The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 21:21-23, “Peter therefore seeing him said to Jesus, ‘Lord, and what about this man?’

22 Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’

23 This saying therefore went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet

Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, ‘If I want him to remain until I come,

what is that to you?’”

Communication seems simple, but the person talking and the person listening both have

responsibilities: one is to be clear in what he says; the other is to be clear in what he

hears. Prior to that is the simple fact that some things are just none of our business.

The Apostle John always referenced himself as “the one whom Jesus loved.” He never used

his name “John.” Peter (at least in verse 21) was asking Jesus about what He was going to

do with John. I guess we all get like Peter at times, in that we get concerned about what others

are doing and neglect what we are supposed to do. Sometimes, we have a responsibility to

speak up and neglect it. It’s often difficult to know when to do what.

Confusion often replaces communication. Jesus said to Peter, “If I want him to remain until

I come, what is that to you?” Evidently, some of the disciples heard only a part of what Jesus

said, and a rumor was set in motion that John would not die until Jesus returned. Rumors are

terrible things! I hear and read statements by grown, theologically-trained men – statements

with which I strongly disagree! I need to re-examine them carefully to see if I could have

misunderstood what I initially believed they said. If their statements are still unclear, I need to

read what others have said about those same statements. Sometimes, their understanding

helps to clarify my own. But only after careful examination am I free to express my objection

to what has been said by another.

Benjamin Franklin was a deist, not a Christian –at least, as far as we know. It was he who said,

“For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For the want of a horse the rider was lost,
For the want of a rider the battle was lost,
For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe-nail.”

What we do know, however, is that Jesus loves us and died on the Cross for our sins. He wants

everyone to be saved (born from Above) and has charged us with the responsibility to share

Him with them. Narrow your marching orders. Mind your own business. We have enough to do

without concerning ourselves about the responsibilities of others.

We love each of you with His undying love,

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,

John 15:12-15, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

14 “You are My friends, if you do what I command you.

15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have

called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Rose Marie and I attended an engagement party last night. Returning home, our discussion turned

quite naturally toward the new people we had met. We called them “friends.” To be sure, they were

most gracious and respectful in every conceivable way.

Adversity often tests “friendship.” It’s easy to love those who love us. But what about those who don’t?

Solomon said, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Pro. 17:17). True friends

stand up for each other when they encounter trouble. Friendship does not require that two or more people

have to agree on every point about everything; but there is sufficient basis of agreement that they support

each other when the going gets rough.

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! no, not one!

None else could heal all our soul’s diseases;

No, not one! no, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ’til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

Over the span of our lifetimes, we have met many people from all over the Earth.

Some were notable; some were not. Some were companionable; some were not.

Some are friends; some, unfortunately, are not. But, truth be told, none come

close to the warm, dependable, day-by-day friendship of our LORD Jesus. You

know the warm comfort of His friendship. Do those you call “friends” know Him?

Telling others about Jesus is a proof of your friendship with Him. Maybe you

could start a conversation about Him by using the attachment to this email.

We remember you daily in our prayers, and covet your prayers for us,

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,

John 3:19-21, “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Old Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. is credited with having been the first to say, “It’s never right to do wrong to do right.” But, doing right is never easy. A former student of mine has a son, who a Chaplain in the Army. He was a Captain and was up

for promotion to the rank of Major. Modest sums of money had been placed under his control for use in the chapel.

The wives of some of the officers wanted to organize a party and asked the Chaplain for money for the party. When

the Chaplain learned that alcohol would be served, he denied their request for the money. The women went to the Commanding Officer, who overruled the Chaplain, also denying him promotion and forcing him out of the army.

Evil is dirty business. “You can’t do wrong and get by.” Those who engage in evil, hate exposure, so they do their

evil work in darkness where they think no one can see. But God sees in the darkness, as well as in the light. Nothing

escapes His notice. And His people, who embrace His righteousness, do everything above board and in the light,

so that everyone may see and know that what His people are doing is what He is doing through them.

We are living is a day when evil is so prominent that it’s now done openly in daylight. I know I’ve told you that the worst thing I knew about anyone in the town where I grew up was that a woman who live across the street…smoked!

The temptation for believers is to compromise. “If I do this (even though it’s wrong), I will be able to do good that I couldn’t do unless I first do that thing that is wrong.” Talk about double-talk! But, Satan seeks to convince us that

It’s not wrong because we’ll ultimately be able to do that good thing. Rubbish!!! Satan lies! He’s seeking to pull the

wool over our eyes and enshroud us in darkness! WAKE UP, believer! “It never right to do wrong to do right.!

Please pray for us as we pray daily 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.”

Dear Grands,

John 3:1-7, “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;

2 this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from

God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’

3 Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he

cannot see the kingdom of God.’

4 Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second

time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’

5 Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he

cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which

is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.”’’”

When you’re popular, everyone wants to get to you. They want to shake your hand; they want

to have their picture taken with you; they want to ask a question. This was Jesus’ position in

the days He spent on the Earth. There are a variety of opinions why Nicodemus came to Jesus

by night. The one that best fits, as far as I’m concerned, is that night was when the rabbis did their

studying; and when a teacher is in his “study mood,” it’s the best time to ask him questions.

Nicodemus was a noted member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. He was an expert in Jewish law, and

He was arguably the richest man in Jerusalem. He had obviously been impressed with Jesus’

teachings and miraculous signs. His question seems to simply ask, “Who are you, really?”

Jesus cut to the chase: “…unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus understood physical birth, but of what he had never heard was this “born again.”

“How does that work?” he asked. “How does a grown man re-enter his own mother’s womb

and be born again?” Jesus’ replied that one must be born “of water and the Spirit.” He uses

the parallel of the natural birth (water birth) with the spiritual birth. Literally, the Greek word

(anothen) means “from above.”

That’s not news to you (I know whose on this list!), but it’s news to many we know. A lot of

people think they’re “Christians,” who are not. Not being a Muslim or a Hindoo does not make

you a Christian. A true Christian is one who has come to Christ in believing faith and been

“born from above.” Now, those of us who are have a great responsibility to share our faith

with those who are not. Pray for them. Seek them out like Nicodemus did Jesus. The Spirit

will give you the words to say.

We love you and pray for you every 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,

John 1:45-46, “Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom

Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

46 And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him,

‘Come and see.’”

It was an exciting day for 52-year-old jockey, Mike Smith, when his horse Justify came in

ahead of the other horses to win the Kentucky Derby. Smith’s first words were, “I want to

thank my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.” It’s encouraging when we hear the first words

of an athlete attribute his success to the LORD Jesus Christ.

Nathanael must have rejoiced when he heard his friend Philip (lover of horses) say, “We

have found Him…” the Messiah, the Promised One from the Father! Yet, Nathanael knew

of no prophecies that identified Nazareth with the Messiah. “Can any good thing come out

of Nazareth?” he said. Philip’s response should encourage all believers. He said, “Come

and see.”

Many times in evangelistic meetings I’ve said, “You’ve tried everything else, but have found

no peace. Why not give Jesus an opportunity with your life?” In other words, “Come and

see.” That challenge goes far beyond giving one’s heart to Christ in salvation. What He can

do with your life is beyond your wildest dreams! History is replete with ordinary men and

women, who yielded their lives to Christ only to find that He did with them exceedingly

abundantly beyond what they would have believed!

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

Just remember that your obedience is what proves your trust. The LORD puts men like

Jockey Mike Smith out there acknowledging Christ as his Savior to encourage us to not

be afraid to acknowledge Him. You’ll be amazed at what He can and will do with you!

Lovingly prayerful for you every 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.”