The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 2:12-13, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Joining the military is a serious undertaking. I can remember some young men, who looked upon joining the military as something of a lark. They laughed and bragged about being soldier, or sailors, pilots or marines. It was a good show for the girls they wanted to impress, but it was also an external demonstration that clouded over the fear and uncertainty they felt inside. Deep down, they knew that war was serious business!

The Apostle Paul is telling the Philippian Christians that their having accepted Christ Jesus as their Savior was serious business, too. You’ve paid attention to what I’ve said while I am here; see that you do it even more so when I’m gone. “Work out your salvation…” he said. What did he mean? Paul was NOT saying that their work could or would produce their salvation. It was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone that had brought them salvation. Then what did Paul mean?

He meant that the Philippians (and all believers) are to allow the Spirit of God to produce and demonstrate to others the newness of the spiritual life. When we sin, we quickly repent. We say Jesus is our Savior and LORD, so show we must show it in our lifestyle. We say we’ve renounced the old life with evil companions and sinful practices; prove it by a clean and lasting break and new companions. Salvation begins with accepting Jesus; it then demonstrates in us His Life as being lived through us.

We believers did not save ourselves. We trusted Christ Jesus, and He saved us. Now, as believers, we have the Holy Spirit living within us, and the Spirit is working to make our lives like Jesus’ Life. We’d sure look more like Him if we let the Spirit have His way. What do you say? Let’s give it a try! Repent of each and every ungodly thought and practice that you have. Think Heavenly thoughts every day. Show Christian Love to those who don’t know what it’s all about. Don’t worry about not doing well. The Holy Spirit is always within you to help.

May the love and blessing of Jesus be yours daily!

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,

13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

14 and 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.”

Bad situations sometimes turn out to be beneficial. Here in his letter to the Philippians (a letter written from prison in Rome, yet often called a “Joyful Letter”), Paul writes that had it not been for his imprisonment, the Gospel might never have reached the lives of the Roman guards.

It had been Paul’s decision to make a legal appeal to Caesar. At the time he appealed, it seemed he had no alternative. Yes, he had been falsely charged; and although the legal authorities at the time believed he would have been released, Paul may not have been so sure. Thus, he appealed to Caesar. We’re not always sure of the outcomes of our decisions. We simply have to trust the LORD.

Paul was in chains, but the Gospel is not bound! Those who had been reticent to share the Gospel, saw and heard of Paul’s boldness, and began themselves to actively share the Word of God more and more. Some of us wish someone would share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our neighbors. Why don’t we do it ourselves? When we do what the LORD has instructed us to do, it gives courage to others who know Him, but have never shared His Good News with anyone.

I want to believe that my courage in sharing the Gospel, strengthens others to do the same. There are so many believers who are silent! Why are we afraid? Do we think we don’t know enough? Do we fear being asked questions we cannot answer? Listen to this:

So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without

accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it (Isa. 55:11).

The LORD is saying that His Word goes forth and never comes back empty. His Word always accomplishes everything He desires it to accomplish. In other words, when we share His Word, we do it with the guarantee of positive results. Oh, we may never see the results ourselves, but the Word carries within it the power of its own accomplishment! It’s like lighting a stick of dynamite and hiding behind a rock before it explodes. But the work that it does is evident. That’s why Paul said that some even preach the Gospel with impure motives; but he rejoices that they were preaching the Word!

How about sharing the Gospel with someone real soon? Hand them a Gospel tract. Ask them if they read the Bible, or if they go to Church? That gets the conversation going. Share a verse of Scripture, and let the

Word do its work. You’ll be amazed at what He can accomplish! You’ll gain new friends in the process.

I’m praying for you! Start by praying for me. We may not have much time….

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,

Ephesians 5:15-17, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise,

16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Today is my birthday! And these verses are as much, if not more, for me than for you. Yes, I’ve paid attention to my parents’ DNA. I know something of my life expectancy from my parents and grandparents. But, that doesn’t really matter. History is replete with men who died at half my current age, yet left us with incalculable tomes of wisdom. No, they didn’t play video games, and they didn’t just “watch” television. They put their years to work with wisdom, and now we read after them instead of thinking on our own.

