There are many people who say, “This faith thing doesn’t work. I tried it once and it just doesn’t work.” We don’t just try God. We receive the Spirit within us. We don’t test and try.
We don’t just try faith. We’re either in faith or we’re not in faith. We either believe God or we don’t believe God. There is the scripture concerning tithing that says test Me, prove Me and try Me in this and see if I won’t do as I promise (paraphrased).
There are many “if you do this, then I’ll do that…” conditional blessings God makes available for us to take advantage of. However, we cannot try the foundational truths of God. We’re either saved or we’re lost. We’re either in faith or in fear. We either accept the grace or refuse it. There is no middle ground.
Let me ask you something. How are you judging your faith? Are you judging it on whether a storm came or not? Are you one who would say, “I believed God would take care of me. Then I went out and got in my car and the engine threw a rod. I guess faith just doesn’t work…”?
Well, big deal! Your car throwing a rod has nothing to do with faith. Faith has to do with how you react when your car throws a rod. Faith has to do with whether you kick it and cuss and act like a fool.
Faith is when you say, “Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for Your grace to get my transportation lined out. Thank You for giving me Your grace.”
God will give you grace. Then you must believe He gave it to you. That’s where faith comes in. He can give you the grace, but you will make the grace of no effect if you don’t believe and walk in faith.
Some people say, “Well, I tried grace.” Grace is not something you try. You accept it by faith.
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
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.