The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 12:42-43, “Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him,

but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that

they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval

of men rather than the approval of God.”

Like it or not (and I do not!), we’re living in a politically-correct world.

People are like the Pharisees in the verses above; they are afraid to

say what they really think and believe because they’re afraid of what

others will think of them. What we learn from the verses above is that

the dilemma in which the Pharisees found themselves was a dilemma

of their own making. And so it is with us today. Kids in public schools

today are told what they cannot wear to class, even what they can and

cannot believe! I didn’t live in such a situation when I was a kid, but

I never allowed anyone to force me to be silent when I felt like expressing

what I believed! It’s more difficult to make a stand today than it was when

I was young; but we must seek the approval of God rather than men!

Always make sure God approves, then fear no one when it comes to

expressing yourself. There’s a lot more at stake than being put out

of the synagogue.

Sorry this is so long. I’m still frightfully out-spoken!

Love you all much more than you know,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

John 10:9, “’I am the door; if anyone enters through Me,

he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.’”

The words of Jesus are usually pack full of meaning, and

this verse is no exception. Jesus has had a long discussion

with the Jews about who He actually is. He is indeed the

entry way to salvation and life. Saved (????) means secure.

When we’re saved, we’re secure forever in Him. “Go in

and out” suggest freedom –freedom of movement, not

restricted. And “pasture” expresses nourishment, rest,

and fellowship. Freedom and rest really go together.

No worries, no lack of strength for what we need.

May you be strengthened today for what the LORD

has in store for you! Rejoice! “This too will pass.”

Love you all bunches & bunches,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

John 8:24, “’Therefore I said to you…unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.’”

I wish you could have known my Dad. JD was only seven years old when Dad died.

He was without a doubt the finest, Christian man I have ever known. I saw his life from

my earliest days. The worst expression I ever heard him use was “Gee Whiz!” True.

I remember thinking as a kid, My Dad is such a good man that even if he never trusted

Jesus, God would let him into Heaven. But I was wrong in thinking that. He did trust

Jesus, as his father and mother had. ~ Jesus spoke often of His Father. Many of the

Jews to whom He spoke did not believe Him. Jesus said clearly, “Unless you believe

that I AM, you will die in your sins. Belief (trust) is a mental-spiritual activity. Salvation

requires nothing else, but some become so wrapped up in what they think, do, are,

that they ignore, neglect, reject Jesus. In witnessing, we simply present the Gospel

and live it before them. They must believe in Jesus. My Dad did, and so did I.

Love you guys so much,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

John 7:17, “’If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.’”

Ideas swirl around us in the hundreds. How are we to know what is

right and what is wrong? ~ When I read again the verse above, I was

reminded of an experience in Australia. I had spoken to a group of

university students, and opened myself for questions after the message.

One student asked how he could know that what I had said was true.

The LORD put in my mind the verse above, and I quoted it for the

student. I went so far as to say that if he were willing to honestly and

seriously pray with me then and there, it would be revealed to him

whether what I had said was the truth. I went even further to say that

if he would pray and if the LORD did not confirm what I had said, I

would give up preaching! He was not moved to accept my challenge.

Some people just don’t want to know the Truth. They live and wallow

In their own and other’s beliefs. All we can do is pray for them. If they

will not trust the LORD, they can never be saved.

We rejoice that you all are saved!!! May the LORD bless you today!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn

from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive

their sin, and will heal their land.”

This is a principle originally given to the Jewish people, but

applicable to Gentiles as well. We are called “Christians” because

we believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as LORD and

Savior. Humility is the denial of power within ourselves. Prayer

is the acknowledgment of dependence upon the LORD. Seeking

His face is willingness to do His will whatever it is. Turning from

wickedness means divesting ourselves of all known evil, however

small and insignificant it might seem. His promise is to hear our

prayers, forgive our sins, and bring healing to our nation. But, it’s

all conditioned on that little word, “if.” We must not point the

finger at others; we must apply His conditions to ourselves. Only

then will His formula work; only then will God bless America.

We love you each and every one,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas