The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:3-4, 6-8, “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints….

6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been

doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;

7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our

behalf.”

Sometimes things that we hear are inflated beyond belief. Stories have a way of pumping themselves up as they travel from place-to-place and person-to-person. Even those with honest motives sometimes get caught up in spreading erroneous rumors that unintentionally hurt others. At the same time, some information is true and needs to be spread. Such was the way of those in our verses above.

Paul was quite some distance from Colosse when he heard of the Colossians’ faith in Jesus Christ. It prompted him to pray all the more fervently for them and their growth in the faith of our LORD Jesus Christ. The Colossians’ faith instantly produced love for all believers. Do you remember when you first came to faith in Christ? You either told someone or someone, who learned it, told someone else. And immediately, without knowing it, you were surrounded by the prayers of believers everywhere! That’s what Paul means when he says it “constantly [bore] fruit and [increased].”

Yet, that’s not the full story. Epaphras, who was likely the pastor of the Colossian Church, was the one who initially spread the word. So, starting with Epaphras, the news traveled all the way to Rome, gathering prayer-warriors all along the way. Have you ever considered the extent to which the Gospel you share expands, reaching the hearts and lives of scores, of hundreds, even of thousands of individuals?

Despite the negative connotation of the word, we might say that “gossiping the Gospel” has tremendous strength! We need to pray for each other, especially newly born-again believers. The LORD works on the basis of the prayers of His people. The Scripture says, “You do not have because you do not ask” (Jas. 4:2). Well, why doesn’t the LORD just do what He wants? Why does He need our prayers? One simple truth is that He wants to bring us into His work, but He needs to know that we’re willing. Prayer says we’re willing. You can start by praying for me. Then expand your prayers to include others, both saved and lost friends. Will it do any good? Of course! You just may not know how much until we’re with Him in Heaven.

Start tonight! Start whenever you read this Letter. Just talk to the LORD as you would talk to a close friend. I might check you on your grammar; He won’t do that! The Bible says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Jas. 5:16). Start today! God bless you richly!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Whitney Tilson, the New Yorker, who was influenced by Samaritan’s Purse personnel, needs to be saved. Please pray for him!

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,

1 Corinthians 13:11-13, “When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I

became a man, I did away with childish things.

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also

have been fully known.

13 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

All of the Bible is the infallable Word of God, Old and New Testament alike. Just remember, “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.” There are, however, some key chapters in the New Testament that just stand out, as it were, head and shoulders above the others. This 13TH chapter of First Corinthians is one of those chapters. Let me challenge you to read the 10 verses that precede our three verses in this Letter.

Paul is going to emphasize love. He initiates his thoughts by referring to how he lived as a child. “ The word he uses is ??????, nepios, meaning an infant, a baby. At that time, he talked in baby Greek, and he possessed limited understanding of all things. He was no different than you or me (except for the Greek!). In time, he grew to manhood, and abolished those child-like things. Adulthood knows more than childhood, but it still doesn’t know everything.

There will come a day when we, like Paul, will know everything as completely as the LORD knows us right now. For the time being, however, the three most important things to know and know fully are wrapped up in three powerful words: faith, hope and love. Faith is “conviction based upon hearing.” I spoke to a man today about his need for Christ. When what he heard results in spiritual conviction of his sin, he will sense the need to exercise faith toward Christ as his Savior. Hope is a “favorable and confident anticipation of the future.” One who has come to believe upon Jesus, looks forward to His Return for His people.

Yet, above both faith and hope is love. Agape “describes the attitude of God toward His Son.” It also describes the LORD’s attitude toward the whole human race, but especially toward those who have accepted His Son as their LORD and Savior. It is this kind of love (a giving without even a thought of reciprocity) that He wants to see us show to others. They may argue with your doctrinal beliefs, but they cannot squelch their observation of your love. And in our demonstration of genuine, spiritual love, God Himself is glorified. He loves us that we may love Him in return! How much do you love Him? How much does it show?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please continue to pray for the salvation of New Yorker, Whitney Tilson, who first encountered Christian love from Samaritan’s

Purse people.

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,

Colossians 1:28-29, “And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that

we may present every man complete in Christ.

29And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”

I’m sure you have someone (maybe more than one) of whom you are exceedingly proud: a mother, a dad, a son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter. Maybe a close and endearing friend. You were so thrilled, so pleased, that you wanted everyone to see and meet the one you loved so much! Well, what if you were in jail? Or “imprisoned” with the virus? How would you manage for your dearly beloved and others to meet?

Paul faced just such a dilemma. He had appealed to Caesar and was imprisoned in Rome awaiting that audience. Days had gone by, weeks on end. Would he ever meet Caesar that he might share his Beloved Savior, Jesus?

