The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 1:1-4. James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

What does it really mean to be a “Christian”? Verse one tells us that those born as Jews can also become Christians. James himself was Jewish by birth, but look at what he says: “to the twelve tribes…” They are Jewish by birth, but they are also a part of the Church of our LORD Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is more than belonging to a church –any church. How can this be? It is true because Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ. And when a Jew or a Moslem or a Buddhist –whatever religion—trusts Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, he becomes a Christian!

If you think being a Christian is easy, read the troubles Christians have in Uganda, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Latin America (to name only a few). In many countries, being a Christian is truly a “life or death” matter. Yet, James says we are to “consider it all joy,” because such trials test our faith and produce endurance, enabling us to successfully withstand even greater tribulations.

“Let endurance have it’s perfect result,” James says. The LORD knows what’s going on. When we endure in one trial, we will be complete and lack nothing; thus, we are fully prepared to endure yet another trial. Note that James is not saying we will be smarter or wiser; it will simply be easier for us to endure the next trial we encounter. But why should we suffer? We

suffer because Jesus suffered. Are we to avoid or escape suffering when He suffered for us? Not at all!

Just learn to love others and be joyful! Let the Word of Christ settle down and make its home in your heart and mind. God bless you and make your faithful always “to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12).

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,

Hebrews 13:18-21, “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

19 And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,

21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Paul is coming to the close of his letter to the Hebrew Christian Church when he asks for their prayers. Leaders, too, need prayers, especially those who have faithfully ministered the LORD’s Word. For some unknown reason, Paul has been hindered from being personally in their midst, and he wishes their prayers for him and his companions that they might soon be able to visit them in person. Personal appearance allows fellowship, but a letter can be read multiple times. Each has its advantage.

God the Father is the God of peace. He willingly sent His Son into the midst of the world’s population in order to bring it peace. The sacrifice of His Son, the LORD Jesus, was an offer of peace. Through His shed blood on the Cross, He provided an exit from the world’s prison of evil. And through His Resurrection from the dead, He made offer to the whole world the forgiveness of sin and the assurance of Eternal Life with Him.

Whatever we need, be it physical, spiritual, or emotional, the LORD is able to provide help or enable us to cope with the malady’s plagues. Either way, He is the Great Shepherd, who leads, feeds, and in all ways provides for us, His sheep. The provisions He gives to us redound to His glory when we allow Him to work fully within and through us. May His glory that works to our benefit, ever and always be to His glory alone!

Jesus paid it all;

All to Him I owe,

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

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,

Hebrews 13:15-17, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

Earlier verses in this chapter assure us that the “Him” in verse 15 is in reference to our LORD Jesus Christ. It is through Him that we are to offer praises to Almighty God. Our thoughts, as well as the words we utter, are to give thanks and praise to His Name! We do this not only through speaking in praise directly to Him, as in prayer; but we do it by good deeds we do and the Gospel we share with others.

I think I told you of a young girl greeter at Walmart. She had become “disenchanted” with her former religion. I had given her a Gospel tract I had written, so today I asked her if she had read it. She had, yet she said there were some things in it she did not fully understand. (It’s difficult to get into an extended conversation with a Walmart employees, because they have numerous responsibilities; still, they are there to help customers.) I asked her if she had prayed the prayer at the end of the tract. She said yes. I encouraged her to start reading the Bible. She does have a small Bible, so I will continue to encourage her, as often as possible. She smiled and said she could show me what she didn’t understand, but she had passed the tract on to a friend who was also in spiritual need.

But, is she really saved? Right now, God alone knows that with certainty. However, the words of the Scripture will speak to her heart. If she is not saved, the Word will convict her and bring her to salvation (Isa. 55:11). If she is already saved, the Scripture she reads will help her to grow. I intend to encourage her at every opportunity.

In that moment, some weeks ago, when we first met, I became her “leader” –only because I was “keep(ing) watch over (her) soul.” I pray for her every day (along with the lot of you) and I want to see her “grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

Find someone without Jesus. They’re all around you. Love them, share the LORD with them, pray for them, and continue to dialogue with them concerning what the Scriptures are saying. God bless you in your witnessing! None of us can reach everyone, but each of us can reach someone! Pray for her. The LORD knows her name.

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,

Hebrews 13:7-9. “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.”

Do you remember who was the first to tell you about Jesus? Well, don’t forget them! They did exactly what the LORD wanted. They believed in Him and that’s how you came to know about Him. Now, He wants you to imitate their faith, and do the same for others.

Were you to tell about anyone else, there is always the possibility that person would change. But not Jesus! He is “the same yesterday, today, yes, and forever.”

Be aware, however, that there are others who pretend to be His followers, but have strange teachings (doctrines) they want to share with you. Don’t listen to them! Don’t follow their teachings! There is only One whose doctrines are true and changeless: Jesus!

Your life can only be strengthened with joy when you follow Jesus. The Bible is Jesus’ Word. It is true and without error. It was written by 40 some Spirit-inspired authors over a span of some 1500 years and covering three continents. Yet, there is not one error in all that they wrote! It is a Book you can trust. Read it! Believe it! Share it! Jesus Christ’s teachings will change your life and theirs. The LORD will bless you for sharing Christ; and He will bless them for believing!

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,

Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’

6 so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’”

Have you ever wondered where “faith” comes from? I’ve had a lot of people say to me, “I just don’t have the faith to do that.” Hearing that helps me to know where they have not been. Faith is not the same in all people. First of all, to have faith, you have to have been

with Jesus. You have to believe that He is God and that He gave Himself on the cross for your sins. When He becomes reality in your life, faith grows. Quite often after you receive faith, money creeps in and comes into focus, crying out that money is what you need.

Paul argues against believing that money is the answer to your needs. He said in a letter to Timothy that the “love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Paul further says to keep your “character…free from the love of money.” Just be content with what you have, for the LORD has provided you with faith sufficient to believe that He, not money, is all you need. Look at verse five above: “…He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake (abandon) you.’” His promise enables us to depend upon Him, and

say in return, “The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid…” Of course, we should take care of what provisions we have and not expect that we can just squander them and He will replenish our losses. He expects us to use good judgment and trust Him, like we did when we were saved. After all, if the LORD Jesus Christ can save us spiritually, He can certainly provide for us materially. Remember: He says, “I will never desert you.” And we are to respond: “The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid.”

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.”