The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 21:11-14, “And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Spirit says: “In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”’
12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

The quaintness of this experience and the ultimate relinquishing of the human will makes this brief encounter between the Apostle Paul and the Christians at Ptolemais almost unique within the Scriptures. Paul was always viewed as the LORD’s Chosen Vessel. To disagree with him –especially with respect to the will of the LORD—is tantamount to a political argument with someone who had served in government for many years.

Even when Agabus the prophet later arrived from Judea, he sided with the church against the Apostle Paul. Neither group thought it wise for Paul to go to Jerusalem. Yet, Paul was not alone in his desire to go. The Spirit had motivated him, and he was not to be denied doing what he conscientiously believed to be the LORD’s will.

There’s an old adage that says, “It’s never right to do wrong to do right.” But, that doesn’t fit in this situation. With Paul, there was no “wrong” ever in doing what the LORD was instructing him to do!

Were you ever in that kind of situation? You knew in your heart what the LORD
wanted you to do; but your friends –some of your closest friends—thought you should resist doing it. Your know your friends love you –but so does the LORD! No, the difference is clear. Let the will of the LORD be done!

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

Dear Grands,

2 Samuel 22:47-50, “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
48The God who executes vengeance for me, and brings down peoples under me,
49Who also brings me out from my enemies; You even lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man.
50 “Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your name.”

It’s not difficult to understand the principles contained in the words above. First, the LORD, whom we serve, is alive and we praise and exalt Him above all else. He is our Salvation!

He is also our Protector! Older brothers were often the silent protectors of their younger ones when difficulties arose on the school playground. It’s not that they always had to physically protect the younger; it was just their being there that produced the protection. We don’t physically see the LORD; we just know He is always present whenever we encounter things and don’t know what to do.

Now, notice the promise the LORD gives us. It’s there in that 49th verse. He promises to rescue us from our enemies, including the more violent of them.
What is our response? And to whom do we respond? It’s all so simple: “…we praise and exalt Him above all else and above all others. He is our Salvation!

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

Dear Grands,

Revelation 8:1-4, “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.”

Would you venture a guess as to how many times “prayer” is mentioned in the Scriptures? Don’t bother to count them; let me tell you that the number exceeds 300. Actually, it’s 334 times, starting with Genesis 20:7 and concluding with Revelation 8:4.

The first occurrence comes in Genesis 20:7, when Abraham told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister instead of his wife. Actually, Sarah was both; and Abimelech scolded Abraham when he found out! For he would have sinned in God’s eyes had he taken Sarah as his wife.

The last occurrence is in Revelation 8:4 where the Scripture says, “And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.”

We would all do well to research and study the occurrences of “prayer” in the Scriptures. We, who know the LORD Jesus as our Savior, ought to be exceedingly eager to learn all we are able about prayer.

I have opted to eliminate speaking about any of the individuals who are currently seeking to become President of the United States. It is a matter for serious and careful prayer. The Israelites are the LORD’s people, and how the United States supports Israel in all of her endeavors depends largely upon those who believe upon Him!

We will soon know who our Commander-in-Chief is for the next four years. In the meantime, we need to “clean up our act,” thus enabling our prayers to support one who deeply cares for our nation. We do invite, also, our worldwide friends, who will also be effected by our new leader.

It’s the “smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints,” that enables the LORD to know the seriousness with which we pray:
“God bless America!”

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

Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:12-19, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…”

Did you ever have something seemingly tragic occur in your life? Of course, you have. Everyone has. What was your reaction? Be honest, now. No one will ever know unless you tell them! My guess is that you were “mad as hops!” (Don’t ask me how mad that is; it’s simply an expression that my grandmother sometimes used.)

Read those eight verses once again, slowly. Now, answer truthfully: Have you ever been angry over a situation that ultimately turned out much better than you would have believed? Such was the way with the Apostle Paul. Imprisoned? Yes. Guarded? Yes. Yet the message of the LORD Jesus Christ was shared continuously, and hardened guards, assigned to guard Paul, heard the Gospel and came to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ!

Think of how fearful you felt when you first shared Jesus Christ with someone! Yet, later you learned that they had shared Him with someone else! The result was not the same; still, simply bringing His Name before someone, led another to believe in Him and in His saving grace!

Whatever the circumstances; however difficult the situation might appear; it is the most meaningful truth you can ever share! Pray for the courage to share Christ! He will be with you, even in the darkest of hours.

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

Dear Grands,

John 15:9-14, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

With the election drawing to a close, multitudes of voters are anxious to know who is going to win. It is certain that many promises made in the throes of an election campaign will not be kept; further, many promises were never intended to be kept. Angry words are tossed here and there,
with no intent whatsoever of being kept.

Nothing of the campaign-sort of promise, however, is in the Mind or Words of Jesus! What He says, He will keep. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (v. 11). His Words, wherever they be found, are intended for blessing and joy!

Further, our LORD wishes for His Joy to become our joy! Joy derives from love! His Joy comes from His Love for us; our joy comes from Him, and He reckons us as His friends, when we obey what He has commanded of us!

Are you a happy person? By that, I don’t mean that you go around laughing or acting funny all the time. The world’s people laugh often; but their laughter is not from the heart. Cheering for the home team to win the game falls far short of the joy expressed for someone who has survived a serious, technical surgery.

Let your joy always derive from the LORD Jesus! Keep a good thought!
If you are His; He is yours! What more could we ever ask?

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