The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:2-4, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

Did you ever hear anyone say, “Now mind what you do”? My grandmother used to say that a lot.

At least, it seemed like a lot. She never explained what she meant by it; but I never questioned

her because I knew. Virtually everything is controlled by the mind. As believers, we have the

Holy Spirit indwelling us, and He, too, effects our minds and directs them upwardly.

Notice how Paul references the present, the past, and the future in these three verses. Paul

admonishes all believers to “set (our) mind(s) on the things above.” This is the present. Do it now!

Do it often! Set the focus of your mind on upward things, Heavenly things. One of the most

beneficial assets in keeping our minds thinking upwardly is to listen to good, Christian music.

The past is referenced in verse three: “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

When we repent of our sins and yield ourselves to the LORD, we have experienced death to

the old life and our lives are hidden in the secret place of God. There’s an old hymn that says,

In the secret of His presence,

How my soul delights to hide!

Oh, how precious are the lessons

Which I learn at Jesus’ side.

Earthly cares can never vex me,

Neither trials lay me low;

For when Satan comes to tempt me,

To the secret place I go.

We all feel lonely at times. And it’s in those times that we must be extremely careful! Satan

finds us mentally unguarded, and he slips through the crevices of our mind with thoughts that

were not there when we were abiding in that “secret place” with the Father.

Finally, Paul speaks of the future: “When Christ…is revealed…, you also will be revealed with

Him in glory.” There’s a Great Day coming when we will be with Christ in Heaven! The Apostle

John says, “…abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink

away from Him in shame at His coming” (1Jn 2:28). Were you even talking about someone only

to have him or her enter the scene and over hear your conversation? Embarrassing isn’t it?

That’s why Paul and John are telling us to live as Christians ought because Christ just might

come on the scene when we’re least expecting Him.

These are some serious things to consider! Think well; think often, and always upward!

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 2:8-10, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

9 For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

I watched as a national media personality interview a member of the President’s Cabinet. He actually believes in “climate control.” He has been taken captive through the philosophy of pseudo-science! It would be sufficiently serious if he had simply been joking with the interviewer. But he was serious! I would have loved to have asked him exactly how he would go about controlling the climate.

Paul was wise to list “philosophy and empty deception” along with the “empty tradition of men.” There is so much pseudo-intellectual garbage floating around today that it’s little wonder that anyone knows anything with certainty. Even many pulpits today ignore biblical languages in deference to the latest book written by some popular “preacher of the week.”

Paul emphasized CHRIST! He emphasized the Scriptures that depict Christ. Dumbing down a congregation by feeding them humanism is in line with dumbing down schoolchildren, so that they are bereft of the simplicity of truthful, basic Scripture. We have a mission field right here around us. But many of our educational institutions are turning out scrambled minds that only know how to play with play-station!

Listen to Paul: “…in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form…”

“…in Him you have been made complete…”

“…He is the head over all rule and authority…”

Do you know from memory the names of the books of the Bible? Do you know how many books constitute the entire Bible? Do you know the authors of the books? Do you know to whom the books were originally addressed? Do you know the major themes of the books? Do you know how those books have meaning and relevance to us today? This is all basic to clearly understanding the Bible and its message to us today.

I heard a missionary couple speak last week. What they said about what is occurring in the area where they work led me to the sobering thought that we are indeed living in the Last Days! Christians worldwide are being persecuted for their faith. It all reminded me of the question: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

The time of the LORD’s return for His Church is nearer than it was only a month ago. Are you ready to meet Him? I urge you to get into the Bible! Develop a sincere prayer life! Let His Life be seen in 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,

Colossians 1:24-28, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the Word of God,

26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints,

27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.”

What do you want out of life? Some people want money; others want fame and recognition. Still, others want prominence; they want a position that causes others to be envious. And there are those who just want to be happy, whatever it takes. So, what do you want? Ever want to suffer? Ever want to dive into the waters of affliction and soak yourself in the disdain of those with whom you disagree? Well, probably not.

Paul, on the other hand, seemed to be “born for adversity.” Yet, he rejoiced in his sufferings! Why? Because he was literally wrapped up in the cause of his LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ! History is replete with accounts of true Christians singing while they burned at the stake. Others, literally raced toward the lions who would rip them to death in the Roman coliseum.

Is Paul nuts? Not at all. He notes the suffering of Christ and openly declares that he has a share in all things which Christ encountered and endured. Paul’s suffering, however, is not complete. He wants to fill up the sufferings that are lacking in his own life. His ministry –his calling—depends upon him being as much like Christ as spiritually possible. How is he to instruct converts to endure suffering if he himself avoids it?

