The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 24:3-14, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.

5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

6 “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.

11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Have you ever wondered if you would be alive on Earth when Jesus comes again? Without question, it will be an excitingly eventful time! The turmoil that rages throughout our world today will then be unleashed in full fury—nation against nation, fighting to the death amongst themselves – and for what? They will have missed the most ecstatic experience the world has ever known! For all truly born-again believers, resident throughout the world, will be uplifted into the glorious realm of Eternal Heaven to live forever with the LORD Jesus Christ and with the millions of believers who trusted Him to the end.

Today, turmoil is raging throughout the globe, while covens of believers are secretly huddled in worship of the LORD Jesus Christ. There are hundreds of true believers in Iran, worshipping beyond the eyes of a godless regime. They need and deserve our prayers for their safety. May their earnest trust in Christ Jesus be the incentive that draws others to faith in Him, too! Prayer is vital to the reaching of thousands of lost souls, who are the concern of multiple missionaries throughout the world. Both the lost and the saved need our prayers. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few…” (Luke 10:2).

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,

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

We live in a troubled world, surrounded by frightening situations. Turbulence is on every side. We scream for help, yet it does not come. We seek to hide, but there is no cover. What are we to do?

Then, softly there comes a voice saying, “Peace, My peace I give to you.” And the soft strength of that voice smothers the fear like a blanket covering threatening flames. His peace has become my peace. I am no longer afraid.

Something like this was the experience of an American pilot whose airplane was shot from the sky by enemy forces. One moment he was in control; then, hit and ejected from his plane, he was grounded, hurt, in the dark, and all alone. Yet, in that darkness, wounded and hurting, he was mysteriously led to safety and ultimately rescued.

His experience was unique – yet have we not all experienced something similar? Have we not encountered obstacles that hindered our progression? Have we not experienced leadership that was not of our own making?

Remember Jacob. Tired and worn out from travel, he spent the night with his head on a stone and dreamed of a ladder that reached into Heaven. Yet, upon awakening, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).

More often than not, the LORD is near us. Our weariness merely overshadows His presence. We think we are alone. Yet, He is always near. As the song goes, “Standing somewhere in the shadows, we’ll find Jesus.” The wise counsel is: “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,

Hebrews 11:32-40, “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated

38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”

Have you ever been overlooked, omitted, bypassed, or in any way mistreated by others? Probably you have, but not that anyone could observe, after reading the passage above. You may be exceedingly popular, cheering for the home team when they’re playing at home; but try cheering for them when they’re playing on a rival’s home court or field. It’s not the same!

Christians live in a fallen, sinful world. It’s not popular to cheer for Jesus in their world! He’s an offense to them! They think they’re the greatest. Jesus’ very presence says they’re not! They’re angry that He came! They’re furious! That His character, His reputation, His very demeanor, is permitted in their realm is offensive! The world will not allow that Jesus is the Creator, the Instructor, their would-be Savior! Yet He is to all who will believe 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,

Matthew 24:4-13, “And Jesus answered and said to them, ’See to it that no one misleads you.

5 ‘For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will mislead many.’ You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.

11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

It’s no laughing matter! If you’ve been digesting the news these days, the passage above could easily be trusted to have originated in our own time. For what is occurring in our world today is an undeniable “rubber stamp” of Holy Scripture!

I recall once asking a pastor if he believed an item that was then in the news. His reply was, “I don’t believe everything I read, or everything I hear preached. I don’t even believe all that I preach!” Needless to say, I was stunned by that closing remark! Whether he meant that he could not personally account for all that was occurring in our time, or whether he did not believe all that was being revealed as foretold in the Scriptures, I cannot say; I only trust that he was joking! God’s Word is not something with which to trifle.

Face it! We are living in an era of hatred and betrayal. We are surrounded by false prophets, who are misleading many. Lawlessness is increasing; true spiritual love is fading from the scene. And time is running out! Yet, “…everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Acts 2:21). Let’s not kid ourselves! Let’s not take anything for granted! Let’s bow before the LORD in earnest confession of our sins. Jesus alone is our Redeemer!

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 37:3-9, “Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.”

One of the most endearing passages in the whole of Scripture is contained in those seven verses above. If you remember your primary school classes in English grammar, you will undoubtedly recall that the verb is the most active, if not the most important, in the entire cadre of words. “Trust,” “Dwell,” “cultivate,” “Delight,” “give,” “commit” – and the listing of verbs in these verses goes on.

David, the shepherd, the musician, the leader, and later the king – his share of difficulties lay amid the innumerable responsibilities he carried throughout his lifetime. Nights alone in both moonlight and rain, he experienced every reality of life, each preparing him for weightier responsibilities to come.

We all face intractable difficulties in life, yet, what can we do? Look again at those challenging verbs scattered throughout this Psalm: “trust, delight, give, commit.” Not once does the author include words like frustrate, grumble, or quit. And the “rest” that he mentions relates to our restful reliance upon the LORD.

Life overflows with trials! Who needs to be reminded of that? Yet, we often need to be reminded that the LORD cares for those who are His. If you’re plagued with an avalanche of life’s multiple discouragements, take heart! Those who wait for the LORD will inherit His blessings – along with the land.” Just “trust in the LORD and do good.” He will ultimately give you showers of blessing! So many, in fact, that you will be unable to number them.

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