The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ezra 10:1-2, “Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly.

2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said to Ezra, ‘We have been unfaithful to our God, and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.’”

Have you ever done something that was wrong or left undone something you had promised to do? Did your wrong provoke a sense of guilt? If so, that’s what’s called a “conscience.” Conscience is heightened considerably when we do something we realize is not in accordance with the will of God.

Conscience is what caused Ezra to weep profusely while praying and confessing the sins of the LORD’s people. He had a conscience regarding his people as he stood before God. Shecaniah, too, expressed the unfaithfulness of the people, further revealing that many men had married women of foreign lands.

The LORD had forbidden intermarriage of His people with foreigners. His purpose was to eliminate the possibility of foreign women introducing foreign gods to the LORD’s people. God always has a reason for everything He does. At the same time, He is under no obligation to reveal the reasons that are basic to His purposes.

Many an employee has been directed to do something, the purpose of which he didn’t understand. Yet, as the employee, he need not understand the rationale; he is there simply to carry out the employer’s orders. So it is with us in our spiritual relationship with God. Examination of the LORD’s directives shows that some are called to preach; some are called to the mission fields of the world; some are called into education; and some are called into business.

A man in a church I once served was so spiritually active that I asked him, “Are you sure the LORD didn’t call you to preach?” He looked seriously at me and replied, “I’d give anything if the He had. I’ve always wanted to be a preacher –but He didn’t call me.”

Don’t ever attempt to dodge what the LORD wants of you! He knows you and your abilities better than you know them. After all, He gave them to you! Just be prepared to undertake whatever He wills for your life. And stay away –far away—from any and all things that could move you in an ungodly direction.

Staying morally and spiritually clean is the best preparation for whatever you ultimately undertake. Stay in the Word! Stay prayerful close to the LORD. Always be willing.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. These are unbelievably tough days! Pray for our Governmental leaders. Some I know personally

to be true believers in our LORD Jesus Christ. They need and deserve our prayers.

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.”