The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 22:8-14, “Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
9 ‘Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’
10 “Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.
11 “But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes,
12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless.
13 “Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

If you were invited to a formal dinner in your governor’s mansion, or by a high-ranking official in your nation’s government, how would you dress for the occasion? His name slips me as I write, but I do recall a male friend of one of President Nixon’s daughters going to the White House in a white turtleneck shirt. It startled some at the time as being “highly inappropriate.”

Luke gives us this parable of someone who was not appropriately dressed for the wedding to which he had been invited. It was the wedding of the man’s son! It is possible that the author’s use of the singular word son may refer to the very Son whom God the Father loved and gave to die on the cross for our sins.

To attend Christ’s wedding with His Church is exclusively allowed only for those who have accepted Him as LORD and Savior. Entrance into that union certainly requires righteousness as the proper dress. There are those who believe they will be there with Jesus Christ, but have never been properly dressed for that occasion.

Repentance of sin is the removal of “improper clothing.” Faithful trust in Jesus is the only acceptable attire for that glorious occasion! Do you know Him? “Believe in the LORD Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved…” (Acts 16:31). His invitation awaits your response.

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,

Proverbs 3:5-10, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on
your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with
new wine.”

When you really love someone, you love them “with all you heart.” Virtually everything they do is adorable to you; and everything you do is acceptable to them. It is much the same (only more so) with the LORD!

When we love the LORD as we ought, trust comes naturally. We don’t have to figure things out, as we did before we accepted Him. Love requires that we put our entire lives into His keeping. Following Him is the guarantee that our paths are always straight.

When we find ourselves inclined to vary from His will, we know it to be evil, and we turn back to Him. The relaxation we encounter when we forsake evil assures us that we have renewed fellowship with the LORD. We then “honor the LORD” with a goodly portion of what He has given us, and all is well.

When we assess the inventory of our blessings, we discover that He has provided much more than we had distributed to His causes. Truly, it pays to serve Jesus. Have you not discovered this? Just try to “out-give” the LORD. It simply cannot be done!

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,

James 1:12-17, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he
has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has
promised to those who love Him.
13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for
God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his
own lust.
15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is
accomplished, it brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming
down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shifting shadow.”

Only one dispossessed of the understanding of true love would challenge
the LORD’s love for His created beings. But, how does a true believer prove that he loves Christ?

What does “loving Christ” truly mean? Is there a test that believers must
pass in order to be approved by the LORD?

1.The believer must persevere (patiently endure) under trial.
2.The believer must refute temptation. It has not come from God.
3.The believer must refrain from tempting anyone.

Faithful, believing Christians are promised various “Crowns”:

1. The crown of life is apparently the crown of eternal life with the LORD,
awarded in Heaven.
2. The crown of righteousness is awarded for a godly life (II Tim. 4:8).
3. The crown of glory is awarded to faithful servants (I Pet 5:4).
4. The crown of gold symbolizes our redemption (Rev. 4:4).
5. The crown of rejoicing is for faithful, redeemed believers (I Thes. 2:19).
6. The incorruptible crown is awarded for self-control in life (I Cor 9:25).

Check these biblical references. See if your life conforms to the Scripture.
If it does, give thanks to the LORD, for it is He who has conformed you.
If it does not, commit yourself to the LORD: that He may conform you and
present you the appropriate awards at their appropriate times.

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,

James 1:5-8, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Allow me to ask sincerely: Are you a wise person? Do you instinctly know what to do when you encounter a difficult situation? Or, do you believe that at times you simply don’t know what to do? If you sense that you need something you don’t have, what do you do?

James is not directly accusing anyone of lacking wisdom; yet, he is assuming that at times we all do. If that’s true of you, what do you do? The answer is simple: You ask God for it.”

What if a friend of yours attempted to purchase something, but lacked sufficient money to get it? Would he turn to you and ask for your help? What would you think? Wouldn’t you assess whether he truly needed what he wanted? Wouldn’t you think back to some previous purchase he made –something he laid aside after only a few days? Wouldn’t that have a bearing on whether you would lend him the money for his purchase?

God responds somewhat like that. He knows whether we have wisdom. He knows whether we are acting in His interest or merely in our own. If we have His interests in mind, we can rest assuredly that He will grant us the wisdom required. Think about whose interest is uppermost. Ask the LORD for wisdom. Then, believe and behave as one who possesses it. It’s a matter of true and hearty faith.

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,

James 1:1-5, “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously
and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

As with all ancient written communication, the name of the writer appears early, so as not to confuse the reader. In this short passage, James identifies himself as a “bond-servant” of God and of the LORD Jesus Christ. Simply stated, we’ve got to be something before we can do anything for the LORD’s cause.

The recipients of this letter were separated from one another, which always encourages depression. Yet, James pours on the encouragement! The difficulties you encounter, he says, are merely trials to test your faith. The more you are tested, the greater strength you produce. Everything you encounter makes you stronger in the faith.

But what about wisdom? God is the Ultimate Source of true wisdom. Ask Him for it, when you pray. Remember, too, to pray in faith. If you pray for something, but doubting that He’s going to give it, He won’t! There’s no trust in that kind of prayer. You have to believe as you ask. Who would hire you for a job, if you acted as if you weren’t going to get it? “You don’t want to hire me, do you?” Bosses need men and women who are convinced they can do the work. So it is with the LORD Jesus.

Ask Him for wisdom! Believe that He will give it to you! Behave as if you have it!
He will be with you all the way.

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