Archive for August, 2019


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Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:27-28, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28 in no way alarmed by your opponents– which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.”

As I read the news today, one of the most disturbing events is the conduct of so-called “Christian” people. We must all be aware that our personal conduct is known to more individuals than we know. Especially are non-Christians watching us. Some who are watching, are wanting to find us living contrary to what we claim to be; others, however, are watching with hope that what we have is real. Thus, it’s not simply what we say in witness; it what we live day-by-day!

Paul wanted to hear that the Philippians were “standing firm…(and) striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” That’s what we want from our pastors and teachers. It’s precisely what the LORD Jesus wants from all of us! Football season is upon us. No one, however, wants a quarterback who is inconsistent in passing, or a team that is not “striving together.” In the same vein, the LORD wants all of us –pastors, teachers, all believers—to “stand firm” in what we believe and work together with others in spreading the Message of Jesus!

But what about those who oppose our teaching? Don’t be alarmed by them! Your steadfastness in Christ will serve to destroy their opposition to the LORD. Remember when David went to battle with Goliath? When Goliath was killed, the opposing army fled in surrender. It’s the same with us. When we stand up for Christ, it demoralizes the opposition. They no longer have the upper hand. And the “salvation,” of which Paul speaks, is expressly from God!

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was not intentionally speaking spiritually when he said, “The only thing we have to fear…is fear itself.” Yet, his words clearly apply to us as believers. Still, we have no reason to fear anything or anybody because the might and power of the LORD are protecting and empowering us at all times! Now is the time for us to BE SOMETHING and DO SOMETHING! 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.”

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Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:19-21, “For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Did you ever meet someone with confidence? I mean real confidence! I hope it was just a story, but I heard

of an airplane that had no pilot. (Stay with me, now.) And as the plane raced through the sky, the onboard PA system said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a totally automatic, self-piloted airplane. It can take off and land without human assistance. It can maneuver through turbulent weather without human assistance. In fact, the voice you are now hearing has been pre-recorded. There is no one here except those of you who are passengers. But, you are not to worry; for nothing can go wrong…can go wrong…can go wrong..”can go…”

The Apostle Paul possessed that kind of confidence. He was imprisoned in Rome, but he believed that what had befallen him would ultimately “turn out for (his) deliverance.” He was in prayer and he was confident that the Philippian believers, too, were in prayer. It was the provision the Holy Spirit had placed in his heart. Paul was certain that whatever occurred, he would not be dishonored, but that Christ Jesus would be exalted. Yes, he might die; but, that was not a concern. Whatever occurred, as long as the LORD was exalted, that was what was important!

It’s probably not what most young people would wish for their lives. Oh, the believers might. They are always exuberant to share the Gospel –but, again, they might not be so excited about dying. How would that honor the LORD? So, we all enter the “justifiable arena” that allows old people to die in the dissemination of the Good News, but not the young. Paul’s view was different. Either way was fine with him, as long as the LORD Jesus Christ was glorified. His key thought on this subject is: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

There are two kinds of “death,” as we view it here: physical death and death to one’s self. The latter death is the one we should earnestly seek. For when we are dead to ourselves, we are alive in Christ. Self is what masks the world from seeing Christ. Self is what hinders us from obeying the Holy Spirit’s commands. Self never exalts Christ, and His exaltation is what our Christian lives are all about. Yielding to Him always means gain to us. Failing to yield to Him means things “can go wrong, can go wrong, can go wrong…” Think about it.

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.”

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Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:15-18, “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.”

For a long time, this passage bothered me. Oh, I believed it! That was not the problem. Paul identifies two kinds of preachers: one type is preaching Christ for their own benefit; the other is preaching Him for His glory.

Of course, I was troubled that some preachers were in the ministry for their own benefit. Their motives were not pure. But, what that kind of preacher, pastor or evangelist or teacher –whatever his motive, it was none of my business.

What really bothered me was the fact that Paul say that whatever the preachers motives – good or bad – he rejoiced that Christ was proclaimed. How could anyone with pure motives not care that some were just in the ministry to “feather their own nest’ –to pad their own bankroll? Should we care? Does it truly matter?

Yes, we should want all preachers and teachers of the Word to be sincere and honest in the whole of their ministries. Those who are not sincere will one day stand before God and give an account of their ministries.

But, the LORD’s Word, the Gospel, the Truth that is biblical, carries the power of its own accomplishment.

Remember when we reminded you that “The Word of God is not bound” (2 Tim. 2:9)? Remember, too, what Isaiah wrote in 55:11,

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Remember these two verses when you’re sharing your faith in Christ with someone. It’s a good idea to memorize both verses and have them “on hand.” The opportunities to share Jesus with others often comes without warning.

