The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 2:15-17, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

16 and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give

them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

When was the last time you truly “Stretched Your Faith”?

I have known the Kolker family for nearly 20 years. Leonid is Jewish by birth, but came to faith in Christ Jesus and was then baptized in 1994 in his hometown, Odessa, Ukraine. His wife, Elena, is also a born-again believer in Christ. Leo holds a Ph.D. and is proficient in linguistics (French, Ukrainian, Russian and English, etc.) He has served as a translator in numerous important situations. Lena is a psychologist, and worked tirelessly with refugees during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict a few years ago. Together, they have one son, David, who has graduated college and is now living in Poland.

Leo and Lena are currently living in New Hampshire, awaiting a Green Card entry into the United States. It is a long, difficult, expensive procedure, but they love the United States and long to make it their home and contribute to our nation, as many immigrants have in the past.

Currently, they face upward costs in the neighborhood of $5,000. There is an Immigration lawyer’s fee of $4000, a U.S. Government fee of $800, and required medical expenses of $700.

Here is the “Stretch of Faith” challenge that came to me –a challenge I want to place before you. Since you and I belong to the LORD, everything we possess is truly His! So, pray for the LORD to increase your faith! Pray about whether the LORD would have you to contribute toward these fellow believers’ needs. In a true sense, the faith factor is more valuable than the gift; but it takes the gift to launch the faith factor. With all that determined, I am sending what the LORD lays upon my heart, believing that whatever that amount is, it is first of all His, and He is as able to meet all of our needs just as He is able to use us to meet the needs of others.

PLEASE, DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ME! This is not about me! It’s about a “stretch of your own faith” and your obedience to whatever the LORD lays on your heart. May God bless you abundantly, along with the Kolkers!

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.”

Dear Grands,

Acts 23:12, 16-18, “And when it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under

an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul….

16 But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told

Paul.

17And Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, ‘Lead this young man to the commander, for he

has something to report to him.’

18 So he took him and led him to the commander and said, ‘Paul the prisoner called me to him and

asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.’”

“What do they know? There just kids!” Have you ever heard adults make a remark like that? Well, the passage above “moves to differ” with the implications of those two sentences. The implication is that because some are younger, they have no mature abilities. Still, nothing could be further from the truth.

Paul’s forthrightness with the Gospel had aroused the Jews and some of them thought the easiest way to squelch the Christian Gospel was to erase the life of the speaker. So, they formed a pact that they would do whatever was necessary to silence Paul. And that meant death!

This is also the passage that tells us that Paul had at least one sister; and that sister had at least one son. Don’t ever mistaken a young boy as worthless! The Scriptures are replete with accounts of young people who either overheard something or possessed something –something that proved invaluable when the whole of the story was known. For starters, how did a young lad get past the guard and into the prison where a relative of his was being held? Simply stated, the boy told Paul and Paul told a guard, who took the boy to the Commander of the Garrison.

I clearly remember a young Israeli lad who said to me, “Sir, do you know where the USA is?” I replied, “I’m sure I do; that’s where my home is located.” He smiled and then said, “It’s right in the middle of

Jerusalem.” And it was! JerUSAlem! Don’t overlook the young! They need good, godly guidance. But, they can achieve some things we adults cannot. Remember the words of Solomon, and find a child who

needs your spiritual and practical guidance. Such is always honoring to our LORD.

“Train up a child in the way he should go,

Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

(Prov. 22:6)

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.”

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.”

Dear Grands,

Acts 20:24, “”But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

A night or two ago, I called your attention to Paul’s caustic reply to Ananias, who had him struck in the face, while he was giving testimony regarding his life. Perhaps all of us at some time or other have said things inappropriate to the time. Paul did not formally apologize for his remark (because it was appropriate), but he acknowledged that he was unaware that Ananias was the High Priest. That has led some of us to believe that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was his poor eyesight.

Nevertheless, in our one verse for today, Paul demonstrates the vallidity of his humility, for he considers his life of no personal account. Most of us seem to live with “self” at the center of our lives. “I” becomes the subject, the object, and the activity of all we do. No so for Paul. Still, he has no death-wish. He’s neither afraid nor wishing to die. He simply has a ministry to complete. The LORD has given him that responsibility, and to him “It’s not over until it’s over.” And that’s in God’s Hands.

Paul’s ministry calling is to “solemnly testify” (affirm) the Gospel (Good News) of the grace (kindness) of

Almighty God. A brief look at Paul’s earlier life shows how determined he was to make a name for himself. He was a brilliant and aggressive young man, known as Saul, and determined to show his elders what he could accomplish. But when he met Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9), his name was changed to Paul, and immediately he transfocused his zeal from Judaism to Christianity! His focus thereafter was on Christ Jesus, and he saw himself to be of no significance. Christ was all that mattered!

Only today I witnessed a former NFL pro say that the answer to our nation’s (and world’s) problems was

turning to Jesus Christ. It was a news interview and he quoted Scripture! Clearly, he saw himself to be of no value. He was not there to champion the NFL (National Football League). He was there to share what he could of Jesus Christ as the Answer to our nation’s problems of hatred, racial diversity, crime, etc., etc. That’s my calling, too. And if you belong to Jesus Christ, it’s your calling as well. All that matters is that we finish well in fulfilling our calling. I pray for you daily. I surely hope you are praying for me.

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.”

Dear Grands,

Acts 20:34-38, “’You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men

who were with me.

35 “’In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and

remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to

receive.”’

36 “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

37 “And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,

38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And

they were accompanying him to the ship.”

If you’ve ever visited loving family members or friends who lived at a distance, you know the anguish

you feel when it comes time to part and go home. Those who are staying have anguish, too, as there is no less variation in their love. Departure is a difficulty to both parties.

Paul was hurrying to Jerusalem, taking time only for a brief stop at Ephesus. It was an emotional meeting as he recalled how he had labored to avoid being a burden to the believers there. He reminds the Ephesian Church of the words of Jesus, who said, “It is more blessed to given than to receive.” Then he knelt and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud,” knowing that they would “see his face no more.”

Fourteen months ago, I came face-to-face with the fact that I would see my loving wife no more. She

departed this Earth at the age of 85, after 64 years of encouraging me in life and ministry in numerous countries of this world. I miss hearing her pray, and there’s so much more.

Today, I came face-to-face with the loss of another dear and blessed friend, Dr. Ray Hull, primary physician to both of us for many years, as well as to other members of our family. He was an encourager, too — a Christian extraordinaire!

I have wept for each of them, knowing that in this life I will see them no more. Yet, it is more accurate that I should weep for myself, for they are free from the torments of this earthly life, and they look now with joy unspeakable upon the Face of our Blessed Redeemer, the LORD Jesus Christ.

Take nothing in this life for granted. Rest your hope upon the LORD Jesus Christ alone. Share Him and His death and resurrection with all who are not saved. Fulfill your calling on this Earth. One day, the sun

will refuse to shine; and it will be too late to attend to tomorrow’s responsibilities.

Heartily & Prayerfully in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please pray for Catherine Hull, who also labors under the Coronavirus. She faces grimm days ahead.

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.”