The Grands Letter

Dear, Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 6:17, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited

or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with

all things to enjoy.”

You probably don’t watch the stock market, but making the right investments

makes some people very wealthy. When people get really wealthy, they often

become conceited. (Just look at all that I have!) But, Paul instructs Timothy to

tell these “rich people” not to be so snotty and count on their riches, because riches

are very, very uncertain. Yesterday’s stock market that made them wealthy is

today in a slump that takes everything away. No, wealth in worldly things is not

to be the focus of believers. A believer’s hope is only in the LORD! And it is He

who abundantly supplies us with everything for our enjoyment. Think of that!

The beauty we see in the planet around us; the beauty we hear of the wind and

the birds; the beauty we taste of the food He has provided –everything is for our

enjoyment. Yet, we too often foolishly focus on man-made “things,” that break

down and often cannot be repaired. Wake up, believers! The best things in

life are free! And possession of the things He gives last into eternity.

We love you more than anything,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 5:21-23, But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;

and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When someone is coming to visit you, you clean and arrange everything so as to be ready

for their arrival. Paul clearly has the Coming of the LORD in view as he wrote these verses.

He urges us to examine or test everything with the intention of them being right. He

Instructs us to hold on to everything that is good, and stay distant from everything that is

evil. He prays that God would make us holy entirely –spirit, soul, and body. The spirit in

us is that which is God-conscious. The soul in us is self-conscious. And the body is world-

conscious. Why is this so important? Because our LORD Jesus Christ is Coming soon! If

company is coming, but you’re not sure whether today or tomorrow, you want everything

prepared for today. That’s exactly what Paul means. Be ready! Don’t be caught off-guard.

Love to you all in the grace of our LORD Jesus,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dearest Grands,

Colossians 4:5-6, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders,

making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace,

seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond

to each person.”

Paul always seems to me to be deeply theological. I guess I’m thinking of

Romans, his magnum opus. But, he’s also quite practical. Billy Sunday used

to say, “Put the cookies on the lower shelf, so everyone can reach them.”

In these verse, Paul does just that. Wisdom means practical knowledge–

Intelligence, but not too heavy an intelligence. Think of the person to whom

you are speaking. What is his level of intelligent intake? Don’t waste time.

Do and say only what’s necessary. Grace includes kindness. Speech that is

seasoned with salt means “fresh and lively spiritual wisdom and earnestness,

excluding all ‘corrupt communication,’” and frivolousness. Each person is

different; therefore, different means of reaching each one is required. Just

remember that love and kindness go further than anything.

Love to you all as you witness of Him,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might;

for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.”

I awoke this morning thinking of the first part of that verse. The second part

is a bit dreary because it speaks of death. (Sheol is the Hebrew word for the

afterlife. The Hebrews did not have a developed understanding of Heaven and Hell.

To them, it was just the place of the dead.) Still, the point is: do what needs doing

while you can, and put all your energy and time into it. There are some things that

you will not be able to do as you grow older (Believe me!). Study diligently! Follow

the LORD’s leadership in all things. He will never lead you astray. God bless you

all abundantly! Now, GET TO WORK!!! 🙂

Love you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ

whom you serve.”

There is something in the nature of work that encourages and builds us up. We may groan

and complain about what we are required to do, but in the end we feel great for having done

it. The work we are gifted to do differs from what others are gifted to do. That’s good, because

if everyone did the same work, confusion would surely reign. Paul admonishes us to work

heartily, that is, put yourself into it! Don’t be half-hearted, because your ability to do the work

has come from the LORD and He will ultimately reward you for doing it. The LORD, not man,

is the One we serve. So work hard! Don’t despair about anything! Everything you’re doing

is for the LORD!

Thank you for all the work you do. We love you for it!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas