If you are seeking God for a miracle in your life, there is a strong possibility that the release of your miracle is connected to someone else’s miracle. God has a plan for your deliverance. His plan always works. Let me explain.
A few weeks ago I was thinking about different ways we could raise money to finish one of our church building projects. Our youth and our children were needing more space. God spoke to my heart and said something so simple and basic. He placed it in my heart to go before the congregation the very next Sunday and receive a building fund offering for another church in our community that was also in a building project.
At first, it seemed awkward to stand behind the pulpit to ask our congregation to give funds to help build a church 15 miles away, knowing that we needed money to complete our own building project. But when I did, a miraculous thing happened. When I told the congregation we were receiving an offering for another church, some cheered, some shouted, but I noticed one thing from wall to wall. Everyone in the church was excited about helping another church.
We received a building fund offering that day for the other church. The next day I put the check in the mail. Not only did we help another church, but we are having a lot of fun doing it. It is a joy to give! Actually, it is being Kingdom-minded.
Our community is a resort area. Our church and lighthouse overlook a large lake. In fact, this lake has over 1,300 miles of shoreline. There are over 250 waterfront resorts and over 75 marinas on our lake alone. Also, there are over 150 churches. I teach my congregation this. We are not in competition with other churches that teach Jesus Christ is Lord. And when we help other churches instead of being critical of them, we are Kingdom-minded.
Jesus said that if we would seek first the Kingdom of God, then the things we need would be added to us. His Kingdom is bigger than my ministry or my church. To be Kingdom-minded means that we are not in competition for sheep, but we are competitive together in our fight against the enemy, the prince of darkness.
Through all this we can see God’s plan for our prosperity. If we meet the needs of others in the Kingdom, then the King of the Kingdom will meet our needs.
Although I already knew and understood the revelation of giving and receiving, somehow that revelation seems deeper now. Luke 6:38 tells us that if we give, men will give back to us. And that when they give back, the same standard of measurement will be used in the receiving that was used in the giving.
A foundational principle in God’s Word is sowing and reaping, giving and receiving. There is never a harvest without seed being sown and receiving is in direct proportion to the giving. However, the principle of giving and receiving works in conjunction with the message of Jesus when He said, “Seek the kingdom of God first.”
To be Kingdom-minded means that you seek God’s plan and purpose above all else. It means that if funds are limited, His plans and projects are priority. If you are standing in line with God, always step back and put God ahead of yourself. Make Him first.
You may be seeking God for a miracle in your own life, but you can trust me in this. There are many others seeking God for a miracle also. If you seek God’s guidance by His Holy Spirit, and if you are obedient to that guidance, your seed planting will not be in vain, but will actually meet a need and bring joy to someone else. And as you are obedient to His guidance in your giving, you open the door and make it possible for someone else to be led by the Holy Spirit and give into your need. The seed empowers the Kingdom principle that activates your personal deliverance.
You may say, “But I thought God was my deliverer, not a man.” Again, Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given to you.” And then He says that by doing this, the result will be that men will give unto you. God uses men who are obedient to the leading of His Spirit to fulfill the needs in the Body.
So today, activate the Kingdom principle of seeking God first in your giving so that you will be a blessing to someone else and by being a blessing, you open the door to be blessed.
Activate your miracle today.
Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.