The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 5:1-12, “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”

Were you ever discouraged? Have you ever lived with the thought that what you wanted so much might never occur? Has your heart mourned? Have you felt left out? Neglected? If you have, you are not alone.

“Not alone,” however, does not mean that you have what is missing. It simply means that there is room for the LORD to work in seeing that your life is fulfilled. Nine times in 12 verses, the Word assures us that we are “not alone.” The LORD is with us. He simply says, “Rejoice and be glad…” Those who recognize His blessing have no reason to be sad.

The presence of the LORD is ever and always our delight! He is our “Morning Star!” He fills our lives with glory! He answers our prayers. He brings light –His Light!—into our lives! He meets our needs at every turn.

No wonder the Scriptures say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 The LORD performs righteous deeds and judgments for all who are oppressed (Psalm 103:1-6)!

Cheer up, ye saints of God
There’s nothing to worry about;
Nothing to make you feel afraid,
Nothing to make you doubt.
Remember Jesus never fails;
So, why not trust Him and shout?
You’ll be sorry you worried at all
Tomorrow morning!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

II Chronicles 31:14-17, “Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the eastern gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to apportion the contributions for the LORD and the most holy things.
15 Under his authority were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah in the cities of the priests, to distribute faithfully their portions to their brothers by divisions, whether great or small,
16 without regard to their genealogical enrollment, to the males from thirty years old and upward– everyone who entered the house of the LORD for his daily obligations– for their work in their duties according to their divisions;
17 as well as the priests who were enrolled genealogically according to their fathers’ households, and the Levites from twenty years old and upwards, by their duties and their divisions.”

There was no escape from work for the Jewish people. Regardless of where they lived during their many journeys, the human responsibilities were quite real. It is the same with all Christians. We are charged to be faithful to Christ. He has always promised to be faithful to us!

“Let your light shine before men in such a way
that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father who is in heaven” (Mat. 5:16).

Both the Old and New Testaments require faithfulness in the work to which we are assigned. Work differs, but it is all vital to the overall procedure. The LORD develops us as we adhere to His assignments. It is much like our growth in the home. Those who concentrate on the responsibilities to which they are assigned in their youth, grow into adulthood and become faithful members of society.

What is your spiritual assignment? Are you faithful in it? We will all one day be held accountable.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Ezekiel 36:23-28,”When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’
21 “But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.
23 ‘I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
24 ‘For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.
25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
28 “You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.’”

Almost every day, it seems, a new accusation of sin comes forth that purports to concern someone, who professes to represent the LORD. It is difficult to view one, who alleges to represent the LORD, be accused of ignominious activities that bring disgrace upon the LORD and the people who worship Him in sincere truth.

The LORD has always had concern for His Holy Name. Thus, those who profess Him as their Lord do harm when they live contrary to His Name. Too often, we are careless in our behavior.
Too often, we want to live like others instead of like Him. This allows us to have companionship with those whose lives wander away from the Divine Pattern He has set for us in His own life.

When I was in high school, some of us who played baseball had the habit of rubbing dirt on our uniforms before the game! It served the appearance of our “really being in the game!” Yet, it was deceptive –purposely deceptive! It said that we weren’t just warming the bench as alternate players.

How often such deceptions slip into our spiritual lives. They have the look of our being a true follower of Jesus Christ, when, actually, we are not. It may be the size of the Bible we carry. It may be how enthusiastically we sing. Yet, as someone once said, “It’s not how loud you shout, or how high you jump, it’s how you run when you hit the ground.”

It’s even more than that! One day we will all stand before the LORD Jesus Christ and give an account of our faithfulness –or the lack of it. If you’re into the Word, stay in the Word! If you’re not in the Word, get into It and absorb Its truths every day! Even in Israel today, there is serious interest in the New Testament!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
May they prosper who love you”
(Psalm 122:6).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Ezekiel 36:23-28,”When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’
21 “But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.
23 ‘I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
24 ‘For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.
25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
28 “You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.’”

Almost every day, it seems, a new accusation of sin comes forth that purports to concern someone, who professes to represent the LORD. It is difficult to view one, who alleges to represent the LORD, be accused of ignominious activities that bring disgrace upon the LORD and the people who worship Him in sincere truth.

The LORD has always had concern for His Holy Name. Thus, those who profess Him as their Lord do harm when they live contrary to His Name. Too often, we are careless in our behavior.
Too often, we want to live like others instead of like Him. This allows us to have companionship with those whose lives wander away from the Divine Pattern He has set for us in His own life.

When I was in high school, some of us who played baseball had the habit of rubbing dirt on our uniforms before the game! It served the appearance of “really being in the game!” Yet, it was deceptive –purposely deceptive! It said that we weren’t just warming the bench as alternate players.

How often such deceptions slip into our spiritual lives. They have the look of our being a true follower of Jesus Christ, when, actually, they are not. It may be the size of the Bible we carry. It may be how enthusiastically we sing. Yet, as someone once said, “It’s not how loud you shout, or how high you jump, it’s how you run when you hit the ground.”

It’s even more than that! One day we will all stand before the LORD Jesus Christ and give an account of our faithfulness –or the lack of it. If you’re into the Word, stay in the Word! If you’re not in the Word, get into It and absorb its truths every day! Even in Israel today, there is serious interest in the New Testament!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
May they prosper who love you”
(Psalm 122:6).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Judges 1:1-7, “Now it came about after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?’
2 The LORD said, ‘Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.’
3 Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, ‘Come up with me into the territory allotted me, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you.’ So Simeon went with him.
4 Judah went up, and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands, and they defeated ten thousand men at Bezek.
5 They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek and fought against him, and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
6 But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.
7 Adoni-bezek said, ‘Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.’ So they brought him to Jerusalem and he died there.”

Memorial Day is commemorated annually in the United States as a remembrance of those who gave their lives in battles for our country. Not to be forgotten, Billion Graves reached my computer with a list of 171 National Cemeteries in the United States alone.

Our Scripture passage for today speaks of warfare in the days of the Judges. The atrocious features of Israeli warfare in biblical times, however ruthless and cruel by today’s standards, was ordered by the LORD. It may be that He wished us in our historical time, to understand how much He hates evil and how determined He is that wrong should be avenged, whether by His own Hand or by the hands of His people.

We can, therefore, be assured that He is always protective of His people. Our responsibility is to be certain that we are His people through belief in His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. Are you under His loving care? You can be by simply confessing your sins and asking His forgiveness. It’s simple; but you must be genuinely serious. God loves you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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