The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 8:5-8; 14-18, “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.
6 “Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7 “Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out.
8 “Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.
17 “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
18 “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

Someone once defined a “parable” as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” This is precisely Jesus’ intention when He shared this story with His disciples. Not all that the sower intended came to pass. The seed was scattered by hand and with the wind blowing, little of it landed where the sower intended.

The power of the seed only needed the sincerity of the soil. When the good
seed is in the sincere hand, the LORD can use it productively. We have no
message of our own. We are totally dependent upon the power contained in the
seed and the sincerity of the soul in which it ultimately rests.

The one who values the trinkets of this world more than he values the Name and power of the LORD Jesus, has little, if anything, to gain. Yet, the one who hears and values the riches of God’s Word, will experience His alteration of life for the better!

If you have never personally trusted the LORD Jesus Christ, you have riches untold awaiting you by trusting Him and the Salvation He promises! If, however, you have trusted Him, you now have the serious responsibility to share Him with others. Still, sharing Him is not a heavy responsibility. There is joy untold when they repent of sin and receive Jesus as their LORD and Savior.

Leading people to faith in Jesus Christ brings joy both to them and to you! Oh, I could
reveal to you how it “feels”; yet, my memory’s recollection is of far less value than the
experience you can know for yourself. You know someone who needs Jesus. Tell them
about Him! It will bring joy to a lost soul and joy to you who shared His saving grace.

NOTE: The new Speaker of the House, Michael Johnson, spoke openly of his faith
in Jesus Christ when he gave his acceptance speech as Speaker. Surely, that is the
pathway our LORD intends for each of us who know 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,

Matthew 24:3-13, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples
came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen, and
what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’
4 And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘See to it that no one misleads
you.
5 ‘For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will mislead many.
6 “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be
hated by all nations because of My name.
10 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another.
11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

There’s no prize for correctly guessing the age of this writer. I will say,
however, that no war this side of World War 2 has ever so clearly brought
into focus the Biblical passage cited above. There is always ruthlessness
in war; one expects a measure of that. But the senselessness of slaughter
of those who cannot retaliate (due to age or injury) is beyond the pale!
Hamas is clearly demonically insane!

Nations who have no resources with which to retaliate (and/or no leadership,
competent to guide in retaliation) seem to find glory in standing before the
world microphone for their brief and often meaningless moment of fame.

One thing assured in our Scripture passage above is that from this moment
forward we will live in a totally different kind of world. The only similarity is
that each war is more vicious than the previous; and each war resembles
the previous in that all wars occur because of mankind’s repudiation of God
and His Holy Word!

Yet, before we conclude this Letter, let each of us review and repent of the
neglect of our willingness to adhere to the Word of God. It is so easy to
blame others. Israel refuses to acknowledge her Redeemer Jesus! But, we
Christians, believers, refuse to obey what we avow is truly His Truth!
Dear LORD, be merciful to us all. We confess our sins, and throw our sin-
drenched lives on the compassionate mercy of Your Heavenly Court!

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,

Genesis 24:22-27, “When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold,
23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father’s house?”
24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
25 Again she said to him, “We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in.”
26 Then the man bowed low and worshiped the LORD.
27 He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me,
the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.”

Abraham was old and his son Isaac had not married. It was the father’s responsibility to see that his son did marry in order to continue the family lineage. So, Abraham sent his trusted servant to the country from where he
had come to seek a wife for his son, Isaac.

It was typical of the times that a father should send gifts to the family from
whom he was selecting a daughter for his son. Thus, the servant took 10
camels as he journeyed to Mesopotamia and to the house of Nahor, a
kinsman of Abraham.

The servant had no true knowledge of whom he should choose, but there
were some girls by the well where the servant was watering his camels. He prayed to know whether one of these girls was to be Isaac’s bride, and if so, which one. It is always good to pray –especially, when important matters
are before us. And while he was praying, Rebekah passed by the servant;
and he asked her for a drink of water. That led to further inquiries and the servant was invited to lodge in the house of Bethuel, the girl’s father.

The manner of choosing a wife was quite different from today. Were we
to trace the custom over the long years, we might be surprised to learn the change in customs over time. More importantly still, is the matter of asking
the LORD’s guidance in such matters. Abraham’s servant used no force in
the matter; rather, he prayed and the LORD opened the way.

Whatever matters we face as we meander throughout life, it is vital that we
prayerfully consult the LORD. He opens and closes doors according to His
own will. And the peace and joy one seeks comes according to the LORD’s
will.

What is the most important matter you are now facing? Have you consulted
with the LORD regarding the matter? Surely, you believe His will supersedes
yours! Trust Him, and obey Him. In the end, you will be blessed. The LORD
makes no mistakes!

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,

Acts 16:14-18, “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.
15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.
16 It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17 Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, ‘These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.’
18 She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!’ And it came out at that very moment.”

Believe it or not, there are religious people, who attend church with absolute
regularity, but have never accepted Jesus into their hearts as LORD and
Savior. Lydia was like that! You can believe without question that she was
religious; yet, she had never committed her life to Christ and accepted Him as
her Savior and Lord. Is this the situation with your life?

How was she ultimately saved? She listened to the Word of the LORD, as
the Apostle Paul shared it, and “the LORD opened her heart to respond to
the things spoken by Paul.” It seems far too simple for some; yet, it’s the
LORD’s way of salvation. There is no other. Physical baptism signified the
change in Lydia’s devotion. She now belonged to Christ!

Furthermore, just as they were all going to prayer, a slave-girl who was
possessed by an evil spirit, cried out in unmistakable sarcasm, “These men
are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way
of salvation.” What she said was true; but her sarcasm was blasphemy! After
many days, Paul said to the evil spirit within the girl: “I command you in the
name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And (the demonic spirit) came out at
that very moment.”

A lot of ungodliness surrounds us today. Yet, it is not irresistible! Satan was
defeated at the Cross of Calvary. He is to be likened to politicians, who,
despite their unelectiblity, come forth at every election seeking political office!

It’s time for everyone to follow the LORD! He IS LORD; and until we recognize
Him as such, we will continue to be pounded by those whose homes are
beneath His will. Please don’t side with them! Jesus died for your salvation!

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,

Jonah 3:1-10, “Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 ‘Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.’
3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk.
4 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’
5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.
6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes.
7 He issued a proclamation and it said, ‘In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water.
8 But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands.
9 Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.’
10 When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.”

Did you ever do something, or commit to doing it, and then change your mind? I’m sure you have. In fact, we all have. Some things were minor, some were major; but
something we didn’t know at our point of agreement, changed the dynamic of everything. So, we changed our minds! It’s a common occurrence among parents; and it is no stranger to young people.

Vantage Television from India speaks quite openly of the current war between Israel and Hamas. One of the unspoken secrets which Vantage reveals is that the leaders of the nations that oppose Israel in this battle have families that are safely ensconced in luxury far, far away from the war itself. These wealthy Hamas supporters stir up the people who are suffering and then withdraw themselves to
the luxury and safety of their families in Europe.

There is nothing inherently wrong with changing one’s mind, provided that the
change is based upon information not known at the time of the commitment.
We’ve all experienced that, I am sure. Is it wrong to change one’s mind? It depends
upon what was known at the time of the commitment.

There’s an old saying that “It’s not right to do wrong to do right.” That may have been the reason the LORD “changed His mind” back in Exodus 32:14,

“So the LORD changed His mind about the harm
which He said He would do to His people.”

In principle, therefore, we should study carefully what we’re intending to say. It
may be the very thing that ought to be said. At the same time, it might not be!

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