The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:14-17, “And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Are you old enough to remember those “final reminders” your parents gave you when, say, you were off to summer camp? “Now, son, don’t act like a hog when you eat! People will notice and it will reflect on the family.” And, “Daughter, please wear your teeth retainers. I know what you think about how they look, but one day you’ll be very glad you listened to me.”

Remember things like that? Well, times haven’t changed a lot from New Testament times. Paul has just admonished the Colossian believers, telling them what to do and what not to do. But before he concludes his lecture, he says, “And beyond all these things…”; then he launches into deeper water, saying, “…put on love,” ????? (agape). Agape is godly love, love that totally resigns all “self” in the effort to aid another. What’s more, the person showing love never expects to receive anything in return. Such love bonds people like superglue!

Simultaneously, Paul urges us (as well as the Colossians) to allow the LORD’s peace to “sit as an umpire” and rule over our hearts. This is what true, pure Christianity is all about. It’s what binds us together in unity, as in the Church. It’s all the LORD’s original intention for us. We should never kick against it; we should be thankful.

Remember, too, Paul says to let the Word of Christ flow into your heart. That Word is there to teach and discipline us, along with music that warms our hearts and the heart of Almighty God as well. Such makes us thankful that we belong to Him. His Word guards our words and deeds, producing love in others. And don’t forget that it is the LORD who produces all of this within you, so be sure to tell Him “Thank You.” He will be glorified as we demonstrate His likeness.

If you remember to apply all of this to your life, you will have a glorious time at camp –and everywhere else!

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,

Isaiah 6:1-8, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, with a burning coal in his hand which he had taken from the altar with tongs.

7 And he touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is forgiven.”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I, send me!”

This is a long passage, but I will attempt to point out only two basic things: One, when the prophet Isaiah first saw the LORD, he cried out, “Woe is me…!” because the Holiness of the LORD always contrasts with sin in our lives! If you’ve ever bought typing paper, you know that it comes in various grades of white. What at first looks white, isn’t white at all when it’s held up against a brilliant white paper. So it is with us and the LORD. We look pretty good to ourselves, until He appears, and it’s then that we see ourselves as He sees us.

We think we’re clean until the LORD appears and we see we’re not as clean as we thought. There is no cleansing like the LORD’s cleansing! The LORD Jesus Christ went to the cross, shedding His blood to wash away our sin. Until we accept what He did as being for us and ask His forgiveness and trust Him as our Savior, we will forever remain in sin and we will stand before Him in Judgment.

The second emphasis of these verses is that we are unprepared to do anything until He prepares us for it. Once the seraphim (angel) cleansed Isaiah of his personal sin, he was prepared to carry out the ministry the LORD had for him.

We must be clean morally, spiritually –thoroughly clean—to be used by the LORD in any sort of service. The service He requires is joyous! That’s why Isaiah responded so exuberantly! “Here am I, send me!” It is doubtful that Isaiah knew where the LORD wanted him to serve, or how long the service might last. All that concerned him was that he was clean, and the LORD needed someone to do His service.

Are you clean? Has Jesus Christ washed you from your sins with His blood? That’s SO important! Everything in life and in the afterlife depends on your knowing Him as your LORD. And if you already know Him as your LORD and Savior, your life has been thoroughly cleansed, and you are able to shout with Isaiah, “Here am I, send me!” And He will! Thes

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,

Colossians2:8-10, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according

to Christ.

9 For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority…”

With all of the Apostle Paul’s previous instructions to us and to the Early Churches, he never tires of warning us of false teachers. Only this week, I read of one (whom I consider to be “false”), who said he was renouncing all of his prior teachings about wealth and prosperity. Others have openly denied the truth of Holy Scripture; still others, have totally renounced their faith. They said they were no longer Christians. Perhaps, they never were.

All of that should serve as a solemn, but sure, warning that “all that glitters is not gold.” Those who advocate a belief that rewards one with the prosperity of this world’s goods, can be considered an advocat of a false gospel. One such teacher’s father long ago went astray by adding to the teachings of Scripture; now, his son has gone further still by substituting humanistic philosophy for Scripture itself. Oh, he draws massive crowds! But where is the teaching that Scriptural Truth will draw the masses? Jesus had far fewer congregants at the Sermon on the Mount.

The pure teachings of Jesus, ensconsed in our Bibles, is His Truth. He Himself is the “fulness of Deity…in bodily form.” If you have been born again (literally, born from Above), “you have been made complete.” God never constructs anything that contains flaws! Numerous times we are warned “not to add” anything to the Word He has given us in the Bible. So logically, His instruction is that we believe everything He has given us; and all He has given us is everything that He has intended us to have and believe.

If you have never trusted Him as LORD and Savior of your life, I beg of you to do it before you close your eyes in sleep. Remember the child’s prayer we all were taught?

