The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 3:13b-14, “…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.”

As a boy-preacher, pastoring (some said “pestering”!) my first church, I preached one Sunday on Luke 9:62, “Jesus said to him, ‘No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” One of the deacons came to me after the service and asked, “Preacher, do you know what that verse means?”

I simply replied, “I just preached on that passage.”

He replied, “Yes, but do you know what it means?”

Deliberately avoiding his question, I responded with a question (something worth remembering), “Tell me what it means to you.”

His response was simple: “If you’re looking backward, you can’t plow a straight furrow.”

I’ve never forgotten that. It’s a great truth for life! Paul wasn’t a farmer, but he knew the principle and had applied it to his own life. It has value for us today, especially as we get ready to commence a new year. Let me suggest the following:

1. Forget your past failures. I have a lot of them. Failures can be good teachers, if we allow ourselves to

learn from them. But they are great punishers, if we don’t! Learn from your mistakes, but don’t allow

yourself to stay focused on them. Satan wants that; but if our LORD has forgiven us those failures, what

profit is there in remembering them?

2. Forget your past successes. I’ve had them, too. The problem is not the success, it’s the dwelling on it

that causes problems. “Just think: I did that! And look how well it turned out. I’m pretty good, you know?”

And all the while I’m congratulating myself on what I did, I’m building a slippery slope on which to fall.

First off, I didn’t do anything. If there were value in the accomplishment, the credit must go to the LORD!

Additionally, while I’m becoming prideful, I’m neglecting the very thing I ought to be doing. No good there!

3. Concentrate on the future! That doesn’t mean to ignore the present; but it does mean to deal with the

present with the future clearly in mind. The “goal” is the mark on which we currently keep our eye. It’s the

ministry the LORD has given us. To some, it is the calling to the ministry; to others, missionary service; to

others, it’s the business world, where money is made to support various aspects of the LORD’s work. Yet,

we are always to keep our focus on that coming Day when we will stand before God, and give account of our stewardship. That’s what lies ahead. Are you ready? What are you doing to get ready? For as sure as

your physical birth, the Day of Accountability is coming!

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,

Matthew 2:1-2, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2’Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him,’”

The magi were a group of philosophers, astrologers, scientists, counselors and such like. (Note, too, that astrologers are quite different from astronomiers. Astrology is a mystical religion. Astronomy is a science

of the stars.) The statement, “…we saw His star in the east…” should be read as, “We, in the east, saw His star,” because the magi were from the east and went westward following the star.

The magi were probably a dozen or so in number. Robbery was common in those days, and were only three men the entire company, they would be taking a severe risk. The thought that there were only three magi in the group is an assumption from the fact that they brought three gifts, gold, frankensence and myrrh, to the Christ Child.

But, how did the magi know that the star they saw would lead them to Jesus? How did they even know there

would be a Child born in Bethlehem? Remember Daniel? Nebuchadnezzar was King of Babylon when he

captured Judea and took captives. Daniel and his three friends were among the captives. Daniel knew the

prophecies of the Messiah’s Coming. As open and outspoken as he was about his faith, is it not likely that

the magi learned of the Messiah’s birth from him?

All of this (and much, much more!) should encourage us to witness openly and forcefully in love to those who have yet to hear of the marvellous “Coming” of Jesus the Messiah. When we discover anything that works better than what we’ve used before, we want to share it with others. What discovery is greater than that of our LORD Jesus Christ? Now that you know, you know what to do. 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.”

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, 13so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the

whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14and 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.”

Some days are just filled with trouble! Those that ought to be in jail are not; those that shouldn’t be in jail, are!

What can we say about that? What can we do about it? Complaining doesn’t help. We simply have to do the

best we can and leave the results up to God.

Nobody suffered more than Paul, except for Jesus. He dutifully engaged in ministry that would work to the advantage

of the very people he was trying to help. What is Paul’s response? “Look on the bright side!” he says. “The whole

praetorian guard” knows him and knows the message he is proclaiming. That’s progress! What’s more, the believers,

seeing Paul, have gained courage “to speak the Word of God without fear.”

