The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 11:32-33, “In Damascus the ethnarch (governor) under Aretas

the king was guarding the city of the Damascus in order to seize me, 33 and

I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his

hands.”

You’ve probably never had anyone hate you so much that they truly

wanted to kill you. But “religious differences” will often do that. Paul

preached the Good News to the Jews. The Jews resented his message

and, more than once, they plotted to kill him. He notes in Acts 2:24-25,

what is recorded about the Jewish plot against him.

It’s never been my misfortune to experience hatred like Paul experienced.

I have, however, been misunderstood –and by my those, who believed

precisely what I believe—to the point that all I could do was withdraw.

Sometimes, we have to do that. Remember when David was sent by his

father, Jesse, to take food to his brothers who were with King Saul’s

army? Goliath was there, and David asked, “Who is this guy who would

defy the armies of the Living God?” His brothers were obviously embarrassed

by David’s bold speech and they chastised him for it. “Who are you, little

sheep-keeper?” The Bible says he turned away from them.

The whole point here is this: When those who oppose our witness of

Jesus Christ to the point of angry argument, it is not wrong for us to

turn away. They may say angry and hurtful things, but it doesn’t matter.

They will have heard our witness. The LORD will take it from there.

Perhaps some other believer will pick up where we leave off. Even that

is not our concern. We have said what He intended. We can and should

continue to pray. But our turning away acknowledges that the whole

affair now lies in His Hands.

Prayerfully and trustingly we continue to pray for you,

Nana & Dado III

Special Note on Nana: She remains in hospital, as they treat

the pneumonia. Any sickness lays stress on the heart; therefore,

she is being monitored closely by a most competent nurse.

Please continue to pray earnestly for her. I will keep you updated.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”