Let’s count to ten. Okay, are you ready? Here we go. One – three – nine – eight – two – four – six – five – seven – ten! There, we did it! But it was confusing wasn’t it? Do you know why? Of course you do. Anything that is not in its proper order causes confusion.
For example, if you had a flat tire and you put the lug nuts on before you put on the spare tire, you wouldn’t get anywhere and your problem still wouldn’t be solved. You can kick the car. You can kick the tire. You can curse the manufacturer, and you blame every one else who has ever driven your car; but the truth is, it’s your own fault and you can’t blame anyone else. You didn’t do things in their proper order.
When we are dealing with the Word of God and what God has for us in our lives, it is much the same. We must keep things in order.
For example John 8:31-32 is a scripture verse we quote all the time. Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
When people hear this verse, they get excited because Jesus gave them good news. He said that He would set them free. Every one wants to be set free. No one wants to be in bondage. But unfortunately many people expect to get set free without doing all the things to get there.
In the same way we count from one to ten, we must take things in order. Otherwise there is confusion.
Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And then we would know the truth and then we would be set free.”
Did you catch that? First, we are to continue in His Word. Second, we become His disciples. Third, we know the truth, and fourth, we are made or set free. Now, you can’t do number four – in other words, be set free – without doing number three, knowing the truth. You can’t know the truth unless you continue in the Word.
But if we take everything in its proper order, then we will be obedient. And when we are obedient, God moves on our behalf. And, we receive the end result.
Another verse is Matthew 6:33. Here Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” In the verses before, Jesus talked about all the things that we need here on earth, clothing, lodging, and food. Then He said:
1) seek the Kingdom of God
2) seek His righteousness
3) all these things we need will be added to us.
But many Christians are expecting God to meet their needs when they haven’t done the first and second things that must precede the third thing.
Everything we do must to be done in order. First Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.”
God does not author confusion. Many promises of God go unfulfilled because we don’t do what He said in His Word to do. We must not deceive ourselves. When God’s Word is conditional – when God says “if you do this, I’ll do that” – then we must do “this” in order to see “that” fulfilled. And if we don’t do our part, we cannot blame God.
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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.