The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:12-14, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

This is not an easy Grands Letter for me to write. Yet, while it’s difficult, it brings joy to my heart when I realize that “…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love (Him), to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Four months ago, 25 August 2019, marked the departure date of my Loving Wife, Rose Marie. With those last breaths of earthly air, she awoke in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ in Heaven! It was the destination for which she had longed, since committing her heart and life to Jesus in 1950 at the age of 16.

Philippians is connoted as “The Joyous Epistle.” But, how does joy comport with someone’s death? It does because the verses above could have been written with regard to her multiple surgeries, hospital, and rehabilitation visits for over a decade. Her circumstances truly “turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel.” Time and time again, sometimes with gasping breaths, she beamed as she told doctors, nurses, therapists, and cleaning ladies that Jesus Christ was her Savior and LORD! Further, she urged them to accept Him.

How many ultimately were “born again” due to her witness? I don’t know. We were not there to get a head-count, only to share the glory of His Name and witness to His saving grace!

We discovered that a number of doctors, nurses, therapists, and cleaning personnel already knew the LORD. What we urged was that they might share Him with others, who had never known Him or had never been “born again,” but never learned to share Him with others.

Let me say what I know my sweet Rose Marie would say to you, were she here and standing over my shoulder: “Jesus changed my life and gave me hope –hope that exists nowhere outside of Him. Just ask Him into your life. He will change your life and give you the joy I have. If you already know Him, share Him with others! You will experience unbelievable joy, and that will get you ready to join Him some day.”

Thank you, Grands Letter recipients, for all of your prayers. Prayer is the work the LORD gives to His people. Prayer and the Word give encouragement like nothing else! God bless you abundantly!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(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.”