The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jude 1:3-4, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Have you ever started something seriously, only to be side-tracked by something more important? A pastor of mine sat down to write a letter of commendation for me for a position he thought I could handle. Yet, as he started to write, he was interrupted and left off completely writing the letter for me. I started this very day, intending to do something very important, but was waylaid by something totally unexpected.

Jude, was a Jewish believer, who intended to write his Christian brothers about “their common salvation. But suddenly, the Holy Spirit changed the course of his intention and prompted him to write and encourage them to

“contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints.” As with many experiences in Scripture, we are not told everything. What caused Jude to leave his intended subject and write about something else? He saw a greater need.

Some people (we don’t know who or how many) had silently and stealthily slipped into the church. No one noticed; yet they were “ungodly persons,” who carefully side-stepped the truth of God’s Word and “turned the grace of our God into licentiousness (sensual uncleanness) and denied the validity of our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

It might have been the pastor, who was veering off the Scriptures and interjecting his own thoughts into the teachings.

It might have been some sensual activities that were being cautiously introduced into the congregation. We don’t know precisely; but such things do happen! And when they do, it is a denial of our LORD Jesus!

Jude reminds those to whom he is writing that such things have occurred numerous times before. But, he warns us, just as he was warning those of his own day. We must stay close to the Scriptures! That’s why we must read and understand them daily. We must pray for ourselves and for those who lead us. We cannot afford to be misled. So, whatever you are currently doing, ask yourself, “Is it the most important thing I could be doing now?” Is it helping others to draw closer and closer to our LORD Jesus Christ? Think carefully before you do anything. You cannot afford to be misled.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please pray for your Nation and for her leaders! Pray for the lost that they may be led to Christ and live for His glory!

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,

Esther 9:28, “So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and these days of Purim were not to fail from among the Jews, or their memory fade from their descendants.”

Memorial Day (sometimes called Decoration Day) has a number of origins. Which one is correct depends upon which

historical account one believes to be the most accurate. It is a day set aside to remember the dead, particularly those

who laid down their lives in the service of their country.

The Jews in the days of Esther had come under siege in the land of Persia due to the treachery of one called Haman.

Esther, herself a Jewess, but unknown as such to King Ahasuerus, was principally responsible for the king’s edict,

which freed the Jews from tyranny. Thereafter, the Jews celebrated their freedom annually in a feast called Purim.

In a sense, it was a Memorial of their delivery from death.

Many of us have special days of remembrance; some are birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, and a multitude of “special” days that serve us as reminders of outstanding events in our own histories.

Yet, of all the memorable days, the most memorable of mine was my day of salvation. It was a “key” day in my life, although I did not realize that for many years. When we turn our lives over to Jesus Christ, we relinquish all claim upon them. Whatever ambitions we might have had to that point in life, they are given over to the control of the LORD. Now, we are committed to do His will and not our own. Needless to say, it is much easier when we are saved at an early age. My age of salvation was seven, and I had no ambitions that had to be shelved when the LORD called me into His ministry at age 17.

Now, I can clearly see His Divine Hand leading me over these many years. His leadership on my life commenced with my parents and grandparents. They contributed immeasurably to my well being, leading me to a godly wife and life companion. Yes, there are many “memorial” days in my life. What about you? Do you have some outstanding days of memory? We may not celebrate them with a feast as the Jews did with the Feast of Purim. But they are there, locked inside our minds, ready to stimulate us onward and upward, according to His call. There are no “accidents” our histories, especially when our lives are directed by the LORD. Who could lead us “on right paths” other than the LORD?

Think about your life. Do you know the LORD? Is He controlling your life right now? If not, why not trust Him with it?

You cannot do better than He can do. Believe me, it will be the Day to remember!

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 3:1-4, “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,

seated at the right hand of God.

2 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.”

Good coaches always take the high road with their players. “If you want to win the championship this year, just

stick to the game plan. Don’t try to include some radical thinking of your own. Just stick to the game plan.”

In some ways, that’s what the Apostle Paul was saying to the Colossian Church. He reminds them that they

have been resurrected from their sinful lives by the LORD Jesus Christ. Now, that they’re on track, he

admonishes them to “keep seeking the things above.” Nothing on Earth can come close to what we have in

Christ. Remember that Christ is “seated at the right hand of God,” the Father. It’s an important place!

Remember, too, that not only is Christ our life right here and now, but He’s Coming Again. At that point in life,

you will understand things you don’t currently understand. They will be revealed to you when you are living

with Him in Heaven. Behave yourselves well here on Earth, because the LORD is never going to fulfill your

desires if you fail to demonstrate the spiritual likeness of His Son Jesus. He paid a huge price for your salvation!

