The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Zechariah 7:9-12, “’Thus has the LORD of hosts said, “Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and

compassion each to his brother;

10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your

hearts against one another.”

11 But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from

hearing.

12 And they made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the

LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore, great wrath came from

the LORD of hosts.’”

Did you ever observe an obstinate child cover his ears and shout, “I don’t want to hear it”? Usually, it is

a response from a reprimand or an accusation for having done something wrong. Yet, in any event, the child is determined not to hear it, and so covers his ears.

Through the prophet Zechariah, the LORD was instructing his people. They were to deal justly with

others and “practice kindness and compassion.” They were not to be unjust in dealing with widows, who had no husbands to support them. They were also to treat orphan children kindly and honestly. It all had to do with the heart. “Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another,” was the LORD’s command.

Sometimes we receive the LORD’s command for our lives as we read the Scriptures. Sometimes He

speaks to us through the words of our pastor or the counsel of a close and trusted friend. Certainly, we

are to weigh the words of counsel and seek the coroboration of the LORD in prayer. In many instances of life, we will hear instructive words that do not please us. We must never, however, cover our ears and close our minds to counsel that is honestly intended for our benefit. We must not dismiss counsel simply

because it does not comply with what we want to hear or believe. The LORD has many avenues whereby He conveys His will to us.

Pride builds walls of steel against truth and spiritual counsel. We tell ourselves that we don’t need counsel. We can handle it. But if that were true, why is the situation still plauguing us? Those who have

trusted Christ Jesus as their LORD and Savior, have been given the Holy Spirit to live within them and

to guide them in His way. Failure to adhere to His counsel will result in exceedingly great wrath from the

LORD. Therefore, keep your ears open and your heart ready for His counsel. Who cares more for you

than the LORD? And if you do not know Him, time is elapsing with every tick of the clock. The Master

is coming and is calling 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.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 15:5-7, “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the

same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;

6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

Did you ever read after a writer or listen to a speaker who seemed to be saying the same thing he had just said? Yes, we call it repetition; but why is it repeated so often? Just think about it. You may have missed several other points, but you remember the one that was repeated. Now, do you know why the writer or speaker said it so often? Right! So you would remember!

Paul had just used the words “perseverance and encouragement” in verse four in yesterday’s Letter. Today he uses them again that you “might be of the same mind” as other believers. Why do I say “as other believers”? How do I know that’s what he means? There are two Greek words that translate the same in English, but stand in opposition in their meaning. The word is “another.” ?????os (allelos) means “another of the same kind” (Rom. 1:27), while ?????? (heteros) means “another of a different kind” (Rom. 2:1).

But, why does God give us “perseverance and encouragement”? He does so that we might “with one accord (mind) be in unity with one another in glorifying “God the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.” A cursory study of almost any Old Testament prophecy writings will show how often the Jewish people were divided in their worship. Evil kings promoted worship of pagan gods, which directed the Jews away from their true God. The same can be true of Christians, if we leave the Scriptural pathway.

We are to “accept one another” (of the same beliefs) that they with us might glorify the LORD with the same, vibrant voice of heart-felt praise! The more I read His Word, the more I concentrate on ministers, who live in the Word and are sound in their teachings, the closer I become to Christ, and, hopefully, the more like Him I become. It’s a continuous lifestyle that makes Him more precious every day.

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.”