The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:1-10, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep
seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed
with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality,
impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the
sons of disobedience,
7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and
abusive speech from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil
practices,
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge
according to the image of the One who created him…”

Were you ever asked a question regarding a complicated situation? If so,
you will be excited to know that neither the question nor the answer to it
are at all complicated.

The Apostle Paul believes that the Colossians to whom he is writing, have
indeed been born again in Christ Jesus. Yet, the New Birth in Christ is not
entirely what it’s all about. I have a great-grandson, who was born on my
birthday! Yet, there’s far more to him than simply being born. He is maturing
as his family desires. And so it is with Paul and the Colossians.

Maturing into adulthood is spiritual, just as it’s physical and mental. When
we come to know Christ through the new birth, we want to know more of
Him and be more like Him. Furthermore, that’s precisely what He wants, too!
But, how do we do that?

First, we keep our eyes on Jesus and all things spiritual. That includes the
people with whom we associate, the things we watch and/or read –and the
list goes on. More specifically, it includes the BIBLE! No doctor learns about
medicines by playing with dogs in his back yard! He reads books about
medicine! He talks with other doctors. He asks them questions. His focus is
on one thing: learning about the skill he wants to sharpen. The Bible contains
everything we need to be the kind of Christians the LORD wants us to be!

But, what about someone who doesn’t know Jesus? How does he learn about
Him? He learns in the same way others have learned: he first trusts Jesus to
be his Savior and Lord. Salvation is more than just attending church or even
more than just reading the Bible. It’s giving your heart and life to Jesus Christ.
After that, you “feed” on the Scriptures and things spiritual in nature.

Christianity is more than going to church –any church! Of course, it involves
that, once you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. But just
going to church or even joining a church does not make you a Christian.
Becoming a Christian is giving your life totally and completely to God! Then,
You go to church where Christ is preached and you learn more and more of
Him.

We like to think of our children and grandchildren looking like us, don’t we?
Well, Christ Jesus wants us to look like Him! Our kids and grands look like
us because they were born in our families! When we are born-again in
Christ, we begin to look like Him! Do you look like Jesus? Do I? We can,
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,

Exodus 14:26-31; 15:1-2, “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your
hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians,
over their chariots and their horsemen.’
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its
normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the
LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even
Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of
them remained.
29 But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and
the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and
Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the
Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and
in His servant Moses.”

It’s one thing to have fear lifted and erased, but when there is a reversal of that
lifting and the fear returns, then what do we do? There’s hardly anything that we
find in the Bible, but that there is a likeness to our own life experiences.

Moses had led the Israelite nation out of Egypt, but Israel seemed to be cornered
when they discovered that the Egyptian army was racing furiously to capture them.
Things then got wrose when they were caught between the Egyptian army and
the Red Sea. Under the LORD’s leadership and power, Moses parted the waters
and ordered the Israelites to march forward on a dry sea bed. Yet, the LORD’s
instructions to Moses said nothing about the Egyptian forces that bore down upon
them.

Yet, the One who rules the seas was not asleep. As the Egyptians forged ahead,
determined to capture the Israelites, the LORD ordered the waters to close upon
the Egyptians, leaving Israel on the safe side of the Jordan River and the Egyptians
drowned and at the bottom of the Sea!

Would something as miraculous as this frighten you, if you were to observe it?
Would it then cause you to forever listen and observe the LORD’s directives?
Is the LORD continuing to perform miracles, or are we simply oblivious to His
miraculous doings? Or have we become so “comfortable” with the LORD’s miracles
that we’ve failed to notice what He performs on our behalf? Hopefully, our response
would be what it was for Moses—

“Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD,
and said, ‘I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The
horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.
2 ‘The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my
salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God,
and I will extol Him’” (Ex. 15:1-2).

Are you facing a crisis just now? Or are you anticipating a crisis that will certainly
affect you and your loved ones? Just turn quickly to the LORD. Lay your burden
before Him and leave it trustingly in His care. He will carry you through.

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,

Revelation 22:10-17, “And he said to me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of
this book, for the time is near.
11 ‘Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy;
and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy,
still keep himself holy.’
12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man
according to what he has done.
13 ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree
of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers
and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
16 ‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the
root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’
17 The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And
let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”

In a previous Letter published on this page, I acknowledged that I was 18 years old before I was clearly introduced to the Biblical Doctrine of Eschatology –the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Revelation is a precious book, but often ignored, as if it were too precious to be mined for the invaluable jewels it contains.

