Archive for 2020


The Grands Letter (Psa/GLJ)

on November 6, 2020 7:45 am (CST)

Dear Grands,

Psalm 37:1-17, Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

2 For they will wither quickly like the grass, And fade like the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

6 And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who

carries out wicked schemes.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.

9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there.

11 But the humble will inherit the land, And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

12 The wicked plots against the righteous, And gnashes at him with his teeth.

13 The Lord laughs at him; For He sees his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow, To cast down the afflicted and the needy, To slay those who are

upright in conduct.

15 Their sword will enter their own heart, And their bows will be broken.

16 Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken; But the LORD sustains the righteous.”

Times like these call for all believers to seek the LORD through His Word. When we encounter frustration and do not know

where to go or what to do, it is always best to seek the LORD and the comfort of His Word.

A late night phone call from a long-time friend on the coast prompted the focus of today’s Letter. Bothered by the circumstances that currently surround our nation, he cried out to the LORD for an answer of comfort. As he prayerfully meditated before the LORD, the LORD guided him to the words of this 37TH Psalm. The relevance of this Psalm parallels

with David’s encounter with Goliath. It seemed impossible for a mere teenage boy to prove victorious against a giant,

whose whole life had been immersed in military battles. Yet, the LORD accomplished the impossible, as David’s sling

brought the giant to his knees.

These United States are the product of the Hand of God. Scores of people left the United Kingdom seeking freedom.

Their trust was in the LORD. The Mayflower’s passengers reverenced the Scriptures as they reverenced the LORD. One

of the earliest structures in this new land was that of a Church. There they gathered to hear the Scriptures and prayerfully seek the LORD’s direction and blessing.

In the course of time, God-fearing men assembled to frame the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of these United States. Prayer for Divine guidance was at the top of the list concerning governmental activities. Benjamin Franklin was a close friend of Evangelist George Whitfield; yet, while there is no irrefutable proof that Franklin was ever a born-again Christian, history clearly records that he reverenced the Almighty. Thus, all things considered, we can safely acknowledge that these United States were the design of Almighty God, and will ever be under His protection. The LORD is in control. “It is He who changes the times and the epochs, He removes kings and establishes kings” (Daniel 2:21). Our responsibility is to rest in the LORD.

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Ps. 126:3).

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

The Grands Letter (Heb/GLJ)

on November 5, 2020 7:32 am (CST)

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the

division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have

to do.”

How do you eat steak? Let’s suppose that someone set before you the tenderest, most delicious, “melt-in-your-mouth” steak. How would you eat it? Would you gobble it down swiftly? Or would you savor it, as if your taste buds were begging for more time? If you like steak, you have already answered the question.

How do you read the Bible? Do you race madly through the words, as if you have but seconds before they

mysteriously disappear from the page? Or do you savor every word, pausing to squeeze them, as you pray for understanding?

Paul tells us that the Word of God (the Scriptures) is more than words on a page. It is a living Word! It is active, and sharp –sharper than a two-edged sword. Moreover, it pierces our very being as we read and savor it. All human beings have a body. They also have a soul and a spirit. Your human spirit is what gives you a consciousness of God. There are no genuine atheists. They are seeking to displace God from their thinking by denying His existence. It won’t work! God has placed the human spirit in everyone. Atheists are like a child, red-faced and holding his breath to spite his mother. Eventually, he gives way to breathing.

The human soul is self-conscious. It was Rene Descartes, who said, “I think, therefore, I am.” Such is true of all of us. We cannot help but be conscious of ourselves and our thoughts. Conscious of self, conscious of God. The LORD has made us so.

What is more, the Word of God reaches into the depths of our being and assesses our “thoughts and intentions.” Wow!

That should shake us up! We spend time thinking how we can cleverly conceal things from others, and the Bible says that God already knows what we’re up to and why. Have you not read this before in the Bible? It pays to read slowly and thoughtfully.

It is this God from whom the atheist seeks to hide by denial. Yet, he seeks in vain. And so do we, unless we give in to Him by faith and trust. Have you done that? If so, He is your LORD and Savior. If not, you will ultimately face His eternal wrath. What are you thinking? Be careful; He already knows!

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

The Grands Letter (Ti/GLJ)

on November 4, 2020 10:38 am (CST)

Dear Grands,

Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;

14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own

possession, zealous for good deeds.”

