The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 31:1-6, “In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Thy righteousness

deliver me.

2 Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be Thou to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.

3 For Thou art my rock and my fortress; For Thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.

4 Thou wilt pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me; For Thou art my strength.

5 Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.”

6 I hate those who regard vain idols; But I trust in the LORD.”

You have probably heard the expression that the disciples of Jesus were always either in trouble or headed for

trouble or just getting out of trouble. They lived in extremely difficult times! They had encountered Jesus and

followed Him faithfully for about three years. Now, with Him no longer in their midst, they had been charged to

stand for the eternal truths He had taught them.

David lived a thousand years before Jesus. The words that David wrote in the Psalm above give us a pretty

clear picture of how hard things were for him in his lifetime. Nothing that’s worthwhile comes easily. David sees

the LORD as his “rock and fortress,” his defense. He also leans on the LORD for guidance. Coming to the end

of those verses above, David commits his spirit to the LORD.

The disciples that Jesus left behind experienced the same turbulence as David. And many today face grueling

persecution and reprisals due to their contention for Christ and His teachings. That in itself has hindered some

Christians from witnessing of Him. Perhaps it was even harder for those in Paul’s day because all laws were

devoid of even the shadow of the Christian faith. There was no Constitution that allowed the freedoms we

know today.

Just don’t get discouraged! Don’t be afraid? If you know the LORD, you live and breathe under His protection.

You and I are here for His purpose, not our own. When he has tasked you with a certain responsibility, He will

guard you until that task is completed. Just keep looking up, as His glory continues to radiate upon you. Pray

consistently in everything you do. I like the verse that says the disciples rejoiced “that they had been considered

worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). God bless you as you live for Him in a world that’s unworthy.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 21:15-17, “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John,

do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to

him, ‘Tend My lambs.’

16 He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes,

Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’

17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He

said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You

know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’”

My dad retired as the purchasing agent for a clothing manufacturing company. I remember the stories

he told of how the salesmen pitched their products. They were always pleasant, and even at times, gave him gifts. But the one thing that was never omitted was dinner! There’s something about dinner that always set the stage for what is deemed most important.

I thought of that when I read the words, “So when they had finished breakfast…” Jesus was always in charge. He didn’t need to feed and relax Peter before He charged him with responsibility; but He did. It simply eased the now-relaxed Peter and prepared him to listen more carefully.

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” These may have referred to Peter’s companions. Or, it may have referred to the fish they had both eaten. In any event, Jesus’ question basically related to Himself. You should be aware that there is more than one word translatable as “love” in the Greek language. Jesus used the highest, possible word, ??????, agapao. It is true love without any strings attached.

Peter responded affirmatively, but used the word ?????, phileo, meaning, “I am a good friend of yours.” Peter clearly knew the difference. Perhaps, after denying Jesus as he did, he simply could not bring himself to say “I love you as much as you love me, no strings attached.” All we truly know is what he said –not what was in his mind when he said it.

Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s responses were also a bit different. Using the metaphor “Tend my lambs,” Jesus is saying that people who have recently believed upon Him still need spiritual attention and instruction. Thus, He says “feed” them, and He uses the word ??????, arnion, meaning little lambs, perhaps newborns.

When Jesus says, “Shepherd My sheep,” He is instructing Peter to “act as a shepherd” and “use care” in leading and guiding them. That metaphor is still active today. It matters little how old one is or how long he has been a believer in Christ, there is always more to learn, more to do. Thus, we all need spiritual care and prayer.

In His third question related to love, Jesus used Peter’s word ?????, phileo. This distressed Peter, as it ought to distress us. Can we truly say that we love Him above and beyond all others, including material possessions?

All of this may seem simple to us. Yet, the instructions that Jesus lays before Peter are not simple.

Pastors today have a gargantuan task! It may look simple, as we see and listen to them instruct us from the pulpit. But each member of the congregation has different needs. Each requires a different level of instruction. Addressing all of those needs requires a great deal of thought and prayer. At the same time, pastors are called to understand the Scripture and always “tell it like it is.”

Pray for your pastor and for everyone who is charged to instruct you in the Scriptures. Stay in the Word! Keep active in prayer! Become an instructive witness to the lost that they might come to know Jesus! I will be 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 Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 21:3-6, “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will also come with

you.’ They went out, and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it

was Jesus.

5 Jesus therefore said to them, ‘Children, you do not have any fish, do you?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’

6 And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.’ They

cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.”

