The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 1:10-13, “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,
11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven– things into which angels long to look.
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Currently, my daily readings are focused on early church history. Multiple thoughts of various aspects of doctrine originated within groups that differed from one another. It was as if doctrinal concepts originated from “here and there,” resulting in the formation of various belief systems. Ultimately, these groups formed what today we would term “religious denominations.”

Those early groups can be excused somewhat in that they lacked the Scriptures as we have them today. Additionally, the political force to accept and practice the beliefs of their political leaders made their situation all the worse.

We have the Scriptures available to us today; therefore, nothing can excuse us from following precisely what the LORD desires. What we possess today (and often take for
granted) is the result of the prophets’ “careful searches and inquiries.” Political leaders often object to the Word of God, in that His Word goes against their desires. It is so today. Five times in the passage above we read “you” and “to you.”

Sincere pastors today make “careful searches” of the teachings of the Scriptures, so that they might not mislead their congregational hearers. They will stand accountable to God
for what they say, and for what they don’t say. At the same time, with the Scriptures in our own language and easily available to us, we too are accountable for our obedience to the Word of God.

Notice that angels “long(ed) to look” into Word! Thus, inasmuch as the LORD has been pleased to give us the Scriptures and qualified men to explain and expound them, we
had best be prepared to obey the Word, holy as it is.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit,
fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at
the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

He has prepared and produced His Word for us. It is now for us to obey it completely.

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.”

When we’re ready to express anything that is of value to us, we do it with excitement! That’s precisely what Peter was doing when he wrote the words in our
verses above:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

The remainder of that verse and the accompanying verses praise the LORD for His great mercy! It is a living hope which we obtain by being “born again.” This new, spiritual birth is ours when we accept by faith the LORD Jesus’ death and bodily resurrection as having been for us.

This new, spiritual birth brings with it an inheritance that we will possess forever. It does not perish; nor will it ever vanish from us. We are protected forever by the power of Christ in Whom we have believed. What we then possess is an imperishable inheritance that cannot be defiled. It is precious beyond belief and resides with us forever, producing within us the praise and glory that accrues forever to the honor of our LORD Jesus Christ.

His Word says that although we have yet to physically see Him, we can love and believe in Him, rejoicing “with joy inexpressible and full of glory!” Such is the outcome of the faith that saves our souls.

Have you believed in Him? Is He your LORD and Savior? Remember, it’s more than attending and/or belonging to any particular church. It’s more than being physically baptized in water. It’s repentance, trust, faith, love, obedience to the LORD Jesus Christ –the Christ we discover in the Holy Scriptures.

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 5:1-10, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

I well remember a minister who once spoke of us fellow ministers when he said, “It’s amazing how many proud and haughty men claim to be followers of the lowly Nazarene.” That’s too often true, and not only of ministers. It’s true of men and women, who have gained popularity within and without the church or some special group within their community.

Simon Peter himself was once quite proud when he boasted that others might
forget the LORD Jesus, but he would never do so! Then he three times on the same occasion said, “I know not the Man.”

We may never pridefully express ourselves in just that way, but we deny Him when we act and talk like the unsaved crowd. Sometimes we deny Him by failing to
speak supportingly of Him. Just allowing ourselves to be in the midst of those who
act and speak in ways that deny Him is itself a denial.

Peter allows that we should resist the devil and those who embrace him. Further, he promises that the LORD Jesus “will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and
establish” us in the right way. May we who know Him embrace Peter’s instruction and live for the LORD in these dark and uncertain times. There will come a day
when we will rejoice that we have stood for Christ!

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 43:19-25, “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
20 “The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.
21 “The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
22 “Yet you have not called on Me, O Jacob; But you have become weary of Me, O Israel.
23 “You have not brought to Me the sheep of your burnt offerings, nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with incense.
24 “You have bought Me no sweet cane with money, nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; rather you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities.
25 “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.”

I love Jewish people! Yes, some of them are pretty snappy! They like to debate; so do I. They think deeply, and I like that, too. But, most of all they are the “apple of their Messiah’s eye.”

They don’t all agree that they have a Messiah. They don’t all agree with what the Scriptures teach about the Messiah. They don’t all agree with each other on anything! But, pray tell, how do we differ from them in those very things? We have a Messiah, too; but we don’t act like it. If we’re honest, we have to agree that we’re just as ornery and stubborn as the Jews!

These verses above were primarily written for the Jewish people. Still, we would have a hard, if not impossible, time denying their application to non-Jewish people, as well. We have by-passed, resisted, and ignored many, if not most, of the LORD’s directives for us, just as they have.

I could list some of what we’ve ignored, but they’d only be a repeat of the verses above. In summary, we have wearied Almighty God with our sins! Furthermore, we have failed to receive and follow His Messiah, Jesus Christ!

Recently, I asked a man point blank: “Are you a Christian?” His answer was: “I am.” Had he said, “No,“ I would have asked, “Why not?” Now, I am asking you the same question: Have you repented of your sin and by faith received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? There is a Judgment Day coming! It cannot be ignored! Jesus Christ is the only One who “wipes out your transgressions…and will not remember (our) sins.” I urge you to trust Him today!

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,

Revelation 1:4-6, “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood–
6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father– to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

What a glorious privilege it is to be a spokesman for the LORD! The LORD is forever our Faithful Witness through His Life, His Death and His Resurrection! He is the Ruler of the kings of the earth! Most of all, He possesses the key whereby we are released from our sins; and by that key He enables our redemption through His blood!

It is, therefore, our privilege to share Him with others! By His own Word we are declared “kingdom priests” both to Him who loves us and to those whom He loves.
What a privilege is ours! Yet, the glory is His, for without Him we are but sinful deniers of His love and the powers of His saving grace.

Sadly, we engage so thoroughly in the material things of this earth, that we neglect to thank Him by leading others into His haven of love. If you know Him, you know He loves you. What’s more, He loves for you to love others as He has loved you.

Pray earnestly for those who are near you, but who live far from Him. Let them see Him in you in every phase of your life. You may be the only conduit by which they will ever know Christ.

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