The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 8:11-15, “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.

12 ‘And those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved.

13 ‘And those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 ‘And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

15 ‘And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.’”

Jesus often spoke to people in parables (????????). The word is a combination of two Greek words: ???? meaning “beside,” and ???? meaning “to cast or throw.” It is simply an illustration. When things are hard to understand an illustration often helps us.

Have you ever been told something in mathematics or science or engineering that you did not understand?

The person teaching you will often say, “Well, think of it like this—” and he illustrates what is hard by giving you something that is simplier. Jesus’ disciples often needed the simplier; and this parable was no exception.

When the Word of God is shared with those who have never heard it, there are four reactions:

1.Some hear the truth, but the devil confuses it, so that they never believe and come to faith in Christ Jesus. Yeah, I heard it, but I’d have to give up a lot. Maybe later….
2.Some hear and actually get excited about it, but they lapse back into their old ways and never come to faith in Christ. Boy, that sounded exciting, but have you heard that new band?
3.Others hear the Word, but become focused on money and worldly pleasures that take precedent, causing them to forget. Yes, that’s something to really think about, but have you seen what I just bought?
4.Others hear the Word “in an honest and good heart.” These turn away from worldly things, and

change their lifestyles completely. The Word feeds and nourishes their lives in the Truth of Christ and the Scriptures. This is what everyone needs! It changed my life! Let me tell you about it.

Jesus’ parable is still in operation today. The illustration doesn’t change. The question is: has it changed your life? Have you truly yielded yourself to Him? Have you given up those temporary things in exchange for that which is eternal? Does the computer come on before you read the Bible? Do you think about spiritual things more than about worldly things? Being a true Christian doesn’t mean you have to be a preacher or a missionary; but it means your focus is on “bearing fruit” that glorifies the LORD. Think about it!

That’s not hard to understand, is it?

We pray daily that you and we will more and more come to be like Jesus,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 40:28-31, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.

30 Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,

31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles,

they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

It’s been a long time ago, and I have forgotten his name, but I shall never forget his story.

He and his wife were headed to a gathering at church. She was holding some food she had

prepared for the occasion. Their car encountered another car at an intersection and was

turned on its side. He was thrown from the car, but his wife was trapped inside. In an instant,

he grasped the side of the overturned car and lifted it to an upright position. He was a stockily

built young man, but certainly no match for the overturned car –yet, the thought of his wife

being trapped inside provided a strength he never knew he had.

That’s the only encounter like that I’ve ever known. “But, didn’t it strain you severely?” I asked

him. “Not at the time,” he said; “but a day or two later, my arms and my shoulder suffered severe

strain! I’ve never known anything like it.”

The LORD promises us strength and increased power suitable to the needs of the occasion.

He give us courageous strength of speech. He gives us wisdom that meets the questions of

unbelievers. His strength restrains us from saying and doing things inappropriate to the time.

And, yes, He occasionally gives us physical strength that circumstances demand.

As we get older in life, the strength we knew in our youth lessens considerably. The LORD’s promise

is to give “His beloved sleep” (Psa. 127:2). We need, however, to work with Him by conserving the

strength He gives us through a good night’s sleep. Staying up late deprives us of proper rest and spells

difficulty for the next day. The Bible is our guidebook for everything! Read it and follow its instructions,

and you will know His renewed strength for everything in your life.

Praying daily for His strength and blessings on you,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:41-47, “And His parents used to go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And His parents were unaware of it, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. 46 And it came about that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.”

There is nothing so amazing as becoming the parent of a child! Surely, a mother is more conscious of this than anyone. Yet, all children are not alike! Some advance more rapidly than others. I can clearly recall the time when I became aware of my children’s intellectual growth. We were in Australia, sitting in our car, waiting for their mother. The subject of our discussion I have forgotten, but one of them said something that jolted my mind! “Where did that come from?” I remember thinking. And from that time onward, I noticed more closely their intellectual growth.

