The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 20:34-38, “’You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men

who were with me.

35 “’In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and

remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to

receive.”’

36 “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

37 “And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,

38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And

they were accompanying him to the ship.”

If you’ve ever visited loving family members or friends who lived at a distance, you know the anguish

you feel when it comes time to part and go home. Those who are staying have anguish, too, as there is no less variation in their love. Departure is a difficulty to both parties.

Paul was hurrying to Jerusalem, taking time only for a brief stop at Ephesus. It was an emotional meeting as he recalled how he had labored to avoid being a burden to the believers there. He reminds the Ephesian Church of the words of Jesus, who said, “It is more blessed to given than to receive.” Then he knelt and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud,” knowing that they would “see his face no more.”

Fourteen months ago, I came face-to-face with the fact that I would see my loving wife no more. She

departed this Earth at the age of 85, after 64 years of encouraging me in life and ministry in numerous countries of this world. I miss hearing her pray, and there’s so much more.

Today, I came face-to-face with the loss of another dear and blessed friend, Dr. Ray Hull, primary physician to both of us for many years, as well as to other members of our family. He was an encourager, too — a Christian extraordinaire!

I have wept for each of them, knowing that in this life I will see them no more. Yet, it is more accurate that I should weep for myself, for they are free from the torments of this earthly life, and they look now with joy unspeakable upon the Face of our Blessed Redeemer, the LORD Jesus Christ.

Take nothing in this life for granted. Rest your hope upon the LORD Jesus Christ alone. Share Him and His death and resurrection with all who are not saved. Fulfill your calling on this Earth. One day, the sun

will refuse to shine; and it will be too late to attend to tomorrow’s responsibilities.

Heartily & Prayerfully in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please pray for Catherine Hull, who also labors under the Coronavirus. She faces grimm days ahead.

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,

Matthew 11;28-30, “’Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

29 “’Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find

rest for your souls.

30 “’For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.’”

Surrounded as our world currently is with the deadly Coronavirus, it is no wonder that people are scared. Part of our fear is the required absence from other people. We are a social people. It’s virtually impossible to think of living alone and apart from the comfort of family and friends. The very thought of existing without others is abhorrent to mankind. What would we do if we were sick or injured with no one to care for us?

As in every conceivable situation, Jesus Christ is Himself the answer! The problems that we face give us no ready answers. We wear ourselves out with worry, and are further wearied under the uncertainty of the outcome. Yet, He promises rest.

Animals were yoked in tandem to increase their power. They did together what neither could do by itself.

The yoke speaks of submission. Do you want to share My yoke? Jesus asks; or would you like to try it all on your own? Jesus is always our Teacher. “Learn from Me,” He says. How else do we solve these troublesome issues of life?

“This is not an overpowering situation,” He is saying. “I know you don’t know the answer, but I do.” Lean on Me. I can handle it.” How can we be sure? There’s only one way: we have to have faith. We have to trust Him. Is it possible that the Creator of the world is confronted by a delimma He cannot handle?

Absolutely not! It is possible, however, that He has allowed the crisis of a pandemic to overwhelm us to prove that we’re up against something we don’t fully understand and thus, we need His Divine help.

Sin is ultimately worse than COVID-19! Untimately, the virus only snuffs out life. Sin snuffs out ETERNAL LIFE! Yield you life to Christ. He faithfully promises in the verses above, “I will give you rest.”

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,

Acts 23:6-8, “But perceiving that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying

out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and

resurrection of the dead!”

7 And as he said this, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the

assembly was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit; but the Pharisees

acknowledge them all.”

Were you ever in a “tight spot,” where part of a group was with you and part was not? Yes, I’ve been there, but never with the consequences as dire as with Paul. Yet, he was committed to Christ and his life was clean. The result was that the LORD gave him the perception that the group was divided in their beliefs, so he began screaming (?????, krazo): I am a Pharisee! And the crowd took sides immediately! Now, only half of the group that opposed him still did. The other half was on his side.

All of that is to say that the LORD was with him all the way. And so He is with every Christian believer, regardless of the nature of the dilemma. Recently, I received an email from a long time missionary friend. It said in part,

“I’m totally amazed how God knows our needs ahead of time and provides

accordingly. My 18-year-old refrigerator had to be replaced and the funds were

there to buy a replacement. It was installed and a week or so later, the washing

machine quit. Again, funds were available to buy another one. God knew ahead

of time the need while I hadn’t a clue! Normally, when there is something I need

to purchase, I ask God to provide beforehand.”

Do we have to ask which group stood on the LORD’s side? The Pharisees believed in the resurrection

of the dead, in angels, and in the spirit world. The point is: when we believe what the LORD teaches in His Word, and when we are committed to Him and living for Him every day, we can count on His wisdom and power to enable us to escape from the wiles of ungodly men.

Are you currently in a conflagrant situation? Talk to the LORD about it. “But, I’m not like Paul,” you say.

No, but the LORD is still the LORD. He knows your situation. He hears and answers the prayers of His children. As the Word promises us,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered

the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

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,

Acts 23:1-5, “And Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, ‘Brethren, I have lived my life with a

perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.’

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, ‘God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And do you sit to try me

according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?’

4 But the bystanders said, ‘Do you revile God’s high priest?’

5 And Paul said, ‘I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak

evil of a ruler of your people.”’”

Were you ever angry at a teacher? or at a boss? I’m sure we’ve all at some time been angry at someone. Anger is not always sinful. Have you not done or said something for which you were afterward ashamed? You were right; but, you were ashamed at the manner in which you took opposition. This passage clearly shows that the Apostle Paul was no “pussy foot!” The Corinthians criticized his speech; nevertheless, there were times when he just “told it like it was!”

Paul had been brought before the Jewish Council and had just begun to speak, when Ananias, the high priest, commanded members to strike Paul on the mouth. Paul flared quite rightly and called the priest a deceiver – a “whitewashed wall” — and challenged his legal right to have had him struck. When challenged, Paul did not strictly apologize (for the priest had violated Jewish Law); however,

he feigned something of an apology when he admitted that he did not know it was the high priest who had given the order. Paul then quoted the Law saying, “…it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Nowhere in the United States Constitution is there a prohibition against speaking against our rulers. Our Constitution gives the citizenry the authority to elect who we want to be our leader. At the same time, it makes sense that we speak well of those in authority over us. That does not mean that we have to agree with everything they say or do; it does, however, give the leader time (four years) to demonstrate his leadership. When we speak “ugly” about our leaders, the reflection falls back on us.

There are things that all rulers do and say that are viewed as out-of-bounds with the people-at-large. We have the Constitutional right to speak against things we do not view as helpful. But, when we engage in

petty “put-downs” aimed at the leaders, we send the wrong signal. We should be a people of prayer. Do we not believe that all things lie in the Hands of Almighty God? Then, let us pray earnestly that He will guide those who lead our nation, that our nation might glorify God among all the peoples of the world! “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34).

Prayerfully and 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 Thessalonians 3:1-3, “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the Word of the LORD may spread rapidly

and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

Who do you pray for? A little brother? An older sister? That’s good. But do you pray for your parents?

Your teachers? Your pastor? Did you notice in verse one above that the Apostle Paul, arguably the best and finest Christian this side of Jesus Himself, asked the Thessalonian believers to pray for him? We all need prayer! Yes, your parents, your teachers, even your pastor needs prayer. Yes, they all may know much more than you, but that’s not the point!

The point is 1) that everyone needs prayer; and 2) that the focus of our prayer for others is “that the Word of the LORD may spread rapidly and be glorified.” Every one of us as believers has had someone pray for us. Now, it’s our turn to pray for others. There is no pride in prayer. The purpose of prayer is that the LORD’s will might be done in the lives of others, as they turn away from sin and toward the Savior.

Prayer enables us to “be delivered from perverse (wrong) and evil (producing) men” and women. Not every one has the faith that believers have. So, we rely on the LORD, who is faithful. And it is He who protects us from evil and the evil one. Thus, when you are tempted, trust the LORD; when you have opportunity to witness to others of Him, trust the LORD. The key to everything good is our exercise of unwavering trust in the LORD! God bless you as you pray and trust in Christ!

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.”