The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 15:1-8, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.”

Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I had to learn what a “gentle answer” actually was, and that it applies and works in virtually every situation! My “tongue” was evident from the start, but it took a good deal of time for me to become “wise” in using it.

“The eyes of the LORD” can actually control the use of the tongue, if we just allow it. Far too often we want to “answer-in-kind.” We just need to learn that a “soothing tongue” is far better than the “perversion” that crushes the spirit. As there are situations in which we would not want to be found, so there are situations in which the “tongue” is best not found.

I never witnessed my earthly father misuse his tongue. My mother attested that he was always in control of his entire demeanor. “Great wealth is in the house of the righteous.” I did not grow up in a house of great monetary wealth. But, I grew up in a household that possessed great “control of the tongue.” The lips of my parents poured forth knowledge; I just missed some fundamental lectures.

Thankfully, the LORD loves us, forgives our stubborn stupidity, and offers us yet another opportunity. Grasp the truths that are revealed in the Bible. Learn to be and do good! Such characteristics delight the LORD and all who are around 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,

Prov. 10:9-19, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10 He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.
13 On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
14 Wise men store up knowledge, but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, the ruin of the poor is their poverty.
16 The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked, punishment.
17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.”
18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.
19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

It’s as difficult to omit verses of Solomon’s wisdom as it is to submit to them. His understanding of human nature is astounding! I know people who have immersed themselves in the multiple studies of psychology and counseling, who would have bettered themselves by absorbing Solomonic wisdom.

Integrity is vast becoming a thing of the past. When our Founding Fathers met to confirm the Principles that would guide our Republic, integrity permeated the meetings. Not everyone was in agreement with the positions held by other legislators, but no one could challenge the integrity that surrounded even unsound principles.

Today, the confidence the world’s people have in their governments is at an all-time low. And the causation exists because integrity does not. Pick out the words that arrest the thoughts of people lacking in integrity: perversion, trouble, concealment, violence, hatred, wickedness, transgression –and the list goes on. Far too many governments lack the righteousness of the LORD Almighty!

Too many on the path of life fail the necessary instructions. Too many lie and pervert justice. They slander those with integrity, while those who are wise restrain their thoughts. Better it is, they think, to be silent and merely thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt!

We are living in difficult times. We need, however, to remember that the LORD is the One who is in ultimate control. When we find ourselves at the mercy of others –and they show us no mercy— we should remember that the LORD is our “very present help in time of trouble.” Make Him central in your life. Consult with Him regarding everything! Then, relax. He understands our dilemma; furthermore, He’s the only One who can fix it. Why worry your life away?

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 9:6-12, “Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”
7 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

Undoubtedly, you have heard the expression: “Stupid is as stupid does.” There may be multiple understandings of those five simple words. Regardless of the number of meanings one may attached to it, they all call for the same conclusion. Just examine the first few verses above in the light of anyone’s activity and see for yourself.

Solomon says that it’s virtually impossible to correct a scoffer or to reprove a wicked person without getting some “dirt” on your self. Correcting a wise man, however, will gain his admiration because it only contributes to his knowledge or wisdom.

Pay close attention to the LORD’s words, “the beginning of wisdom.” Wisdom is the application of knowledge. The knowledge we glean from the LORD and His Word, supersedes everything the world has to offer! Furthermore, we will live longer and be wiser. But if we rely on our own thinking, it profits nothing. What’s more, we will be held accountable for our own thinking –thinking that contributes negatively to that of others.

Note the LORD’s promise: “For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.” Why would that be? Probably, because the LORD’s Words impact human life like no other, and those who choose to repeat them to others are doing the LORD’s work.

May the LORD give you wisdom to grasp His Words and apply them to your own life. May He then use you to apply His Words to the lives of others.

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 3:11-23, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
19 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 vanish 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.”

Despite the multiple errors King Solomon committed in his life, the words he knits together in the Proverbs are of inestimable value to every generation.

Note that he bases everything on discipline that comes from the LORD. Discipline is first a principle of learning. If we learn from the LORD and are consistently obedient, we will prosper according to the LORD’s will. When we fail to learn and to practice what we have learned from the LORD, we will suffer the indignity of discipline through punishment.

Silver, gold, jewels, honor, peace –all delightful acquisitions—will accrue to those who learn and follow the ways of the LORD. Yet, who would not surrender all of these acquisitions for an extension of life? Still, none of the precious metals and jewels come even close to the pleasantness of the LORD and His ways.

Living in His pleasant ways and traveling on His paths of peace excels everything the world can allows us. It is when we walk in His way, we walk securely and our foot will not stumble. Are you walking with 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,

Isaiah 1:15-20, “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.
19 “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land;
20 “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

“You’re going to sit on the bench and watch your team mates play until you learn to obey instructions! You are not the head of this team, I am! So, the quicker you learn this, the quicker you’ll be back on the field!”

What this coach said paralleld what the LORD said in the opening chapter of Isaiah. Moreover, they were both right in what they said. Of course, the game varies quite a lot from life itself. Games come and go; the LORD deals with spiritual matters of which the cost is much higher.

His mandate has never changed: “Cease to do evil; learn to do good.” When will we learn? Of course, no individual is to blame for all the evil in the world. But we contribute to it! Thus, His mandate is true for us as much as it was for those in Isaiah’s day.

“Wash…clean; remove evil…cease to do evil…Learn to do good; seek justice…reprove the ruthless… defend the orphan…plead for the widow…” Review these needs and attend to them. Then, the promise of the LORD will be fulfilled in your life: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow…”

What would you give to know true, spiritual freedom? Yield your life and all your sin to God and you will see.
But what does it cost? Jesus He gave His life for you. May you learn of God’s abundant blessing is my earnest prayer.

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