The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 5:7-9, “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications

with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard

because of His piety.

8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of

eternal salvation…”

God always hears the prayers of His own. We are His because we have trusted in

Him to forgive our sins and have committed ourselves to Him by faith. Now, why

then, are our prayers not answered? The LORD alone knows what is best for us.

Sometimes, He says, “Yes”; sometimes, “No”; and sometimes, “Wait.” But He

always hears and is always concerned.

These verses struck me because I had never thought of Jesus having cried so loudly

(strong and mighty). Despite his loud prayers, the disciples slept. They were afraid.

What struck me the most, however, was verse 8: “He learned obedience (received

instruction) from the things which He suffered (endured).” We don’t think like

that, do we? We want to avoid the distasteful things in life. ~ Only yesterday, I

received two email from students, seeking prayer and help for things they could

not control. One was from a former student, who is completing a degree and

desperately wants to find the LORD’s place of service. The other was from one

whose son says he does not believe in Jesus. This student desperately wants to

see that son come to faith in Jesus. Both of these students are suffering. Their

circumstances are different, but the suffering for each is just as real. Why does

the LORD allow this? They are learning to lean on Christ and trust His leadership.

Don’t try to avoid suffering. View it as the LORD’s method of teaching you.

That’s what Jesus did; and we are certainly not as dedicated as He.

We Love and Pray for you daily! We hope you do the same for us.

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas