The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Peter 3:4-9, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
7 But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Are we living in the “last days?” Certainly, each of us has a “last day”; we’re just not aware of when that day will come. It’s not difficult to convince a careful reader of the Bible that things of which we are warned, are the very things we find occurring in our world today. People seem totally unafraid of contradicting the Word of God –the very God who created the planets, one of which is our home.

The Bible (the very verses above) tell us that the wickedness of those who live in our world has not escaped His notice. Nor should it escape our notice that lacivious lifestyles are being reserved for the fires of judgment and Hell! “Don’t let this escape your notice,” Peter warns. The LORD does not operate on time as we know it. Yet, He alone knows the hour and the day when He will come. When that day occurs, those who have neglected to obey His Word will be charged with desecrating His Son, who died on the cross and arose from the grave for their salvation.

As I write, NOAA radio is warning of increasingly heavy thunderstorms for my area. Should I alter my plans for cooking outdoors over a fire pit? Or should I ignore the warning, telling my friends there’s nothing to worry about? You know the answer to that! Safety is the name of the game. But, when it comes to God’s warnings, it’s not a game! Treat the LORD and His Word with the utmost respect. Turn your life over to Him now! Trust Him to save you from both your sins and the Divine Judgment that is coming. I am praying for you.

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,

1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

First century people commenced their letters by introducing themselves. Thus, after using two verses to introduce himself and the purpose of his letter, Peter addresses his readers with the word “blessed” in verse three.

The word “blessed,” refers to the LORD and cites His divine provision of mercy, which is God’s permittion for mankind to be spiritually born into a living hope that does not cease. This hope is made available through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Closely connected with this divine provision is the LORD’s protection of the inheritance. It is both imperishable and undefiled. Additionally, it is preserved in Heaven along with the one who receives it, all of which will be revealed at the proper time.

Did you notice that “salvation” is connected with “faith”? That means that one must trust the LORD in order to be saved. It is not related to any kind of human works or activities or affiliations. The Bible says, “Believe in the LORD Jesus, and you will be saved…” It is a personal trust and thoroughly irrevocable! It’s the LORD’s way –the only way! Do it today!

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,

2 Corinthians 4:15-18, “For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

It may be that my citation of Scripture above started in the wrong place. It says, that “all things” are for our good; yet, it says that “all things” are for the LORD’s glory. Yes, they can both be the same, if only we “do not lose heart” in the process.

Paul seems to imply that the older we become, the more physical strength we need. At the same time, our physical strength is fading, the LORD increases our understanding and implementation of the Scriptures into our lives. We are cautioned not to lose heart. It will then become easier to “float along” in life, rather than to struggle against the rough waters we encounter.

Yet, the things we encounter in this life are just that –in this life! There are eternal things that we do not yet see. That calls for faith –faith in the Word of the LORD, and faith in the LORD of the Word. It is all our LORD’s Word; thus, we can and must trust it fully and faithfully. We are instructed not to focus too heavily on the things that are temporal, but to trust that those things which we do not yet fully understand are eternal and will be revealed at the right time.

If you’re having trouble interpreting the times in which we live, I most heartily commend Dr. David Jeremiah’s latest book, Where Do We Go From Here? It will both inform and encourage you to maintain your trust in our LORD Jesus Christ.

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,

2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

What really is a Christian? Is it simply someone who is not a Jew? or a Hindu? or a Muslim? Jews can be Christians because Jewish is both ethnic and religious. Yet, those who have traced the origin of Christianity understand that the designation is primarily spiritual in nature. Being “in Christ” means having trusted Him as LORD and Savior. He, then, accepts and reconciles to Himself the one who believes and trusts Him.

Reconciliation is the process of bringing two parties into agreement. Before one is reconciled, he wants everything to be as he wishes. Reconciliation brings man into agreement with God. God and man are no longer adversaries. Man experiences agreement with God; he accepts Jesus as his LORD, and becomes a Christian and an advocate of salvation in Christ.

An ambassador “represents the person of a King in the court of another.” Thus, he shares Jesus Christ with others and urges them to “be reconciled to God.”

Jesus had no sin of His own; yet, He died on the Cross as a sacrifice for our sin. When we acknowledge our sin and trust Jesus as the Sacrifice for our sin, He reconciles us with the Father. We then have a new life, which is righteous and willing to live for Christ and to engage in doing His will. Are you there yet? If not, you can be!

Confess your sins to God in a simple prayer and ask Him to forgive you and to cleanse your life and make you in the likeness of Christ. That’s His business, and He will do it! He promises so!

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,

2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

How do you tell a Christian from a non-Christian? Some would say it’s whether they attend church. Others would say it’s which church they attend. Still, others would say it’s whether they support the church with their gifts. Would you be surprised if I said it’s none of the above?

The Apostle Paul, author of this Corinthian letter, says that one has to be “in Christ.” We have to be new creations with old things cast aside in favor of the new life that has been granted to us from Christ.

Not only are we changed, our responsibilities have changed. “He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” The LORD now uses us as His ambassadors. We are to appeal to others to accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. That’s what reconciliation to God is. In other words, He wants those to whom we speak about Jesus to come to Him in faith and be aligned with Christ Himself.

Christ Jesus had no sin. He was always in perfect agreement with His Father. Yet, the Father allowed His Son, Jesus, to be crucified as a sacrifice for our sin. When we accept Christ’s atonement for our sins, we become spiritually reconciled to the Father and become His child. Then, we are ready to meet Him when He comes again!

Reconciliation can occur in your life! Confess your sins to Jesus! Ask Him to forgive your sins and accept you as one of His children. You are one for whom He died! He will accept you and transform your life so that it honors and glorifies Him! You will be spiritually refreshed –better than a good night’s sleep!

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