For years the church has talked about the power of God and the name of Jesus. We’ve talked about power in the Word of God. We’ve talked about power in the blood. We’ve even sung the song, “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood….”
Everybody agrees there’s power. Everybody agrees that the Lord God Almighty sent Jesus to put Satan under His feet. We know we are the body of Christ and the devil is a defeated foe. However, if all that is true, why is it that when the devil comes against us, so many Christians don’t know how to access the power to put down the devil?
They expect God to do the work. They expect God to rebuke the devourer. In Malachi chapter three it says that if we don’t rob God with our tithes and offerings, that He will pour out blessings for us and will rebuke the devourer.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the LORD of hosts.
(Mal. 3:10-11)
We must remember that the Word also says we have a better covenant as a New Testament believer. The promise of Malachi 3:11 is great and wonderful, but it is an old covenant promise. As great as it is, the new covenant promise is even better. Under the new covenant we have been given the authority and power by using the name of Jesus to rebuke the devourer with our own words.
Under the new covenant we are no longer waiting for God to solve our problem. God is waiting on us to use the power of the blood and the name and the Word that He has already given us. Malachi chapter three is not a bad promise and in no way am I belittling it. I thank God for it. However, the better promise is in the new covenant. Don’t allow spiritual laziness to rob you of the best promise.
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
“By so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant” (Heb. 7:22).
“But as it now is, He [Christ] has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is as much superior and more excellent [than the old] as the covenant-the agreement-of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is superior and more excellent; [because] it is enacted and rests upon more important (sublimer, higher and nobler) promises” (Heb. 8:6 AMP).
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
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.