The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 2:1-4, If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship

of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important

than himself;

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Anytime we say or do anything honestly, we want to be clearly understood. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians concerned

unity within the Church. He is writing them in Greek and Greek is the most expressive language known to man, even to this day.

There were four “conditional sentences” in Greek. The First Class reads, “If…and it is true…” The Second Class reads, “If…but it is not true…” The Third Class reads, “If…maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not…” The Fourth Class reads, “If…, and I wish it were true, but it is not.”

The first four “ifs” in verse one above are all First Class Conditional sentences. Thus, they read, “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ –and there is…” and the othere three are all positive that “encouragement,” “consolation,” “fellowship of the Spirit,” and “affection and compassion” are genuinely available to all believers. All of that is God’s part. He sees to that.

Paul then cites the parts that are the responsibility of the believer; namely, “being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, and being intent on one purpose. With God’s part all positive and certain, man has to agree with God; and it is required that those four spiritual agreements among the believers work toghether smoothly in agreement with God’s part. “Selfishness” and “emphy conceit” must give way to humility; and the regard for others of the same profession of faith must supersede each one’s regard for himself. We have to cease thinking so much about ourselves and what we want and show interest in the needs of others.

Working together under the LORD’s direction is what provides for everyone’s needs. See how easy it is. Now, let’s try it.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Prayers for our President and his team are showing an increasingly positive result. Keep all of them in your prayers.

This battle with COVED-19 is not over, but it’s showing improvement right along. Keep the faith!

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,

Philippians 1:12-14, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the

gospel,

13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to

everyone else,

14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of

God without fear.”

Most of us know what sequestered means. If you hadn’t been acquainted with it before, you certainly are now. It means quaratined, separation from others; it means lonliness, helplessness; and in some cases, even fear. The virus that has spread

to more than 180 countries of the world has imprisoned us from each other. How can we work in separation? How can we survive without the means of survival –food, clothing, warmth, cooling—and above all human fellowship?

I cannot affirm the idea that the LORD specifically intended us to experience this virus because of our sin; one thing, however, seems abundantly clear: we are suffering nothing comporable to the suffering of the Apostle Paul as he sat chained to a Roman

Guard for deeds he did not commit. Understanding his words of encouragement shames us in the light of our temporary inconvenience.

Paul had become well known to all the praetorian guard. Most believers knew him, too. That was good on both counts: the guards needed the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ; and the “brethren,” Christians, needed to pray and bolster their courage in sharing the Good News about Jesus. It’s like having the late Billy Graham come to your city for a series of meetings.

It’s much easier then to share with others that you are a Christian and how they can become one, too. It’s all in one’s point of view.

The COVID-19 virus is serious! Many people have died because of it. The “inconvenience” of sequestration pales in comparison. Yet, it should sober the thinking of everyone! So, I ask two questions: 1) Are you a truly born-again believer in Jesus Christ? Have you confessed your sins to Him and asked His forgiveness? If you have repented and trusted Him, you are a truly born-again believer and His Holy Spirit indwells you right now!. 2) If you are a believer, how avid are you with witnessing? You were not saved just to go to Heaven; you were saved to bring glory to God through your life and to bring His message of salvation to others. Give that some serious thought! And when it all sinks in, you will understand Paul’s thinking while sitting there in Rome.

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 Corinthians 12:2-4, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago– whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do

not know, God knows– such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I know how such a man– whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows–

4 was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.”

1 Thessalonians 4;17, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord

in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Revelation 12:5, “And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was

caught up to God and to His throne.”

Only recently, I read that someone had said with so many people sequestered in their homes, if Christ were to come for His Church now, millions would not know the Church had gone until the sequestration had been lifted. What we are experiencing now has led many people to return to the Scriptures and seek the LORD for answers and deliverence. There are, however, a host of ideas concerning what shall happen and when. My studies have led me to believe that the Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ for His Church is the very next event on the Heavenly Calendar. The word Rapture (??????, harpazo means “to seize, to snatch away”). It is our LORD’s sudden and mysterious “catching away” of His children, His Church from the Earth. The very last thing a nation does before going to war with another nation, is to withdraw its Ambassador. It is impossible to put a date or time of day to this event. Jesus said that He Himself did not know the time when He would return for His own (Mark 13:32). Such is left to the Father to determine.

