Today I would like to share a letter we received. It starts like this.
Dear Brother Larry,
My husband is the pastor of a church of about one hundred people. He has always worked hard. He is a good man. He graduated from seminary with honors and is a good preacher. All the people of the church love him but we have a problem. It seems as though my husband is always sick. We have insurance that pays all the doctor bills so there is not a financial burden because of his illness. But there is one question that bothers both of us. Why did God make my husband sick? He’s a good man. He is not a sinner. So, why would God hinder his ministry by causing him to be ill all the time? Thank you in advance for your prayers.Sincerely,
The Pastors Wife (name withheld)
Through the last 35 years in the ministry, I have encountered countless Christians who believe God has made them sick for a purpose. They believe God has “put the sickness on them” in order to teach them a lesson.
Nothing could be further from the truth! This one belief alone has caused numerous Christians to live in defeat and die before their time.
Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” And the truth about healing is this:
Satan wants you sick and diseased.
Think about that. Satan wants to destroy God’s plan for you.
What is God’s plan for us? Well, it’s certainly not for us to be sick and diseased. All through the Bible we find this pattern. Satan brings death and destruction and God provides healing and life.
God said in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
We Have Always Had A Choice
So the choice is ours. Do we choose blessings or do we choose cursings? Do we choose life or do we choose death? We can have what we want. The choice is ours. I don’t know about you, but to me life and blessings sound much more appealing that death and cursings.
Now, back to the letter. It’s probably real hard for this pastor and his wife to believe God for his healing when they believe that God made him sick.
If God makes people sick and also heals them, what’s left for the devil to do?
When Jesus was here on earth, He healed the sick everywhere He went. Why would Jesus be healing the sick if God His Father was making them sick? The scripture says in 1 John 3:8 “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Here the Bible clearly says that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, not to destroy the works of His Father.
First Peter 2:24 says that Jesus died on the cross so we could live and He bore stripes on His body for our healing. Jesus accomplished His mission in victory. He conquered sickness and death for you and for me.
James 5:15 says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up.”
Remember this: Satan destroys and brings sickness. Jesus heals and gives life.
And the choice is ours.
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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.