When I was a kid, there was a strange woman who attended our church. She believed that she was a Christian and was going to Heaven because her parents were Christians. I was not yet in my teens, so I never personally discussed the matter with her. I have often wondered, however, if she would have used verse 11 as a “proof text” of her belief.

When the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Titus, his meaning was that salvation is possible to all mankind because the grace of God had come in the person of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, no one could be saved! We should be ever so grateful to God for the gift of His Son, and follow His spiritual instructions in the Bible.

“Living sensibly” means to deny –to say No— to all worldly lusts and evil, wherever it exists throughout the world. Sin exists in every nation! I remember asking someone in Sweden if he knew what others in the world thought of his nation. His reply was “Yes,” but that the “really bad stuff” came from Denmark. It’s all much closer than we think!

Keeping focus on the Coming of the LORD helps us to resist evil. The phrase “that He might redeem us” tells us that salvation is possible for all; but it is only for those who personally accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. When we trust Him, He forgives us and accepts us as His own. We then become part of His Christian Family. Have you received Him? If not, please do it today! Then His power will shield you when evil comes with temptation. It’s a spiritual life-change! And it readies you for Jesus’ Coming! You are in my prayers!

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,

2 Timothy 4:1-5, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead,

and by His appearing and His kingdom:

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate

for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires;

4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.

5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

All political candidates are in full swing as they seek to persuade voters to select them as leaders in government tor a specified time. My inbox today held acclamations from Israel to Australlia, as friends from throughout the world encouraged Americans to vote!

It is vital that we vote! What’s even more important is that we adhere to Paul’s commission to “preach the Word!” Voting in governmental elections relates to our political freedoms. Proclaiming the Word of Christ is what keeps us and others spiritually free! There is no limit to the time for proclaiming Jesus. We’re to be ready “in season and out of season.” Sometimes our preaching convicts; sometimes it rebukes; sometimes it encourages. Still, we have to be patient as we give instruction. Some learn more quickly than others.

I’m convinced that we’re living in the very time Paul references. Many today will not accept God’s safe Truth. Many will not teach it. They have invented a “gospel” of their own, and have discovered huge groups that are willing to receive it. These pseudo preachers invent their own gospel and live from the hands of those who devour it. They are thereby displacing the LORD and becoming gods themselves, filling the lives of the lost with husks of human garbage that leads away from God’s Truth and terminates in the fires of Hell.

Paul acknowledges that there are hardships. Preaching God’s Truth requires physical and spiritual strength. Simultaneously contending with false teachers, requires strength, too. Paul advocates sobriety. Don’t get off track, he is saying. Stick to God’s Word. It alone is the Truth that sets men free. We have a solemn responsibility to share Christ with the lost. Voting in a national election is vitally important; but sharing Jesus with the lost has an eternal value! Are we fulfilling our responsibilities?

Think about it! One day, we will give account of our lives. It could be sooner than we think!

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,

2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your

mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well….

15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation

through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

‘Why do I have to do this?” “Who are you to tell me what to do?” “Who do you think you are, anyway?” These are just a few of the things children often say in response to directives given them by their elders. Remember Mark Twain’s comment? “When I was 18, I thought my father was the dumbest man on earth, but when I got to be 21, it was amazing how much he had learned in three, short years.”

The LORD not only gave us parents to bring us into the world, He gave them the responsibility to train and instruct us to be what He wanted us to be for Him! Timothy’s grandmother Lois had invested spiritually in the life of her daughter, Eunice. Somewhere along the way Eunice had veered away from her mother’s Christian teaching and married a Greek (Acts 16:1). Yet, Paul acknowledges Eunice’s faith and its foundation in Timothy’s life.

I have studied the genealogical lineage of both my father and my mother, and to the best I can determine, all of my family for generations were born-again Christians. Undoubtedly, that was fundamental to my becoming a Christian and marrying a Christian girl. Our children and their spouses are all Christians, as are their children. That’s what’s basic to the LORD’s involvement in families. None of that purports to say, however, that we’ve always been everything the LORD desired. It is, however, the pattern He desires of all His people. It’s knowing Him as Savior and teaching others to know Him, too.

If you’ve yet to come to faith in Christ Jesus and become His child, it is vital that you do so quickly. In that way, not only you, but all who follow you in your family line will have the teaching of the Scriptures and come to faith in Jesus Christ.

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

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