The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 23:6-8, “But perceiving that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying

out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and

resurrection of the dead!”

7 And as he said this, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the

assembly was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit; but the Pharisees

acknowledge them all.”

Were you ever in a “tight spot,” where part of a group was with you and part was not? Yes, I’ve been there, but never with the consequences as dire as with Paul. Yet, he was committed to Christ and his life was clean. The result was that the LORD gave him the perception that the group was divided in their beliefs, so he began screaming (?????, krazo): I am a Pharisee! And the crowd took sides immediately! Now, only half of the group that opposed him still did. The other half was on his side.

All of that is to say that the LORD was with him all the way. And so He is with every Christian believer, regardless of the nature of the dilemma. Recently, I received an email from a long time missionary friend. It said in part,

“I’m totally amazed how God knows our needs ahead of time and provides

accordingly. My 18-year-old refrigerator had to be replaced and the funds were

there to buy a replacement. It was installed and a week or so later, the washing

machine quit. Again, funds were available to buy another one. God knew ahead

of time the need while I hadn’t a clue! Normally, when there is something I need

to purchase, I ask God to provide beforehand.”

Do we have to ask which group stood on the LORD’s side? The Pharisees believed in the resurrection

of the dead, in angels, and in the spirit world. The point is: when we believe what the LORD teaches in His Word, and when we are committed to Him and living for Him every day, we can count on His wisdom and power to enable us to escape from the wiles of ungodly men.

Are you currently in a conflagrant situation? Talk to the LORD about it. “But, I’m not like Paul,” you say.

No, but the LORD is still the LORD. He knows your situation. He hears and answers the prayers of His children. As the Word promises us,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered

the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

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.”