The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3, 9-10, “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus

Christ in the presence of our God and Father….”

9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God

from idols to serve a living and true God,

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the

wrath to come.”

We are undoubtedly living in perilous times. Riots are occurring in what previously were peaceable streets. People are randomly attacked in the process of unparalleled violence! Men masquerading as pastors deceive the people, while they themselves live deceitful lives. Thus, virtually everyone needs help and encouragement.

When was the last time you wrote a letter or sent an email or a text to a friend? When we find ourselves in

difficult situations, we are almost always encouraged through the letter from a friend. Yet, do we think of those whom we know who are experiencing difficulties in their lives? Do we send them hope in a letter or an email?

The Apostle Paul’s first ever letter was to the Thessalonian Christians. It’s an encouraging letter, reminding them of his prayers and noting their “labor of love and steadfastness of hope” in Christ Himself. Paul recounts how the Thessalonians turned from idols to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ, and were then awaiting the LORD’s promised return! Throughout this letter, Paul emphasizes the LORD’s promised return. At His return, He will save those

who are His “from the wrath (that is) to come.”

With all the disturbance we are currently encountering in our nation, it is nothing compared to the coming wrath that will fall upon the Earth. Vine says that the word “wrath” (????, orge) “…is less sudden in its rise than the word thumos (anger); yet orge is more lasting in its nature,” more likely to hold a grudge.

The word wrath (orge), is also used in regard to the Tribulation that will come upon the Earth. It is the wrath of God, exercised against a world that would not receive Him and His promised blessings. I have observed that when the New Testament Scripture reads “the wrath,” it references the Tribulation. Without the, as the qualifying word, wrath (orge) refers to local, human anger.

All of this culminates into the “stay sweet” column! Don’t be overcome by anger or wrath of any sort. Concentrate on love, and encourage its spread throughout the nation and the world! Pray for those who engage in anger. The Holy Spirit is our Anger-Management Authority. What our world needs is Love –Christ’s Love! And it is demonstrated only through the lives of His truly born-again people.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom