Archive for September, 2023


The Grands Letter (Hag/GLJ)

on September 21, 2023 6:16 am (CST)
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Dear Grands,

Haggai 1:12-14, “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the LORD.
13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke by the commission of the LORD to
the people saying, “‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.”
14 So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the
remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts,
their God…”

There are 17 references in the Bible to “old age.” You may not believe it, but I was never
interested in anything relative to “old age,” until I entered the realm. Far too many negative things are said today about the “aged.” There was a time when I contributed to those negative remarks in a humorous manner, but no more! I have “transgenderized.”

I never think about getting older until I notice the alterations in some words in the Scripture.
Look at the word obeyed in verse 12 above. That’s a childish word –one we all had to
learn when we were “kids.” Yet, mentioned 169 times in the Scriptures, it relates quite often
to us as adults. This passage in Haggai reminds us all that we are both “spiritual” in nature and potentially a “child” of God. Yet, He wants us to grow into spiritual adulthood. That’s as natural spiritually, as it is physically.

As we grow spiritually in obedience, we learn to reverence the LORD. When I was very
small, I learned to speak of my adult neighbors by their Christian names. Yet, never did I
personally address them that way! Only as I grew older, did I commence to speak as an
adult to those well beyond my age. The LORD “grows” in our thinking as we grow intellectually. And we commence to relate to Him as a “child of God.”

Verse 13 above shows that once Haggai grew into adulthood, he became a messenger
of the LORD. That does not mean that children are exempt from witnessing of Him. I know
adults who came to faith in Christ because of the witness of a child. But, “messenger,” here
leans toward maturity. It may mean a “preparation for a larger service.” Certainly, it speaks
of spiritual development, a maturation in the faith!

Commission is a word that emphasizes permanence. It may refer to one becoming a pastor
or a missionary or some other form of full-time Christian service. It was the word the LORD
used when He said, “I am with you.” It is His word-promise that He will never leave or forsake
those of us who are truly His.

Where are you in the grand scheme of things? Do you know Him as LORD and Savior of your life? Are you obeying Him as you ought? Is He always referenced in your words of conversation? Has He called you to become what you have yet to become? Salvation made you part of His Family! It is a forever-Family! He rejoices over us as we rejoice over our children. Does your life occasion rejoicing in His Family? I trust that it does. May 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

The Grands Letter (Hag/GLJ)

on September 20, 2023 6:48 am (CST)
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Dear Grands,

Haggai 1:2-11, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘This people says, “The time has not
come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”‘”
3Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?”
5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways!
6 “You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be
satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing,
but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with
holes.”
7 Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways!
8 “Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased
with it and be glorified,” says the LORD.
9 “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it
away. Why?” declares the LORD of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate,
while each of you runs to his own house.
10 “Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld
its produce,
11 “I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine,
on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.”

It was a different time. The focus of the people in Haggai’s day was considerably different
from that of our time. Yet, the LORD is the same; and to a great extent, we are not unlike
the people of Haggai’s day. They recognized that their physical things had come from the LORD; but they were not spiritually focused on Him and His desire.

They had allowed the LORD’s House to fall into disrepair. There are, of course, places
of worship that today have need of repair. Yet, the physical is not primary. The LORD’s directive in Haggai’s day focused on the spiritual aspects of His House of Worship. We
give serious attention to the physical aspects of the buildings, but often neglect the
spiritual aspects of true worship.

The heart-cry of the LORD is always appropriate: “Consider your ways!” Everything
we possess ultimately comes from the LORD. Why are we not satisfied? Why are we
not openly expressive of the LORD’s blessing? Why are we not more seriously focused
on His will and purpose for us? For everything we possess, we owe thanks to the LORD.

Take inventory of your life and possessions. What do you possess that does not bring
honor and glory to the LORD? What would He have you to do with it? Consider your
ways.