In the meantime, he wrote letters. Four of his 14 writings in the New Testament (Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians) are known as “Prison Epistles.” And whether or not he would ever meet Caesar, he could write to his beloved friends and tell them more about this Special Friend, his LORD and Savior, Jesus!

Paul loved the Word of God, but His proclamation was the person of Jesus! Fastened to a Roman guard for hours, the guard had only to listen, as Paul admonished (????????, noutheteo, instructed) and taught (???????, didasko, preached to every visitor he had. Do you believe you would do that? We (and I include myself) probably would be talking with an attorney, seeking every possible means for our release. Yet, bound or released, Paul’s driving force was to preach Jesus to everyone that they might be “complete,” having reached the end fit to stand before the LORD.

Paul had but one purpose: that others might know Christ Jesus as fully and completely as he did. Wow! That really

stimulates my soul! I need to be more like that! I need to be the LORD’s “prisoner,” free only to share Him with others!

What about you? Would you like to be free? –really FREE? Then, become a “prisoner” of our loving LORD! There’s

nothing like it in all the world.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please remember to pray for the salvation of Whitney Tilson, the New York millionaire, who carried mulch for Samaritan’s Purse?

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,

Philippians 4:10-13, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me;

indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every

circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering

need.

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

How many things can you do? You can read and write. You can count. You can catch and throw a ball. And you can do many other things –things I do not know or cannot suppose just now. The Apostle Paul was a tentmaker by trade.

Jewish boys were taught a trade as well as the teachings of Old Testament Scripture. When he became a believer in Jesus Christ, he began to travel extensively. That meant he often did not have time to mend tents for a living. It was

then that the Churches contributed to he needs. Here in the verses above he thanks the Philippian believers for their

upkeep of him in his ministerial engagements.

This Letter, however, will not focus on those provisions. What I found interesting was things that Paul said he could do. First, he “…rejoiced in the LORD greatly,” concerning the financial assistance the Church had given him. Do you rejoice in the LORD over things that you have? Do you use what it given you to bless the lives of others? Moreover, we should rejoice over the graciousness of those who give, for it is the LORD who puts such thoughts in their hearts.

Second, Paul knew how to utilize to the glory of God all things that were given to him. Is that true of you? He knew how to live with little and with much. Do you seek the LORD’s guidance with regard to your spending, or do you just buy on sight whatever you want? In other words, are you a good steward of what the LORD has given you? Does the manner of your use of the things you buy bring glory to Him or to just to you?

Third, there is a secret of having an abundance or of suffering need. Paul learned how to conserve when he had plenty; he learned also how to suffer patiently when he had nothing. Have you learned his secret? Paul then told the

secret that captivated his life: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I have lived both kinds of lives.

I’ve eaten luxuriously and abundantly as the LORD provided through many hosts. I also know what it is to eat cooked potatoes sprinkled with tiny bits of meat. Through it all, we always bowed in prayer and thanked the LORD for His blessings! It’s “all things through Him.” That’s the secret. How will you endure, now that you know it? Yes, you can

“do all things through Him who strengthens” you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please remember to pray for the salvation of Whitney Tilson in New York City.

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,

Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made

known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all human comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The word “rejoice” means to be glad, to be joyful. But, how is that possible when everything that surrounds us is

gloomy and dark with insecurity? There’s an old hymn that responds well to the times in which we live.

Sometimes the day seems long,

Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain,
To murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
To catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
In God’s eternal day!

If you have a forbearing (gentle) spirit, let everyone know it! It is in just such a time as we now live that the LORD Jesus will come and call all believers to His Eternal Home! Let your thoughts be on Him, not on the gloomy, woeful surroundings we find on this sinful Earth. Focusing on our worldly surroundings simply produces anxiety. We then find ourselves worrying about things over which we have no control and we grind ourselves to dust, feeling absolutely worthless! Such negative thinking all-too-often leads to drinking, drugs, and the vile things of this world – things that destroy individuals, families, cities and nations.

What we all need is to pray and entreat the LORD for His help, simultaneously thanking Him profusely for His mercy and grace! The LORD’s promise comes through His assurance that positive, loving, consistent prayer will result in the LORD’s peace within our hearts. How does all of this happen? We don’t have to know the intracacies of “how”; we only need to trust in Him for our provisions. His peace surpasses all knowledge. We only need to believe that His divine shield guards our hearts and minds and keeps us secure in Him!

Oh, there’s a chorus to that song, too. I think you’ll like it.

It will be worth it all
When we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
When we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face,
All sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
Till we see Christ.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Remember to pray for the salvation of Whitney Tilson!

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.”