The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 9:1-6, “And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.

3 And He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece.

4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city.

5 And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’

6 Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”

It’s a peculiar reminiscence, but I recall a time when I was in evangelistic work that I was informed that I was to stay in a certain house for a night or two and move to another for another specified time. I smiled and repeated verse four above; and thus, spent the entire time I was in that vicinity at the same house.

I have to admit that I had no idea what verse five meant with respect to shaking “the dust off” of one’s feet. Subsequent to that time, I have learned there is more than one meaning to be derived from that verse. Shaking the dust off of one’s feet was a symbolic act, a testimony against those who rejected the Gospel. It also signified the devastation of separation and final judgment –not something anyone should ever want!

I’m sure we often wonder whether those who refuse the Gospel we offer, ever come to the faith in Jesus Christ. We should continue to pray for them and trust that they will receive Him as their LORD and Savior. We are not and cannot be held to account for what they do; but we must continue to pray for their salvation. You may ultimately have to “shake the dust off of your feet,” in their regard; but we should pray until the burden is lifted. The LORD will see to that.

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,

Luke 7:1-7, “When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

2 And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.

When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, ‘He is worthy for You to grant this to him;

5 for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.’

6 Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, ‘Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;

7 for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.’”

I’m not familiar with any current situation that bears out what I’m thinking, but it does seem highly unusual that the one more rightly deserving an audience with the LORD, should relinquish his rightful place in deference to someone he does not know. That is indeed a sweet spirit, reminding me of the song; “There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place.”

It seemed an easy calculation: if Jesus could not heal the one, who was first in line, how could He be expected to heal anyone! The LORD had “started toward the home where He was staying, when the Centurion called out to Him: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself…for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof…just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

“…and they found the slave in good health” (vs. 10). Do you have a need?

“Always trust and never doubt;

He will surely bring you out;

Take your burdens to the LORD and leave it there!”

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,

Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

“Don’t you dare go out in this weather without the proper clothing!” Even now, with many years having passed, I can still recall the voice of my mother, warning me of adverse weather.

The Apostle Paul issued a similar warning; but, his warning spoke of the “schemes of the devil.” There is a plethora of thought in today’s society that seeks to debunk all things related to the devil; nevertheless, he exists; and further, he is exceedingly clever in working his ills against humanity.

Yes, spiritual forces of darkness do exist; and every scheme must be rebutted with Biblical Truth! It’s at this point we can be encouraged! God has provided the armor that will withstand every evil force Satan can throw at us. The armor that protected Old and New Testament saints was as complete as it was uncomfortable! Nevertheless, without it, serious injury and death were virtually certain.

One of Rose Marie’s favorite undertakings was teaching our grandchildren how to prepare themselves for spiritual battles. They listened carefully, and today they are finding opportunities for doing just that! Yes, the LORD fights for us, yet He expects us to protect ourselves just as He has taught us. Are you prepared? Do you know the schemes of the enemy? You better get ready!

You can be certain he knows your weaknesses. But, you know the LORD, don’t you?

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,

Acts 22:3-10, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.

4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons,

5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.

6 But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,

7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

8 “And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’

9 “And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.

10 “And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’”

The words of Paul’s conversion have long been echoed throughout the history of the church. Paul’s testimony, cited above, should encourage believers everywhere to share the Gospel that griped that, by God’s grace, will totally transform the lives of even the most energetic non-believers!

The mowers came to cut my grass. I spoke to one of the men, asking “Why don’t you guys pray for rain? It would increase your business and simultaneously beautify my lawn!” He smiled and thanked me, as I handed him a Gospel Tract. There was no sermon, no long drawn-out Gospel message. Just a small simple gift of the Gospel to a hard-working man with many yards yet to mow. But, it was a start. He will be back. I will have opportunity to speak further with him. Yes, witnessing can be simple.

If you know the LORD Jesus as your personal Savior, you know the inestimable value He brings to your life. What He has done for you, He can and will do for others! Share Him with a lost friend!

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,

2 Corinthians 1:8-11, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,

11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”

Were you ever so sick that you truly just wanted to die? Only once was I that ill; yet, looking back on it now, I would rather encounter that illness, than to elicit what I then thought I wanted! Paul understood the burdens of life. Such burdens are still with us. Like with Paul, we are often “burdened excessively, beyond our strength,” yet lacking ”the sentence of death.” I am reminded of the lyrics of that old hymn,

“Where could I go; oh, where could I go,

Seeking a refuge for my soul?

Needing a friend to help me in the end,

Where could I go, but to the LORD?”

The inventions of men are multiple! Yet, none either touch or come near to answering the needs of the human heart. Artificial Intelligence purports to enter that arena; yet, I insistently warn you not to trade your Bible for AI!! Even those in high places (many of whom doubtlessly have no personal knowledge of Christ) are concerned that AI might well lead us down those dark, knowledgeless corridors into eternal oblivion, like wandering into deep space with neither the knowledge nor the provisions for survival.

Jesus Christ is our only Hope for survival! Seek out the Book of the LORD and read! He alone truly cares for your eternal soul!

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