The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:8-13, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

There’s a story of a mother, asking her small boy which of their liturgical preachers he liked best: the pastor or the bishop. Ready as lightening, the boy replied, “the pastor.”

“Why would you say that?” the mother asked again.

The boy replied: “Well, the pastor says, ‘Finally, and it’s final. But the bishop says, ‘Lastly; and it lasts and lasts and lasts.’” It’s an apocryphal story, although I know some boys who would have replied in much the same fashion.

The Apostle Paul, author of our commencement passage (i.e., the far above passage!) identifies for us six guidelines upon which we can rely on the LORD being with us. We are to dwell on these factors regardless of the circumstances we encounter in life.

As a youth, Paul had been trained as a tentmaker. Yet, when the LORD called him into His service, there was little-to-no time for tent-making. Thus, Paul needed funds from Christian friends for his livelihood and travel.

That’s a need of many men and women in missionary service today. They are rightly dependent on us to provide for them, as they carry the Message of Jesus to others, many in foreign lands. Above all, they need our prayers! Do you know a missionary? Are you praying for him or her daily? Do they have funds for their work?

If you are led to send them funds for their work, I would suggest that you first contact them regarding how to send it. It’s a good way to say “Thanks” at Thanksgiving!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom