The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 1:2-8, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

If you’ve ever contemplated a purchase, you’ve doubtlessly examined the item closely prior to making a final decision. That’s precisely what the word “consider” means when the verse notes that in life we “encounter various trials.” We must examine every situation carefully because we know that any decision will doubtlessly put our character to the test. We cannot afford to rely solely upon our own judgment. This is where that second opinion from a trusted friend comes into play. To believe that you have no need of anyone else’s consideration in the matter is a disastrously wrong step. Consultation is vital!

Faith is another aspect to consider. Faith excludes doubt. And the LORD is the singularly unique Person for consideration in every matter. He is the “doubt remover,” and He gives His opinion in “full disclosure.” Furthermore, He is trustworthy beyond anyone — even the best possible, knowledgeable consultant. He has your sole interest at heart, well beyond that of anyone! He is ever trustworthy and will work for you on and beyond the scenes. May God alone be glorified!

“There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one; no, not one.”

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 John 1:6-11, “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;

11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”

It’s a positive teaching, but one that is often overlooked: there are “many deceivers” in the world; deceivers who wish to engage both the lost and the weak believer into believing another way. In some instances, they know they are deceiving; in other instances, they have embraced non-Christian doctrine, believing it to be a truth. In either instance, beware! And be prepared!

You may have heard of the young man who embraced a belief contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Unknowingly, he encountered a pastor who ultimately led him to Christ. When he returned home, he shared the pastor’s testimony, along with his own, ultimately leading his parents to genuine faith in the LORD Jesus Christ!

What is commendable is the fact that those who lack genuine faith in Jesus Christ are, nevertheless, out there seeking to influence others. We who know the truth in Jesus Christ are often either too timid or too busy with lesser things to share our faith in Him. Just a simple question: “Are you a Christian?” will provoke a conversation. Why not give it a prayerful try? You don’t have to have all the answers to everything. You just need to know the One who does! Do you know 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,

Proverbs 17:15-20, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking in sense pledges and becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

19 He who loves transgression loves strife; he who raises his door seeks destruction.

20 He who has a crooked mind finds no good, and he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.”

We live in a world that seeks to justify the wicked while simultaneously condemning the righteous. Unscrupulous acts of evil are defended with denials from those who are most closely related to the acts themselves.

Surrounded by verses that identify the ways of the wicked, verse seventeen introduces what has long become known as “the wisdom of Solomon,” highlighting in a biblical proverb the value of true, loving friendship emerging from a close, concerned companion.

Whether the companion is seeking to assist his friend by extracting him from trouble or simply demonstrating his closeness and concern at a critical point in time is not clear.

Yet, there is no question of his love and devotion.

What a blueprint of Christ’s concern for us! He is our dearest and closest friend!

The adversities that surround us melt away in the Light of His eternal presence.

“There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus;

No, not one. No, not one.”

I trust you know Him. If so, share Him with others. You’ll both be better for it.

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,

Job 5:1-11, “Call now, is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn?

2 “For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple.

3 “I have seen the foolish taking root, And I cursed his abode immediately.

4 “His sons are far from safety, They are even oppressed in the gate, And there is no deliverer.

5 “His harvest the hungry devour And take it to a place of thorns, And the schemer is eager for their wealth.

6 “For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble sprout from the ground,

7 For man is born for trouble, As sparks fly upward.

8 “But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God;

9 Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number.

10 “He gives rain on the earth And sends water on the fields,

11 So that He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.”

Were you ever in a situation that called for answers you simply did not have? Of course, you were.

So has everyone at some point in life. Anger, jealousy, foolish speech – afflictions of various kinds and of numerous numbers – all arrive at strange and awkward times. It’s a rule of life that abuses everyone sometimes, and others quite a lot. What is to be done?

Neither Job nor his friends simply overlook the situation; still, throughout the ordeal, Job is the only one who clearly maintains faith in the LORD. In fact, the LORD is Job’s first contact. Is that what occurs with us? Do we seek His counsel first? Oftentimes, we do not. We turn to someone nearby or someone from whom we’ve received previous counsel. Still, how do we assess the value of human counsel?

No, Job gives us the counsel we need for all times: “…I would seek God, and I would place my cause before God.” Why, then, are we hesitant to lay matters before Him? Could it be that we’re fearful of what He might say? Or could it be that we’ve previously laid matters before Him but did not like what He told us to do? Therefore, we avoid His scolding and our embarrassment. Job concludes by saying, “…we have investigated it, and so it is. Hear it, and know for yourself.”

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 1:15-20, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

“Who’s in charge here?” Without question, I’m certain you’ve heard an outburst such as this from someone who has just entered the room. It is inevitably a human voice of high decibels, endeavoring to create the belief that he is the one “in charge.” The one who is truly “in charge” speaks in a softer, albeit authoritative, tone.

In our verses above, the Apostle Paul speaks of the One who is truly supreme: the “invincible God.” He is the first of all creation, whether you believe it or not. He created all things, whether you know it or not. He’s the One who keeps all things in motion, and whether you think so or not, He keeps everything from falling apart.

Furthermore, according to the Father, He is the head of the spiritual assembly, known as the church; and He has been granted complete authority over everything — even over those who harbor uncertainty regarding His status. Deny authority if you will, but His authority reigns! He wants you to be on His side! It’s no gamble; He proved Himself by arising from the dead! He’s now looking for others to join His team. It’s your opportunity. Don’t neglect it. You and I don’t live forever; He does!

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