The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper

than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul

and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts

and intentions of the heart.”

I remember so clearly how Sue Portner, then my secretary at Mary

Ann Baptist in St. Ann, simply could not understand how the Bible

could assess her thoughts and intentions. Maybe you have that

problem, too. Ellicott, in his commentary, brings it into perspective

with this question, “Does (the writer) bring before us again the word

of Scripture, or the divine Word Himself?” He goes on to answer the

question when he says, “…the Spirit of God is never absent from His

word.” In other words, the Holy Spirit uses the Written Word of

Scripture to bring to us His direct, divine utterances that meet every

situation in life.

The Scriptures are “quick” (living), “powerful” (active) and able

to judge all of our innermost thoughts (reflections, intentions).

Could what the Scriptures know and how they influence us to be

more like Jesus Christ be why Satan wants to keep us away from

reading the Bible? Could it also be why we, too, often want to keep

away from the Bible? Don’t be deceived! The LORD God has put the

Holy Spirit within us and the Holy Scriptures before us, so that we

may not fall into disobedience. Protect yourself every day!

Our love and prayers track you daily,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas