The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 6:26-34, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’
32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

My mother was a worrier! The man who lived next door to us was a worrier, too. Yet, neither my dad nor the wife of that man next door worried about anything! Mom was discussing that one day with her “worry partner.” His reply was simple: “Don’t tell me it doesn’t pay to worry! Nothing I ever worried about ever happened.”

Jesus was undoubtedly on the side of my dad and my neighbor lady. He discouraged –and even denounced—worrying of any kind. “The birds don’t worry,” He said; yet, our Heavenly Father sees to their needs. “Aren’t you worth more that those birds?” You worry about time (v. 27), about clothing (v. 28); yet the lillies of the field grow, but they do nothing to deserve it.

Jesus called attention to the difference between the Gentiles, who worried about everything, and the Jews, who were well cared for by their Heavenly Father. He concludes His instruction by providing the answer to it all: “…seek first His kingdom (i.e., be saved; be born-again); “and His righteousness (i.e., learn to depend upon Him), “and all these things will ab added to you.”

Give Christ an opportunity with your life! Turn everything over to Jesus! He is everything, and all you will ever need!

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,

Matthew 16:13-18, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’
14 And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’
15 He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’
16 Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
17 And Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 ‘I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.’”

There are no accidents in Scripture! What the LORD had promised to the Old Testament saints, He fulfilled in the hearts and lives of their New Testament children.

Previously, Jesus had spoken commendingly of John the Baptist. He had also made emphasis of the prophets Elijah and Jeremiah. So now, with them in the background of the conversation, He asks, “But who do you say that I am?” That’s a vital question for us as well. Who is Jesus Christ to you?

If your friends are like some of mine, there’s always a “speedy spokesman” in the group. He (or she) always responds more quickly than anyone else. Simon Peter was that “speedy spokesman” in Jesus’ group. Immediately, he replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus blessed him for his quick and accurate response, yet Peter did not have that answer within himself. He was speaking what his Heavenly Father had put within his mind to say. I have to admit that I’m one of those “ready speakers”; yet not everything I say (I’m compelled to admit) always comes from the LORD. Are you like Peter? Or are you more like me? (We’ll, let’s keep your answer between the two of us. Okay?) Just remember that if you truly belong to Him, He will put into your heart, mind and mouth what is necessary to say to others. Thus, you can then speak freely.

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 19:1-11, “Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.
2 And he said, ‘Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.’ They said however, ‘No, but we shall spend the night in the square.’
3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter;
5 and they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.’
6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him,
7 and said, ‘Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly.
8 Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.’
9 But they said, ‘Stand aside.’ Furthermore, they said, ‘This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.’ So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door.
10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.
11 They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway.”

This incident in the life of Lot and his family runs parallel to events in our own day. So wild and ruthless were Lot’s homosexual neighbors that they wanted their “pleasures” without respect to Lot and the hospitality he extended to his visitors. There is no indication in the Scripture that these homosexuals knew that the men that had come to Lot’s house were in fact angels sent from God.

Hospitality was top priority in those days. In fact, it remains so in various areas of our world today. Missionaries learn such things quickly. It was hospitality that prompted Lot to offer to give his daughters to the men instead of his new visitors. It always bothered me that Lot called these evil men “brothers,” until I learned that the Hebrew word ??? ach could also mean “fellow countrymen.” Remember, too, that Simon Peter called Lot “righteous” (2 Peter 2:7) when the LORD rescued him, using the two angels.

Two major factors stand out in this recorded experience: first, sensual activity is always seeking to undermine whatever is godly. Such has been virtually unleashed in our world today! Second, the LORD always stands ready to rescue His own. Lot was far from perfect, notwithstanding his hospitality to the angelic strangers; Still, Lot was the LORD’s. Thus, he and his family were delivered.

We must never put ourselves in any situation that would smother our Christian influence. Yet, when situations that are beyond our control arise, we can always count on the LORD for our rescue. Be always spiritually prepared!

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 18:23-33, Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24 “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 “Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”
26 So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”
27 And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.
28 “Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
29 He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”
30 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.”

Did you ever engage in conversation with someone who didn’t know how to quit speaking? Of course, when the other person is notable, you exercise patience as he speaks. Patience is necessary, too, if you are to grasp the full meaning of the other person’s position. This passage above is long, but it is necessary in order to demonstrate the gentle, gracious patience our all-knowing God possesses.

Sodom was a notoriously wicked city, and the LORD had determined to destroy it completely! It might not have bothered Abraham, except this his nephew, Lot, and Lot’s family lived there. Lot had made a serious mistake in sojourning into Sodom. Those of us who have lived in numerous places, know that the geographical area where you live has a unmistakable bearing on your family.

Abraham hurried his initial words, almost as if he had forgotten that he was speaking with God.
He began his plea sighting 50 supposedly righteous citizens, but quickly reducing that number by five. Receiving the LORD’s assurance that He would not destroy the city for the lack of five good
people, Abraham cautiously reduced the number by five again. And again the LORD’s promise held good that He would not destroy the city if 40 righteous people could be found there.

Receiving again the LORD’s promise, Abraham now reduces the number by 10. The LORD’s promise continued to hold. Gaining some boldness, Abraham continues to reduce the number of potentially righteous people all the way down to 10. And the LORD continued to agree.

All of this tells us that the LORD is reasonable! He didn’t have to “play games” with Abraham! After all, He created the world and the people living in it. We should not be brazen in our communion with the LORD; still, He is loving and willing to deal tenderly with those who recognize His superiority. Don’t be afraid to approach the LORD! He tells us over and over to “call unto Me.”
Quite often, “we have not because we ask not.” We simply have to be His children first. Are you truly His child? You can be! Just ask Him to be your Savior.

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 Corinthians 15:51-58, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.
55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

It was intended as a joke. Somewhere I had read that 51st verse and proceeded to tack it to the
door of the Church Nursery. I’m more careful now not to use the Word of God in any humorous manner.

The mystery is that that not everyone will understand. Yet, some will die before the LORD Jesus returns. “Sleep” is a euphonism for physical death. Thus, some will be alive to see the LORD coming for His own in what we know as the Rapture (the catching away) of the Church. It will all occur in a fraction of a second.

At the very moment the trumpet of God sounds, those true believers who had physically died, will be resurrected without corruption. It would not be pleasant to identify the various manners of death for loved ones; still, it is clearly stated here that however the believers died, they will be resurrected and caught up to meet the LORD Jesus coming in power and glory.

Death is the result of sin; and the LORD will manifest victory over death and the sin that has occasioned it. Victory will be the way of the believers who have died. Those believers will have
victory in and through the LORD Jesus Christ. For this, we ought to give thanks in praise to the LORD Himself!

For those who are living and believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation, the Apostle Paul encourages them and us to be steadfast – immovably firm in life and in the Biblical instruction of the LORD Jesus Christ. It may not appear that what you are currently doing for Him is very progressive. Yet, nothing that we do in His Name and for His Glory is without worth. Live in victory! Praise the LORD daily through your life! You will never be sorry.

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