He suffered and died as no one else ever has! And He did it for you! Don’t mess with His game plan! Just yield

yourself and all that you have to Him. After all, He’s the Coach! He doesn’t have to put you into the game. Yet,

as it is the will of every player to be on the field, the joy of Christians is to know their Coach and share His game

plan with others!

You just might be surprised at how anxious some people are to know what you and I know about Jesus!

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,

Psalm 119:1-8, “How blessed are those whose way is blameless,

Who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,

Who seek Him with all their heart.

3 They also do no unrighteousness;

They walk in His ways.

4 Thou hast ordained Thy precepts,

That we should keep them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways may be established

To keep Thy statutes!

6 Then I shall not be ashamed

When I look upon all Thy commandments.

7 I shall give thanks to Thee with uprightness of heart,

When I learn Thy righteous judgments.

8 I shall keep Thy statutes;

Do not forsake me utterly!”

Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm in the Bible. It has but two verses. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible.

It has 176 verses. These 22 groups are divided into eight verses. Each group is represented by a letter from the Hebrew alphabet.,

The 119TH psalm is written in a poetical style. Hebrew poetry does not rhyme. Each second line is a coroberating balance to the first line. I have emboldened a few words in the verses to demonstrate how the poetic aspect utilizes balance.

What is always most important, however, is the spiritual meaning of the psalm. Knowing the poetical style is

helpful in understanding, but it is not itself the message. These verses set forth the way and law of the LORD.

Those who make the LORD’s way their own way will be blessed of the LORD. Observation of His testimonies is a learning process of the human heart. Those who avoid unrighteousness are walking in the LORD’s way.

The Hebrew word for “ordained” in verse four (tsavah) also translates as “commanded.” Thus, all of these

instructions are more than suggestions; they are marching orders for the LORD’s people.

You know how you “feel” ashamed when you know you’ve done wrong and transgressed the LORD’s commandments? To “look upon” the LORD’s commandments is to “pay attention,” to “obey” them. When we

obey the LORD’s will, we know we have His approval. It’s then that that “sinking” feeling disappears. Think

of your parents’ orders when you were a child. The moral factors they laid down for you were for your benefit.

Many (maybe even most) of the youths without morals today come from parents who failed to properly instruct

them. Don’t follow immorality! It always leads downward. Follow Jesus! His is the Upward Call and it always results in His blessings!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Continue to pray for those who are lost, and for those in authority over us. If your church is closed and not on the

Internet, my pastor, Dr. Nick Floyd, can be seen and heard at: www.crosschurch.org/live at 09:30 & 10:55 A.M. (CST)

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 Corinthians 1:4-8, “I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ

Jesus,

5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,

6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

8 who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Two young men were ogling a gorgeous purchase another young man had made.

“Hey, I sure like those snazzy wheels your cousin bought!”

“Well, it is probably is the snazziest thing he’s had in some time. I was going to get

one, but when the trouble he’s had, I decided it was best that I invest elsewhere.”

The young man was thankful he didn’t buy, and he was thankful for a cousin that warned him against it.

Paul had every reason to thank God for the Corinthian believers; moreover, he thanked the LORD for giving

them His saving grace. The Corinthians had been enriched, not in material things, not even in a sufficiency of

day-to-day necessities. But they were rich in their knowledge of Christ Jesus and the ability to speak clearly and

lovingly in His name.

Note that the testimony of Christ was first viewable in their lives; then, it was noticeable in their verbal declaration

of His grace. That’s really how it has to be. We have to demonstrate Christ in our lives before we can convince

others that they need Him in their lives. There was a Chevrolet dealer in Missouri, whose business balooned so

phenomenally that he bought a Cadillac to drive. His business then collapsed! If the Chevys he sold were not

sufficient for him, his friends felt Chevys were not sufficient for them. The dealer sold the Caddy and his business

returned. True story. We Christians have to be what we advertise or no one will be interested.

Jesus promised that He would return. When He comes, He will gather His people (all true Christian believers

from the nations of the world), and we will be transported with Him into the Heavenly afterlife, forever being with

Jesus! He confirmed (secured) us when we first trusted Him as our LORD and Savior; and Paul says that

confirmation will extend to the Day on which He returns.

I have a number of friends who are missionaries overseas. It is thrilling to note how quickly some native people

come to faith in Christ when they hear and understand the Gospel! It should be far easier for people living in this

country. Maybe…just maybe… the missionaries are living out their faith in Christ. Think about it.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Our President today declared all Churches “open” (with caution, of course). Your church will determine what “open” means.

Still, I am thankful for a President who says we need to pray; therefore, the churches will be open. We need to pray for him.

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.”