The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:11-14, “So that you may be… strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

13 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Seminaries are strange places –probably, due to the strange students that attend them. I remember well a

fellow-student asking, “Professor, do you think Paul prayed as much as he said he did?”

The professor was prime in his reply. He snapped, “I’ll tell you what I think! I think Paul prayed a lot more than you and I think he did.” Indeed Paul did pray a lot. He prayed that the Colossian Church might be sufficiently strengthened with the power of the LORD that it might be steadfast in the faith and joyfully thankful for all the LORD had given them, and for all He would ultimately give them on the day of eternal rewards.

We must remember that, like the Colossians, we have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. He is our Redeemer and has forgiven us of our sins. Don’t lose sight of that! I’ve met many people who have slipped back into sin after having been saved. Such people often then doubt that they were ever really saved. Don’t fall into that trap! James and John plotted to sit beside Him in the coming Kingdom. Simon Peter denied even knowing Jesus! Yet, they had been saved, and were ultimately allowed to write letters (books) that are included in the New Testament. Salvation does not mean instant perfection. It mean we’ve taken the initial step in walking with Him by faith.

Salvation comes in three tenses: We have been saved. We are being saved. We shall be saved. If you’re not residing in one of these categories, you need to be saved. Just tell Him that you are truly sorry for your sins. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and take control of your life –every facet of it! He will take control and you will begin to grow by His love and grace. The Christian life is joyous and spiritually productive!

We pray daily for you as you pray daily for others,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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.”