The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 10:32-37, “But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,

33 partly, by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with

those who were so treated.

34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for

yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.

35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.”

Those were indeed troublesome and difficult times. Quite honestly, most of us have never known real trouble! Have we been openly, publicly defamed? Yes, but no worse than others have encountered. Harsh wrongs have been done to and against us, but what we retain is much better than anything that’s been taken from us. We’ve continued to be joyful in the face of formidable tragedy.

Paul reasons with us, saying, “Don’t throw away your confidence!” Confidence is faith that lies deeply within us. It is the build up of true reality from the LORD –reality that has arisen despite the negative activity we have encountered. Satan is the one who causes distress and he seeks to destroy the faith that would refute it. The promise of the LORD, however, is that we will receive His reward provided we have lived and ministered according to His will. When will that time of reward be? “…in a very little while…”

There is a decided purpose in His not giving us a specific date. Those who keep a clean house, don’t have to worry about

visitors coming unexpectedly. The house is always ready for company, whoever may come and at whatever time of the day or night. Thus, there is incentive for us to live cleanly and up to our LORD’s expectation. There is also the incentive for us to accomplish the work He has assigned us to do. Spiritual work requires time, tact, prayer, love and a host of things that cannot be hurried! Thus, praying and working at a consistent pace is best. For some of us that means hurrying to the work He has allotted us, but working at faith-pace in its accomplishment.

Remember Paul’s encouragement: “Don’t throw away your confidence!” Just keep believing and praising the LORD!

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