The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:9-13, “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.

10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

11 “And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

12 “And brother will deliver brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

13 “And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”

Did you ever ask a question and then regret that you had asked it? I have to wonder if Jesus’ disciples felt regret when Jesus answered their question. It must have shocked them to the core: delivered to the courts, flogged in the places of worship, forced to answer to legal authorities for being a Christian! It was not what they had wanted to hear.

In case you hadn’t noticed, such things are happening throughout our world today. Pastor Andrew Brunson had shared the Gospel with the Turkish people for 25 years, then he was arrested as an enemy of the state. Asia Bibi is on trial for her life in Pakistan for offering a drink of water to a fellow field-worker, who was a Muslim. The rise of hatred against political conservatives in Australia and Canada and the United States has the undergirding of hatred toward all who embrace positions that are Christian. Jesus said that such behavior that brings believers into court is for His sake, “as a testimony to them.” Don’t worry about what you are to say in court, He said. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within every true believer, will speak through you, giving you then and there what you are to say as a testimony for Jesus Christ.

It is the ultimate plan of God that the Gospel “must first be preached to all the nations,” before the end of the world comes. Recently, I received word from a foreign country regarding the natives, who had heard the Gospel for the first time. They rejoiced saying, “We have never heard this message before! Now, we know what our ancestors did not know. They taught us to fear the evil spirits, but they did not know the true God or His message of love and peace.”

Your Christian faith will get you into trouble in this evil world. Count on it! Just don’t be afraid. Satan is on the rise because he knows he has little time left to work his evil against the LORD. God is still in control. He always will be. Trust Him! Live for Him every day! It will be worth all our suffering and trouble when He comes for us. God bless you!

Pray for us as we pray daily for you,

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.”