The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proberbs 16:21-25, “The wise in heart will be called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

. Do you remember the two women who came to King Solomon in the early days of his reign? Each was the mother of a newly born child. One child had died during the night, but both women contended that the live child was her own. Solomon listened intently and called for a sword. He pretended that he would simply divide the child into two parts and give each mother one part. One of the women said, “Yes! Divide the child between us!” The other said, “No! Give the child to the other woman, but don’t take it’s life.” The harshness of the first woman demonstrated that what she wanted was her way. She had no concern for the life of the child. In this instance, Solomon demonstrated the wisdom of his heart (ref. 1 Kings 3:16f).

Life is meaningful to one with understanding. Fools know nothing of true discipline. The wise in heart speak with love and persuasion, just as the child’s true mother did when she stood before Solomon. The king’s words were sweet to the soul of the true mother, much like honey and its comb are to one’s taste buds. There’s an old saying that says, “You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.”

Quiet, thoughtful speech originates from a mind that is not cluttered with selfishness. Such quietness and openness gives opportunity for the Holy Spirit to fill it with the sweetness of the LORD. Preoccupation with the view to persuasion often floods the mind, leaving no room for the way of the Spirit. The Spirit fills us with the teachings of the LORD. All other teachings lead us in “the way of death.” His teachings lead to life everlasting!

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 16:1-6, “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
4 The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.”

Don’t you find the Proverbs of Solomon rich? Yes, and they’re also quite convicting. Look at verse one above. Have you ever planned meticulously just what you were going to say? Maybe you even practiced how you should look by using the bathroom mirror. Then, when the time came for your performance, the whole scheme was reversed. What you said was totally different from what you had planned to say. Could it be that the LORD saw a flaw in your program?Your motive was wrong and He changed things?

When we take counsel from the LORD, everything works out well. He has a purpose behind all His plans, so He causes His purpose to override ours. Isn’t it good to have One who is all powerful and all wise to override our plans with His own? Our objection to His override often comes from what is known as “human pride.” The LORD does not like our human pride! After all, He is LORD! And everything ought to accure to His glory, not to ours.

It’s as when we were children, visiting with our parents at a relative’s home. The lady of the house would remark to our parents how well behaved and obedient we were. Remember? You don’t? Well, if that ever happened, your parents were honored by your obedient behavior. And when we obey the LORD, He is honored and glorified by our alignment with His will. That’s what it’s all about. One day He will welcome us when we go to live in His Eternal Home. We had better practice love and truth some before we go, don’t you think?

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 8:12-17, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.
14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
15 “By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.
16 “By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.
17 “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

When I think back over the years of my life, there is a very short list of people who have guided me with the wisdom of which Solomon speaks. Those are the ones I look forward to meeting when I get to Heaven. Were it not for their loving guidance, I could easily have slipped and slidden downward. My thoughts are that you have people like that in your life, too.

Wisdom makes its home with prudence. Prudence is care, caution, and good judgment. Knowledge squeezes itself in there, too, so that the one living in wisdom has everything he needs for honoring the LORD. At the same time, wisdom smothers pride and arrogance and everything that is evil. It even hammers closed the mouth that is tempted to express words and ideas that bring no smiles from the LORD. Wise and righteous counsel come from the LORD.

Power, too, resides in the LORD. It is He, who enables men to reign as nobles and kings. All who judge honestly are the ones He has chosen. The capstone of the LORD’s provisions is His love. He loves those who love Him; and those who love Him earnestly and diligently seek Him. Are you in that loving group? Do you not recognize that all that you possess: wisdom, knowledge, counsel, power, justice and love—all derive from the LORD?

Sometimes it is difficult to speak to those possess human importance. Everyone crowds around them, depriving us of contact. But it is not so with the LORD! He is always available to those who love and follow Him. He is never closer to you or me than when we study His Word and speak to Him in prayer. The practice of both produces wisdom when we do it to His honor and in 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,

Proverbs 8:12-17, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.
14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
15 “By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.
16 “By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.
17 “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

When I think back over the years of my life, there is a very short list of people who have guided me with the wisdom of which Solomon speaks. Those are the ones I look forward to meeting when I get to Heaven. Were it not for their loving guidance, I could easily have slipped and slidden downward. My thoughts are that you have people like that in your life, too.

Wisdom makes its home with prudence. Prudence is care, caution, and good judgment. Knowledge squeezes itself in there, too, so that the one living in wisdom has everything he needs for honoring the LORD. At the same time, wisdom smothers pride and arrogance and everything that is evil. It even hammers closed the mouth that is tempted to express words and ideas that bring no smiles from the LORD. Wise and righteous counsel come from the LORD.

Power, too, resides in the LORD. It is He, who enables men to reign as nobles and kings. All who judge honestly are the ones He has chosen. The capstone of the LORD’s provisions is His love. He loves those who love Him; and those who love Him earnestly and diligently seek Him. Are you in that loving group? Do you not recognize that all that you possess: wisdom, knowledge, counsel, power, justice and love—all derive from the LORD?

Sometimes it is difficult to speak to those possess human importance. Everyone crowds around them, depriving us of contact. But it is not so with the LORD! He is always available to those who love and follow Him. He is never closer to you or me than when we study His Word and speak to Him in prayer. The practice of both produces wisdom when we do it to His honor and in 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,

Proverbs 3:19-26, “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul, and adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”

Every facet of every thought must be clearly understood if what is being said is to be clear and profitable. Wisdom and understanding are key words. Solomon is affirming that the wisdom and understanding of the LORD were utilized in founding the Earth and the Heavens. Today, far too many are worried more about the continuation of the Earth and the Heavens than they are about wisdom and understanding.

Many of today’s people concern themselves with “global warming.” A few years before that concern, people were worried about the size of the “ozone layer.” Yet, true science demonstrates that the measurable differences are miniscule, to say the least. And those who love the LORD and believe in His Word rest assurredly that everything resides soley in His Hands!

Admonished as we are to hold wisdom and understanding foremost, we are told that they will be the life of our souls. Wisdom guides us as we meander through life. It enables us to avoid the pitfalls of destruction. We can then rest well at night because we have walked carefully with Christ during the day. We need not experience fear that the wicked will invade our security or startle us in any way!

The LORD alone is our confidence! Nothing will be destroyed that is securely held in His hands. Yet, His promise of security resides in the lives of those who have believed in His death and resurrection for their own salvation. I truly hope that that includes you. You are daily in my prayers.

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