The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:9-12, “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and

to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good

work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and

patience; joyously

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Friends are more than acquaintances. They are more than smiles and pleasant company. They are more than those who share the warmth and comfort of their homes when we are without funds and on a long journey. True friends are those with whom we can and do share the most intimate of secrets. They know not only where we have been and what we have done, they know the rationale behind it all. What is more, friends are those who pray for us, and those for whom we consistently pray.

The Christians in Colosse were true friends of the Apostle Paul; and he was a true friend to them, as well. We all have friends like that. Paul prayed that they might “be filled with the knowledge of (God’s) will” in everything that is spiritual. He prayed, too, that they might live as those who are worthy of the LORD. Do you and I live like that?

You might respond by saying, “Of course I don’t live worthy of the LORD.” Still, we should all endeavor to live worthy of Him.

Are we increasing in the knowledge of the LORD? Maybe a little, but – There are no excuses that are satisfactory to the LORD. Paul wrote Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). There are those today who deliberately distort the Word of God, adjusting it to themselves instead of themselves to it. It is through the Word that we are strengthened for the work of the LORD.

In business today there are “qualifiers,” who watch diligently over other laborers to determine whether they are qualified for the work in which they are engaged. The Holy Spirit serves as our Qualifier! Don’t try to qualify by

changing the Word. You and I are Qualified only when the Word has changed us! That’s how we become genuine friends of the LORD Jesus Christ. That’s when prayers are answered and doors are opened for the Gospel. Are you His friend? If you are, He will bless you all the more. If you are not, why are you not? He longs to know and call you His friend.

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