The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 34:11-18, “Be sure to observe what I am commanding you this day: behold, I am going to drive out the Amorite before you, and the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst.
13 “But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim
14 — for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God–
15 otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice,
16 and you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods.
17 “You shall make for yourself no molten gods.
18 “You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt.”

There were a number of abandoned houses in the area where I lived as a kid. We kids were always interesting in perusing those places, noting especially the things former tenants had left behind. I wonder if they built this house… Was this their kitchen? I’m guessing this was the dining area? We had fun just wondering about things…letting our imaginations run wild.

Israel didn’t have to wonder about things. The LORD clearly revealed to the nation what He was going to do and warned the people against becoming interested in their gods and their practices in worship.

We live in a day when we need to be careful, too. We live in a world with a host of nice people –except for some of their worship. I remember a relative –a very nice person. We were always glad when she came to visit, but her religion was anything but Christian.

Many young Christians stray from the faith when they become attracted, then attached, to the wrong person. The warning of Moses serves us well today. Moses prayed: “…let the LORD go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate…” (v. 9). “Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land…” (v. 12).

With solemn words that have enjoyed life well beyond Moses’ day, we are warned against worshipping any god other than the LORD Jesus Christ. In principle, intermarriage with non-Christians is never acceptable to the LORD! (vss. 15ff).

While the principles in this Letter have been drawn from the Old Testament, they are our LORD’s sure intention for people living today. Be very careful! However you frame it, it’s never right to do wrong. Always follow Jesus! He is our Abundant Life!

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,

Matthew 15:22-28, “And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.’
23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.”
24 But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26 And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
27 But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

Subsequent to the landing of Noah’s Ark, Noah became drunk on wine, resulting in an exposure of nakedness, while sleeping in his tent. His son, Ham, who witnessed it, subsequently had a son, whose name was Canaan. The woman, who is here begging Jesus to heal her daughter, was a descendent of Noah’s grandson, Canaan.

Whether Jesus’ disciples were aware of the woman’s ancestry, we are not told. Obviously, however, they were more interested in protecting Jesus from the crowd than in caring for the needs of the little girl. I’m afraid we’re often like that. But, the mother possessed a steadfast concern for her little girl. God bless Christian mothers!

Jesus was steadfast in His position, too –perhaps as a test of the mother’s faith. He was thoroughly able to heal the girl; and in the end, Jesus healed the girl, as her mother exhibited steadfast faith.

There’s an old hymn Christians used to sing in church. We may
have outlived the song, but we will never outlive it’s message:
Faith Is The Victory! “Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the
world.”

So much could be said about victories that come through faith. Are you not getting answers to your prayers? Please, just keep on believing! Christ is the answer and faith is the key to unlocking the door of His presence.

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,

Acts 2:6-9, “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

Were you ever in a work-situation where the boss gave you some simple I instructions and then left you virtually alone to carry out all he had said?

It was something like that with Jesus and His disciples, except that in a sense, the disciples started it all by asking a question. They asked if it were at that time He was restoring the kingdom to Israel. His response was that the Holy Spirit would come, and when He arrived, it would then be time for them to become His witnesses.

Several years ago, I was privileged to speak to a convocation of missionaries in Papua New Guinea at their annual convention. I cannot recall exactly how I came to be chosen as their speaker. Still, the Holy Spirit was involved and He made His presence well known.

Years later, I received an email from one of the children who was there. She said she was seated up in a tree and heard every word. If memory serves me correctly, that young girl later became a nurse and subsequently went to be with the LORD.

Recently, I received a communication from that mission, citing missionaries, who are sharing the Gospel with people in areas of which I had never heard. It caused me to assess my own missionary activity with those I encounter throughout the day.

There is no question but that Jesus has always known where we are and what we are doing. He knows all about all of us. As Christians, we ought to be witnessing of Him to those around us.

There are many ways to witness, but how we conduct ourselves is crucial. What we say of Him will have value only if our demeanor is honest and loving. I can’t help but wonder if those missionaries are thinking and praying for us. Surely, we are praying for them.

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,

Zephaniah 1:1-7, The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah:
2 “I will completely remove all things from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
3 “I will remove man and beast; I will remove the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with the wicked; and I will cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
4 “So I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the names of the idolatrous priests along with the priests.
5 “And those who bow down on the housetops to the host of heaven, and those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom,
6 And those who have turned back from following the LORD, and those who have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.”
7 Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.

“Very little is known of Zephaniah, the writer of this book… He is
believed to have been a prince of the Royal house of Judah, a
descendant of Hezekiah. His name means ‘Hidden of Jehovah,’ and He appears to have begun his ministry around B.C. 641-610 (Lee).

Zephaniah’s emphasis is “the Day of the LORD,” by which he means the
Day of the LORD’s Judgment. That phrase is mentioned seven times in the book of Zephaniah. Why would the LORD lay such heavy emphasis upon judgment unless He was exceedingly serious?

There is a Judgment Day coming, as surely as it is promised from the LORD. The lack of preparedness is noted in the conversation of our day. Even churches are involved in secular things –things they knowingly embrace, although they are contrary to the Scriptures.

What are true believers to do? How are we to combat the blatant twisting
of Scripture to make it say what it does not say? Certainly, we must resurrect the true meaning of Scripture and pronounce it faithfully in the company of those who are our responsibility.

We must also pray fervently for each other and regularly “live out” the truths of the Bible. We must faithfully witness to the lost, keeping our eyes on the heavens from which our LORD will desend as He one day soon summons us to join Him in Glory! And we must hasten with what we do because we have no idea when He will come. It could be today….

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,

Mark 9:17-24, “And one of the crowd answered Him, ‘Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute;
18 and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.’
19 And He answered them and said, ‘O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!’
20 They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.
21 And He asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood.
22 ‘It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!’
23 And Jesus said to him, ‘”If You can?” All things are possible to him who believes.’
24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Of all the varied physical difficulties that Jesus encountered in His Life here on the earth, this has to be at or near to the top! There were multiple diseases that Jesus encountered; yet, each malady was confronted with faith as the healer.

There was always a crowd. We encounter multiple crowds today. The difference, however, is that the crowds Jesus encountered were due to His miraculous curing of maladies that were all but unknown at that time.

The crowd had evidently called upon Jesus’ disciples for help for the boy, but they were totally unable to help him. When Jesus arrived, He chided His disciples along with the people for their lack of faith. He called them an “unbelieving generation,” but said, “Bring him to Me!”

Yet, when the boy saw Jesus, the evil spirit within him “threw him into a convulsion” and caused the boy to fall down and roll groaning on the ground. At that point, Jesus asked the boy’s father how long all of this had been happening to the boy. The boy’s father responded: “…from childhood.” The he said, “…if You can do anything…help us.”

Jesus’ response was terse. “’If You can? All things are possible to him who believes.” It stirred the father’s heart! –so much, in fact, that he cried out: “I do believe; help my unbelief.” In effect, he meant he was trying to believe as much as he could; but, he needed the LORD’s help to believe completely!

How like that father we all are! “Can the LORD do everything we need?”

“Of course, He can,” we say, I just hope He will. And it’s that “hope” that emasculates the belief for which the LORD was looking! That boy’s father needed to believe, not just hope! Our needs must be thoroughly soaked in belief. True belief is absolute trust that the LORD will provide precisely what we need. “’All things” are possible to him who believes.’”

What are your needs? How much do you trust the LORD to
provide them? How much do you pray? Do you always pray in
faith? Faith is the heart of all prayer! “All things are possible to
him who believes.”

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