The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 22:19-21, “So that your trust may be in the LORD,

I have taught you today, even you.

20 Have I not written to you excellent things

Of counsels and knowledge,

21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth

That you may correctly answer him who sent you?”

In the midst of his many writings, Solomon shares why

he has written them: “So that your trust (confidence)

may be in the LORD.” There are those who believe that

money or fame or education are what brings confidence;

but Solomon says, “No!” Trust must be in the LORD

alone! Further, Solomon’s counsel and knowledge are

given that we might know “the certainty of the words

of truth,” which He gives. He desires that we might be

able to correctly (faithfully) respond to the persons who

ask because they do not know. In other words, don’t

take your eyes off of the LORD! Always focus on Him.

His Word is truth. Yet, when we allow our eyes and our

minds to drift toward material things, we begin to doubt

what the LORD has said. Always keep your focus on HIM!

We love you and pray for you every day,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 16:20, “He who gives attention to the word

shall find good,

And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”

There are so many gems of truth in the Bible! And

nowhere are they more plentiful that in the proverbs

of Solomon. The more I read and study the Word of

God, the more relaxed and assured I am of His power

and love for me. I truly had trouble determining what

to write to you today; but when I read verse one of

Proverbs 16, I realized that the LORD was Himself in

control of even what I would say.

There is nothing so valuable as the Word of God.

The problems and troubles we face literally melt

away as we trust the LORD’s authority over our

lives. The more we read, the more we realize that

HE is everything! He is superior to everything we

we know and desire. Give attention to all He says

and trust Him in everything! Nothing is too hard

for the LORD. He wants the best for your life! And

He will give it to you if you live for Him and do His

will.

We love you all immeasurably,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

This is a special edition of this Letter.

Sandy Bauer, a student in one of my EVAN 525 classes,

sent this video link! I want each of you to see it.

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMu5F2icsT8

When you’ve seen it, you just might want your parents

and friends to see it. It shows a young man, who thought

he had everything, and thought he knew everything, and

how he changed when he met Christ. 10 minute video

Love,

Dado

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 9:10-11, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning

of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied,

And years of life will be added to you.”

Solomon is known for his wisdom. Wisdom is always linked

with knowledge. Knowledge is the mental awareness of

something or someone; wisdom is the ability to apply that

knowledge to a given situation.

For example, each one of you has a knowledge of computer

technology or mathematics or medicine or law; but would

you give that knowledge to Finn, the two-year-old boy who

lives across the street from us? That would be a waste of

time, because he is not able to understand. Wisdom, on

the other hand, is the practical application of knowledge.

Finn’s father, Nate, uses wisdom when he calls him back

from wandering too close to the street.

Fear is derived from the awareness of one who is more

powerful than we. Respect is the other side of fear.

When we fear the LORD, we acknowledge His superiority

and His love, and at the same time, we know that He can

punish us when we do wrong in His sight.

Do you fear the LORD? You had better! He loves us;

but in His wisdom, He punishes us when we do wrong

in order to conform us to His image and likeness. He

has given us His Word that we may know. Now, it is

for us to be wise and follow His instruction.

We love and pray for each of you daily,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 3:1-4, “My son, do not forget my teaching,

But let your heart keep my commandments;

2 For length of days and years of life

And peace they will add to you.

3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight

of God and man.”

I was recounting some of my high school studies

the other day. And it is amazing how much I have

forgotten. I made good grades then, but now…?

It is easy to forget, to let things slip. That’s why

we need to review things we’ve learned. Especially,

is that true of spiritual things. Solomon admonishes

us to “bind around (our necks)” those spiritual

things we’ve learned and “write them on the tablet

of (our hearts).” Do you remember what I said

about how the Bible keeps repeating the things we

need to learn? It’s so true! And it has its own

rewards. When you learn the teachings of the

LORD, we “find favor” with Him and have “good

repute” (insight, understanding) of His ways and

the ways of others.

May our LORD richly reward you with His wisdom,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas