But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
(Matt. 1:20)
The Word of God carries great revelation in every verse. The Bible is full of spiritual truths. Such is the case with the story of Jesus.
Have you ever thought about the reality of what happened to Joseph? Joseph was going to secretly put Mary away when he found out she was pregnant. He was going to do this because he was a good man and because he loved her. Because of his goodness and love he did not want to bring embarrassment and shame to her family. However, an angel appeared to him in a dream.
All through the Old Testament angels appeared to men of God and gave them direction and understanding from God. Many times they appeared as angelic beings in the sky and many times they appeared walking on the ground as men.
In fact, you may remember that Lot had an encounter with angelic beings in the city of Sodom and these angels looked so much like men that the people who lived in Sodom thought they were men.
But the angel that appeared to Joseph did not appear as a creature in the sky or as a man on the earth. Somehow the angel entered into Joseph’s dream and inside of his dream this angel explained to Joseph that he should not put Mary away, but that he should marry her and take her as his wife. The angel told Joseph that the seed inside of Mary was not from an earthly man but from the Spirit of God.
Let me ask you something. Why is it that an angel of the Lord entered into the dream of Joseph and spoke to him 2000 years ago but rarely does it happen today? God has not changed and neither has His plan. Angels still exist and they are still messengers from God. But the message throughout God’s Word is this.
We only receive what we believe.
If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead and you receive Him as your personal Savior, you are saved or born again. If you do not believe He is Lord, you do not receive Him. We are told that we receive miracles and the Holy Spirit and prophecy through faith.
Believing is the key component to faith.
I truly believe the main reason many people do not receive angelic visitations either outwardly or in a dream is because of their lack of belief that it will actually happen to them. We must increase our level of belief so that we can receive a greater level of manifestation of God’s presence and glory and all that He has for us.
But always remember this: We should seek Him and not the manifestation. However, when we seek Him, he will manifest Himself to us.
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
(Heb. 13:2)And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
(Matt. 28:2-3)Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
(Mark 9:23)
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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.