The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 15:22-26,”Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah.
24 So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’
25 Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them.
26 And He said, ‘If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.’”

Athletes who make three-point shots or cross the goal line or break the record for the
mile run are always hosted with shouts of joyful excitement! Those who don’t are like
the Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egypt.

If ever there were a group of groaners, it was the Israelites. Everything they did in preparation for leaving Egypt was done prayerfully and patiently. Yet, they had virtually
just started the exodus from Egypt before they ran out of water. “WHAT ARE WE TO DO?” they murmured. “We would have been better off staying in Egypt,” they growled!

We can hardly complain against the Israelites. No, they are not excused for their moaning
and groaning against God and Moses, any more than we are about a thousand of things.
We all could be more prayerful…more faithful…more patient. God provided water for the
Israelites; He will provide the things we need. Yet, it must all be according to His time.

Babies cry for more without knowing how “more” is going to work against their physical
systems. Baby Christians cry out for more, while simultaneously, blaming God for not
providing –not what they need, but what they want. Are we not like that? Does the LORD
not know the nature and timing of our needs? Of course, He does! Do His people not need
patience? Absolutely, they do! The promise of the LORD is clear and sure. The problem
lies not with Him, but with us!

“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” (Prov. 3:5-6).

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,

Luke 21:7-16. “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”
7 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”
10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom,
11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.
13 “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.
14 “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;
15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
16 “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death…’”

With all of the above having been said, it hardly needs more commentary. We can
simply say that we appear to be “living in the last days” of human history. Jesus said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.”

We are experiencing a plethora of pastoral misconduct and misuse of Scripture. Israel
is engaged in war over the staggeringly small strip of land the LORD Himself deeded her. Wealth and immorality seem to have an almost “death-grip” on preachers and “Christian” organizations. Even some missionaries seem more interested in gold than in souls!

Ah, but those are just “signs” of His soon return. In the meantime, we who truly know
Christ Jesus have the opportunity to witness of His death, burial and resurrection. If you
know Him –and I don’t mean “know about” Him—I mean know Him by faith through the New Birth! He’s all that counts! Still, He’s everything! I’ve lived through the grip of some
troublesome situations; still, He has seen me through them! Jesus is dependable! Am I?
Are you? There’s a “GREAT DAY” coming! Be prepared!

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,

Genesis 12:1-3, “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’”

Psalm 119:57-61, “The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your Word.
59 I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me, but I have not forgotten Your law.”

There are close to 125 verses of Scripture that utilize a form of the word “promise.” As if the inclusion of the word were not sufficient, the Psalmist, in what might well be called an
“antiphonal promise,” responds to the LORD’s directive to Israel in the Genesis verses
above.

The battle news from Israel today supports the LORD’s intervention in the current Hamas-Israeli war. While the Jews en masse are not Christians, some are; and they will do well to follow the LORD’s directive, just as we Christians should do.

Remember that our view of international differences is generally faulty at best. We are
not there; nor would we know everything about those differences if we were. Our reliance,
therefore, must rest on the Word of God. We know Israel is lodged in our LORD’s heart; therefore, we must be careful of making criticisms. Israel will make mistakes, just as we Christians do. Our current calling is to pray: “Thy will be done.”

Every day brings us a day closer to the end of human civilization. Jesus is coming again,
and we need to be ready. We must bury outselves in His Blessed Word, and prayfully trust Him to do as He wills. One day He is coming. We must always live as if that day were today, and pray earnestly: God, bless America! And God bless Israel!

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,

Ephesians 5:15-21, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”

The passage above is comprised of happy, energetic, alert and solemn music –music that comports with the occasion. It was not merely music for music’s sake. Rather, it was music that on solemn occasions soothed the soul. It was also music that excited the soul as it
Identified with the closeness of Christ and the selfless sacrifice on the Cross for our sins.

A psalm was harp music, often associated with prayer. A hymn praises and honors the LORD. A spiritual song relates closely to the human spirit, the seat of the moral or spiritual nature. It is always there for the spiritual benefit of the entire congregation.

Music within the Church should always be spiritual, appropriate, and inclusive of the entire
congregation. It is never there for the sole benefit of the lead singers or those who play accompaniment for them. Rather, it should lift the moral spirit within those who comprise
the worshipping congregation.

Endeavor to remember these notations when you next engage in congregational singing.
What we sing should always praise the LORD Whom we serve. And the manner of our
singing should always and only endeavor to praise Christ Jesus. The Father is glorified when His Son is exalted; and when His Son is exalted, we have acknowledged and praised the Father. Both Father and Son are deserving; so, Praise each of them!

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 12:7-11, “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war,
8 and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and
the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
11And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.’”

After studying the Scriptures for the better part of a century, these five verses provide a
cogent synopsis of what was occurring well beyond the realm of earth. Currently, we
see a vibrant war occurring between Israel and Hamas. What we don’t see, however,
is the rage of evil well beyond the heavens – every movement of which has been scheduled by Satan and his angels. We see only what is occuring in the human realm.

In almost any physical contest there is one who announces the winner. It is that vibrant
Voice from the heavens that cries out, “Now the salvation, and the power…of the kingdom
of God…” has won the victory! This is the Voice of Almighty God, the Divine Coach, who
has overcome evil through “the blood of the Lamb,” Jesus Christ and the testimonies of those who have trusted Him.

Often, it appears that there is no victory in sight. It appears that the Church has usurped
the Voice of the LORD and declared that the LORD and His people have lost! Yet, no
one has jumped the voice of the starting pistol. It might look as if the LORD Jesus is
failing –but He has not failed! It would appear His delay is costing Him the victory—but
it has not. Those who know and understand His power, know that He will win.

Importantly, too, those who are linked to Him through eternal Salvation are winners, too!
Remember, it’s not how “nice” you are; it’s not even that you attend church regularly, or
where you attend church, or what the pastor believes. It’s all about Jesus! It was not the
church that paid the price for your sins –and mine! It was Jesus! Jesus alone went to
the Cross and shed His blood for our sins. Jesus won the race; He shed His blood for
our sins! When you believe and pray thanking Him for dying for you, He will make salvation real to you! Eternity awaits us all. There’s a Heaven and a Hell. Your choice.

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