From the archives of Oral Roberts
I believe that if there is another name for life, it’s trouble… it’s loneliness… it’s sickness and pain… it’s depression… it’s financial need… it’s fear and anxiety. But, if there is another name for Jesus Christ, it’s hope… it’s faith. It’s power to change things in your life. It’s salvation. It’s deliverance. There is a way to rise above hard times, and the first step is up to you.
First–Get into a right relationship with God. Talk to the Lord right out of your heart. Tell Him everything that’s going on in your life. If you have failed to put Him first, tell Him. If sin is your constant companion, confess it to Him. With all honesty, tell Him how you feel, how scared you are, how frustrated or depressed you are. Then look to Him as your Source.
Second–Ask God to forgive you of your sins. Be brave about asking God for another chance. The salvation of your soul is more important than anything else in your life. Sin is a huge load on your inner man that can actually make you physically ill. When you give your sins to God, He can save your life. First John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Ask God to forgive you, and He will.
Third–Open yourself up to let Jesus dwell in you. How do you do this? By starting to give of your whole self on a daily basis. Do it every day, and do it with joy. Why? Because what you give is as a seed you sow for God to use to help others, and then to multiply back in the form of your own deepest needs (Galatians 6:7).
