The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Chronicles 16:23-29, “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

24 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

27 Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place.

28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the LORD in holy array.”

My recent readings from an ancient commentary on the Scriptures, produced the following. May these few words lift your spirit as they have indeed lifted mine!

“Whether the music of that age would be pronounced ‘classic’ in our own, we have absolutely no means of deciding. It is hopelessly lost, nor have we any power to reproduce with certainty even one of their numerous musical instruments. Yet, of this we may be certain, it was music. It had in it some of the harmony of sweet sounds; it had the power to lift up human souls to a true devotional enthusiasm. It bore on high the out-goings of devout thanksgiving, praise, and adoration; it stirred pious souls to their depths of love and grateful trust; and, best of all, was well pleasing to God.”

“Of the poetry of those songs, we fortunately have ample means of judging. If the music was worthy of the poetry—equal to it in beauty and in power, we can afford to wish it had come down to our age in all its glory. That it made the tabernacle worship attractive, inspiring, impressive –a most effective means of reviving true piety in Israel, there can be no manner of doubt. Such hallowed songs, embodying and impressing such lofty sentiments, bringing God so near to men and lifting men so near to God; and all this backed up by the earnest example and the noble enthusiasm of a king whom to know was to esteem and to honor—these influences and impulses must have brought a great reviving in the piety of the Hebrew people.”

“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting.” (I Chr. 16:34).

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,

Ecclesiastes 12:5-14, “Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed;

7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8 ‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘all is vanity!’

9 In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs.

10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.

11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

It is by no accident that this instruction is given to us all, because the end of life, as we now know it, will one day be over, and we will discover the truths that either guided us into life eternal or left us to spend eternity in death. The goad, mentioned in verse 11, was a device that ploughmen used to guide their oxen. Here the writer uses it to describe the words of wise men –those who have verbally urged you to accept the LORD Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Think of the times you have been spiritually instructed to accept Jesus Christ and live to the glory of God; yet you have brushed those words aside in preference to your own desires. Be warned that those who ignore the teachings of Scripture, risk eternal separation from God and from everything joyous and loving. Indeed, it is time to seek the LORD! For when you truly know Him, you will want to share Him with others.

“”Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see

your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

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,

Romans 5:1-8, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Have you asked the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, come into your life and be your LORD and Savior? If you have, then you have exercised what the Bible calls “faith”; therefore, faith has become your doorway to peace. Peace does not indicate that you will thereafter have no difficulties in life. It may be that your difficulties will actually increase. Yet, the peace that the LORD gives enables you to rise above the difficulties you encounter in life.

What was the most difficult trial you recently encountered? Remember? Now, go back now, and re-read verses 3 through 5 above. The sixth word in verse three is “we.” Everyone has trials. But those who trust in the LORD have His love and comfort available to them. Remember how you sympathized with friends when they were in need? The LORD has even greater love and comfort than you and I can give. I’ve never died for anyone! Have you? Yet, the LORD Jesus died for us.

What’s more, He allows His love to flow through us on behalf of others who suffer in need. Let’s always be available to allow His love to flow through us. There are so many who need 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,

2 Corinthians 1:3-7, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;

7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.”

Sometimes we face burdens we simply cannot bear. Often they are not burdens caused by our sin or waywardness; sometimes they are burdens the LORD allows to bring out the strength He has placed within us – strength that when conquered will accrue to our benefit.

I learned this principle as a small boy. Some things I wanted to do, my mother disallowed. I didn’t understand; actually, I didn’t want to understand; I just wanted my way! What I ultimately learned, as I grew older, was that my mother had my best interest at heart and what she had disallowed ultimately proved to be to my benefit. Why didn’t I see that?

Even as adults, we Christians encounter situations we don’t completely understand. We seek answers—even comfort, yet often without success. “Why is this happening?” we ask. Perhaps the LORD is utilizing these “road bumps” to draw us closer to Him. It is simply not possible for us to foresee the future! Curves in the road hinder our seeing what lies beyond. Yet, we declare to others that He is more than competent to deal with their problems. Now He wants us to know He can deal competently with ours! We simply must keep the faith! Nothing is impossible with God!

“By and by when the morning comes;

All the saints of God are gathered Home;

We will tell the story how we’ve overcome;

We will understand it better by and 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,

Psalm 31:11-19, “Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.

12 I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

13 For I have heard the slander of many, terror is on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they schemed to take away my life.

14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, ‘You are my God.’

15 My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.

16 Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; save me in Your lovingkindness.

17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call upon You; Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol.

18 Let the lying lips be mute, which speak arrogantly against the righteous with pride and contempt.

19 How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men!”

There is ultimately no joy in becoming a “reproach” to neighbors, or to have people cross the street to avoid having to speak to you. Has that ever been your experience? Maybe someone has blatantly lied about your having done something you didn’t do. Maybe someone has lied about your having said something you didn’t say. Your reputation has been discredited beyond your own imagination. People turn away from you when you speak. They turn their backs to you when you come in contact with them. What can you do?

There is but one thing you can do: put your faith and trust in the LORD. “…I trust in You, O LORD…You are my God.” It’s not altogether what people think. What is most important is what the LORD thinks. He is well aware that you are being wrongfully charged. Moreover, He is aware of the evil in the hearts of your adversaries. Your release from these unjust experiences comes first from the LORD. It is His responsibility to deal with those who oppose and speak evil of you. And in the end, you will proclaim what the Word states: “How great is Your goodness…for those who take refuge in You…” Give the LORD an opportunity to right the wrongs that others have against you. You will find Him your Greatest Friend and Ally ever!

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