Before Joseph and Mary were married, it was discovered that Mary was pregnant. Joseph was a good man and he did not want to make a public example of Mary so he decided to send her away secretly.
But while he was considering this an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel told him that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife because the seed that was in her was the seed of the Holy Spirit.
As we read the Christmas story, many times we don’t comprehend the fullness of what the angel said. Later in life when Jesus was talking to His disciples and friends, He repeatedly referred to God as His Father. In fact, in John 17 when Jesus spent considerable time talking to the Father just before His arrest and crucifixion, He continually referred to God as His Father, and He referred to Himself as the Father’s Son.
Some may wonder, “How can this be?” How can God be His Father when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit? The answer is complex and simple. The Spirit of God is God.
Likewise, when we become Christians we become children of God and we become born of the Spirit. First John 3:9 says that as Christians we are born of God and God’s nature, His divine sperm, remains permanently in us because we are born of God.
When the angel told Joseph that Jesus was born of the Spirit, he was prophesying that we who receive Jesus would be born of the Spirit also. We actually are His body and born of the same Spirit.
The Christmas story is a powerful story.
No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.
(1 John 3:9 AMP)But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
(Rom. 8:11)
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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.
