The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 3:1-6, “My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;

2 For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.

3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

One of the most difficult aspects of reading Scripture, is reading it slowly, allowing the meaning of the words to

satiate your mind, your heart, your soul. Speed-reading Scripture is death to its meaning. One of the difficulties I

have found in reading the Proverbs is (don’s laugh!) knowing where to stop. I’m sure when you see six verses at

the top of these Letters, you sigh and think, “Well, we’re in for another l o n g read. Truly, I am sorry.

Twenty-five times, Solomon says “My son” in the whole of Proverbs. In a sense, he is playing the role of father to

each of us as we read his instructions. Above that, however, it is our Father God, who is instructing us through

Solomon’s proverbs. “Don’t forget my teaching…they will add years to your life,” peaceful life. It is through keeping

my teachings that you will “find favor…in the sight of God and man.”

The last two verses are capstone verses. “Trust () ??????batach, rely upon, have confidence in) the LORD.” If you cannot trust the LORD, you have no hope of having confidence in anyone! –no, not even in yourself when exercising your best judgment. Just know that He wants the best for you in every situation you face. It just could be that He is

testing you to see if you believe that His way is better than yours. Stop trusting Him, and see how it feels when

you fall flat on your face! Solomon puts it more gracefully saying, “He will make your paths straight.”

So, quit running around in circles, trying desperately to figure things out. The LORD alone has the answer! He will share it with you when He’s ready. Oh, I know…I’m an impatient person, too. But is my impatience getting me answers? Not that I can see. Better for both of us to do it His way. Maybe, too, we’ll live a little longer.

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,

Proverbs 1:8-9, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

9 Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, And ornaments about your neck.”

Quite often we hear older people say, “Boy, times have really changed! When I was a lad….” But, in reality, some

things have existed for generations without the slightest change. Think about it.

The Israelites in Solomon’s day often heard it said, “Listen to your father’s instruction!” More often than not, those were the words of the mother. Her instruction was that her children should listen to their father. She recognized him as the primary instructor in the home. At the same time, the father’s directive was, “Listen to your mother! She teaching you how to do it.”

On the other hand, some things have changed, and not for the better. Too many fathers are too busy with things of their own to instruct their children. “Don’t bother me, son! I’ve had a hard day. Maybe I’ll have some time later on…”

Mothers have had a hard day, too. She works so they can buy what their neighbors acquired. It’s the talk of the neighborhood! “I don’t have time for you to mess in the kitchen, girl. We’ve got to get supper. Our friends are coming over tonight.”

We could perhaps make a case for either parent. Both had worked throughout the day and were tired. Perhaps, too, neither of their parents took the time to help them learn what they needed for living. Yet, how are the children to know

how to parent their own children when they have them? Oh, they’ll proceed to behave like their parents did. So, welcome to the second and third generation of undisciplined, untrained, and for all practical purposes, unloved kids!

Fathers must give his children instruction! Mothers must teach and train her children to become responsible adults.

Solomon said that when parents train their children, it’s like placing “a graceful wreath” on their heads, and hanging “ornaments” around their necks.” It was Albert Barnes who said, “To the Israelite‘s mind no signs or badges of joy or glory were higher in worth than the garland around the head, the gold chain around the neck, worn by kings and the favorites of kings.” We are assured of the LORD’s awards, if only we learn to trust and obey those He has placed in authority over us.

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,

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.”