The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 4:1-13, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around
by the Spirit in the wilderness
2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and
when they had ended, He became hungry.
3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'”
5 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been
handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
7 “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”
8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD
AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'”
9 And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said
to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here;
10 for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD
YOU,’
11 and, ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE
YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'”
12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD
YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'”
13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

Earlier verses in this fourth chapter of Luke tell us that Jesus had returned from the Jordan and
was being led by the Holy Spirit for forty (40) days in the wilderness. During that time, Jesus was
subjected to the temptations of the devil. Three major temptations sought to reduce His equality
with the Father to that of Satan. If Satan would attempt to seduce the LORD Jesus Christ, what
do you think his attempts would be upon you and me?

The first temptation was to turn stones into bread. If you’ve been to Israel, you know for a fact
that there is no lack of sufficiency of stones available. But, the crux of the temptation lay in the fact
that Jesus had been in the wilderness for 40 days without food –and He was hungry! Still, with
hunger and all, Jesus successfully resisted Satan’s temptation: “Man shall not live by bread alone!”

Satan’s second attempt to seduce Jesus was to show Him the “all the kingdoms of the world,”
with the promise of procuring them for Him. All He had to do was worship Satan, and they were
His. Imagine! Still, Jesus replied: “You shall worship the LORD your God and serve Him only.”

Satan’s third temptation lead Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem and dare Him
to cast Himself down, reminding Him that He was consistently guarded by the angels of
Heaven. Jesus’ simple but powerful reply was “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test.”
The Scripture then tells us that Satan left Jesus until another opportune time.

Is it not possible that we who belong to Him and are possessed and controlled by the Holy Spirit
can also successfully resist the temptations he dangles before us? Why do we apparently believe
that Satan is so powerful as to be irresistible? Yes, Satan does possess power! And by ourselves,
his power is irresistible! Yet, when we rely upon Christ Jesus, every solicitation from the devil can
be successfully resisted!

Surely, we believe that Christ is greater than Satan! Surely, we believe the LORD’s Word to be
truthful! Furthermore, everything we’ve ever needed the LORD has stood ready to supply us. What
could convince us otherwise now? Search the Scriptures! The LORD has always been successful!
The problem is with us! We simply don’t believe. Yet, we can believe! Do you believe? I hope so!

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,

Daniel 7:9-13, “I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire.
10 “A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened.
11 “Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire.
12 “As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time.
13 “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.”

If you own any Apple products, such as an iPhone or an iPad, or even an Apple Watch, you know what
difficulties occur when the time comes for a software upgrade. They won’t work normally until the upgrade you are downloading is complete. What will work during those “upgrade times,” however, is the huge legal
documentation that tells you with what legalities you should be acquainted if you should wish to venture outside the parameters the company has established.

All of that reminded me of the Scripture cited above. The LORD God has established spiritual barriers that must be followed. One day He will sit as the All-powerful, All-Knowing God of all Creation, and we will stand
In trial before Him. The Court will sit, and the books will be opened. We will then hear aloud everything we have ever thought or done that has not been forgiven. All is even now known to God; it will then be known to the entire Court that sits before Him.

Like the legalities established by Apple, so are the moral and spiritual laws established by the LORD. Apple
admits a few “wiggles” in its legal demands. There will be no “wiggles” in the Spiritual Legalities of the LORD. His “operating system” has already existed well beyond Apple’s. Furthermore, it will last until that Eternal Court sits. Don’t you think it’s time for you to “download” the LORD’s offer of eternal salvation? His Son, Jesus, willingly went to the Cross for our sins. We know we are guilty. Our only hope is to throw ourselves on the mercy of His Court and accept His Son, Jesus, as our Savior and LORD. I’ve yet to meet someone who has trusted Jesus, and is sorry. Jesus is our only Hope!

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,

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