The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 4:23-26, “Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful

mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look

directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.”

Except for our LORD Jesus, Solomon was the wisest man who

ever lived. Some of his instructions at times seem difficult, yet

they have stood the test of time in every generation. As difficult

as the earlier verses here may seem, note that they conclude

with the promise that “your ways will be established.” The LORD

is always faithful.

Love you all immensely,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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