The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 2:14-16, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet

aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.”

If you’ve ever gone somewhere, expecting to be met by a close and beloved friend, only to find he was not there, you have

more than a good idea how the Apostle Paul felt when he arrived in Troas and found that the intended Titus was not there.

Instead of commencing his ministry, Paul went in search of Titus.

Paul never mentions whether he found Titus. Apparently, he did not, because he journeyed on to Macedonia. And all the time,

he was praising the LORD saying, “…thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ…” Paul would not allow

anything to mask the joy he possessed in Christ. To the contrary, he spoke of Christ as manifesting the “sweet aroma of the

knowledge of Him in every place.”

There are commentators that see a parallel between what Paul states about an aroma and the incense carried by militarists

coming home in Roman triumph over an adversary. That may be true; yet, I like to think that Paul’s reference came from

Christ Himself. When we are like Him, we demonstrate a charismatic aroma of love and courage that reveals to others that

we know Him and are dependent upon Him for every victory our life experiences. Moreover, that spiritual aroma is Christ’s

aroma working its way through us and anchoring itself in the Father. Even pleasant physical aroma is always cited in Scripture

as a tribute to the LORD.

At the same time, that aroma is noted by those among whom we walk. It may manifest itself through us to others in a smile of

love, or in a tender act of kindness, or through a thoughtfully sincere word of encouragement in a dark and uncertain hour. When appropriate, that aroma bursts forth in courageous triumph, sharing the Good News to those who are bound by the chains of sin.

Who knows who is awaiting such a word? And sensing the aroma of Life in us, no doubt they wonder why we fail to share such

good things with them. When was the last time you courageously shared Christ with someone? Do it today! Jesus will provide

the courage you need. He provides the aroma, too, that makes them want you to stay close and share His love.

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 3:7-13, “But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,

8 how shall the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?

9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

10 For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory on account of the glory that surpasses it.

11 For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,

13 and are not as Moses, who used to put a veil over his face that the sons of Israel might not look intently at the end of what was fading away.”

One of the more significant aspects of the COVID-19 is the need to wear a mask! As I thought about masks, I was reminded of the mask (veil) that Moses used to wear. Paul mentions that veil as it concealed the fading glory of the LORD on the face of Moses.

Having gone up on the mountain at the LORD’s direction, Moses’ face was glowing when he returned and the people witnessed it. Since the glow gradually faded and did not remain, Moses veiled his face to conceal the fading of the glory. Paul uses this to show that the Old Law (the Law of Moses) was not permanent; it was but the precursor to the New Law of Life that was coming in Christ Jesus our LORD.

We often use masks for different reasons. Sometimes we seek to mask our disobedience.

Sometimes, we mask our unteachable spirit. But, when we focus intently upon Jesus and fellowship consistently with Him, the glow of His holiness affects our lives so that those among whom we walk sees Him reflected in us. It is then that we reflect His love and glory and speak of Him with great boldness! Don’t mask your life! Let the likeness of His love radiate from your very being.

Mike Lindell of my pillow.com spoke in the Rose Garden today at the invitation of the President. Like other speakers of great companies, he had a prepared speech with regard to how his company was helping in the COVID-19 crisis. At it’s conclusion, he turned to President Trump and said, “I have another few words I’d like to say.” And getting the affirmative nod from the President, he gave glory to Almighty God and encouraged his listeners to pray for an end to the crisis. It was excellently presented!

See how the LORD uses His people? He can use you like that, too; but on one condition:

Don’t wear a mask! — not the wrong kind! God bless you abundantly! I pray for you 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,

John 14:1-6, “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you

may be also.

4 “And you know the way where I am going.”

5 “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?’

6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.’”

If the 23RD Psalm is the Old Testament’s most beloved psalm, these six verses from the Gospel of John must be the

New Testament’s most beloved. Verse one should calm all the fears and uncertainties that surround us today. It is

not that we should behave as if the virus does not exist; rather, we should not behave as if there were not answer.

You may remember the quotation I cited in a Letter of some time ago. The man was a neighbor and worried over

everything. His signature quotation was: “Don’t tell me that it doesn’t pay to worry! Nothing I ever worried

about ever happened!”

