The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Nehemiah 5:1-8, “Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.
2 For there were those who said, ‘We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore let us get grain that we may eat and live.’
3 There were others who said, ‘We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine.’
4 Also there were those who said, ‘We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards.
5 Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children. Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.’
6 Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words.
7 I consulted with myself and contended with the nobles and the rulers and said to them, ‘You are exacting usury, each from his brother!’ Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.
8 I said to them, ‘We, according to our ability, have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?’ Then they were silent and could not find a word to say.”

When people –especially, the LORD’s people—are in trouble, it is usually due to their failure to obey the LORD. From the earliest biblical prophecies, the Jews were intended to be free. Yet, when they sinned, the LORD allowed them to suffer until they repented of their sin.

That is true of born-again people living life today. The little phrase, “You can’t do wrong and get by,” is operative in every people, in every nation, in every century! It’s even true of the Church. Christian people are not “Christ-like” because they’re better than other people; they’re simply better in God’s sight when they are Christ-like!

We’re living in an extremely difficult time! Our “foes” are both outside and inside the Christian faith. The spiritual demise of so many pastors demonstrates the seriousness of our times. I used to read the “Christian Post”; now, I simply scan it for pieces that don’t elaborate on the multiple sexual sins of mega-church pastors! What on earth have we come to?

“…behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
If the foundations are destroyed, what can
the righteous do?” (Psa. 11:2-3).

It is only my view; however, we have the entirety of Holy Scripture; therefore, we are more culpable than any Old or New Testament saint. It is indeed time for true revival within the Church!

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