The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 7:32-37, “They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him.
33 Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with
the saliva;
34 and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!”
35 And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue
was removed, and he began speaking plainly.
36 And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.
37 They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things
well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Good doctors never run out of patients. People learned that back
in the first century; that’s why, whenever they were unsuccessful,
they brought the illness or disability to Jesus.

The basic difficulty with the man in the passage above was that he
could not hear; and when you cannot hear clearly, you tend to speak
like you hear. As we know today, one malady often leads to another.
It was so with this man.

Jesus knew He could heal the man (and He did!); yet, He intentially avoided noteriety by taking the man aside. Quite different from many
preachers today, who intentially get in front of the camera in order that they might be seen.

The word ephphatha (be opened!) is an Aramaic word, possibly
signaling that the needy man was not a Gentile (Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord & Zuck).

Jesus then gave orders that none of them should tell what had happened. Seeing a miracle performed would have been difficult
to keep to oneself. It’s much the same today.

Prof. Rosaria Butterfield explains a miracle in her life that everyone
should see and hear: “Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age.” It is
available free on YouTube.

Salvation from sin is a “Must-Miracle” for everyone. We who have experienced salvation can and ought to share Him with everyone!
Do you need a miracle? Jesus is still performing them!

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,

Exodus 22:9-15, “For every breach of trust, whether it is for ox,
for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any lost thing about
which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come
before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double
to his neighbor.
10 “If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep for him, and it dies or is hurt or is driven away while
no one is looking,
11 an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two of them that
he has not laid hands on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
12 “But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.
13 “If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.
14 “If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution.
15 “If its owner is with it, he shall not make restitution; if it is hired, it came for its hire.”

With all the criminal activity that’s taking place in our world today, these few verses should be read and re-read daily. Yet, reading itself is not sufficient; the principles set forth here must be read and followed!

Unfortunately, the day in which we live is overflowing with scams and liars. It’s not that the days prior to our’s were better. They were not! People have always sought to gain for themselves what they assess as “better,” regardless of what is right.

Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is indicative of sin throughout the times. Even what we would call “good
kings” had their nefarious moments. With some, their honest moments were few.

The honorable status of law has been besmirched by many lawyers and judges, so that one seeking legal advice has to be careful.

Many men, who purport to be “called” into ministry, are often those who question the verasity of the Scriptures themselves. They have likely not been called at all!

Many men and women in the field of medical science are more concerned for the “return” they receive from those who buy their
products than they are for the patients’ health and wellness.

And the list goes on and on. Honesty and truthfulness might seem
only to be attitudes of the past – except that they aren’t. The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “Have sinned” deals with the past; “fall short” references the present.

Solomon, too, stated it clearly and concisely:

“What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
The fear of the LORD leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched
by evil” (Prov. 19:22-23).

The Apostle Paul said of this:

“Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good
works, to be generous and ready to share,
storing up for themselves the treasure of a
good foundation for the future, so that they
may take hold of that which is life indeed”
(1 Tim. 6:18-19).

The Apostle John writes in the Revelation:

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I
am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
(Rev. 22:20-21).

Are we what the LORD wants us to be? Do we read and live in
His Word? What alterations do we need to make in our lives
that would make us more acceptable to Him? Remember that
He is always present to help us. Trust Him! He never fails.

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 Corinthians 16:13-22, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were
the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints),
16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the
work and labors.
17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because
they have supplied what was lacking on your part.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore. acknowledge such men.
19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord,
with the church that is in their house.
20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 The greeting is in my own hand– Paul.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.”

My maternal grandmother once told me that if she failed as a child to eat the food
set before her at mealtime, her mother would put her plate with the uneaten food
on a shelf. When the next mealtime came, that cold, uneaten food was placed
before her. She thus learned to value food.

While I am certain that food was valued in centuries prior to our own, Paul valued
spiritual companions highly above food. Simultaneously, he cited the abilities of
each. The LORD has given to each of His children abilities that merge with those
of others, making His entire enterprise worthwhile.

When I was quite young, playing with my cousins took precedent over food. We
had so much fun, that food was simply not in our thinking. Paul was like that. Doing
what the LORD directed him to do was his most vital undertaking. People were important to Paul. Those who were believers needed to be encouraged in the faith. Those who had yet to trust in Jesus as their LORD and Savior needed to be
reached with the Gospel.

Think of it like this: you are the vital interest of the LORD God! If you’ve never
been saved, He is vitally interested in you! If you have been saved, He is vitally
interested in developing you as a disciple; then He will enable you out to witness
to others.

Where are you in your relationship with the LORD? Do you know Him? If you do,
He has a purpose for you. If you don’t know Him, He still loves you and wants you
to be one of His children. My prayer is that you will quickly find your place with Him.
Your only regret will be that you waited so long.

Maranatha,

(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 Corinthians 16:13-22, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were
the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints),
16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the
work and labors.
17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because
they have supplied what was lacking on your part.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore. acknowledge such men.
19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord,
with the church that is in their house.
20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 The greeting is in my own hand– Paul.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.”

My maternal grandmother once told me that if she failed as a child to eat the food
set before her at mealtime, her mother would put her plate with the uneaten food
on a shelf. When the next mealtime came, that cold, uneaten food was placed
before her. She thus learned to value food.

While I am certain that food was valued in centuries prior to our own, Paul valued
spiritual companions highly above food. Simultaneously, he cited the abilities of
each. The LORD has given to each of His children abilities that merge with those
of others, making His entire enterprise worthwhile.

When I was quite young, playing with my cousins took precedent over food. We
had so much fun, that food was simply not in our thinking. Paul was like that. Doing
what the LORD directed him to do was his most vital undertaking. People were important to Paul. Those who were believers needed to be encouraged in the faith. Those who had yet to trust in Jesus as their LORD and Savior needed to be
reached with the Gospel.

Think of it like this: you are the vital interest of the LORD God! If you’ve never
been saved, He is vitally interested in you! If you have been saved, He is vitally
interested in developing you as a disciple; then He will enable you to witness
to others.

Where are you in your relationship with the LORD? Do you know Him? If you do,
He has a purpose for you. If you don’t know Him, He still loves you and wants you
to be one of His children. My prayer is that you will quickly find your place with Him.
Your only regret will be that you waited so long.

Maranatha,

(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,

Colossians 3:12-17, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Have you ever personally evaluated the things mentioned in the verses above? Read again slowly verses 12 and 13 and the qualities the Apostle Paul sets before us as basic to the Christian life. Just ask yourself if the above-mentioned qualities are an integral part of your life. There are 10 separate categories mentioned in these verses;
yet the quality of love encompasses them all.

When these qualities are applied in our lives regularly (daily), they produce the peace
that resides in the heart of Christ Jesus Himself. Worry and the agonizing frustrations
of life are then smothered by His peace! The ultimate result is wisdom, which produces
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, each of which is the product of our thankfulness.

How does your life measure up to these Biblical Christian standards? If your’s is like
mine, we both have some work to do. Yes, we are enabled spiritually to give thanks
to the LORD. More than likely, however, the fulness of these qualities will await our
eternal residency in Heaven; for it is there that we will join with the millions in eternal
praise focused on all that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have done for and through
us. May our praise – ever and always — be to the LORD! Maranatha!

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