The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

For men will be (1) lovers of self, (2) lovers of money, (3) boastful, (4) arrogant, (5) revilers, (6) disobedient to parents, (7) ungrateful, (8) unholy, (9) unloving, )10) irreconcilable, (11) malicious gossips, (12) without self-control, (13) brutal, (14) haters of good, (15) treacherous, (16) reckless, (17) conceited, (18) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; (19) holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.”

Talk about difficult times! Look at the territory Paul covers in five, short verses! I have inserted numbers in the verses above in order to emphasize the 19 things that Paul says constitute “difficult times.” It would take a considerable time to disect and explain the nuances of everything that is wrapped up in the evils Paul lists; but note that “love of self” heads the list.

The exaltation of self is what caused the love and warmth of the Garden of Eden to be turned into a sinful mess. And everything went downhill from there, as man grasped what he wanted in deference to what God had created for him. Then, to make sure that everyone noticed, man arrogantly boasted of what he possessed and reviled those who were less fortuante than he.

The children of disobedient parents became disobedient themselves. Is that any surprise? They then became ungrateful for everything they received and possessed and turned it all into unholy living. Love for others was eliminated completely. Only self reigned! Men refused to reconcile with others over disputes, and gossiped evil about them instead. Despite man’s emphasis on himself, there was no self-control. Brute force wrapped in extreme hatred was exercised against everyone, especially those who wanted to do good. Times were trecherous as men continued to act recklessly. They were conceited beyond belief and only wanted to party. Was there no good to be found anywhere? Virtually none. At times some tried to appear godly, but there was no true godliness in them.

Paul sternly warned: AVOID SUCH MEN AS THESE! And that warning is still valid for today. Evil always produces evil. Just one rotten apple will bring to ruin the rest in the barrel. Turn away from those who do evil. Surrender your life completely to the LORD! He alone is the Hope for our world! He alone can change the difficult into the delightful.

We love you through our daily prayers,

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 2:15-19, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”

“Don’t you ever do that again!” Oh, boy! I can hear my mother’s voice even over the years that have passed. But those same years have blocked out the reason for her stern warning. She could really be tough, but her toughness was a momentary disguize for the love she had. She wanted her children to grow up to be honest, loving adults –something I trust has mindfully occurred.

The Apostle Paul wanted the same for Timothy. Live consistently by the truth of God’s Word and you will never be ashamed. God will approve you; nothing else really matters. Some things look like they should be said, but don’s say them. They just lead to further wrangling, which ends up as ungodliness and spreads to the hurt of what the LORD intends you to be and do.

Don’t listen to everyone! Stay on course with the Bible! Solomon warned that “the writing of many books is endless.” Further, those who are wrong in their theological views are leading people astray –even some well-meaning believers. Just don’t go there! Don’t waste your time with such things. Stick with the Word of God! “The firm foundation of God stands!” It has the Divine seal. The LORD knows those who are His and He firmly and soundly, lovingly instructs His children to “abstain from wickedness.”

We who have believed on Jesus Christ have received the Holy Spirit; and He acts like a loving mother, who wants her children to grow up to be like Jesus. Learn to obey the Holy Spirit, and your life will be free from the anxieties that plague those who do not know Him.

Praying daily in love for each of 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,

2 Timothy 2:11-15, “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;

12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth.”

You don’t have to live long to learn that not everything that is said is true. One primary lesson is to learn

what is true, so that you can discern truth from untruth. Paul states a faithful, worthy-of-trust statement that has both positive and negative aspects. Four times here he uses the word “if.” Two of the four concern our living positively; two of the four concern our living negatively. Look at this closely.

“If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.” This speaks positively. We were saved when we denied ourselves the right to live as we wanted –died to ourselves and our own authority over our own lives, and surrendered that authority to Jesus.

“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” This, too, speaks positively. If we remain patient and don’t give up when things are going against us, we will one day live with Him in Heaven.

