The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

First Thessalonians is the Apostle Paul’s very first letter, and it was addressed to the Church at Thessalonica. It’s interesting that this first ever letter should be concerned with the Coming of the LORD. Paul never lost sight of that, and we shouldn’t, either. Just as we ready ourselves when someone is coming to our house for a visit, we should always be ready for the Coming of the LORD. We’re usually advised of our company’s time of arrival. With the Coming of Jesus, it could be at any time! Thus, we always have to be ready.

Paul commends the LORD to the Church when He refers to God as “the God of peace.” It is He, too, who makes us completely and thoroughly holy. And holiness brings with it peace.

The desire of the Apostle is that our total being be entirely complete. He then cites the three areas of our lives to which we must give vital attention: “spirit and soul and body.” Have you ever thought of yourself as being a three-fold person?

Well, you are! The order in which Paul places them is important, too. I often refer to them as body, soul, and spirit. But,

Paul reverses the order. Why does he do that? And why is it important?

Our spirit is most important because it is the human spirit that is God-conscious! Remember when Paul said in Romans 1:19, “…that which is known aout God is evident within them, for God made it evident to them”? He went on to say in the next verse (v. 20) that “they (meaning all of mankind) are without excuse.” The human spirit is the contact point of the Holy Spirit of God. Yes, the Holy Spirit resides in every believer from the point of that believer’s salvation. And it is the believer’s human spirit that is God-conscious and receives what the Holy Spirit brings from the Father.

The human soul is that part of man that is self-conscious. By “self-conscious” I don’t mean shy. In fact, it may be the very opposite of shyness; it may be openly flaunting conceit. The human soul want to follow the crowd and become their leader.

The human body is world-conscious. Of course, we’re all conscious of the world, but being world-conscious is more.

Let me conclude by saying that God begins His work with our spirit; He then move in to control our soul. Finally, He takes control of our bodies. (That’s when we dress properly, so as to reveal Him, rather than ourselves.) When we are

thorougly Spirit-controlled by the LORD, He is glorified and uses us fully and completely in His service.

Satan, however, commences his work with the body and works up through the soul and spirit. When he has conquered a man completely, it may be said that that man is demon-possessed. Because this is such a vital subject, and because I have less than needed room to say it all, I am attaching a diagram for further explanation.

Treat all of this with extreme care! Satan works on all of us. We must be careful to refute him by drawing closer and closer to the LORD, who gave Himself on the Cross for our sins. And remember: He is Coming! May the LORD bless you is my prayer.

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 5:16-22, “16 Rejoice always;

17 pray without ceasing;

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit;

20 do not despise prophetic utterances.

21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

22 abstain from every form of evil.”

Whatever you age, you’ve probably already met some “fast-talkers.” Some have wanted you to buy something they had for sale, while others just wanted you to “buy into” their thinking and agree with them for any number of reasons.

Well, the Apostle Paul was decisive in what he said. There is no possible way we could know how fast he talked; but reading the verses above gives us something of an idea how fast he could write! And did he ever cover a lot of ground in 46 words (33 in Greek)!

Analyze these positive verses with me: (1) Rejoice (???????) is a present, active, imperative verb. He means “DO IT!” Whatever the circumstances, just rejoice and keep on rejoicing! (2) Pray (???????????) is another present imperative. It’s a technical religious term that moves us to keep on asking God for help. (3) Give thanks (??????????) means just that, be thankful to God and express that to Him in prayer. All of this is what He wants from us.

Two strong negatives follow: (4) Do not quench (????????) the Holy Spirit means don’t resist or stifle His leadership. He is within us at the LORD’s direction to incentivize us to always obey the will of the Father. (5) Do not despise (?????????), set aside or disregard, the Holy Spirit in any way. Do not treat His leading lightly. He is working within us as believers to fulfill the will of the Father.

