The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 13:1-9, “Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes, our brother,

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,

5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,

6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Moving closely to the end of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul affirms his authority as he addresses the saints within the Corinthian church. Simultaneously, he offers thanks to God, who has enriched their lives in the knowledge of Christ and encouraged them to share Him with others. Further, by having trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior, they will now be found blameless “in the day of our LORD Jesus Christ.”

This may seem somewhat strange, but there are those today (and possibly were in that day) who acknowledge Jesus as the Savior, but there are those who listen to the Gospel and give every outward indication of belief in Him, but never show evidence of true salvation. They “like” Jesus, but fail to “love” Him by way of His saving grace!

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 28:1-6, “… the island was called Malta.

2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, ‘Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.’

5 However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.”

Having been falsely accused of wrongdoing by his adversaries, the apostle Paul ultimately exercised his legal right to appeal to Caesar. En route to Rome, however, the ship encountered a severe storm and found harbor on an island called Malta. Not thinking of himself as “exceptional,” Paul started gathering wood for a fire. It was then that the natives noticed a viper bite him, yet the bite had no adverse effect. And when he prayerfully healed the leading man of the island, they called him a god.

It’s interesting that mere human beings are often elevated in the minds and thinking of others when they do something extraordinary. Yet, it is the LORD working through the individual that produces the results. We must always be careful to acknowledge Christ as supreme, and not ourselves. He is always present to guide and direct us. Our responsibility is to stay prayerfully close to Him! Do you know Him? I earnestly pray that you do.

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 12:20-25, “Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these then came to Philip who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; and Philip came and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’ 24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 ‘He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.’”

Strange how some things work. Many months ago, I phoned and spoke with the secretary of a Texas Baptist pastor. Knowing that President Trump had visited that church on more than one occasion, I asked: “Does the pastor believe that President Donald Trump is a Christian?” Her reply was, “He does.” Then I again asked the question, adding: “Does the pastor believe that President Donald Trump is a truly ‘born-again’ Christian?” Her reply was the same: “Yes, he does.”

Without a doubt, the LORD led President Trump to challenge and remove the Iranian leader who has oppressed other nations in the realm. Yet, we must leave all such matters to the divine judgment of the LORD. He alone is Supreme in all matters! “He doeth all things well.” May we never forget.

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 17:7-15, “Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior, of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.

9 From the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They have closed their unfeeling heart; with their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; they set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.

12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear, and as a young lion lurking in hiding places.

13 Arise, O LORD, confront him, bring him low; deliver my soul from the wicked with Your sword,

14 From men with Your hand, O LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your treasure; they are satisfied with children, and leave their abundance to their babes.

15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.”

It is my intention here to convey the thought that what occurred recently in Iran was both known and initiated by the Divine Hand of Almighty God! Every effort made to counter such devastation was offered without avail. My personal concern is for the many Christians who are under heavy opposition for their spiritual worship, as well as for those whom the LORD knows that need yet to be saved. Still, all people should be free to worship the LORD according to their conscience. It is the responsibility of those who know Him to reach them for the LORD Jesus Christ.

If you are watching the news or listening to preachers everywhere on radio or television, you have to know that we are living close to the end of human civilization. I was never a farmer or even lived on a farm, yet I learned from the days of my youth what was meant by the farmers’ call: “Harvest time!” I have that sense within me today, only it’s spiritual. The Word of God consistently reminds us that the LORD’s Coming could be today. Are you ready? Are the members of your family ready? It’s not which church you attend, or how honestly you live and work. It’s all in knowing the LORD Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. My prayer is for your salvation!

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 Chronicles 32:1-8, “After these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.

2 Now when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem,

3 he decided with his officers and his warriors to cut off the supply of water from the springs which were outside the city, and they helped him.

4 So many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream which flowed through the region, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find abundant water?”

5 And he took courage and rebuilt all the walls that had been broken down and erected towers on it, and built another outside wall and strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in great number.

6 He appointed military officers over the people and gathered them to him in the square at the city gate, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,

7 “Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him.

8 “With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”

Everything in Israel is marvelous! No adventure, however, came close to my wading through Hezekiah’s Tunnel! Historically, workers labored from both ends and came together in the middle, ultimately sparing the people from Sennacherib’s intended invasion.

Space in this letter will not allow telling it in detail. It’s sufficient to say that when plans are left to the LORD, He protects His people! He did and He will! Trust Him, doubt nothing! He was and is and always will be the Great Deliverer! Write to me and share how He has delivered you! And if your deliverance is yet to be, just keep trusting Him! He never fails!

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