The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 3:1-7, “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’
3 Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’
4 Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’
5 Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 ‘Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

When I was child, I had no idea how children were born. I simply remember my mother telling me that I was going to have a little sister. I don’t feel quite so foolish now, seeing that Nicodemus didn’t understand birth, either. Oh, he understood physical birth, but not spiritual birth.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and the Pharisees believed in spiritual things; therefore, his curiosity compelled him to seek the truth of what he had been hearing in the streets of the city. (Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t understand some spiritual things. Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews, and he didn’t understand.)

Jesus responded to Nicodemus’ question by introducing the new birth –the spiritual birth. “…unless one is born spiritually (from Above), he cannot enter Heaven, the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus was thinking strictly of the physical birth. Jesus was speaking of the spiritual birth. The “water” refers to the physical birth. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” When all the information had been conveyed, Jesus said, “You must be born from Above.”

It is the same with us as with Nicodemus. He possessed wealth and position; but, he had not experienced the “new birth.” Jesus is not primarily concerned about our wealth, or our position in church or community. He is vitally concerned about whether you have truly committed your life to Him in faith. Pray a simple prayer: “Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Come spiritually into my life and make me a new person. Help me to live for You! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.” Just believe that what you have prayed, He has heard. Believe that He has saved you! It all occurs by faith! Your life will never be the same! Praise the LORD!

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,

Genesis 22:7-12, “Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ And he said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’
8 Abraham said, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together.
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’
12 He said, ‘Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’”

Does a sports coach ever send a player into the game to test the player’s skills? Of course, he does! Does not the teacher of any discipline provide a test to determine the student’s ability to accurately respond. Of course, he does! It is precisely the same by which the LORD tested Abraham faith.

What Abraham does not know, however, is that this test that was real to him was also a precursor to God’s own offering of His Son Jesus, who, centuries later, went to the cross and suffered and died as His sacrifice for our sins, and for all who will believe on Him as their Savior and LORD, too.

You may ask, “Precisely, how does this work?” I can only say that it works by faith, by trust, in the same way many things work without our human understanding. Yet, the LORD accepts our trust, our faith, and allows us to benefit because we believe in Him.

At the point we exercise faith in His Son, He forgives our sin and declares us His child. I trusted Him at the age of 7. My daughter and one son trusted Him at the age of 5. He has revealed Himself to us in multiple ways since those experiences of trust. Why not give Him an opportunity with your life? Just ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life. You will be amazed at how He will change you! What have you got to lose by trusting 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

Dear Grands,

Genesis 22:1-6, “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.”
4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.
5Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.’
6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.”

Were you ever told to do something that just didn’t make a lick of sense? What did you do? I always argued about it. Did what you were told to do ever come to make sense? For my part, it did.

Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had been promised a son from the LORD. Time went by and Abraham turned 100 years old. Sarah turned 90. Even in that ancient era, children were not born to people of that old. But, God had not forgotten His promise; and at His appointed time, Isaac was born to the previously childless couple.

About 30 years passes, and the LORD orders Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Notice that Abraham did not argue with God. Had God not given Isaac to Abraham as He promised? Surely, if Isaac were to die, God could raise him from the dead. After all, was Abraham not “dead” to human reproduction when the LORD gave him Isaac? Thus, Abraham believed God yet again.

Many years later, the prophet Samuel said, “‘Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).

Is prayer a delight to the LORD? Of course! Do you pray? Is faith something the LORD wants of us? Yes, it is! Do you believe what He says to you through His Word? If you do, you will obey Him. Remember, “to obey is better than sacrifice…”

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 96:1-13, “Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
12 Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13 Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.”

One of the problems with many Christians today is that they have forgotten the blessings of the LORD. The psalmist has not forgotten. His words encourage us to be joyous and to praise the LORD as we proclaim His wondrous works. We are to tell of His glory wherever we go.

The problem with many is that they trust in idols their hands have made. What man can make, man can destroy. Nor can idols make glad the people of the LORD’s creation! The LORD alone is worthy of glory and praise. It is He whom we are to worship, for it is the LORD alone who has blessed our lives. May we ever and always worship Him!

We would do well to take periodic inventory of what we have because of the LORD and His goodness. Our lives should be lived according to His will. He is coming back to earth to gather together those who are His people, that we may live with Him in Heaven forever! Are you one of His people? How do you become one? It is as simple as it is glorious! Pray to Him and tell Him your sins. Be honest, because He already knows all of your sins. Ask forgiveness for them. Trust Him to be your LORD and Savior. Then start Reading and studying His Word every day! And you will soon be sharing His love with those about 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,

Psalm 86:14-17, “O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, and a band of violent men have sought my life, and they have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid.
17 Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”

A curious event happened this past week. A long-time and very close friend phoned me and shared some events that could have been tragic, except for the intervention of the LORD. “Every time something sinister occurs,” he said, “the LORD intervenes with something good. Just think about it.”

Thoughts came to mind what Norman Grubb had quoted from the book Pipe Line to Battle, by the British Major P. W. Rainer. While equally matched, the German Panzer Division of the elite Afrika Korps…

“…suddenly came stumbling across the barren sand with their hands in the air. Cracked and black with coagulated blood, their swollen tongues were protruding from their mouths…, they tore water bottles from the necks of our men and poured life-giving swallows between their parched lips…they overran the British defenses and found a 6-inch water pipe…shot holes in it and drank deeply. Only when they had taken great gulps, did they realize that it was sea water!”

The British had used the pipe as a test pipe for fresh water and would have soon provided it; but the Nazis taste had been anesthetized by brackish water they had been drinking. “Such an incredible happening as this cannot be treated as a mere coincidence. Assuredly the hand of Almighty God is in evidence once more, coming to our aid when weighty issues are in the balance.”

Never take “defeat” for granted! The LORD is alert to the needs of His children! Furthermore, He is capable of fulfilling what He initiates. Just as a godly parent watches over his child, the LORD watches over His children. Learn to trust Him; and when something sinister lurks at the door of your life, just know and believe that the LORD of everything good is there to protect 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