The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:3-4, 6-8, “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints….

6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been

doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;

7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our

behalf.”

Sometimes things that we hear are inflated beyond belief. Stories have a way of pumping themselves up as they travel from place-to-place and person-to-person. Even those with honest motives sometimes get caught up in spreading erroneous rumors that unintentionally hurt others. At the same time, some information is true and needs to be spread. Such was the way of those in our verses above.

Paul was quite some distance from Colosse when he heard of the Colossians’ faith in Jesus Christ. It prompted him to pray all the more fervently for them and their growth in the faith of our LORD Jesus Christ. The Colossians’ faith instantly produced love for all believers. Do you remember when you first came to faith in Christ? You either told someone or someone, who learned it, told someone else. And immediately, without knowing it, you were surrounded by the prayers of believers everywhere! That’s what Paul means when he says it “constantly [bore] fruit and [increased].”

Yet, that’s not the full story. Epaphras, who was likely the pastor of the Colossian Church, was the one who initially spread the word. So, starting with Epaphras, the news traveled all the way to Rome, gathering prayer-warriors all along the way. Have you ever considered the extent to which the Gospel you share expands, reaching the hearts and lives of scores, of hundreds, even of thousands of individuals?

Despite the negative connotation of the word, we might say that “gossiping the Gospel” has tremendous strength! We need to pray for each other, especially newly born-again believers. The LORD works on the basis of the prayers of His people. The Scripture says, “You do not have because you do not ask” (Jas. 4:2). Well, why doesn’t the LORD just do what He wants? Why does He need our prayers? One simple truth is that He wants to bring us into His work, but He needs to know that we’re willing. Prayer says we’re willing. You can start by praying for me. Then expand your prayers to include others, both saved and lost friends. Will it do any good? Of course! You just may not know how much until we’re with Him in Heaven.

Start tonight! Start whenever you read this Letter. Just talk to the LORD as you would talk to a close friend. I might check you on your grammar; He won’t do that! The Bible says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Jas. 5:16). Start today! God bless you richly!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Whitney Tilson, the New Yorker, who was influenced by Samaritan’s Purse personnel, needs to be saved. Please pray for him!

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.”