The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 22:14-15, “And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you

to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear an utterance

from His mouth. 15 ‘For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you

have seen and heard.’”

Someone once said that the disciples were always either in trouble, or had

just come out of trouble, or were headed for trouble. Paul is a clear example

of this. Agabus was right when he foretold that Paul would have trouble in

Jerusalem. The Jews were wrong when they thought Paul had brought a Greek

into the Temple. Nevertheless, a mob riot occurred, and Paul had to be rescued

by Roman guards.

The guards were wrong thinking Paul was an Egyptian trouble-maker. And they

were wrong when they put him, a Roman citizen, in chains without a trial. In his

open, verbal defense before the people, Paul reiterated his Damascus Road

experience (recorded in Acts 9).

A portion of Paul’s defense told of Ananias’ statement, as in our verses above.

What is most interesting is that what Ananias told Paul, has some personal meaning

for us. As born-again believers, we, too, are “appointed…to know His will.” Do you

know what the LORD wills for you? Are you trying hard to find out? And we’ve

seen Him, too –not with our physical eyes, but through His Eternal Word, the Bible!

Therefore, you and I are to “be a witness for Him to all men of what (we) have seen

and heard” from the Scriptures. Is your life showing forth His likeness? Do people

see love emanating from you? Do you handle “trouble” like the Apostle Paul did?

Maybe it’s time for a spiritual check-up. We’re all sure to have one some day.

Our love and prayers for you have not diminished,

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 21:28-30, “’Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches

to all men everywhere against our people, and the Law, and this place; and

besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy

place.’ 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with

him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 And all the

city was aroused, and the people rushed together; and taking hold of Paul, they

dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.”

It has long been argued whether Paul was correct in taking a Jewish vow.

One thing is certain: Agabus was correct when he warned Paul there would

be trouble if he were to go to Jerusalem. (You’ll have to read all of Acts 21

in order to get the background.) My purpose here is to show that a rush to

judgment is nothing new. It occurred in New Testament days (because the

Jews had seen the Greek Trophimus in the city with Paul, they jumped to

The conclusion that Paul had brought a non-Jew into the Temple area.

Once the mob was aroused against Paul, only the Roman guard could

coral them –which they ultimately did.

Jumping to conclusions is very common. It occurs in every generation and

in every nation on Earth. I distinctly remember when I was accused of

setting a date for the LORD Jesus’ Return. I had never –and have never—

argued for a specific date. But a St. Louis pastor, in whose pulpit I had

preached, fastened upon that fallacy and would not abandon the idea.

There was no mob riot, but had he been of mind, such an accusation

could have put a crimp in my evangelistic ministry. The bottom line is:

get the facts before you come to a conclusion. Even the Roman guard

thought Paul was a trouble-maker because they fastened him in chains–

chains they removed quickly when they learned he was a Roman!

We love you 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 20:22-24, “’And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem,

not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly

testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do

not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish

my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify

solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.’”

Paul was speaking to the leadership of the Ephesian Church. While he said

much more (which I hope you will read in the surrounding verses), none were

more dramatic than these. Paul is not-at-all concerned for himself. What

happens to him does not matter. His concern focuses solely on the ministry

to which the LORD has called him. He is “to testify solemnly of the Gospel of

the grace of God.” Paul’s intention should challenge us. We are so focused

on “things.” Someday, all of what we have will be consumed in flames. But

what we have faithfully shared of Him with others will remain to His glory.

In the tragedy in Las Vegas this week, a young man gave his life protecting

his wife. He will be remembered for his chivalry. He totally abandoned all

protection of himself to save the one he loved. Yet, how much more valuable

is the Life of Jesus Christ, who went to the Cross for our sin. It is He whom

we must share without thought for ourselves.

We love each of you 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 16:27-31, “And when the jailer had been roused out of sleep and

had seen the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to

kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried

out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!’

29 And he called for lights and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell

down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said,

‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 31 And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord

Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.’”

What a night! Paul and Silas had been singing hymns and praising the LORD.

But the jailer had been asleep. When he awoke and saw what had occurred,

he realized that he would be blamed and determined to kill himself. But Paul

SHOUTED to him to STOP! While all of this was actual, two things could be

easily allegorized: one, the world, like the jailer, is asleep to what’s really

going on. They see the melee, the chaos, in the world, but they have no idea

that everything is winding down and headed to the LORD Jesus’ Return! The

only way out they know is suicide. And suicide is NOT the way out! It’s the

way in to Hell itself. The second allegory is that Paul shouted with a LOUD

voice. Sometimes we think the lost world should just “see” us living out our

faith. They may see that we are different, but they have no idea why. And

just “seeing” is not knowing. ~ Ultimately, the jailer asks the universal

question: “What must I do to be saved?” In all probability, he was only

concerned about the salvation of his human life. Yet, Paul replied with a

decidedly spiritual answer: “BELIEVE on the LORD Jesus Christ!” People want

to be “saved” from bankruptcy, from illness, from the loss of loved ones –

from every conceivable physical and mental aberration. Yet, true salvation

is first spiritual and always and only from the LORD. Just think about it.

Our Love and prayers are always for you,

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 16:25-26, “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying

and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening

to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the

foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the

doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.”

Everyone occasionally experiences difficult times. But when you’re

conducting the LORD’s business, those times are more frequent.

Paul and Silas give us the “what-to-do” when things are really bad.

Midnight is the darkest hour; and it was their’s for sure! Beaten

severely, falsely imprisoned, fastened with chains and unattended

as to their wounds, what were they now to do? “They prayed and

sang hymns of praise to God.” Imagine! When the local authorities

were corrupt, they called on the Higher Power. Perhaps they were

remembering the LORD’s Words: “”Rejoice, and be glad, for your

reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who

were before you” (Matt. 5:12). The LORD’s response was an

earthquake (seismos) that shook the very foundation of the prison.

The LORD always gets to the root of things. Nothing superficial here.

And the doors were opened (fresh air now replaced a stale environment),

“and everyone’s chains were unfastened.” Remember the prisoners, who

were listening? Apparently, they, too, believed, because they were now

freed. Had the LORD not done more than his servants asked? He always

does when we look upward to Him instead of concentrating on the trouble

that surrounds us. “If, therefore, the Son shall make you free, you shall be

free indeed” (Jn. 8:36). Never forget it!

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.”