The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 8:28, “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.”

Times are hard. We do the best we can, but things just never seem to work –at least, in our favor. We try and try to figure out why. We pray, but things seem to get worse rather than better. What is going on?

Maybe we’re trusting in sight instead of faith. Life is like the human body in that it’s complicated. We take

medicines for bodily ailments, but do we understand how they work within us? Not at all. In fact, we’re

not really concerned about how they work as long as they do.

Why then, do we not look at life’s circumstances the same way? The loss of a job, the loss of a house, the loss of a friend, a loved one –WHY? Yet, the Bible tells us that “all things” are under the LORD’s control. Then, why doesn’t He do something to correct all of this? Why do evil and deleterious people get away with what they do? The answer (although its hidden from us) is that He IS working, and He is doing what is necessary for the good of those who love Him. He understands what we don’t understand. We don’t really need to know how everything works –just that He is in control. That’s how faith triumps over sight. And the LORD wants us to learn to live by faith.

I remember discussing the meaning of a Scriptural teaching with a young lady in a church I was then pastoring. She quite candidly said she didn’t know what she believed; but she referenced a former pastor of hers and said, “Whatever he believes is what I believe.” Her confidence was clearly based in her former pastor. How and why that pastor believed what he did was of no importance to her. It was simply that he believed it, so she did, too. That’s the very way we should be with Christ and His Word. “He said it; I believe it; that settles it.”

Trust and obey;

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

We love you and pray for you daily,

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,

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.”

Timeframes are important to the understanding of Scripture. In these verses, the Apostle Paul covers the past, the present (both his and ours) and the future. The appearance of God’s grace was manifest (past) in death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was He who made possible the salvation of all (??? pas) men.

He then instructs us (present), who are saved, to deny (say no to) “ungodliness and worldly desires.” It is truly possible for us to resist the devil and his alurements –things that divert our attention away from Christ and from the responsibilies we have toward Him and toward our fellowman.

With respect to the present, Paul reminds us to look “for the blessed hope” (future) and the appearing of our LORD Jesus. The word “hope” in Greek means “future certainty.” It is definite that He will Come Again! We are not to forget that “He gave Himself for us.” His sacrifice of Himself was for us. He created us for Himself, but we were wooed away by Satan to follow the alurement of the world. Christ died for us and to redeem us from everything impure, worldly, and lawless. He became the ransom, whereby we were bought back from sin and cleansed as a people for His possession. His resurrection proves the validity of His Self-sacrifice.

The evil we face is the result of Satan’s ubiquitous activity in the world. We have comfort in the assurance that Christ lives actively to purify us for His glory. He is Coming Again to gather His believers to Himself. The big question is: how will we respond? Are we ready?

Prayerfully yours,

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,

2 Timothy 4:2-5, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Don’t ask me where things like this come from, but as I thought on the verses above, the words of an old radio program came to mind: Mr. District Attorney. The program opened with the following statement:

“”Mr. District Attorney! Champion of the people! Defender of truth! Guardian of our fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness! ‘And it shall be my duty as district attorney not only to prosecute to the limit of the law all persons accused of crimes perpetrated within this county, but to defend with equal vigor the rights and privileges of all its citizens.’”

You could live without ever hearing that quotation, but you cannot live well without heeding the words of the apostle. Think of his words like this: “And it shall be my duty to proclaim and share the Word, to be prepared in every situation to refute wrong doctrine, and to encourage people with the Truth, while being patient with those who do not fully understand.”

Paul goes further to tell Timothy and us that tough times are coming for those who share Christ. That must not discourage us. Those who do not know Christ in salvation, but have that inward awareness that God has placed in every man (Rom. 1:19-20)– they will seek out teachers and pastors who tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. Those popular instructors will turn their audiences away from God’s Truth and lead them to believe nonsence clothed in the comfort of “feel good” stories and thin promises, usually of health and wealth.

What are we to do? To begin with, we are to “abstain from wine” (????, nepho), which is man’s remedy for alleviating the hurt of suffering. Wine has been the downfall of many souls. We are to “endure the suffering.” The LORD will give us the strength to endure and survive. We are also to continue to bring the Good News of salvation to the lost, which is the fulfillment of what the LORD intends us to do. Remember, we are not our own; we belong to HIM! In the end, He promises a huge reward, but for now

we have His work to undertake and complete. God bless you as you fulfill your calling!

We must pray for each other in these difficult times,

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,

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “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.”

A library is a collection of books and other items that are available for reference on a variety of subjects.

Items within any library vary in value, according to its owner. My library has a small number of first-edition

books, and some very old books that to me are priceless. I also have a personal letter that is signed by former President Harry S. Truman and only recently acquired a four-page, digital copy of a hand-written letter by former President Ronald W. Reagan. To me, these items are virtually priceless, yet they pale in comparison to the Holy Scriptures we call “the Bible.”

The Bible you own and read (hopefully, daily) is the most reliable compendium of Truth in he world! It is beyond priceless because it is the Self-breathed Word of the Creator of all life, the LORD God Almighty Himself. What’s more, it is profitable –exceedingly beneficial—providing everything we need to know in order to live a life pleasing to Him. It contains every instruction we need for every occasion we encounter.

The Word of God is profitable for testing evidence in every situation that is proffered (set forth) by anyone. It deals with law and science and religion –every conceivable subject known to man. It is of supreme value in restoring man to an upright position in character when he has fallen into sin and disfavor with God and his fellowmen. The Word instructs parents in their training of children in both mind and morals. It instructs parents in the disciplinary action of children when they stray from such instruction.

There is simply no book or library of books anywhere that equals or comes close to the value of the Bible.

It has been given to us that through our right and righteous living we might glorify Almighty God!

Have you read the Bible today? Don’t delay! There are innumerable “things” that stand ready to divert our attention from God’s instruction. Be faithful and dutiful to the One who gave you life.

Praying in love for you daily,

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,

2 Timothy 3:12-15, “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 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.”

Do you really desire to live a godly life? If you do –and I trust that you do—get ready for persecution. It’s inevitable. Pesecution comes from those who are evil and they get worse by the day. They pretend to be good and in that pretence they deceive those who are weak in their faith and those who have no faith.

How are we to handle such things that are thrust upon us? It’s simple: just “continue in the things you have learned,” things that godly parents and pastors have taught you from Scripture. Wisdom to handle persecution comes from the Bible –the same Bible that taught you the way of salvation in Christ Jesus. Remember? First, the LORD has placed in every person the reality of His being (Rom. 1:19-20). He has given you the reality of rescue from sin and sinful practices in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Now, you have only to believe.

Over the years, we have lived in several houses. It is amazing to think back and realize how the LORD has led us to each one as His provision. But we had act upon what was required to purchase them. We had to agree on the price and sign the papers that made the purchase legal. So it is with salvation: the LORD has provided the way through Jesus; then it is our turn to believe in Him. That completes the transaction. Mark it well: no man or woman will ever be able to say “We didn’t know!” because God has given sufficient light to everyone. It is His will that none perish (2 Pet. 3:9). It is also His will that we share the way of salvation in Jesus Christ with others. Are you doing that?

We are praying for His 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.”