The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 8:31-36, “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

There’s an old saying that goes, “Always tell the truth and you won’t have to remember anything.” That saying has been widely attributed to Mark Twain; yet, whoever originally said it certainly knew what telling the truth is all about.

There are some today who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ but have trouble telling the truth. They pretend to be free, but they’re not. Jesus said that failure to abide in His Word was tantamount to being a slave to sin. But what does it mean to “abide in His Word”?

“Abiding in His Word” means to regularly read and absorb the teachings of Holy Scripture. We must learn and understand what the Scripture says and obey it continuously. We must also become proficient in living holy lives. That requires us to live day by day what we understand the Scriptures to teach. The Bible must become part and parcel of our lives.

It’s true that Christ-like living doesn’t happen overnight! Like anything else, it takes time, prayer, practice, and patience. Yet, the value we derive from living spiritually day by day is immeasurable! It is a testimony of the freedom Christ gives when we fully yield our lives to Him. It’s then that you will sing: “Free at last! Free at last! Praise God Almighty, I’m Free at last!”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners;

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Reading through the Bible, one cannot help but encounter numerous instances of human need. “Need” and “help” are forever word-aspects of life. “Afflicted, brokenhearted, captive, prisoners,” number but a few drawn from our text. What’s more, those aspects cry out in unison to those who pass by. How many times have you veered off of your intended pathway to assist someone you saw to be in need?

Have you ever felt helpless and alone in a situation where your heart longed to help, but circumstances stood in the way? The situation is present; yet, you have no knowledge of how to help. Your only resource is to pray. It is then that you realize that prayer IS THE RESOURCE!

Then, the LORD opens your heart to pray. You don’t need to do more than pray. Suddenly, the LORD opens the understanding of those He intends to help. And I only said, “Thank You.”

We all have something we can do. If you know the LORD, He will give you knowledge. If you don’t know Him, perhaps this brief letter will help you on the right path. You are in my prayers. If you do know Him, please keep me in your prayers.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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

Dear Grands,

John 8:30-36, “As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. 31 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ 33 They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 If, therefore, the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

The recent celebration of the birth of the United States was a celebration of freedom! AI reports, “The date of birth of the United States of America is widely recognized as July 4, 1776…because it was the day the Declaration was formally adopted and publicly proclaimed.”

When any person hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and turns away from sin and believes in Jesus as his or her LORD and Savior, he experiences what the Scriptures term “the new birth.” In that moment, the LORD Jesus Christ forgives the person all previous sins, and the Holy Spirit of God takes up permanent residence in the life of that believer.

Subsequently, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers result in spiritual growth. As my parents were fervent believers in Christ, I came to know and accept Him at the tender age of seven. Subsequently, I was baptized and joined the local church. Ten years later, I surrendered to the ministry, and the rest is history. What is your history? Have you considered what it could be? Why not get started with the Bible right now?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Matthew 24:35-42, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

38 “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.

40 “Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.

41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.

42 “Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Prayers are in abundance this week as scores of Christians throughout the nation pray earnestly for the youths still missing in the Texas flood, their parents, relatives, and friends, as well as those who are risking their lives in the rescue operation.

Those who study the causes of such disasters are to be commended for their knowledge and attention to such matters. Still, they cannot always know the future regarding such cataclysmic events.

It would be remiss of me to omit the parallel that exists between natural disasters, such as this flood, and the disasters foretold in Scripture — disasters that are related to the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. They did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matt. 1:1).

Pray for all those who are concerned – and for the many who should be!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 1:3-8, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”

I fear that I often overlook the precious and comforting letters of Simon Peter. He speaks of our being “born again,” “imperishable,” and being divinely “protected.”

If we are faithfully honest, we must respond to the validity of His words when He says that we are comfortably protected by His faithful, loving care. Yes, we are!

Does it seem to you that we’re a bit heavy on the receiving end of spiritual things while being lovingly comforted by the LORD? Doubtlessly, we don’t deserve it.

Yet, what blessing do we receive from Him that we do deserve? Let’s just be thankful and praise Him through a Christ-centered life for all His matchless blessings! It sure seems that way to me!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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