The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 27:10-11, “…’Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be attended with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.’ 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship, than by what was being said by Paul.”

I was talking with a former military pilot yesterday at church. “Do you miss flying?” I asked.

“No,” he said, “only when I hear a plane flying overhead.” We both laughed. Then I asked

him if he would feel competent to fly with a younger, experienced pilot. He thought so, if

the pilot would simply allow him to “get the feel” of an airplane again. My question to you

is: Who would you trust –an out-of-date military pilot, or a younger, competent pilot, who

is flying regularly?

The centurion was a soldier, but he knew nothing about piloting or commanding a ship.

Paul was a preacher, an evangelist. What could he possibly know about piloting a ship?

Funny, when Jonah was onboard a ship, running from God, the sailors ultimately looked

to Jonah and his God for guidance. But they tried other things first. Have you not noticed

that when real tragedy strikes, people cry out to God? Why, then, would they not listen

to what God’s representatives have to share from Him? People are a strange lot. The

centurion was strange, too. But, at the end of this storm, they were all listening to Paul.

Why didn’t they listen to him before the storm? Let all of that resonate with your life.

Love and prayers always,

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.”

Dear Grands,

Acts 26:26-29, “’King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do.’

28 And Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In a short time you will persuade me to become

a Christian.’ 29 And Paul said, “’I would to God, that whether in a short or long

time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am,

except for these chains.’”

Paul never made a more forceful presentation of the Gospel than on this occasion.

In half of this chapter, Paul speaks of his former life and how he persecuted those

who believed in Jesus Christ. In the second half of the chapter, he cites his testimony

of how he himself became a follower of Jesus. Then, as he drew to a close, he asked

King Agrippa, “Do you believe the prophets?” Agrippa was well-versed in Jewish

history. Yes, he knew the prophets and that they had predicted exactly what would

occur, even the appearance of the Messiah. If he believed the prophets, he would

have to believe in Jesus! Yet, like a lot of people, he knew what to do, but resisted,

while admitting, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”

Paul pressed his own point, saying, “I would to God, that…you (and) all who hear

me this day, might become…as I am….” ~ Everyone who has been born-again has

changed their lifestyle. Some have been rescued from unspeakable devilish practices;

others have changed, too, being filled with great love for lost people. The point is:

our current lives either testify for Jesus Christ or against Him. When our lives are

lived for Christ, others see the difference and are moved by the Holy Spirit as was

King Agrippa. It then remains for them to believe and experience His change in them.

We have no evidence in history that King Agrippa ever became a Christian. He had

an opportunity, and may have come close, but ultimately turned away. How burdened

Paul must have been. Who do you know that needs Jesus? It’s time for “show and

tell.” The Coming of the LORD Jesus draws nearer by the day. May the LORD bless you!

We love and pray for you daily,

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.”