The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 23:10-11, “And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, ‘Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.’”

It doesn’t take much to stir some people up! Just say you’re on the side of a certain group, or that your beliefs accurately coincide with the teachings of Scripture, and immediately you’ll discover who is in agreement and who is not.

Paul had an experience exactly like that. He had declared that he was a Pharisee, and the entire Jewish congregation immediately divided. It was so violent that the Roman commander was afraid “Paul would be torn to pieces.” Therefore, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks for his own safety. But that was not the end of things.

At night, when Paul was undoubtedly unsure about his own future, the LORD appeared and stood at his side and spoke to him. What’s truly notable here is the fact that the LORD — apparently physically — stood at Paul’s side and spoke to him. In my years in ministry, I’ve had some clear, unmistakable communications from the LORD, but I never had Him stand by me like this! What does that mean? It means that though I was earnestly seeking to do the LORD’s will as I understood it, I never came close to the spiritual stature of the Apostle Paul!

Life is filled with people. Whatever the circumstances, not all of them will be on your side. It doesn’t matter! What matters is whether you are on His side and close enough for Him to be beside you and encourage you. He will if you are standing tall for Him! Are you? Are you always standing tall for Him? Don’t be afraid of circumstances! Be encouraged! Stand solidly for Him! After all, what can lost mankind do to you when you have a relationship with the Creator-Savior of the world?

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.”