A note from Dr. David Olford

Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings to you!

Over the next two weeks, we are looking at one passage of Scripture, Luke 17:11-19.

I really encourage you to think about this passage of Scripture in relation to what is happening in our world right now. The message in its original form was written before the Pandemic and before the events of the last few days here in the USA.

This passage of Scripture illustrates our Lord’s merciful response to the cry of needy people. It, also, illustrates His power to bring cleansing and healing. We need to look to Him and to depend upon Him. We have a Savior who hears our cries and has the power to bring change both for this life and for eternity. And He went all the way to the cross to bring about the salvation that we experience if we trust in Him.

When crises arise, we must not abandon the basic truths about our Lord or the truths taught by our Lord that give us direction, stability, hope, and indeed give us life. He is our source of truth, and also our source of love, righteousness, holiness, wisdom, and power. It is as we are filled with Him, by the Holy Spirit, that we are able to minister to the needs and crises that we face.

Clearly there are many other Biblical truths that address our current situation. But, it is the Christ-Directed, Christ-Honoring, and Christ-Serving application of these truths that is needed. And that is why we need to look to Him, to be listening to Him, to be praying to Him, and to obey Him as He leads us.

Recently I have been involved in a ZOOM prayer meeting that brings together committed believers from different churches, different locations, different ministries, different races, and different genders. We have had precious and meaningful times of prayer. I would encourage you to look for ways to have a wide circle of prayer. It is such an enriching thing to pray with a diversity of brothers and sisters in Christ.

We need to pray, and such times of prayer help us also to feel the burdens and concerns of other believers who may be experiencing life differently than we are.    

As I close, we need to appreciate afresh God’s continued merciful work in our own lives, and His continued cleansing of our own lives so that we will be more usable in His service.

This week I am providing two devotionals (Part 1 and Part 2) based on the story described in Luke 17:11-19.  Click the links below:

Part 1: https://www.olford.org/blog/luke-pt1

Part 2: https://www.olford.org/blog/luke-pt2

In Him,

David Olford