The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing;

18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Have you noticed that the “easy” things in life are less meaningful than the “difficult” things?

This is not to say that the “easy” things are valueless; it’s that the human spirit requires a challenge.

Ask me to reveal my favorite color and write a paragraph about it, and I’m hardly challenged. I would

probably ask, “What difference does it make and of what value that would be to anyone?”

Ask me to research the Greek words for “love,” in both the Bible and secular historical records,

and I would be off and running.

Rejoicing in every situation is difficult. One who receives a significant decrease in salary or pension

finds it difficult to rejoice. A decision that puts in jeopardy the sustenance of life is a difficult situation

over which to rejoice. Prayer itself is difficult because we rarely pray for something without considering

the negative side. Yet, we are instructed to pray sincerely as the Spirit leads, and do it continually.

Giving thanks is easier because it assumes that we have received that for which we have prayed. But,

the Apostle says, “in everything give thanks,” even when the answer is contrary to what we wanted.

And yet, he states quite positively that everything that has occurred “is God’s will for (us) in Christ Jesus.”

WAIT!! Does that mean…? Yes, it does! It means that even if the situation for which we prayed turned

out devatatingly contrary to our desire when we prayed, we are to say, “Thank You, LORD.”

Let me tell you that these are not easy lessons to learn! Somebody has “thrown a spanner (wrench) in

the works.” This wasn’t supposed to happen!!! In such situations, we absolutely MUST recognize the

devastation we encounter as being the LORD’s will; and we must say, “Thank You” to the LORD. His

ways are not our ways; and for that in itself, we should be exceedingly thankful.

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.”