The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Peter 3:1-13, “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’
5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
7 But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

I am certain that there are scores of books that seek to explain these 13 verses in our Letter today. It does seem (at least to me) that today’s media announcements are covering virtually everything that Simon Peter has written in this 3-page letter.

First, he sites the value of the Old Testament in its relation to the New Testament people of his day. This is something some “pastors” are purposefully omitting in their teachings today. Peter includes these Old Testament “words spoken beforehand.”

Peter also identifies those who mock the Word and continue to follow their own ungodly lusts. Just think: if you have lusts that have captured your spirit, you will naturally want to obliterate the Word of the LORD that denounces lusts as evil.

In point of fact, virtually everything created by the LORD is being denounced by those who see Him as in the way of their lifestyle. In their effort to erase God as the Author of creation, they submit to pseudo-science, the beliefs of which cannot stand against the truths of Holy God.

The Supreme God, who created this Earth on which we live, numbers the days of our existance. The Day of Christ’s coming again may well be upon us! This Earth on which we live will be destroyed by “intense heat.” And the heavens also will “melt with intense heat!” And “according to His promise, we, who are His, are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

If you believe what the Scripture says will take place, you will have to submit to the Lordship of Christ in order to survive! Will there be time in that day for you to repent? I sincerely doubt it!

Furthermore, who else but Jesus Christ is able and willing to rescue you? Only the Word of God makes sense! He is our only escape? Are you ready to meet Him? Think about it! Then, act upon it 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,

Proverbs 3:5-10, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.”

“Trust” is often difficult –especially at first. It calls upon us to do something we’re not confident we can do. What’s exciting, however, is that every time we rely upon “trust,” we know we have the LORD helping us. He never fails!

“Come on,” His voice tells us. “You can do it! I’m right here to see that you don’t fail.” When that voice comes from the LORD, our confidence is bolstered– sometimes beyond our belief!

The psalmists encourges us to believe –not to look back upon our failures of the past. This is a new beginning! And it is the LORD who is standing with us.

Don’t trust yourself! If you must fear, fear not trusting the LORD! Don’t allow evil to erase your trust in Him. Turn completely away from the voice of evil.

Alone you cannot achieve the goal; but with Him, you cannot ultimately fail to achieve it! Yes, you might stumble along the way, but you will not –cannot– fail, when you place your trust in Him.

That’s how people are saved: they believe in Jesus!
That’s how saved people live in victory: they trust Jesus in everything! Then, when we honor the LORD with our substance, He heaps more of His love and substance upon us!

The only way to lose is by never trusting Him. Someone once said something I wish I’d said first:
“Jesus is everything; and everything’s in Jesus!”

Heartily yours in Him,

(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 115:1-9, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
2 Why should the nations say, “Where, now, is their God?”
3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man’s hands.
5 They have mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see;
6 They have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell;
7 They have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat.
8 Those who make them will become like them, everyone who trusts in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.”

The earnest cry of the psalmist, that the LORD alone should be the recipient of glory, should be our cry today. Not only is our world in trouble, the ideas of how to resolve our difficulty vary from politicians to the clergy with few if any offering satisfaction.

The focus of the people in our verses above shows how distant the multitude was from a tried and true solution. And so it is with us today.

Yet, there is a solution! And it is as effective today as it was in Old Testament times: “…trust in the LORD; He is (our) help and (our) shield.” The LORD in the heavens above is our only tried and true solution. He is the One and only solution who never fails. Yet, we have strayed so far away from Him that even the so-called “clergy” of our day looks elsewhere for help.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones” (Prov. 3:5-8).

When will we learn? As with Israel, we will learn when it is too late. Still, the LORD will hear and respond to even those few, who trust His Word. Is He your focus?
I pray that He is!

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,

2 John 1:1-13, “The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.
5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;
11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full.
13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.”

Have you ever opened a letter, thinking it was for you –only to find that it wasn’t? Well, that’s certainly not what this Lady discovered when a letter arrived from the Apostle John! It’s a kind and gracious letter –brief and to the point, but saturated with personal concern, much like any caring preacher would send to a dear, spiritually mature lady in his congregation.

In verses 1-3, the Apostle John introduces the letter with some loving, caring words. It was characteristic of early writers to identify themselves at the outset of their writings, so as not to hold the recipient in suspense of the writer’s identity until the very end.

John wastes no time in commending the Lady for the spiritual and moral behavior of her children. All godly mothers want to hear such good things about their children.

The insertion of the words “some of,” italicized in verse 4, indicates that the translator has included it. At the same time, good and noble women often have children that neglect to follow the faith of their parents.

Assuming that one of the children has left the faith, John is nevertheless encouraging this Lady, saying, Let’s just continue to love one another and “walk according to His commandments.”

Despite his words of love and commendation, John warns of the deceivers that are in the world. “Be careful – don’t slip!” he says. There are “many deceivers” in the world that deny that Jesus has come physically to this planet. Be careful! Don’t slip! is his admonition. Moreover, don’t abide in the teaching of anyone who denies that Jesus has come physically into the world.

Further, concerning those who come to you with such a message of denial, “do not receive them into your house!” Don’t even give them a greeting! If you do, you’re as much a part of their evil ventures as they!

It is as true today as it was in John’s first century. With a nice smile and a gentile “hello,” we still have those who knock at our doors, advocating false doctrine!

Stay with the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures! They have been given to us by the LORD in order that we might grow to be more like Him day by day. I hope you’re working to do just that. It’s not always easy, but it is spiritually profitable!

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,

2 Peter 2:1-3, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;
3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

Most of us would agree that the Bible is a good book, and that it outlines how we ought to live our lives. It teaches us everything the Lord Jesus wants us to know and apply to our daily lives.

Ministers are called and charged to help us. They preach to people from week to week, yet often differ concerning what the Bible means in what it says. We are listening because we seriously want to do as the LORD directs us; but how are we to live correctly, if we don’t know what to believe?

Many of us have grown up in the church and have
adopted the teachings we’ve learned from our parents
or grandparents. They’ve guided us well with regard to
other things in life, so we’ve followed their beliefs in
spiritual things, as well.

The problem is that “times” have changed; and with
the times, the teachings regarding God’s Word have
changed. (Check that last sentence carefully.) God’s
Word has not changed! It’s the teaching of His Word
that has changed. Many Christian denominations
have moved away from where they once stood
doctrinally. They’re making a serious attempt to
become more like what world times demands.

From the Book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament to the Revelation in the New Testament, heavy emphasis is laid on “false prophets.” They are often attractively dressed, and smile warmly as they articulate philosophies they claim to have been found in Scripture. Still, the Word says, “…many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Yes, there are still false prophets around, and they’re working hard to draw people to their unbiblical beliefs.

Stick with pastors who preach the Bible! Find and stick with a church that reverences the LORD and His Holy Word. Even then, you need to work hard in self-study to become what the LORD wants you to become. When we’re saved, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. He teaches us what is right and what we should avoid. Nobody said it was easy; but God will bless and teach you, as you follow Him! And
your life will be increasingly blessed day by day.

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