The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 6:28-36, “So Jesus said, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.
29 ‘And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.’
30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
35 “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

It’s not easy to convince a person that he is a slave, when he truly believes that he is free. This was precisely the problem with those to whom Jesus was speaking.

“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they said, “and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’? It’s like trying to convince someone from a slave-holding country that Americans are all free people.

There are numerous Americans, who believe they are “Christians” because they are Americans. Yet,
they are bound by sin that dominates all human life. They simply do not know the truth by which they can become free. Their habits depict their enslavement, yet all the while they think they are free.

All true freedom originates with Jesus Christ. Yet, it’s not enough just to know that; one must experience the “new birth” that comes from Jesus alone. It’s not membership in any certain church. It’s not having been baptized into any church. It all centers in accepting the LORD Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior!

The most serious, personal question is: Have you confessed your sins to the LORD Jesus Christ and believed in Him for forgiveness? Then, “…you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” My prayer is that you will confess and believe. It’s the only way to true freedom.

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,

Genesis 19:18-26, “But Lot said to them, ‘Oh no, my lords!
19 Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die;
20 now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.’
21 He said to him, ‘Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken.
22 ‘Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.’ Therefore, the name of the town was called Zoar.
23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar.
24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven,
25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”

When will we learn? We can hear Lot argue with God; yet, it’s of little difference when we argue with God. We do, don’t we? How often He has opened doors for our escape, but we would not oblige Him! How often He has closed doors for our protection, yet we blamed Him for the negative occurances!

Walvoord says, “Questioning the Word of God leads to contradiction and unbelief. Though at first Satan only questioned the Word of God, his method led to ultimate contradiction. He proceeded to deny the Word of God.” And so it has been with many over the ages.

Still, the Psalmist says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path…I will keep Your righteous ordinances” (Psa. 119:105).

Why do we argue with God? Are we unsure of His ability to produce what He affirms He can do? Or, are we so filled with self-confidence that we believe we can go it alone? Many try, but always fail. When will we learn that we cannot achieve what God has denied?

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,

1 Sam. 20:31-39, “’For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.’
32 But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father had decided to put David to death.
34 Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him.
35 Now it came about in the morning that Jonathan went out into the field for the appointment with David, and a little lad was with him.
36 He said to his lad, ‘Run, find now the arrows which I am about to shoot.’ As the lad was running, he shot an arrow past him.
37 When the lad reached the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the lad and said, ‘Is not the arrow beyond you?’
38And Jonathan called after the lad, ‘Hurry, be quick, do not stay!’ And Jonathan’s lad picked up the arrow and came to his master.
39 But the lad was not aware of anything; only Jonathan and David knew about the matter.”

Saul was furious! Anger had superseded his wisdom and he was determined to kill David. What had David done? He was simply absent from a meeting that was apparently regularly attended by the three of them. (Anger will ultimately be Saul’s downfall.)

Saul was never angered like this prior to becoming King. His ego has superseded his rank. Ever know anyone like that?

Had Saul paid closer attention to David and Jonathan, he could have uncovered the mystery of their “shooting the arrow.” This small secret enabled the two boys to communicate without anyone noticing. Children are often clever in concealing their habits from their parents.

There’s a lesson here for parents: Keep an eye on the habits of your children. Curb your anger! There’s an observation for the children, as well. Be careful about hiding things (even non-hurtful things) from your parents and from those who arecharged with caring for you. It worked well this time; it may not work as well next time.

Let love, honesty and faithfulness be the key to all your successes. “Train up a child in the way he should go…” Do you know the remainder of that verse, and where that is found in the Bible? Try Proverbs 22… It’s guaranteed to help!

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,

Deuteronomy 26:14b-19, “I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me.
15 ‘Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel, and the ground which You have given us, a land flowing with milk and honey, as You swore to our fathers.’
16 “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall, therefore, be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.
17 “You have today declared the LORD to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice.
18 “The LORD has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments;
19 and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the LORD your God, as He has spoken.”

Not all of those who gathered back in 1776 to create the Constitution of these United States were true born-again believers; nevertheless, all
of them were God-fearing men. They had been led to formulate the Document that has from its inception been the Guiding Light of our Republic.

It can only be argued that the LORD was their Guiding Force, and that that Force has steered the Ship of State that we know as the United States of America.

Numerous amendments have softened, and sometimes hardened, the basics of that document; still it has stood the test of time through many troubled waters. The spiritual sextant has maticulantly kept the nation on its true course.

May we always give thanks to the LORD for His infallable provisions, and for His priceless course corrections that are destined to lead us to the Port of Glory! May the LORD always be praised!

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,

James 5:17-20, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

A host of errors from a variety of places has brought about misgivings of the Holy Scriptures and the men and women they set before us as spiritual examples. Elijah was one of the foremost examples.

James tells us: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.” Have you ever prayed that the LORD would not allow it to rain, and have your prayer answered?

Truth be told, it takes a person with exceeding faith to even dare to pray such a prayer. But, you and I have natures just like Elijah’s! Why are our prayers not answered? Elijah’s were! Does the LORD not love us as much as He loves Elijah?

Of course, the LORD loves us as much as He loved Elijah! But our prayers do not demonstrate the faith and perseverance of Elijah’s. He prayed earnestly; we pray spasmodically. His prayers were for God’s glory; our prayers are often simply for our immediate benefit.

We have no written record of the prayers of Elijah. Yet, he prayed for three years and six months that rain would be withheld –and it was! Subsequently, “…he prayed again, and the earth produced its fruit.” Elijah did not give up! He believed thoroughly in the LORD! His persistence in prayer was ultimately honored. Now, dare we ask why our prayers are not answered?

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