The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 119:61-66, “The cords of the wicked have encircled me, but I have not forgotten Thy law. 62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to Thee because of Thy righteous ordinances. 63 I am a companion of all those who fear Thee, and of those who keep Thy precepts. 64 The earth is full of Thy lovingkindness, O LORD; teach me Thy statutes. 65 Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according to Thy word. 66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Thy commandments.”

Wickedness is a prime feature of Satan. His ways are crafty and skillfully designed to mislead those who are intent on following Jesus. Then someone comes to mankind, bearing suspicious truths and what only appears to be the rightful paths of the LORD. Yet, on careful examination, nothing of what he carries proves to be of the LORD.

Yet, how is the righteous one to discern the true value of Satan’s declarations? He rises from sleep and “gives thanks to the LORD.” Once the believer has evaluated Satan’s proclamation, rising from sleep and giving thanks is a primary act of love!

While not specifically stated, it is vital to maintain companionship with those who love and keep the teachings of the LORD. For the companions, who fear the LORD, are far more likely to lead you into further paths of righteousness than those who think (however sincerely or otherwise) that they are already following the ways of the LORD.

Look around you, the Psalmist says, the earth is full of the LORD’s lovingkindness. Teach me your statutes – the principles of Your ways – that are contained in Your Word! Teach me “good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Thy commandments.” Then, and only then, I will live and teach them to all my friends and acquaintances.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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 5:33-39, “You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.
34 “But the witness which I receive is not from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.
35 “He was the lamp that was burning and was shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36 “But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.
37 “And the Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.
38 “And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.
39 “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me.”

Why am I sharing this Grands Letter? Originally, I commenced the Letter as a witness to my great-grandchildren. They’re far too young to grasp just now the things said here, but they will acclimatize as they grow older. Not only do I want to see them come to faith in our LORD Jesus Christ, I want them to become witnesses of Him to others.

There were many beyond my great-grands that need to learn about Jesus Christ, and more still who know the LORD but need encouragement to share Him with others. Living in Florida at the time, I wrote a small Gospel Tract that believers could share with their unbelieving friends. A Jewish printer in New Jersey produced the first batch, and I’ve always wondered if the Tract itself had any spiritual effect on him. Maybe you’ll find my Gospel Tract helpful in reaching people for Jesus. I hope and pray that you will! Just be prayerful in your ventures! Jesus is far more important than a digital tract.

“It’s Not How You Play the Game”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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,

Proverbs 24:3-7, “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power. 6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate.”

My dad could do just about anything! He was a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, and an auto repairman. He also played the violin, sang a mean tenor in a radio quartet, led congregational singing, wrote poetry, composed sensible, singable songs, and led Christians in public singing. In many ways, Dad was a quiet man. He studied the Bible, taught Sunday School, served as a deacon in his church, and always supported the work of the LORD with tithes and offerings. Dad was saved as a teenager in a Methodist Revival! Furthermore, he headed a stateside support team when my family and I journeyed overseas in the LORD’s work.

Dad has been with the LORD for several years now. My dear wife sat and sang to him – all night it was! — the day before he died. I was at his hospital bedside when the LORD summoned him Home! He sat up straight in his bed, extended his right hand, as if reaching to receive someone coming. Then, he relaxed back into his bed – and at 83 years of age, he was gone.

Why am I sharing this? I want you to know that becoming a true believer in Jesus Christ is more than the accumulation of life activities that honor Him. Rather, it is the simple, sincere saying of “Yes” that gets you ready. Are you ready? Hurry, you still have time.

Click here to view: “It’s Not How You Play the Game”.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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,

Genesis 42:14-20, “And Joseph said to them, ‘It is as I said to you, you are spies; 15 by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 ‘Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.’ 17 “So he put them all together in prison for three days. 18 “Now Joseph said to them on the third day, ‘Do this and live, for I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.’ And they did so.”

Were you ever faced with an accusation from a person of genuine authority? Well, that’s precisely what Joseph’s brothers encountered as they stood before him in Pharaoh’s house in Egypt! It was indeed a serious matter; yet, the brothers did not know the one accusing them was their young brother Joseph.

Years before, when the brothers were all young, they had, in an act of jealousy, sold Joseph to some strangers who were journeying into Egypt. A severe famine had gripped all of Egypt, and Jacob had sent his sons there to buy food.

Ultimately, the boys were arrested as spies, and although they didn’t know it, they were standing before their brother Joseph. It was Joseph’s plan to give his brothers a “taste of their own medicine” by requiring them to bring him their youngest brother, Benjamin. He agreed that he would then give them the grain and release them to return to their father.

There are multiple “teachings” throughout this experience. Our lesson is that when we do wrong toward others, things will eventually “boomerang” back on us. So, be careful because “…surely your sins will find you out.”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

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 5:25-34, “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live.

26 “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

28 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice,

29 and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

31 “If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true.

32 “There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true.

33 “You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.

34 “But the witness which I receive is not from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.”

Multiple pieces of evidence today attest to Israel’s right to live in her ancient land in “days just prior” to Jesus Christ’s return! Consider these brief thoughts:

1. After centuries of wandering, Israel is back in her land of promise.
2. Archaeological excavations discover artifacts related to ancient Israel.
3. Ancient writings, agreeing with the Scriptures, have been discovered.
4. Intense opposition bespeaks Israel’s right to the land called by her name.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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