Yes, Paul has set his course: he is going to proclaim Christ to everyone he can. He is going to admonish and teach believers by example as well as by verbal instruction. He is wise and sees his calling to “present every man complete in Christ.” Yes, his course is set. There is no turning back!

Face all of this with me. How close are we to being like Christ? Not at all. Okay, how close are we to being like the Apostle Paul? Well, not very close… Okay, seeing that we are going to meet Christ face-to-face one day, doesn’t it seem wise to “get with it”? I would reckon. So, don’t dodge suffering; just be prepared for it. Live, live, LIVE in the Word of God. Develop your prayer life. The old “Now I lay me down to sleep” isn’t going to cut it. That’s kids stuff. Grow up in the LORD! No, don’t look for trouble; just don’t be afraid of it.

You’re serving the KING of Kings! No one is more powerful than He! Just get in the game and listen to the Coach. I’ve read the last chapter. Guess what? He wins!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Please pray for this faithful, Christian servant, that his treatments may alleviate his suffering.

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 4:13-14; 17, 19, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction…

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account…

19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

When we were preparing to move to Australia, I sent out a letter to some churches and pastors I knew, asking for some financial assistance. I used verse 17 above as my Scriptural support for having solicited their prayers and money. In retrospect, I cannot say that I was “not…seek(ing) the gift itself”; but I did

understand and believe that they would receive blessings from the LORD for having helped us.

Viewed now from the vantage point of 54 years, I might better have focused on verses 13 and 19. One, small Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma faithfully supported us with $25.00 each month. It may seem like the widow’s mite to you, but it was sufficient until the LORD began to multiply it.

When we arrived, the rumor in Australia was that “Jeffries has big oil money behind him.” No, not even cooking oil. Yet the LORD strengthened us to do His work, and He faithfully supplied every need from His bountiful storehouse! What is more, in the years we were there, we had not serious illnesses. I alone had influenza one time.

Yes, to be sure, there were afflictions (as in vs. 14). But, as an athlete needs the hurt that comes from strenuous exercise, we needed some affliction to keep us dependent on Him. Mark this down somewhere in your Bible: GOD IS NO MAN’S DEBTOR! He has what is sufficient for all our needs; and in love, He pours it out on us when we need it and when we look only to Him.

Trust the LORD and give Him the opportunity to help you. Then, don’t behave as if you did it all yourself. Let others know that He alone has provided what you needed. Just be prayerful and faithful in all things.

He will see you through every rough time.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. George and Rita Galieh were my dedicated musical team for the years we labored in Australia. When we returned

to the States, they continued to minister on radio, in evangelistic crusades; and for 25 years they traveled every year

to Thailand, ministering to Buddhist young people through music, art, and Gospel preaching. George is now 90 years

old and not in the best of health. Please pray for these faithful servants of our LORD.

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 1:2-6, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

It was difficult for those who had known Paul before his conversion to believe that he had changed so drastically. Yet, here he is –the one who initiated the stoning of the gentle Stephen—saying, “Grace to you and peace from God…”

Grace (?????, charis) is the activity of God’s love; the prepositional phrase “to you” is known as the dative of advantage. Can anyone doubt that the love we receive from the LORD is advantageous to us? Peace (??????, eirene)

Is the absence of disturbance; it is spiritual and mental calmness. And this the LORD provides to those who are committed to Him.

He then avows that he thanks God for every remembrance he has of the Philippians. I dare say that most –not all—but most of those whom we remember have exhibited some negative trait that we found objectionable. But, we can and ought to still love them. How many things have we exhibited that were distasteful to them? even more so, to God? But none of that was present in the heart and mind of Paul. As the line in the song goes, “He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.”

Paul viewed the spiritual activity of the Philippians and rejoiced as he commended them to God in prayer! After all, it is for Him that we live and witness. Paul was confident on one, primary thing: “…that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” The Holy Spirit is God, and it is He who started that “good work” is all of us when we trusted Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior of our lives. Are we now perfect? Not at all! But, that’s the business of the Holy Spirit: to perfect us, make us better servants of the LORD day by day.

I share Paul’s confidence in you! I believe you will be more committed to Jesus Christ tomorrow than you are today. Did you read His Word today? Oh, oh! Well, start again tomorrow. There’s a Great Day coming when Christ will hand out rewards for faithfulness. Don’t miss Graduation Day! It will be like none other. I’m praying for you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. The elderly parents of some dear friends need your prayers. The children, too, although adults, need the

LORD’s strength to cope with the situation. Please help them by praying. The LORD knows who they are.

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.”