The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 12:11-14, “The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

It was many years ago that I was engaged in door-to-door visitation in a small Missouri town where I encountered a most unusual situation. The man was exceedingly polite and, to my surprise, spoke well of my purpose and of the LORD, whom I represented. There was virtually nothing I said with which he disagreed; still, he was not a Christian.

My reply to his unusual, positive response, was simply, “If you are agreeable with all that Christ said and believe all that He advocated,” I asked, “why are you not a Christian?” At best (for it occurred many years ago), my
recollection of his reply was: “I just don’t want anyone telling me what to do or how to live my life.”

Looking back on that situation, I have come to believe that is precisely the response of everyone who has not trusted Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Not everyone, who receives this Grands Letter, is a truly born-again believer in Christ, either. I continue to pray, however, that those who are not will soon be committed to Him. There’s an old saying that says: “Everybody that talks about Heaven ain’t a-goin’ there.”
It is my earnest hope and prayer that you are one who is going there! Just remember that “God will bring every act into judgment…whether it is good or evil.” And the best act ever is yielding your life in faith to Jesus Christ.

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,

Exodus 8:28-32, “Pharaoh said, ‘I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Make supplication for me.’
29 Then Moses said, ‘Behold, I am going out from you, and I shall make supplication to the LORD that the swarms of insects may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow; only do not let Pharaoh deal deceitfully again in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.’
30So Moses went out from Pharaoh and made supplication to the LORD.
31 The LORD did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of insects from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people; not one remained.
32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.

Were you ever faced with a truly difficult situation? Of course you have. Schools are like people in that they are
not always as conservative as they claim. When I was in seminary, one of my fellow-students wrote a term paper on “The Plagues of Egypt,” using only conservative resources for his research. We were all amazed when he received a top score!

Moses received a top score, too. Our Scripture above says that “Moses went out from Pharaoh and made supplication to the LORD” (v. 30). Verse 31 tells us, “The LORD did as Moses asked…”

That paper on the “Plagues” that I mentioned, was certainly not what the professor believed; nevertheless, my friend wrote what he believed to be the irrefutable truth as set forth in God’s Word, and he was rewarded.

Are you currently facing a situation the LORD has laid upon your heart –a situation with which someone might not agree? The true question then is two-fold; yet, if the burden is from the LORD, it will prevail. If it is not from the LORD, then it should be throughly erased from your mind. Let Him and His Word alone occupy your thoughts!

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,

Proverbs 3:11-18, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

We live in a marvelous world! Stars at night sparkle to our delight, and instruments through which we can scan the night’s moon tell us that there is far more to the universe than our meagre minds can grasp!

Yet, with all the glorious splendor wrapped abount us, there is so much we do not know! Why, then, do we so often resist and reject the corrections of the LORD? Is it that we deny the LORD’s awareness of what we need? Or do we doubt the value of His corrective love –or both?

The discipline of the LORD, which we often dread, is always to our advantage. It is for correction; it’s because He loves us! Discipline comes to us in “the tree of life.” Remember the fruit of that tree– fruit of which Eve partook back in the Garden of Eden? It was there for her benefit; but she misused it and plunged us all into sin!

Through the death and resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ, we can alter the results of Eve’s forbidden fruit! Trusting Jesus is the key! Oh, we’ll always continue to be faced with the trials of life; but throwing in with Him, causes us to view everything differently!

Whose side are you on? “…nothing you desire compares…” with Jesus Christ! He possesses the power to change your life –and for the better! Give up trying, and give in to trusting! He truly works!

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,

Proverbs 3:1-8, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”

The wisdom of Solomon lies both in the substance of his instruction and in the sharing of it with his son. One may possess some wisdom within himself; yet, it is of even greater value when it is shared instructively with another.

As with every loving parent, Solomon shares with his son how to live harmoneously in peace throughout all the days of his life. Kindness and truth head the list, followed by unity, which speaks of one’s good reputation with the LORD and also with one’s fellowsman.

Life overflows with factors that tend to weaken one’s attention toward the LORD and His instruction. Yet, our acknowledgment of Him and His directives are decidedly to our advantage. Wisdom rests in the LORD, not within ourselves. Thus, turning from evil brings refreshment to our bodies as well as to our souls.

Nothing supersedes the wisdom and instruction of the LORD! Are you listening to Him? Are you following His leadership of your life, as in the Scriptures? His Word promises in Psalm 91:11 that His angels will “guard you in all your ways.” Just make sure you belong to Him!

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,

2 Chronicles 32:1-4, 20-22, “After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.
2 Now when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem,
3 he decided with his officers and his warriors to cut off the supply of water from the springs which were outside the city, and they helped him.
4 So many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream which flowed through the region, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find abundant water?”

20 But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven.
21 And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned in shame to his own land. And when he had entered the temple of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword.
22 So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.

The kings of ancient times were not without intelligence!
When the Israelites knew the Assyrians were coming, they knew both Israel and Assyria would need water. So, King Hezekiah built an underground tunnel that would supply Israel, but would deny water to the Assyrians.

The tunnel was engineered from both ends, and amazingly connected at the midpoint.

Many years ago, my eldest son, Richard, and I walked waist deep for the entirety of that tunnel. Our only problem was the party we encountered coming from the other end!

Our LORD always has a plan –even when we don’t deserve it. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…” the Scriptures say, “and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). We trusted and He led us out! He will do the same for 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