The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 28:10-13, “Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran.
11 He came to a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set;
and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head, and lay
down in that place.
12 He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching
to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of your
father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to
you and to your descendants.”

Most of you readers know what it is to travel. Fewer of us know what it is to travel,
become tired, and have no place where we can rest. It was somewhat like that with
Jacob. He knew where he had been and knew where he was going, but there was
no immediate place where he could comfortably rest. So, he found a stone that
could be used as a support his head, and he laid down and slept.

While Jacob slept, he had a dream. He dreamed of a ladder that reached from
earth to heaven on which a myriad of angels were ascending and descending.
Interestinglly enough, this is the only place in the Bible where the word ladder is
mentioned. In contrast, the word “dream” is mentioned more than 100 times.

In the Book of Revelation (21:24ff), we discover a four-square, cubical City that
measures 1500 miles by 1500 miles by 1500 miles. What’s more, the nations of
the Earth will “walk by its light, and the kings of the Earth will bring their glory
into it. And the gates of that City will never be closed.

Could it be that Jacob’s dream was of that Eternal City revealed in the Book of
Revelation? I believe it was. The Scriptures teach that those who have received
the LORD Jesus Christ will dwell with Him forever in dwellings He has prepared
for them. The big question is: Have you received Jesus as your LORD and Savior?
Every day brings us one day closer to the end of this life as we know it. We must
be prepared for eternity!

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 Corinthians 4:1-5, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.
4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”

Some of my best friends are lawyers. Still, none of them would avoid or deny the validity of Paul’s words
here in First Corinthians. The Apostle Paul could well be called an attorney, as he was a “servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.” I could and do easily speak of him as an attorney because he is
defending himself in the passage cited above.

It is Paul’s initial defense when he states that “stewards” (?????????, managers of households) must “be
found trustworthy.” One of the initial facets of any legal investigation commences with the oath. It is voiced
to God in the presence of those gathered for the proceedings; and it is acclaimed to be true by the one
voicing it.

I have to wonder how many of us (and I consciously include myself) could say as Paul has said, “I am
conscious of nothing against myself…” We have all sinned against the LORD! He is aware of our guilt, but
allows us the opportunity to confess and be absolved of all guilt. It is the LORD’s Court! He has all authority
to do as He wills. And being Who He is, we can rest assured of fairness and order in His Court.

Yet, all may not be well with us as we stand before Him. Paul warns us that the LORD will both “bring to light
the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts…” Why is often the principle
question. Why did you do it? Why have you not confessed your wrong? Why were you under the impression
you could escape condemnation by simply being silent? Were you not aware that “the ways of a man are
before the eyes of the LORD, and (that) He watches all his paths” (Prov. 5:21)?

The Bible says, man’s “…own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin
(Prov. 5:22). Don’t allow this condemnation be said of you! Trust the LORD Jesus Christ as you Savior
today! Confess all your sins to Him! Commit your life totally to Him! He is our only Savior and 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,

Numbers 32:16-23, “Then they came near to him and said, “We will build here sheepfolds for our livestock and cities for our little ones;
17 but we ourselves will be armed ready to go before the sons of Israel, until we have brought them to their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18 “We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance.
19 “For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.”
20 So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,
22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.
23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.”

Have you ever been in an agreement with someone who wanted to break the agreement at the last minute?
That’s precisely what is occurring in our passage above. Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt,
across the Red Sea, and through the wilderness. They had now come to the Jordan River and were about
to cross over when two of the tribes wanted to stay where they were and not cross over the Jordan.

The problem was that Israel faced in Moab a formidable army on the other side of the Jordan. While the tribes of Reuben and Gad agreed to join the fight, they wanted ultimately to settle in the lush area where they were on the eastern side of the Jordan. Ultimately, and after consultation with the LORD, Moses agreed
to their request. Yet, Moses made them first promise to join the other tribes and fight the Moabites.

Moses warning is clear: if they backed out on fighting, they will have sinned against the LORD, and they can
“be sure (their) sin will find (them) out.” It was not only valid to Reuben and Gad, it remains in place for us,
as well. The New Testament is replete with promises for those who stand solidly for the LORD and against
sin. When we promise to stand for the LORD, He blesses us. If we promise and then fail to keep the promise, we face the righteous and powerful judgment of Almighty God!

The promises of the LORD are replete with the fullness of joy! Yet, His promises hinge on our moral and spiritual deportment. We must learn to do well, as the LORD is closely watching! If we want to receive His promised blessings, we must pledge ourselves to Him and keep our pledge! Have you pledged yourself to Him? Are you committed to follow Him in loving others? –even those who continue to hate and despise you?
Sinning against the LORD is more than frightful! It has eternal consequences!

“But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.”

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 Peter 4:12-18, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”

Who really knows what true suffering is like? Several years ago, a Hollywood actor directed and produced a film of the suffering of Jesus Christ, leading to the crucifixion. The entire production was in Latin, making it impossible to grasp the full meaning without hearing any discernable narration. Nevertheless, the scenes of Christ’s suffering needed no language. I can still remember how difficult it was to watch.

Today countless believers are suffering simply because they are committed believers in Jesus Christ as their LORD. It’s hard to realize the horrors of true suffering. Some are physical, some are mental, but all of them are real.

Peter himself suffered for Jesus. He suffered when the cock crowed, as Jesus said it would. Peter then remembered Jesus’ words; and they brought tears to his eyes and grief to his heart.

Living in the United States, as most of us do, we have perhaps escaped the rigors of real suffering. Some today, however, are being denied employment simply because they affirm Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. While our national constitution allows freedom of speech, the very denial of free speech becomes suffering to many.

Peter concludes in the verses above that if judgment begins with the people of God, the Church, what can we expect to happen to those who do not believe and are without hope? It is indeed time to seek the LORD! Are you certain you are on His side? Is He truly your LORD and Savior? He can be. What’s more, He wants to be! Trust Him as LORD today! You will then know the hope and faith He came to give 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

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:7-11, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the
purpose of prayer.
8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of
the manifold grace of God.
11 Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as
by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Someone once said that there were basic personality types: The Optimist says “It can be done!” The
Pessimist who says, “It cannot be done!” And, the Peptimist who said, “I just did it!” When Simon
Peter said, “The end of all things is at hand…,” he was speaking words of encouragement to all believers.
It was not that his readers were going to die (although some in time did die); Peter was speaking of the
soon coming of the LORD Jesus Christ. And in the light of that spiritual certainty, they should be alert and
give themselves more and more to prayer.

Peter encouraged believers to love one another. He knew what we need to learn: basically, that love
smothers sin. It’s as if there is a fire of anger between two believers; yet, when someone takes a blanket
and covers the fire, the fire goes out. Without the oxygen of anger, harsh disagreements disappear. Do
you know something that needs “smothering”?

A “good steward” is one who manages the things of his master. The LORD has given to us His Infallible,
eternal Word; and it is that Word that we are to manage well, injecting it lovingly and earnestly into the
lives of others. The steward of the LORD clearly declares the Word of the LORD, as He intended. The
steward seeks to glorify God, for God has given him the strength he needs do so.

Yet, with all that is present for the use of the believer, the glory of God belongs to the LORD alone! His
glory contains the purity, strength, and hope needed by every believer. We who know Him are commissioned
to wear His purity in our lives, and to do so that others who know Him will be encouraged to do likewise.
He is preparing to Come Again! We must not be sleeping! Are you spiritually awake? Are you active in His
service? Are you witnessing to others? Are you earnestly praying for the lost you know? for your church? for
your pastor(s)? for yourself? For the lost? Give this some thought. The LORD is present to help 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