Before I share a devotional below, I want to encourage you to take advantage of the weekly resources we are making available through this website, The ‘short’ nugget of truth on our YouTube channel that my late father shares, the audio message on our podcast, and a sermon outline are all featured regularly week by week. I hope that one or all of these resources are a blessing to you, along with the many other messages and materials that are archived on this website.

Many...

A Tribute After 20 Years

 Years ago, I was asked to be one of the presenters at a conference on preaching. Near the end of the event one of my fellow presenters, speaking to the whole group, expressed appreciation for the fact that I did not ask people to preach like my father. I believe I know what he meant when he made that statement. I never asked him about it, because it came at the end of the conference. So, my comments here are my own “interpretation” of his words....

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5;4)

“….. speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,…” (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)

We are living in...

We all stand in need of the Lord. We need His presence in our lives. We need His mercy, we need His salvation, we need His continuous help as we seek to live for Him. The benediction at the end of 2 Corinthians indicates our need and God’s provision (2 Corinthians 13:14). This benediction begins by focusing on grace. We stand in need of grace.

"May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ….be with us all."

Why does the Apostle start here in his benediction at the end of 2...

Our next Biblical Preaching Institute will take place Wednesday evening, September 4 through Saturday lunchtime, September 7. We are focusing on Evangelistic Expository Preaching. (Please note the change in our starting day.) This Institute views evangelistic preaching within the context of fulfilling the Great Commission and the call to ‘make disciples.’

This Institute features a powerful series of message/lectures by my late father, Dr. Stephen Olford. Other helpful sessions...

TEXT: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

THOUGHT: The risen Christ has been presenting Himself and teaching His disciples for a period of forty days. The “kingdom of God” was a main theme in Jesus’ instruction even as it was before He was crucified.  As the Apostles are assembled with the risen Jesus,...

Chapter Eleven

Our Little While

On December 15, 1915, a missionary in Portuguese West Africa (Angola) wrote a letter, which he described as a “difficult duty.” A fellow missionary and laborer for the Lord had just died due to black water fever. He left behind his wife, the missionary team and the work. The missionary writing the letter, Frederick Ernest Samuel Olford, described in detail the events leading up to the actual “home going” of Mr. Taylor, this fellow...

Chapter Ten

The True Grace of God (1 Peter 5:12-14)

“By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

The End of the letter is “at hand.” This letter’s conclusion follows standard...

Chapter Eight — The True Grace of God Enables the Suffering Christian to Glorify God - Suffering Revisited (1 Peter 4:12-19)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[a] and of...

Chapter Seven – The True Grace of God Calls for Glorifying God Together in These Last Days (1 Peter 4:7-11)

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who...