The Scripture tells us in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The principle is this: What you hear goes into your mind. If you mediate and dwell on it, it goes into your heart. Then from your heart, it goes to your mouth.
When you speak your heart, you hear your heart. If the Word is what is in your heart, the result is increased faith because you hear the Word. The fact that it is your mouth speaking what you hear is irrelevant. The Word produces faith regardless of the mouth speaking it.
How do you get rid of the doubt that is already lodged in your heart from years of unbelief? Doubt leaves when the Word becomes a way of life. In with the Word – out with the doubt.
The only way you’re going to have depth of belief and great faith is to confess God’s Word all the time. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1:8).
If you want to be able to tell your mountains – “be removed and be cast into the sea” – confessing the Word will have to become your lifestyle.
That’s why I get up in the morning and plead the blood of Jesus over my household. I thank God that my household is delivered. I thank God that my children are going to be safe throughout the day. I thank God that His Word rules supreme in my house. I do this on a daily basis, and you can too. Don’t wait until you have a crisis to start pleading the blood and speaking the Word.
One of my favorite illustrations involves a puny little guy who meets the big, muscle-bound man in the alley at midnight. “Give me your money!” says the big bully. At this point, the puny little guy doesn’t have time to go home, join a health club, work out, build up his muscles, come back and fight the bully. The bully is not going to let him do that! Waiting to prepare until the day of the fight is foolishness and laughable.
However, many Christians live their spiritual lives that way. They wait until the devil (the bully) meets them in the ally at midnight (an unexpected time and place) and they attempt to fast, pray, read the Word, build up their faith, and plead the blood in order to keep from being destroyed. The problem is they are not doing it in faith. They are doing it in desperation as a result of fear from the attack.
A great man of God preached a sermon called “You Can’t Teach a Drowning Man to Swim.” God’s plan is for us to daily renew our minds and to daily build our faith through the Word and to daily plead the blood of Jesus for our protection. Waiting until there is a crisis is foolish.
Vitamin “W”
We need to take in the Word of God on a daily basis. When the devil jumps in our path and gets nose to nose with us, we can say, “Move out of my way, Satan. There’s no place for you here. Be gone in the name of Jesus. I do not accept this disaster in my life. I don’t accept it, because God is my Deliverer.”
But if you don’t have the Word of God constantly in your heart, when the devil jumps in your path, you may say, “Get out of my path,” but deep down inside you’re saying, “I know you won’t. It works for my pastor, but it’s not going to work for me.”
It will work for you if you’ve been exercising in the Word on a daily basis. The time to start is now because the promises of God are for you!
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.