The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jeremiah 2:29-32, “Why do you contend with Me? You have all transgressed against Me,” declares the LORD.

30 “In vain I have struck your sons; They accepted no chastening. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.

31 “O generation, heed the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of thick darkness? Why do My people say, “We are free to roam; We will no longer come to You?”

32 “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.”

Not to dissuade your attitude regarding me as a child, but I was often in conflict with my parents. In retrospect, I see their contention: they were the authority. I was their possession, and I was to obey. It mattered not to me that they were older than I, or that they owned the house where I was allowed to live, or that they provided the food and clothing of which I eagerly and enjoyably partook; my singular focus was largely upon myself alone! In retrospect, however, I see things quite differently now than I did then.

If the LORD was ever encumbered with a faithless, thankless people (and He is!), it was with the Judeans. Wrapped in the comfort of His provisions, they summarily discounted His directives and counsel. Yet, when opposition surrounded them and fear abounded, they cried out to Him for help and deliverance.

Oh, how like those Judeans we are today! His warnings come; but we ignore them. Proudly and haughtily, we pretend to be confident. Yet, in the final hours of hurt and downfall, we cry out for His help and mercy. And because He loves us, He rescues us again and again. Oh, how very much we owe to Him! Oh, how much we ought to love Him!

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,

Jeremiah 1:4-10, “Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,

5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born, I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.’

6 Then I said, ‘Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.’

7 But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am a youth,” because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.

8 “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

9 Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”

10 “See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.”

This writer has never experienced serving in the military, as have some who are currently reading this letter. I have, however, served under the authority of the King of Kings, who has assigned and directed me in somewhat the same manner as He dealt with the prophet Jeremiah. There was a call (vv. 4-10) that was confirmed as surely as Jeremiah’s call, although the circumstances varied considerably.

This writer has never viewed his opportunities as greater or less than those of any other conscript. In each instance, there is something to be done – something to be accomplished, despite the obstacles that seem to becloud the way.

The one in authority always views the possibilities more clearly than the one in the trenches. It is true militarily and spiritually. Yet, the victory that the Superior envisions has been previously encountered. He knows how to resist and overcome the tyrant. He has been to the Cross; now, He allows us to experience what it means to “die to self” to win the victory!

Whatever the LORD calls us to do, we may be assured that He has been there before us, having encountered the same opposition; thus, He clothes us in impenetrable attire. Be not afraid!

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,

Romans 8:18-25, “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 willingly, 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. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also, we ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

It is indeed very difficult to rejoice over the suffering and death of anyone. At the same time, Paul assures us that what we suffer here on earth is nothing when compared with “the glory that is to be revealed to us” throughout eternity. Sometimes, glory moves in tandem with suffering. That is what many in Iran are now experiencing. Our sincere prayers are offered for the Christians and all freedom-loving people in Iran.

The Apostle Paul admits that he is excited, as he eagerly awaits his adoption and redemption. Hopefully, we are all anticipating that day of freedom from every earthly tyranny! However, it is not something that we simply cast off; it is what Christ Jesus removes from us when we trust Him as LORD and Savior of our lives. Trusting Him means prayerfully admitting our sin and asking for His forgiveness. That’s precisely what He’s waiting for! It’s at that point that He washes away our sin and comes into our lives! It’s so easy that many forsake it; and along with that omission, they bypass eternal life. Don’t let that slip in your life! Just pray and ask for His forgiveness right now!

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 103:1-13, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;

3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;

4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

6 The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.”

Is it not time for us to praise and bless the LORD for all His blessings? Stop and think of all He has done for you. Even in times of distress and uncertainty, He is there to comfort and bless us. Start your day by saying “Bless the LORD!” You will be better for doing it, and those around you will rejoice with you.

As the old hymn says, “Count your blessings; name them one-by-one.

And it will surprise you what the LORD has done!”

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 28:1-6, “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

3 A poor man who oppresses the lowly is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all things.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich.”

Solomon was known for his wisdom, despite the failures he experienced in his personal life. He expressed great wisdom in his design and construction of the House of the LORD; but he failed miserably in his personal life, especially in his affiliation with foreign women.

There’s an old saying that fits well regarding Solomon’s lifestyle: “Do as I say, not as I do.” In all probability, the saying is derived from Matthew 23:3, “Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.”

If we would be serious, dedicated followers of Jesus Christ, we must always be truthful. Samuel Clemens (so far as is known) never claimed to be a Christian. Yet, it was he who said, “Always tell the truth and you won’t have to remember anything.”

Many designs today would lead us into untruthfulness. Even a subtle pretense of knowing or not knowing something thrusts us into the area that ultimately works against Jesus Christ. It is John 8:31-32 that says, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; …you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Let’s always be free!

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