In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. In the beginning, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were at creation and everything that was created, was created through the Word of God. Before the earth, before heaven or hell, before mankind, and even before the angels and heavenly host, God existed. Time is a concept created for the physical world, but before there was time, there was God.
(Gen. 1:1-2; John 1:1-2)
Many years ago, I worked at a steel engineering firm. Although everyone I worked with was helpful, it seemed that nobody had a clear understanding of the vision of the company. It seemed like everyone knew the boundaries of their own job, but nobody understood the how and why of the company except one man. His name was John. Although he was not the boss, it seemed like he always had the answers and in our planning meetings, he was always the one to guide us back to the plans and purposes of our company.
As one of the junior employees, I remember asking someone why John had so much wisdom concerning our company and industry. I was told that he was in the steel business for many years before our company was ever founded and that he was there in the beginning and had been employed longer than anyone else in the entire company, from management to custodian.
As Christians, I think many times we fail to remember that God was before creation, implemented creation, and knows everything. Every false god, every false prophet, every plan of man, and every demonic deception took place in relatively recent history. God has seen it all. There are no surprises to Him. Not only has He seen all the past, but because He lives outside of the creation of time, He has seen our future. No other deity can say that. No power can equal and no enemy can withstand our God.
To me it only seems logical that we should put our trust in Him and in His Word. All of eternity past and all of eternity future is in His hands and what He foreknows, He has spoken to man. There are those who place their trust in their own abilities. Some people worship dead men who have no power, while others seek after New Age philosophies.
The reality is, God has been around longer than everything, and He is the only God who will be left standing at the end of time. Doesn’t it just seem wise to place your trust in Him and His ways? He promises His followers, those who place their trust in His Son, that He will guide them by His Spirit and provide for them through His abundance and empower them by His grace. Why would anyone choose any other God? (Deut. 30:19)
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 eight 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.