The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:17-18, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”

When the serpent first tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, Satan showed that his intention was to destroy everything that God had created! And throughout the Old and New Testaments, he challenged both Israel and the Church. That challenge continues to this day. Groups of so-called “believers” have strayed from the Truth of the Gospel, substituting “political correctness” for sound theology, leading to the inevitable division within entire Christian denominations.

Surely, judgment will soon fall on those churches that are incorporating worldly thinking. And Peter reckons, “…what will be the outcome of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” For it is the business of the Church to exalt Christ and His Word, so that the lost might come to Him in salvation.

In his “Prologue” to the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer asked, “If gold rust, what will iron do?” Such thinking, while abhorrent to true believers, is applicable to many of today’s churches. If the church turns away from the Gospel, how will anyone ever come to faith in Jesus Christ? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is already under a ferocious attack throughout the world. Just as a sports team plays harder in the final moments of the game, Satan ups his attack as we move rapidly toward the final days of human history.

What can sincere, born-again believers do? First, stay close to the LORD! Read and study His Word daily. Pray sincerely and seek His guidance in everything. Second, find a church that has sound theology and doesn’t waver on clear, biblical beliefs. Finally, share your faith in the LORD Jesus Christ in the effort to win people to Him. Keep your life spiritually clean, and the LORD will bless you in all that you do for His glory!

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,

1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Good or bad, I’ve been gifted with a sense of humor. Sometimes, I get a bit goofy, talking to people I’ve never met, but as if we had known each other for 40 years! A tall man nearly hit my cart in Walmart the other day. I looked at him and said, “Uh, I never mess with guys who are bigger than I am.” He smiled and his wife laughed out loud.

Hidden (I trust not too much) beneath my attempt at humor is a genuine love for “the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.” When I hurt (and I often still do), I am reminded that it is “His great mercy (that) has caused (me) to be born again (from Above) to a living hope.” And from where does this “living hope” come? It comes “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Had Jesus Christ not risen from the dead, His death on the Cross would have had little to no meaning. But, He did rise from the dead and that gives us an unusual inheritance! –not of itself “able to perish,” or to “be(come) defiled.” Further, “it will not fade away,” disappear or become meaningless. Instead, it is reserved in Heaven for those who have come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

The same powerful love of the Father that sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, now protects us through faith for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days. Do you not see the turmoil in our world today? Those who have done wrong, go unpunished; those who have lived honestly, are subject to lies, ridicule, and often imprisonment and death. I have preached in numerous countries around the world, and without incident. Yet, I would be hesitant about returning to some of those same countries today, due to their furious hatred of my Christian faith.

Listen, dear reader, we are living in the last days of human history! Our only hope is in the protection of Almighty God! Mission fields, some of which I have visited, are now rife with unrest, often due to their own political unrest and mismanagement. Missionaries need our prayers! Our hope lies only in the LORD Jesus Christ, and in the power of Almighty God, who protects us. Today was someone’s “last day.” Tomorrow may be yours or mine. Live courageously! Share “the Faith once delivered to the saints.” May God help us all to be living for Him, when He Comes to take us Home!

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,

James 1:23-25, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.”

There were no iPhones in James’ day. With an iPhone, one can either take a selfie to see how he looks or reverse the camera, so he can be seen while looking at the phone’s screen. So, without the aid of this modern convenience, James uses an analogy. He says that one looking at his own likeness in a mirror will soon forget what he looked like when the mirror is removed.

In contrast, James now says the one who looks at God’s “perfect law,” the law of liberty will be free from the lusts and defects of his life. If we abides in that law of liberty, we will be free from those things that impede our walk with the LORD. Note, however, that “abiding” means a steady obedience to the LORD’s directives. If we abide in Him, we will then be free from a conscience that plagues us with respect to sin. We will then be enabled to be active according to His directive and leadership.

The capstone of it all is that we “shall (then) be blessed in what (we) do.” Let me just add that leading one soul to faith in Jesus Christ produces such an intensity within us that we just want to win more and more people to Him and His cause.

There’s an old story from the Civil Way that highlights what I am saying. A sentry captured a soldier from the opposing army, and brought him in to the Captain. There was a great stir within the camp, concerning this capture. “Where did you get him?” one officer asked. And the sentry’s response was: “Why, Sir, the woods is full of ‘em! Go out an git youself one!” Believe me, reader, the woods are indeed “full of ‘em.” And once you have won someone to faith in Christ, you will not be forgetful of what you have seen in that mirror!

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,

James 1:19-21, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

James pastored, what in New Testament times, would have been considered a sizable congregation. He has just spoken to them of the LORD’s will and that it included them being witnesses of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection from the dead. Then, he compliments them by saying, All of that you know, my beloved people. Certainly, James was honest in his appraisal of the church he served, but he was preparing them for a scolding they richly deserved.

The three-worded phrases he uses says it all: quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. Far too often we, too, are eager to hear something bad about someone –even within the church body. Why is that? Are we not all Christians? Yes, we are, but we have not fully renounced our sinful natures. Moreover, as soon as we hear it, we cannot wait until we have told someone else! Are we so spiritually small, that we think telling something on someone else makes us look bigger, more intelligent, more sophisticated? I’m afraid so.

What is worse than being a tattle-tale, or more correctly, a gossip? Whoa! says James. Be slow to anger, also. Being angry achieves nothing, especially not the righteousness of God. Is it for anger that He saved us? Absolutely not!

If you were a lost person and looking for a spiritual answer to your problems, would you trust the witness of a gossip? –someone who loved to share bad things about other people? Someone who was controlled by anger? Absolutely not!

Now you can understand James’ warning. So put aside those things that are evil-producing! Be humble, like the LORD Jesus Christ, and truly receive and believe His Word that led you to salvation by faith in Him. For it is then, that we are free to share our faith in Him with those looking for a spiritual answer to their problems. God bless you! Now, get out there and GO!

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,

James 1:17-18, “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.”

I once received a check, but had no idea from whom it had come. You see, the sender forgot to sign it! I finally realized who the sender was and wrote him a poem, including the check that lacked his signature. It was a risk because he could have been offended, but being a Christian, he took my humor in good sorts, and returned the check with his signature.

Almost every Christmas or birthday, someone in the family receives a card from someone who failed to sign it. Sometimes we figure it out, and sometimes we never know. Yet, there is no question concerning the origin of good and perfect things. They all come from the LORD! Good (agathos) also means “kindness” or “generous.” Perfect (teleios) means “complete.” It has reached its ultimate; it is thoroughly mature. Nothing better can be viewed or known.

All of this relates to the LORD God Almighty! He is always seen as “Above”; thus, blessings “coming down” are to be always viewed as from Him alone. His identity as “the Father of lights” notes Him as Creator. At the same time, He is in contrast with the heavenly “lights,” such as the sun, moon and start. The sun varies in its intensity of heat. The LORD does not vary. The sun causes “shifting (of) shadow(s).” The LORD is always the same.

Everything good and perfect that occurs in life is “the exercise of His will.” Our salvation, too, was the exercise of His will. His Truth, whether proclaimed from the pulpit or shared by a friend, brought about our salvation. Yet, we are but the “first fruits” in our generation. His purpose in reaching us with His Good News is that we might, in turn, reach others with it, also.

Are you reaching others? Is that your basic intention each day? Are you praying for someone who needs salvation? Gifts that are given on special occasions should not be left unused. The givers want to see that you appreciated their gifts. So, it with the LORD. When we appreciate His gift of salvation, we want to share it. And that is exactly what He wants, as well.T

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.”