The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 12:5-14, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us
is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence;
he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

The word “hope” appears only 157 times in the Bible. The word “faith” appears 428 times; but the word “love” appears throughout the Scriptures some 850 or more times! The Greek language contains three or four words that translate as “love”; yet only two New Testament words are
primary: agape and philos, Agape is the primary of the two. We might like (philos) the music that shows worship of the LORD Jesus; but we will surely love (agape) Him even more for who He is:
the Son of the Living God!

Read slowly through the numbered verses above once again and note the contrasts. You might better understand the closeness of the two words in a sentence like this: “I love (agape) my wife and I love (philos) the way she cooks when we entertain company.”

We are taught in Scripture to love the LORD personally and fervently! That’s agape! We might also love the music of the organ as a prelude to the worship service. That’s philos!

Think of these two word meanings when you next use the word “love.” My guess is that you will think
more carefully about how what you “love” and what you only “like.”

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,

Psalm 104:31-35, “Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; Let the LORD be glad in His works;
32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth and let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!

Some things simply endure forever! Such is the “glory of the LORD”; such is the glory of His works. Even those factors that appear to be a disintegration of His almighty working hand, are, in point of fact, the intentions of the LORD Himself.

It is not in the thought of man that these phenomenal creations of the LORD should ever be anything other than praise to a worshipful Creator. Such requires music of worship and praise. Such also produces meditation and gladness, each of which arises from sincere worship of the LORD.

Acceptable factors in worship arouse a deep and worshipful response from the LORD!
Such is also a signal of pure praise, arising from the deep recesses of the human heart.
Such is that what arises saying, “Bless the LORD, O my soul.” May our truest praise ever be to and
for the LORD!

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,

Isaiah 55:7-11, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return
to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts
than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

With all of the unbelievable wickedness that pervades the world today, the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ
is charged to minister His Word. Be It in the pristine halls we call “church” or beneath the shade of trees in
the highlands of New Gunea, it is ever and always the will of the LORD to show compassion on them as He
has on us. His promise is that “He will abundantly pardon” the acknowledged,sins of repentant mankind.

He allows us a quick glance into His thoughts and ways. They are not our thoughts and ways, yet they can
and will become ours as we become His. The LORD’s certain promise is that the Word that goes forth
out of His mouth will not return to Him without achieving His will. That He allows us to know Him through
the sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus, is beyond our comprehension. Yet, it is true because it originates within
His heart, and is written clearly in His Holy Scriptures.

Take time today to thank the LORD for His saving grace! If you have already confessed your sins to Him and
in faith been forgiven, then you have the wornderful responsibility of sharing Him with those who have yet to
meet Him. If, you have yet to confess your sins and receive His Son, Jesus, as your LORD and Savior, you
are in for the most glorious experience this side of Heaven itself. It’s all a work of faith –faith in Christ Jesus!
He will change your life from inside to outside. And you will be the praise of His glory!

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 Chronicles 16:8-14, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.
9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.
10 Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
11 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

It’s at once a sad, yet glorious fact, that we are enabled both to seek and know the Lord. How often do we credit Him with our glorious experiences of life? Is our music always sung to His glory? Do we continually praise Him for all of His wonders. Do we express glory to Him? Do we marvel at His strength?

His Word encourages us to seek Him in His strength. What is there that we truly need that He is unable to give us? As human parents are responsible to care for his children, so the LORD cares for us in every situation. Do we then praise Him? or do we take His provisions and His protections for granted?

He should be the focus of our continual praise. We should pause in life to recognize His love for us and His continual care. Are you praising Him regardless of the negative situations in your life? He loves you and is
able to rescue you from every negative situation. Just trust Him! Just believe Him. “He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth!”

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,

Psalm 111:1-10, “Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.
6 He has made known to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.”

I was not the valedictorian of my high school class. In fact, I don’t even remember who was. Chances are, he
(or she) doesn’t remember, either! It’s a lot like eating: when you have finished the first course, you are
focused on the next course. That’s always the dessert! My focus was on college and a formal, in depth study
of the Bible, the Word of God!

I had dated girls when in high school, but that was behind me now! My focus could not be deterred. Nothing could distract me from the Scriptures. I had enjoyed my study of Latin in high school; now, my focus is going
to be on languages: more Latin in college; and then Greek! Hebrew would come in seminary. At least, this was my game plan.

In case that you hadn’t noticed, “game plans” are often distracted. Alas, mine was –because on the very first
day, I met the girl of my dreams. We finished college, got married, and intended to enter the mission field in Mexico as missionaries. Yet, the LORD intervened, and we ended up traveling the world conducting meetings,
encouraging missionaries and making new friends.

Rose Marie was a teacher, and she taught in several Australian schools. Our pastor, Rev. Phil Hayes, was
Irish. Yes, he had the brogue. It worked well for him, too, as we had to listen very carefully.

We visited Israel and had planned to put down roots there; yet, again the LORD redirected us elsewhere.

I need to say that every pastor I had had as a young person was special in his own way. Yet, it was while we
were in college and were having a coke after prayer meeting that Rose Marie taught me the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! I HAD NEVER HEARD IT! (…and I listened carefully to all of my pastors!).

Later, when I visited her home in the St. Louis area, I heard her pastor preach on the Second Coming of our LORD Jesus! Oh, how vital that study is! For the next thing on the LORD’s Timetable is the Coming of Jesus Christ for those who have trusted Him. The war raging in Gaza today is the premier of His Coming! Nothing in the LORD’s plan is being overlooked! The Church had better get ready! People had better come in faith to Jesus!

Yesterday, 18 January 1934, was Rose Marie’s birthday! She would have been 90 years old!

Have you been saved? Has the LORD forgiven you of your sins? –all of them!?? “Today is the Day of Salvation.
Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart! Tomorrow may never come 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