The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 9:36-42, “Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.
37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.
38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, ‘Do not delay in coming to us.’
39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”

It is only right and proper that we should open this Letter with a note of sincere condolence to our friends in Great Britain and throughout the British Empire with respect to the loss of their beloved Queen, Elizabeth II.

Tabitha, sometimes called Dorcas, was a woman of multiple talents. We’ve all known someone much like her. Those who knew her had witnessed her talents and now displayed some of the garments she had made in her lifetime.

Having heard of Simon Peter’s miraculous healing of the crippled beggar, they immediately sent for him that he might raise Dorcas from the dead.

When Peter arrived, he immediately cleared the room of all those who had gathered there close to Dorcas. This was not to become a demonstration of miraculous power, but a communication between Peter and his LORD. Then,
kneeling in reverence before the LORD, Peter prayed a two-word prayer – a
prayer that seems addressed as much to the lifeless woman as to the LORD:
“Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. Taking her
by the hand, Peter then presented her alive to all the guests.

Today, we have some unorthodox scoundrels who mock Peter with their pretended prayers. They try to convince people in crisis that they can heal the sick and raise the dead. Yet, it is best to follow the example of Peter, who followed Christ Jesus.

If you know Him, pray earnestly for those who don’t! If you don’t know Him, there is still one prayer you can pray: “LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I pray that you will forgive me my sin and accept me as one of your spiritual children.” You can become a new person by yielding yourself to Jesus Christ.

Heartily in Christ,

(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