The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 3:12-14, “Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil,

unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day

after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the

deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the

beginning of our assurance firm until the end…”

The very early translators of Scripture held to the Pauline authorship of Hebrews. Over

time, however, some insisted that someone other than Paul was the original author.

We know that Paul was the designated apostle to the Gentiles, and Peter was the

designated apostle to the Jews. It is often overlooked that Paul was to be an apostle

to the Jews, too (Acts 9:15). As the primary apostle to the Jews, Peter should have

written Hebrews. But he lacked the theological training that Paul had (Acts 22:3). I have

come to believe that Paul wrote Hebrews anonymously, so as not to embarrass Peter.

All that being said, these verses warn us not to get careless with regard to our spiritual

lives. Just because we are saved does not mean we cannot give the devil a place in

our hearts and lives. Many people who have been truly saved, give in to worldliness

and withdraw from the LORD and His will for their lives. Paul warns, too, that sin is

deceitful (deceptive). It gives “a false sense of pleasurable security (that is) seductively

generated” by the devil himself.

We are strongly admonished to be encouragers of others “day after day,” and for long

as we have opportunity. Our encouragement of others to receive the LORD Jesus

Christ and to live for Him is proof-positive that we ourselves belong to Him. Heaven is

for Eternity –and so is Hell! What little time we have here on Earth must be spent in

sharing Christ with those who do not know Him. Pray today that the LORD will lead

someone to you for your encouragement. And don’t be surprised when He does!!!

Our love for you will never lessen and we pray for you 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,

Titus 2:11-15, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously

and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory

of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem

us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous

for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one

disregard you.”

If you knew that something big was about to occur, what would you do? Say it was a

hurricane or and earthquake –what would you do? Take cover? Yell at others to do

the same? Paul knew two big things were coming. One, he was nearing the end of

his life, and two, the LORD Jesus was coming soon for His own. Both of those truly

momentous moments could occur at any time. He saw the need to instruct Titus in

what could be his last opportunity to do so.

The grace –the blessed favor of God—had come through the Cross and Resurrection!

All mankind could now be saved and for eternity. Paul’s instructions were both positive

and negative. There were things Titus and all believers were to deny (refuse; say ‘no’ to).

And there was a way to live, while time was on their side. They were to ever and always

to be aware of the Return of the LORD Jesus Christ. The one who gave Himself on the

cross for our sins, did so that He might buy us back (pay our ransom) from sin, so that

He might cleanse us for Himself. Stop for a minute and think of some useful things you’ve

found, except that they were dirty, rusty, and in need of cleansing. Instead of throwing

them out, you cleansed them and made them reusable. That’s exactly what Jesus did in

and through His death on the cross. He cleansed us from sin in order that we might be

useful to and for Him.

We who are saved are to speak (talk about) and exhort (encourage) and reprove (expose

and convict) with the authority He has given us. Don’t allow anyone to disregard (despise)

you or what you say. Jesus is Coming! And the events that are current in world affairs

are like dark clouds that indicate heavy rain. Be prepared! And help bring others to safety

in our LORD Jesus Christ.

We love immensely and pray for you 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,

2 Timothy 3:14-17, “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of,

knowing from whom you have learned them; 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred

writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ

Jesus.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

This is Paul’s final letter. The end of his ministry on Earth is near. Timothy has been groomed to

carry on with the dissemination of the Gospel. Earlier in this chapter (vv. 2-5), he mentions 17 things

that Timothy and all who come after him should avoid. You would do well to examine them carefully.

He notes accurately and thoroughly the trouble and sufferings that would come upon the world –

especially, upon those who seek to share the Gospel. Still, he admonishes Timothy (and us!) to “keep

on keeping on” in the things he learned from his mother, his grandmother, and from Paul himself.

Paul’s final emphasis, however, is upon Scripture! Scripture is what God has “breathed out” upon

man whereby he may be saved and adequately equipped for performing every good work. The Holy

Scriptures were then and are now our authority from God. They are thoroughly accurate for everything

we need by which to live and teach to others. So many books continue to be written. Some are good,

many are not. Stick with the Bible! Everything we need is there. Yes, it takes time and effort; yet it

is always time and effort well-spent. The Bible contains EVERYTHING we need to live as Christ

intends us to live! Therefore, we are without excuse if we neglect to read His instructions.

We love and pray for you 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,

2 Timothy 1:5, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you,

which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice,

and I am sure that it is in you as well.”

In some ways this seems a strange verse to use in this setting. What

attracted me was the faithful lineage that led to Timothy’s salvation.

Nothing is really known about “grandmother Lois.” The name Lois

has no known meaning. What we do know is that her faith in the

LORD Jesus contributed immeasurably to the conversion of her

daughter Eunice, whose name means “victorious,” and she was the

mother of Timothy. Further, the spiritual teaching and training of young

Timothy came from these two women, who had no reason to believe

that he would one day be the companion of the Apostle Paul, preaching

and teaching the faith they had learned and taught him to believe.

Think about this: notwithstanding the value of a father in the home

environment, it is the mother who spends the most time with her

children; therefore, it is her values that are implanted in the children.

William Ross Wallace knew this when he wrote:

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

The faith you embrace is the faith that will be transmitted into the

lives of your children. And their faith, in turn, will be transmitted into

the lives of their children. Thus, what we are as parents will largely

determine the faith and value of generations to come. Dare to march

against worldly folly and live for Christ. For as you do, you are implanting

saving faith into the children you will one day know as your own.

May the LORD bless you abundantly is our prayer,

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 Thessalonians 5:23-24, “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. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring

it to pass.”

Billy Graham is being “laid to rest” today. Graves abound with the bodies of faithful

servants of the LORD, yet none have more faithfully declared the simple Gospel to

so many people as he. Accolades abound as saved and lost alike express admiration

of his life and ministry. He epitomizes these verses of the Apostle Paul. Whatever was

lacking in holiness in Billy Graham’s life, the LORD made holy. No one enters Heaven

without being completely concentrated. The spirit of man –the human spirit— is that

part of man that is God-conscious and capable of communicating with the Spirit of God.

All mankind has that potential capability (Rom. 1:19), but most do not avail themselves

of it (Rom. 1:21).

The soul of man is his self-consciousness. We are aware of ourselves, just as we are

aware of others. We are aware of our potential and of our failures. It is only when we

yield ourselves to the LORD, that we come into a right and holy relationship with Him.

The body of man is his world-consciousness. Our bodies are our human aliveness.

They touch the world and all that is within it. We are either clean or unclean in our

worldly relationship. When we are clean, we are “crucified to the world” (Gal. 6:14).

When we “preserved completely,” and stand in judgment before the LORD Jesus

Christ, no one can accuse us of any wrong because He has cleansed us from “every

unrighteous” thought or deed (1 John 1:9).

With all the purity and holiness we admire in the life of Billy Graham, we learn that

we can live more for the LORD than we are! Still, the LORD had to cleanse him entirely.

And so it will have to be with us. He it is who has called us to eternal life, and He is

reliable and trustworthy to “bring it to pass.”

We thank and praise the LORD for His blessings –and for 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.”