The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 8:5-8, “He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. 6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man’s trouble is heavy upon him. 7 If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? 8 No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver those who practice it.”

The key word in the passage above is “happen.” It’s “key” because it possesses so many meanings. Happen is a derivative of “hap,” which means “an occurrence,” a “happening,” or an “accident.”

Now, think about that. All of this is written in order to jog your thinking related to what you (and I) say in general conversation. Speech often gets us into trouble. Have you ever been misunderstood? Of course! So have I. I’ve been quoted as saying things that I never said or even thought—all because someone heard someone else say that I had said them. Has that ever happened to you?

What are we to do? Tracing down wrongs is a delicate undertaking. Sometimes it’s better, as the saying goes, to “let sleeping dogs lie.” Eventually, and hopefully, everything will be forgotten, and it will then be “no worse for the wear.”

In the meantime, great care should be given to what and to whom we speak. Some people truly don’t hear well. Others have “selective” hearing. It is of no value to believe what you say will never be misinterpreted. Believe me, it will!

The clear and unmistakable solution is given to us in the words of an old hymn, “Take it to the LORD and leave it there!” He is our Redeemer! Yes, He redeems us from sin; yet, He also redeems us from the unwarranted sins that others have mistakenly assigned to us. Increase your prayer life! Think Upwardly! Trust the LORD! 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

Dear Grands,

1 Chronicles 29:11-14, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty; indeed, everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.

12 “Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.

13 “Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.”

When was the last time you said “Thank you” to someone? They’ve done something nice. They’ve rushed to help! “Watch out for that,” they said. They brightened your day. And you said, “Thank you.” Remember?

Or maybe it was just a simple wave of the hand, a smile, a nod of the head, or the wink of an eye – some small, positive gesture. Yet, it was a sincere and generous acknowledgment of appreciation for what they had done.

It didn’t take long. It cost nothing. Still, it possessed immeasurable value — more than could be calculated monetarily. It said that you noticed. It said that you cared. What’s more, it was a measure of genuine friendship.

The life of Jesus Christ embodied such things. He “…called for the little ones, saying ‘Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’”

If One so busy, so encumbered with cares of inestimable importance, could find time for small children; surely, we can say “Thank you” to those who have shown loving concern for us. “Thank you” are two small words that carry immense love and value.

Start today! Notice the “little things” others do for you. Assess their true value, and say “Thank you.” You will both be better for it. Now, let me say “Thank you” for reading this letter.

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 8:15-18, “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