The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 3:1-7, “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. 2 It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, 4 that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, ‘Here I am.’ 5 Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. 6 The LORD called yet again, ‘Samuel!’ So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’’ But he answered, ‘I did not call, my son, lie down again.’ 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him.”

There’s much more in the Bible about Samuel than immediately “meets the eye.” How much young Samuel knew of the LORD was very little. He knew, however, that the LORD existed; he had simply not heard Him speak nor had he spoken with Him. In many ways, we are like young Samuel; yet we have the Scriptures, and the LORD speaks to us through them.

It is a privilege to speak with the LORD. All people have the privilege of coming to the LORD Jesus Christ. Lost people have the opportunity to call on Him for salvation. He offers salvation to all. Like young Samuel, once you have come to know Him, you can speak with Him as often and as long as you wish. He’s always available to hear you.

How often do you pray? How serious are your prayers? Do you confess daily the sins you’ve committed? Honest and serious confession of sin releases the weight of sin’s burden and gives you strength to live your life for Him! Samuel ultimately found it beneficial. You will, too, if you are listening. You are listening, aren’t you?

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

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,

Zechariah 7:7-9, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?’ declares the LORD of hosts.

7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west;

8 and I will bring them back, and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem, and they will be My people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.’

9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built.”

The day in which we currently live is not without ancient parallels. Israel has always been the LORD’s people, as has the Land of Promise. It’s often difficult to understand how the meaning of the LORD’s message in one passage of Scripture fits so easily into another passage. What was prophesied in Zechariah clearly teaches that Israel is the LORD’s people!

Further, the Temple has always been a key factor in the mind of the LORD and His people. It was the 1967 “Six Day War” that allowed Israel to reclaim a portion of the wall that surrounds the 35 acres of the Temple Mount. This has also encouraged the nation to examine further factors.

The excitement of regaining but a portion of her history has encouraged Israel, to say the least! Yet, the opposition of surrounding nations persists. Zechariah believes in Israel! There will doubtlessly be opposition to Israeli ownership and/or the Temple Mount; still, the nation will survive with the ownership. Stay tuned!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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 1:3-9, “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,

9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

What amazing words from the heart of a fisherman! Still, Simon Peter was an ex-fisherman! He had long ago replaced his nets and tackle with a faith that spoke only of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Peter’s Savior provided an imperishable inheritance that remains available today for all who will believe.

Moreover, there is immediate protection for those who have exchanged their belief in themselves for a sincere belief in the Savior. And the proof of this provokes joy in the life of one who believes.

Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior of your life? If you have, you will want others to know Him, too. If you have yet to trust Him, let me urge you to do so before the opportunity passes you by. “Today is the day of salvation!”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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 42:9-17, “And Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, ‘You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.’ 10 Then they said to him, ‘No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11 ‘We are all sons of one man; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.’ 12 Yet he said to them, ‘No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!’ 13 But they said, ‘Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.’ 14 And Joseph said to them, ‘It is as I said to you, you are spies. 15 By this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 ‘Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.’ 17 So he put them all together in prison for three days.”

I’m not sure of Joseph’s exact age at this point in his life, but he was somewhere near the age of 39 and gifted with wisdom well beyond his years! Despite his brothers’ denial, Joseph insisted that they were spies and had come to learn what they could about the secrets of Egypt. Of course, Joseph knew the truth of why they were there, but he had a plan they could never have uncovered.

Were you ever in a situation like that? Trouble had invaded your life, and it just didn’t make sense. It might do us all good to stop and consider the possibility that we have wandered from the path the LORD has designed for us, and now He has ventured to teach us a lesson and get us back on the path of His will. A periodic reassessment of things would certainly do no harm. Remember, we are always safe and secure when we abide in Him.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

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,

Jude 1:1-4 “Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:

2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

It is always exciting to receive a word from a friend. I received one recently, however, that was anything but exciting, for it was a notification of the termination of his earthly life. Knowing, however, that he was a strong believer and a dedicated advocate for our LORD Jesus Christ, lessened my natural emotional distress.

Were my friend still among us, he would contend that we, who loved him, would do well to concentrate that love on those who have yet to receive Jesus in salvation. He would advocate Jude’s emphasis because it is additionally focused on those who are not saved.

Do you have friends who have never accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior? Are you praying for them? Have you spoken to them about Jesus? We are not responsible for their acceptance of Jesus, but we are responsible for sharing with them His plan of salvation.

As we pray, the LORD enables the lost to receive our witness. Sharing Jesus Christ is our chief responsibility. We must be clear and prayerful as we share Him with others. We can always trust Him to be faithful. The heavy question is: Can He trust us to be prayerfully faithful in sharing Him? I pray that He can.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

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