The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Tim 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman

who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

My maternal grandfather was a preacher. I can well remember conversing with him

about things within the Bible. He said to me, “You can prove anything from the Bible

if you twist the meaning to mean what you want. But if you take it exactly as it is

written, you have the meaning that God intended.”

We live in a day when many well-meaning speakers and writers are simply wrong

in things they say and write. The often speak with smooth and pleasing words and

sport academic degrees from prestigious institutions of learning. None of this,

however, guarantees that what they say is the truth. Paul wrote to Timothy to “be

diligent (eager, make every effort) to show yourself tested and approved to God”—

not as a smart, intelligent, sophisticated, know-it-all person, but as a humble, spiritual

lowly, but able laborer, and unashamed to be eagerly engaged in the LORD’s work.

The specific requirement for so presenting yourself trained and ready is that you

handle (cut straight, correctly follow) His Word of Truth. To be sure, you and I do

not know everything; but what we do know we are eager to share with others. And

what we know and share is sufficient for those who know nothing about His love

and saving grace. Remember, too, that while intelligent, trained men multiply their

own following, they are not authoritative! Only the infallible, inerrant Word of God

is authoritative; and it carries the power of its loving and gracious Author.

Our prayers of love are offered 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,

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 have never been in prison. I’ve never even been arrested. But, I have two friends who have been prison

guards. Both are younger than I and one of them grew up with me in the same church. The other has some

intriguing stories about the men he guarded.

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to Timothy. He had some intriguing things to say about prison life,

too. But most importantly he says that “the Word of God is not imprisoned.” No one can know what all was in

Paul’s mind as he wrote that, but I have to believe he was thinking of 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.”

Taking Paul (and Isaiah) at their word, I copied in audio the message my pastor preached last Sunday,

and sent it a Jewish contact I have in Israel. He dealt with Romans 2, which says that a true Jew is one

who has trusted Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior and not simply one who holds to his physical heritage.

My email was loving and my prayer is that Avi will listen. The Word of God is not imprisoned! The only

way it can be is if we fail to share it with those who don’t know Him. Are you sharing the Gospel?

Our love and prayers abound for you always,

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,

1 Timothy 6:7-10, “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall

into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the

faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.”

It’s funny how life works. Babies are born, but they bring nothing into the world with them. When they

grow toward the end of their lives, they become more concerned with how to dispose of the things they

have acquired throughout the years. Other people dangle things before them in the hope of exchanging

what they have for sale with the monetary acquisitions of others. More…more…more. But what is really

important? Those who gain riches then have to worry about the theft of those riches. A man once told me

that he had so many “things” scattered in so many places that they could easily be stolen without him ever knowing it.

Timothy says that food and clothing are sufficient, and those who want more are often hooked into evil

practices that lead to ruin. Have you read the news lately? People who have more money than sense get

entangled into all sorts of evil, thinking that their money can free them from whatever they trouble they encounter. If it does, they simply get into more trouble, thinking the same thing. But there are consequences

for sin (“…be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). And, Paul adds, “…he who does wrong will receive

the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality” (Col. 3:25).

Simply put, don’t focus on “things.” Focus on the LORD and His will for your life. There are consequences

to that, too, but they are much, much better!

Our love and prayers for you continue daily,

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,

2 Timothy 1:12-14. “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;

for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I

have entrusted to Him until that day. 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you

have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through

the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

Whatever troubles we encounter in life, the LORD knows about them and is able to

deal with them. We just need to remember that He is there and more powerful than

any and all the difficulties we face. Our responsibility is to “retain the standard” He

has set before us. We do this by believing His Word above the troubles that we

encounter. Always remember that you are not alone. When you were saved, the

LORD gave you the Holy Spirit to live within you, and He is the One who guards

the treasure the LORD has given you.

Love the LORD! Believe His Word! Trust His power! Be assured of His love for you!

Sometime ago, I read of a remarkable rescue at sea. Storms rocked the boat and

Its occupants! The boat’s radio had quit working. Food had dwindled. Everything

looked hopeless. But the persons on board never gave up. Ultimately, they were seen

and rescued. And so it is with God. You may “feel” alone, but you never are. Do you

believe this? You had better. It is your only hope.

We love you –each and every one. Oh, and we pray for you, too,

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,

Titus 3:3-7, “…we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various

lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us,

not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy,

by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us

richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs

according to the hope of eternal life.”

I remember the incident clearly, but I cannot remember precisely where it occurred. I had just

finished preaching to a congregation in Australia, when an older woman approached me. She had

obviously been moved by something I had said. “I’m going to remember you in my will,” she

said. I was stunned. My response was that I appreciated her sentiment, but from all appearances

she looked to be in good health and would doubtlessly live for many years. She repeated her

determination, I thanked her again, and our conversation ended.

Years passed, and one day I received a letter from the lady’s lawyer in Australia. He inquired as

to whether I was still in the ministry, as his client wished to honor her promise ahead of her death.

I assured him that I was still in the ministry, and in due course I received a substantial sum from

the lady.

The LORD knows the condition of our lives from our earliest times until now. He knows the various

sins we have committed, yet He LOVES us with an undying love! As we sincerely believe that His

death and resurrection were to save us, He forgives us, cleanses us from our sins, and puts His Holy

Spirit within us to guide us in our daily lives. But why does He do this? What have we done to

deserve His love and salvation? Absolutely nothing! He wants us to be His heirs, so He heaps

upon us His abundant love and grace. Would you have turned down that lady’s offer of money?

Undoubtedly not! Why, then, would you not allow Him to make you His heir? He offers much, much

more than we can imagine. Give everything to Him! What have you go to lose?

We’re still praying for each of your every single 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.”