The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Micah 6:6-8, “With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves?

7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

It has long been a kindly gesture when approaching a friend to do so with a gift in hand. Over the years, I have often been the recipient of such kindness and have discovered it to be something of a “conversational opener.” In all probability, this may well have been carried over from Old Testament times; for Micah sets the stage when he recites a forthcoming meeting with the LORD.

Thus, Micah muses with himself regarding what exactly he should present to the LORD: burnt offerings? Yearling calves? Rams? Oil? What would be the proper offering to present to the LORD? Ultimately, he settles on more fundamental offerings: justice, kindness, and humility.

What could we possibly offer to the LORD when we come to Him in prayer? He already possesses everything. How could we then possibly offer anything of value to Him? It’s worth giving some serious thought. How about “time”? How much time do we give to the LORD? We rush hurriedly through the day telephoning, shopping, working, and doing for others. But how much time do we take for prayer? Yes, we have needs, and we ask for His involvement in their procurement. They’re true needs, not silly things. But they’re for us! They’re our needs! What is His need? What does the LORD need to hear from us? How about how much we love Him? How about thanking Him for His watch-care over us? And that parking place for our car so very near to where we were going? Or that scarce item on the store shelf that we’ve sought for so long? Have we considered how involved He is in providing the “little needs” of our everyday lives?

What does the LORD require of His people? Honesty to all. Helpfulness toward others. Cheerfulness, especially for those who look worried, forlorn, and/or depressed. A warm smile. A kind greeting. A humble attitude. And perhaps an appropriate verse from His Word. My guess is that you’ll be more uplifted in giving than even the lowliest of those to whom you show love.

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 115:9-18, “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.

13 He will bless those who fear the LORD, the small together with the great.

14 May the LORD give you increase, you and your children.

15 May you be blessed of the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.

17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence;

18 But as for us, we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!”

When was the last time you actually praised the LORD? Was it when you learned that a loved one was not seriously hurt? –or that a friend had received a long-awaited promotion at work? Quite honestly, we don’t openly praise the LORD for many of the things for which He deserves our praise, do we? Far too often, we exhale heavily while saying, “That was close!” or “Wow, that could have been disastrous!”

The Psalmist reminds us to fear and trust the LORD. He is our Preserver and Defender even when we’re not aware of our needs. Perhaps, someday in Heaven, He will allow us to review the innumerable instances where He directed and preserved our lives, avoiding serious disasters. Yet, even now, we are aware of dangerous situations that might have occurred, but didn’t because He was watching over us.

At the same time, having the LORD as our constant Protector should not cause us to trivialize how we conduct ourselves. Taking “chances,” for example, where there is no reasonable purpose, simply amounts to foolish presumption. Sometimes, the LORD may allow injury to occur to cause us to be more mindful of danger that lurks around the corner. I’m sure He would rather that we conduct ourselves properly at all times – always trusting Him, but not presuming on His protection.

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,

1 John 2:13-15, “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

John, the author of the verses above, is also the author of the Revelation. He was a close contemporary of our LORD Jesus Christ and the author of five New Testament books. In this first letter, John emphasizes both the joyful and victorious life of knowing the LORD Jesus Christ.

The first century of the Christian life was indeed glorious, yet somewhat unstable in that there were few believers. Letters such as this one contributed well to the stabilization of that faith. As noted in the text above, Satan, the “evil one,” was alive and well in his effort to suppress and eliminate the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ.

First-century believers in Jesus Christ differed little from believers today in that both require support for that which is new. This epistle (letter) was not John’s first, however. He had previously written both the Gospel and this first of three epistles, intending to fortify with the Revelation those who had already committed their lives to Christ, as well as those whom he prayed would soon join their faithful number. Notice that verses 13 and 14 above reaffirm the faith already accepted, while verse 15 is a strong admonition to reject “the world (and) the things in the world.” Simply stated, while we are in this world, we are never completely, thoroughly free from the tentacles of sin.

The “fight,” therefore, is always upon us! We believers can never “sleep” because sin is always on hand to harass us; especially is that so because we are additionally charged with winning others to Him and encouraging them to embrace Him wholeheartedly! Simultaneously, we are presenting Him to others who are lost. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit indwells us with encouragement and strength. How are you doing spiritually? I’m praying for you. Please pray for me!

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,

1 Timothy 6:3-11, “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,

4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which envy, strife, abusive language, and evil suspicions arise,

5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.”

If you have kept abreast of the news lately, you have undoubtedly noticed how wealth has grasped the focus of so many—especially those currently serving in some form of governmental service! What they apparently assess as “chump change” is what most Americans would view as a considerable increase toward paying monthly bills.

Don’t get me wrong! It’s not how much money a person has; it’s how he treats it! Money itself is not evil. Some godly men in the Bible had great wealth. What’s important is whether those with money view it as a means of furthering the work of the LORD or in furthering themselves in ventures that produce even more. Notice what Timothy says: “…we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it,” and “those who want to get rich fall into temptation…,” wander away from the faith and pierce themselves with many griefs.”

The strong admonition of Scripture is to: “…flee from (selfish) things…pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” In short, it’s not how much you have, but what you do with what you have. Maintain a spiritual focus on spiritual things! God will bless that! And in the long run, you will spare yourself much grief and bring glory to the 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,

Genesis 18:25-33, “25 ‘Far be it from Thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from Thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?’

26 So the LORD said, ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.’

27 And Abraham answered and said, ‘Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.

28 ‘Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, wilt Thou destroy the whole city because of five?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.’

29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, ‘Suppose forty are found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not do it on account of the forty.’

30 Then he said, ‘Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not do it if I find thirty there.’

31 And he said, ‘Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.’

32 Then he said, ‘Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it on account of the ten.’

33 And as soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham, the LORD departed; and Abraham returned to his place.”

Have you ever thought that you could “out-talk” the LORD? I know some preachers who apparently believe they can. Have you ever thought you could bargain with the LORD and win? Well, I’ve never personally known either to be successful. It seems both dangerous and futile to me. Yet, I suppose each of us has, at some time, sought to persuade the LORD to come our way.

There are some decidedly spiritual aspects that must be “in place” if any facet of such can be successful. Examining the life of Abraham finds him abiding in the way of the LORD. Any child of a wise and loving parent knows that “minding” is key to obtaining future freedoms.

What has the LORD commissioned you to be beyond being a true and faithful servant? “Being” supersedes “doing.” How clearly and often my mother used to say, “Well, if you do what I’ve told you, we’ll see about it.” Are you doing what He has told you to do? Are you reading the Bible? Are you faithfully praying? Do others know you as a true and faithful witness for the LORD? Okay, now we’ll see about those things you’ve asked.

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