The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Kings 8:15-18, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hand, saying,

16 ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’

17 “Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

18 “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.”

It’s always exciting to see someone willing to invest time and effort in the life of another. As a young lad, I can recall numerous people who were willing to invest in me. I was a member of a hiking club led by an adult man. Every Saturday we convened at his house, and he led us all on a long hike, noting along the way various things of interest that we would otherwise have missed completely! We stopped at lunchtime, built a fire, and cooked our noonday lunch. It was an interesting venture, something we anticipated each and every week.

Looking back, I’ve wondered what possessed a man who had worked all week to leave his family and take a group of young people on such ventures. Whatever one might think, that man was investing in lives!

His investment has led me to seek an investment in your life through these daily Grands Letters! Such investments, quite honestly, have a residual effect, for investors never lose! You can only lose by not investing!

Jesus’ death on the cross was an intentional investment in your life. He paid the price required for your eternal salvation. No one else could have. Perhaps your investment in the life of someone else will have some memorable consequences.

“Only one life; it will soon be past;

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

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,

Habakkuk 1:10, “They make fun of kings, and dignitaries are an object of laughter to them. They laugh at every fortress, then heap up dirt and capture it.”

I cited the prophet Habakkuk because he is one of only five writers of Scripture who mentions the word or an occasion of “humor.”

I thank the LORD that I was born with a sense of humor. Rarely does a day go by that something humorous reaches into my life. I truly love and appreciate good, clean, productive humor. Candidly, I would not know what to do without it.

Sometimes, I have an occasion to inquire about something by telephone. When I have learned what I needed, I then speak more personally and ask if there is a supervisor nearby. This occasions a sense of hesitation; but then, she haltingly says yes and summons her supervisor to the phone. It is then that I offer exuberant praise for the excellent work and conversation I have had with my initial informant. You can sense the relief in both parties when there is nothing negative to convey.

I then suggest that the initial person’s salary be doubled and she be given a two-week, all-expense-paid vacation in Maui! You would not believe their laughter! What a tonic for two people who undoubtedly often receive ugly and degrading responses from callers. They will not forget!

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with a lady who inadvertently mentioned her sick son. I asked if she were a Christian and told her I would be praying for her son. She was most appreciative. So many people are out there in the working world, worrying about those they’ve left behind. A bit of humor or personal concern makes their day. It makes mine, too! Go spread some humor with someone! God bless 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,

Proverbs 6:16-19, “There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil,

19 A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.”

By definition, wisdom is “the quality or state of being wise; the knowledge of what is true or right, coupled with just judgment as to action, discernment or insight.”

Solomon was indeed a wise man in most of his ways. Like a lot of us, he faltered when it was to his selfish advantage, yet he maintained stability at other times. When two women (both prostitutes) came before him, each claiming a child to be hers, Solomon took a sword and offered to sever the child in two parts, giving half to each of the women. One woman said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” But the other woman cried out saying, “Give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” And it was then and there that the true mother was revealed.

Wisdom is not a natural characteristic. It is an acquired benefit. Often taught by wise parents, it is then passed on to their children. Hopefully, their progeny will then successfully carry the process into all subsequent generations.

The seven characteristics noted in the Scripture above — the eyes, tongue, hands, heart, feet, and mouths—are the carriers of abomination that the LORD hates! So,

“Be careful little eyes what you see;

For the Father up above

Is looking down in love;

So, be careful little eyes what you see.”

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 3:2-7, “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Timothy was a young Christian lad when Paul wrote this letter. Timothy’s mother was Jewish, and his father was Greek. This was the first of two letters that Paul, now in his seventies, wrote to young Timothy. Paul himself was writing from Lystra, but he always maintained encouraging communication with Timothy. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:12). Those five Christian virtues cover the conduct of all believers in Christ. We should all examine ourselves regularly in the light of this verse.

Paul emphasizes doctrines that should be cherished and demonstrated within every believer’s life: sound doctrine, prayerfulness, spiritual oversight, particularly of those younger in the faith, and the careful exercise of one’s own spiritual responsibilities.

Although set forth in Scripture many years ago, these principles of the Christian faith ought ever and always to be observable in a true believer’s life. We need to remember each other in our prayers.

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 6:16-23, “There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil,

19 A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

20 My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother;

21 Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.

22 When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.

23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life…”

What a transformation our world would encounter, were we only to accept the challenge of these eight verses! Just imagine! The identification of all that is wrong is but the initial step to a wonderful, marvelous way of life! Yet, it all begins with the recognition that what affects us is precisely what God hates!

Note, too, that it is not the responsibility of the LORD to initiate alterations in our lives. He leaves that to us. If you want a better life, eliminate those situations that are hindering it. First, alter your eyes! Raising one’s eyebrows, so as to squint, expresses a supercilious, “better than thou” attitude toward others. Second, quit lying to others, especially as it leads to murder.

Stop thinking and planning wicked things that negatively affect other people. Don’t lie and cause people to think bad things about others. Such things magnify and proliferate wrong attitudes. And above all, remember and express only those good things that you were taught by your parents. Keep them foremost in your memory. These are the things that will guide and uplift your life.

Beyond that, by the utilization of these good things, the LORD Himself is pleased and glorified!

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