Jesus knew the concern His disciples had. He pointed them beyond themselves (what could they do anyway?), and

said, “You believe in God, believe also in Me.” That segued into the presentation of His Father’s house, Heaven!

Often, we just need to change the focus of our thinking. We know that God does not waste anything; therefore, when

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you,” it is the promise of something far greater to come!

Knowing, too, that they were sad at the thought of losing Him – they had walked and learned from Him for three

years – He said, “I will come again,” and the promise included taking them (and us!) to be with Him forever. But,

when Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know…the way,” Jesus said, “I AM the way… No one comes to the Father

but by Me.”

In summation: yes, we have a crisis on our hands. But it is NOT a crisis that is erased by worry. In fact, it is NOT a

crisis to the LORD! So keep your eyes and thoughts on Him! Concentrate on His Word and His promises! Don’t you

think that the loss of my dear, irreplaceable wife of 64 years makes Heaven and the Coming of Jesus more desirable?

But, you don’t have to endure the sorrow; just focus on Him and His Word! And pray in faith believing! Keep the Faith!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S.: As you contemplate Christ’s Coming and the Mansion He has prepared for you, absorb the attachment

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 John 3:1-3, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such

we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears,

we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.

3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Yesteday, we learned that the LORD wanted His children to behave and bring honor to His Name. Today, John writes that the Father wants His children to be called by His Name!

It’s funny now, but someone didn’t think so at the time. I was probably about 10 years old and our church had just installed a phonograph in a side room just off of the pulpit area. It was connected to speakers that reached the hearing of those within and without the church. It’s intention was to play music prior to calling everyone to gather for the worship hour. The phono, however, did not have an auto-changer, so someone had to watch it closely. So far as I knew, no one had been specifically designated to restart the recording when the disc reached its terminal point. Thus, I made it my business to adjust it as necessary. Something went wrong! Everyone heard it; and some lady blurted out, “Oh, it’s probably one of those little Jeffries kids messin’ with it.” At that time, I’m quite certain that my father would have preferred not to have had his surname mentioned.

Of course, my father loved me, just as our Heavenly Father loves us. When we become His children, He delights to have it known that we belong to Him. I never knew whether I would look like my earthly father, when I grew up. And sometimes, we’re not sure how much like our Heavenly Father we look. Families with multiple children often have look-alikes among them. It’s not really important how much we look like our earthly parents; what really counts is whether our behavior, including love for others, makes our parents delighted to admit that we belong to them. And so it is with Jesus Christ. The Father gave us His Son, Jesus, as His model for our lives. One day we will meet Him! That’s what keeps me wanting to look like Him now! I don’t want Jesus to be embarrassed by my earthly behavior.

The music in Heaven is divinely inspired. There are no phonographs that need attention, so I’ll be free to fellowship with Jesus and loved ones. What’s more, there will be no critics to call my name for screeches heard over loud speakers. Still, I hope that lady is there. I want her to know I made it, and that I love her despite her earthly criticism. Jesus loves us all despite our failures. That’s how we are expected to love one another. 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 John 2:12-17, “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”

You father has a good job, lives in a modest house in the upper-middle-class area of town, and enjoys the respect of the business people of the area. Your parents involve themselves in a circle of respectable friends, and possess a nice, albeit used, automobile. Why would your father, then, not dress you and your sister appropriately? He certainly would! No well- respected man would want his children to attend church or school attired in wornout, dirty clothing.

Your Heavenly Father wants His children to look nice, too. He cleanses them from sin and puts within them the Holy Spirit, enabling them to appear as His children. He is respected all the more when others see His children morally and spiritually clean.

John writes to the fathers, the mature believers in the Church. He writes to the young men, those who have been born again, but for a much shorter period of time. He then writes to the children, those who have only recently been saved. The fathers have known the LORD for many years. The young men are growing in their faith, and becoming stronger. They can now resist the devil and the luring lusts of this world. But what about the children? If the fathers and the young men stay strong in the LORD, they will properly influence the children, and they will grow in His likeness as well.

John knows that there is nothing in this world that has the value the LORD has. In fact, he notes that “the world is passing away.” The only survivors are those who know and abide in the LORD Jesus Christ. Our world is currently involved in a dilemma that is historically unknown! Suppose this were the end of the world. Are you ready to meet Him? I am praying for 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.”