Are you not encouraged when you know that Vice-President Pence is a true, Bible-believing Christian? Does it not

give you additional hope to know that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is a born-again Christian, too? He speaks

quite openly about his faith.

I was pastoring a church in St. Louis County when Billy Graham launched his third Greater St. Louis Crusade. A lot

of people found it easier to talk to others about Jesus because Billy Graham was in the area. We shouldn’t need

the presence of famous Christian people before we talk to others about Him –but, it helps! When was the last time

you talked to someone about accepting Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior? Share your faith! Tell others how Christ

forgave your sin and became part of you life. Love Him and you will soon love them. Watch out for Love! It’s really

contagious! 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.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:8-12, Epaphras “informed us…of your love in the Spirit.

9For 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,

10so 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;

11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously

12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

We often pray for those whose lives evidence the absence of the Holy Spirit. That’s certainly not wrong; however,

Paul mentions the other side of the pattern for our prayers when he notes that he prays for those who “love in the

Spirit.” Maybe we take for granted that believers don’t need prayer like unbelievers do. Well, they do! The author

here prays that believers “may be filled (controlled) with the knowledge of His will…” and with a focus on “spiritual

wisdom and understanding.”

His purpose in saying that we should be controlled by the Spirit is “so that (we) may walk in a manner worthy of

the LORD.” We should want to please Him in everything we say or do. “But I’m so weak,” you say. Not if you

depend upon Him, you’re not. He strengthens us with His power, in proportion to “His glorious might.” Don’t be

impatient! He provides the steadfastness (???????, hupomone, endurance). Do everything joyously! Give thanks

to the Father. Remember that it is He who “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

In summation: Learn all you can by daily reading of God’s Word. Acquire wisdom in the process by allowing His

Spirit to instruct and control you life. Pray for the lost and the saved. Remember that it’s all accomplished by His power, so give Him the glory! Not only will CHRISTmas have new meaning; your life will have new meaning! He is

not only “the Reason for the Season,” He is “the Reason for All Seasons!” 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.”

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10, “For the Word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

First Thessalonians was written in approximately A.D. 52. It was the first of the fourteen letters the Apostle Paul wrote that are recorded for us in the New Testament. In most of his letters, Paul admonishes the Church to clean up their act and do only those things that glorify the LORD Jesus Chist. He does that in this letter, too; but it’s interesting to note that he is here commending the Thessalonians for all they have done!

You have witnessed of the Word of the LORD “not only in Macedonia” (which was to Greece’s north), and

Achaia (which was to the west and south of Greece). So extensive was their witness that Paul had nothing to add, except to praise them! Isn’t it great when we see believers today talking to others about the LORD? In fact, the Thessalonian witness was so vast and so inclusive that they even told how they themselves had

turned from idols to serve the Living Christ!!

What could be better? Just one thing: these Thessalonians were waiting on the LORD Jesus to return. They were under pressure to stop witnessing, but they elected to continue, knowing that the LORD Jesus was going to come again, and when He does, He will deliver us “from the wrath to come.” The word ????? is the

Greek word meaning wrath. It is used 14 times in the New Testament. But the words ??? ????? mean “the

wrath,” and refer to the time of Tribulation that will come upon all unbelievers. The Church, meaning “all believers,” will not suffer God’s wrath. Those who are “born again” (born from Above, true believers), will be “caught up to meet the LORD in the air…”; and they will thereafter “always be with the LORD” (1 Thes. 4:17).

Christ is our Hope! He is our Salvation! It’s not sufficient to simply be a member of a church or be baptized or be doing “the best we can.” Jesus said, “You must be born again (literally, “born from Above,” that is, be spiritually born by accepting Him as LORD and Savior of your life. Have you done that? If not, you need to! For if He comes and you are not ready, you won’t be meeting Him or going to Heaven where He is. If, on the other hand, you have trusted Him and know He is your Savior and LORD, are you sharing Him with others? There’s no better time to share Him than this time when we celebrate His birth in Bethlehem. God bless you! Have a Merry CHRISTmas!

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.”