Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.
(Matt. 17:27)
I have always wanted to minister the way Jesus ministered. He ministered in great power. His ministry was effective and He changed the world.
When Peter approached Jesus about money, Jesus gave him the solution to his problem. Jesus told Peter (who was a fisherman) to take a hook (nothing was said about bait!), throw it in the Sea of Galilee, pull out a fish, look in its mouth and take out the money that would be there. Jesus told him to take that money and pay his taxes with it and there would be enough left over to pay the taxes for Jesus too.
Recently a man from my church approached me with a financial problem. What would this man have thought if I had ministered to him the same way Jesus ministered to Peter? First of all, Peter was a fisherman and this man was a farmer. What if I had told him to take his rifle, go to his farm and shoot the first chicken he saw? After shooting the chicken, he should look in its beak, and there he would find several diamonds that would be more than enough to pay his taxes and supply all the needs of his family.
As the man would be standing there with both arms stretched toward heaven with his eyes closed and his head bowed, with my hand on his head, I’m sure that halfway through my instructions, one eye would open slightly and his head would raise slowly with a perplexed wrinkle on his forehead.
In John 14:12 Jesus said that those who believed in Him would do the same works that he did and not only would we do the same works, but that we as believers would do greater works. If the Holy Spirit spoke to most ministers and told them to do what Jesus did, most ministers of our generation would rebuke the devil for that thought. If we will truly listen to God and are led by His Holy Spirit, and do not allow pride and intimidation to overpower us, we could possibly begin to minister like our Savior.
Why do we not minister the way Jesus ministered? Because we do not believe we will see the results that Jesus saw. Why do we not see the same results? It is because we are not walking in the same level of belief.
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
(Mark 9:23)
Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
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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 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.