The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.”

Over the past few months, I have sought and found sufficient time to engage in an exercise called “reading.” As strange as it may seem that I should read and be moved by some booksother than the Bible, still, it is true. The book, written in 2017 by pastor, producer, writer Greg Laurie, is entitled Steve McQueen; The Salvation of an American Icon.

McQueen, who never knew his father, and was reared by an alcoholic mother, leaves us no surprise that he himself became addicted to alcohol and drugs, and engaged in a turbulent, decadent lifestyle. Yet, through an almost silent pilot, who taught him to fly, McQueen was introduced to the LORD Jesus Christ, ultimately becoming an out-spoken evangelist to everyone he knew and to some who only knew him.

You and I may know or live nearby a spiritually lost “Steve McQueen.” From the lifestyle, we assess that they are incorrigible and would never listen to our witness of the Savior. Yet, deep down within themselves, they wonder –they know!– there must be something more to life than they’ve experienced. They just need someone to “show and tell” them what that that “more” is! It is Jesus!

In his book, Things to Come, Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost cites five rewards that will one day be presented to some Christian believers. I’m going to list them with their biblical references. Your assignment is to look up the references and assess how many apply to your own life. No test from me. The only failure is not reading and assessing the verses as they apply to your own life.

(1) an incorruptible crown for those who get mastery over the old man (1Corinthians. 9:25);
(2) a crown of rejoicing for the soul winners (1 Thessalonian. 2:19);
(3) a crown of life for those enduring trials (James 1:12);
(4) a crown of righteousness for loving His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
(5) a crown of glory for being willing to feed the flock of God (1 Peter 5:4).”
How many will you receive? God bless you abundantly!

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