The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 20:22-24, “And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
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.”

Military people understand that they are always subject to deployment without knowing where they are going or why.
It is much the same with the LORD. He doesn’t always tell us what He is doing or how our lives are involved. In all likelihood,
He conceals things from us to keep us from shirking our responsibilities.

En route to Jerusalem, Paul stopped at Ephesus to greet some old friends. He knows he is going to Jerusalem, but not
specifically what will occur when he arrives. He only knows that “bonds and afflictions” (imprisonments and tribulations) are
awaiting him. Undoubtedly, his stopover in Ephesus is to seek the prayers of old friends in the faith. Possibly, this will also be
his last opportunity to see them.

You and I may not be facing physical or emotional persecution because of our stand for our faith in Christ, but whatever lies
ahead for us is best faced with the supportive prayers of our friends in the faith. At the same time, we should never put the
preservation of ourselves ahead of our calling. We are not in charge of our lives! We committed ourselves to Christ when we
trusted Him as our LORD and Savior. We have a course to finish, a responsibility to which we must attend. Self-concern must
be laid aside. Christ is our Supreme Commander! His directive is uppermost. What has He called you to do?

The LORD wants each of us to be spiritually clean. He wants us to pray. He wants us to witness of Him. Whatever difficulties
we encounter simply do not matter! Our ultimate reward in Heaven supersedes all hurts we may encounter here on Earth.
Stay faithful! He is coming soon! “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!”

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