Let me give you the definition of a patient man. A patient man walks and talks the same way all the time. He walks like God and he talks like God.
When you are in church and look around the auditorium, depending on the size of your church, you may see 25 or 2,500 people. One thing you will notice about these people is that they all look happy, they all look well dressed and they all look patient.
If the sermon is short and sweet, or if the sermon is long and dull, most people still look the same. They look happy and patient. However, when they leave the church and the car door closes, the true inner self shines forth.
A few weeks ago one of the young girls in my church wanted to have a conversation with her pastor. I would guess that she is approximately twelve or thirteen years old. When my secretary brought her into my office, I had a short prayer with her and asked her what I could do for her.
She asked me what the definition of schizophrenia was. Without trying to get into too much detail, I gave her the generic layman’s definition about how it’s a person with a split personality. When I asked her why she wanted to know what schizophrenia meant, she replied, “My parents are both infected with it.”
I know this girl’s parents and as far as I knew, they were normal, well-rounded people in the community that provided a good home for their children. They worked hard in life and were currently working hard in the church in various capacities.
So I asked the young lady this. I said, “What makes you think they have this problem?” She said, “Mom and Dad act so nice to everyone in the church and treat them like their good friends, but when we get in the car to go home after church, they talk about everybody and how they don’t like anybody.”
God is consistent and we must be like Him (Eph. 5:1). God is the God of peace, contentment and patience and God is consistent in His character.
Patience is an attribute that must be active in the Christian lifestyle. Developing patience requires consistency. Consistency requires discipline and discipline requires obedience.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3).
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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.