The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Peter 3:3-9, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’

5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

The news media does relatively well in keeping us abreast of world conditions; but have you noticed how many countries are restless and provoked by the nations that surround them? Who knows what country is next to explode because of the human restlessness that pervades their nation and the nations surrounding them?

Conditions of unrest are precisely what the LORD predicted for the “last days.” Church attendance has increased in numerous areas, yet many churches appear to exist more for what the attendees can provide them rather than what they have come to learn from the Scriptures. Numerous radio and television programs spray the world with the Good News of Salvation, yet the turmoil in society-at-large continues unabated.

Peter tells us that the LORD is not slow concerning His promised Coming; we must simply be patient. The older I become, the less patience I have; still, I’m not running things! The LORD is! His timing is His responsibility alone! The responsibility of all truly born-again believers is to be patient, and faithful in sharing the message of salvation with others. There are numerous means of doing this, but living our lives in accordance with the Word of God is foremost! Are you there? Who knows how many lost souls are looking to you and me for hope! We have a challenge!

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,

Esther 6;6-11, “So Haman came in and the king said to him, ‘What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?’ And Haman said to himself, ‘Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?’

7 Then Haman said to the king, ‘For the man whom the king desires to honor,

8 let them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown has been placed;

9 and let the robe and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble princes and let them array the man whom the king desires to honor and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.’

10 Then the king said to Haman, ‘Take quickly the robes and the horse as you have said, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate; do not fall short in anything of all that you have said.’

11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, ‘Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.’”

Too bad for Haman. Some thoughts that initially seem beneficial often turn out to be the downfall that was never anticipated! Had Haman only stopped to think, he would have known that those who live for the praise of man, get only that –and not all of that at any one time! Yet, those who live for the glory of God, ultimately, receive praise from Him! Pride and selfishness blind us from many spiritual truths!

It’s hard not to rejoice over Haman’s embarrassment in having to lead horses throughout the city carrying Mordecai! I’m reminded of the verse: “ …let the one who thinks he stands watch our that he does not fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). I can see small children giggling in the shadows. It would have been hard not to laugh! Still, that is not all. Haman was hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. Haman’s arrogance led to scheming, and his scheming led to death. “You can’t do wrong and get by!”

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 22:1-6, “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all.

3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it.

4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

It all happened in 1995. Christa Pike was then 18 years old when she and her 17-year-old boy friend, Tadaryl Shipp, lured Colleen Slemmer, a Jobs Corps co-worker, into a secluded area near the University of Tennessee and killed her. The motive was jealousy. Christa believed Colleen was a rival for the love of her boy friend.

Ultimately, Christa Pike was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. Complications occurred, and the Governor of Tennessee has now put a “stay” on Christa Pike’s execution.

The huge question that begs to be heard is: WHERE WERE THE PARENTS WHEN ALL OF THIS WAS OCCURING? Where was the Sunday School where Christa could have learned about Jesus? “Train up a child in the way he (she) should go” requires parental guidance. Where was the teaching of the “thorns and snares” that lay in wait for unsuspecting youth? Where were the Christian friends, who could have told her about Jesus? Where were the prayer warriors, who might have prevailed for her salvation?

There seems no way out for now 50-year-old Christa. Will she be next victim of the electric chair? Or will the executioners try the lethal injection again. What a tragedy! The only positive aspect of this senseless, childish cataclysm is its “WAKE UP” call for all of us! Young people die. And when they die without Christ, they go to Hell where they experience the LORD’s final judgment! It’s a judgment that will not overlook our failures to reach the lost before it’s too late!

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,

Mark 10:46-52, “Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.

47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’

49 And Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So, they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.”

50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus.

51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”

52 And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”

Alfred Lord Tennyson said, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Yet, it was true even before Tennyson said it. It’s always been true! Bartimaeus lived long before Tennyson, and it was true, even away back then! The problem is not with prayer; the problem is with our believing it!

Look closely at the people in the verses above. People who either don’t believe in prayer or are embarrassed by those who do, always object. Yet, those who are hurting and desperately need help, are the ones who faithfully call for it. Jesus Himself is never embarrassed by someone calling for prayer! Neither should we be! When we desperately need help for anything, we ought to call for it!

The power that Jesus possessed for the healing of this blind man is the same power He possesses today to provide for our needs. He wants to honor our prayers; so we ought always to believe and say, “Thank You.” And an additional way to say “Thank You” is to be obedient and follow His teachings in the Bible. You can do that! I know you can!

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 Kings 8:33-36, “When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house,

34 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers.

35 “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them,

36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance.”

The LORD has means for forgiving multiple sins. What’s more, He sincerely wants to forgive! Yet, despite His earnest desire to do so, we hinder Him by not confessing the sin. Yes, it often hurts to admit that we’ve been wrong. Wrong ideas, wrong speech, wrong thoughts, wrong actions – the list reaches far. Yet, too often we endeavor instead to excuse the sin we’ve committed on the faulty basis we’ve merely invented!

Read the Scripture listed at the start of this letter. Our LORD’s promise rests on our confession and prayer for forgiveness. Remember when as a child you did something wrong. Ultimately, you told your mother you were sorry and she smiled and said she forgave you and hoped you’d never commit that sin again. The sin was yours to confess; it was hers to forgive. So, it is with Christ.

The rain that was denied Israel because of her sin became abundantly plentiful once the sin was confessed and forgiven. It is the same with us. The LORD stands ready to forgive. Now, it our turn. Let’s delay it no longer. The blessing of forgiveness awaits us!

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