The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:13-20, “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’

15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’

16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

I’ve had a few “Wow!” moments in my life, but nothing to even begin to compare with what the shepherds encountered that night! It must have been as frightful as it was enlightening! Go out some dark night and try to imagine that happening to you! It just might be that you would then find it hard to sleep! People often travel miles to observe phenomena related to the moon, but nothing even close to what the shepherds encountered!

I heard some outstanding Christmas music the other day that prompted me to wonder what the music in Heaven will be like! But wait! Will there be music in heaven? Surely, there will be. Yet, the Scripture says, “…the heavenly host praising God and saying”—not singing.

As wonderful as heavenly things must be, we must be careful not to allow ourselves to mentally manufacture things that are spiritual. They will always exceed our expectations.

Heartily in Christ,

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 9:18-26, “While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.’ 19 Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples. 20 And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; 21 for she was saying to herself, ‘If I only touch His garment, I will get well.’ 22 But Jesus, turning and seeing her, said, ‘Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.’ At once the woman was made well. 23 When Jesus came into the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24 He said, ‘Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.’ And they began laughing at Him. 25 But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 This news spread throughout all that land.”

Faith in the LORD Jesus Christ is the supreme answer to all difficulties! All too often we look beyond the LORD for the answer to our difficulties. Yes, in the day in which we live, He has given wisdom to doctors to learn, to analyze, and to treat many of the physical difficulties which we often experience. Yet, much more is often involved in the healing process than human medical treatment. That’s why many doctors refer patients to other doctors. No one except the LORD knows everything about physical or emotional difficulties.

That is why there are multiple verses in the Bible that instruct us to “trust in the LORD…” Yes, there is such a thing as having “faith” in medical doctors; yet, even they will often guide us to the LORD for the ultimate answer to the most difficult problems. “If I only touch His garment,” the woman said, “I will get well.” That’s why the Scripture says, “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:5).

Heartily in Christ,

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,

Genesis 22:1-8, “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’”

2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.

5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.

7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.”

What would we do if we were directed by the LORD to sacrifice one of our children? The LORD, of course, knew He was ultimately going to spare Isaac; but Abraham didn’t! Aren’t we thankful that the LORD doesn’t put us to such a test? Yes, we face tests of a similar nature. It’s just that here in Scripture we can read ahead and know both the LORD’s intention and the ultimate outcome. Do we believe Him when He orders us to behave in a strange and dangerous manner? We must remember that “God will provide for Himself…” His way is always best. Our trust must always reside in Him.

Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

Heartily yours in Christ,

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,

Luke 21:10-15, “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.”

It’s interesting how natural instincts often lend themselves to conversations of a more serious nature. Whether I was “gifted” with a sense of humor or simply with a dopey mind is an open question. (No votes will be taken here!) Yet, a recent telephone conversation with a man I have never met opened a door with, of all people, his wife!

In the course of my conversation with her, she mentioned that she was reading the Bible with the intention of reading it through. That small “opening” offered me the opportunity to ask if she were a Christian. Her answer was immersed in a reply that was less than I had hoped; still, it offered me the opportunity to introduce “prayer” into our conversation, and how vital that is in connection with the Scriptures.

The LORD had opened the door, just as He said in the passage above from the Gospel of Luke. It was indeed “an opportunity for testimony.” I was “warmed” in my own spirit for the opportunity. Whatever the girl knows or does not know about prayer, I had the opportunity to emphasize it clearly. Whatever the results, they are the LORD’s alone. Please pray for “Betty,” and join me in thanking the LORD for the opportunity of uplifting His Name!

Heartily yours in Christ,

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,

Philippians 2:1-11, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.

4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name, which is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The Apostle Paul covers everything necessary for ministry in verses one through four. Then, in verses five through eight, he exemplifies it all as Christ’s very life. In verses nine through eleven, he identifies the Father’s desires for us all: the exaltation of His Son. When every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Father is then also glorified.

May we ever and always live to the standard of Christ Jesus’ glorification!

Heartily yours in Christ,

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