The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.”

Youth has courage that is all-too-often absent in adult life. Nebuchadnezar led two hostile invasions of
Palestine; and if our calculations are correct, Daniel was about 16 years old when he and his three
Hebrew friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. were carried away captive. In all, Daniel lived in
Babylon about 69 years.

It was Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who survived Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. It was
Daniel was delivered from the ions’ den.

Our verse above shows two basic, spiritual characteristics of young Daniel. Participation in the king’s
food and wine would have been tantamount to Daniel’s surrendering his spiritual values in favor of the
values of a pagan king. Thus, he determined not to defile himself through participation. There was no
compromise with Daniel. He held fast to the principles he had received from godly parents. Such was soon to be the determination of his three friends, also.

Where is such determination to be found today? Far too often, today’s youth compromise their values rather than be thought of as “different” in the face of their friends. True dedication to Christ, however,
is demonstrative of true spiritual character. Things determined in days of one’s youth, often carry through into adulthood and encourage strength and support in others, both young and old.

Physical military wars are not fought and won by wimps! –but, by men and women of determined courage! Spiritual matters also take courage. Dare to be a Daniel! Ignore the “cat-calls” of those too
wimpish– too afraid– of warfare –any warfare! The LORD Jesus Christ may return soon, It is to our
advantage to be ready. Are you ready? Give Him your heart and life today!

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,

Ezekiel 24:19-20, “So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.
19 The people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things that you are doing mean for us?”
20 Then I said to them, “The word of the LORD came to me saying,
21 ‘Speak to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am about to profane My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and the delight of your soul; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.”

War destroys some extremely valuable things! The loss of human life, of course, heads the list as the most valuable of all. At the same time, the demolition of classic old structures (churches, et al) –those monuments of the past that served as solemn rememinders of glorious days gone by and of the lives of those who enriched those days with their sacrifices and dedication.

Ezekiel was a“priest belonging to the aristocracy of Jerusalem, a contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel and only 25 years old. It was just eleven years before the destruction of the Temple, and Ezekiel was one of the Jews who was carried off into Babylonian captivity. Yet, whenever faithful men of God are held captive, the LORD is always with them.

The Book of Ezekiel reveals both the goodness and severity of God. False prophets among the captive people told the people not to believe that Jerusalem would be destroyed; rather they believed that they would soon be released to live there. Jeremiah, however, argued that “before they could ever hope to return to Jeruslem, they must return to their LORD.”

“Speak to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am about
to profane My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and
the delight of your soul; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left
behind will fall by the sword.”’” (Ezk. 24:21).

How true such is of us! We always cry out to the LORD for deliverence, but what He wants is for us to truly become His! If we embrace Christ as our Savior and LORD, He will then become our Father, and will always be our able and loving Protector. He promises His ultimate protection. I trust Him! I pray that you are trusting Him, too.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. We live in the age of the Internet. It is an easy way for us to share Jesus with distant friends.
everywhere. It’s a ministry that honors the LORD. We have no idea how lost and spiritually
hungry some people are!

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,

Lamentations 3:22-26, “The LOD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore, I have hope in Him.”
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD.”

Having ministered faithfully to the LORD without receiving the deliverance for which he had hoped, Jeremiah relaxed in the realization that the LORD does everything well and in a timely fashion.

At the same time, as the prophet sorrows that the LORD has not delivered quickly, he admonishes the people not to lose heart. Have faith in the LORD! He is ever and always compassionate. He will ultimately come through for His people. Witness the good that comes to those who faithfully wait for Him.

How often have I witnessed the faithfull, never-late goodness of the timing of Almighty God! It is true that His ways are not our ways; nor is His timing always our timing. Yet, He is truly and lovingly faithful.

The huge question that swings like a pendulum before us is: have we been faithful to Him? Jesus, the Son of God, willingly gave His life on the Cross for our sins. It’s by His sacrificial death on the Cross that we have opportunity for forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Him in Heaven! Too costly, you say?
Jesus paid it all;
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Note, too, that the LORD answers only the prayers of those who are His children! If you have not
received Him as your Savior, the prayer He wants to hear is for salvation: “Lord, be merciful to me,
a sinner,” come into my life and cleanse me from my sin.

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,

Jeremiah 6:11-16, “To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the LORD has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it.
11 But I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary with holding it in. ‘Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gathering of young men together; for both husband and wife shall be taken, the aged and the very old.
12 “Their houses shall be turned over to others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land,’ declares the LORD.
13 “For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.
14 “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.
15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down,” says the LORD.
16 Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Human pride had fallen like an immovable barrier between the nation of Judah and her God. Judah had rejected the way of the LORD and Jeremiah was sent to warn Judah of the impending doom. Jerusalem would soon fall. The nation would become captive; everything would be lost. And it was all because of Judah’s refusal to repent of her sin.

If that does not sound like our world today, one of us is living on another planet! Our world has fallen captive to the original lie: “You surely shall not die” (Gen. 3:4). Yet, people are dying through the multiplicity of diseases, traceable to the race for the “almighty dollar!” Anger and hatred produce deaths that love and peace could and should erase.

Jeremiah admonished those of his day and urged them to walk in the “ancient paths” of the LORD. They rejected his pleadings. True Christian ministers throughout the world today carry the truth of God’s Love, along with its warnings; but it is hugely rejected. Like those in Judah, there is the cry, “Peace, peace! But there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14).

The Word of the LORD warns of the coming day of judgment. Yet, our culture diminishes as those who sound the LORD’s warning suffer ridicule. The message of the LORD is ignored. Mark it well: Judah did fall, just as Jeremiah had warned. And so shall we, if we ignore His warning.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the
wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return
to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, For He will
abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:6-7).

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,

Isaiah 12:1-6, “Then you will say on that day, ‘I will give thanks to You, O LORD; for although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.’”
2 “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
3 Therefore, you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.
4 And in that day you will say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.’
5 Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth.
6 Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Does God ever get angry with us? Isaiah says He certainly became angry with Israel. Thus, it is highly likely that He becomes angry with Christians when we do what He has forbidden or fail to do what He has instructed. The Apostle Paul says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). One commentator says, “Faith in God is a sovereign remedy against tormenting fears.”
In other words, whatever has caused our fears is removed when we simply trust in Almighty God.

His life-giving “waters” quench the thirsts that come from our sinful distrust in His ability to care for us in every adverse situation. Once we have realized His forgiveness of our sin, we readily turn to give thanks and make known our joy for His deliverance. We then turn to praise Him with songs that emphasize His love and the power and glory of His forgiveness.

What the LORD does in rescuing us from the pits of faithlessness rightly demands that we henceforth
live as He directs. After all, we are not our own; we have been “bought with a price” (I Cor. 6:19-20).
Therefore, live faithfully in Him and you will live fearlessly in this world that seems to thrive on fear.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please continue to pray for those trapped in the Russian-Ukrainian War, and for those
helplessly encompassed in other wars throughout our world.

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