The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 27:22-25, “’…I urge you to keep up your courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.” 25 ‘Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.’”

There is nothing more frightening than being in a life-threatening situation you cannot control.

A few verses earlier tells us that the situation had concerned them “for many days.” No one

had eaten anything; they were terrified at the thought of drowning in the cold, dark waters.

Then the very one the centurion had not trusted—Paul– urged them not to give up! He had warned them previously not to set sail. Now, he encourages them with an experience he had

with an angel of God –the God to whom Paul belonged and the God whom he served. The

angel said, “Do not be afraid.” That’s a tough order considering the situation they were in.

How could Paul not be afraid? He could focus on His Deliverer instead of the storm. The angel

also said, “…you must stand before Caesar.” If this were to be God’s will, how could anything

keep it from happening? That leads me to wonder if the storm they were encountering was

not satanically empowered to keep Paul from getting to Rome? That’s all-the-more reason to

be courageous and trusting in the LORD.

The difficulties we encounter should always be evaluated as coming from our enemy, the devil. We ought never to lose courage, knowing that the LORD is our SUPREME Leader! Remember the

song:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

We pray daily for your deliverance from the storms you face,

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 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.”

Dear Grands,

Acts 23:16-22, “But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17And Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, ‘Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.’ 18 So he took him and led him to the commander and said, ‘Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.’ 19And the commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, ‘What is it that you have to report to me?’

20And he said, ‘The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.’ 22Therefore the commander let the young man go, instructing him, ‘Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.’”

Did you ever have the feeling that you were weren’t worth much? “He’s just a kid. She doesn’t know anything, either. Don’t listen to them.” No one is quieter than Chris. But he’s no dummy. He knows more about things that you would guess. ~ This is an interesting passage. It’s the only

place in the Bible where we learn that the Apostle Paul had a sister, and that she had a son.

Paul was being held in custody by the Roman guard. How could a kid eight or 10 get into the barracks? Don’t underestimate kids! They’re everywhere! What’s more, they know things you don’t think they know. Humm… The centurion took the boy seriously. So did the commander. I’m amused by the boy’s forthrightness with the commander: ‘So do not listen to them…’ ~ Make no mistake about it. You’re worth far more than you know. And when you know something the other person doesn’t, he will listen. You do know Jesus. Do your friends know Him? How important is it for them to know? Humm…

The LORD answers prayer! We are privileged to pray for your 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.”

Dear Grands,

Acts 16:36-37, “And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, ‘The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Now therefore, come out and go in peace.’ 37 But Paul said to them, ‘They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out.’”

Acts 23:2-3, “And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, ‘God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?’”

The late Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. once said, “It’s never right to do wrong to do right.” He may

well have learned from the Apostle Paul how to serve the LORD and the Law. Remember

the officials who had thrown Paul and Silas into jail after Paul delivered the demon-possessed

girl? When they learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, they ordered him to be quietly

released. Paul knew his rights and refused to “walk away into the sunset.” He demanded

that the officials themselves come and formally release him. They did just that.

Now, standing before the Jewish council, Ananias commanded an officer to strike Paul

on the mouth. Paul became livid and said, “God is going to strike you!” He further

called Ananias a “whitewashed wall” and challenged him for disobeying the very Law

by which he claimed to be judging Paul. In other words, It’s not right to do wrong,

while your claiming to do right. It’s the duty of every citizen to know the basic laws

of his own country. It’s the duty of every citizen to obey those laws. At the same time,

it’s the duty of every Christian citizen to obey the LORD and His Laws! Neither is mutually

exclusive. Does all of this seem a little tricky? Well, if we obey Him, He will guide us

without our having to disobey human law. Trust Him and obey. You will see.

Our prayers are lovingly offered for you every day,

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.”