The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 118:18-24, “The LORD has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter through it. 21 I shall give thanks to Thee, for Thou hast answered me; and Thou hast become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. 23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The tendency for us, when we are disciplined, is often to exhibit resentment. Very few consider their punishment “appropriate,” regardless of what they have done. Moreover, “wrongdoers” elect to ignore their sin and often become resentful of those who point it out.

The “gates” mentioned in verse 19 above suggest that no unrighteous person will be allowed to enter or ever be permitted to fellowship with the Lord of that Realm, the LORD Jesus Christ Himself. That’s why saved people are concerned about those who are not committed to the LORD Jesus Christ.

Years ago, I met an elderly woman in Ottumwa, Iowa. She was so infirm that she could literally only wiggle her right thumb. She was totally dependent upon people to visit her; yet, she had won scores of people to the LORD Jesus Christ.

The supreme question, therefore, is: “Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?” If not, it’s not too late. You can surrender your life to Him right now! Just pray and believe as you pray: “LORD Jesus, please forgive me of my sins, and take control of my life. I am trusting You as my LORD and Savior. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.” Then, write to me and let me know. I will rejoice with you!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Romans 8:15-21, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

I am sometimes given to asking strange questions. This one is not at all strange. It’s a vitally important question: “Does the Holy Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are truly a born-again child of God?”

Everything hinges on your response to that eternal question! I’ve had responses like: “Well, I’m a member of the church, if that’s what you mean?” or “Hey, I live a clean life! I don’t do…!” Still, you can conclude that response in an enormous number of ways. What really counts is what’s in the eyes of the LORD?

The Apostle Paul was clearly responsible for bringing the Gospel of Christ to the Roman people of his day. Like many today, the Romans were preoccupied with life around them. They were thinking of business, of money, of friends, of children – even other secular things of life.

Yet, life is more than the “things” we possess. We will one day be called to account for what we’ve done and for what we’ve not done. That’s why Jesus is so often emphasized in your pastor’s Sunday sermons. He is emphasizing Jesus, isn’t he? Well, that’s his calling and that’s precisely what we need to hear! Are you listening?

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 8:31-36, “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

There’s an old saying that goes, “Always tell the truth and you won’t have to remember anything.” That saying has been widely attributed to Mark Twain; yet, whoever originally said it certainly knew what telling the truth is all about.

There are some today who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ but have trouble telling the truth. They pretend to be free, but they’re not. Jesus said that failure to abide in His Word was tantamount to being a slave to sin. But what does it mean to “abide in His Word”?

“Abiding in His Word” means to regularly read and absorb the teachings of Holy Scripture. We must learn and understand what the Scripture says and obey it continuously. We must also become proficient in living holy lives. That requires us to live day by day what we understand the Scriptures to teach. The Bible must become part and parcel of our lives.

It’s true that Christ-like living doesn’t happen overnight! Like anything else, it takes time, prayer, practice, and patience. Yet, the value we derive from living spiritually day by day is immeasurable! It is a testimony of the freedom Christ gives when we fully yield our lives to Him. It’s then that you will sing: “Free at last! Free at last! Praise God Almighty, I’m Free at last!”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

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,

Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners;

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Reading through the Bible, one cannot help but encounter numerous instances of human need. “Need” and “help” are forever word-aspects of life. “Afflicted, brokenhearted, captive, prisoners,” number but a few drawn from our text. What’s more, those aspects cry out in unison to those who pass by. How many times have you veered off of your intended pathway to assist someone you saw to be in need?

Have you ever felt helpless and alone in a situation where your heart longed to help, but circumstances stood in the way? The situation is present; yet, you have no knowledge of how to help. Your only resource is to pray. It is then that you realize that prayer IS THE RESOURCE!

Then, the LORD opens your heart to pray. You don’t need to do more than pray. Suddenly, the LORD opens the understanding of those He intends to help. And I only said, “Thank You.”

We all have something we can do. If you know the LORD, He will give you knowledge. If you don’t know Him, perhaps this brief letter will help you on the right path. You are in my prayers. If you do know Him, please keep me in your prayers.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 8:30-36, “As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. 31 Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ 33 They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 If, therefore, the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

The recent celebration of the birth of the United States was a celebration of freedom! AI reports, “The date of birth of the United States of America is widely recognized as July 4, 1776…because it was the day the Declaration was formally adopted and publicly proclaimed.”

When any person hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and turns away from sin and believes in Jesus as his or her LORD and Savior, he experiences what the Scriptures term “the new birth.” In that moment, the LORD Jesus Christ forgives the person all previous sins, and the Holy Spirit of God takes up permanent residence in the life of that believer.

Subsequently, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers result in spiritual growth. As my parents were fervent believers in Christ, I came to know and accept Him at the tender age of seven. Subsequently, I was baptized and joined the local church. Ten years later, I surrendered to the ministry, and the rest is history. What is your history? Have you considered what it could be? Why not get started with the Bible right now?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

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