The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 13:9-12, “But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,

fixed his gaze upon him, 10 and said, ‘You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you

son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked

the straight ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not

see the sun for a time.’ And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he

went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul

believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”

Every time we endeavor to serve the LORD, we can expect to have conflict.

What do we do when conflict arises? Solomon said, there is “A time to be silent,

and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7). Paul said, “Be angry, and yet do not sin…” (Eph.4:26).

Neither Paul nor Barnabus went out spoiling for a fight. They were sharing the Gospel,

when Elymas, a demonically-controlled man sought to hinder them. This was a time

to speak, and to speak in anger, but without sinning. How does that work? Note that

Paul was “filled (controlled) with (by) the Holy Spirit.” I remember being challenged

regarding something I said in a sermon in Virginia church. My response was stern, but

so immediate that it had to be of the LORD. My “challenger” had no response.

Paul was not defending himself against Elymas. He was defending the Gospel against

Satan. The “fight” was the LORD’s and He simply used Paul in the process. It’s a good

feeling when you know the LORD has used you; and it’s an even better feeling when

there is a positive result. The belief of the proconsul was the intention of the Gospel.

Yes, you will encounter conflict whenever you’re on the LORD’s mission. Just remember

that it is He who is in control; He is the Victor and He alone is to receive the glory.

Always lovingly and prayerfully yours,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”