The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 3:20-4:2, “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly

beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within

us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations

forever and ever. Amen. I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you

to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to

one another in love…”

I knew a young man in Australia, whose car overturned on its side with

his wife inside. In an instant, he grasp hold of the car and turned it right-

side up! He was a husky fellow, but the car was far too heavy for him

under normal conditions. He allowed that the LORD had given him strength

he did not know he had. The LORD has strength of His own that is beyond

our comprehension, and He is able to do well beyond all that we imagine.

Thus, we are to glorify Him in all accomplishments because we are “prisoners

of the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul encourages us to “walk” (live) worthily of the LORD’s

calling. Humility (lowliness of mind regarding ourselves), gentleness

(consideration of others; accepting God’s dealings with us without resistance),

patience (long-suffering of the injuries done to us by others), forbearance (endurance, being alert) and in love (agape), the love that extends to others

without a thought of whether they return love to us. All of this produces

peace in every situation.

The young man of whom I spoke earlier was humble. He was not boastful

about his accomplishment in up-righting his car. Gentleness takes others

into consideration of how what we say or do will affect them. It’s not all

about us. Patience is being calm and tolerant when others don’t do things

as quickly or as considerately as we would like. We must remember that

the LORD often works through others of different temperament. We must

allow Him to work in us and others toward the fulfillment of His purpose.

May the LORD bless and use you “to the praise of His glory,”

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.”