The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jeremiah 6:11-16, “To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the LORD has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it.
11 But I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary with holding it in. ‘Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gathering of young men together; for both husband and wife shall be taken, the aged and the very old.
12 “Their houses shall be turned over to others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land,’ declares the LORD.
13 “For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.
14 “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.
15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down,” says the LORD.
16 Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Human pride had fallen like an immovable barrier between the nation of Judah and her God. Judah had rejected the way of the LORD and Jeremiah was sent to warn Judah of the impending doom. Jerusalem would soon fall. The nation would become captive; everything would be lost. And it was all because of Judah’s refusal to repent of her sin.

If that does not sound like our world today, one of us is living on another planet! Our world has fallen captive to the original lie: “You surely shall not die” (Gen. 3:4). Yet, people are dying through the multiplicity of diseases, traceable to the race for the “almighty dollar!” Anger and hatred produce deaths that love and peace could and should erase.

Jeremiah admonished those of his day and urged them to walk in the “ancient paths” of the LORD. They rejected his pleadings. True Christian ministers throughout the world today carry the truth of God’s Love, along with its warnings; but it is hugely rejected. Like those in Judah, there is the cry, “Peace, peace! But there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14).

The Word of the LORD warns of the coming day of judgment. Yet, our culture diminishes as those who sound the LORD’s warning suffer ridicule. The message of the LORD is ignored. Mark it well: Judah did fall, just as Jeremiah had warned. And so shall we, if we ignore His warning.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the
wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return
to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, For He will
abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:6-7).

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,

Isaiah 12:1-6, “Then you will say on that day, ‘I will give thanks to You, O LORD; for although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.’”
2 “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
3 Therefore, you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.
4 And in that day you will say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.’
5 Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth.
6 Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Does God ever get angry with us? Isaiah says He certainly became angry with Israel. Thus, it is highly likely that He becomes angry with Christians when we do what He has forbidden or fail to do what He has instructed. The Apostle Paul says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). One commentator says, “Faith in God is a sovereign remedy against tormenting fears.”
In other words, whatever has caused our fears is removed when we simply trust in Almighty God.

His life-giving “waters” quench the thirsts that come from our sinful distrust in His ability to care for us in every adverse situation. Once we have realized His forgiveness of our sin, we readily turn to give thanks and make known our joy for His deliverance. We then turn to praise Him with songs that emphasize His love and the power and glory of His forgiveness.

What the LORD does in rescuing us from the pits of faithlessness rightly demands that we henceforth
live as He directs. After all, we are not our own; we have been “bought with a price” (I Cor. 6:19-20).
Therefore, live faithfully in Him and you will live fearlessly in this world that seems to thrive on fear.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please continue to pray for those trapped in the Russian-Ukrainian War, and for those
helplessly encompassed in other wars throughout our world.

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,

Isaiah 2:1-4, “The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it.
3 And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.”

The opening of any large store immediately causes difficulties for the smaller stores. The store that can purchase more, can offer products for less than the store that is forced to order less. It’s the same with nations. What is produced in one nation may well serve other nations. Yet, the closure of any specific product will cause havoc among nations that depend upon that product for a portion of their welfare.

The prophecy in the verses above stearnly denounces the ungodly activities that were being practiced by the nations of that era. Instead of yearning for moral nations to besiege the immoral, those of the righteous nations looked for the coming Messiah, who alone would deal effectively with those who were wrong.

What we face in our world today is quite similar, except that we are not looking for the Messiah as we should. Yes, He has already come once, and we possess His Word that contains the answers to the problems we and others nations seek today. Still, we continue to ignore our dependence upon Him. His Word contains the remedy; yet, like the physical remedies we are given as children, the spiritual remedy has to be obeyed to be effective.

The LORD is the Answer! He always has been, and He always will be the Answer. Yet, He awaits our repentance for all to be well. We can blame others, yet the true answer lies with Jesus Christ. When we trust Him, things will come right for ourselves and for all nations. Let us confess our sins and practice obedience to Christ the 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,

Song of Solomon 8:6-7, “Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.
7 “Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.”

Love is the strongest, emotion known to man. It by far exceeds hatred. It extends
deeply into the soul of mankind, all-the-while defiling the utmost in understanding.

The Song of Solomon may be “the most misunderstood books of the Bible” (Lee). It was held in highest esteem by the Jewish people, who envisioned Proverbs as the Outer Court of the Temple, Ecclesiastes as the Holy Place, and the Song of Solomon as the Holy of Holies. It was an oriental poem that was sung annually on the 8th day of the Feast of the Passover, leaving its understanding to those who truly loved the Passover Lamb.

Poetically, the Song of Solomon describes the earthly story of King Solomon and his love for a Shulamite maid. Metaphorically, it speaks of the LORD, as the Heavenly Bridegroom, possessing a divine and matchless, love for the souls for whom He died on the Cross of Calvary.

It is the LORD’s desire that all of His human creation might view Him as preeminent, and love Him as their LORD and Savior. Do you love Jesus Christ? Have you told Him so? His love goes far beyond ours. As with a human marriage that says “I do,” just a simple, sincere prayer that says, “LORD, I’m sorry for my sin. Thank you for loving me and dying on the Cross as my Sacrifice, forgiving all my sin. I am right now trusting You as my living LORD and Savior.” Then don’t forget to say, “Thank You, LORD, for saving me” –and just believe with all your heart that He has!

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,

Ecclesiastes 3:10-14, “I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;
13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor– it is the gift of God.
14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.”

If you’ve ever picked up a book that tells you everything, it is the Bible. And if you’ve ever selected a book within the Bible that covers all the mysteries of life, it is Ecclesiastes.

Solomon is drawing near to the end of his life and is reviewing the mysteries that have always puzzled him. He has sought satisfaction in science, in philosophy, in the pleasures of drinking, building, enormous possessions, wealth, and music –all
without satisfaction.

Neither has materialism, fatalism, deism, religion, wealth –even morality—none of which he surveyed brought him satisfaction.

Thus, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived outside of Jesus Christ, concludes:

“…when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Are you ready to meet Him? You can be! Jesus Christ died on the Cross and shed His blood to cover our sins. Christ’s blood satisfied His Father. It covers your sins—if you will accept it. Pray a simple prayer, asking Him to forgive you of your sins. He then sends the Holy Spirit into your life, confirming your salvation. You will then know what Solomon learned: forgiveness comes from Christ alone.

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