The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 John 3:1-3, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such

we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears,

we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.

3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Yesteday, we learned that the LORD wanted His children to behave and bring honor to His Name. Today, John writes that the Father wants His children to be called by His Name!

It’s funny now, but someone didn’t think so at the time. I was probably about 10 years old and our church had just installed a phonograph in a side room just off of the pulpit area. It was connected to speakers that reached the hearing of those within and without the church. It’s intention was to play music prior to calling everyone to gather for the worship hour. The phono, however, did not have an auto-changer, so someone had to watch it closely. So far as I knew, no one had been specifically designated to restart the recording when the disc reached its terminal point. Thus, I made it my business to adjust it as necessary. Something went wrong! Everyone heard it; and some lady blurted out, “Oh, it’s probably one of those little Jeffries kids messin’ with it.” At that time, I’m quite certain that my father would have preferred not to have had his surname mentioned.

Of course, my father loved me, just as our Heavenly Father loves us. When we become His children, He delights to have it known that we belong to Him. I never knew whether I would look like my earthly father, when I grew up. And sometimes, we’re not sure how much like our Heavenly Father we look. Families with multiple children often have look-alikes among them. It’s not really important how much we look like our earthly parents; what really counts is whether our behavior, including love for others, makes our parents delighted to admit that we belong to them. And so it is with Jesus Christ. The Father gave us His Son, Jesus, as His model for our lives. One day we will meet Him! That’s what keeps me wanting to look like Him now! I don’t want Jesus to be embarrassed by my earthly behavior.

The music in Heaven is divinely inspired. There are no phonographs that need attention, so I’ll be free to fellowship with Jesus and loved ones. What’s more, there will be no critics to call my name for screeches heard over loud speakers. Still, I hope that lady is there. I want her to know I made it, and that I love her despite her earthly criticism. Jesus loves us all despite our failures. That’s how we are expected to love one another. God bless you abundantly!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”