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

The Grands Letter (Mic/GLJ)

on September 19, 2023 6:53 am (CST)
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Dear Grands,

Micah 7:2-7, “The godly person has perished from the land, and there is no upright person among men. All of them lie in wait for bloodshed; each of them hunts the other with a net.
3 Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, and a great man speaks the desire of his soul; so they weave it together.
4 The best of them is like a briar, the most upright like a thorn hedge. The day when you post your watchmen, your punishment will come. Then their confusion will occur.
5 Do not trust in a neighbor; do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom guard your lips.
6 For son treats father contemptuously, daughter rises up against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
7 But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”

The careful reader will read and re-read these six short verses, which speak of the turbulence of Micah’s time; yet, they also strangely resemble our time, too. Those who were godly have either escaped or perished. They are no longer within the land.

The same is also true of those who are responsible to uphold the law. Crime and corruption have reached the highest levels of our “legal authorities.” Those who work
in the “high places” of the nation (judges, lawyers) –those responsible for maintaining law and order– exhibit instead the very corruption, which it is their responsibility to erase.

Husbands and wives are not trustworthy. Homes suffer destruction as parents fail
to rear their children in the “strength and power of the LORD.” Do we not live in such
a time as this Scripture describes?

Godly and dedicated parents swim against the current of corruption, often failing to
rear their own children in the way of the LORD. They fight valiantly against the current of corrupt morality only to lose the very children for whom they fought! They
and we work valiantly against the rising tides of corruption! Our confidence awaits
the salvation of God. For it is He who arises to the hour bringing salvation! He is for us; whatever now, can we fear?

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

The Grands Letter (Mic/GLJ)

on September 18, 2023 5:22 am (CST)
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Dear Grands,

Micah 6:6-8, “With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God
on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves?
7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin
of my soul?
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you,
but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Have you ever counted the innumberable things for which you are held accountable?
If you have an automobile, you are accountable for procuring a license for owning
the car. You also need a license that shows you know how to safely operate that car?
If you have health insurance, there are factors your must supply to procure a health
card. If you own a house, you are required to pay an annual tax for owining it. If you
live in a neighborhood, you are doubtlessly required to upkeep your property to the
level of your neighbors.

There are spiritual requirements, too. Living justly is one of those requirements. I
have neighbors, who are honest, and since honesty is a spiritually required factor,
I am required to be honest in my dealing with my neighbors.

My neighbors are kind. I was teasing one of them, who was treating his grass with
fertilizer. He seriously offered to treat my grass as well. What a kind offer!

Still, the LORD goes further in that He requires that we “walk humbly” with Him.
There are eight distinct dictionary meanings for the word “humble.” Being humble
requires that we refrain from arrogance and possession of a feeling of superiority to
others. Rather, we are to believe ourselves to be of less value than that of others.

The English word “humble” comes to us from the Latin word humilis, meaning
“insignificant.” Except for the LORD’s view, that is precisely what we are: insignificant!
Yet, it’s when we are nothing, that we become something to Him and are wrapped in
His incalculable love. Think about all of that! It all appies to you –and to me!

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

The Grands Letter (Gen/GLJ)

on September 17, 2023 7:03 am (CST)
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Dear Grands,

Genesis 19:15-22, “When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.’ But he hesitated. So, the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.
17 When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.”
18 But Lot said to them, “Oh no, my lords!”
19 “Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die…” Now, Lot presumes to take charge. How like that we are!
20 Now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.”
21 He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken.
22 “Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore, the name of the town was called Zoar (“insignificance”).”

What would you do if your house were collapsing around you? If would seem your best
opportunity for safety would be to get out! What would you do if a medic urged you to get
into the ambulance for an fast and vital trip to the nearest hospital? Again, it would seem best
if you were to follow his advice and get in the ambulance.

Abraham had been pleading with God for the release of Lot, his wife, and two daughters.
Lot, however, elects to argue with the angel about leaving! Where is he to go if he leaves?
We’re too often much like Lot. We know initially what we’re doing is wrong; the LORD has
Impressed upon us that we are wrong; yet, we continue to argue and debate with Almighty
God! How absolutely stupid is that?

This is one of those instances where I would argue that Lot brought it on himself. Faithfully, however, the LORD persevers, and instructs the angel clearly that Lot and his family must leave Sodom! Still, consistantly wrong and persistantly hesitant, Lot argues with the angel!

How many times must the LORD give orders to Lot? (How many times does He have to give orders to you and me?) When will we learn: 1) that the LORD is always right, and 2) that He
always has our best interest at heart? Think about it before you take that next step –whatever it is!

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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