The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 10:1-2, “Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius,

a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and

one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the

Jewish people and prayed to God continually.”

Have you ever wondered how God works? He is all-powerful, all-intelligent,

all-wise; therefore, nothing hinders His ability to do whatever He wills.

I have only printed two verses above, but you need to read the entire

chapter to get the full picture of the LORD’s workings. Cornelius was

in Caesarea, praying during the ninth hour (3:00-4:00 P.M.) when God

sent an angel, who spoke to Cornelius and told him what to do.

Thirty-six miles away at Joppa, the LORD gave a vision to Peter while

he was praying at the sixth hour (noon). At that very time, the men

who Cornelius sent to find Peter, found him, after asking directions to

Simon-the-tanner’s house.

At that time in history, the Jews were forbidden to have anything to do

with non-Jewish people. But, through the vision, the LORD gave Peter

wisdom to understand that what he had seen demonstrated that God

was not partial to Jewish people, like they thought. He was opening

the door to the Gentiles to hear the Gospel.

Notice, too, that when Peter left with the three men Cornelius had sent,

and started toward Caesarea, “some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied

him” (Acts 10:23 NAU). They were to be Peter’s witnesses, confirming

that the Gentiles had received the Gospel. Thus, the LORD used an angel,

a vision, and people to do His work. He is not limited in how He works, and

He will use us if we will pray and look to Him for guidance.

Love and prayers to and for you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Acts 6:8-9, “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing

great wonders and signs among the people.

9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen,

including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and

Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.”

After I had written to you yesterday about the stoning of Stephen,

I couldn’t get away from the thought that the whole dispute had

originated in the Synagogue of the Freedmen. According to the

historian Josephus, these freedmen were Jews (and descendents

of Jews) who had been expelled from Rome. While the designation

freedmen was truly political in nature, it struck me that even today

some people consider themselves “spiritually free” because they

belong to a church. This came to light again this week when I was

speaking to a young girl at the gym. I asked her if she were a

Christian, to which she responded, “Yes.” Then I asked her what

church she attended and she named a denomination, but said

she didn’t really get to attend because of sports activities at the

university. Some years ago, I met a man who said he was a

Christian because he attended the Church of Christ. I asked him

who he believe Christ was, and he answered, “He is God.” “Oh,”

I said, “then the true church might be the Church of God” (one

of two denominations by that same designation.) The point is

attending church (any church) does not make one a Christian.

How many church attendees are truly Christian? I wonder.

Free from the law—oh, happy condition!
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn. 8:36).

Love you all more than you’ll ever know,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Acts 7:59-60, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying,

‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, lay not

this sin to their charge.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Preaching throughout the world and in many different churches,

I learned a tremendous lot about pastors and churches. It was not

immediately evident, but in time, I came to understand that the

greatest sin that exists within the church is the lack of forgiveness.

People that claimed Jesus had forgiven them were unwilling to

forgive others. Stephen knew what he had preached to the Jews

had angered them. Yet, it was the truth that they could not deny.

In horrible anger, then encircled him and threw stones at him

until he died. In his dying moments, Stephen forgave them for

what they were doing. His words were a strange parallel to the

words of our LORD Jesus, who said, “Father, forgive them, for

they know not what they are doing.” Anger momentarily erases

all thoughts of wrong-doing. Stephen’s lack of anger gave clarity

to his thoughts and he forgave his persecutors. Think of those

who have wronged you; let go of the anger you harbor, and you

will discover peace in your life. The lack of forgiveness only hurts

the one who fails to forgive.

We love you and pray for you every day,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Acts 5:40-41, “…and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them,

they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were

counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.”

Character is revealed in reaction. When we do wrong, we suffer; and wisdom

tells us that we got what we deserved. But, when we know we’ve not done

wrong, we stand up for ourselves and argue against our accusers. Is it wrong

to do that? Maybe not always; but when we know it’s pointless to debate,

we just suffer the indignity, showing that we have strength not to fight.

The apostles of Jesus had been ordered by the Jewish Court not to speak in

His Name. They had been severely beaten physically in the effort to suppress

their preaching to the people, and then let go. Were the apostles mad? Did

they vow to get even with the Jewish leaders? No, they left rejoicing! Just

imagine how you would have felt. We’ll show you!! Just wait!! No, the apostles

rejoiced! Why? Because the LORD had counted them worthy to suffer the indignity

for His glory. That takes character! That shows character! Christians throughout

the world are suffering for Jesus right now, as you read these words. We may

some day be called upon to do the same. It is then that our true character will

be revealed. Will we then honor Him by rejoicing?

We love you and pray for you daily,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Acts 4:24-26, “And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, ‘O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,

25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, “WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

26 “THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST”’” (Psalm 2:1-2).

Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead was the theme of Peter’s sermon. The chief priests

objected to Peter’s preaching and warned John and him to stop. Peter said, “We cannot

stop sharing what we have experienced.” They were warned and released; and they

immediately shared with their companions what had occurred. Then, they all went to

prayer. Christians have always been under attack. The news is reporting daily that

Christians everywhere are under attack. What did Peter and John do? They shared

things with other close believers and they prayed that the LORD would give them

strength to continue witnessing. Two almost incidental things are worth noting in

their prayer: first, they were Creationists! None of this “Big Bang” stuff for them. And

second, they were Biblicists! What the Bible said was uppermost to them. They quoted

and relied upon what the Scriptures taught. And therein lay the secret to their power.

Whatever comes your way, believe the Word and trust the LORD! He delivered Peter

and John and raised Jesus from the dead! What do you and I have to fear?

May the LORD bless you this day as you trust in Him!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas