Archive for 2021


Dear Grands,

Daniel 2:20-23, “Daniel answered and said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For
wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 “And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He
gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding.
22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the
light dwells with Him.
23 “To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and
power; Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee, For Thou hast made
known to us the king’s matter.”

Who among us has not had a dream? Sometimes our dreams are clear to us when we awaken, sometimes they are not. But don’t we all wonder what they mean or why we dreamed in the first place? Nebuchadnezzar had such a dream and he called in all of his magicians and sorcerers and demanded that they reveal to him what the dream was and also give him the meaning. We’re not told whether he
had forgotten the dream or whether he simply wanted to be sure they did not give him a meaning unrelated to the dream.

When his interpreters could not even reveal the dream, he was at a loss to ever know what it meant.
But, Daniel, who had forged a friendship with Arioch, the captain of the kings’ bodyguard, was then allowed to give the interpretation of the dream. But, before giving the interpretation, Daniel engaged in serious prayer with the LORD God. His prayer is noted in our verses above.

Daniel commenced praying by giving praise to the LORD. He acknowledge the LORD’s sovereignty in all matters. He credits the LORD with both removing and establishing kings. He notes the LORD’s divine provisions and confesses his sin, asking forgiveness. He prayed for deliverance from all evil, and concludes his prayer with overt praise to the LORD!

Nearly 20 years ago, the LORD led me to see a definite parallel between Daniel’s prayer and the Model
Prayer of Matthew 6:9-13. Serious, continueal prayer is the key to peace within ourselves and within our nation. With every notation of political leaders, we should look beyond their declarations and trust the LORD. Some are themselves true believers; some are not. Yet, this nation –the United States of America—was founded upon the principles of God’s Word.

It was Alexis de Tocqueville who said,

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers—
and it was not there. . . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests—and it was not there. . . . .in her
rich mines and her vast world commerce—and it was not there. . . . in her democratic Congress and
her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and
heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

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,

Acts 7:51-60, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting
the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
52 “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously
announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now
become;
53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”
54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.
55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus
standing at the right hand of God;
56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of
God.”
57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him with one
impulse.
58 And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside
their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
59 And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit!”
60 And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”
And having said this, he fell asleep.”

A number of men have said it, but the meaning remains the same: “The one thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.” This is indeed a truism borne out of the clear historical recitation of Stephen. Anyone who wants a brief and accurate history of Israel needs to look no further than the seventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.

It is more than probable that those synagogue officials listening that day understood quite clearly that Stephen was right and that they were locked in disobedience against the people of Israel and against Israel’s God. Are we not just like them? We know what is right, because it is clearly set forth in Holy Scripture. Yet, we love doing what we want more than what the LORD wants of us. It’s much the same as our failure to obey our loving parents, only it’s even more serious when our instruction has come from God!

Sadly, there are those today who are suffering the fate of Stephen because they elect to follow the LORD rather than the instruction of others. Note that Stephen never pled for his life. He threw himself upon the mercy of his loving Heavenly Father and prayed for his executioners in his dying hour. He did not fear death for it was merely the opening to him of his Heavenly Home. Instead, he prayed for those whose actions opposed the LORD of history: “LORD, Jesus, receive my spirit…do not hold this sin against them.” Stephen’s dying prayer paralleled the words of his dying Savior: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34).

What an example Stephen leaves for us, as he follows the teaching of our Master: “…love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Mat. 5:44). What happens to us does not matter.
How we react to persecution does! We can learn from history, if only we will.

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,

Acts 6:1-4, “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the
part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked
in the daily serving of food.
2 And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable for us to
neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
3 “But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom,
whom we may put in charge of this task.
4 ‘But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.’”