Candidly stated, we do not need the Revelation to confirm the evil that permeates life on this globe we call “Earth.” We need it to convince us of the glory that pervades eternity for those who accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Unquestionably, evil will continue to increase as it increases in intensity! Sins that were once clothed in secrecy are today openly hailed by their perpetrators.

Yet, in the midst of increasing decadence, the LORD praises those who have kept
themselves holy. Simultaneously, He announces His Coming as tachu, “quickly!” Yet,
there remain those mockers, who ask, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4), as they continue to belittle Him and ignore His admonitions.

Yet, “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this will he also reap”; and “the
one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption (Gal.6:7-8).

Jesus is coming! Get ready! Clean up your act by trusting Him as your LORD and
Savior. Don’t be left behind!

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,

II Peter 3:3-12, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep,
all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’
5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the
day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is
like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward
you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with
a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works
will be burned up.
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to
be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens
will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

There’s a Great Day coming, a Great Day coming
There’s a Great Day coming, by and by;
When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left;
Are you ready for that Day to come?

My parents were Christians and they saw that my sister and I were consistantly in Sunday School and church almost from the days we were born. Yet, I was nearly 18 years old
before I first heard any biblical details of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. What’s more,
I learned what I learned of the Second Coming from the college girl I later married. She was
saved under her pastor’s ministry and learned of the LORD’s Coming Again from him!

There is a sound and solemn promise of Jesus: “I will come again…” (Jn. 14:3).

Now, today, some 70 years later, preachers of multiple denominations (many of whom it
seems doubtful that they even know the plan of salvation), are saying that we are living
in the Last Days. When one calculates today’s world by the Words of Holy Scripture, it
is impossible for anyone to deny that He is Coming or that His Coming is getting nearer
by the day.

Multiple nations of the world are in trouble. Things that were rarely, if ever, uttered in private conversation, are today overwhelmingly viewed humorously on television and in films.
Promiscuous sex is the norm, and men want to be women and women want to be men.
My mother and grandmothers would be mortified at what is occurring today! Yet, the more
such filth is celebrated, the more it becomes the “norm.” It’s like taking a shower in a sewer!

Did such things take place in Jesus’ days on earth? Oh, yes, there’s nothing new under
the sun; not even the LORD’s view of sin. Furthermore, His Holy Word says, “…be sure
your sin will find you out” (Num 32:23). This is the point beyond which the LORD will not go:

“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy,
still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness;
and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy” (Rev. 22:11).

Where are you regarding a spiritual relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ? Do you
know Him personally? Have you confessed your sin and been forgiven? It’s not too late,
as I write this letter; but it will be too late when you’re called upon to face 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

Dear Grands,

Haggai 2:2-9, “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people saying,
3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it
now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?
4 ‘But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD, ‘take courage also, Joshua
son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares
the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of hosts.
5 ‘As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding
in your midst; do not fear!’
6 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.
7 ‘I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will
fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.
8 ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the LORD of hosts.
9 ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts,
‘and in this place I will give peace,’ declares the LORD of hosts.”

Anyone who follows the spiritual trend of the LORD’s people, are bound to notice the wavering between the godly and the carnal lifestyles. The people sin; the LORD redeems them. They sin again; and the LORD redeems them again. Our verses above give a glimpse of the people of Haggai’s era.

The people had not abandoned the LORD altogether, yet they were exceeding fearful of
what lay before them. Three times in verse four alone, the LORD says, “take courage.”
Then, in verse five, He again admonishes His people saying, “My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!” His intention is further stated when He adds that all things are His and
He will shake the nations until He empties them of the gold and silver that are His and are needed to beautify His House.

We are not far from where the LORD’s people were as noted in these verses. We lay claim
to silver and gold, and all things precious– things that belong to God. We learn to love His possessions more than we love Him. And that is precisely what leads us into sin. He disciplines us, as He did His ancient people until they repented and turned again to Him in faith. He blesses, and things go well, until they again turn away from Him to the “things” that are His. The cycle is non-stop throughout the ages.

One thing must be made clear: the LORD is superior to all things! The precious things that
are His are nothing when compared with Him! The LORD is incomparable! When we learn
to live by that premise, we will have truly welcomed Him in our hearts, as our LORD and Savior!

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