The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 1:5-9, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead…”

Were you ever so scared that you despaired of life itself? There are millions of people in our world today who would rather die than suffer the pain and agony they experience day-by-day.

The history of Christianity is literally bathed in the blood of believers. If you have yet to read John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, you have missed the plethora of danger and death that has plagued those who have dared to trust and follow the LORD Jesus Christ throughout history. The instances of pain and suffering cited in that book are often “bone chilling.”

It is more than probable that the Apostle Paul and his companions witnessed far more than is revealed in his biblical accounts. Why, then, would he suffer? Why not tread a bit easier on the denunciation of sin in the lives of those who are without Christ? Simply stated, that is not the Christian way. Christ Jesus suffered far more intensely than any in His day or in ours.

Remember that Paul said, “…we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead…” There was no one upon whom they could depend to help; they just “relaxed” in the truth that were they to die, believing that the LORD Himself could raise them up –even from the dead!

It is not easy to live a truly Christian life. Yet, the LORD knows those who are His, and He will comfort and strengthen us in every situation as we stand faithfully with and for Him. Remember Peter’s words, too:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

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 Corinthians 1:1-5, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

Have you ever greeted someone who responsed, “I am the CEO of the company”? It might have been helpful to know that, but it would certainly have been better had someone else shared that he was “the CEO.”

One of the factors that prompts us to admire Paul, is that he always presented himself as a lowly messenger of Jesus Christ. The word “apostle” (?????????)
has over time come to be admired as a position of status. Yet, it was not a symbol of status in biblical times.

Paul was unquestionably the author of the Corinthian epistles, yet he graciously introduces Timothy as his spiritual “brother.” This is undoubtedly the manner in which we should introduce our spiritual companions. Not everyone I knew in the days of my evangelistic travels were my physical companions; yet, there were innumerable believers who companioned with me through their prayers. We can (and should) do the same with our pastors and missionaries.

Grace (????? ) simply means “kindness, blessing.” Today, it might be translated as “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” It is indeed a term of kindness, as is it’s oft- companion, “peace” (??????). Both words were spiritually transitional in nature.
They were what could be expected from the hearts and mouths of Christ’s servants.

That the LORD was their “Father of mercies (?????????) and comfort
(??????????),” seems a subtle transition into coming affliction (??????); yet they
possessed the comfort of Almighty God. What’s more, we possess His comfort
and protection when we are in spiritual battles; for all spiritual battles concern
our LORD. And He is ever faithful to deliver us, no matter how abundant they are. Are you in the battle for our LORD Jesus Christ? Don’t go AWOL! Stand
true for Him! He is standing true for 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,

2 Timothy 2:15-21, “But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and
they upset the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’
and, ‘Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.’
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of
earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified,
useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”

Quite truthfully, our family has a few very nice pieces collected from various countries where we have
been privileged to minister on behalf of our LORD Jesus Christ. Still, I have to admit that most of what we have collected over the years would bring only a pitance. The value of anything is how meaningful
it is to the owner.

Sometimes the owner stumbles when attempting to decide whether some is valuable at all. Unfortuantely, the two men in verse 17, Hymenaeus and Philetus, strayed from the Truth and upset a host of serious believers. The root of Hymenaeus’ name comes from Humen, a god related to weddings and marriage. Philetus came from paganistic Rome. Bedfellows, but not strangers!

Note that they both had opportunity to receive the Gospel. They chose, however, to “stray from the Truth.” Those who propagate heresy are always those who have resisted the Truth when it was presented to them. I have read biographies of scientists, who were reared within the sound of the Gospel, but abandoned it for an evil lifestyle and an advocacy of heresy. Even the Christian Post, appears to feature those with current evil lifestyles that attract readers to what they now believe rather than the Truth they abandoned.

Paul never pulls his punches! If anyone who currently embraces evil and propagates untruth, cleanses himself by a spiritual apology to the LORD, “he will be a vessel of honor.” That repentant one will then be honored, much like gold and silver vessels. Wouldn’t it be an honor to have a replica of someone godly gracing your home? You do! His Name is Jesus and He’s right there in your Bible!

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,

Ezra 7:10, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.”
2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth.”

Our previous letter emphasized the need to pray. Inasmuch as every born-again believer in Christ Jesus needs daily to lean upon Him in prayer for guidance, so we need to study His Word, the Holy Scriptures, for it is by them that we maintain a stable, Christian life.

Ezra, an earnest scribe, from the Old Testament days, set his heart to study and to practice and then to teach others.

Sadly, there are multiple proclaimers of humanistic ideologies who allege their words come from the Scriptures. They profess to teach the pure Word of God, but have not proven it through practical witnessing. That’s how many people are misled into believing things that simply are not true. That is also why Timothy urges us all to “be diligent” in what we proclaim as His Word, and demonstrate that the Word has been “approved” by the LORD.

I was once told of a preacher who said, “I don’t believe all I hear preached”; then he added, “I don’t believe all I preach!” It stretches the imagination to believe that some preachers believe the drivel they foist upon their congregations! Genuinely true ministry embraces study, then practice, then proclamation!

We want the gasoline pumps to register accurately. We want the specification labels on the food we buy to be accurate. More importantly, we want what we hear from the pulpit to be studied and tested prior to its proclamation as truth. At that point, we become as responsible for sharing that Truth as the pastor who proclaimed it. There are scores of people who long to know Jesus! We have the responsibility to tell them! Is that a responsibility we are taking seriously? I truly hope it 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,

Genesis 20:7-8, “Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he
is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you
do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all
who are yours.”
8So Abimelech arose early in the morning and called all his
servants and told all these things in their hearing; and the men
were greatly frightened.”

The story behind these verses is not long. Abraham’s half-sister
was also his wife. When he entered King Abimelech’s territory,
it was vitally necessary that he have Sarah to identify herself
as his “sister,” so as to avoid a conflict with Abimelech. When
Abimelech discovered that Sarah was Abraham’s wife, as well
as his sister, he confronted Abraham regarding the lie.

The LORD had protected Sarah and had instructed Abimelech
that Abraham would pray for him. This is the first mention of
prayer in the Bible. It should, therefore, be a reminder to us to
pray before we seek to understand anything in the Word of
God.

There are several Hebrew words translated “pray” or “prayer”;
still, we need not know the vary nuisances of the words in
order to engage in communion with Almighty God. He
understands our intentions more than we do. And as an
earthly father makes allowances for his immature son, so the
LORD makes allowances for our lack of understanding.

Prayer is the key to understanding the LORD’s Word! Don’t
force meanings on His Words; allow Him to reveal themselves.
Serious, sincere prayer draws us closer to Him. What can be
better than that?

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