The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 1:1-8. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; 3 THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, “MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, and saying, “After me, One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 “I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

All of us come into this world as sinners. Ultimately, we come to know that we are sinners and need forgiveness for the sins we have committed. Eventually, we learn that Jesus died and arose from the dead to save us from our sin. When we accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior of our lives, the Holy Spirit indwells us. We have become His children and are heirs of all that He possesses.

I was baptized in the river when I was seven years of age. I had accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior and was testifying to that fact by being baptized. My baptism did not save me from sin – Jesus did that! – but it signified that I had turned from sin and become a Spirit-born child of God.

In the day and time of Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus had not yet come. But Mark is telling us that Jesus has now come and wants to be our LORD and Savior. Have you trusted Him as your LORD and Savior? You need Him; and He can change your life for the good! But until you trust Him, you cannot imagine the change He will make in you! Trust Him today! You’ll rejoice and always be thankful for His love and forgiveness.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Matthew 28:1-9, “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.

2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.”

Do you visit the graves of loved ones? I can remember how my mother and grandmother used to decorate the graves of loved ones every year at the same time. It was a gesture I shall not forget, for at those times, I would ask questions about those who were in their graves, and often, grandmother would come forth with accounts that I will never forget.

Somehow, I think those mentioned in the Scripture passage above experienced much the same thing. Memories are good if they concern good people. Certainly, they were good of Jesus, as the two named Mary reflected upon Him. We should live so that others might reflect well on memories of us.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.”

–Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Matthew 17:1-6, “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

4 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!'”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.”

The transfiguration of Jesus occurred in the presence of three disciples: Peter, James, and John. Considering all the military personnel in World War II, how many do you believe you could scare with the appearance of such a human transfiguration, much less that of Jesus Christ? Before you venture an answer, let me simply say: “Everyone!”

I identify with Peter in that I am often first in injecting an opinion into questionable situations! At the same time, I would not have been so bold as to have casually encountered Jesus’ transfiguration. I would have been scared stiff! Can you see Peter taking such an auspicious encounter in stride? I can see him rushing in, but “freezing stiff,” his voice trembling with emotion when he saw that there was no way out!

More importantly still is the reverberating Voice of the LORD introducing His Son: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” We would all do well to listen! More. I once heard a man say, “The LORD created us with two ears and but one mouth; and there’s a significant difference in the function and ratio of each.” I often need to adhere to that. How about you?

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

James 1:19-26, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. 20 For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

All of the apostles contributed messages that advocated Christ-like behavior. James, however, uses a more militaristic style than most, saying, “quick, slow, put aside, prove.” At the same time, he never loses focus on the overall message: hear the Word, obey the Word, abide in the Word.

What an exciting challenge this should be for us! Hearing the Word means understanding it. Abiding in the Word means always obeying it with consistency. It is the lifeline of our existence! What’s more, it establishes a pattern of life for those who live with and around us.

Jesus Himself is, of course, our Divine Pattern for life! We can do no better than to live like He lived. How is today treating you? How are you treating today?

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need
Until He becomes all that we have.”
–Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

James 1:13-18, “Let 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. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then 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. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”

You have undoubtedly heard the foolish question: “Can God construct a stone that is so large that He Himself cannot move it?” We need to be extremely careful with such foolish thoughts because they can lead us into areas of thinking that question the LORD and His infinite abilities. Beware!

Still, have you ever wondered if there is anything that God cannot do? Well, the Bible says there is! The answer is in verse 13 of our text above: “God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone!” Yet, it is “through the exercise of His will” that He saves and secures us! No one is saved because he deserves it; he is saved when he realizes he does not deserve it and turns in trust to the LORD to deliver him. Nor is anyone secured through his own human effort.

All good things come from God. What’s more, they come to us completely by His grace! Yet, He requires that we surrender our grip on sin and fully trust in His will and thorough capability to save. Trust ever and only in the LORD!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.”

–Corrie ten Boom