The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 127:1-5, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.

5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”

Solomon, the author of the verses above, was also the author of many verses that are discoverable throughout the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul contributed numerous spiritual truths in the New Testament, as well as references from Old Testament Scriptures, as well.

In one place, the Apostle Paul said, “For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down” (2 Cor. 13:10). We could all use the value of these words from the apostle.

With Thanksgiving now behind us, thoughts of the coming Christmas will doubtlessly be on our minds. We would do well to think deeply of the Scripture passage above. Children (and grandchildren and great-grandchildren) are all gifts from the LORD. Pictures that we take of them, surely depict the love they have for us. Further, we would do well to remember that every contact we have with them is making a life-long impression. We will be remembered as they see us today. May our lives always reflect the LORD Jesus Christ.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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,

Leviticus 7:11-13 reads, “Now this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which shall be presented to the LORD.

12 ‘If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil.

13 ‘With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread.”

The word “thanksgiving” is mentioned some 30 times in both the Old and New Testaments. When combined with “thanks,” mention swells to 169 occurrences.

The actual number of instances, however, is of less importance than the quality of the occasion itself. We live in a world, however, where words are often carelessly tossed about.. We often say “thank you” without mentally calculating the purpose for saying it.

The fourth Thursday of November in every given year is officially constituted as “Thanksgiving Day.” The day, viewed as a “federal holiday, originated from harvest celebrations held by the Pilgrims in 1621…when they feasted with Native Americans after a successful harvest. Thanksgiving then evolved into a time for giving thanks and enjoying time with loved ones.”

What we must never forget, however, is that Thanksgiving is more than a mere national celebratory occasion. It is a time of spiritual remembrance, as noted in Psalm 126:3, “The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.” Nor was this time a terminus of His doings for us. Thus, we have every reason to be glad, regardless of the celebratory aspects of the occasion. May God continue to bless America’s future as He has America’s past. And may we so live that our celebrations are never in vain.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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,

Leviticus 7:11-18, “Now this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which shall be presented to the LORD.
12 ‘If (anyone) offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil.
13 ‘With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread.
14 ‘Of this he shall present one of every offering as a contribution to the LORD; it shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings.
15 ‘Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning.
16 ‘But if the sacrifice of his offering is a votive or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice, and on the next day what is left of it may be eaten;
17 but what is left over from the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burned with fire.
18 ‘So if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings should ever be eaten on the third day, he who offers it will not be accepted, and it will not be reckoned to his benefit. It shall be an offensive thing, and the person who eats of it will bear his own iniquity.”

Today is THANKSGIVING DAY! I trust that we all are truly thankful for the bountiful blessings that the LORD has bestowed upon us; for if we are truly thankful, the greatest offering we can give to Him is that of ourselves. The troubles and fears that we encounter throughout life are simply opportunities that we have for allowing the LORD to inject Himself into the multiple vicissitudes of our lives. Trust in the LORD emerges in and through His presence when we submit to His will. God bless you! You cannot escape the goodness of the LORD. He knows and controls it all! I love you and pray for you daily!

Love in Christ Jesus,
Gene
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
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,

Psalm 26:1-12, “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
6 I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Your altar, O LORD,
7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders.
8 O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not take my soul away along with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed,
10 In whose hands is a wicked scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on a level place; in the congregations I shall bless the LORD.”

The cry of the psalmist is focused on the LORD! He has lived a faithful life, and now begs for an evaluation, not only for his external faithfulness, but for his inward life as well. He signals his internal faithfulness to the LORD in that he refuses to “sit with deceitful men.”

Further, he proclaims his innocence and speaks of his thanksgiving in the LORD. His proclamation is not selfish; rather, he includes all who “love the habitation of the LORD, and of His House.” This faithful servant does not boast of his own holiness, but continues to walk in integrity, and begs for the LORD’s redemption. His foot “stands on a level place,” indicating his steadfastness in the ways of his LORD. He does not waver between good and evil.

What this Psalmic servant is, he trusts will accrue to the glorification of his LORD. He establishes a pattern for all who desire to live righteously, and thereby be of praise to the LORD. Oh, that we would demonstrate the LORD in our daily lives! That is something for which we might be truly thankful.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
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,

Philippians 4:8-13, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

There’s a story of a mother, asking her small boy which of their liturgical preachers he liked best: the pastor or the bishop. Ready as lightening, the boy replied, “the pastor.”

“Why would you say that?” the mother asked again.

The boy replied: “Well, the pastor says, ‘Finally, and it’s final. But the bishop says, ‘Lastly; and it lasts and lasts and lasts.’” It’s an apocryphal story, although I know some boys who would have replied in much the same fashion.

The Apostle Paul, author of our commencement passage (i.e., the far above passage!) identifies for us six guidelines upon which we can rely on the LORD being with us. We are to dwell on these factors regardless of the circumstances we encounter in life.

As a youth, Paul had been trained as a tentmaker. Yet, when the LORD called him into His service, there was little-to-no time for tent-making. Thus, Paul needed funds from Christian friends for his livelihood and travel.

That’s a need of many men and women in missionary service today. They are rightly dependent on us to provide for them, as they carry the Message of Jesus to others, many in foreign lands. Above all, they need our prayers! Do you know a missionary? Are you praying for him or her daily? Do they have funds for their work?

If you are led to send them funds for their work, I would suggest that you first contact them regarding how to send it. It’s a good way to say “Thanks” at Thanksgiving!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom