The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

II Corinthians 11:21-28, “To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold– I speak in foolishness– I am just as bold myself.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ?– I speak as if insane– I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

Have you never been in the company of some who insisted that in
certain (if not all) situations, they had been through trials and tribulations virtually unknown to others for centuries? Some liars are
so steeped in the muck of their own stories that they simply cannot
believe them to be untrue!

Such was the situation of Paul’s true encounters. He allows, however, that he has not escaped all of the rigors of anti-Christian persecution. Yet, he is putting down the bragerts by citing true situa-tions from his own experience. Undoubtedly, you’ve faced similar situations like that yourself.

Simply stated, however, it is not easy to be a Christian! Especially is that so, when the anti-Christian forces surround the true believers and insist that the believers’ persecution was very little when compared with their own.

Paul is not seeking sympathy for all he has incurred. He is endeavor-ing to persuade them that the true witness’ life can be hard – very hard.

While the word “missionary” is generally reserved for those who live in foreign countries and carry the Gospel to the native population, in a broader sense, we are all missionaries, if we will allow it. When I
read the incredible situations some missionaries have encountered, I realize that we who have been saved are, in fact, missionaries ourselves. We simply must be prepared to share Jesus Christ with them. Nobody said it was easy. Crosses are always hard to bear.

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 Corinthians 11: 10-15, “As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”

A relatively young man was voted out of Congress the other day. He had disguised himself as a gay Republican, multi-millionaire. From all reports, he spoke in a pleasant manner that fooled his New York constituents, even those whose “game” is political.

The object of this Grands Letter, however, is not to focus directly on politics. Rather, it is to bring a serious spotlight on things we often term “secular.” Anyone, serving in any capacity,
has the responsibility to be truthful.

It is an attribution to former President Abraham Lincoln that says, “You can fool some of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time; but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

There were false apostles in Jesus’ day, just as there are false
believers today. It is safe to say that men, purporting to be called into ministry, were never called by the LORD! They “call” themselves when the lure of prestige and/or money becomes too great to resist.

The “disguise” of the Congressional pretender was ultimately
revealed for what it was –a bold-faced lie! And there are those “in ministry,” who will one day suffer the same dark exposure.
“Study to show yourself approved…,” yet, “it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends (2 Cor. 10:18).

Where are you in relationship to the LORD Jesus Christ? Do you know Him? Is your life dedicated to Him? Are you currently
active in His service? Time is running out….

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 Corinthians 11:17-28, “What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.
19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly.
20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.
21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold– I speak in foolishness– I am just as bold myself.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ?– I speak as if insane– I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.”

How many times I have witnessed ministers boast of their
humility! What made those situations unbearable was the simple fact that there were those within the hearing of that boasting, who had encountered greater persecution than those who were
uplifting themselves.

It was the same with the Apostle Paul. What’s more, Paul’s
suffering was far greater than that of the encounter of others. Is there then a time for telling of difficult times in the ministry? Apparently, so! Yet, we all need to be careful, lest we fall into the trap of sheer arrogance.

I clearly remember a clash of some fellow-students in college. They had laid it on pretty thick regarding how invaluable they were, when an older student in the class spoke up, saying that
he had been in the military overseas. “I fought in the rain and
in the drought; I went often without sufficient food and without sleep. And then I came home and am putting myself through
school.” There was a notable silence in the comparison of sacrifices.

Yes, there is a time to speak up and a time for silence. Paul is
hardly boasting of his achievements; rather, he is drawing a comparison between his sacrifice for the LORD and that of those who viewed themselves as dedicated to the cause of Jesus Christ.

Admittedly, I am ashamed at my paultry witness when reading
of Paul’s! I’m confident you are, too. May we simply yield our-selves wholeheartedly to Him as we live “to the praise of His glory!”

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 Samuel 16:11-15, “And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are these all the children?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is he.’
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.”
15 Saul’s servants then said to him, ‘Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.’”

Verses previous to these cited above reveal that Saul, although originally chosen by the LORD, was replaced by Jesse’s son, David. He was the youngest of Jesse’s sons, tall and winsome. Yet, it was the LORD’s Spirit upon him that made him what he was.

It is the teaching of verse 13 that the Spirit of the LORD came into David’s life, prompting him to follow the Spirit in the things the LORD had produced for him to do. Where the Scriptures say, “…an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you,” we are to understand that those in Old Testament days saw the “evil spirit” as being under the LORD’s sovereign control.

Such is still the case! Our LORD is not the “author of evil”; yet, He establishes how far and to what extent the devil (and his adversaries) can go in harassing mankind.

There are those today who seek to analyze and categorize “evil”; yet, it is best to leave that, too, to the LORD. Satan undoubtedly seeks to mask the work of his spirit, so as to confuse those who would follow the LORD God! Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “…even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

We will not be hindered from understanding Satan’s tricky disguises, if we focus clearly on the teachings of the LORD Jesus! It’s a good idea to pray that Christ will give you understanding before and when you seek to study His Word! Read slowly. Savor every word. God bless you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

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,

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, “In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs.
10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.
11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

So far as many of today’s people are concerned, the pastor is simply a man, who stands before his congregation and declares
Sunday-after-Sunday one or more principles from the Bible that helps them make it through the following week. That’s the only time they see (or hear) him, so what else should they expect?

Well, the truly God-called pastors offer much more than that!
The pastor is something of a builder; he seeks out the meanings
of biblical truths and applies them to the needs of his congrega-
tion. He is to be a wise and studied man, one who knows and
understands the needs of his people and knows and under- standsthe truths of God’s Word.

Yes, “the excssive devotion to books is wearying to the body”;
yet the needs of his congregation are greater than his weariness, thus he toils on heartily “feeding the flock.” Only
those who have walked in shoes like the pastor’s understand
the awesome God-given responsibility to “feed the flock of God.”

The judgment of the LORD, that will one day fall upon us all, will
“bring every act into judgment…whether it is good or evil.” And it is the awesomeness of that day that urges us to follow Him
closely today. There is no escape!

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