The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 5:12-14, “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently

labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

14 And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be

patient with all men.”

Sometimes we never quite grow out of our childhood. Paul is nearing the end of his First Letter to the Thessalonians and he admonishes both the church there in the First Century and us in the 21ST Century.

And what is his admonition? That we appreciate those who spiritually feed and encourage us. He says, they “diligently labor” among us. Pastors do that kind of labor when they call upon the sick or encourage the ill in hospital beds or bury for us our loved ones. It’s hard work! It may not appear so, but a great deal of prayer and thought go into the preparation of such responsibilities.

Pastors, too, are like spiritual fathers to members of the church. They have a spiritual responsibility over us, by providing instruction that helps us to grow in the LORD. We are admonished to hold them in high regard. Of course, pastors are human and have failings like all of us; yet, we are to admire, love, and support them in every aspect of their work. After all, it is ultimately for the LORD that they do it.

Every church has members that need admonition and control. We are to engage in helping these unruly ones, encouraging at all times those who are undisciplined and weak in the faith. Perhaps, most of all, we must exercise patience with everyone. If our hearts are loving and well-intentioned toward others, we will be helpers of the pastors as well as good servants of our LORD. Let us prayerfully support and encourage our pastors! It is their teachings and instructions from the Word of God that ultimately encourages us. Stop right now and pray for your pastor. Then listen carefully for what the Good LORD has given him to say to you. 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.”