“If we deny Him…” speaks negatively of our living. It can mean that we refuse to do what the LORD wants of our lives. If that is the case, He will deny us the blessing we would have known had we done as He directed. Denying Him can also mean outrightly saying that we are not His followers, we are not Christians. In that case, He will deny us, which is an extremely dangerous situation.

“If we are faithless…” relates to our negative living, our lack of trust in Him. Our our lack of trust does not affect His faithfulness. The LORD can never be contrary to who and what He is. If we refuse to be or do what He wants, He will simply choose someone else to do it, and we will miss the blessing.

Whatever the situation, don’t get tangled in arguments about things that don’t matter. They simply cause us to lose the direction the LORD has plotted for us, and those we might have reached for Him. Make every effort to be and do what the LORD approves and you’ll never be ashamed for telling His Truth.

Our daily prayer is that you may be all the LORD desires,

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,

Malachi 4:1-3, “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”

2 “But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.

3 “And you will tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.”

Malachi is the last of the Old Testament prophets. His words relate specifically to the time in which he lived, yet they have a meaning for every generation. The LORD is never pleased with sin. He may seem to some individuals and nations that He has missed seeing their evil behavior, but He has not. At the present, we live under a cloud of unrighteousness. Throughout the world the Christian faith is being ridiculed and assailed by evil doers. Planned Parenthood continues to slaughter babies while they are still in their mothers’ wombs. Iran aids rebel killers who roam about like the devil, devouring lives of all who seek peace. Nations everywhere demonstrate political unrest, so that even the principles of law are ignored, throwing people into utter chaos.

The prophet gives hope to his people and extends it to all in succeeding generations. The Ultimate Hope of the world lies in mankind’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior. He is the “sun of righteousness” to Malachi’s people and to ours. Malachi forsees the Coming Messiah. We look eagerly for Him, too. The promise is that He will return; and it is then that we will “skip about like calves,” jumping with joy! It is then that the wicked –the unrighteous producers of evil– will be trampled underfoot. Wrongs will be destroyed and rights will be restored. The tears of the oppressed will be replaced with laughter. Hang in there! That Great Day is coming! And every day it comes closer and closer. Keep reading your Bible! Keep praying for Christ’s deliverence! The Day of the LORD’s deliverence will come!

Praying for you as we look for Him,

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 2:8-9, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the Word of God is not imprisoned.”

I read recently of a 7-year-old girl who has inoperable brain cancer. I trusted Jesus as my Savior at that age, and wondered if anyone had shared Jesus with her. She and her family are suffering hardship. She is, in fact, a prisoner of her fate.

This led me to think about all the ways people are imprisoned. Criminals top the list, as we consider the ways. Hospitals that confine us are in a sense an imprisonment. Physical handicaps, too, can be considered an imprisonment, because we are kept from activities that we would like to experience. Have you ever considered fear as an imprisonment? Anything that hinders or prohibits us from doing what we would like can be considered an imprisonment.

Yet, amid all of the hinderances we may encounter, Paul cites one that should bring us joy: the Word of

God is not imprisoned! Remember Isaiah 55:11,

So shall My Word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without

accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

That’s the LORD’s promise that His Word will accomplish exactly and always what He intends. That means that when we share His Word –not even our words— it carries within it the power of its own

accomplishment. Think of it: however imprisoned you may be, whether through illness or fear or whatever, sharing His Word will be effective! Why, even what I am sharing with you here and now through the Internet is destined to achieve what the LORD wills.

Several years ago, a dear friend of ours in Australia was stricken with a malady that threatened his life.

The Internet was in its infancy, but we phoned him, shared again the Word and prayed with him. Without hesitation, he received Christ as his Savior. He had been imprisoned by sin, but his faith in Jesus Christ set him free. Before he died, he gathered his family together and shared he newly-found faith in Jesus. The Word of Scripture and the Living Word, Jesus, set him free!

Don’t be intimidated or imprisoned by fear. Share the Word! It is powerful! It sets men free! It is never imprisoned.

We love 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.”