The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:2-6, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

There’s nothing quite like the study of words. The difficulty we often encounter, however, is that we use words to express meanings we intend without knowing the words’ true origin. When I was born, I was given the name “Gene.” It was obviously a shortend version of my father’s name, “Eugene.” Still, neither of us were of Greek origin. When I was studying Greek in college, the professor noted the names and said, “So, your father was “well-born”; you were just “born.” The class, of course, erupted in laughter!

You probably know someone named Grace; that means kindness. The word “peace” in Greek means Irene in English. Not all of the Graces of the world are kind; and not all of the Irenes are peaceful. So it is also with the designation “Christian.” It is a name awarded to those whose life-attitudes are “like Christ.” It is of Christians that Paul can say, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.”

That “remembrance” Paul references in his joyful prayer. It is a thanksgiving prayer offered for those who are fellow-participants in the sharing of the Gospel. His confidence is that having received Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior, they will continue to share Him with those who have yet to know Him as their Savior.

Thus, these verses raise two key questions: one, do you know Jesus as your own, personal Savior? Have you confessed your sins to Him and trusted Him to forgive you? If not, you are missing the blessings that He wishes to give you! If you have trusted Him, are you sharing Him with others who have yet to receive Him? If not, that is a supreme blessing you are missing.

The Apostle Paul’s confidence is that the LORD will complete His purpose in your life, if you will allow it. So, yield your life to Christ today. Start sharing Him with others. Coming to know Christ is of supreme value. Sharing Him with others is a close second. To do neither is to lose out all around.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: My long-time Christian friend, Dr. Donald J. Ralston, 88, is in a Florida hospital
with a serious, life-threatening illness. His family and I will deeply appreciate your prayers for him,

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