The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:12-14, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

We live in world that is full of surprises. Not all surprises, however, are to our liking or to our benefit. Simon Peter had experienced both. You and I have doubtlessly experienced both, also. “Fiery ordeal” may be something internal –something that requires medical examination. Yet, it may also mean external circumstances –something originating with or caused by the attitude or activity of another person.

What exactly are we to do in either situation? Peter’s instruction is to “keep on rejoicing.” Rejoicing, strange as it may sound, unveils “the revelation of His glory.” In other words, don’t allow negative experiences to drown out the excitement of the LORD’s presence. Just keep your eyes and thoughts on the LORD Jesus Christ!

I read recently an author’s self-assessment of Paul’s execution in Rome. Paul was not dragged “kicking and screaming” against his antagonists. Rather, he was praising the LORD for the privilege of giving his life for the One who gave His life for him.

That’s what Peter meant when he argued that we should rejoice when we are reproached, denounced, insulted, because we follow Christ. Is that your response to your critics, when they make fun of you for following Jesus? It should be, and it can be; but it comes from a day-by-day closeness with Him. Stay focused on His Word. Stay dependent on Him through prayer. He will then be your Guard and your Strength.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please Pray for Ukraine. There are many believers there, many of whom are
risking their lives and those of their children in the effort to save their nation!

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,

1 Peter 4:8-11, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

It’s normal for us to think of “love” (agape) more in connection with the John’s Gospel than with that of any other writer of the New Testament. Still, Simon Peter emphasized love and its maintenance in his writings, too. The word “fervent” (??????? ektenes) literally means “stretched, zealous, or earnest.” No “put-on” or disguise here. When the Scripture says “love,” it means love.”

Hospitality (????????? philoxenos) is an active form of love. It literally means
“loving strangers.” How could the Church ever hope to reach those outside of Christ, if the ones who possessed this gift, neglected expressing to others the love that Christ had displayed in them? So it is with us!

Whatever “gift” (special ability) the LORD has given to you, be sure to manifest it in the presence of others –not “showing off,” but that the LORD might be blessed and His people encouraged beyond measure.

Speaking (????? laleo) is the external expression of the Gospel. This is the core, the central aspect of the Good News of Jesus Christ. People who have not committed themselves to Jesus Christ need to be told how to do it.

Doubtlessly, those who commit themselves to Jesus for salvation, will, in time, be given spiritual gifts themselves. The gifts must never be abused. They must always glorify God the Father through His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. What is your spiritual gift? Is it bringing others closer to Him? It will, if it is truly a gift of His Holy Spirit, and if it glorifies Christ as He intends it to do.

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,

1 Peter 4:1-7, “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”

The suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross is beyond human comprehension! He was interrogated thoroughly, whipped mercilessly, stripped naked, nailed to a cross, and left to die amid the blood-thirsty cries of those whom He loved and for whom He was dying!

His people, the Jews, had succumbed to the excessively sinful ways of the Gentiles. Both groups grossly misjudged Jesus’ purpose and will suffer divine judgment for their sin against Him. He was and is their only hope of salvation.

Peter states that Christ Jesus’ sufferings were for the salvation of all mankind. And their deafening cries agreed with His death on the cross. Yet, His suffering and death encompasses all mankind –if only the lost will receive it.

That’s what the Gospel is all about. It proclaims hope to those whose lives are in sin…those who have not received Him as LORD and Savior. If you are one of those who has yet to receive Him, do it now and without delay! The Scripture says, “The end of all things is near…”

One final thought: What do you have to lose by turning away from sin and trusting Jesus for eternal salvation? If He cannot save you, you lose nothing. But, if He does save you, you’ve gained the best for this life and for eternal life to come! Think about it.

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,

1 Peter 4:3-8, “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

“All right, you guys, stop what you’re doing and play the way I’ve taught you,” said the coach. “The Nationals is at stake! But, we’ll never get there until you guys get serious about winning today’s game!”

The LORD is our coach! He knows the sensual bent in our lives, and warns us of additional excesses that are coming our way. Peter knows this, too; and he warns us that we will “give account” to the LORD, who will sit in judgment over us in the day we stand before Him.

Knowing that this “judgment day” is coming is why He has preachers to warn us. This life is not all there is to it! There is an eternity that stretches well and truly beyond us; and that we might live with Him in eternity is why the Gospel has been given to us.

“The end of all things is near” is an ominous declaration that touches us all.
Yes, there are those that deny a coming judgment. “Who worries about something that’ll never happen?” they say. Yet, denial itself is a form of affirmation. Inside each of us is the sure awareness of a coming judgment!

Believers in Christ are also instructed to “keep fervent in (their) love for one another.” If you have difficulty in loving someone, the problem may be within you and not them. Yield your life to Jesus Christ! Trust Him to infiltrate you with His Love — love that accompanied His blood shed for you on the Cross. You know what to do. Bow before Him and thank Him for dying for you. He will forgive your sins. He promises so!

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,

Mark 6:30-31, “The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
31 And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.’ (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)”

Retirement may not be all that it’s cracked up to be. When I come across old emails on my computer –emails from ministers who have long gone to be with Jesus— I tend to realize how busy I was over the years. The emails alone were not the “busy” part; they simply call attention to the multiple responsibilities I once attended. It is only now in “retirement” that I can truly understand the value of what Jesus meant when He said to His disciples, “Come away…and rest a while.”

For one thing, I have rediscovered the true value of reading. Surprisingly, those who appear to have been the busiest, are the ones who write the most. Reading is the opportunity to learn from those whose experiences with Christ occurred in times and places different from our own. Yet, our lives are enriched, as we observe them. Simultaneously, we are forced to acknowledge and dismiss those non-productive elements that waste our time.

I cannot imagine how busy Jesus and His disciples were! Yet, in the midst of the multitudes’ demands, they found time to minister and to produce Scriptural documents by which we now spiritually profit.

Reading “spiritually baptized” books enriches our lives! Of course, the Bible is the best. I would encourage you to read it daily. It enables the Spirit within us to produce rest, even as we read of the rushed and hurried Life of Jesus and His disciples! “Come on apart, and rest awhile; for those who don’t will surely come apart.”

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