The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 1:19-26, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. 20 For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

All of the apostles contributed messages that advocated Christ-like behavior. James, however, uses a more militaristic style than most, saying, “quick, slow, put aside, prove.” At the same time, he never loses focus on the overall message: hear the Word, obey the Word, abide in the Word.

What an exciting challenge this should be for us! Hearing the Word means understanding it. Abiding in the Word means always obeying it with consistency. It is the lifeline of our existence! What’s more, it establishes a pattern of life for those who live with and around us.

Jesus Himself is, of course, our Divine Pattern for life! We can do no better than to live like He lived. How is today treating you? How are you treating today?

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,

James 1:13-18, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”

You have undoubtedly heard the foolish question: “Can God construct a stone that is so large that He Himself cannot move it?” We need to be extremely careful with such foolish thoughts because they can lead us into areas of thinking that question the LORD and His infinite abilities. Beware!

Still, have you ever wondered if there is anything that God cannot do? Well, the Bible says there is! The answer is in verse 13 of our text above: “God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone!” Yet, it is “through the exercise of His will” that He saves and secures us! No one is saved because he deserves it; he is saved when he realizes he does not deserve it and turns in trust to the LORD to deliver him. Nor is anyone secured through his own human effort.

All good things come from God. What’s more, they come to us completely by His grace! Yet, He requires that we surrender our grip on sin and fully trust in His will and thorough capability to save. Trust ever and only in the LORD!

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,

James 1:9-12, “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Almost everyone I know is of “humble circumstances.” Many, if not most, wish that they had more and wish they could live as prosperously and joyously as those who possess considerable wealth. What those who lack riches do not know is that many who are wealthy lack the abilities and joys of the poor and would gladly relinquish what they possess for what the poor have.

I once knew a man who had considerable wealth. His business was thriving, yet the car he drove was visibly old and needed some serious attention. I was young and somewhat brash, so one day I told him I was certain he could afford a nicer car and asked him why he didn’t purchase a better one.

He smiled and said, “You’re right. This is an old car, and I could afford a newer one; but this one gets me where I need to go and gets me back home. So, it serves me as well as a new one would.”

I’ve thought a lot about what the man said, and it applies well to a variety of things. The world cries, “Buy more!” Yet, the contented man thinks of his coming “Crown of Life” and glories in the LORD he serves. He is rich already!

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,

James 1:1-8, “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus

Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect

and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all

generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who

doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from

the Lord,

8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Have you ever encountered one of life’s trials? I can hear you saying,

“Are you kidding? Every day seems to be the focus on a serious trial

for me!”

Well, if it’s any comfort, we’re all in the same boat. Trials, of course,

often differ with respect to circumstances. James is an optimist! He

encourages us to keep a good attitude whatever we’re facing and

with whatever ultimately occurs. I have no idea what kind of jokes

were told in those days, but my guess is that James was also a joker!

He credits his recipients with wisdom and prayer. He encourages them

not to doubt, but to trust in the LORD! That is not only good for him

to say, it’s exceedingly good for us all to hear! Don’t we always want to hear good things and be encouraged, especially concerning prayer? Keep the faith! Stay focused in prayer! Trust the LORD for help! Just don’t forget to say, “Thank You!”

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,

Habakkuk 1:1-4, “The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw.

2 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, and You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.

3 Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises.

4 Therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice comes out perverted.”

Whether we admit it or not, we’re all very much like the prophet Habakkuk. How many times have we prayed until we were ready to give up because we had no answer?

A mother might seek to encourage her young ones with the thought that “the LORD is very busy; He will answer when He has time.”

But for those of us who have lived long with Him, an answer like we might give to our children is not sufficient. We’re adults! Where is the LORD? Why has He not replied?

Well, if we’re truly adults, we should act like adults. Of course, the LORD is busy, but He is THE LORD! He can provide a thousand responses to His people in numerous countries in a nanosecond of time. To Him, time itself is of no importance. It is no impediment to His Divine decrees. In the meantime, we are being taught to be patient—or are we?

How often, when told to wait, does a child respond with, “But I want it NOW!” Is it not sufficient that He has heard us? We wait on responses from others. Is He not more important than they? Certainly, He is! Perhaps that is why He appears to delay.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called… and be thankful” (Col. 3:15).

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