When we study faith in the Word of God, we find many truths. First, we find that, according to the Bible, faith is required to be saved. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Secondly, faith is required to please God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.”
Then we find that the prayer of faith will heal the sick. James 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up.”
Next we find that a man who doesn’t pray in faith shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6-7 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.”
We discover that according to Romans 14:23, anything that is not of faith is sin. We find in Hebrews 4:2 that the gospel did not profit some who heard the gospel because they did not mix it with faith in their hearts.
Also John 5:4 says that “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.”
With These Verses We Know That:
• We are saved by faith
• We are healed by faith
• We need faith to please God
• If we don’t pray in faith we shouldn’t expect to receive anything
• Anything that is not of faith is sin
• The gospel is only profitable to those who mix it with faith
• Faith is our victory that overcomes the world
Too often ministers tell us what we need without telling us how to get it. So, with this in mind, I would like to give you briefly the four building blocks of faith.
Building Block #1
We must know that God cannot lie.
This is the most important fact concerning faith. If we believe that it is remotely possible that God could lie, then doubt exists. Where there is doubt, there is no faith.
Only by believing that God cannot lie can we trust Him completely. Titus 1:2 says that it is impossible for God to lie, and that is the first building block of faith.
Building Block #2
We must know the Word of God.
If we believe that God does not lie and only speaks truth, then we must know what it is He says. We find this by reading His Word, the Holy Bible. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
Building Block #3
We must speak the Word of God.
Jesus said we are to speak to the mountain. According to the Bible, our words are to contain faith. Jesus didn’t think to the storm to calm it, He spoke to it.
Building Block #4
Act on the Word of God.
James 1:22 says that those who hear the Word and do not do it deceive themselves. James 2:17 says that “faith without works is dead.”
Summary
So, it’s this way: To have faith we must believe God, know what He said in His Word, speak the Word, and act on what we speak. That’s faith!
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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.