God is a good God. Several months ago I had extensive hail damage at my house. The insurance company sent an appraiser and the appraiser decided it could be fixed for $9000. Because so many houses had been damaged in my city, it was going to be a while before the contractor could repair it. A few days later the insurance adjustor visited my house and wanted to give me a check for $9000. Of course I invited him in, made him comfortable, and prepared to receive my money. He had the check in his hand along with a form. He said to me, “All you have to do is sign this form and the $9000 is yours.”
He handed me the form, and before I signed it, I glanced over the wording and these words leaped off the page. “This storm damage was an act of God.”
I handed the form back to the adjustor and said, “I’m sorry. I can’t sign this form.” With a puzzled look, he said, “Why not? All you have to do is sign this form and I’ll give you $9000.” I told him that if I signed the form, I would be saying that God had destroyed the roof on my house and God didn’t destroy my roof. The insurance man said, “Then who did destroy your roof?” I said, “It wasn’t God. It was the devil.” He laughed, handed the form back to me and said, “Just go ahead and sign the form and I’ll give you your check.”
I stood my ground. I said, “I will not sign a form that says that God destroyed my house.” The insurance man grabbed the form out of my hand, crossed out the word God, and wrote “devil” above it. He handed it back to me and said, “Will you sign it now.” I said, “Certainly!” I signed the form, I took my check and everyone was happy.
The world believes that hurricanes, tornadoes, and storms are an “act of God.” But that is so untrue. James 1:17 says that God is a good God and that every good gift comes from Him and that He doesn’t change. Jesus said in John 10:10 that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. In order to receive the blessing of God, we must first believe that His blessing is good.
The Bible says that we are to rightly divide the Word. If we are told to rightly divide the Word, that must mean that it is possible to wrongly divide the Word. Much of the wrong division of God’s Word is because some do not understand that God is a good God who has good gifts and He never lies, and that the devil is a bad devil, full of evil, and he can’t tell the truth.
So the next time someone tells you that a great destruction is an act of God, look to the Word and you will find God is not the destroyer, but God is a good God.
Scripture References
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
(James 1:17)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10)
That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
(Heb. 6:18)
Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
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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.