The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 52:4-12, “For thus says the Lord God, “My people went down at the first into Egypt to reside there, then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

5 “Now therefore, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?” Again the LORD declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

6 “Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.'”

7 How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion.

9 Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God.

11 Depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.

12 But you will not go out in haste, nor will you go as fugitives; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

This long passage emphasizes what the LORD’s people should be, knowing that the LORD Himself is always with us, as He was with the people who went into Egypt.

The LORD rails in holiness against those who have done evil to His people. He is always present to support those who give open allegiance to Him. “Here I am,” He says! We often cower in the presence of those who oppose Him. Yet, He cries, “Here I am!” And that should be sufficient to smother all of our fears. He encourages us to rejoice! “…shout joyfully together…for the LORD will go before us, and the God of Israel will be our rear guard.” Praise the LORD! He is always with us when we are with Him.

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,

Judges 6:1-10, “Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD gave them into the hands of Midian seven years.

2 And the power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian, the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

3 For it was when Israel had sown that the Midianites would come up with the Amalekites and the sons of the east and go against them.

4 So they would camp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey.

5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come in like locusts for number; both they and their camels were innumerable, and they came into the land to devastate it.

6 So Israel was brought very low because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried to the LORD.

7 Now it came about when the sons of Israel cried to the LORD on account of Midian,

8 that the LORD sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, and he said to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “It was I who brought you up from Egypt and brought you out from the house of slavery.

9 “And I delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hands of all your oppressors, and dispossessed them before you and gave you their land,

10 and I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live.’ But you have not obeyed Me.”

Did you notice what occurred in the brief discussion above? Look closely! Read carefully verse one again: “…the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD…” Who caused this conflict? To be sure, the Midianites attacked and stole what Israel had sown and harvested; still, Israel deserved the hurt she encountered.

The LORD never delights in disciplining His children for the wrong that we do. We discipline our children when they disobey us, but why do we do it? Is it simply an outworking of our anger, or are we employing discipline as a teacher for their good?

There’s an old saying that goes: “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” That’s equally applicable to discipline. Another saying says: “You can’t do wrong and get by.” The LORD employs them both. So, watch out, and remember: His switch hurts, but it’s ultimately for your good.

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,

I Kings 14:1-14, “At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick.

2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise now, and disguise yourself so that they may not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh; behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who spoke concerning me that I would be king over this people.

3 “And take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.”

7 “Go, say to Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel,

8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you– yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;

10 …therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone.

14 “Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam this day and from now on.”

If you’ve ever believed that you were indispensable in caring for a situation, think again! Jeroboam had become so “full of himself” that his plan to get the prophet Ahijah involved in the healing of his son backfired! What’s more, the LORD brought such calamity on his house when He said, “Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city, the dogs will eat. And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat; for the LORD has spoken it.”

We should, however, be grateful for Jeroboam’s example of what not to be and not to do, lest the LORD does for us what He did for him.

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,

2 Timothy 2:1-7, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.“

It’s helpful in understanding Paul’s instructions to remember that Timothy is more than a young friend to the apostle. He is indeed Paul’s protégé, for he calls him “my son.” Once that spiritual relationship is understood, the remainder of Paul’s instruction becomes evident.

“Don’t forget what I have told you,” Paul says, “because you are now responsible for sharing it with others.”

Inasmuch as Paul’s instruction is basic to the Christian faith, we are certain to encounter hardships when sharing spiritual teachings contrary to those of the world. We must, therefore, abstain from the worldly things of everyday life in order that others may see the validity of our Christian teachings. Soldiers and athletes encounter hardships, yet they follow the rules of their games; so we must never do less in our service for Jesus Christ.

Paul’s illustrations with respect to military and athletic life are clear and accurate; no one is going to gain eternity based on secular beliefs or involvements. What we demonstrate in life, however, will quite definitely affect their attitude and acceptance of our spiritual teachings. Yes, the Christian gospel will alter normal human life, but only as it is viewed as life-changing in us. It is our responsibility to demonstrate Christ in word and in life!

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,

Zephaniah 1:1-6, “The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah,

2 ‘I will completely remove all things from the face of the earth,’ declares the LORD.

3 ‘I will remove man and beast; I will remove the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with the wicked; and I will cut off man from the face of the earth,’ declares the LORD.

4 ‘So, I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the names of the idolatrous priests along with the priests.

5 ‘And those who bow down on the housetops to the host of heaven, and those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom,

6 And those who have turned back from following the LORD, and those who have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.’”

Regardless of the political state of Israel, Satanic practices have always challengingly invaded the pure teachings of the LORD. Amon of Judah was the fifteenth king of Judah. He succeeded his father Manasseh and is remembered for his idolatrous practices during his short two-year reign. These evil practices, however, led to revolt and eventually to Amon’s assassination.

Ultimately, Zephaniah became a spiritual figure in those days, and the LORD used him to sound a strong warning to His people. Thus, it was Zephaniah’s voice that warned of the LORD’s intended judgment upon His people in the days of Judah.

The LORD’s wrath was as complete as it was justified. Nevertheless, His loving heart provided a reprieve when He said, “…I will leave among you a humble and lowly people and they will take refuge in the name of the LORD” (Zeph. 3:12). Like a loving parent, the LORD never delights in punishing His children, regardless of how deserving they are. We must be careful, however, not to ever presume upon His love and grace.

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