The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 11:5-10, “And He said to them, ‘Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he shall answer and say, “Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.”’

8 “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

9 “And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.”

What do you know about prayer? I remember someone in my college days asking the professor, “Does prayer really work?” It was a secular college and the professor knew as little about it as the student who was asking. That was not true in Jesus’ case. His disciples recognized something of the value of prayer because they asked Him, “LORD, teach us to pray…” (v. 1).

A good teacher gives the basic principles of the object and then follows up with a clear illustration of how it works. Jesus was a Master Teacher. In verses 1-4, He gives them the model by which they are to pray. Then in verses 5-10, He illustrates it. What works is the persistence involved: Oh, I’ll never get any sleep if he keeps pounding like that! I might just as well get up and give him what he wants. There is no suggestion in Jesus’ words that the Father doesn’t want to answer our prayers. It may be that He wants to know how sincere and urgent we are in asking. In any event, Jesus’ instruction is that we ask, seek, and knock. His promise is that when we persist in asking, the Father will respond to our request.

Only this morning, I read an email that said, “Our family requests your prayers for our loved one; the doctors say…” It was an earnest and sincere request; and its urgency lies in what the doctors say about the patient’s condition. I don’t know the patient or the family making the request. But I know what it is to be in need of God’s intervention, and that calls for help from others in pounding relentlessly on Heaven’s door. If we expect others to pray for us when we’re in need, surely we need to pray for them when they are.

The Bible contains over 300 verses on prayer. Prayer is important to God. It must become important to us.

We stand in need of your prayers, even as we pray for 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,

Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD.”

My alarm is set for 05:00. It’s been set that way for a long time. And it always goes off just as

it is supposed to do. Trouble is, I always awaken before the alarm. Why is that? I get sufficient

sleep. I don’t awaken tired. Am I “pushing” things? Is there something I’m missing here?

It is true that we often get ahead of what we’re supposed to do. We get anxious, like a child

on CHRISTmas morning! Oh, I remember those days! But those times are past –long past.

What’s with my anticipation now?

I read this morning about those who rejected Jesus, refusing Him entrance into their city.

James and John (the sons of thunder!) said, “LORD, do you want us to command fire to

come down from Heaven and consume them?” (Luke 9:54). It is commendable that they

believed they could do it. But they were ahead of the curve – the alarm hadn’t yet sounded.

I read further of the hurriedness of Martha, who was preparing a meal for Jesus (Luke 10:40).

She needed help, but her sister, Mary, was just sitting and listening to Jesus’ teaching. In

Martha’s eyes, Mary was wasting time. But, she too, was ahead of the curve –the alarm had

not yet sounded.

The Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

That is ture of us, as well. If It’s “through Him,” for Him, we will indeed have sufficient strength

and understanding for any task. But, timing is vitally important. Solomon said, “There is an

appointed time for everything…” (Eccl. 3:1a). In fact, he uses the word time 30 times in

verses 1-11. He notes for us that the LORD “has made everything appropriate in its time.”

Just don’t get ahead of the LORD. Let’s remember that we are His servants, He is not our’s.

He calls the shots. He runs the team. And He knows the right time for everything.

“Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.”

We love you and pray earnestly for 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 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.”