When I was in school, there were two groups of students that made pretty good grades. But there was a major difference in the way they got them.
One group was diligent. These students went to school to learn something. They spent their time studying to learn and to get a good education. Sure, they studied for the tests, but that wasn’t the only time they studied. They kept a steady pace all through school. They grew in knowledge and confidence. They were good students.
The other group of students also made good grades; however their lifestyle was different. Most of their time they spent goofing around. They went to class just enough to keep from being dropped. They studied just enough to get by with the daily work. And when a test came, they panicked and crammed for the tests.
If they couldn’t learn enough by studying at the last minute, they found someone who had taken the test earlier and cheated. They always seemed to get by.
After graduation, when they showed up on the job, the diligence in study of the past came to light. Even with the diploma, the ones who didn’t have knowledge soon perished.
Many Christians approach their study of the Word of God like the lax students. They attend church, own a Bible and talk the right jargon, but only do enough to get by and stay accepted within the group.
This can be deadly. Satan is ruthless. He doesn’t have any mercy and takes joy in destroying the lives of weak Christians.
We can’t let Satan attack our lives, and then at the last minute try to study spiritually by reading a few verses and praying under pressure. Any time a person reads God’s Word and applies it to his life, it is good. But usually when your home is attacked, it’s too late to cram. When you know you’re going to war, you don’t wait for the invasion to disassemble your rifle and clean it. You need to be ready for battle before the battle.
If our spiritual muscles aren’t built up before the attack, we may find the attack more than we had expected. Be prepared. Build your faith daily. Then, when the attack comes, your shield of faith will protect you.
So here’s the point. We must walk by faith each and every day. We cannot live like the world six days a week and then put in our hour-and-a-half and our dollar-and-a-half on Sunday and expect to be victorious the other six days.
We must daily walk in faith. Walking in faith is a lifestyle. Second Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Everything we do, everything we seek to accomplish, each day must be connected to our faith in God’s Word. Only through believing God can we be set free of the pressures of daily life.
Some Christians try to solve everything in life by their own power. And to an extent, some problems can be solved using our natural learned knowledge. But some things can only be overcome by faith in God.
It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, how wealthy you are, or how much influence you have…when Satan attacks you and your family, he means business and you better be ready. When attacks come from the spirit realm, we must have our shield of faith to protect us. The natural man is helpless in these cases.
Larry Ollison Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.