The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 1:5-16, “In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
8 Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,
9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.
11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.
13 But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.
14 ‘You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 ‘For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.
16 ‘And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.’”

I have to wonder how many readers of this Letter are faithful in praying to the LORD. Far too often, we all neglect to pray as we should. Then suddenly, difficulties surround us and our thoughts turn immediately to the LORD for help. We are blessed that the LORD is always near and faithful to us, and that we also have friends who are timely in trusting the LORD!

Who would have believed that Zacharias and Elizabeth, like Abraham and Sarah, would bear a son in their old age? They had been faithful to the LORD; now He is being faithful to them.

Can any reader of this Letter deny that he would have been frightened to have had an angel from the LORD suddenly appear before him? Yet, despite his sudden fear, Zacharias learned that his prayers had been answered and his wife would indeed bear a son. The son would be called John –John the Baptist– and like Elijah, John would turn many Israelites away from sin and back to the LORD their God.

John’s life and ministry would be directed by the Holy Spirit. Simultaneously, he was to refrain from wine and liquor, and be controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. Oh, that our lives were so thoroughly controlled!
Are you and I what we ought to be in the sight of the LORD? Are we faithful? prayerful? obedient? Could it be that is why we see so few coming to Christ?

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,

Hebrews 12:25-29, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.
26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, ‘YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.’
27 This expression, ‘Yet once more,’ denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;
29 for our God is a consuming fire.”

The 11th chapter of Hebrews is commonly known as the “faith chapter.” In it, the Apostle Paul lists a number of believers who suffered death as they stood for the LORD in earlier days. It is Paul’s contention that the opposition to Jesus Christ will continue as long as there are unbelievers.

Paul offers an historical list of those who paid for their faithful stand with their own blood. He then turns to warn us –his readers– lest we encounter the same. He further states that there is coming a greater devastation. Earth will be shaken even more violently than ever before! Everything that is “loose,” will be further dislodged by the Celestial power of Almighty God!

It is perhaps helpful to remind ourselves of the Worldwide Flood that occurred in the days of Noah! Mankind had become so vile and antagonistic toward God, that God said, “I’VE HAD ENOUGH!” And the world was destroyed by water! The celestial destruction, however, will be far greater! Things hidden from us by the LORD will be temporarily revealed, then suddenly destroyed!

The mind of this writer admits to an inability to even partially conceive of what Paul envisions in these verses. It is sufficient to say that world devastation is coming and mankind’s only hope of survival lies in the LORD Jesus Christ. Do you know Him? Have you accepted Him as your LORD? He is our only avenue of escape. Ask Him into your own heart and life today! Salvation lies not in any specific church; it lies only in the LORD Jesus Christ, who went to the Cross for your salvation. Ask His forgiveness today! Time will slip by, He will come, and you will be left behind.

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,

Titus 1:7-16, “…the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,
8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.”

The Apostle Paul was a straight-up guy! Previous to his salvation, he had been exactly what he is here forbidding of elders within the church. To be an elder, a man (not a woman or a child!) is to be above reproach! That is, if anyone is to lead the church, he is to be so utterly honest, so scrupulously clean, and so thoroughly inscrutable that no one would dare to call him to account for his lifestyle. Wow! Where are church leaders like that today? Yes, there are some; but they are becoming less detectable by the day.

I am personally thankful for my pastors! They differ some in their styles of preaching; but, they hold solidly to the veracity of the Bible as the Written Word of God! There is no “glossing over” the tough areas of the Scripture!
They “tell it like it is!”

Why is it that some people want cleanliness, honesty, and intelligence in their medical personnel, but are slip-shod when it comes to their spiritual doctors?
Understandably, we willingly accept the diagnosis of those in the medical field because we admit to possessing no expertise in that area ourselves. Yet, we challenge our pastors, who are often equally or more thoroughly trained than we, yet, in the Word of God.

Be careful to shun those, who merely profess to know God, but deny Him in the conduct of their lives! We will all be held accountable before Almighty God not only for how we live our lives, but for whom we knowingly follow when they do not follow God according to His Holy Word.

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,

2 Timothy 4:9-17, “Make every effort to come to me soon;
10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13 When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.
16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Did you ever meet someone of genuine importance? Remember what you thought as you looked at him? He really is an important person! He must make a ton of money! And he must encounter the most valuable people on the Planet! The problem is that you had no idea of what the man really did! You saw only the externals of his person, not the internals of his work!

It’s much the same when we read of Paul’s personal needs. In the first sentence above we learn of Paul’s dilemma. Paul’s close companions were gone! Crescens and Titus had left to attend to spiritual duties elsewhere; Tychicus was in Ephesus. Demas had abandoned all spiritual responsibilities. Paul had been left alone, thus he pleads for them to bring Mark with them when they come.

Following his plea for spiritual, physical companionship, Paul asked for the books and parchments he had left behind. Oh, and that cloak! Do bring it! It’s getting colder by the day in this dark, damp old prison. And be alerted to Alexander the coppersmith. He has done much to limit the LORD’s work here.

Having said all of this about his team, Paul warns them against those who were bitterly antagonistic to the Gospel! We have some strong opposition here! At the same time, I am praying for them. They simply do not know the value of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Those who are truly important may not be dressed the way we envision them. Enemies of our LORD Jesus Christ are often “sophisticates” in their own realm. Just be careful.

And so it is with us, who are active believers in Jesus Christ. Our activity often calls out those who want to keep Christ and His people quiet and out-of-sight. Let us pray daily for one another. You are in my prayers; I trust that I am in yours.

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,

2 Timothy 4:1-8, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Who can seriously read these verses and deny that Timothy was viewing what we are experiencing in our own day? He does well to admonish the serious, God-called preachers to “preach the Word”! There is less and less honest ministering of people today through the clear declaration of the Holy Scriptures.

From what is apparent among the “prosperity gospelers,” and the accompaniment of the moral infidelity among their ministers, Timothy has clearly spoken words that need adherence today! Is it any wonder that the clarity of Scripture is absent among their numbers?

Where sound doctrine is ignored and rebuke and exhortation to righteousness are blatantly omitted from pulpits, people move rapidly into sin. When righteous ministers are removed, they are often replaced by teachers who feed their adherents poison from outside the Scriptures.

Timothy urges believers to “be sober in all things, endure hardships,” and engage in evangelistic ministries. It is futile to harbor medicines that bring physical benefit, if we refuse or neglect to ingest them. So it is with failing to minister the Gospel to others. If you know the LORD as your Savior, you have the spiritual responsibility to share Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him. If you do not know Him, you have the opportunity to receive Him as your Savior and then the responsiblity to share Him with others. The problem is that time is quickly running out by the day.

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