The Greek word harpazo is found only four times in three verses in the New Testament. They are highlighted in our verses above. If we believe that this Coronavirus (COVED-19) is serious, it is nothing to be compared with what will come upon the Earth after the born-from-Above believers in Christ have gone! It is too involved for our discussion here, but the Revelation teaches there will be horrendous troubles that will fall upon the Earth after true Christians have been secretly seized abd removed. The plagues of Egypt in the days of Moses will be mild compared with what is scheduled yet to come upon the Earth.

What supersedes everything else is the need for non-Christians to become Christians before this Tribulation time comes! Turning to Christ now in personal salvation is of the utmost importance! Paul asks, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14). Paul is not speaking of a “pastor” or “evangelist” in the way that we think of them today. He simply means someone has to tell them of Jesus before it’s too late! Is it important to you that people be saved? Is it important to you that people be spared the Tribulation and literal fires of Hell? Then you must become that “preacher” and tell them of Jesus. He is the only way of salvation. Set aside the television, the computer and other distractions, and think about Eternity. Pray for those outside of Christ. There is a time limit. We just don’t know what it is.

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,

Ephesians 5:6-10, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the

sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;

8 for you were formerly darkness but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”

Were you ever in conversation with someone who could express himself at length while depriving his content of all substance? If you have, you understand what the Apostle Paul meant by empty words, words devoid of true value. Not only

are the words empty, they are deceptive (?????? (apatao, intentionally misleading). Just don’t affiliate with such persons!

Why? Because while you were at one time walking in the same darkness, possessing the same deceptive intentions, you

are not like that now! You are light in the LORD! The Apostle John said, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5). And that’s exactly what Paul means by being “light in the LORD.”

Paul’s words are not deceptive, like some men’s words are. He is straight up when he speaks of “the fruit of the light.” The word “fruit” (??????, karpos) means benefits, proceeds). So, what is the benefit of walking in the Light of the LORD? Verse nine of our passage lists the benefit as threefold: goodness, righteousness, and truth. Be careful to note that it is not your

goodness or your righteousness or your truth. These are qualities of the LORD Himself. Oh, there are times when we have

been good; but, perhaps, there was a hidden purpose behind that goodness. There were times when we were righteous; but again, that righteousness might have had a personal agenda. Yes, there were times when we told the truth; but it may have been because we feared punishment if we were not truthful.

The entire situation here teaches us that when we are truly born-again believers in Jesus Christ, our lives are changed! We

are new creatures! We live under new colors! And we are not ashamed, because we are walking in His Light, and our behavior is focused on bringing the LORD all the glory! Is that how you are living? If not, what are you going to say when you stand before Him? That invites some serious thought. I’ll 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 God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

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.’”

“How many time have I told you that you cannot go until your room is clean?” How many times have we heard this from

our mothers? Most mothers would probably say that it is more impairing to them to repeat the warning than it is to their children

to hear it. Somehow, I think that’s what Jesus felt when He was speaking with Peter.

Breakfast was a welcome relief to the weary fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing –that is, until Jesus said,

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find a catch” (Jn. 21:6). And catch they did! The nets were full – 153 fish, but their stomachs yearned for that breakfast.

It was after breakfast that Jesus asked Peter, “…do you love me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, LORD; You know that I love You.” Subsequently, Jesus repeated the same question two more times. Now, to the English reader, that is called redundancy; you know, “I heard you the first time.” But, the key to all of this lies in the Greek words for “love.” Philos is the word for “friendship love.” Agape is the strongest word for love. It activates a supreme love that yields everything to the other person without expecting anything in return. In His first two inqueries, the LORD uses agape while Peter replies with philos. In the third instance, the LORD uses Peter’s word, philos. It must have crushed Peter that the LORD lowered His word to match Peter’s. The three questions paralleled Peter’s three denials. It was like rubbing salt into an open wound.

Nevertheless, at the conclusion of each inquiry, the LORD mentioned something for Peter to do: “Tend (feed, instruct) My sheep,” and “shepherd (lead, guide) My sheep.” The lesson was over. Peter was not excoriated; but he had received what he deserved. Now, with this final instruction from the Savior, Peter was put back into active service.

Oh, that some pastors today would differentiate between “feeding” and “fleecing” the sheep! But, it is not for us to instruct them; they are presumptive servants of the LORD. Our responsibility is to pray for them and listen to their instruction from the Word. If the instruction is accurate, the Holy Spirit within us will say so. If it is not, He will make that plain to us, as well. Either way, we are to pray and to witness to those who are lost. Jesus is coming soon! When is not for us to know. What we do know, however, is that tomorrow brings us another day closer to His Coming. Always be faithful! Be prayerful! Be a witness for Him!

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.”