A Message of Mega-Joy

“Do not be afraid, for behold,

I bring you good tidings of a great joy that will be for all people……….”

(The Angel, Luke 2:10b NKJV. Also, read Luke 2:1-20)

For some, the Christmas season is a time to celebrate the end of another year. It may be simply a time to forget all that is really happening in daily life as well as what is happening in our struggling world. Sadly some miss the joy of the Savior completely.  

Also, this season can be a very depressing tim...

Dear Friend of Olford Ministries International and the Institute for Biblical Preaching,

Greetings in Wonderful Name of Jesus, our Lord and Christ!

Even at this Christmas time, it is good to think about the need for endurance. We need to finish the year well, and we know that we will need endurance in the year ahead.

The words “endure” or “endurance” are probably not our favorite words, but endurance is an essential part of life, and the Christian life specifically. The amazing twelfth chapte...

This beautiful Psalm is a poetic celebration and thankful response to God’s personal revelation both through His Creation and through His Word.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
² Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them ...

I was impressed again recently when viewing the Apostle Paul's commendation of Timothy in Philippians 2:19-24.

The epistle itself is filled with glorious truths, and it also demonstrates the wonderful relationship that the Apostle had with the believers at Philippi. It is a Christ-filled and joyful letter, especially in the light of a gift that was sent to the Apostle from the believers in Philippi.

In the center of the letter, the Apostle commends two men (2:19-30). The first is Timothy. Paul...

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Primary Text:

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,
of whom I am chief.” 
[1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV]

At Christmas time, there are many words, greetings, and messages shared. But, there is no message that matches the message of Christmas itself, a message found in these words of Scripture. The Apostle Paul is giving thanks for God’s grace towards him in Christ and for the privilege of being in the minis...

TEXT Acts 8:26-40 ESV about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

INTRODUCTION:

The phrase “Going on Mission with God” seemed to stick to this passage of Scripture that you just read. And it is the title of this message.

You see, God is on a mission in this world, and He gives us the opportunity to be involved specifically as a church and as individuals. In the account in Acts 8 that we have just read, this man, Philip, answered the call of God to a special opportunity. And this opportunity pro...

“O Israel, hope in the Lord;

for with the Lord there is mercy,

and with Him is abundant redemption.”

(Psalm 130:7 NKJV)

THOUGHT:

This Psalm moves from being intensely personal (1-6) to being a call for all of God’s people to hope in the Lord (7-8).

I am viewing this Psalm through the lens of the phrase “there is mercy with the Lord.”

There is mercy with the Lord, and I want us all to know that we can experience the Lord’s mercy. Indeed, without the mercy of the Lord, we are hope...

Devotional Reflections on a Key Event in the Life of Abraham

Genesis 22:1-19 (Read the whole account)

Genesis 22:1 “…….. God tested Abraham……..”

This passage of Scripture, like a smooth stone thrown into a calm body of water, causes ripples throughout the “waters” of the Scriptures. The account is emotionally gripping. At times it is mentally perplexing. It certainly is personally challenging. And as Scripture, it is spiritually edifying. Ultimately, this account in Genesis points us to great...

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 years ago, friends of o...

"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 days of words, images, and ...