The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:9-10, “…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…”

When my parents died, my wife said, “We’ve just lost the finest prayer-partners we’ll ever have.” What a joy to know that there are those who, despite our unworthiness, are remembering us daily in their prayers. Paul was not praying that the Colossian believers might have better living conditions or finer food for the nourishment of their bodies. He was praying that they might be filled (made complete) with the knowledge of God’s will for their lives, and have spiritual wisdom and understanding.

As good as all of that is, there is a “so that” included. It’s like a dad buying his son some gloves and boots “so that” he can keep the yard clean, cut and trimmed. Paul’s “so that” concerns the spiritual deportment of the Colossian believers. He want them to walk in a manner that glorifies the LORD. I remember an upper classman, who lived near me and I often saw him when I was walking to school. His head was tilted to the side with his nose in an noticeable, upward turn. I thought he had a bad neck, but came to understand he only had a supercilious attitude. And that’s not an attitude that glorifies the LORD.

We’re to be warm and loving and caring of others. That’s being “worthy of the LORD.” It pleases Him to see us

behave like Jesus behaved, just as a parent is delighted to see his child behave as he has been taught. Such an attitude produces good works, and leads to an increase in the knowledge of the LORD. Now, that’s something that

would do all of us well, isn’t it? Remember that CHRISTmas time is the easiest time to inject Christ Jesus into our conversations with others. Remember, too, that it’s not religion that changes people; it’s a relationship with Jesus!

May God bless you with an even closer relationship with Him!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:1-4, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints…”

Who are you, and why are you what you are? Have you ever thought about that? Paul knew who he was, and he knew why.

Paul was an “apostle.” An apostle is a messenger. Paul was a messenger of Jesus Christ. He carried the message of Jesus

wherever he went. Why? because sharing the message is according to the will of God. The LORD wills that none should perish,

but that “all should come to repentance” (II Pet. 3:9).

The LORD Himself gives grace to all His people, including His messengers. It is to our advantage that He gives us grace. He

also give us peace. In turn, we are to give thanks to God, who is the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ. Jesus is the One who

gives CHRISTmas its meaning. Far too much emphasis is laid upon material gifts. Far too little emphasis is given to Christ.

Paul highlighted the giving of thanks to God –something we do too little of, as well. Paul also prayed almost incessantly for

the Colossians. We could understand his prayer for the lost, but why would he emphasize prayers for the Colossians? Could

it be that he recognized that prayer for the Colossian Christians’ faith and love would increase to the glory of God? And the

basic requirement for the lost to be saved is for believers to share their faith.

Think all of this through. Maybe you need to re-read the verses above. Assess your position with the LORD and with His

will for your life. How long has it been since you prayed for others? your parents? your children? your Church? your pastor?

missionaries? Christian radio and television? the President? the Presidential Cabinet? Congress? your friends? those who are

committed to protect you: your police? your first-responders? Push your prayers to a higher level. No more “for all those for

whom it is my duty to pray.” That’s puerile, childish. Grow in your prayer life, and you will grow in your witnessing, and in your

love for your fellow-believers.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:11b-13, 18-19, “…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.

18 But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ.”

In his first letter to Timothy, in AD 67, Paul wrote, “…godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.”

This allows us to see that Paul continues to believe the same as when he told the Philippians back in in AD 63, to “be content in whatever circumstances” you find youself. It’s a tough order. Things change, people change, we change! But, the LORD has not changed! He knows our circumstances, and if we are in need, He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psa. 50:10) and can sell or butcher them as He sees fit.

Two verses Mrs. Kane (we called her “Sugar Kane”) taught us in Vacation Bible School many decades ago – verses that have stayed with me for all my life. They are verses 13 and 19:

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (v. 13);

“And my God shall supply all your needs according ot His riches in glory in Christ” (v. 19).

That 13TH verse says that the LORD enables us from within ourselves to be and do all that He wills.

Verse 19 says that things not normally resident within ourselves are in ready supply from Him.

