The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 3:10, 13-14, “…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…

13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Words do make a difference. Especially is that true with regard to the Scriptures. Certainly, Paul knows Jesus as his Savior; but when he says “that I may know Him,” he alludes to knowing Him fully and completely. He understand what the Scriptures say, but not entirely the depth of their meaning. You mother or friend might say, “Wear your brown coat tonight.” You understand what was said, but whether you are to wear it for warmth or for appearance you do not know.

The same applies to Paul’s knowledge of “the power of His resurrection.” He is aware that Christ Jesus did indeed die and arise from the dead; yet, he himself longs to know more of the power and dynamic of the resurrection. It’s like seeing something for the first time and asking, “What is it, and how does it work?” So, “Who is He and what can He do?” are at the top of every true Christian’s list.

Paul, however, adds two more aspects that are hardly, if at all, on any Christian’s list: “the fellowship of His sufferings” and “being conformed to His death.” No one ever suffered as intensely as Christ. And no one wants to die the horrendous death He died on the cross –that is, no one except the Apostle Paul. Most of us want to avoid suffering and death, but not Paul. He so loved his LORD that he wished to walk in all of His footsteps.

Still, with all of his earnest desire, Paul had yet to reach the level his LORD reached. Yet, he has a plan. It looks simple, but it’s not. Forget what lies behind. Forget the times you failed the LORD. Forget the sins of your past, sins of which you confessed and repented. Don’t live in the past! Paul couldn’t change his past; you can’t, either! So, look forward! Look to the future! Stretch out fully as if you were reaching for the goal line of life. Reach for opportunities that lie ahead. There’s a prize at the end of life’s race –not for everyone, but for the believers who follow Christ earnestly and completely!

Put first things first! Stay in the Word daily! More is always accomplished when we put His Word at the top of your lists. Pray daily! Shut everything else out of your thoughts, and concentrate deeply on your conversation with Jesus. Trust what you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to believe and to do. Try it for a week! I guarantee that you’ll be more productive, more alive, and thankful that you did. “It will be worth it all, when we see Christ!”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(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 Corinthians 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

A eulogy is a “good word.” It is usually employed in reference to someone who has died; but technically, it can reference a number of usages. It is the first word in the first verse above, translated “blessed.” Paul never had anything but good to say about the LORD. His “good word” here clearly identifies God as the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, and the God who distributes mercies and comfort to His people.

Apart from Christ Jesus, no one suffered greater affliction than the Apostle Paul. Yet, he barely mentions his suffering here, and instead focuses on the mercy and comfort he has received from the LORD. It all too

easy for us to focus on our afflictions, when we should be focusing on our comfort from the LORD.

The overriding purpose of receiving comfort is that we might know how to minister comfort to others in need. Too often we complain, when there are numerous people around us who are hurting more than we.

How can we comfort them, unless we have encountered the same afflictions? Doesn’t the suffering of Christians in the world today affect us? It surely should!

There are many believers, who are suffering in the world, whom we cannot aid. Yet, when we have opportunity, we can speak up on their behalf. What’s more, we can hold them before the LORD in daily prayer. Our LORD Jesus suffered, and He is available always to aid His suffering people. May His comfort

touch them in their need; and may He touch us in our need, as well.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(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,

Philippians 2:12-13, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Joining the military is a serious undertaking. I can remember some young men, who looked upon joining the military as something of a lark. They laughed and bragged about being soldier, or sailors, pilots or marines. It was a good show for the girls they wanted to impress, but it was also an external demonstration that clouded over the fear and uncertainty they felt inside. Deep down, they knew that war was serious business!

The Apostle Paul is telling the Philippian Christians that their having accepted Christ Jesus as their Savior was serious business, too. You’ve paid attention to what I’ve said while I am here; see that you do it even more so when I’m gone. “Work out your salvation…” he said. What did he mean? Paul was NOT saying that their work could or would produce their salvation. It was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone that had brought them salvation. Then what did Paul mean?

He meant that the Philippians (and all believers) are to allow the Spirit of God to produce and demonstrate to others the newness of the spiritual life. When we sin, we quickly repent. We say Jesus is our Savior and LORD, so show we must show it in our lifestyle. We say we’ve renounced the old life with evil companions and sinful practices; prove it by a clean and lasting break and new companions. Salvation begins with accepting Jesus; it then demonstrates in us His Life as being lived through us.

