The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 14:16, “A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.”

Acts 21:15-24, “And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And now the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

19 And after he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

22 “What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 “Therefore, do this that we tell you… and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.”

I remember well how some of my “friends” turned against me, believing a false rumor. Although I had acted in good faith, I acted unwisely. Paul had rejected the advice of the prophet Agabus and went on to Jerusalem, as he had planned. He was well-received by the believers there and they rejoiced over what the LORD had done in his ministry –but there was a problem! The Jews in Jerusalem had been misled with regard to Paul’s teaching. And his friends, who knew the rumor to be false, devised a plan to counteract the rumor.

Everything might have gone well, except that some of the Jews who had heard and believed the rumor, had also seen Paul with a non-Jewish Ephesian, Trophimus. They jumped to the conclusion that Paul had brought him into the Temple area, violating the sanctity of the holy site. Without seeking to learn the truth, they jumped to the wrong conclusion, and the trouble that Agabus had warned against became reality. Wise men are cautious and investigate everything carefully. But wild mobs could care less about truth. It is wise to always err on the side of caution. Some situations allow retreat; others do not. Time and faithful prayer is always the better course.

We pray for all of you daily,

Nana & 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,

Acts 21:10-14, “And as we were staying there for some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

11 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 And 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!’”

Some people are hard to understand. Especially is this so when two people disagree and each claims the Holy Spirit is leading them. Paul was en route to Jerusalem. It was dangerous territory for him because the Jews had started a rumor that Paul was teaching Jews everywhere to forsake the Law of Moses. In a sense it was true. Paul was teaching that Jesus had fulfilled the Law of Moses and that all men should believe upon Him and be saved.

Agabus was a prophet, and he had come from Judea specifically to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem. He gave the Holy Spirit as his reference and the authority for this warning. He actually took Paul’s belt and bound himself with it to visually insist that Paul was in danger in Jerusalem. Evidently, some of the people, friends of Paul, were weeping and seeking to persuade Paul to obey the word Agabus had brought from God the Holy Spirit.

Paul was not persuaded, however. Whether he was wrong in not listening to Ababus is a debatable question. He was so dedicated to sharing the Good News that he was ready to die rather than dodging the opportunity to share Christ amid the danger that awaited him. Seeing that he was not going to be persuaded against his will, the people said, “The will of the LORD be done.”

We need to be like Paul, determined to share the Gospel of Jesus whatever the cost. Missionaries are doing just that in multiple areas of the world. Many pastors are imprisoned and tortured simply because they believe in Jesus and have counted their lives as nothing compared to the glory of sharing the Gospel. Where do we stand in this regard? Do we cower because others, who do not believe, seek to intimidate us? What is ultimately most important? I think you know.

Praying that we all may hold Him as first in our lives,

Nana & 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,

Acts 18:24-26, “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;

26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

I once had a friend, whose responsibility was to watch over another man’s wealth. I asked him, “How much is enough?” His answer was, “There’s never enough.” The same may be said of learning. There is no end to learning –at least, there ought not to be. The ancient City of Alexandria boasted of a huge library. Apollos had taken advantage of that library and had become highly educated (eloquent) in the Scriptures. We always must learn before we teach. Beyond that, however, Apollos was fervent (hot, boiling over) in his desire to share the Word of God.

Further, he was bold (confident) in what he knew; he just didn’t know it all. No one knows it all. I can remember asking biblical questions and being amazed when my mentor said, “I don’t understand that, either.” I though he knew everything.

Learning –especially with regard to Scripture—is a life-long process. There is no indication that Pricilla and Aquila were especially intelligent. They were tent-makers, like the Apostle Paul. But they knew something Apollos did not know, and “they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.”

The keys to learning are many, but one important factor is to never believe that you know it all. You don’t; and neither does anyont else. Still, we should never be afraid to share what we do know. We are all teachers, as well. The best teachers are the best learners. They have the awesome responsibility to share the Word of God with others.

When I was in school, I was eager to share with others my age things I had learned. I did not pretend to know more than I knew; and my classmates often share things they had learned with me. What do you know? How acccurate is your knowledge of the Bible? What is there in the Bible that you do not know? Solomon said, “Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory” (Prov. 11:14). There is someone looking for your counsel. They trust you. Be prepared! Don’t be afraid of being wrong. “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). God bless you as you go forth to share!

Our prayers are with you; moreover, the LORD is with you,

Nana & 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,

Psalm 31:2-3, “Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be Thou to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me. 3 For Thou art my rock and my fortress; For Thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.”

The rescue of the Thai soccer team and their coach is reason to praise the LORD. Although a worldwide effort was convened to humanly assist the rescue, it was the LORD who held back the waters that were feared would come and make it impossible to save their lives.

We are prone to praise what we see; but so often what we do not see is where the praise is due. The LORD alone knows how many Christian believers prayed for the trapped boys. The LORD alone knows how many of the boys looked beyond themselves for hope. We have received no word on the demeanor of the boys, as days went by. Surely, they were scared. Did anyone even know where they were? We may never know these things. What we do know is that the prayers of believers touched the heart of God. He alone is to be praised!

The most important factor, however, is that thousands of young people throughout the world need to be spiritually rescued. The LORD has revealed Himself to every one (read Romans 1:19, “… that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them”). Still, thousands die daily without the LORD, which is far worse than being trapped for weeks in a cave. Who do you know that doesn’t know Jesus? Are you thinking about them? Are you praying for them?

I’ve previously told you about Amber, the Chinese lady who trusted Christ via Skype. The message I sent to her, I am attaching with this letter. I want to challenge you to send it to friends you know who do not know Jesus Christ. Remember, they are trapped in sin and desperately need rescuing! Send them a note (“I’ve been thinking about you and praying that you may come to know Jesus.). Be a partner in their rescue! Someone shared Jesus with you. Now, it’s your turn to share Him with someone else. God bless you!

We’re praying daily for you, and we’ll be praying for your friends,

Nana & 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,

Acts 17:17-23, “And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. And some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”– because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? 20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; we want to know therefore what these things mean.”

21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)

22 And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.’”

Evangelism is not easy. The kind of evangelism in which I was engaged for many years, was quite different from Paul’s. I went into churches to preach. Church members invited lost friends to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Paul was in enemy territory. Yes, he preached in Jewish synagogues, too, but even there he encountered opposition.

Anytime Jesus Christ is proclaimed there is opposition! The philosophers that Paul engaged in Athens opposed his message, still they openly said, “We want to know.” Obviously, the LORD was working on them to bring them to faith in Jesus. You and I have encountered people who stubbornly resisted our message about Jesus; yet, in their hearts they really want to know what it’s all about.

Paul began his message by leveraging off of the Athenians’ “Unknown god.” When we witness, we need to find common ground with our hearers. (“Where do you attend church?”) Then we can move forward and tell them about Jesus (“That’s fine. When did you come to know Him?”) However they respond, you can proceed to tell them how you came to know Him. Always be loving, as He is to you.

Far down in this passage (vv. 32-34), we learn the results of Paul’s witness. Some sneered. Some believed. It will always be this way. But the value of those won to faith in Christ always outweighs the hurt of those who sneer and reject Him. He is alive! And He will prove it to all who will believe.

We pray earnestly for you every day,

Nana & 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.”