The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:11-14, “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

Simon Peter is often criticized in the Scriptures for saying thing out of place. He was often
criticized by the LORD Himself for speaking out of turn or saying things that were not in accord
with the Scriptures.

At the same time, the old rough and ready fisherman, said and did some things that were both
to his credit and enabling to believers centuries after his passing. Oh, that that might be said of
us as well!

In the above passage, we are encouraged to live and serve to the glory of God! Our profession
of knowing Jesus Christ ought always to match with the way we live. Jesus suffered; therefore, it should be no surprise to us that we are also called upon to suffer! At the same time, Peter notes
that we should rejoice for the privilege of suffering. Yet, most of the time, we complain by asking,
“Why are we suffering?” We ought to view suffering as a privilege when it‘s for His Name!

Most of us probably have difficulty understanding how Peter could say that we are blessed through suffering. Yet, we should know that the Spirit of glory and of God always rests on us.

When Rose Marie and I encountered difficulties in life, she always responded by singing:

Cheer up, ye saints of God! There’s nothing to worry about;
Nothing to make you feel afraid; nothing to make you doubt;
Remember Jesus never fails, so why not trust Him and shout?
You’ll be sorry you worried at all tomorrow morning.”

He never failed us, regardless of how difficult the situation appeared!
(Thank you, Sweetheart!)

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