The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent (study) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth.”
Ecclesiastes 12:12, “…be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.”

There’s an old adage that says, “The more you learn, the more you forget; the more you forget, the less you know; the less you know, the less you forget. So why study?”

For one thing, studying is an exercise of the mind. Just as “push-ups” and running are exercises of the body, study is an exercise of the mind. But, have you noticed that Paul adds a dimension when he says that study is to be undertaken as an “approval” to God?

Have you ever given something to someone only to learn they never used it? That is certainly an indication of unconcern. The LORD has given us minds and bodies in order that He might be glorified in their usage. We show concern toward Him when we study.

At the same time, physical and mental exercise are not to be overdone. Everything is to be balanced. That is why Solomon warned “…the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books (i.e., study) is wearying to the body.”

Solomon also wrote that, “the heart of the righteous ponders how to answer…” (Prov. 15:28). Thinking of how to reply to someone presupposes study. The LORD desires that we exhibit intelligence in our communication with others. In that, He Himself is glorified. Therefore, don’t sweat the tests! Prepare yourself through diligent, prayerful attention to all the LORD has provided in His Holy Word; for it that very manner, you are faithfully responding in glory to Him!

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,

Hebrews 13:5-9, “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”
6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?”
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.”

“Reputation” is what others think us to be; “character” is what we really are. Contented focus on the LORD, who promises never to forsake us, is what should consistently occupy our minds. We live in a convoluted world. Daily news promises only more degradation of human life. Yet, whatever ill befalls us, we are encouraged to trust the LORD. It is He who has redeemed us from sin. What is to prevent Him from extracating us from the grip of ungodliness?

The LORD calls our attention to those who originally led us into faith. We are encouraged to view the results of their lives and pattern our lives after them. For many of us, the pattern will come from our parents. For others, it will be a near relative or a special friend. The LORD has placed them in our pathway as “living proof” that we, too, can live by faith in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, we are not to pay attention to teachings that veer away from His Word. Rather, we are to trust the Scriptures! They alone provide true and sound teaching. And it is the absorbtion of that teaching that transforms us more and more into His likeness, ultimately bringing honor and glory to Christ Himself! May God bless you abundantly as you grow into His likeness. And pray for me, that I, too, may reflect Him and become His inspirational pattern for others.

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,

Hebrews 11:1-4, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval.”
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”

“If you’re good, we will see.” How often, as a small boy, I heard these words from my mother. Her words were a declaration of promise based upon my behavior. The standard by which I was judged was completely hers. My desires were conditioned on my trust in her judgment and my behavior.
And I am certain she was pleased with my acceptance of trust in her final judgment.

Paul defines the standard by which the LORD judges us. What we desire rests solely upon our trust in the LORD. It is called faith. You cannot see it, but you must nevertheless believe it. Do we see air? Yet, we believe it exists and we continue to breathe it. We do not see God, yet we trust Him.

Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, placed his trust in God when he offered his sacrifice. Cain, his older brother, by his rebellious attitude, rejected faith and the proper sacrifice that God required.
Thus, Abel gained God’s acceptance, while Cain did not.

Twenty-five time in this 11TH chapter of Hebrews, Paul uses the word faith. He demonstrates the value of faith through citing the lives of many who followed the LORD’s instruction. It’s not always easy to exercise faith. We have hopes and desires that we honestly believe are acceptable to God; yet, we must wait for His timing. Our measure of time does not match that of the LORD. His timing is always best. In the meanwhile, we must continue to live and serve Him with such trust that it might be said of us that we are like those “of whom the world was not worthy.”

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,

Hebrews 10:19-25, “Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”

When I have computer problems, I always call on my grandsons. They “speak” in an electronic language that I am confident I will never understand. I find myself almost in the same dilemma when I read the Letter to the Hebrews. The human author (I am for a number of reasons convinced) is the Apostle Paul. His rich grasp of the depths of Scripture is unexcelled.

Having carefully crafted for us the meaningful aspects of the Old Testament Law, he then migrates into the Life and Death of our LORD Jesus Christ. Having come into the world of His own creation, Jesus now replaces the priests of old. Jesus is now our High Priest. It is He who now rules over the house of God! Salvation from sin lies within Him alone; for He became His Father’s sacrifice that alone can save us from our sin.

Paul then admonishes us to “hold fast the confession of our hope.” Swirling about us are multiple things we do not understand. We must trust Jesus! He understands it all. Our hope that reaches into eternity, rests only on Christ Jesus! What should consistently occupy our minds is how we might encourage love toward one another and an engagement in good deeds.

We ought not to fall away from church! Assembling together in worship is our chief source of encouragement. The worse things become, the greater our need for such an assembly. The clouds of gloom and pending destruction work to discourage us. Yet, we have hope –eternal hope– in and through our LORD Jesus Christ. Let our focus be upon Him! He will soon come to rescue us; and we will then live with Him eternally!

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,

Hebrews 2:14-18, “Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”

As we approach the commemoration day of Christ Jesus’ Resurrection, it is good for us to heed what the Word itself says of Him. Adam and Eve were created as “flesh and blood.” When they sinned in the Garden of Eden, they estranged themselved from God, making it was necessary that the Father provide a Redeemer for them. Through that Redeemer, Adam, Eve and all of their progeny are now enabled to be extracated from the grip of Satan and sin. Jesus was the Father’s choice to be that Redeemer. And through Him, God’s human creation is enabled to be forgiven and ultimately live with Him in Heaven.

Jesus’ preparation for becoming the Sacrifice for us, required Him to take upon Himself the likeness of human flesh and be subjected to every possible temptation. His successful resistance to Satan’s power was proved in and through His Resurrection from the dead. He is now, therefore, able to deliver us from sin and give us His Eternal Life! We must simply, but sincerely, accept Him in faith as being the Father’s sacrifice for us!

It is the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, therefore, that is key to our own redemption. The price has already been paid. It only remains for us to accept His Sacrifice on the Cross for our sin. It’s a simple matter of trust. We exercise trust in multiple ways already. Yet, the greatest possible trust –the one that is necessary for Eternal Salvation— is all-too-often ignored. Don’t put off your acceptance of Jesus Christ!!
Church affiliation does have value, but nothing is equal to Jesus Christ. He is the One Who died and arose to save you from sin’s grip! It is in HIM ALONE that we can be saved! If you have yet to trust Him, please pray this simple prayer today:

Dear LORD, I have sinned against you and deserve nothing of your blessing.
I know that Jesus died and arose from the dead to save me from my sin.
I here and now confess my sin to You and ask Your forgiveness. By faith, I
accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and LORD. Thank You for saving me.
In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

God bless you as you pray and trust in Him!

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