The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 3:1-8, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”

The wisdom of Solomon lies both in the substance of his instruction and in the sharing of it with his son. One may possess some wisdom within himself; yet, it is of even greater value when it is shared instructively with another.

As with every loving parent, Solomon shares with his son how to live harmoneously in peace throughout all the days of his life. Kindness and truth head the list, followed by unity, which speaks of one’s good reputation with the LORD and also with one’s fellowsman.

Life overflows with factors that tend to weaken one’s attention toward the LORD and His instruction. Yet, our acknowledgment of Him and His directives are decidedly to our advantage. Wisdom rests in the LORD, not within ourselves. Thus, turning from evil brings refreshment to our bodies as well as to our souls.

Nothing supersedes the wisdom and instruction of the LORD! Are you listening to Him? Are you following His leadership of your life, as in the Scriptures? His Word promises in Psalm 91:11 that His angels will “guard you in all your ways.” Just make sure you belong to 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,

2 Chronicles 32:1-4, 20-22, “After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.
2 Now when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem,
3 he decided with his officers and his warriors to cut off the supply of water from the springs which were outside the city, and they helped him.
4 So many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream which flowed through the region, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find abundant water?”

20 But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven.
21 And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned in shame to his own land. And when he had entered the temple of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword.
22 So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.

The kings of ancient times were not without intelligence!
When the Israelites knew the Assyrians were coming, they knew both Israel and Assyria would need water. So, King Hezekiah built an underground tunnel that would supply Israel, but would deny water to the Assyrians.

The tunnel was engineered from both ends, and amazingly connected at the midpoint.

Many years ago, my eldest son, Richard, and I walked waist deep for the entirety of that tunnel. Our only problem was the party we encountered coming from the other end!

Our LORD always has a plan –even when we don’t deserve it. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…” the Scriptures say, “and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). We trusted and He led us out! He will do the same 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,

Ezra 1:1-3, “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.”

There is a lot said about Persia in today’s news! Of course, what was called Persia in the days of King Cyrus, is today known as Iran. They have always been enimies of Israel.

King Cyrus then sent a proclamation throughout all of his kingdom that stated: “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.”

Cyrus clearly indicates that the LORD has engaged his people to this task; yet, it appears He has not ordered specific individuals to engage in the operation of the LORD, but left it to those who wanted to be obedient in the rebuilding of the House of the LORD.

It is largely the way He deals with His Church today. Pastors, who are deeply in prayer concerning the will of
the LORD for themselves and for the churches to which each has been assigned, emphasize to their congregations what the LORD desires; then they labor in prayer and leadership regarding the LORD’s will. Prayerful congregations then undertake to follow their pastors’ leadership.

Pastors, who live in prayer with the LORD Jesus Christ, soon find that their congregants are following them in the very way that they are following the LORD. Thus, the
pressure that rests upon the pastor is shared somewhat with his followers.

Does your pastor have a goal for his life? Does he have a goal for the church he leads? –a goal that is shared with his congregation? And is that goal one that rests upon other members of the church? Note that the LORD initiated His goal through Jeremiah and through King Cyrus until it rested on the entire Nation of Israel.

Are you aware of the LORD’s desire for your life? Are you involved in His desire? It took all of the people to do
the LORD’s will in Jeremiah’s day. It is equally –if not more so— in importance today! Are you in your place before 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,

Exodus 33:17-23, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.’
18 Then Moses said, ‘I pray You, show me Your glory!’
19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”
20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”
21 Then the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock;
22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.
23 “Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”

A gorgeous painting! a priceless gemstone! What could be more precious to the eye than the Face of Jesus, the LORD God Almighty! He is more precious! And what could be more desirable than to look upon His Face?

Moses was exceedingly bold to make such a request. At the same time, the opportunity was before him, and he boldly grasped the opportunity! More than likely, we would have been in such shock that our minds would be literally frozen just at the very thought!

Have you ever wondered how utterly glorious the Face of Jesus is? Rufus Cornelius, born in Blount County, Alabama in 1872, wrote:

“Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,
There to sing forever of His saving grace;
On the streets of Glory let me lift my voice;
Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.”

Such awesome glory is exclusively reserved for those who truly know Him. Do you know Him? Have you asked forgiveness for your sins? Have you committed your life to Him by faith? by trust? If you have, you will one day be granted to look upon His glorious face! Oh what a day that will be!

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 Chronicles 21:1-3, “Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.
2 So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.”
3 Joab said, “May the LORD add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?”

Even when one minds his own business, Satan is always there to best him in the process. How often we are faced with decisions only to learn that Satan has moved in and is usurping the LORD’s leadership in our lives. It can happen in the home, in a business, in the church –any and everywhere!

David knew better! –at least, he ought to have known better! Joab knew that David’s order to him was out-of-line with the LORD’s will and declaration. How often have we have faced a similar situation. We hear or read and come-to-know the LORD’s will, but we move in a different life-direction. Having moved, we then encourage others to align with us instead of with the LORD!

It occurs in our homes, our businesses, our churches –everywhere! We just don’t listen to the LORD’s directives! God is calling someone to enter the ministry, but he doesn’t “feel” he has what it takes! That’s a clear forfeiture of dependence on the LORD! Is it not the LORD, who calls others to support those, who sense the call, but haven’t sufficient funds to enter into training? On whom are we leaning for these needs? It surely doesn’t look like we’re dependent on the LORD!

Care needs to be undertaken, even if we are prayerfully looking to the LORD to provide. If, however, we are looking to the LORD’s people for that provision,
we have moved away from our dependence upon Him. Aren’t we sorrowful if our children ask a friend for help instead of asking us? The LORD wants us to be dependent upon Him. So, simply trust in Him alone. There is no one as capable to provide as He! Nor is there anyone who possess greater desire to encourage his child than He!

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