The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 2:4-8, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven.
5 Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.
6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground.
7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
8 The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.”

It’s not always good to be first in anything. Every subsequent eye watches eagerly:
some, praying that you will succeed, some, hoping you will not.

In this instance, however, no “guess work” was involved. Adam, the first man, faces the
daunting responsibility of caring for the garden into which the LORD has placed him.
Precisely what Adam thought of his newly acquired responsibilities, we’re not told –at least, not right away.

In some (perhaps, many) respects, Adam had an edge on all that would follow him. He could make mistakes (we’re not informed of any!) without any criticism. The LORD had
created Adam with a responsibility. Were he to attend to his responsibility, he would have no opportunity to complain; nor did he have anyone except the LORD to listen to any complaints.

There’s a good lesson right there for us. When we first come into this world, all responsibilities fall to our parents. As we mature, we learn to accept the responsibility
contained in work. Ultimately, we see the product of our work, and the LORD receives praise for His enabling.

What is the LORD’s structure for your work? How much have you accomplished?
Just as a coach reminds his players, so the LORD reminds us of His plan. He first wants us to submit to Him. He alone can save us and provide us a home in Heaven.

Once we’ve committed our lives to Him and received the New Birth, He provides for
us the responsibility of sharing His Good News throughout the world.

Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ‘mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done.”

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,

Deuteronomy 9:1-6, “Hear, O Israel! You are crossing over the Jordan today to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, great cities fortified to heaven,
2 a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’
3 “Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you.
4 “Do not say in your heart, when the LORD your God has driven them out before you, ‘Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,’ but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is dispossessing them before you.
5 “It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

The “Big Day” is on! We’re matched against another school that is known for its sports.
We’re excited, yet we’re just a tad scared. We’ve been coached, and warned, about certain members of the opposing team. Still, we’re going to take a deep breath, remember what our coach has said, and –and, just…just do our best!

That “Big Day” in sports might well have prepared Israel for her truly BIG DAY in life! It was the day Israel was crossing the Jordan River to take possession of the land the
LORD had given them to possess. There was just one, big problem: the Anakim warriors that dwelled there! They were a fearsome mob of tough and skilled warriors! Still, Israel had a Warrior who had never lost a battle. He was Israel’s God!

Israel won that battle against the Anakim. But she was also reminded of the LORD’s directive: “Do not say in your heart when the LORD your God has driven them out… because of (our) righteousness…the LORD has brought (us) in to possess this land…’”

Much like Israel in those ancient days, you and I often face enormous difficulties in life. Our nation faces the same enemy; it’s just that we are too often the very enemy we face! Whether it’s an illness or a financial loss or a dozen or scores of difficulties too numerous to mention, we must never forget:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and
though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake
at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad
the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God
is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her
when morning dawns (Psa. 46:1-5).

Quite honestly, those are excellent verses to memorize! They easily fit the need of every challenging situation –even that difficulty you’re facing today.

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,

Psalm 35:19-28, “Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me; nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.
20 For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
21 They opened their mouth wide against me; they said, ‘Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!’
22 You have seen it, O LORD, do not keep silent; O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my right and to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say in their heart, ‘Aha, our desire!’ Do not let them say, ‘We have swallowed him up!’”
26 Let those be ashamed and humiliated altogether who rejoice at my distress; let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.
27 Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; and let them say continually, ‘The LORD be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant.’
28 And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness and Your praise all day long.”

I am confident that a careful search of your mind will bring to resurrection that person, who first sought to ridicule you without any just cause whatsoever! Some people are just like that. I remember a young man coming up to me and repudiating me for doing something I never did! He had me confused with someone else.

Oh, but that was not the only person who accussed me of something far more fitting to his life than to mine. Let me assure you that there is no use whatsoever in seeking to convince such an accuser that he (or she) is wrong. They’re like the one who said, “Don’t bother me! I know you said it–did it! My mind’s made up!” What strong evidence, I must say. Yet, I can assure you from experience, it is useless to argue your case.

It will do you well to read again the passage upon which this comment is based. There is but one Judge who possesses the intricate ability to accuse us; it is our LORD Jesus Himself! Let my accusers be ashamed. Let those who favor my vindication shout for joy! For our vindication is His, also! For it is He who stands to show Himself standing for us! We need no other! Our lives and voices together will shout praises for Him and for His Name! Praise the LORD!

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,

Ezra 1:1-5, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:
2 ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, the LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 ‘Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.
4 ‘Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’
5 Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.”

These words from Ezra concern Cyrus, the King of Persia, who was born about B.C. 599. Cyrus was a great military leader, who was determined to conquer the universe. One of his conquests was Belshazzar, who organized a great feast in the day of Daniel, where the hand scrolled on the wall “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.”

Translated, it said, “Mene: God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. Peres: Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians” (Dan. 5:25-28).

Cyrus is the one who now says, “…the LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” The people were directed to provide silver, gold, goods and cattle,
along with a freewill offering –all for the building of the house of God in Jerusalem.

We do much the same today in our churches. There is some difference, however, in that we generally think of dollars rather than cattle or goods that can be transferred into currency. None the less, money is an integral part of the business of the church. Those who are called to serve full-time in the church need money for their living expenses. Buildings, where people gather to worship, require electricity for lighting and control of various accoutrements for experiences unknown in the early church. Church-sponsored missionaries must be supported, as they carry out the Gospel to peoples in distant lands.

All of this comes from the LORD’s directive to His people. We cannot avow that we love those who have never heard the Gospel if we neglect to carry it to them. Churches do not demand monetary offerings, yet they are vitally necessary to the work of the church.

Do you support your church with a portion of your income? Do you do it cheerfully?
Do you do it prayerfully? Do you receive reports from mission fields that people there
are receiving the Gospel because of your gifts? Do you pray for those in your church
who bring you the Word of God each week? You will one day be rewarded mightily for all you have done; so, pray, witness, and give with joy in your heart!

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,

Joshua 10:25-27, “Joshua then said to them, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.’
26 So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening.
27 It came about at sunset that Joshua gave a command, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and put large stones over the mouth of the cave, to this very day.”

The cry of Joshua in this passage sounds somewhat like the voice of Israel’s Prime Minister today. Fear and discouragement have lost a lot of battles in their day. Multiple things other than physical battles have been lost due to discouragement.

Joshua was encouraged and passed that encouragement on to the people. That’s how all battles are won. Leaders have to encourage people to become followers, who believe and are willing to risk all for what they believe. At the same time, it takes courage to physically eliminate all of the opposition. Personally, I want to believe I could do all that is necessary to win, but could I really?

At the root of all physical battles are the spiritual battles. Far too often, these are the battles we lose. And that loss leads directly to the physical loss. We must know and believe the LORD in all things! Our trust in Him leads to success in prayer; and success in prayer leads to emotional and physical success.

Freedom allows us to love and worship the LORD Jesus Christ. We need to roll the heavy stones against everything that hinders our prayers because the really tough battles are won on our knees.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
May they prosper who love You”
(Psalm 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