The world is full of negative reports. It seems that everywhere you go, there is someone telling you, “You won’t make it.” “You can’t win.” “God doesn’t want to heal you.” “Faith doesn’t work,” and so on and so on. The world does not want you to make it. But here’s the good news. God does!
God’s Word is positive. His Word says in Psalm 103:3 that He heals all our diseases and in Psalm 34:19, His Word says “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
When some people hear a negative report, they become discouraged. God does not want us to become discouraged. He wants us to believe Him. He wants us to believe that He will deliver us like He said He would. He wants us to trust in Him so He can perform His Word in our lives.
Discouragement is a combination of fear, depression and a lack of hope. We could almost call it “anti-faith.” Discouragement is not from God and He does not want you to have it.
When we are discouraged, we do not function in the spirit realm the way God wants us to. When we are discouraged, it becomes difficult to hear God and easier to listen to the discouraging words of the world.
Listen to this. When the Hebrews left Egypt under the leadership of Moses, God told them that if they would go into the Promised Land, He would fight all their battles for them.
When they reached the Promised Land, they sent out twelve spies and when the spies returned, they all gave their reports. The spies did not all agree. Two of the spies gave a positive, encouraging report and ten spies gave a negative, discouraging report.
At that point, the people had a choice. Which report would they believe? Would they believe the report of the majority or would they believe God’s promise? Would they go by what they saw or would they go by what God said?
Well, sadly, the people chose to believe the negative report instead of the positive report. The Bible says the people had became discouraged because of the negative report and decided not enter into the land God had for them.
Today many Christians are doing the same thing. Because they choose to believe the negative report of the world, because they choose to believe what they see and hear instead of believing what God promised, they miss many blessings God has set aside for those who believe.
In Mark 16:17, Jesus said, “These signs shall follow those who believe.” He didn’t say these signs shall follow those who doubt, fear or worry. He said, “These sign shall follow those who believe.” Who are those who believe? They are the ones who believe that God will do what He said He would do. They have total trust, belief and faith in Him.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” In order to receive from God, we must believe Him and His Word.
So, today let me say this. If you have just been given a negative, discouraging report, you have a choice to make. Do you believe the evil report or do you believe God? Do you put your belief in what you see or do you put your faith in what God says?
Remember, 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”
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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.