The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 61:1-6, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners,

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So, they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

4 Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will raise up the former devastations, and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.

5 And strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.

6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; you will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.”

Isaiah was indeed an Old Testament prophet. At the same time, the message he shared regarding the activity of the Spirit of the LORD has a meaningful application to our day as well. Indeed, if we are truly His born-again people, the Holy Spirit has taken residence in our lives. We have become His messengers (vv. 1-2), and spiritual practitioners (v. 3). At that point, all of those formerly afflicted take hold and rebuild the ancient ruins themselves (v. 4).

Is it necessary for me to cite the “ruins” in our lives? We know what they are. Yet, what the LORD did for His ancient people, He will do more enthusiastically for us. For we have become His by birth – the New Birth! And to us He commits the sharing of His Good News of salvation. Look, we’ve got to be something before we can do anything in His Name. He’s coming soon! Time is flying swiftly! I’m ready! I pray you are, too!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Deuteronomy 30:1-5, “So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you,

2 and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons,

3 then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.

4 “If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back.

5 “And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.”

One does not have to be a Biblical scholar to observe the multiple blessings that are occurring in Israel today. Perhaps the most remarkable factor is that the Jewish people are back in the land, as stated in verse five above. Archeological excavations abound and reveal the multiple truths that the Scriptures have foretold for eons. Preparations for the dress requirements for those who will attend to matters in the Holy Place have been completed. Red Heifers that will be tested for acceptance prior to the sacrifice have been flown in from Texas. Not even war has hindered Israel’s preparations!

The Psalmist understood what was coming when he wrote: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you” (Psa. 122:6). Oh, that we might grasp the truths of Christ’s Coming! “May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces” (Psa. 122:7). Jesus is Coming! “For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good” (Psa. 122:9). Even so, come, LORD Jesus!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Psalm 118:18-24, “The LORD has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter through it. 21 I shall give thanks to Thee, for Thou hast answered me; and Thou hast become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. 23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The tendency for us, when we are disciplined, is often to exhibit resentment. Very few consider their punishment “appropriate,” regardless of what they have done. Moreover, “wrongdoers” elect to ignore their sin and often become resentful of those who point it out.

The “gates” mentioned in verse 19 above suggest that no unrighteous person will be allowed to enter or ever be permitted to fellowship with the Lord of that Realm, the LORD Jesus Christ Himself. That’s why saved people are concerned about those who are not committed to the LORD Jesus Christ.

Years ago, I met an elderly woman in Ottumwa, Iowa. She was so infirm that she could literally only wiggle her right thumb. She was totally dependent upon people to visit her; yet, she had won scores of people to the LORD Jesus Christ.

The supreme question, therefore, is: “Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?” If not, it’s not too late. You can surrender your life to Him right now! Just pray and believe as you pray: “LORD Jesus, please forgive me of my sins, and take control of my life. I am trusting You as my LORD and Savior. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.” Then, write to me and let me know. I will rejoice with you!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Romans 8:15-21, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

I am sometimes given to asking strange questions. This one is not at all strange. It’s a vitally important question: “Does the Holy Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are truly a born-again child of God?”

Everything hinges on your response to that eternal question! I’ve had responses like: “Well, I’m a member of the church, if that’s what you mean?” or “Hey, I live a clean life! I don’t do…!” Still, you can conclude that response in an enormous number of ways. What really counts is what’s in the eyes of the LORD?

The Apostle Paul was clearly responsible for bringing the Gospel of Christ to the Roman people of his day. Like many today, the Romans were preoccupied with life around them. They were thinking of business, of money, of friends, of children – even other secular things of life.

Yet, life is more than the “things” we possess. We will one day be called to account for what we’ve done and for what we’ve not done. That’s why Jesus is so often emphasized in your pastor’s Sunday sermons. He is emphasizing Jesus, isn’t he? Well, that’s his calling and that’s precisely what we need to hear! Are you listening?

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 8:31-36, “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

There’s an old saying that goes, “Always tell the truth and you won’t have to remember anything.” That saying has been widely attributed to Mark Twain; yet, whoever originally said it certainly knew what telling the truth is all about.

There are some today who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ but have trouble telling the truth. They pretend to be free, but they’re not. Jesus said that failure to abide in His Word was tantamount to being a slave to sin. But what does it mean to “abide in His Word”?

“Abiding in His Word” means to regularly read and absorb the teachings of Holy Scripture. We must learn and understand what the Scripture says and obey it continuously. We must also become proficient in living holy lives. That requires us to live day by day what we understand the Scriptures to teach. The Bible must become part and parcel of our lives.

It’s true that Christ-like living doesn’t happen overnight! Like anything else, it takes time, prayer, practice, and patience. Yet, the value we derive from living spiritually day by day is immeasurable! It is a testimony of the freedom Christ gives when we fully yield our lives to Him. It’s then that you will sing: “Free at last! Free at last! Praise God Almighty, I’m Free at last!”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom