralRobertspracticesgivingcheerfullyandgivingfirst.OralRobertspracticesmakingGodhisSource,theSourceofhistotalsupply.OralRobertsexpectstoreceivefromhisgiving;heexpectsamiracle,manymiracles,miracle-living.

IgotitfromtheBiblebutespeciallythroughPaulashegotitfromJesus.

Listentothis.Paul'sSeed-FaithlivinggavehimGod'sstrengthmadeperfect.Byplantingtheseedfirstheuprootedtheweedsofhatecomingathim,theweedsofenvy,jealousy,malice,bitterness,everykindofdeadlynegativeemotion.

Paulplantedtheseedoflovewhenhated,theseedofrespectwhendisrespected,theseedofgivingwhennotgivento,theseedofapprovalwhendisapproved.

Hegaveconcern,care,compassion,healing.Anditmadehimstrong.

Doyouknowhowstrongitmadehim?Amanattackedsoviciouslythathewasleft fordead,yetwasable toriseup, facing lifeat itsmeanestanddeathat itsbitterest,andsay:

"I have fought a good fight, I have finishedmy course, I have kept the faith:Henceforththereislaidupformeacrown...whichtheLord...shallgivemeatthatday:andnottomeonly..."(2Timothy4:7,8).

Friend,youcansaywhatPaulsaidasyougetintoSeed-Faith,whichisputtingtheseeds in first.Thenyouhave the resurrectionalreadybegun inyouand itsfullnesstolookforwardtoknowingtheresurrectionultimatelywillrestoreandcompleteyouasafullhumanbeing.

ThefightPaulwagedwasagoodone—therewasnohateorbitternessorenvyormurderinhisheart.Hefoughtc-l-e-a-n!Andwhenthefightwasoverhewasstillacleanman.

PaulkepthisfaithinGod.Thatisamiracleinthedayhelivedin,asitisinours.EverycorruptionwefacewasrampantinPaul'spath.Thedevilwasasmuchthedevilthenasheisnow,sowasthemessengerofthedevilsenttoharassandhurtPaul.Theyshookhim,stompedhim,andlefthimfordead.ButtheChristlivingin him, in the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit, could not be shaken orstompedandleftdead.

Christstandingupintheshakenandstompedandleft-for-deadPaul,gavehimofHisstrengthsothatPaulwasalsoabletostandup,hisfaithintact,hisbelievingstrongandunabated,hisinnerknowingasstrongasheavenitself.

Paulfinishedhiscourse.

HehadacourseGodsethimon,justasGodhasoneforyourlifeandformine.

ThatcoursewastoserveGod,toshareChristwithothers,toplantseedsofhislove in people's lives—to do it in good times and bad,when itwas easy andwhenitwashard—andhedidit.Hedidit.

THEFACTOFTHERESURRECTION

AlwaysaheadofPaulwasthefactoftheresurrection.Itbeckonedhimon.HeknewthatJesushadgivenHislifeonthecrossasthe"seedofDavid,"andasaseed he planted for all men—he knew that seed burst into harvest, and thatharvestwasthegreatestmiracleofall—theResurrection.

First, theresurrectionofthe"seedofthewoman"promisedbyGodinGenesis3:15andtheresurrectionofJesus'ownlifeasaseed.

Paulknewthattheresurrectionwashistoo—mine,yours,andforallthosewholiveinChristJesus.

ItwasthefactoftheresurrectionshininglikethenoondaysunbeforePaulthatmadedeathpalatabletohim,thattookawayitssting,makingitagrandpassagefromthisearthlyplanetotheheavenlyplanewherethereisnomoresickness,nomorepain,nomorelack,nomoretears,nomoredeath(Revelation7:16,17).

TheseedsI,OralRoberts,amplantingarenotfornothing.Already,everydayGod is multiplying them back and my life is counting for Him. Every seedmultiplied helps replenishmy spirit. It helpsmy body too. Also, it helpsmyfinances.It'sadirectandpersonalforetasteandforerunneroftheresurrectionIshallhavefollowingthedeathofthebodyIlivein.

Ihaveagoodfighttoengagein.

IhaveGod'sfaithinmyhearttokeepintactandactive.

