The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Judges 6:1-2; 8-10, “Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD gave them into the hands of Midian seven years.
2 The power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Now it came about when the sons of Israel cried to the LORD on account of Midian….”

8 “…the LORD sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, and he said to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “It was I who brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of slavery.
9 ‘I delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hands of all your oppressors, and dispossessed them before you and gave you their land,”
10 and I said to you, “I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But you have not obeyed Me.”‘”

Most of the time we know when we’re in trouble. Most of the time we would know why if we looked at the situations clearly and honestly. It’s all really quite clear: 1) we do wrong in God’s sight; 2) God deals with us for our wrong-doing; 3) We choose either to admit to our wrong-doing and express sorrow for it, or we look for someone to blame and continue to stagnate in trouble. But, if we truly belong to God, the enemies that assail us will find it impossible to contend with His strength.

Do we really need to be reminded of why we get into trouble with God? We have His Instruction Book (the Bible) that tells us how to live according to His Divine will. If we do as we’re instructed, we will reduce the number of times we encounter trouble. But, if we neglect to follow His Instructions, we can well expect difficulties to rush wildly into our lives. Israel discovered this when she encountered the Midianites.

The answer to our dilemma, both personally and nationally lies in our yielding to the LORD. He is ever and always concerned for His people. The BIG question is: are we committed to Him? Are we willing to abide by His instructions? He is the LORD, we are His people. We have only to obey.

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 25:25-28, “Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”

If you’ve ever gone for a considerable hike and forgotten to take water, you understand clearly what “cold water (is) to a weary soul.” Yet, the discovery that the water has suffered pollution by an earlier traveler will teach you all the more how important it is to live so that others may enjoy life, also.

And if you’ve travelled alone to a far-away place and been there for some time, you understands what joy it is to receive good news from home! Still, too much of anything –even a good thing—is tiriing.

You know more about yourself than anyone, except your mother. Still, it is wearying to others when you continue to recount all the people that you know and the places where you’ve been. Get control of yourself! Remember that you’re not as important as you think –even to your best friends,. Get control of yourself! Share the joys you’ve discovered in the LORD Jesus Christ. You will be blest, and so will your friends.

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 26:20-23, “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross are burning lips and a wicked heart.”

I was born with a critical nature. But, before you build a negative mental picture of me, let me say that a critical nature is not necessarily bad. One definition of critical is someone “inclined to find fault or to judge others with severity.” The same dictionary gives the definition as a “skillful judgment as to truth, or the merit” of something, say an idea.

My dear late wife used to quote verse 20 above, saying if critics were to cease and desist with criticisms, everything would quiet down and life would be peaceful. Occasionally, I must confess, her words were directed to me. A critic, however, is one who spends time assessing a situation or the meaning of a passage, say of Scripture. I have a long-time friend with whom I often discuss the possible meanings of some very difficult Scripture passages. In this process, we are both “critics,” hopefully of the better kind.

The words that comprise our four verses above, however, seem forcused upon an unknown person who is highly contentious. It focuses on a person who “sows seeds of dischord” in the minds and hearts of others. “Did you hear what Gussie said about you the other day?” The obvious intention in such a statement is to “kindle strife.” That critic’s words will then be turned over and over in the hearer’s mind, until his heart burns with with furious anger.

Would you take something as worthless as hardened clay and overlay it with silver? Of course not! Solomon says doing that would be equal to “burning lips and a wicked heart.” May we soften the criticisms that permeate our world by critiquing only the wholesome things – things that build up confidence in those with whom we share this shakey globe. Maybe we could just start by telling them about Jesus.

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 24:13-18, “My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.”

I suppose we’ve all been in situations where others were doing us wrong and we felt a responsibility to answer in kind. In some of those times, we simply did not know how to deal with the situation. Should we “do unto them as they have done unto us”? Surely not. But, unless someone does something, it might serve as an “open door” for more difficulties in the future.

The wisdom of King Solomon is clearly depicted in his “honey and wisdom” lecture in the verses above. Honey is sweet to the taste, but wisdom is sweetness to the soul. Finding wisdom secures one’s future; whereas planning to destroy the dwelling of another virtually secures calamity for the planner.

Solomon warns the wicked not to lift a hand against the righteous. Simultaneously,he assures the righteous that the wicked will stumble on his own. “Don’t rejoice!” Solomon says to the righteous. The enemy of the righteous will stumble and fall. Just don’t rejoice over his stumbling. To rejoice over the misfortune of others may one day may result in our own stumbling. Be wise and let the sweetness of wisdom rule in your life.

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 24:17-22, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change,
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?”

Everyone likes to win! Whether it’s a sports event whose players are totally unknown or a contest where every entry is known. The name of any game is “winning.”

At the same time, the Bible teaches us “not to rejoice when (our) enemy falls.” It may seem natural to be glad when those who have bragged about their abilities, then stumble and embarrass themselves; but the Scriptures say we are not to rejoice over someone else’s failure.

There is a consequence to having a bad attitude. When we belong to the LORD, the situation (whatever it may be) is best left in His hands. “But, he’s my enemy!” you say. Yes, but the LORD knows all the circumstances and He declares that there is “no future for the evil man.” Take note of those who stay straight and always commit everything to the LORD. Otherwise, calamities will befall you. You can’t do wrong and get by.
Instead, fear (????? yare, reverence) the LORD and calamity will fall upon those depart from 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