It was in the middle of the night and I was awake. Why? Because of a storm in my life. The sea was tossing my boat and it looked like it was going to sink. The storm was relentless and had no appearance of letting up. What do we do when it looks like all is lost? What do we do when it looks like there is no hope?
The first thing we do is quit looking at the storm. Studying the storm and rating the storm does nothing but give us greater knowledge of the storm. Our help doesn’t come from the knowledge of the storm but in the truth of God’s Word. That is the source of our freedom from the storms of life. (John 8:31-32)
Jesus was in a large fishing boat with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee when a severe storm came unexpectedly. It was night. It looked like the boat was going to be destroyed and they were all going to die when they discovered Jesus asleep. To them it looked like the end was near and all was lost and Jesus was sleeping!
The disciples were furious. They asked Jesus how he could sleep while everything in their lives was being destroyed. His reply is what we must hear today. He asked them two questions. He said, “Why are you fearful?” “Why is it you have no faith?”
Maybe that is what we need to ask ourselves today. When the storm rages and it looks like our boat is sinking, let’s ask ourselves, “Why are we fearful? Why is it we have no faith?” Then we must act like Jesus instead of acting like the disciples.
What did Jesus do? He spoke to the storm and commanded it to cease. He commanded the storm to be still and then there was a great calm.
Do you need a great calm in your life today? Do you need the storm to be calm? Then here is the answer. Do what Jesus did and don’t do what the disciples did. Imitate the One who had victory and don’t imitate the ones who had failure.
It sounds simple because it is.
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ The disciples were absolutely terrified. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!.’
(Mark 4:35-41)
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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.