The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 1:26-32, “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And coming in, he said to her, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’
29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.
30 The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David…’”

Do you remember the old saying, “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we’re to listen twice as much as we talk.” Some things we encouter simply defy a verbal response! Bless her heart, Mary didn’t panic!

Think about how you would respond if an angel suddenly appeared and spoke to you, saying, “Greetings, favored one! The LORD is with you.’! It’s almost amusing to read the words “very perplexed,” as the attitude of Mary’s non-response. Apparently, she was exceedingly frightened because the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid…” Not many things frighten me, but I have to admit that I’d be surprised even if an angel appeared and said nothing!

Another surprise is about to come, too. It’s when the angel announces Mary’s coming pregnancy! She’s not even engaged to a man, much less, married. Yet, the announcement is not really about Mary. It’s delivered to her; and, yes, she’s involved; but it’s not about her!

Some of you dear readers are yourselves afraid! Otherwise, you’d be reading
your Bibles every day! Do you know that some people are actually afraid of what the Bible says? There are a lot of “bewares” in the Bible, and some are downright scary! But, they’re put there for our instructional betterment. I’m confident there will be many who will contend, “I didn’t know that!!” when they stand before Jesus! Well, it’s all in His Book!

Determine today to start reading the Bible every day! Set a goal! Read the
Bible through this next year! Learn to pray to God as you read. It’s all there…for you and for your benefit! What have you got to lose?

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