The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:26-29, “…the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints,

27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.

29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”

Billy liked Sally, but she didn’t care much for him. She liked Bobby. What was Billy to do? He devised a plan. He would show his attentions to Janie and virtually ignore Sally altogether.

That got Sally’s attention, and she began to show an interest in Billy. The plan had worked!

In God’s plan, the Jews were first. He intended to use them to share His Gospel with all the world, but the Jews were so focused on the Law of Moses that they rejected His instructions. Paul noted the order when he said,

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation

to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16).

But when the Jews rejected Christ’s Gospel, His ministers turned away from them and looked to the Gentiles (Greeks). This infuriated the Jewish leadership, but it got their attention. Many Jews turned to Christ through the preaching and teaching of Paul and of Peter.

We are not all called to be preachers or teachers in the way we think of them today. We are, however, called to share Christ with others, who do not know Him. In that sense, we are ministers.

Paul wanted “every man (to be) complete in Christ” (v. 28). He diligently worked, relying on the LORD’s power to work within him.

I once had a student who needed a computer. I prevailed upon my son, Richard, to build one for her. “Dad!” he said rather forcefully, “I’ve never built a computer in my life. I don’t know how!”

My response to him was, “I know all of that. But have you ever failed at anything you’ve attempted to do?” His first computer was for my student; and he’s built numerous computers since that time.

The point is that the LORD will work in and through you as you share His Word with others. You will succeed, because there is no failure when the LORD is doing it through you.

Prayerfully and expectantly yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. Some new things are on the horizon for Rose Marie. They are beyond my ability to explain, but

the future for her looks brighter. Please continue to pray for her and her doctors.

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.”