It may not really be a disaster, but when you’ve previously shown competency in what you do, and suddenly nothing turns out as expected, it would probably be called a disaster. That must have been what Peter and his companions felt when, after fishing all night, without catching one, single fish.

Another thing these fishermen hadn’t counted on was the daybreak presence of Jesus on the seashore. They had seen Him, but until He spoke, they had not known who He was. It was not a “put down” when He called them “children.” It was more like a coach saying to his muscular, masculine team, “Now, boys…”, And, when Jesus asked, all those tired “boys” could say was “No.”

Quite often (at least in my case) the LORD has to show us how lacking we are in what we think we know and do before we’re ready to listen to His instructions. Someone has aptly said that the true miracle was not that Christ put the fish in the net, but that He had kept them out of the net all night! We have to admit that we cannot comprehend how Christ Jesus works! But, if we trust Him, His works will avail for us and ultimately redound to His glory.

Don’t miss the fact that Jesus’ miracle also occurred when the men were physically exhausted! Some-times we’re prone to think we’re capable and would have achieved the objective, had it not been for something unforeseen that hindered us. No, He either prepares us to achieve the task or waits for us to recognize that He alone can do it.

Just don’t get discouraged! Christ’s timing is always accurate. His strength is always adequate. His

purpose is always greater than ours. Be alert to what needs to be accomplished, but be even more alert of His presence and His divine and flawless ability. It will always be to your benefit and ultimately to His glory! Keep me in your prayers, as I am keeping you in mine.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 15:5-8, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much

fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them,

and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.

8 “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

Have you never heard someone say of a child “He’s the spittin’ image of his father”? or “She has her mother’s eyes! No doubt about it!” When words like these are heard, the hearts of parents swell with pride. All true and loving parents want their children to look and act like them!

Our verses above clearly state that Jesus is the vine and that we, who have believed in Him as our LORD and Savior, are the branches. But what is the “fruit”? It is clearly our likeness to Him. When we abide in Him, and allow Him to control our lives, His Life shows forth through us, just as the fruit blossoms and grows on the branches. But, without Christ in our lives, nothing of His likeness shows forth in us. There is no fruit forthcoming if the branches are not connected to the vine.

What happens to those not connected to Christ (the Vine)? They are judged as worthless and cast

into the fire and burned. Interestingly, the verse does not say that they are destroyed. The fires of

Hell burn, but they do not destroy. Hell is a dark and everlastingly painful arena. It knows no termination, nor do those who are their due to their unbelief.

Those who abide in Christ and allow His words and presence to control them, have the promise that their prayers and desires will be accomplished. This is easy to understand. When we are yielded to the LORD’s complete control, we will want precisely what He wants.

The magnificent conclusion is that God the Father is glorified when we look and act like Him; and we

depict His likeness when we prove to be His disciples. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? It’s not where or whether you attend church; it’s not whether you’ve been baptized; it’s not how moral and wholesome a life you life. It’s whether you’re connected to the Vine! And you connect by repenting of

your sin and accepting Jesus as your LORD and Savior. If that is lacking in your life, take care of it today! 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 Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 2:4-7, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you

have been saved),

6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,

7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness

toward us in Christ Jesus.”

One of the magnificent provisions of retirement (and old age) is the opportunity to scan retrospectfully the many previous years of life and rejoice over the LORD’s multitude of undeserved blessings. Many of those days were filled with joy; many were clouded with misery. Yet, the ability to live and have opportunity to recount those days, hearty and hurtful, is itself a blessing.

It is by our LORD’s grace that we have lived and served in His ministry to humanity. It is by His mercy

that He has seen us faithfully through the rigors of those days. Belittled at times, ignored at others, He

has ever and always undergirded us with His grace and mercy.

Yet, with all that calls for our rejoicing, the best is yet to come! He has “raised us up” with Christ Jesus

and reserved each of us a seat with Him in the Heavenlies! He will then reveal to us the things of which we have no knowledge or thoughts whatsoever! Perhaps He means that it will take ages for us to learn

all that occurred and ages more for us to comprehend the expansive heights and depths of His love and protection.

Will we then be allowed to know those inward, hateful thoughts that conspired against our efforts? Will we then understand the deep-seated motives of those who opposed us at every turn? Possibly. Yet, our concentration will focus on the riches of His grace and mercy! There is no one like the LORD! He is ours, and we are His forever!

Will you be in His group? I so trust that you will! “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me” (Heb. 3:15).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom