The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 1:1-5, “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Have you ever experienced a problem? I mean a problem that was so complicated that you just could not figure it out? If you’re being honest with yourself, there have been many. Some, of course, were not enormous; but which of them produced joy in your life? Probably, not many –maybe even none. Most of us don’t enjoy problems. We want everything to run smoothly. But, life simply does not accommodate us in that way.

James had obviously experienced numerous difficulties in the course of his life. What’s more, he had found the answer to life’s most serious problems. He said, “Just consider it as joy!” The trials of life are thrown in our way as a means of testing us. And he says, “consider it joyfully?” But, what do we do if the difficulty is one we’ve never faced? We simply ask someone who has faced it, “What did you do?”
Where could I go? Oh, where could I go?
Needing a refuge for my soul;
Needing a friend
To help me in the end,
Where could I go, but to the LORD?

Suddenly, the aggrivation of the test is transformed into joy! The true answer was much closer than we had realized! In the meantime, we had not been crushed; we can smile – we can rejoice! Our trust has become victory! Everything is suddenly “perfect…complete, lacking in nothing!” How did all of this come about? Who produced this miracle? It was the One in whom we placed our trust: the LORD Jesus Christ! He has solved the problem! –the one we thought impossible.

The lesson has been learned. We’ve learned to trust in Jesus. He has solved the problem. Truthfully, there are no problems withoug an answer. He has faced them all –and survived. victoriously! Wisdom comes from Him and He stands ready to give that wisdom to all who ask His help. He gives generously and without the slightest chiding or teasing. Have you taken your problems to Jesus Christ? He not only has the answer; He IS the Answer! Trust Him today! You’ll be forever glad that you did! May He bless you as He has me! You are in my prayers.

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