Archive for March, 2023


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Dear Grands,

Lamentations 1:1-6, “How lonely sits the city that was full of people! She has
become like a widow who was once great among the nations! She who was a
princess among the provinces has become a forced laborer!
2 She weeps bitterly in the night and her tears are on her cheeks; she has none
to comfort her among all her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with
her; they have become her enemies.
3 Judah has gone into exile under affliction and under harsh servitude; she dwells
among the nations, but she has found no rest; all her pursuers have overtaken her
in the midst of distress.
4 The roads of Zion are in mourning because no one comes to the appointed feasts.
All her gates are desolate; her priests are groaning, her virgins are afflicted, and she
herself is bitter.
5 Her adversaries have become her masters, her enemies prosper; for the LORD
has caused her grief because of the multitude of her transgressions; her little ones
have gone away as captives before the adversary.
6 All her majesty has departed from the daughter of Zion; her princes have become
like deer that have found no pasture; and they have fled without strength before the
pursuer.”

One of the sweet memories I have of the past is hearing my mother speak of how her
father physically disciplined her and her brothers. He was an unsually tender-hearted
man, who cried profusely throughout ordeal. He “felt” the pain of his discipline because
he loved his children.

This Lamentation is the merciful cry of the LORD concerning Jerusalem’s third siege
and ultimate fall. It’s akin to our feelings when an historic building is demolished due
to age and irreparable deterioration. But buldings can be replaced; lives cannot be.

Human lives that ignore the loving goodness of the LORD will also deteriorate unless
they are repaired through prayer and the loving touch of our Heavenly Father. We weep
when we see human lives, abundant with talent, spiral downward because of the neglect
of parents, teachers, preachers, and close friends. Yet, do we pray for them? Do we
reach out to help them? Sadly, some of the most neglected are the very ones who
neglect others when they were able to assist them in their need.

An ounce of time for a whisper of concern, and a meaningful smile often means more
than we will ever know. Let’s allow Lamentations to work its meaning on us. Let’s
determine to help someone this week realise that Jesus cares—and He is our Friend.

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

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Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 5:6, “Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?”

The firstborn, in fact, was Esau. Everything else, including the spirit of the LETTER, was correct.

The error came to my attention first from a friendly accountant, who attends one of the Small Groups the church we both attend. The second to call my attention to the error is a long-time “critic-friend,” who, no doubt would love for me to mention his name. Yet, I am limiting my mistakes today.

Thank you for your kind comments on the LETTER. I might only add that the “GRANDS” originally
referred to my Grand-and Great-grandchildren, of whom there are 13. Currently, the GRANDS
LETTER reaches numerous countries and includes missionaries, former students, military personnel, pastors and teachers at various levels in the educational system. (Keeps me on my toes most of the time!). God bless you for your faithfulness to 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

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Dear Grands,

Obadiah 1:15-17, “For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done,
it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head.
16 “Because just as you drank on My holy mountain, all the nations will drink continually. They
will drink and swallow and become as if they had never existed.
17 “But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, and it will be holy. And the house of
Jacob will possess their possessions.”

If you’ve read the Old Testament, you will undoubtedly have read the Book of Obadiah. It’s the smallest of the Old Testament books and reminds us historically of the conflict between Jacob
and Esau back in the Book of Genesis. The birthright from Isaac was to have gone to the eldest son, Jacob. But, Esau, grasped the opportunity to fool his father, Isaac, into thinking he was
Jacob.

Thus, Esau became a schemer, a thief! And the nation he fathered pestered the nation of Israel.

The descendants of Easu were known as Edomites; the descendants of Jacob were known as Israelites. In the Book of Obadiah, the LORD pledges that those who have defrauded others will
suffer at the hand of the LORD.

There is a saying that fits Esau and the Edomites: “You can’t do wrong and get by!” Furthermore, that is as true of nations as it is of individuals everywhere. There is a not-so-subtle message here
to us, too. We are to stand with Israel! Historically, they are the LORD’s “chosen people.” We may
not agree with everything Israel does in today’s world. We surely don’t agree with everything our leaders do, either. But, Israel is the LORD’s chosen people, and He is certain to “bring down”
those who go against His own.

Pray earnestly for Israel. Many Jews have turned in faith to Jesus Christ! He is and will be glorified in His people. And as we stand with them, He is glorified in us, too.

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

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Dear Grands,

Seeking answers to some questions regarding prayer

1.To Whom and for whom shall we pray?

Genesis 20:7a, “Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is
a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live…”

The verse immediately above is the Bible’s first mention of prayer. What happened was all Abraham’s fault. His wife was his sister; however, Abraham designed his response to King Abimelech’s question, so as to hide the true fact that Sarah was his wife, as well. Yet, before Abraham revealed it, God revealed it to Abimelech that he was not to touch her sexually, for she was already married.

2.For what or for whom should we pray?

(1)Numbers 11:1-2, “Now the people became like those
who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD;
and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled,
and the fire of the LORD burned among them and
consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The
people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed
to the LORD and the fire died out.”

(2)Exodus 33:13, “Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found
favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know
You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too,
that this nation is Your people.”

3.How should we pray?

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “…pray without ceasing…”

Certainly, the Scriptures do not mean that we are on our knees,
every hour of every day (although I doubt that needs not be said).
It means that prayer for a specific burden should be with us and
concern us until the day it is fulfilled.

Take, for instance, that a friend or loved one is in hospital. The
LORD does not expect us to relinquish the responsibilities we
have elsewhere and stay at the hospital praying. We can pray
as we journey to-and-from the hospital…as we attend to those
responsibilities we have elswhere. Still, prayer is on our mind
and heart.

There is one thing I know with certainty: none of us pray as often as we should!
Close the night in prayer, and open the day with prayer. You will experience a
difference in your life. God bless you abundantly!

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

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Dear Grands,

Obadiah 1:15-18,”For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head.
16 “Because just as you drank on My holy mountain, all the nations will drink continually. They will drink and swallow and become as if they had never existed.
17 “But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, and it will be holy. And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.
18 “Then the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame; but the house of Esau will be as stubble. And they will set them on fire and consume them, so that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken.”

There is a small chorus we kids used to sing in church. We understood what it meant, but I
seriously doubt that we understood its full impact or how it might someday impact our lives.
It went,
Be careful little feet where you go;
Be careful little feet where you go;
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love;
So, be careful little feet where you go.

The song involved being careful little eyes…little hands…little ears, et al.

We understood everything encased in the song; however, I’m certain we never understood
the full implication of its meaning. At least, I’m sure I didn’t!

But I do now!! Furthermore, I now understand what Obadiah understood then. It’s a shame
that we have to live so long before we grasp the in-depth meaning of things and avoid them!

Every day we stand at some crossroad. Do we just frivolously go right or left? Or do we weigh
the possibilities along with what we understand to be the certainties? How we live is the focused
teaching of the verses above. Certainly, there’s more to the verses than we’re covering here!

God’s love for us prompted His giving us His Son, Jesus. Jesus gave His Life for us –that we
might have and enjoy life here and with Him throughout Eternity. Today’s activities, whether with our hands, eyes, feet –whatever!—have a direct effect upon our lived today, tomorrow, and where we spend Eternity. Your todays determine your tomorrows. Jesus is our only hope.
Be careful with your life and whom you trust!

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

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