“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Phil. 4:11-12).
The very next verse in this well-known passage says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The fullness of this verse means: I can do all things through Christ, the Anointed One and His anointing, Who strengthens me to do the things I can’t get done on my own.
Therefore, there is nothing He cannot strengthen us to do as long as what we want to do is in the will of God for our lives.
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Think about that. Having been justified by faith we have peace. Verse two continues, “through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb. 4:2).
Two groups of people heard the gospel. One of them received it. One of them did not receive it. The gospel was profitable for the group that mixed it with faith. It was not profitable for the group that did not mix it with faith. The Word did not work for the people who would not receive it by faith. That’s what the Word says: “…the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”
So we’ve seen there remains a rest for the people of God (Heb. 4:9). It is a supernatural rest and a supernatural peace that’s available for all who believe. You have no excuse for not being at peace. You may say, “Oh, but Brother Larry, you just don’t know what I am going through. I have had disaster after disaster. Everything in my life has gone wrong – physically, financially and emotionally. I am a mess.”
The truth is, it doesn’t matter what’s gone wrong in your life. You can be at peace and at rest regardless of the circumstances. You can do all things through Christ. That means you can be at rest in the storm.
Jesus continually taught this concept of peace, but the disciples kept missing it. He never said He would remove the storms. He said He would give us peace in the storm. In the storm we can rest in the boat. In the storm we can walk on the water.
The storm still goes by our house and all around it, but when it’s over, our house remains. In the storm we can have faith. In the storm we can have rest. In the storm we can have peace. We can survive the storm, because we are at rest and in faith – all the way through it.
There are many people who say, “This faith thing doesn’t work. I tried it once and it just doesn’t work.” We don’t just try God. We receive the Spirit within us. We don’t test and try. We don’t just try faith. We’re either in faith or we’re not in faith. We either believe God or we don’t believe God.
There is the scripture concerning tithing that says test Me, prove Me and try Me in this and see if I won’t do as I promise (paraphrased). There are many “if you do this, then I’ll do that…” conditional blessings God makes available for us to take advantage of. However, we cannot try the foundational truths of God.
We’re either saved or we’re lost. We’re either in faith or in fear. We either accept the grace or refuse it. There is no middle ground.
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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.