Ephesus had a lot to commend itself in the first century. Paul knew that, too; yet he encouraged them to be careful how they walked. Walk here means live – be careful how you live. Don’t yield to things just because they are easy or popular. The wisdom of the LORD is available. Why not try His ways for a change? The Bible encourages that very thing: “…the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God”; so, don’t be unwise!

Don’t be stupid! Make “the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

“But, how can I know the will of the LORD?” you ask. Try His Word! It overflows with His wisdom! Have you ever prayed and received what seemed a ridiculous answer? But, because you had nothing better to offer the situation, you inserted the answer the LORD had given, and wallah! It worked!!! Believe me, He has more answers than you have questions. It might be best if we quit seeking human “wisdom,” and settled for the Wisdom of the Almighty! Believe me again: the LORD wants you to ask Him for His wisdom! He gave us the Scriptures for our edification.

I have no idea how long I will live. Yet while I do, I want everything to count for Him and His glory! Most of you who are receiving this Grands Letter are much younger than I. Let’s make a pact! I will do what I’ve encouraged you to do; you, in turn, do the same thing and encourage and win others to Christ! You will never be sorry! God bless you! You are in my prayers.

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 Corinthians 12:9, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

Recently, I was introduced to a group of senior citizens and was instructed by the chairman to “tell them something about yourself.” I won’t lie and say that it was a difficult task. I’ve often been told –and found it to be true—that all of us like to talk about ourselves. Of course, we always talk about the good things. Yet, sometimes as we get older, we talk more freely about ailments, surgeries, accidents, and things generally thought of as negatives.

Prior to verse nine above, Paul says that he had implored the LORD most earnestly three times to remove the “thorn in the flesh.” Each time, however, the LORD replied, “My grace (My blessing, My favor) is sufficient (is enough) for you, for power (strength) is perfected (is carried out, accomplished, fulfilled) in weakness (illness, frailty).”

I think I mentioned in a previous Letter that a German friend in Australia was led to faith in Christ by a woman who

stuttered! She was indeed hindered by her weakness, but “the Word of God (was) not imprisoned” (2 Tim. 2:9).

Paul then concludes that it’s better for him to be weak, so that the strength and power of Almighty God might accomplish the LORD’s own work! Strangely enough, I have seen that very thing happen. So give me the opportunity to talk again in front of those senior citizens! I will pray for weakness that the strength of the LORD Christ might be manifested, and that He Himself might be glorified! Please join with me in weakness, won’t you?

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 Corinthians 11:21-28, “To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am just as bold myself.

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.

26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;

27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.”

There’s an old spiritual that goes…

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen,

Nobody knows but Jesus.

Nobody knows the touble I’ve seen,

Glory, Hallelulah!

Certainly we’ve all had trouble. Some have had what they would call “more than their share.” In Corinth, there were believers who thought their troubles were far more than anyone else’s –even the Apostle Paul’s.

Paul pulled out his spiritual transcript, and with a tinge of sarcasm, really unloaded on the Corinthains! “To my shame,” he said, “I must say that we have been weak (when compared with you).” Then point-by-point, the Apostle shares with the Corinthians and with us just some of what he has encountered along the way.

I’m not going to repeat his words here. Instead, I ask you to re-read the verses at the beginning of our

Letter today. Read slowly and carefully all he says. He begins by stating his ancestry. He is a Hebrew – a Jew, a son of Abraham. He is also a servant of Christ. That’s the conclusion of the blessings; from there on Paul lists the turbulent difficulties he has encountered since coming to faith in Christ and endeavoring to share it with others. Re-read those opening verses now, and compare the difficulties you face with those Paul faced. I think you will agree with me and share my shame for complaining about how much we’ve all suffered in the cause of Christ. May God help us never to complain again!

I pray daily for you as you share Christ with others, and trust that you are praying for me as well.

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.”