The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 15:1-7, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.’

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

Immediately prior to penning these seven verses, Paul set forth some directives requiring his readers to adhere to the spiritual, civil, and moral aspects of their lives. All sermons (whether delivered orally, as from a pulpit, or written, as in a letter) should not include only the richness of the passage but ought equally to stress the practical application in the lives of the hearers.

Paul emphasizes the responsibility we Christians have in “bearing the weaknesses” of those who lack the strength to fully obey the admonitions of Scripture. We are to help and encourage others to follow the teachings of Scripture just as we were encouraged to do when we were young in the faith.

As with all who pursue the study of language, mathematics, or science, they need help and encouragement; so also do those who are young in spiritual things. We must be patient, so as not to discourage or stifle the mental and/or spiritual progress of others. We would do well to remember how others encouraged us.

Above all, we must remember to pray for the LORD’s guidance in all our lives.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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,

John 20:21-28, “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Following Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He was preparing for His return to the Father in Heaven. All of the disciples were present, except for Thomas. Jesus would not leave His disciples without the spiritual guidance they would need to continue His work on the earth. The guidance He had always given them would now be left to the control of the Holy Spirit. So, when Thomas returned to the group, they shared with him that they had seen the LORD. Still, Thomas would not believe until Jesus revealed Himself to him. Thomas’s response was then exuberant: “My LORD and my God!”

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and LORD, His Holy Spirit resides within you. He is then your comforter and guide. If you have not received the LORD Jesus, you are without the help you sorely need. Trust Him today! There’s no friend like Jesus!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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,

Luke 24:1-9. “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.”

I risk a lot with some when I say that “You can always count on the women!” Still, throughout the Scriptures, the truth of that statement is born out well. They brought spices not only to mask a possible stench but to honor their LORD Jesus Christ.

They were curious, entering the tomb to inspect the body of Jesus. Yet, were they ever surprised! He was not there! Yes, He had risen from the dead! And those “men,” who stood nearby in dazzling attire, asked, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?” We would do well to ponder the answer to that more often than we do.

The most invaluable aspect of Jesus’ life was His resurrection from the dead! Do we not realize that He can do anything that agrees with the will of our Heavenly Father? What needs do we have? None that He cannot fill, so long as they, too, comply with the will of our Father in Heaven. How blessed we are! May we value Him far above what little we understand from the Scriptures! Yes, praise the LORD!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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,

Mark 1:1-8. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; 3 THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, “MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me, One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 “I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

All of us come into this world as sinners. Ultimately, we come to know that we are sinners and need forgiveness for the sins we have committed. Eventually, we learn that Jesus died and arose from the dead to save us from our sin. When we accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior of our lives, the Holy Spirit indwells us. We have become His children and are heirs of all that He possesses.

I was baptized in the river when I was seven years of age. I had accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior and was testifying to that fact by being baptized. My baptism did not save me from sin – Jesus did that! – but it signified that I had turned from sin and become a Spirit-born child of God.

In the day and time of Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus had not yet come. But Mark is telling us that Jesus has now come and wants to be our LORD and Savior. Have you trusted Him as your LORD and Savior? You need Him; and He can change your life for the good! But until you trust Him, you cannot imagine the change He will make in you! Trust Him today! You’ll rejoice and always be thankful for His love and forgiveness.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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,

Matthew 28:1-9, “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.

2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.”

Do you visit the graves of loved ones? I can remember how my mother and grandmother used to decorate the graves of loved ones every year at the same time. It was a gesture I shall not forget, for at those times, I would ask questions about those who were in their graves, and often, grandmother would come forth with accounts that I will never forget.

Somehow, I think those mentioned in the Scripture passage above experienced much the same thing. Memories are good if they concern good people. Certainly, they were good of Jesus, as the two named Mary reflected upon Him. We should live so that others might reflect well on memories of us.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.”

–Corrie ten Boom