Faith, comfort, provisions, perservation, help of all kinds, are ours if we believe. There is no such thing as the Father withholding from

His children their needs –unless unforgiven sin has robbed them of the love and trust He desires from them. True human parents don’t require much from their children other than love, trust, and obedience. It is the same, only more so, with our Heavenly Father.

Mark those two verses (vv. 13 & 19) in your Bible. More importantly, mark them in your heart! They will warm you in life’s winters, and refresh you in life’s spring. May our Blessed LORD strengthen, comfort, and energize you for His glory!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:4-7. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Temperament is vitally important! Problems abound! Things we never thought would occur, have –and they have afflicted us!

What do we do? More accurately, what ought we to do? Paul says it all in one word: “Rejoice!” Paul, are you kidding? I’ve got some real problems, and you say “rejoice!” (Maybe I ought to read further…) Paul actually says, “Rejoice in the LORD always.” Don’t ever give up! The tougher it gets, the stronger we need to be! It’s still tough, but the LORD knows all about it, and He has the strength that strengthens us.

Have a gentle spirit so that other people will see it. No, you’re not flaunting something fake. When you rely upon Him, His strength absorbs your weaknesses. His joy soakes up your sadness. You may think the LORD is far away, but the Bible says, “The LORD is near.” Quit being anxious about things you cannot change. In point of fact, just quit being anxious altogether. I’ve come to believe that notwith-standing, the LORD’s use of medical personnel, when they seem to fail, and we seem to be left without hope… WE ARE NOT WITHOUT HOPE AT ALL! “My times are in (His) hand,” His Word assures us (Psa. 31:15).

Well, what do we do in times of sadness, bereavement, hurt, anxieties? Pray! And pray with Thanksgiving! How does that help? Verse 7 says, the peace of God will encompass us. It’s beyond understanding, so we need not try to figure it out. But, it’s there becaise HE is there! And He protects us within the hurt, until the healing has come full course. How does that work? I don’t know, but it does! Give the LORD your hurt, your anxieties, your uncertainties. Just keep your mind on Christ Jesus! He really is the Great Physician!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:1-5, “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.

3 Indeed, true comrade, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with

Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”

Churches to stay rigidly in the Word of God and maintain a genuine love with other Christians. Here Paul starts with a positive, general note: “…my beloved brethren, whom I long to see, my joy and crown…stand firm in the LORD…”

Then he gets specific! “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the LORD. These two women, mentioned only once in the entire Bible, had previously labored together in the work of the LORD. Then they had a “falling out.” It’s both amusing and ironic that Euodia means “good traveler” and Syntyche means “accident.” I’m sure you’ve known people like this in churches. Just to be fair (not “politically correct”), I will say that men sometimes have the same problem. Why do you suppose that occurs? Could it be the devil seeking to break churches apart by pitting one group against another? I knew two families in a church, who were “thicker than thieves,” as the saying goes. But there was a rift between them, and they sat on opposite sides of the church and in the front pews! It was ridiculous, as if each group were seeking to flount their disdain for the other –and IN THE LORD’S HOUSE ON THE LORD’S DAY! How on Earth can the LORD be glorified when His people act like the devil himself?

Oh, the devil gets to families, too. I don’t encounter quite as many people in my retirement as I once did in activity. Still, I continue to encounter people whose families are at odds over some of the silliest things you could imagine. What’s more, both sides claim Jesus as their LORD and Savior! I am not competent to diagnose the depths of their troubles or make judgments as to who is wrong, but I know that the LORD is not pleased with broken families and broken churches.

Paul’s mention of Clement, who has labored with the two women, could possibly be a subtle way of saying, “Clement, see what you can do to remedy the problem these women have!” He then closes these verses with an encouragement to “Rejoice in the LORD!” But how, Paul? We want to rejoice, but we cannot treat wrong as right! That’s why he says, “Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.”

Forbearing has to do with present offenses. Forgiving has to do with past offences. Don’t you think we would do well to employ both?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”