The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Joshua 6:26, “Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying,

‘Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho;

with the loss of his first-born he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss

of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.’”

You can’t do wrong and get by. The LORD is eternal and His Word will

always be fulfilled. The occasion of Joshua’s oath was at the time of

the capture of Old Testament Jericho – the time when Rahab, the harlot,

had hidden the Israeli spies. (There are three cities of Jericho: Old Testament

Jericho, New Testament Jericho and modern Jericho). Joshua spoke prophetically

when he said that whoever sought to rebuild Old Testament Jericho would do

so at his own peril. ~ ~ Now, after Solomon’s death, Israel was divided into

two kingdoms: Israel the northern kingdom and Judah the southern kingdom.

And a long list of kings and battles ensued until Ahab became king of Israel. He

was more evil than all of Israel’s previous kings. And in Ahab’s time, a man named

Hiel, of Bethel decided to rebuild Jericho. Not a good idea! For First Kings 16:34

says,

“In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations

with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up its gates with the

loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD,

which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.”

Love the LORD! Trust His Word! And know that what He says, He will do!

We love and pray for you every, single day,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

1 Kings 11:4-6, “For it came about when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done.”

When the LORD made Adam and Eve, He intended that they should love

one another. His intention has always been that men and women should

marry, have children, and live life together happily and in peace. He has

someone for you. It is normal that you be attracted to beauty and ability.

Solomon was not wrong in being attracted to women; his problem was

that they replaced the LORD in his life and turned his heart away from the

LORD! Adam was tempted by Eve and turned away from the LORD. Samson

did the same thing, by allowing Delilah to know the truth about his strength.

Men are “seeing” creatures; women are “hearing” creatures. Satan often

uses these features to turn human hearts toward him and away from God.

If you keep your eyes on Jesus, and always look for the spiritual devotion in

the other person, you will do well. Stay in His biblical Word daily! Always

seek His counsel in prayer! When the spiritual sensitivity of the heart aligns

with the teachings of the Word, you are in focus with His sovereign will.

All else simply produces tragedy.

You are in our prayers daily,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

1 Kings 10:4-7, “When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon,

the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the

attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway by which

he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.

6 Then she said to the king, ‘It was a true report which I heard in my own land about

your words and your wisdom. 7 Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came

and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom

and prosperity the report which I heard’”

Let me challenge you to read the whole 10TH chapter of 1Kings. It is amazing!!

According to Monex, the price of silver on today’s market is $16.46 per ounce!

But verse 21 says, “…silver…was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon.”

Everything Solomon had was made of gold! Not only was he the wisest of men,

he was the richest, too. Note carefully that Solomon’s riches came from his wisdom;

and his wisdom came as a gift from God. Which of the two would you rather have?

I hope you said, “Wisdom.” The Prodigal son had riches –for a time. But he never

had wisdom until his riches were depleted. Remember that Solomon said, “The

beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her” (Prov. 4:7-8).

May the LORD grant you wisdom today in all that you do,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

1 Kings 5:3-5, “’You know that David my father was unable to build a house

for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which surrounded him,

until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the LORD my God

has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune.

5 “And behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God,

as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on

your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.”’”

A HUGE task lay before Solomon. David had wanted to build a house for the

LORD, but was not permitted to do so because he was “a man of war.” Now,

Solomon had created peace throughout the land, so he was determined to

undertake and complete the task. We may have great ideas, but distractions

often (always?) keep us from fulfilling them. That’s why writers often move

to quiet, lonely places in order to complete their works.

Solomon was not afraid to employ outside people to help him. Hiram was

the King of Tyre, and the Lebanonese were superiors in cutting cedar trees

that were needed for the House of the LORD. Much later, he employed a

man skilled in working with bronze (7:14). Don’t ever think you can do

everything by yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. That’s wisdom!

Gold is the metal of kings. And Solomon overlaid almost everything in the

House of the LORD with precious gold.

Our lives are the LORD’s Temple. The Holy Spirit indwells us. We are intended

to be to the glory of the LORD. It’s not wrong for us to ask for help in controlling

our lives. It’s wisdom to do so. BTW, have you noticed that the Holy of Holies

in Moses’ day was 10 X 10 X 10? In the House Solomon built for the LORD, the

Holy of Holies was 20 x 20 X 20. But, in the New Jerusalem where the LORD

will ultimately dwell, the Holy of Holies is 1500 miles X 1500 miles X 1500 (miles).

We are always to be expanding, growing in grace, whereby we honor Him.

We pray for you all the time! We ask for your help in praying for us. We all

want to work together for the Glory of the LORD Jesus Christ!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

1 Kings 3:4, “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon

in a dream at night; and God said, ‘Ask what you wish Me

to give you.’”

Some choices are easy to make. Some are near impossible.

What would you say if a man capable of giving you anything

you want were to ask you such a question? You might ask

for whatever you needed or wanted at that very time. But

would that be best? Solomon showed intelligence in his choice.

He asked for “an understanding heart”– literally, a listening,

comprehensive mind, what we call wisdom. A lot of people

are intelligent –smart, but they lack wisdom. Knowing what

to say or do and whether or when to say or do it are quite

different. Solomon made the right choice and the LORD

saw that a man with wisdom could be trusted with other

things, too; thus, Solomon’s humility (“I am but a little child,

I do not know how to go out or come in.”) was pleasing to

the LORD. Is it any wonder, therefore, that Solomon went

on to say, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:

and with all thy getting get understanding” (Prov. 4:7 KJV).

Take time to pray about everything. As the LORD to lead you

in what you should or should not do. Take nothing for granted!

Don’t fool yourself by thinking that you know it all. You don’t!

Only the LORD can direct your life so that it is pleasing and

profitable. Solomon had it right –at least, in the beginning of

his life. Thus, there’s no such thing as being able to rely on

yourself somewhere down the line. Every day is a new world.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away

from evil.” (Prov. 3:7).

Our prayers always include each one of you!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”