The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 22:1-8, “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.
5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”
6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.
7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.”

The LORD had promised Abraham a son. Abraham was 100 years old before that son was born. Abraham named him Isaac. Then, some twenty years later, the LORD instructed Abraham to offer Isaac as a human sacrifice on Mount Moriah, where one day the LORD’s own Temple would stand. (Today the Dome of the Rock stands in its place.)

The occasion of Abraham’s sacrifice was the heart of his worship of the LORD. Reading through the verses above touches our hearts as we imagine the trauma that swirled within Abraham. Yet, it was obedience; it was worship. And it was faith. Abraham was too old to have fathered a child when God gave him Isaac. Thus, if now the LORD wanted the son as a sacrificial offering, Abraham was obedient. Such was the reverential act of solemn worship.

The Hebrew word for “lad” or “boy” (naar) related to a male aged from birth to about 20 years of age. Thus, taking into account the polite conversation between Abraham and Isaac, we can assess their worship to have been a solemn act of reverential obedience. We might also note that Isaac was totally compliant with his father’s direction. There was no complaint, no resistance. If this is the directive of Almighty God, compliance was their only response.

How do we worship the LORD? Have we looked to Him for direction before we engage in worship? Is our worship an act of reverence? Is it thoughtfully, prayerfully solemn? Think carefully as we approach the commemoration of Christ Jesus’ Resurrection. Meditate on His Word. Read and re-read the Scriptures that inform us of the manner of His servants’ worship. For one day we will be held accountable for it all. May we all be ready for a faithful accounting.

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 12:1-4, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.
2 “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
3 “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
4 “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

The great prophets of old were always looking ahead to inform their people of the coming days and what they would encounter. Here Daniel cites the angel Michael, who stands guard over Israel and all others who have trusted Jesus. At the same time, Daniel notes for us that distress will increasingly pervade all nations of the Earth. The only rescue from the world’s evil is for people to accept Christ. He then registers theim in the Book of Life.

All of the dead will then be awakend and arise from the grave. Those who have accepted Christ as their LORD and Savior, will then arise to live forever with the LORD. Those who are not registered in the Book of Life –those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior– will be awakened to face eternal disgrace and everlasting contempt in Hell.

The contrast is unmistakenly clear that the saved will shine brightly, delightfully! They are ready to exault the LORD Jesus Christ. It is He who was crucified for humanity’s sins; and “those who shine brightly” speaks of the ones who have trusted in His death and resurrection. His blood, shed at the Cross, has cleansed them from sin, and they will live with Him forever!

As mentioned numerious times, the key to salvation is not our good works or what church we attend. The LORD accepts nothing but His shed blood as our entrance into Heaven. The Apostle John said,

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not
sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:9-10).

I have circled the Earth, preaching the Gospel in many lands, yet I have never met anyone who was sorry for having trusted Jesus! Unfortunately, I have met many who were sorry they had not trusted Him sooner. Trust Him today, my friend! Let this coming Resurrection celebration bring His joy into your life! You are in my prayers. I only 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,

Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.”

Youth has courage that is all-too-often absent in adult life. Nebuchadnezar led two hostile invasions of
Palestine; and if our calculations are correct, Daniel was about 16 years old when he and his three
Hebrew friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. were carried away captive. In all, Daniel lived in
Babylon about 69 years.

It was Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who survived Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. It was
Daniel was delivered from the ions’ den.

Our verse above shows two basic, spiritual characteristics of young Daniel. Participation in the king’s
food and wine would have been tantamount to Daniel’s surrendering his spiritual values in favor of the
values of a pagan king. Thus, he determined not to defile himself through participation. There was no
compromise with Daniel. He held fast to the principles he had received from godly parents. Such was soon to be the determination of his three friends, also.

Where is such determination to be found today? Far too often, today’s youth compromise their values rather than be thought of as “different” in the face of their friends. True dedication to Christ, however,
is demonstrative of true spiritual character. Things determined in days of one’s youth, often carry through into adulthood and encourage strength and support in others, both young and old.

Physical military wars are not fought and won by wimps! –but, by men and women of determined courage! Spiritual matters also take courage. Dare to be a Daniel! Ignore the “cat-calls” of those too
wimpish– too afraid– of warfare –any warfare! The LORD Jesus Christ may return soon, It is to our
advantage to be ready. Are you ready? Give Him your heart and life today!

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,

Ezekiel 24:19-20, “So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.
19 The people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things that you are doing mean for us?”
20 Then I said to them, “The word of the LORD came to me saying,
21 ‘Speak to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am about to profane My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and the delight of your soul; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.”

War destroys some extremely valuable things! The loss of human life, of course, heads the list as the most valuable of all. At the same time, the demolition of classic old structures (churches, et al) –those monuments of the past that served as solemn rememinders of glorious days gone by and of the lives of those who enriched those days with their sacrifices and dedication.

Ezekiel was a“priest belonging to the aristocracy of Jerusalem, a contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel and only 25 years old. It was just eleven years before the destruction of the Temple, and Ezekiel was one of the Jews who was carried off into Babylonian captivity. Yet, whenever faithful men of God are held captive, the LORD is always with them.

The Book of Ezekiel reveals both the goodness and severity of God. False prophets among the captive people told the people not to believe that Jerusalem would be destroyed; rather they believed that they would soon be released to live there. Jeremiah, however, argued that “before they could ever hope to return to Jeruslem, they must return to their LORD.”

“Speak to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am about
to profane My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and
the delight of your soul; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left
behind will fall by the sword.”’” (Ezk. 24:21).

How true such is of us! We always cry out to the LORD for deliverence, but what He wants is for us to truly become His! If we embrace Christ as our Savior and LORD, He will then become our Father, and will always be our able and loving Protector. He promises His ultimate protection. I trust Him! I pray that you are trusting Him, too.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. We live in the age of the Internet. It is an easy way for us to share Jesus with distant friends.
everywhere. It’s a ministry that honors the LORD. We have no idea how lost and spiritually
hungry some people are!

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,

Lamentations 3:22-26, “The LOD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore, I have hope in Him.”
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.
26 It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD.”

Having ministered faithfully to the LORD without receiving the deliverance for which he had hoped, Jeremiah relaxed in the realization that the LORD does everything well and in a timely fashion.

At the same time, as the prophet sorrows that the LORD has not delivered quickly, he admonishes the people not to lose heart. Have faith in the LORD! He is ever and always compassionate. He will ultimately come through for His people. Witness the good that comes to those who faithfully wait for Him.

How often have I witnessed the faithfull, never-late goodness of the timing of Almighty God! It is true that His ways are not our ways; nor is His timing always our timing. Yet, He is truly and lovingly faithful.

The huge question that swings like a pendulum before us is: have we been faithful to Him? Jesus, the Son of God, willingly gave His life on the Cross for our sins. It’s by His sacrificial death on the Cross that we have opportunity for forgiveness of sin and eternal life with Him in Heaven! Too costly, you say?
Jesus paid it all;
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Note, too, that the LORD answers only the prayers of those who are His children! If you have not
received Him as your Savior, the prayer He wants to hear is for salvation: “Lord, be merciful to me,
a sinner,” come into my life and cleanse me from my sin.

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