A man stopped me in Walmart the other day to tell me that 1) he was a veteran, and 2) that he was growing some rare watermellons at his home. As I patiently listened, I was thinking, “How to I segue into Christ in this one-way conversation?” Finally, I said, “Well the good LORD has certainly blessed you with some of His good fruit, hasn’t He?” That was all I got to say. He left when his part of the conversation was completed. Did what I said do any good? I don’t know. But, sometimes people think back on what has been said to them. In such situations, we have to leave the results to the LORD.

So now that verse in Philippians doesn’t bother me. I’ve joined Paul in leaving the results of the Gospel to the LORD Himself. We all have to do that. But, that doesn’t mean we’re excused from the “battle.” Oh, no! We are responsible to speak up and to shut up –both under the command and control of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Just be read for both and listen to the Holy Spirit, who issues the command.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Valarie, one of my two precious daughters-in-law is going to the Mayo Clinic for evaluation concerning a physical

problem she has had for several months. Our family has been praying for her almost from the onset of the illness.

Now, I am asking you to join us in praying for her. It does not-at-all appear to be life-threatening; still, it inhibits

her ability to attend to the many responsibilities she has. Thank you for praying with us.

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.”

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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.”

This is not an easy Grands Letter for me to write. Yet, while it’s difficult, it brings joy to my heart when I realize that “…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love (Him), to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Four months ago, 25 August 2019, marked the departure date of my Loving Wife, Rose Marie. With those last breaths of earthly air, she awoke in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ in Heaven! It was the destination for which she had longed, since committing her heart and life to Jesus in 1950 at the age of 16.

Philippians is connoted as “The Joyous Epistle.” But, how does joy comport with someone’s death? It does because the verses above could have been written with regard to her multiple surgeries, hospital, and rehabilitation visits for over a decade. Her circumstances truly “turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel.” Time and time again, sometimes with gasping breaths, she beamed as she told doctors, nurses, therapists, and cleaning ladies that Jesus Christ was her Savior and LORD! Further, she urged them to accept Him.

How many ultimately were “born again” due to her witness? I don’t know. We were not there to get a head-count, only to share the glory of His Name and witness to His saving grace!

We discovered that a number of doctors, nurses, therapists, and cleaning personnel already knew the LORD. What we urged was that they might share Him with others, who had never known Him or had never been “born again,” but never learned to share Him with others.

Let me say what I know my sweet Rose Marie would say to you, were she here and standing over my shoulder: “Jesus changed my life and gave me hope –hope that exists nowhere outside of Him. Just ask Him into your life. He will change your life and give you the joy I have. If you already know Him, share Him with others! You will experience unbelievable joy, and that will get you ready to join Him some day.”

Thank you, Grands Letter recipients, for all of your prayers. Prayer is the work the LORD gives to His people. Prayer and the Word give encouragement like nothing else! God bless you abundantly!

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.”

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Dear Grands,

Ephesians 6:13-18, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…”

When young David expressed to King Saul that he wanted to challenge the giant Goliath, the king’s first impression was to outfit David with armor. But, David said to Saul, “I have not proved them,” meaning he had never used armor in the battles he had previously fought. David chose to be clothed with the armor he knew: a slingshot guided by the LORD God Almighty!

In our verses for today, Paul writes of the seven pieces of armor every Christian needs in the battle against evil. The first piece is the Belt of Truth! Truth holds everything together. Mark Twain once said, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” In David’s case, Truth held everything together. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). All of this says to us: Always be truthful! And study to know well the Truth of the Word of God!

The Breastplate of Righteousness protects all the vital areas of the body against the most vicious attacks. Barclay notes that “words are no defence against accusations, but a good life is.” Remember the verse that says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Prov. 22:1)? When we base our lives in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we have no greater protection.

The Sandals protect the feet that carry the gospel of peace. The roads of life are often rocky and difficult, yet the sandals enable the Witness to go further and more often than would be normal for bare feet.

The Shield of Faith is large and easily repels what was perhaps the most dangerous of weapons in ancient warfare: the firey darts that were dipped in oil and set afire before they were launched at the enemy. The warrior, who held the huge Shield of Faith, could easily imped the course of the firey dart and extinguish the flame. Undaunting Faith is complete trust in the LORD and deals well with the darts of temptation, too.

The Helmet of Salvation covers the head, where the mind is confident of the warrior’s own salvation, and feeds the faith that all will be victorious in the battle against the enemy. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. It is ingested into the mind and is a constant reminder that the “battle is the LORD’s,” not man’s.

History reminds us that Cromwell’s men, known as “Ironsides,” fought with a sword in one hand and a Bible in the other.

Prayer, of course, is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. We pray to be successful in our endeavors, while simultaneously, we pray that all impediments that would forestall our victories, would be overthrown. It is in the overthrow of the enemy that would defeat us, that Christ Himself is glorified. He is our Captain! He has never been defeated! Who would not wish to serve faithfully under His command? May God help us to serve valiantly!

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.”

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