The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Zechariah 8:16-17, “’These are the things which you should do:

speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for

peace in your gates. 17 ‘Also let none of you devise evil in your

heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are

what I hate,’ declares the LORD.”

While it is always necessary to view Scripture in its own context,

there are instances where spiritual directives in the Old Testament

can be applied to our lives today. These verses are one of those

instances. What is more, they are not just “rules” for “rules’ sake;

they are given that we might live in peace.

May you enjoy peace today as you live to glorify Christ Jesus,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 9:23-26, “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me,

he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 “For whoever

wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one

who will save it. 25 “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses

or forfeits himself? 26 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man

will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and

of the holy angels.’”

Here Jesus speaks about “profit and loss,” something it seems is uppermost in

the minds of many these days. Jesus says that profit is loss and loss is profit.

Does that make sense? It does if you identify what you consider to be “profit”

and what you consider to be “loss.” What is profit to you? What is loss?

We love and cherish you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Haggai 2:12-13, “’If a man carries holy meat in the fold of his garment,

and touches bread with this fold, or cooked food, wine, oil, or any other food,

will it become holy?’ And the priests answered, ‘No.’”

13 “Then Haggai said, ‘If one who is unclean from a corpse touches any of these,

will the latter become unclean?’ And the priests answered, ‘It will become unclean.’”

The simple principle that emerges from these two verses is: Righteousness is

not contagious; unrighteousness is. A New Testament parallel is I Corinthians

15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

One good apple mixed in with a bag of rotten apples does not make the rotten

apples good; but, one rotten apple mixed in with a bag of good apples will soon

make the good apples rotten. Lesson: watch out who you run and hang out with!

Praying you will stay sweet and always in the Word,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Romans 5:3-5, “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.”

In Romans 5:1-2, Paul has spoken of the peace and grace that bring glory to God.

Then, he turns to the devastating things that can often upset that peace. But, instead

of rebuking the tribulation we encounter, he shows how it benefits us if we will accept

it as beneficial rather than becoming distressed and despondent. Hope is not an “if”

situation. It is future certainty! And the Holy Spirit within us pours out God’s love

so that we continue to praise Him even when situations look dim and disappointing.

How exciting it is to know that the LORD is in control of EVERYTHING; and how

joyful it is to see how He brings everything to pass for His glory!

Love you guys –abundantly,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Habakkuk 1:3-4, “Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness?

Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. 4 Therefore

the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore

justice comes out perverted.”

Every day’s news is filled with wickedness of all kinds! Why is this occurring? What is

going on?? The prophet has the answer. The Law of God is being ignored and justice

is not possible without obedience to His Law. The answer to killings, abuse of all kinds,

unrest among nations and within nations all comes back to us. We are ignoring God!

Fire warms us during cold, frigid conditions. But, if we fail to gather wood for the fire,

we suffer the cold. There are principles to everything. God has established it so. We

are living in a world that has elected to ignore the LORD; now, we suffer the consequences.

Stay in the Word! Pray earnestly! Trust the LORD thoroughly!

We love you earnestly,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas