The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 42:6-11, “O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.

8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my rock, ‘Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’

10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’

11 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”

The Psalms are indeed a rich treasure! With long hours of tending sheep, shepherd David doubtlessly had enormous time to think and to pray. Not all of his days were tireless, however, for wild animals had to be discouraged from attacking the sheep he protected.

At times (probably more than we could imagine), David felt alone. And in these times, he turned to prayer and devotional thought regarding the LORD, whom he clearly adored. He would never have entertained the slightest thought that we would be reading his words over this distance of time.

David speaks of the LORD as his “rock,” a form of the Hebrew word meaning “divine origin.” What an encouragement! We would do well to think of that and how our words might affect others. Our words would undoubtedly do more for others were we more careful in their use. What might seem innocuous to us might actually be injurious to someone else. Without question, it is the LORD’s will that we speak to others in a kind, thoughtful, loving manner. Who knows who may one day read our words?

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,

Colossians 3:12-16, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Have you ever had a confrontation with someone that concluded in a less-than-friendly manner? I have every reason to believe that you have. Honestly, I can identify neither the differences nor the personalities; yet, almost everyone I know has, over time, encountered a difference with someone. The solution is always “forgiveness.”

The Apostle Paul instructs us, as with the believers in that Colossian Church, to show and demonstrate compassion and kindness in a truly humble manner, while simultaneously being both gentle and patient. Yes, it’s a tall order. Just saying “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” is quite difficult for some people. (We are always so certain we are right!)

Yet, those who truly are right ought to be first in demonstrating humility toward others. Love, of course, is the overall bond that unites opposing parties. Love always produces peace. And peace arrives quickly when Christ rules in the human heart. Stay in the Word! It is the surest option for correcting misunderstandings. Furthermore, you will sing from a pure and thankful heart that reassures your alliance with the Savior, Jesus Christ.

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 13:3-10, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately,

4 ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?’

5 And Jesus began to say to them, ‘See to it that no one misleads you.

6 Many will come in My name, saying, “I am He!” and will mislead many.

7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.

8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.

10 “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”

People have always expressed concern regarding the end of the world. What is taking place in Iran today can easily be considered one of the many “birth pangs” that will exist prior to the world’s total collapse! These warnings of Jesus, however, cover only a fraction of what will actually transpire, as the phrase “merely the beginning” clearly indicates.

The attitudes of many will turn against their fellow men. Pandemonium will be the key word of the day. Things never imagined will surface from the depths of human hearts and will cause inconceivable devastation! False accusations will abound from everywhere. Sheer panic will grip the entire globe! Nothing will be resistible! And every possible disaster will befall the earth prior to the end. There is but one viable solution: acceptance of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who do you know that needs Him? What are you doing to get him ready?

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 Peter 1:22-25, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, ‘ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.’ And this is the word which was preached to you.”

Obedience is the key to a host of things! As children, we learned obedience to our parents. We learned obedience to teachers at school, to officials of government, and beyond. Yet, the key feature of obedience is when it aligns with truth, because it is truth that purifies the soul. Moreover, obedience to the LORD enriches all that we do. It sets our feet on right paths; it focuses our eyes on worthwhile projects; it extends our hands to help others in need. Furthermore, He tells us that “to obey is better than sacrifice,” because sacrifice is the requirement for procuring forgiveness; and when we obey, we exclude that very need.

Obedience then opens the door for truth and love, the elements that emanate from the heart and soul of our faithful, protective Father. Hopefully, we are then found reflecting His love and grace that invites others into His amazing, meaningful, comfortable life.

I came to know Him when I was but a small child. My parents prayed with me, and I trusted Him as my Savior. Throughout my life, He has always been faithful. I only wish I could say the same. Still, His love enables His forgiveness, enabling me to say, “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus; no, not one; no, not one.”

You can trust Him with everything! And nothing is more important than your eternal soul!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 1:3-7, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

It’s always good to hear someone rejoice! Especially is this so when the rejoicing originates from someone suffering immensely for his or her faith in the LORD Jesus Christ.

There are various kinds of suffering. Some suffering originates from intentional physical abuse. Other suffering arises from emotional disturbances. Accusations can often be more hurtful than physical torture. The early Christians suffered in incalculable ways, being maligned both physically and emotionally.

Believers today often suffer as they seek to share Christ with others, whether at home or in some incidental place of encounter. Missionaries quite often suffer at the hands of native people with whom they have come to share the Savior. Suffering simply becomes the earnest Christian’s normal way of life wherever he goes.

The suffering Christian, however, is not without protection. The LORD allows the believer to suffer that he might prove his faith, even as it is being tested by fire! Yet, He is ever closer than the most doting parent. “Do not be afraid…for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”

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