The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 125:1-5. “Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous; that the righteous may not put forth their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, snd to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.”

True believers everywhere are concerned! The current leadership of our nation has launched an all-out effort to erase the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Even the religious leaders of their own churches are speaking out against their agenda and their effort to enforce it.

The tactics of unbelievers have no opportunity to stand if the true followers of the LORD are abiding in Him and trusting Him. Just as Mount Zion cannot be moved, even so, the principles of freedom the LORD Himself instituted cannot be distroyed. The LORD is the eternal security of His people, just as the mountains surround and secure Jerusalem. Wickedness operating under the label of law will not stand. His principles are secure in the Hands of the LORD alone. “The righteous may not put forth their hands to do wrong.”

The power to prevail belongs to the LORD alone; yet His power works only on behalf of those who are good – those whose hearts are upright before Him! “But as for those who turn aide to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity.” Peace is for those nations whose hearts focus solely on the LORD! He will ever and always be their security. As for us, we must allow Him to abide and control us according to His will. Does His will and the security of our nation mean that much to you? I pray that it does.

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 123:1-4, “To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He shall be gracious to us.
3 Be gracious to us, O LORD, be gracious to us; For we are greatly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is greatly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.”

Have you not noticed that when we gesture with respect to the LORD, we most often gesture toward the heavens? Of course, the LORD God is everywhere at all times; still, it is interesting that we view His primary residence as “upward.”

We, who are His servants, look to Him for instruction regarding our daily lives, just as human servants look to those in authority over them. We wait for the LORD to reveal His will to us before we move or speak in obedience to His command.

The utter contempt of the proud disturbs us. They live as if there is no authority above themselves. They deride everyone who relies on the LORD for their provisions and direction in life. They mock Him, as if He did not exist. They live as if they needed nothing or anyone. Certainly, we are troubled by their derision because we know the LORD lives and lovingly desires to save all mankind. Yet, with their focus upon themselves and their accumulation of wealth and affluence, they move through life as if there were no God at all.

Unquestionably, we are to be prepared to carry out our LORD’s instructions. Our eyes must always be focused upon Him. He knows the contempt of the wicked, and has a specific timing for our witness of His love and salvation. Keep your eyes and thoughts upon the LORD. He has timed our obedience with the unseen hunger of the hearts of the wicked. Be ever and always ready to speak at His instruction.

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 116:1-5, “I Love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death encompassed me, And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress
and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: ‘O LORD, I beseech Thee, save my life!’
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.”

There is nothing like a true confession. Moreover, there is nothing like a true confession of love. There is no music, however melodiously sweet and soothing, that compares with a quiet voice earnestly saying, “I love you.” In that respect, I am confident when I say that the LORD beholds nothing so sweet to His ears than for us –His children—to say “I love You, LORD.”

When we approach the LORD tenderly and lovingly, just to say, “I love You, LORD,” asking nothing. He knows there is no hidden agenda within our hearts. The psalmist says, “…He has inclined His ear to me…” He is listening attentively to the earnestness of our pleadings.

When death approaches and frightful thoughts of the unknown come to mind, it is then that we call upon the LORD. We then emphasize His Name and call upon Him to save our lives! Certainly, we are not worthy the least of His favor; still, He is gracious and righteous; and yes, He is exceedingly compassionate.

Now you know why I love the LORD, and why He loves me. He loves you, too; but how long has it been since you told Him you loved Him? He’s waiting, and the psalmist has laid the groundwork for your approach. Tell Him today. Tell Him now! You will feel an inrush of His Love.

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 112:1-4, Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His
commandments.
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous.”

In a previous Letter, we discussed how many variations there are for the meaning of the English word “fall.” Did you check me on that? I ask because the same applies to the word “fear.” What does it mean to “fear the LORD”? Moreover, how could one who fears the LORD “greatly delight in His commandments”? The meaning of that first verse turns on the meaning of the Hebrew word ) ?????yare(. Sometimes the word means “terror”; at other times, it means “reverence.” The context determines the actual meaning.

In this Psalm, the meaning is “reverence.” “How blessed is the man who reverences the LORD…” When he does, he also “delights in His commandments.” That delight lies in the knowledge that the man’s “descendants will be mighty on Earth.” Furthermore, the generation that delights in the LORD and follows His instruction, will be blessed with wealth and great riches. What’s even more important is that the man’s righteousness will endure forever.

Light and darkness here are euphemisms for “good times and bad times.” There may be times when darkness hovers over the lives of those who reverence the LORD. Yet, that darkness will be dispelled by the righteous Light of the LORD. We are, therefore, greatly encouraged to “praise the LORD” always. He promises to be gracious and compassionate toward us if we live righteously. Don’t ever become despondent! The LORD is always in control. Study His Word and trust Him. God will bless you abundantly!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. I greatly appreciate the kind and thoughtful responses related to my recent fall. I am now doing well.

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 103:1-6, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 The LORD performs righteous deeds, And judgments for all who are oppressed.”

I awoke this morning after a good night’s rest with this passage on my mind. We are so inclined to whine over the trivialities of life; yet, our LORD is to be blessed and praised regardless of the negative circumstances we encounter. “…forget none of His benefits,” the passage clearly reads. Interestingly, while I “battle” a few bruises and what appears to be an increasingly blackening of my eyes, my email inbox tells of a 17-year-old Christian boy, who broke his back in four places in a one-car automobile accident.

The psalmist, David, is clever in that he does not leave us alone to think of the LORD’s blessings. He enumerates some categories, just in case our thoughts want to side-step the LORD’s innumerable blessings. The LORD “pardons all (our) iniquities.” That in itself should be sufficient for us to praise Him. He “heals all (our) diseases.” Certainly, we thank the LORD for the skillful knowledge of doctors. But, who gives them the intelligence to pursue and “conquer” the maladies that capture all of our thoughts? The LORD alone is to be praised!

Further, the LORD “redeems (our lives) from the pit.” I take that to mean the fires of Hell itself. Trusting Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross for our sins becomes our only redemption from eternal separation from Him. In the meantime, we are instructed to thank Him for His “lovingkindness and compassion” that encircles our lives. We are to be satisfied in our remaining years with the “good things” that renews our lives, as when we were young.

These negative circumstances that invade our lives are sometimes His judgments. He uses them to remind us that He alone is LORD, and that He is to be obeyed! Let me challenge you to read the remaining verses of this Psalm. It concludes with the words, “Bless the LORD, O my soul,” teaching us to trust Him in every circumstance of life, be it trivial or life-threatening. God offers His blessing to you. Thank Him for it.

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