The final two emphases of the apostle are first, positive; then, negative. (6) Examine (????????) everything carefully. Whatever it is, don’t jump in or out hastily. Take time for careful scrutiny; and when your examination proves worthy, hold fast to it (7) Abstain (?????) means to “back off, be distant from, have nothing to do with” every form of evil. Stay away from evil (???????), which is not only wrong for you, but is evil-producing in the lives of others.

All of this is strong, sound advice! When we were saved (born again, born from Above) by our Heavenly Father, He gave us the Holy Spirit to protect and to guide us throughout the remainder of our lives. Nurses take directions from doctors; secretaries take directions from executives; Christians take directions from God the Holy Spirit. To fail to follow the Spirit’s directives and warnings is far more dangerous than failing to heed the warnings of weather reporters concerning tornadoes or violent coming storms! Be smart! The LORD wastes nothing; therefore, the Spirit is within us for His purposes, which are always beneficial to us.

Trust and obey, for there’ no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

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,

2 Peter 1:2-4, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

Recently, a reporter was granted an interview with Justice Neal Gorshuch of the U. S. Supreme Court. He stated quite clearly that he had only two rules for his law clerks:

Rule #1: “Honor those words (of the Constitution). Don’t make stuff up and don’t take things away,”

Rule #2: If others are trying to convince you of another point of view, go back to Rule #1.

Later in the interview, Justice Gorsuch said: “Our job isn’t to do what we want—what we like. It’s to

make sure that the law—that’s enacted by the people’s representatives—is applied fairly and equally

to everyone.”

When I heard the Justice’s comments on the Constitution, it occurred to me that this is precisely what our LORD said to us and what He desires that we do. I believe the verses above from the Apostle Peter bear this out.

The LORD has granted to us His “precious and magnificent promises.” He has granted us grace and peace and given us “the knowledge of God Himself, along with everything that has to do with life and godliness. Why has He granted us these promises? Simply stated, that we “might become partakers of the divine nature” and “escape the corruption that is

In the world:: namely, lust, the desire to have and do what pleases us regardless of the Supreme Standards our LORD and Savior has given us in His Word.

Being “partakers of the divine nature” is more than simply having trusted Him as LORD and Savior of our lives. It requires our consistent dedication to the “rules” of life He has laid before us both in the Life of His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the pages of His Holy Word, the Bible. We may be certain that the LORD will apply His justice “fairly and equally to everyone.”

That should thrill us and scare us at the same time! The thrill comes in knowning that we serve a just and holy Judge, and that there will be no unfairness or frivolous tactics from the Bench! The scare comes when we examine ourselves and view the vast chasm that lies between what He requires and what we produce in and through our lives.

Rule #1: “Honor those words of the Scripture. Don’t make stuff up and don’t take things away,”

Rule #2: If others, even preachers, are trying to convince you of another point of view, go back

to Rule #1.

This makes sense to me. I hope it does to you. Let’s covenant to pray for one another that we may alter our lifestyles to suit the One before one day soon we shall all stand to give account.

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 4:13-18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

I have just completed correspondence with the First Baptist Church of St. Ann, Missouri –a church I formerly pastored. Within that correspondence was a remembrance of her former pastor, the late Dr. Earl L. Pounds. Included, too, were some personal notations regarding my late wife, Rose Marie, who was the first to introduce me to biblical eschatology.

Yes, I was green before green was “in.” All of that led me to explain the passage above, lest you wander in ignorance, as I once did.

The word “asleep” (??????) in this context is a euphonism for the word “death.” It’s a more pleasant-sounding word. We generally grieve when someone we love has died. It’s completely normal that we be sad; however, we are not to grieve like others who have no hope beyond the grave. When I was working for an undertaker, I witnessed a woman pass out three time within less that 30 feet! She had to be revived with smelling-salts. I call that “grieving” –grieving without hope of ever seeing her loved one again. Born-again believers in Christ are to focus on Hope, not on death.