We believers did not save ourselves. We trusted Christ Jesus, and He saved us. Now, as believers, we have the Holy Spirit living within us, and the Spirit is working to make our lives like Jesus’ Life. We’d sure look more like Him if we let the Spirit have His way. What do you say? Let’s give it a try! Repent of each and every ungodly thought and practice that you have. Think Heavenly thoughts every day. Show Christian Love to those who don’t know what it’s all about. Don’t worry about not doing well. The Holy Spirit is always within you to help.

May the love and blessing of Jesus be yours daily!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(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,

Philippians 1:12-14, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

Bad situations sometimes turn out to be beneficial. Here in his letter to the Philippians (a letter written from prison in Rome, yet often called a “Joyful Letter”), Paul writes that had it not been for his imprisonment, the Gospel might never have reached the lives of the Roman guards.

It had been Paul’s decision to make a legal appeal to Caesar. At the time he appealed, it seemed he had no alternative. Yes, he had been falsely charged; and although the legal authorities at the time believed he would have been released, Paul may not have been so sure. Thus, he appealed to Caesar. We’re not always sure of the outcomes of our decisions. We simply have to trust the LORD.

Paul was in chains, but the Gospel is not bound! Those who had been reticent to share the Gospel, saw and heard of Paul’s boldness, and began themselves to actively share the Word of God more and more. Some of us wish someone would share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our neighbors. Why don’t we do it ourselves? When we do what the LORD has instructed us to do, it gives courage to others who know Him, but have never shared His Good News with anyone.

I want to believe that my courage in sharing the Gospel, strengthens others to do the same. There are so many believers who are silent! Why are we afraid? Do we think we don’t know enough? Do we fear being asked questions we cannot answer? Listen to this:

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 (Isa. 55:11).

The LORD is saying that His Word goes forth and never comes back empty. His Word always accomplishes everything He desires it to accomplish. In other words, when we share His Word, we do it with the guarantee of positive results. Oh, we may never see the results ourselves, but the Word carries within it the power of its own accomplishment! It’s like lighting a stick of dynamite and hiding behind a rock before it explodes. But the work that it does is evident. That’s why Paul said that some even preach the Gospel with impure motives; but he rejoices that they were preaching the Word!

How about sharing the Gospel with someone real soon? Hand them a Gospel tract. Ask them if they read the Bible, or if they go to Church? That gets the conversation going. Share a verse of Scripture, and let the

Word do its work. You’ll be amazed at what He can accomplish! You’ll gain new friends in the process.

I’m praying for you! Start by praying for me. We may not have much time….

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(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,

Ephesians 5:15-17, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise,

16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Today is my birthday! And these verses are as much, if not more, for me than for you. Yes, I’ve paid attention to my parents’ DNA. I know something of my life expectancy from my parents and grandparents. But, that doesn’t really matter. History is replete with men who died at half my current age, yet left us with incalculable tomes of wisdom. No, they didn’t play video games, and they didn’t just “watch” television. They put their years to work with wisdom, and now we read after them instead of thinking on our own.

Ephesus had a lot to commend itself in the first century. Paul knew that, too; yet he encouraged them to be careful how they walked. Walk here means live – be careful how you live. Don’t yield to things just because they are easy or popular. The wisdom of the LORD is available. Why not try His ways for a change? The Bible encourages that very thing: “…the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God”; so, don’t be unwise!

Don’t be stupid! Make “the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

“But, how can I know the will of the LORD?” you ask. Try His Word! It overflows with His wisdom! Have you ever prayed and received what seemed a ridiculous answer? But, because you had nothing better to offer the situation, you inserted the answer the LORD had given, and wallah! It worked!!! Believe me, He has more answers than you have questions. It might be best if we quit seeking human “wisdom,” and settled for the Wisdom of the Almighty! Believe me again: the LORD wants you to ask Him for His wisdom! He gave us the Scriptures for our edification.

I have no idea how long I will live. Yet while I do, I want everything to count for Him and His glory! Most of you who are receiving this Grands Letter are much younger than I. Let’s make a pact! I will do what I’ve encouraged you to do; you, in turn, do the same thing and encourage and win others to Christ! You will never be sorry! God bless you! You are in my prayers.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(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.”