The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 21:18-22, “Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry.
19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, ‘No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.’ And at once the fig tree withered.
20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, ‘How did the fig tree wither all at once?’
21 And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” it will happen.
22 ‘And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.’”

The miraculous conception of Jesus teaches us that He is both God and man. The humanity of Jesus Christ is revealed here in His need for food. Yet, often Jesus used food as a tool for instructing His disciples. Here, in the verses above, we are told that He was hungry and sought figs from a nearby tree. When He discovered the tree was unproductive, He pronounced judgment against it, and immediately the tree shriveled and died.

Is it not possible that Jesus was teaching the disciples (and us) that failure to spiritually produce what He intended of them, would lead them to suffer loss? The disciples, however, were focused on the non-productive tree. Isn’t that the way with all of us? We’re not focused on what the Master wants; we’re concentrating on a withering old tree.

Jesus’ emphasis then shifts in answer to their question: “If you have faith and do not doubt…, “all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (You might want to read that statement again!) It’s the promise of the LORD, but its reality hinges upon our faith –our belief! Can you really believe? Will you truly believe?

Dr. Hubbard counsels us all when he says, “God controls the circumstances: give Him time to work! God conducts the opportunities: give Him the occasion to work. God conditions the heart: give Him the freedom to work.” Yet He works only for those who believe.

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,

Genesis 8:1-4, “But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided.
2 Also the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained;
3 and the water receded steadily from the earth, and at the end of one hundred and fifty days the water decreased.
4 In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat.”

Remembrance is a strange thing. I was reading a science paper today when I recalled a friend from many years ago, talking about the speed of light. Things we encounter often trigger remembrances. Sometimes they are are delightful; sometimes they’re not. But non-the less, they are remembrances.

The word “remember” (????? zakar ) occurs 242 times in the Old Testament, and 64 times (???????? mimnesko) in the New Testament. What is interesting is that the first reference to the word “remember” relates to God remembering Noah and those who were with him in the ark. Sin had pervaded the Earth and the LORD destroyed it all –all, except the Noahic family and the animals that accompanied them.

Yet, the God who destroys is simultaneously the God who saves. He never forgets; and in the midst of His legitimate anger over sin, He is remembering and loving. It is the same with us today. Things we want to forget, He never forgets. The LORD is omniscient, all knowing. Yet, He is willing to forgive our sins if we will simply acknowledge them and ask His forgiveness.

Why would God ever neglect to forgive us when it cost Him His Son’s death on the cross? He forgives us because He loves us. Few if any of our own children ever behaved exactly as we had taught them. Punishment for bad behavior was administered in order that they might remember to do well; but punishment was never without love and purpose. So it is with God. He forgives because He loves; but He wants to know that we are sorry for our sin and are sincere in asking His forgiveness.

Things in our nation and world are worse today than I can ever recall. We could well be living in the last days. The Rapture (the “catching away” of born-again believers) has no signal to warn of it’s coming. It will simply come when the LORD desires it. Thus, the key question is: are you ready for Him to come? Confess your sins to Him today and ask Him to cleanse and save you. His Word says that He will not ignore the prayer of a sincere believer. Just don’t trust that somehow you can beat the speed of His light!

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,

Luke 8:16-18, “”Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.
17 “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
18 “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

These verses have always been exciting to me! For one thing, they are practical to the nth degree! The purpose of every lighted lamp is to make one’s surroundings easier to negotiate and to encourage everyone not to try and walk in the dark. My maternal grandmother comes to mind with this initial verse. I used to urge her to turn on a light when she was working in the kitchen; but she would say, “I can see. I don’t need a light.” But there were times when she did need light; and in those times, she admitted to their value.

People who intentionally do wrong always resist the light. They don’t seem to understand that everything will eventually become known when the Light comes on and reveals it. Jesus openly acknowledges that He is the Light of the world (see John 8:12 and 9:5).

Jesus also warns: “Take care how you listen.” Here He shifts the thought from “sight” to “sound.” He is the Author of both. What we do will be seen by others and will influence them as to the direction of their lives. What we say will be of influence, also, whether for good or for bad. The one who has will be given more; and the one who does not have will find that he has much less than he thought.

There are numerous meanings that could be understood from what Jesus said. One thing is sure: if you think you have it all, even that can be suddenly snatched from you. So, focus on Christ Jesus, and you will have all you’ve ever needed and more! Turn away from Him, and you will lose everything of value –and for 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,

Luke 8:11-15, “Now the parable is this: the seed is the Word of God.
12 ‘Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the Word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.
13 ‘Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 ‘The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15 ‘But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the Word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.’”

If you’re like I am, you don’t have much success in planting things for growth. Some women I know can virtually throw seeds in the air and over their backs and have growth seemingly overnight. I’ve never figured out how they do it.

Someone has said that the definition of a parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Jesus identifies the Seed here as “the Word of God.” He then shares His parable of the Seed, identifying it as having been sowed “beside the road… on rocky soil… among thorns… and on good soil.”

The devil is actively endeavoring to remove the Seed before it has opportunity to grow. Just hearing the Word of the LORD is not in itself salvation. One must believe the Word by faith and commit himself to Jesus in order to be saved.

Temptation is first the thought and then the act of doing what is patently wrong in the eyes of the LORD. It is like a luscious fruit before the eyes. Temptation says there will be time for the Seed later on; so the Seed is ignored for now.

Others hear the Word speaking to them of salvation. They are excited for the moment, but they run with the wrong crowd. Their friends kick the Word aside, so that it’s soon forgotten. Their ungodly activities leave no room for the Word.

The Word comes to others, telling them of Jesus; but they are encumbered by worries and pleasures that the world itself offers; so nothing takes root in their minds or hearts, and they soon forget all about it.

Thankfully, the LORD’s Seed –His Word—falls on some good ground! This human heart is open and the soul receives the Word with excited gladness! His Seed is then shared with others, making His fruit to bear well in the human heart and life.

The BIG and Vital Question is: have you heard and received the LORD’s Word? Have you allowed His salvation to invade you heart, so that you have come to know Him personally?

The hope of this world does not lie in politics or wealth or fame –or anything other than the Word of God and the personal commitment of our hearts and lives to Him. He alone is our salvation! Do you know Him? If not, why not? And if you do know Him, are you sharing Him with others that they might be saved? No one can be saved without knowing Jesus! And it is our responsibility to share Him with others. Some day the end will come, and each of us
will either reside with the LORD in Heaven or spend eternity in total separation from Him in Hell.

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 28:10-14, “He who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
14 How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”

Have you ever had someone give you wrong information? Did he do it intentionally? We may never know; but the one thing we can know is if he did it intentionally, it will ultimately come back against him, and the honest man will “inherit the good.”

It’s funny to see those who trust in wealth and think they know it all; yet they are oblivious to those who are poor who see right through them. It’s much like the man of whom I read, who eluded the police for something like 20 years before he was caught. But, he was caught! The message is: You simply cannot do wrong and get by!

We all cheer when an honest person wins! But the one who cheats, always runs for cover. Why does he seek cover? It’s probably because he suffers shame. Dishonest people do suffer shame; but they seek to hide it, as if it meant nothing. Solomon says that even though the wicked seek to hide themselves, they will be caught and will suffer the loss of what they thought was worthy of their crooked scheme.

Solomon concludes with the words: “How blessed is the man who fears” for the wrong he has done! If he hardens his heart against honesty, he will suffer even more. There is no substitute for honesty! You can trust God’s Word above all else. Read it! Study it! Follow it! For when you are committed to Him, His Spirit teaches you as you read.

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