The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

I Chronicles 16:8-15, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.

10 Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.

11 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,

13 O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!

14 He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

15 Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations…”

Singing was always foremost in Israel! The Israelites loved to sing! It was a joyous, melodious method of expressing love and devotion to the LORD. Ninety-nine verses in the Bible, stretching from the book of Exodus to the epistle of James, speak of singing.

I grew up in a church that loved to sing, and the churches I have known over the years that have greatly blessed of the LORD have been churches that emphasized Christ-exalting music! “For this is what the LORD says: ‘Sing aloud with joy for Jacob, and be joyful with the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say ‘LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’” (Jer. 31:7). Hebrews 2:12 says, “I will proclaim Your Name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will sing your praise.”

Spiritual music always has the LORD as its primary focus. It is intended to engender praise in the participants; still, the focus of the people is always to be on the LORD. He is the One we are adoring! He is the One who is worthy of our praise!

“Sing His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea…

Oh, you islands, and those who live on them. Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices…Let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains. Let them give glory to the LORD…” (Isa. 42:10-12).

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,

Psalm 119:1-8, “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.

3 They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.

4 You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!

6 Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all Your commandments.

7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.

8 I shall keep Your statutes; do not forsake me utterly!”

“This is going to be one of the very best days you are ever going to have!” How many of us have received such a greeting when we ventured into something that we’d never before encountered? It was simultaneously exciting and somewhat fearful, all wrapped together.

This Psalm involves something of that mystery! The idea that those who have observed the testimonies of the LORD are blessed is balanced with “Oh that my ways may be established…” It’s that latter phrase that seems to indicate that “my ways” are not yet all that they ought to be. At the same time, there is no clear indication that we cannot achieve all that the LORD desires for our lives. We simply must comport with His desire.

There is nothing but joy that He desires for us. It all clearly depends upon our willingness to do things His way. Note the excitement of the one who elects to keep His commandments. There is no shame; only thanksgiving with joy. Yes, there is a “learning curve” to His ways. No spiritual child becomes a spiritual adult overnight. His Word leads us into righteous paths that experience the warmth of spiritual sunlight. It’s not an overnight venture; but it’s exciting all the same, and joyously rewarding all the way!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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,

Psalm 16:1-11, “Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.

2 I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.’

3 “As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips.

5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.

6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

8 I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely.

10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

11 You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

The distractions of this world are enormous! We are virtually surrounded by “things” that desire to blind us from the meaningful things of life. The glitter attracts and opens the door for our entrance into the lesser and meaningless, mindless avenues of destructive activity. They look so inviting, yet when they disappear, we’re left empty – cheated of time and the truly productive activities that have been robbed by the clock!

The Psalmist surely experienced something similar because he has certainly rushed into the safety and refuge of the LORD. Catching his breath, as it were, he then speaks forthrightly of the superiority of the LORD’s blessings – blessings set before us as a fruitful table of delights!

“The LORD is the portion of my inheritance…,” he cries aloud. “My heritage is beautiful to me…I will bless the LORD, who has counseled me…” My heart is glad and my glory rejoices… Your presence is fullness of joy…” and “…there are pleasures forever.”

All of this encourages the true and hungry believer to forgo the worldly clutter-counters of mankind and feast at the Majestic Table of the LORD! Give yourself to prayer and study of the Word He has set before you! Your life will be enriched beyond your wildest dreams! His Word is Wonderful!

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,

Philippians 2:12-16, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

These words are the words from the Apostle Paul, written to the believers in Philippi. They were behaving as true believers when he was present with them, so he now encourages them to behave in the same manner in his absence. Does that not sound like your mother when you were small? “You were so nice when you were at Aunt Ruth’s house; try to be the same when we are visiting Aunt Gloria.”

Paul adopts that parental note when he encourages the Philippians: “You were good when I was with you; now, be good while I am away.” His encouragement to them is equally intended for us: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing…”; show everyone that you are “children of God” and you will be “above reproach.”

It’s a tough call! We live in a rough and tumble time. Conflicts abound everywhere! Where can we find peace? Paul suggests that we start with ourselves. The “call to conflict” comes often, and it always comes from the wrong source; but it can be squashed by love, if we will only allow it. Love always rises above conflict, as it demonstrates the likeness of the LORD. What’s more, it brings indisputable glory to Him!

Isn’t that really why we’re here? Yes, I know… the world in which we live literally abounds in attitudes that conflict with the life and teachings of Jesus. Yet, if we maintain a close relationship and fellowship with Him, we are guaranteed victory! That’s His promise! What do you say? Let’s give it a shot!

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,

II Peter 3:3-9, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’

5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

7 But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard the expression: “There’s nothing new under the sun.” Although not Scripture per se, that statement undoubtedly would fit snugly into the passage above; for that passage reminds us that “…all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation,” and mockery is but one of the elements that replicates itself throughout the ages: “Where is the promise of His coming?”

Stated clearly, the question expresses latent belief, and with unmistakable reassurance, that Jesus will return. Death, according to the stated Word above, is clearly not the will of the LORD for any man, woman, or child of an understandable age. Eternal destruction, however, is inevitable unless the person repents of sin and trusts in Jesus as Savior!

The LORD is quick to announce His plan of salvation; yet, He is patient in waiting for a human response. Just don’t delay too long. Time inevitably will close around us. Today is the day of salvation! Do not harden your heart!

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