Ihaveacourse,God'splanformylife,tocomplete,littlebylittle,daybyday.

Ihaveacrownlaidupforme—it'stherewaiting.

Christinmylifemakesmylifeworthwhile.

Christ in me makes my death worthwhile too. It is my death which will beswallowedupinVICTORYBYTHERESURRECTION.Itwillbeyourvictorytoo,thegreatestyouwilleverknow.

Now,saytoyourselfwithtotalconfidence:

THE ULTIMATE HEALING OF MY TOTAL BEING IS THERESURRECTION

1.Iwillalwaysrememberthatwhateverthedoctormisses,orprayermisses,or any other healing instrument misses, THE RESURRECTION WILLGET.IWILLBEWHOLEINMYGLORIFIEDBODY.

2.Iwillbelieve,likeSt.Paul,thatwhateverhappenstomeIcanbearitaslongasIknowIhaveGod'sgraceinmylife.

3. Iwill believe, like St. Paul, that sowingand reaping is amatter of lifeitself. If I sow sparingly Iwill reap sparingly—but if I sowbountifully, Ishallreapbountifully.SoIwillplantmanygoodseedsinthislife.

4.LikeSt.Paul,IwillkeepmyfaithinGodandfinishmycourse,knowingthereisacrownlaidupformeandDEATHWILLBESWALLOWEDUPINVICTORY.

TheResurrectionisGod'sPerfectandUltimateHealing

ASUMMARYOFSTEPNUMBERTHREE

...ThingsIMustDoToRememberMyNewRelationshipWithMyself

1.IAMUSINGMYINBORNABILITYTOBELIEVEANDTOEXERCISEMYFAITHTOGETWELLAND STAYWELL. I am learning to love andacceptmyselfsoIwillbeHisservantandlive inastateofbetterhealthand

success.

2. I VALUE EVERY INSTRUMENT OF HEALING, AND LOVETHE SOURCE OF IT ALL-GOD. Because I make God my Source I canexpect Him to open up the proper instrument through which to work Hishealingwondersinme.

3. I KNOW JESUS RECOGNIZES MY HUMANITY AND WANTS TOHEAL ME BECAUSE I AM AN IMPORTANT PERSON . I will have apositiveattitudetowardlifeanddivinehealth,whetheritcomesfromdoctors,medication,orprayers,andwillkeepmyeyesonJesus,mySource.

4. ALL SICKNESS IS FROM THE DEVIL ... ALL HEALING IS FROMGOD-IAMRELIEVINGGODFORHISREST.Godisnotatyrant.HeisaGodof love.He lovesmeandwantsme to live abundantly andbewhole ineveryareaofmybeing.

5. I WILL NOT "FAKE IT" ABOUT MY ILLNESS-I WILL "FAITHIT' THROUGH TO HEALING. God loves me enough to give me healingevenwhenIhavegivenup.

6. I HAVE A "FAITH MIRACLE" IN ME EVERY SECOND AND IWILLACCEPT IT. I can learn to bemore like JesuswaswhileHewasonearthinhumanskin—Icanhavehealthtoo.

7.IAMLOOKINGFORNEWDIMENSIONSFORMYFAITHANDLOVETO SHINE THROUGH TO OTHERS. Instead of responding to deadlynegative emotions, I will look for new dimensions for my love and faith toshinethroughtoothers.

8 . GOD USE PRAYER AND PHYSICIANS TO COMPLETEHIS HEALING LOVE IN ME. I will look to every delivery system of Hishealing love. I will appreciate my doctor and pray for God to use Him asan instrument of His healing love for me. I will also make contact withthespiritualleadersofthechurchtopray,asstatedinJames5:14.

9. I FACE THE FUTURE KNOWING MY LIFE IS IN GOD'SGOODHANDS.AsIdoallIknowtodo,Godwilldowhatisbestforme.

1 0 . THE RESURRECTION IS GOD'S PERFECT AND

ULTIMATEHEALING.Iamalive. Iwill live in theresurrection. I shallbetotally healed and alive forever and ever! I amGod's property. I belong toGodnowandeternally!

TableofContentsWHEN THE DOCTORS SAY THERE IS NO HOPE AND PRAYER HASAPPARENTLYFAILED—HOWTOFACETHEFUTURE