The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 1:5-9, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. 6 And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

8 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity…”

From the earliest of times, mothers have cared for their children while fathers have worked for wages outside the home. Therefore, the mothers have always had greater influence upon the children, teaching and training them for adulthood and all that they would encounter in life.

Timothy’s mother had been born Jewish, but had come to know Christ as her LORD from her mother, Lois. Paul is, therefore, confident that Timothy is a true believer, also. How old Timothy was at this time, we do not know; but he was old enough to take seriously the gift the LORD God had given him. Not everyone has the benefit of Christian parentage; still, having come to know

the LORD Jesus, we are all responsible to behave according to His will for our lives.

We are to be courageous. Courage comes from being continually conscious of the Holy Spirit.

It is His power that enables us to achieve His purposes. We are to be loving of people. Love is the “driving force” that comes from the Holy Spirit. We must also be disciplined (s?phronismós, self-controlled). It is this divinely given self-control which makes us what He wants us to be.

Yes, there will be some rough roads to travel, but we must never be ashamed or timid in sharing His Good News. Remember that He saved you and called you to His work. His calling to mothers is to teach and train their children; His call to fathers is to provide for their families; His call to all of us is to tell others of His saving grace, for when we share Him, He saves them. What a privilege we have to participate in this glorious work!

Our prayers are for you, as your prayers are for others,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”