The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 3:19-26, “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul, and adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”

Every facet of every thought must be clearly understood if what is being said is to be clear and profitable. Wisdom and understanding are key words. Solomon is affirming that the wisdom and understanding of the LORD were utilized in founding the Earth and the Heavens. Today, far too many are worried more about the continuation of the Earth and the Heavens than they are about wisdom and understanding.

Many of today’s people concern themselves with “global warming.” A few years before that concern, people were worried about the size of the “ozone layer.” Yet, true science demonstrates that the measurable differences are miniscule, to say the least. And those who love the LORD and believe in His Word rest assurredly that everything resides soley in His Hands!

Admonished as we are to hold wisdom and understanding foremost, we are told that they will be the life of our souls. Wisdom guides us as we meander through life. It enables us to avoid the pitfalls of destruction. We can then rest well at night because we have walked carefully with Christ during the day. We need not experience fear that the wicked will invade our security or startle us in any way!

The LORD alone is our confidence! Nothing will be destroyed that is securely held in His hands. Yet, His promise of security resides in the lives of those who have believed in His death and resurrection for their own salvation. I truly hope that that includes you. You are daily 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,

Proberbs 3:13-18, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.
14 For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

Only recently, I read where some archeologists found something much older and more precious that what they had hoped to find. On a somewhat lesser scale of importance, women have often gone shopping in search of a particular dress only to find one of much nicer quality and greater value than the one they had hoped to find. Many a student tethered to books in the college library has gone on to discover and develop things that proved to be of international value.

This is precisely what Solomon meant when he encouraged his readers to move from wisdom to understanding. The profit of a wise development is far greater than silver or fine gold. It is more precious than jewels, and everything with which you can compare it. In fact long life exceeds all riches and honor. (Remember that the right hand holds that which is more valuable; the left hand, that which is of lesser value.)

Beyond all possessions, wisdom’s ways are delightful to everyone and she walks always in the way of peace. Wisdom is also “a tree of life” to those who will grasp her. It is impossilbe to miss Solomon’s intention, when he mentioned The Tree of Life. He was thinking of that Tree in the Garden of Eden as he wrote. Have you taken hold of the Tree of Life? It references Jesus, who became the Supreme Sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. When we believe upon Him as our Savior and LORD, He becomes to us what that Tree of Life would have been to Adam and Eve. Had they partaken of that Tree’s fruit, they would have lived forever in a righteous state. Don’t fail to trust in Jesus! He is our Tree of Life and the guarantor of peace and happiness, now and throughout all Eternity.

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,

Proverbs 3:1-8, “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.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.”

Solomon possessed amazing wisdom! It was a sure and true gift from the LORD. At the same time, he did not always utilize wisdom. Toward the end of his life, he recognized his failures and sought to equip his son that he might do better in his own life. So, if the choice were yours, would you choose wisdom and long life or gold and silver and jewels? One of the values of not possessing great riches is that no one can take from you what you don’t have.

Look carefully at your choices: years of life; a life of peace; kindness and truth; and a good reputation in the sight of both God and your fellowman. Is it solely a gift or is there something you have to do to possess it? The Scripture says each and every one of them is yours if you embrace them by faith in the LORD. Learn to lean on Him instead of on your own thoughts. Acknowledge the LORD as lord of your life and He will provide you with the wisdom you need for every encounter.

Have a genuine respect for the LORD and turn away from evil. Don’t give in to yourself, thinking that you can procure wisdom and understanding without Him. You cannot! When you turn from Him, He removes His wisdom from within you, and you return to the weaknesses you possessed prior to trusting in Him. Be smart! Admit that you are weak without the LORD! Then yield yourself totally to Him. You body will experience healing and you will be refreshed even to the depths of your bones.

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,

Psalm 139:1-6, “O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
2 Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar.
3 Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD , Thou dost know it all.
5 Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, And laid Thy hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.”

Have you ever truly believed that you could think or do something of which the LORD could not know? The psalmist says that such is impossible. Most of us could not conceal a single thought that our wise and observant parents could not discern. On a purely human level, it is called “observation.” But it’s much, much more on the spiritual level. The psalmist admits that the knowledge of the LORD is “too wonderful…too high…” thoroughly unattainable! Why? because He is the LORD and He knows it all.

In earlier issues of this Letter, I have sought to emphasize prayer. I believe in prayer; I shall always believe in prayer. Having said that, there are times when prayer is more than a sincere expression of words. It is simply being still in the presence of the LORD. Thoughts are there; yet, they are not expressed. There is no reason to express them. You are in His presence, and He knows everything of your every intention. “

Experiences like that can occur between a husband and his wife. The focus of the eyes, the slight warmth of a smile that breaks through silent lips says it all. That too can be a spiritual communication; yet as preciousl as those moments are, they never break into the heavenly realm of the deep and loving communion with the LORD Jesus Christ. There’s an old hymn entitled, “Take time to be holy.” It does take time to be holy. Carve out some significant time –holy time—just for a quiet communion with the Savior. It will enrich your life and you will find yourslef becoming more and more like 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,

Psalm 138:1-5, “I will give Thee thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to Thee before the gods.
2 I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, and give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name.
3 On the day I called Thou didst answer me; Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to Thee, O LORD, When they have heard the words of Thy mouth.
5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD. For great is the glory of the LORD.”

When tragedy strikes, we always turn to God. Even those who claim no affiliation with the LORD, cry out in His name when trouble strikes. How much more do we who know Him give thanks and praise Him for his love and protection of our lives! Everything that the LORD has done to make Himself known is vastly superior to all that science and philosophy can provide us. His revelation of Himself is vastly superior to all!

You may say that He has not revealed Himself to you, but have you called upon Him? The psalmist says, “On the day I called, You didst answer me…” The psalmist sang praises to the LORD in the very presence of the false gods of lost and wandering mankind. The LORD gave him strength to do so; and so will He give you strength and courage as well.

We are living in a day that demands boldness! We must become strong in our open declaration of the LORD and of His power! The promised prophecy is that “all kings of the Earth will give thanks” to the LORD, but only is this possible when “they have heard the words of His mouth!” The LORD is pleased to use us in that open declaration; but are we pleased to be used? Surely, if our boldness to sing praises to Him in the presence of
men who praise false gods, it takes no less courage to praise Him in the presence of human kings. His glory is greater than we can possibly imagine! And He reaches out to us! Think of it!! How can we not praise 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