The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jeremiah 50:14-16, “Draw up your battle lines against Babylon on every side, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her, do not be sparing with your arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD.
15 “Raise your battle cry against her on every side! She has given herself up, her pillars have fallen, her walls have been torn down. For this is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; as she has done to others, so do to her.
16 “Cut off the sower from Babylon and the one who wields the sickle at the time of harvest; from before the sword of the oppressor they will each turn back to his own people and they will each flee to his own land.”

These are strong words that the prophet Jeremiah issued against Babylon. When any nation is fighting against an adversary, it is vitally important that it be amply prepared physically — especially morally! Knowing that one is on the LORD’s side should be of primary importance.

All of the above goes for us today, too. If we are morally and spiritually right with the LORD, we should do well. If we are not – well, we just must be or we will find ourselves to be adversaries! We are not to surrender when we are in the right. How we “handle” our adversaries, however, just might go further for us.

Institutions, although they are guided by individuals, fall into a different category than the individuals, who direct them. One may not like a particular institution; still, that is different than disliking the Principal or President who guides the institution.

Above all, make certain that the organization (or the person whom you oppose) is in opposition to the LORD. Think, for example, of young David as he faced Goliath. It was not so much a personal vendetta against Goliath, as it was against the Philistines whom Goliath represented. So it must be with us in our oppositions against those who stand against the LORD. Perhaps, we should simply stand for Him and allow Him to oppose His own opposition.

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,

Numbers 32:17-23, “For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.”
20 So Moses said to them, ‘If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,
22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.
23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.’”

There’s an old adage that says, “You cannot do wrong and get by.” Somewhere, some time, you will pay a price for the wrong you have done. Strangely enough, with all the criminal activity openly available to the general public, there are still those who believe they can sin and get by.

The problem identified in our Scripture above follows some of Israel’s wilderness wanderings. As we can clearly note, some of the Israelites followed Moses’ instructions; others did not. It’s the same with people today.
Do we really believe that the LORD cannot see us? Do we think He takes no notice of whether we are following Him? In some instances, it would appear that we believe that of Him. Truth be told, He knows it all, even the very least.

Shussh! Don’t let this out, but I had my share of physical punishment when I was a child. I used to think that my mother was the author of the saying, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” In all fairness, I deserved everything I got from her –except her good, fun-loving qualities! At heart, my mother was a teacher.
And in my boyhood days, that said it all.

Punishment, however, hurts the heart of the punisher. So it is with the LORD.
Only once in Scripture do we have notification of Jesus weeping. It’s the shortest verse in the Bible – just two words. Do you know what those words are? See if you can find them. More importantly, see if you can appropriate them to you life.

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 7:13-17, “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?’
14 I said to him, ‘My lord, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘”These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 ‘For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.
16 ‘They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat;
17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.’”

My heart bleeds for Southern Baptists, who, in their national convention, meeting recently in Indianapolis, voted to allow women to serve as pastors in SBC churches! It will bring tears to the eyes of our truly great leaders of the past. Yet, it was destined to come…

When men, who have served in SBC leadership, have in the past been merely lilly-kissed by their contemporaries for immoralities they have committed, who would be surprised that they would desire to replace the Scriptures with a makeover that opens pulpits to women as well?

If anyone doubts that we are living on the cusp of the Coming of the LORD, he is delusional!!! Yes, “the Lamb is at center of the throne.” We cannot, however expect His blessing when we openly permit what it forbidden in Holy Scripture!

What is next? The performance of marriages? Counselling men? Explaining Scripture that reads contrary to their holding office in the church? Why, we may have to resurrect a host of Holy Pastors, including Criswell and Rogers and apologize!

Excitedly Looking for Jesus’ Return,

(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 Chronicles 5:11-14, “When the priests came forth from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions),
12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets
13 in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, ‘He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,’ then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,
14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.”

Remember the good, old days, when church people sang joyfully to the glory of the LORD? Choirs, accompanied by pianos and organs led congregations to praise the LORD with songs of old –

Praise Him, praise Him,
Jesus our Blessed Redeemer…

Tell me the old, old story,
Of Jesus and His Love.

Holy, Holy, Holy,
LORD God Almighty…

Oh, yes, the hymnbooks were filled with songs that thrilled our souls! Gospel songs were sung in our houses; sung in buses, as kids went to summer camp. Mothers and grandmothers sang hymns of praise as they washed and ironed clothes. Public schools often sang hymns of the faith as they gathered for special events.

Songs today, however, are often bereft of true praise, necessitating multiple repetition of words that often lack meaningful depths of true spirituality. And let’s not forget the money. Some so-called “spiritual” churches churn out songs for which they charge each time they’re sung in gatherings wherever. Thus, people are often paying for songs they don’t know and cannot understand.

Do you miss the old Hymns of the Faith? I certainly do! Sing what you will, but do you honestly believe what many churches are singing today are what we’ll all be singing in Heaven?

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 16:18-22, “Then one of the young men said, ‘Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.’
19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, ‘Send me your son David who is with the flock.’
20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son.
21 Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.
22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.’”

It’s tough being young. At a relevantly early age, young people find themselves thrust into the competitive arena with others. They possess things you don’t possess, know things you don’t know, and enjoy the sport of “competition.”

So far as we know, David escaped the boyish competition by living among and caring for the sheep. Being alone, he also had enormous opportunity to hone his skills in music and with the slingshot. How could he ever have guessed how resourceful these skills would one day be?

These qualities, along with his handsome appearance, his obedience to his father, and his refusal to quarrel with his brothers, opened many doors of opportunity.

All young people, both boys and girls, should beaware of the skills the LORD has built into their lives – skills that are divinely placed that they might be “at the ready” for His service and glory!

Dear Reader, I am aware that you may not possess the skills of your youth. You do possess, however resources with which the LORD has blessed you. Please, use them to His glory and at His command! They are great rewards that you will one day be able to lay before your Blessed LORD’s feet. Please, do your best for 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