Over the years, our ministry has received thousands of prayer requests. We believe in the power of the prayer of faith. However, there is one thing that has been consistent. People want to know what God wants them to do. They want to know God’s will for their lives.
Recently, a man wrote and asked us to pray that God would show him what job to take. A lady also wrote and asked us to pray that God would show her if she should marry the man she was seeing or not.
Well, there is a way you can know what to do in your daily life – in your business dealings, in your family, in your ministry, and in all your everyday decisions.
How can we be led by the Spirit? How can we know what God wants us to do? First of all, we must listen to God and not to man. (We’ll see how to hear from Him in a moment.) Now, don’t take me wrong. It’s not wrong to get good godly counsel, but ultimately you must hear from God himself and do what He wants you to do.
God will never be confused. His answers will always be clear.
Once I went to a revival where a different minister spoke each night. The ministers only attended the night they spoke. The first night, the minister’s theme to his message was to “hold on.” Whatever you do, “hold on.”
The next night, the other minister’s theme was “let go.” Whatever you’re holding on to, “let it go.” Some people got confused. When the meetings were over, they didn’t know whether to “hold on” or “let go.”
The Bible tells us, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33) When we are led by the Spirit, we will not be confused. Instead, we will have direction and move forward in peace.
To be led by the Spirit of God, we must be born again. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
We must also spend time with God and His Word. We cannot expect to hear from God if we never allow Him to talk.
He can speak to us through His Word and in our hearts.
Also, something often overlooked is this: Man is a three-part being. Man is a spirit that has a soul and lives in a body.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23)
Here, in this scripture, we clearly see that the Bible makes a distinction between the spirit and the soul and the body. The point is this: We contact the physical realm with our body. We contact our soul realm with our intellect. And we contact the spirit realm with our spirit. We cannot be led by the Spirit of God if we never enter into the spiritual realm because the things of the Spirit cannot be understood by the natural man.
So, when you have a decision to make and you are seeking God for wisdom, remember this – you can be led by the Spirit. You can have the mind of Christ and know the will of God for your life. You don’t have to be in the dark concerning your destiny. (1 Cor. 2:16)
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.