The passage teaches us that Jesus is Returning to gather His Church (all born-again believers, worldwide). He will not come down and touch the Earth; rather, we will be “caught up” to meet Him in the air. There will be some “noise.” The LORD will come with a SHOUT and with the Voice of the Archangel. The Trumpet of God will sound, announcing His Coming; and those who are alive will be “transformed” and those who are “asleep” will arise from their graves. All believers will then receive new bodies. First Corinthians 15:44 (the Resurrection chapter) tells us that the “natural body…is raised a spiritual body,” one that is suited for Heaven.

It will all take place in a nano-second, less than the batting of an eye! We who know the LORD will go Home with Him!

But, what about those who don’t know Him? What will their fate be? They will remain in Sheol, the Old Testament’s name for the place of the dead. The New Testament teaches that Sheol is divided into Paradise, where the believers go and Hell, where the unbelievers go. If ever there is to be grieving, it will be for those who have not believed upon Jesus.

Money and prestige, even worldwide prestige, will mean nothing in that day! All that will matter is what one has done with Jesus. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? If not, please, please do so today! And if you have trusted Him, share Him with those who have not trusted Him! It’s more than a “life-or-death” situation. It’s ETERNITY!

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,

Acts 15:36-40, “And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.’

37 And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them also.

38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

39 And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.”

Colossians 4:10, 14, “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him….”

The Apostle Paul was both loving and gracious. In fact, it was the love of Christ that made him gracious. Yet, he was no “push-over.” He had a mind of his own –one that he honestly sought to keep under the control of the Holy Spirit. Still, he was human, and sometimes he got angry. The Acts 15 verses noted above bear all of this out.

The Jerusalem Council had just concluded and almost everyone had gone. Paul and Barnabus were left discussing where they should go to share the Gospel. Barnabus suggested that they take Mark with them. Paul was absolutely opposed to taking Mark! We’re not sure why Mark deserted the ministry back in Pamphylia. Whatever his reason, it was unreasonable to the Apostle Paul, and he stubbornly refused to have Mark in their party. When two partners in any situation disagree, there is risk of a split. And that’s just what happened! Barnabus took Mark and the two of them left Paul standing there alone—well, almost alone. A lone believer named Silas had lagged behind, so he was there.

I’ve often wondered why Silas hadn’t left. It seems everyone was gone except Paul and him. Sometimes we feel that we’re alone, too, don’t we? Yet, we’re not to be discouraged! The LORD has not lost track of who or where we are; nor has He lost track of where He wants us to go. Paul now had to trust the LORD for a partner. Silas is there, so, Paul chose Silas, and they commenced their missionary journey. Have you noticed that there are now two missionary parties going forth with the Gospel? The LORD used the dissention between Paul and Barnabus to create two parties instead of just one.

Time has now passed. The Jerusalem Council convened in A.D. 50. It is now A.D. 61; thus 11 years had gone and Paul is now writing his letter to the Colossians. His letter bears greetings from Aristarchus and “Barnabus’ cousin, Mark.” Whatever the cause of Mark’s earlier departure, Paul has forgiven him and he is now highly commended by the Apostle himself.

Have you ever held a grudge against someone? Are you holding one now? I guess I have to start the confessions and admit that I have held grudges, huge grudges. But that was many years ago now. And I have learned from Scripture that the one who holds the grudge only hurts himself. I remember it because I was the one holding it. I doubt if the other person even remembers the occasion. In any event, the cause of my grudge was nothing when compared to Paul’s. If he can confess and get clean, so can I. And I have!

Have you confessed the sin of your grudge? You say, “But I’m the innocent party!” No, you’re not! Whatever occurred and whoever was at fault, you are at fault, too, because you’re holding a grudge! Get rid of it! The LORD wants to bless and use you. And He won’t until you get “unplugged” of what is hindering the flow of His love through you! May the LORD rescue you from your own dilemma!

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.”