The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 106:6-15, “We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly.
7Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, but
rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
8 Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known.
9 Thus He rebuked the Red Sea and it dried up, and He led them through the deeps, as through the wilderness.
10 So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left.
12 Then they believed His words; they sang His praise.
13 They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel,
14 But craved intensely in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
15 So He gave them their request, but sent a wasting disease among them.”

Regardless of the times, human nature is the same. Only recently, I read the following: The Romans “lived shiftless and grossly indulgent lives, depending for support upon charity, gambling, and theft. In Rome, the emperors fed many thousands of them out of the public treasury, thus encouraging their indolence.” Sound familiar?

So, in the first two verses of our text above, the younger generation of Hebrews admit to the same failures as were then attributed to their fathers. They willfully “forgot” the miracles the LORD bestowed upon them. Nevertheless, the LORD forgave their sins and brought them safely through the Red Sea, through the deeps and through the wilderness. He delivered them from their adversaries! They didn’t deserve to be delivered! Neither do we! But, that’s the kind of loving Savior we have!

Now, in faith they sing His praises! Doesn’t all of this remind us of us? How often we’ve sinned, sometimes shamefully; yet, our faithful, loving Savior delivers us. And again, we sing praises to His Name! But, it doesn’t last! We forget His faithfulness, and lapse back into sin, bringing shame upon Him again– despite the continuance of His faithful, everlasting love.

Does He ever win? Indeed He does! Look at that last verse above –verse 15. “He gave them their request…” Looks like the LORD has given up. Will these people I delivered from Egypt and across the Red Sea –will they ever learn to love Me? Not so fast! The LORD has the last Word: He “sent a wasting disease among them.” It’s as old as the world itself, You cannot do wrong and get by! Either we live by His rules or we die! Which shall it be?

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 106:1-5, “Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD, or can show forth all His praise?
3 How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!
4 Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor toward Your people; visit me with Your salvation,
5 That I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,
that I may glory with Your inheritance.”

I can remember when churches used to engage in praise services. Oh, to be sure, there was singing and praying; but the center of those meetings was to hear individuals praise the LORD for specific blessing He had bestowed upon them during the previous week. It was emotional at times; but all praise went to the LORD for His answer to specific prayers.

It is exciting to see people rejoice in the LORD! It is encouraging to note the deeds of the LORD, although we can never know the full extent of His works; nor can we identify even a small portion of all He has done!

Genuine prayers of thanksgiving come primarily from those who are continually living justly and righteously before Him in faith. It is they who truly acknowledge the LORD openly and give continual praise to His matchless Name.

Those who have witnesed His power, rejoice also –even as a nation. Have you witnessed His power? Have you trusted Him like the people of Solomon’s day? There is yet another Great Day coming! On that day, our LORD Jesus Christ will return to call home His truly born-again spiritual children! He is not coming for those who have just done their best. Nor is He coming for those who have lived clean lives or those who have kept religion foremost in their lives. No, He is coming only for those who have trusted Him as their personal Savior. Does that include you? It can if you will trust Him. If you have not, you can do it right now. Earnestly pray this prayer:

LORD Jesus, I am a sinner. I have not lived pleasingly in Your sight. I’m sorry for my sin.
And right now, I confess all my sin and ask You to forgive me and make me one of Your
children. Help me to live my life for Your glory and praise alone. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. If you prayed that prayer for the first time and are truly trusting Jesus, share it with me and
let me rejoice with you! Your name will not be published. I will just join you in a thanksgiving
prayer.

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 9:32-36, “Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.
33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah “– not realizing what he was saying.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.”

Have you ever enjoyed the company of someone so much that you didn’t want to see them go? At the same time, despite your weariness, you nevertheless expressed the desire that your visitor not leave? You may have even offered them coffee or cookies as an enticement to stay longer?

There were no coffee enticements on this occaccion, but Peter cried out to Jesus, pleading that He allow the three of them to build adequarte living quarters and stay right there! I’m sure you’ve been in a situation like that –a situation so desirable that you never wanted to leave!

There was no time to process thinking! At that precise moment, a a huge cloud encompassed them and a strong voice from the cloud sounded, identifiing Jesus as the Chosen One and admonishing them to listen to Him!

“This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” This is still commendable advice. Have you stopped to think how it applies to you? The LORD Jesus Christ speaks to us today through His Holy Scriptures! He admonishes us to take account of our relationship with Him. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? If not, establish one today! Read from His Holy Word and trust Him to forgive your sins and become your Savior. It’s an experience like none other!

Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37). Heed His advice quickly! It could be your last opportunity!

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 9:28-31, “Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.
30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,
31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

If ever there were anyone who needed less to pray, it was Jesus. Yet, He prayed more often that any who followed Him. Jesus understood life. He understood its problems. He understood sin and the power of its grip upon mankind. Jesus also understood the miraculous and such elements that were quickly coming to pass.

Peter, James and John were undeniably His “inner circle.” They were always included when special events were about to occur. This special event occurred but once. It was the Transformation of Jesus Christ! Until now, the disciples had only beheld Him as human. Yet, this coming event lifted the human curtain that concealed His true identity. And it all occurred while He was praying.

For the first time ever, His disciples beheld Him solely as “the Christ.” His appearance was transformed completely; His complexion changed;” His clothing became extremely white and radiant! What’s more, He was joined by two of the most notable personalities in all the Old Testament: Moses and Elijah. Moses was one “whom the LORD knew face-to-face” (Deut. 34:10). Yet, Moses, to this moment in time, had never beheld the face of Jesus, the Son of God. Moses typifies those who knew Him, yet were physically dead. Elijah was the prophet who did not die. By faith, he was whisked aloft in a spiritual whirlwind to enter into Heaven without the experience of death. Elijah typifies the believers, who will be Raptured just prior to the Great Tribulation.

Now, these two dedicated servants of Old Testament times were giving courage and strength to the Savior, as He faced death on the Cross. Today, the Holy Spirit lives within all true believers, encouraging us to “keep on keeping on,” regardless of the circumstances that work to discourage us from carrying out our LORD’s mission. “Keep the Faith!” is more than a slogan. It’s a solemn commitment from us to the LORD! It also embraces His solemn commitment to us.

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 9:23-26, “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.
25 “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?
26 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.’”

Have you ever wondered what the most difficult task in all the world might be? Overseeing a huge business? Running a government? Jesus says the most difficult thing in life is following Him. Maybe that’s why so many people have elected to go their own way. But why would following Jesus be so difficult? It is difficult because it means a total surrender of your mind and will to Him!

I once had a soldier tell me that it’s not difficult to leave civilian life and go into the army. “You just have to give up your own will and do only and all that the army tells you to do,” he said. That’s actually what Jesus said about following Him. At the same time, if you do only what you want in this life, you will loose the eternal life and the glorious rewards He promises to those who faithfully follow Him.

What kind of gain would it be to have and control of the entire world, if you lost everything else in the process? Jesus challenges us to count the cost. Check up on what you would gain and what you would lose. Yielding your life to Him in this life is His guarantee of encountering greater joy in the Life to come. How could you compare anything with the joy of seeing native people in a far-away land coming to know Jesus Christ?

Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Remember that the rewards of the Father are for His children alone. Are you one of His children?

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