Historically, the Church has always experienced difficulty. Some comes from those outside, who are opposed to the teaching; some comes from within, because not everyone behaves as the LORD wishes It is always the same. Rectification of both issues appears to be impossible. In the instance of our Scripture, however, wisdom reigned supreme! The twelve disciples gave instruction to the congregation to select seven reputable, spiritual men to attend to the physical needs. The disciples continually devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

Interestingly, of the seven selected to be “deacons,” all were selected from the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews), the group that was complaining. Stephen, the first selected, is mentioned only seven times in the Bible. Philip is noted 19 times, but later becomes an evangelist. The remaining five are never mentioned again. Sometimes those who do the work fail to garner mention. That’s important only in that they never complained. The LORD saw their labor, and He sees ours. That’s all that matters.

The overall benefit was that the disciples (pastors, teachers) were not detered from prayer and ministry of the Word. The Church exists for the glory of God. There are many facets to ministry both inside and outside the Church. Yet, that which ministers spiritually must always viewed as of greater value. No ministry ever supersedes that of the Word of God! When ministers become encumbered with physical things that sublemate the study of the Word and prayer, it is time to assign others to those tasks.

We should be attentive to needs within our churches and always be ready to assist in practical matters.
At the same time, we should be prayerful with respect to all things and minister spritually as we go about our daily lives. Engage in a mental survey of those who need your prayers and biblical encouragement. And take no notice of whether you are mentioned. That is such that glorifies God!

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,

Acts 4:23-31, “And when they had been released, they went to their own companions, and reported all
that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is
Thou who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Thy servant, didst say, ‘Why did the
Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things?
26 ‘The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord, and
against His Christ.’
27 “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst
anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
28 to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur.
29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word
with all confidence,
30 while Thou dost extend Thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of
Thy holy servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were
all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”

A few days ago we noted that Peter and John had been imprisoned for healing a crippled man. When their accusers could find no evidence against them, they were released. They then went immediately to their fellow believers where they found solace and they reported all that had occurred. But they would not be silenced; rather, they believed the Scriptures and prayed fervently to the LORD, acknowledging that it was He who had created all thing in Heaven and on Earth.

Further, they openly and forthrightly acknowledged the prophecy of David that foretold the rage the Gentiles and Jews alike would express “against the LORD and against His Christ.” It would appear that David’s prophecy is applicable to our own day as well. The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University recently released statistics that noted that three-fourths of Evangelicals and Mainline Christian denominations willfully reject the biblical teaching that all people are basicly sinners!

Despite the formidible opposition, these early Christians prayed and the LORD heard and answered their prayers. How did they know He heard their prayers and that they believed Him? A great shaking, like an earthquake, occurred and they were all controlled by the Holy Spirit; thus, they continued to share the Gospel with boldness! Oh, that we believers had such faith and courage today! We desperately need a “divine shaking” by Almighty God! Maybe that would come, if we were as prayerful and bold as those early believers.

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 37:7-11, “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers
in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his place, and he
will not be there.
11 But the humble will inherit the land, And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”

If you’ve paused to take note of people around you, you have doubtlessly become aware of the hurry and frustration that encumbers their lives. Fear, too, grips many because there is an increasing number of wicked people, some of whom threaten and willfully snuf out the lives of others, even those innocents, who are waiting to be born. How then, are we to rest with all of this wickedness swirling about us?

It is debatable, but possible, that few in the Bible ever suffered more than David. Yet, it is he who says to us here, “Rest in the LORD…” When you think about it, there are different kinds of rest. Physical rest comes first to mind. But it is mental rest that truly dominates us. We look at others who prosper, and seem not to worry, yet they are wicked. Still, they seem to prosper. Anger and rage then well up within us until we become as mentally wicked as those we despise. What is the answer? We need spiritual rest.

Spiritual rest comes when we truly believe in the LORD and simply wait upon Him to rescue us. We acquire that trust when we read and believe the Scriptures. Evil people will not ultimately triumph! Oh, they may appear to be prospering, but the LORD says that in time –His time– they “will be no more.” So, relax in the LORD. He is in control. Spiritual rest enables mental rest and together they enable physical rest. One day, and on the LORD’s own schedule, we “will delight (ourselves) in abundant prosperity.” Think on that! When we’re truly His, we have a rest that the world knows not of.

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

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