The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 says, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God.”

25 “For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?”

26 “For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”

King Solomon was doubtlessly endowed with some fantastic gifts from God! He was a master builder and a gifted writer, each of which was well beyond the work and wisdom of others within his time.

The first eleven verses of this second chapter are concerned with Solomon’s pleasure (2:1-11). “Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new’? Already it has existed for ages which were before us” (Eccl. 1:10).

Known for his wisdom, Solomon considered it both “madness and folly, just as light excels darkness” (2:12-16). Yet, Solomon’s conclusion was that “it is from the hand of God, and who can have enjoyment without Him?” (2:24-26).

It’s more than likely that we both know people who are striving after the “good life” that was known to Solomon. They are so engrossed in the “goodness,” while ignoring the “life!” Most things are enjoyable once they’re undertaken. Yet, if our motives are only for enjoyment, we’re already on the wrong course. Give Solomon’s focus your own. You just might be surprised!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

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 Samuel 18:5-9, “So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

6 And it happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments.

7 And the women sang as they played, and said, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’

8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?’

9 And Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.”

It’s hard sometimes to see some people prosper and receive great applause while others (others meaning you) are pushed to the rear and discounted altogether!

Every orchestra has multiple instruments. Those who occupy the “first chair” in each section are the ones who demonstrate superiority in playing a particular instrument. At the conclusion of a selected musical number, the director often calls upon those who played solos to stand in recognition of their exceptional performance.

There were vast musical expressions in King Saul’s day; however, it was young David who demonstrated exceptional bravery; Saul was not even present for the battle! Yet, when Israel returned victoriously, the greater praise went to David instead of to Saul. This weighed quite heavily upon Saul. He was jealous beyond belief!

We need to be careful here. None of us possesses talent superior to others. Some time ago, I attended a local orchestral concert. Two musicians were featured with the orchestra. When the piece was completed and the applause had died down, one of the two featured musicians humbly sneaked into the second violin section to play with them in yet another featured number. It was indeed an act of humility.

Saul could have learned a good lesson from that violinist! So can we! Don’t look to be noted; just look to see where you can help. Your applause will come later, much later!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

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,

Job 4:1-8, “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

2 ‘If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?

3 ‘Behold you have admonished many, and you have strengthened weak hands.

4 Your words have helped the tottering to stand, and you have strengthened feeble knees.

5 ‘But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed.

6 ‘Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

7 ‘Remember now, whoever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?

8 ‘According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble harvest it.'”

The background of these few verses arises from the troubles of Job. He was a righteous man, yet for reasons totally unknown to him, his family and his wealth were suddenly struck down, all without apparent cause.

The scenario could be duplicated again and again today. A godly servant of the LORD, faithful in worship, faithful in caring for others, who loves the LORD and serves Him with full dedication, is suddenly struck down with an illness that mystifies the brightest medical minds, who work feverishly to bring him to wellness.

What are the godly to do? They commence by prayerfully removing from within themselves every minute possibility of the cause. They then immerse themselves in confessional prayer, throwing themselves mercilessly upon the LORD, as they seek resolution to the dilemma.

How can a loving, merciful Heavenly Father ignore such human contrition? He cannot. He does not, although the indicators of all prior maladies would have us believe that He does not. No, He is a merciful, loving Heavenly Father, who loves to hear His children pray.

18 “Then Moses said, ‘I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!’

19 “And He said, ‘I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.’

20 “Still, He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!'”

As Christian believers, we ought to periodically check up on our spiritual lives, lest we be “the blind helping the blind.” No one can do this for us. It is a prayerful action that believers alone can embrace.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

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,

2 Kings 18:1-8, “Now it came about in the third year of Hoshea, the son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah became king.

2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.

3 And he did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done.

4 He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.

5 He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him.

6 For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.

7 And the LORD was with him; wherever he went he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.

8 He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.

It’s exciting to read of a young man following the LORD! Those who learn to follow Him while they are young will doubtlessly follow Him throughout their lives.

Sometimes, however, older men come to know Him, and they wish they had followed Him when they were young. Those who learn to follow the LORD while they are young usually follow someone who has previously followed Him.

We need to think seriously and act according to the pattern the LORD has set before us through His own Life. In that way, we will also establish a spiritual pattern for others to follow. What we often don’t know is that there is someone who is watching us and patterning what they see in us.

Learning commences in the home. And believe it or not, we obtain our earliest words and our ways from there. It’s not too late to become a true and enthusiastic follower of Jesus. Get into the Scriptures today!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

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,

II Chronicles 5:11-14, “And when the priests came forth from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions),

12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets

13 in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,

14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.”

Have you ever wondered what music would be like in Heaven? Well, there are 21 references to “music” in the Bible; yet, only two references are in the New Testament, and all of them refer to music sung here on earth.

When King Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me,” one of the young men who stood nearby said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him. So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David who is with the flock” (1 Sam. 16:18-19).

“So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him” (1 Sam. 16:23).

Bear in mind that everything that can be used to glorify the LORD can also be misused to glorify people and spirits that exist outside of the LORD God. There’s an old saying that goes, “All that glitters is not gold.” Satan is clever! He wraps his efforts in what appears to be godly; yet it is not!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones” (Prov. 3:5-8).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

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