The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 4:2-6, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that

we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how

you should respond to each person.”

Somewhere in these letters, I’ve shared with you this story. I used to rush home from school in time

to hear my favorite story on our little A.M. radio. Stories were always at a critical point, and this day

was no different. Static in the atmosphere masked the story! I would never know whether the hero’s

life was spared. What could I do to remedy the situation? I could PRAY! And I did. And the static that

had been present, suddenly vanished, and the program was as clear as crystal! True story!!

Paul admonishes every believer to “devote (himself) to prayer.” The word “devote” is ????????????,

proskartereo, meaning “to attend constantly” to the matter of prayer. You don’t have to be on your

knees; you don’t have to close your eyes; you don’t even have to voice your prayer aloud, although

I recommend that you show reverence by employing each of them. Remember, too, that prayer is

asking the LORD to “open up to us a door for the Word.” It’s not as much about us, as it is about

opening an opportunity for us to share His salvation with someone else. How do I know that’s true?

Read on: Paul says, “so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ…” Neither we nor those with

whom we share Christ, understand completely the “mystery” of His salvation. Yet, when the door of

their hearts and minds are opened, He makes the “mystery” understandable.

One more thing: what we say must be uttered in the crucible of good conduct. The LORD gives us

wisdom toward those with whom we speak. That makes “the most of the opportunity.” He teaches us

how we ought to appear in love toward others, and how we are to respond to whatever they may

ask or say. If we truly trust Him to be faithful to His Word, we need not be afraid. You’ll be amazed

how quickly and completely the LORD will clear the static, when His Word is being shared.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Shirley is a 90-year-old lady, who faithfully attends my Sunday School class. Many weeks ago,

I asked the class to pray about two very important issues that were of consern to me. Almost every

Sunday she asks if those issues have been resolved. One has. Please pray with Shirley and me

that the other issue will find resolution in the will of our LORD. Thank you!

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.”