The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Without question, this is the most comprehensive statement of love in the entire Bible! The Bible Dictionary says, “While the Hebrew and Greek words for ‘love’ have various shades and intensities of meaning, they may be summed up as an earnest and anxious desire for an active and beneficent interest in the well-being of the one loved.”

Love then becomes what we might term a “dual communication.” There is no question that God loves us. He gave His only Son, Jesus, in death on the cross for our sins. Christ Jesus Himself, lovingly and willingly surrendered to the cross for us. The question that remains is: Do we love God and His Son, Jesus, for the sacrifice They each made for our sins? The Father gave His Son; Jesus gave His life! The least any of us can do is to surrender our will and life to Christ.

So, if we genuinely love the LORD, we will demonstrate that love through an absolute and unfailing obedience to His will. How can we know His will? We know it through prayer and the study of His Word, the Holy Bible. I am a person of books; yet, the most valuable treasure I have in my library is the Bible, the Holy Word of the Living Savior! Have you read your Bible today? Don’t miss the opportunity to savor the Word that so many long to have, but do not possess. Your life will be enriched; your soul will be refreshed. Savor the Word today!

Heartily in Christ,

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,

Genesis 11:1-7, “Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words.

2 It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

3 They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.

4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower, whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name; otherwise, we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

5 The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.

6 The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.

7 “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

Language can indeed be beautiful. It can also be quite beneficial. It often, however, becomes a trap that leads to grave difficulties. Whether these people in the text above were intending to engage in open rebellion against God, or whether they were simply ignoring Him altogether, may be open to question. In any event, what they did was wrong!

We often fall into traps by simply not thinking through a situation before engaging in it. We need to remember that old oft-suggested question: “What would Jesus do?” There is no indication in the Scripture above that any thought was given to what the LORD wanted, or what He might think of what they were doing. He was not in their thinking at all! That was their primary problem.

Just stop and consider how many things we all do without thinking: “What would Jesus do?” How will what we’re about to do or say reflect upon Him? We want Him as Savior, but omit Him as Lord! There is a significant difference. If He is our Savior, He must also be trusted as our Lord!

Heartily in Christ,

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,

Proverbs 3:13-28, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.

14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver, and her gain better than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding, He established the heavens.

20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drip with dew.

21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 so they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.

23 Then you will walk in your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

How precious is the LORD, who blesses mankind with such marvelous things! Mankind is self-handicapped by its failure to notice the marvelous blessings of the LORD! His beauty is manifested in every item of His creation! Life races by so quickly! Still, it is our fault for not taking the time to adore all He has put before us. The sights! The sounds! Everything speaks of His love and provision.

The enormous potential that He has created is slowly becoming known to the mortals whom He has placed on Earth for discovery. Like children who discover a mystery that their parents have ostensibly “hidden” from them, the LORD has multiple mysteries for which He anticipates our discovery. There’s an old song that says, “Look and Live, my brother live; Look to Jesus now and live. It’s recorded in His word, Hallelujah! It is only that we look and live!” Have you looked into His Word recently? Better hurry!

Heartily in Christ,

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,

James 1:19-27, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer, but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Have you ever read the Scriptures and then asked yourself, “Why does it speak so soundly to me?” Ouch! That is my question. I’ve always been slower to hear, but quicker to speak, each of which is clearly contrary to Scripture! Yes, there is hope! To my credit (if there’s any left), I have earnestly endeavored to put away every negative thing that once selfishly invaded my life. If you have invasions like that, there is an answer: prayerful commitment to the LORD daily! I wish you every blessing on your journey. The LORD is clearly able to affect His powerful control over your life, too!

Heartily in Christ,

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,

Proverbs 3:1-8, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”

Notice how the negatives in these verses precede enforcement of the positives. Notice also how the requirements always precede the rewards. It’s a divine pattern that always precedes life. It was true in Old Testament days, and it remains true today.

Each “no” in life precedes a “yes.” Parents cry “No!” to their children before they say “yes.” Eventually, however, teachings become more positive and overtake the negatives as the child grows and learns.

All of this naturally becomes the pattern in our spiritual lives. The Ten Commandments, although eternally existent, recede somewhat into the background, as the positives of the New Testament format and shape our lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

We must rejoice in the divine play our LORD has for us! And rejoice we will, as we grow to understand His plan for us! What a plan! What a life! What a Savior!

Heartily in Christ,

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