The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Joshua 10:8-14, “The LORD said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.’
9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal.
10 And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
11 As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
12 Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, ‘O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.’
13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.
14 There was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.”

It was a long time ago, but my family and I were living in the St. Louis area, where I
was pastoring a church very near to Lambert Field, St. Louis International Airport. It was in the early days of computers, and one of the men who worked in the aeronautical division told me that he and some other Christians met in the confectionary at Lambert
and discussed the Biblical passage of Joshua and the miracle of the sun standing still.
At length, some of the men utilized a company computer and ran the date back to the
days of Joshua, where they actually discovered an extra-long day. The men them-selves were amazed, yet what they did verified the truth and accuracy of the Scriptures.

I began to muse over the above passage, wondering if Prime Minister Netanyahu had access to that information. I know what you’re thinking; but, no, I didn’t contact him. Yet, the very passage above assured Joshua of victory for a band of Israelites, who
were up against a battle with her enemies. What’s the old saying, “He did it before, He can do it again”?

At the same time, don’t be too critical of me. While I admit being biased toward Israel,
the Jews are not Christians. They are, however, the people who gave us the Savior.
Our LORD Jesus Christ was Jewish! Thus, we need 1) to pray for the Jews, and 2) be
very careful about being biased against any nation so loved by the LORD that He Himself punished them by throwing on them “large stones from heaven” (v. 11).

Think of a loving mother, who’s child is very close to death. Would she not do anything
possible to save her child? Israel is the nation of our LORD and His people. What does the Word say?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you” (Psa. 122:6).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene
(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,

Psalms 115:12-18, “The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the LORD, the small together with the great.
14 May the LORD give you increase, you and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence;
18 But as for us, we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!”

Have you ever felt –well, just left out? It may have been to a party given for one whom
you considered a friend –but you were omitted from the list of invitees. Or you were one among a group that was being “recognized” for work done to benefit a needy person, but your name was inadvertently omitted from the list?

Let me just assure you that while you may have been overlooked (be it purposefully or unintentionally) by others, you were never overlooked by the LORD! People are not always trustworthy; but “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD… (He) has been mindful of (you).”

The prayer that was included in the verses above was not unintentional! “He will bless
those who fear the LORD, the small together with the great.” Oh, yes, there is a “small” group, and there is a “great” group; and the LORD knows who belongs in each group.
It is best that we should always view ourselves in the “small group.” If we are to be placed elsewhere, the LORD is aware of it and He will place us where we fit, whether we agree with His placement or not.

Still, the prayer of the Psalmist is that the LORD will bless us exceedingly! It should be noticed that we are to bless the LORD “from this time forth and forever.” The least of His blessing is probably more that we deserve. Still, we are to praise Him “from this time forth and forever.”

In those moments when we assess that we have been purposely overlooked by others, may we remember that we are never overlooked by the piercing eyes of the LORD! He is ever and always caring for us. May we ever and always be trusting in 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,

1 Peter 1:3-9, “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;
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

The very last verse of the very last chapter of the Psalms says, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” (Psa. 150:6). I challenged “everything” in this verse, and was amazed to find that virtually everything the LORD has created experiences “breathing.” Thus, worms and fish and trees, both animate and inanimate things join people in verifying the Word of God.

Like many of you, I view the vicious contention between the Israelis and those nations that would do them harm. At the same time, I ask, “Why would the LORD allow such evil to challenge His people?” To mind comes the short, but tersely meaningful limerick:
“Theirs is not to reason why; theirs is but to do and die.”

We have no right to challenge the LORD’s involvement. The Israelis are His people, although they have never nationally recognized Jesus as their Savior. We recognize Him, but far too often fail to yield to His will. Where then, is the proof of our faith –faith that Peter recognizes as “more precious than gold which is perishable”?

We would do well to remember that it is faith in Him alone that secures our eternal salvation. Do you possess that faith? Have you bowed in quiet prayer and ask Him
to reveal Himself to you? He promises to make Himself known to us; we must trust
Him to do as He has promised. I am praying for 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,

Mark 13:5-11, “And Jesus began to say to them, ‘See to it that no one misleads you.
6 ‘Many will come in My name, saying, “I am He!” and will mislead many.
7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.
8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.
10 “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
11 “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”

There is nothing quite like war. When the Civil War was being fought, some people would ride to the edge of the battle and watched men shooting and killing each other. Later, during World War I, people depended upon photographs in newspapers and news reels to depict the rage of battles. World War II found families gathered around the living room radio to hear and assess what was happening. Today, however, in the era of instant television, we are enabled to see the action as it occurs in real time!

Have you never wondered what those in Jesus’ audience thought when they heard the words He uttered in the verses above? Jesus’ words were always vital; but what were
His hearers to think when He said they would “hear of wars and rumors of wars”? My
guess is that they felt about like what the Israelis and Palestinians do today. How far
will this war spread? How long will it last? How many casualties will there be on both
sides? (This covers verses 5 to 7.)

The remainder of His warning more largely covers those not directly participating in
battles. Although not in warfare battles, they will, nevertheless, be subject to battles of their own. Fear of multiple accusations will be theirs, for they will be dragged into courts, and physically flogged and belittled for what they believe and what they’re doing. People they thought were their friends, they now view as their arch enemies.

What are they (we) to do in such a time? What are we to say? Jesus said, “…say
whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”
That being said, we had 1) better know Who the Holy Spirit is, and 2) just keep quiet,
and allow the Spirit to do the talking through us!

Inasmuch as we have no sure knowledge when that time will come for us, we might
do well to commence allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our lives right now! Surely, we
have those around us now who could prosper from some kindness and love!

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 44:7-11, “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.
7 ‘Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; yes, let him recount it to Me in order, from the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place.
8 ‘Do not tremble and do not be afraid; have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.'”
9 Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame.
10 Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit?
11 Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them tremble, let them together be put to shame.

Somewhere in the labyrinth of news (at this writing) is a quotation from the Scriptures
cited by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. I scrambled quickly to research
the full context and discovered that the relevant part (of course, all Scripture is relevant) was not included in Netanyahu’s quotation. One might excuse the Prime
Minister in that he is neither a pastor nor a theologian. Yet, relevance is always vital.

My conclusion is that while Israel’s God is her only hope, it is documented in Scripture
that when Israel did not behave as the LORD God had ordered, she suffered more
severely at the LORD’s Hand than from any human force! It is more than likely,
therefore that “war and rumors of war” will continue until Jesus comes to withdraw His
people (all born-again individuals) from this arena of massacre we call Earth.

What, if anything, can we do to alleviate the trouble we may very soon face? We must trust in the LORD Jesus Christ, who died and arose again to save us from our sins and the sins of our generation and previous generations.

The ALARM is sounding! Those without a personal faith in the LORD Jesus Christ will
suffer in separation from Him throughout all eternity. Those who have trusted Him, but
neglected to treat that trust seriously, will suffer considerable loss of reward.

Pray for the lost daily, whether they reside in current comfort or amidst the cruelty of evil devised by those who either don’t trust Him or don’t believe He actually exists!
Believe me: I trust Him! He has made it possible for you to trust Him, too. Read
John 3:1-21 very carefully. Then tell the LORD most sincerely that you are deeply
sorry for you sins and want to be spiritually cleansed and love and serve Him. If you
truly trust Him, He will forgive your sins and give you Eternal Life!

Too simple, you say? Why does it have to be difficult? A lot of simple things work
better than harder things. I was saved at age 7. My now adult daughter was saved
at age 5. And we’re both still trusting and serving the LORD. You can trust Him, too!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need
until He becomes all that we have.”
– Corrie ten Boom