Now I lay me down to sleep;

I pray the LORD my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the LORD my soul to take.

We might be tempted to dismiss those words as a “mere childish rhyme”; yet, the truth is, we do not know

the LORD’s terminal point of our earthly life or when He will call us to face Him in judgment. Prudence says, “Prepare.” Humanistic philosophy says “It’s not important.” What do you really think? Are you willing to risk it

all on anything outside of His Holy Word?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Thank you for your prayers for my sweet daughter-in-law. She is being evaluated by some superb medical

doctors! She thanks you for your sincere interest and concern. My son and I thank you, too.

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,

Colossians 1:8-10, “Epaphras…informed us of your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”

Prisons are dismal places. There’s little to no cheerfulness, no laughter, no hope. Many occupants have no true friends on the outside. Even if some do, they rarely receive encouraging letters. Paul was an occupant in the prison in Rome. He was awaiting his opportunity to speak and bear witness of His Savior before Caesar. Encouragement arrived, however, by way of Epaphras, who informed Paul of the spiritual love the Colossian Church had for him.

Paul communicated with the Colossian Church, saying that he prayed consistantly for them all. He especially desired that they be filled to overflowing with spiritual wisdom and understanding of the knowledge of God’s will for them. If you are going to know what the LORD’s will is for your life –and that knowledge ought to be the foremost desire of your heart— you need to immerse yourself in daily prayer. Paul prayed fervently for the Colossians. I pray earnestly for you!

And if I am to be successful in ministering to others, I need people to pray for me. Wasn’t it Tennyson who said, “More things are wrought (accomplished) by prayer than this world dreams of”?

Yet, for prayer to be effective, it must be offered by those who “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.” We must live spiritually honest lives if we are to please Him. Further, we must “bear fruit in every good work,” as we “increase in our knowledge of the LORD Himself.”

Remember when you were a child and really wanted something from your parents? Remember the key that unlocked their hearts? It was the “bearing of fruit”– your sweet disposition, your obedience in all things. That’s what appealed to your parents; and that’s what opens the LORD’s heart, too. Live for His glory; ask in faith; and say “Thank You” when He lovingly responds. God bless you abundantly! You’ll notice the difference in your life; and the LORD will pour out upon you blessings that will fill your heart to overflowing! Prayer and love are the answer to so much!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Some of you will remember George and Rita Galieh from Australia. They were my musical team when we lived and

ministered in Australia and New Zealand. George is now 90 years old and in failing health. Rita is now responsible for

work George did, as well as for her own. I know they would dearly appreciate your prayers for them. They are the

most dedicated people I know, having ministered each year in Thailand for 25+ years, sharing the Gospel with Buddhists.

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,

Proverbs 1:10-19, “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

13 We shall find all kinds of precious wealth, We shall fill our houses with spoil;

14 Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have one purse,”

15 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,

16 For their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed blood.

17 Indeed, it is useless to spread the net In the eyes of any bird;

18 But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives.

19 So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors.”

I think I’m pretty safe in saying that Solomon, who authored these verses, never saw a western on TV.

In fact, in Solomon’s day, there was no television. Yet, amazingly he captured the basic theme of

almost all westerns.

Three cowboys rob the bank. They avoid the sheriff and get safely out of town.

They stop by a stream to water their horses. The leader gives the horse-watering task

to one of the men, and while he’s away, the leader suggests that the bank money they

stole would split better two ways than three. So, they shoot the one who watered the

horses and hurry away, lest the Sheriff’s posse catch up to them.

What Solomon adds to the scenario I painted in the paragraph above is clear as crystal:

18 “But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives.

19 So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the

life of its possessors.”

What could be clearer that that? They leaned on their own wisdom and lost their lives in the process.

Pretty dumb, huh? But, before we come down too hard on those crooks, maybe we should take a good

look in the mirror. We are all too often our own worst enemy! Of course, theft of any kind is wrong. Yet,

even worse is the failure to understand how our wrong-doings can backfire on us! What causes that?

It’s very simple. We just don’t think things through. Especially that’s so, if anger in involved. We work

ourselves up to believe that we’re going to get even –or more! Anger clouds the judgment, and in the

end, we lose it all.

What was Solomon’s advice? He gave it right at the top: “…if sinners entice you, DO NOT CONSENT!”

You’re not smarter than Solomon. You need the Supreme Advice of the LORD! If you’ve given Him your

heart and life, you belong to Him. He is your LORD, and your will is not your own. You’ve been bought

with a price. If you’ve not given your heart and life to Him, it’s the best judgment to do so before you make

a major mistake. God loves you! He wants the best for your life! Seek Him in prayer, and act as He directs!

His outcomes are always superior to our own.

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.”