The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 2:12-16, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

Parents, who truly love their children, earnestly seek to teach and train them so that they will always be a credit both to their parents and to the wholesome tradition of their entire heritage. Parents who know the LORD and have pledged their lives to Him, earnestly desire that their children will
live to His credit and honor throughout the entirety of their lives.

Good training in the home stays with children as they grow into adulthood. Such is a credit to the parents and ultimately to the LORD. Paul’s notation of the “crooked and perverse generation” in which he lived parallels the times in which we live, also. So, how are we to live amid such circumstances?

We are to live without “grumbling or disputing,” which proves us to be “children of God” and “above reproach.” We cannot alter all of the ways of the world, but we can stand out as “lights” of the LORD. The Day of Jesus’ Return is closer every day; and it gives us reason to glory. We are being watched by unbelievers. May we always prove true and positive in our love for Christ and for our fellowmen. Keep reading the Word, and allow your life to show forth its teachings! It is in this that Christ is glorified!

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 Peter 1:3-7, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

It’s easy to praise the LORD when everything is going well. His mercy takes the hurt out of life when things aren’t going as we like. Yet, it’s that same mercy that leads us to faith and the living hope we have through His resurrection from the dead.

A host of things change when we come to know Jesus. We have a promised inheritance that awaits us in Heaven. We are here and forever protected by our LORD’s power. Nothing can harm us as we look to Him and trust His Word.

Then why, you ask, are we distressed by various trials and tribulations? Our response to “trials and tribulations” is the very proof of our faith! Of what value is gold, compared with spiritual faith in the promises of God? What are the various hurts and inflictions of life, when measured alongside the praises and honors and glory of Jesus Christ Himself?

If you know Him – if you have truly been born again in Christ Jesus – your hope is assurred beyond all things precious! If you have yet to trust Him, you are missing the joys and peace of this life and the coming life with Him in Heaven! As of this reading, it’s not too late; yet, the signs of the times say it won’t be long. Grab hold of faith in Christ! Do it now! He loves you far more than you know!

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 55:10-13, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
12 “For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13 “Instead of the thorn bush, the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the LORD, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”

Believe me! You will eat your words! Has that ever been said to you? Hearing those words produces a strange feeling that pervades the entirety of the body. Instantly, you know you shouldn’t have said anything –especially, what you just said. Your statement has been challenged in the presence of witnesses and you have been judged guilty of making a statement that could not be substantiated.

The LORD has never made a challengeable statement! Here He says,

“So will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing
what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for
which I sent it.”

Thus, we can trust Him, along with all that He has given us in Scripture. We can trust His Words to be true and without any mixture of error. His Word will stand forever, while human attempts, to the contrary, fail and fall to the ground in crushing defeat.

The Word of the LORD does not always bring joy, however; for His Word speaks of judgment that falls upon those who do not believe Him and/or the promises He has made. Yet, His Word is ever trustworthy. We can trust it far beyond the words of mortal man and those of the adversary, Satan!

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 Peter 2:21-25, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”

Immediately prior to our verses above, Simon Peter instructed his readers, including us, that we are to practice patience when we’re harshly treated by anyone. If you pause and think about it, patience is not an easy conduct, especially when the world-at-large seeks to hold us hostage to its own worldly conduct.

Yet, the LORD Jesus is our Supreme Pattern. He “committed no sin,” nor were any of his expressions ever in the least deceitful. He simply endured the pain and indignation He was dealt. How could He stand it? He simply committed Himself to the protection of His Heavenly Father. Does that not give us a hint how we, too, might respond when we’re in the wake of adverse criticism?

Jesus’ suffering went well beyond anything we will ever encounter! His most ignominious treatment came from the lips of His own people, the Jews, and from the hands of the Romans. Think of it: the One who did no sin paid for the sins of those who did nothing righteous. Still, those Jewish believers to whom Peter spoke through the passage above, were “returned to the Shepherd and Guardian” of their souls.” How did that come about?

They believed and trusted Jesus as their Savior. That can occur in your life! Simply ask His forgiveness for your sins, and truly trust Him for forgiveness. He will become your LORD and Savior. He will shepherd and guard your souls, just as He has with others. Trust Him! He will not fail 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,

1 Peter 2:18-21, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.
19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps…”

Years ago, while witnessing to a man I had never met, he startled me by saying, “I’m not a Christian, but if I were to commit to anything, it would be to Christianity, because there’s no better life to be lived than that of a Christian.”

Maybe that man had read Simon Peter’s words, as in our verses above. The words servants and submissive clearly indicate that there is someone in authority over us. We’ve all had an experience like that, starting with our parents. We’re always hopeful that those who rule over us are good and gentle. Still, we are to respect all authority, even when it is unreasonable, because God wills us to be compliant.

We demonstrate patience in suffering when we are justly punished, but when we are patient when unjustly punished, the LORD is greatly pleased. Why? because that was His demeanor when He was unjustly punished. This now is our calling to be Christ-like and follow His steps, His manner, His example.

Someone once asked, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” That very thing is occurring today throughout the world! Parliament Member, Päivi Räsänen, in Finland is now being officially harassed for simply reciting verses of Scripture. Don’t ever say, “It can’t happen here!” It is happening! Our ultimate safety is only in following Jesus’ example. Think seriously about it; and then follow 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