The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

II Kings 2:9-14, “When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
10 He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”
11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.”

Elijah and Elisha always seemed to me like Siamese twins. Yet, while they were alike in many respects, they were in reality quite different. Elijah was the principle prophet in First Kings.
Elisha was the principle personality in Second Kings. “Elijah’s ministry was characterized by great public acts with emphasis upon God’s Law and Judgment. Elisha, on the other hand, emphasized the LORD’s grace, love and tenderness. Both ministered to the Northern Kingdom.

The time had come for Elijah’s meeting with the LORD in Heaven. Elisha would then undertake the earthly ministry of his protégé. Not all of us are called to do exactly what others are called to do. Look at how expanded the ministries of preachers are due to their exposure on radio and/or television. Yet, those who labor in the media itself are the enablers of those ministers who share the Word of God.

What is your ministry? Not everyone is called to pastor a church. Not everyone is called into evangelism by way of the pulpit. Yet, there are multiple avenues for sharing the Word of the LORD with spiritually hungry people. The type of ministry is always subservient to the message itself. Thus, the pastor, who has been spiritually trained for his role, is no greater in God’s sight than the layman, who supports his pastor in prayer and with monetary gifts.

When my wife was ill and spent much time in hospital, we learned that our presents there was to witness of the grace and mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ. Not everyone who received our witness came to faith in Him; yet, those who did come to know Him, went on to glorify Him through their lives and in their professions.

What is your profession? How are you witnessing to the Grace and Love of the LORD Jesus Christ? Like Elijah and Elisha, you’re where you are for a reason –His Reason! Be faithful!

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