Despite the growing maturity of children, they often become so engrossed in things that they are unaware that they are lost their parents. That is precisely what occurred with Jesus. At the age of 12, He had become so focused on Jewish law that He forgot about His parents, who had departed for home. They supposed Him to have been with relatives. When they found Him, however, He was discussing weighty matters with rabbis in the Temple. And His wisdom and understanding astounded those who were recognized as experts in matters of religious law.

Never overlook the growth and maturity in others. Whoever you are and however intelligent you think we have become, there is always someone who knows more –someone whose insight into heavy matters is deeper than your own. No one, however, is wiser or smarter or more understanding of things than Jesus! His wisdom and knowledge is revealed in His Book, the Bible! Yes, His parents and His disciples walked physically with Him. They had the benefit of His first-hand knowledge of all things. But, they did not have the Bible as we now have it. Our advantage is at least equal, if not greater, in that all we need to know is encompassed in the His Word. Remember Isaiah 55:11. The Word of God in Holy Scripture embraces the power of its own accomplishments. Read it daily! Absorb it’s truth! There is no earthly match! Thus, whether you grow spiritually, depends largely on you.

We pray daily for your spiritual growth,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:8-11, “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10 And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

Some of the greatest things occur while we are working. Our minds and hearts were focused on the task before us, when suddenly it happened! It was a thought that flashed within you. It was something you had not anticipated, but in a split second it permeated your brain and then your heart. You were suddenly flooded with joy and peace –an experience unlike anything you had ever known!

This was the experience of the shepherds. Had they not been tending to their flock, they would have missed the blessing. They would never have seen and heard the angel of the LORD. They would never have been frozen in that glorious light of His presence. Whatever regrets or trouble they might have had were suddenly swept away in the flash of that heavenly brilliance!

Good news always supersedes! When will this good news come? It is before you here and now. It is yours if you will believe it. It goes beyond you. It encompass others, if they will only believe. The LORD, the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior, has come!

It was a spectacular moment in the lives of simple shepherds. And His coming means a spectacular joy to you –if you will allow it. The LORD has specific work for each of us; yet, no work is of greater value than another. Never look upon His task for you as of greater or lesser importance than the assignment He as given to someone else. It is what it is! He knows where you “fit” into His marvelous plan. There were many whose responsibilities were greater than those of the shepherds; but they were not the recipients of the angel’s announcement. Just do the work He has assigned you. Do it without complaint. You will be blessed!

We pray for you, and we value your prayers for us,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

My mother was told by her doctor that she would never have a child. Her mother’s response was: “He hasn’t reckoned with God.”

We often speak of the “four Gospels,” Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But in reality, there is but one Gospel; and it is addressed to four different groups of people. Matthew speaks to the Jews; Mark, to the Romans; Luke to the Greeks; and John to the Church. Each expresses the Gospel in terms peculiar to his group, but there are no contradictions in the truths they each reveal.

Sir William Ramsay, the noted British chemist, Nobel Prize recipient, and atheist, was converted by faith to Jesus Christ. He wrote:

“I take the view that Luke’s history is unsurpassed in regard to its trustworthiness….

You may press the words of Luke in a degree beyond any other historian’s and they

stand the keenest scrutiny and the hardest treatment.”

In his first chapter, Luke records the miraculous births of two sons: John the Baptist was born of a woman well beyond her child-bearing years; and Jesus Christ was born of a virgin girl, who had never had a sexual relationship with a man. These two women were at opposite ends of the birth spectrum, yet the LORD used both of them to convince us all that “nothing is impossible with God.”

Job of Old Testament times said, “I know that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

The Apostle Paul added this convincing word, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

We are currently facing some difficult times. They are likely to continue. But, we must not become discouraged. The LORD has performed some astounding miracles in the past, and His overall purposes will not be hindered or overcome. You may be facing some turbulence in your life at this time. Just know and remember that nothing can hinder the will of Almighty God. He controls His purpose in every situation, and He will give you His strength to survive if you only trust Him.

We pray for patience, as we await His performance,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”