The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 96:1-13, “Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
12 Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13 Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.”

One of the problems with many Christians today is that they have forgotten the blessings of the LORD. The psalmist has not forgotten. His words encourage us to be joyous and to praise the LORD as we proclaim His wondrous works. We are to tell of His glory wherever we go.

The problem with many is that they trust in idols their hands have made. What man can make, man can destroy. Nor can idols make glad the people of the LORD’s creation! The LORD alone is worthy of glory and praise. It is He whom we are to worship, for it is the LORD alone who has blessed our lives. May we ever and always worship Him!

We would do well to take periodic inventory of what we have because of the LORD and His goodness. Our lives should be lived according to His will. He is coming back to earth to gather together those who are His people, that we may live with Him in Heaven forever! Are you one of His people? How do you become one? It is as simple as it is glorious! Pray to Him and tell Him your sins. Be honest, because He already knows all of your sins. Ask forgiveness for them. Trust Him to be your LORD and Savior. Then start Reading and studying His Word every day! And you will soon be sharing His love with those about you.

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,

Psalm 86:14-17, “O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, and a band of violent men have sought my life, and they have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid.
17 Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”

A curious event happened this past week. A long-time and very close friend phoned me and shared some events that could have been tragic, except for the intervention of the LORD. “Every time something sinister occurs,” he said, “the LORD intervenes with something good. Just think about it.”

Thoughts came to mind what Norman Grubb had quoted from the book Pipe Line to Battle, by the British Major P. W. Rainer. While equally matched, the German Panzer Division of the elite Afrika Korps…

“…suddenly came stumbling across the barren sand with their hands in the air. Cracked and black with coagulated blood, their swollen tongues were protruding from their mouths…, they tore water bottles from the necks of our men and poured life-giving swallows between their parched lips…they overran the British defenses and found a 6-inch water pipe…shot holes in it and drank deeply. Only when they had taken great gulps, did they realize that it was sea water!”

The British had used the pipe as a test pipe for fresh water and would have soon provided it; but the Nazis taste had been anesthetized by brackish water they had been drinking. “Such an incredible happening as this cannot be treated as a mere coincidence. Assuredly the hand of Almighty God is in evidence once more, coming to our aid when weighty issues are in the balance.”

Never take “defeat” for granted! The LORD is alert to the needs of His children! Furthermore, He is capable of fulfilling what He initiates. Just as a godly parent watches over his child, the LORD watches over His children. Learn to trust Him; and when something sinister lurks at the door of your life, just know and believe that the LORD of everything good is there to protect you.

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,

Psalm 86:14-17, O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, and a band of violent men have sought my life, and they have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid.
17 Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”

Have you ever been in trouble? Someone once said that the disciples of Jesus were either in trouble or just getting out of trouble or headed for trouble. Did you ever feel like that? Of course, you have! What makes a situation like that even worse is when arrogant men have risen up against you. They have cut the props from under you and given no thought of the LORD Himself.

Note that the psalmist turns to the LORD for help (vss.15 & 16). He extols the LORD’s mercy and grace. He recognizes the LORD’s anger, but emphasizes His lovingkindness and truth. He then prays that the LORD will be gracious to him and grand him strength as required. We are always too eager to think we’re in control.

How often we want the LORD to furiously pummel those who fail to treat us with respect! But the psalmist has the right spirit. He only wants those who hate him to be ashamed of themselves when they see the LORD is helping and comforting him. Oh, if only we possessed that quality of love! Perhaps the key to possessing it lies in our recognition of the loving grace of the LORD. How long has it been since you thanked and really praised 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,

Psalm 86:11-13, “Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.
13 For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”

“Teach me how to do that!” Such an expression is common for a prodigious young person. Things outside the ordinary are intriguing, and the desire to do what adults can do is exciting! Such was the way of the young psalmist. Although he was seeking the teaching of the LORD, his promise was to walk in the LORD’s truth, knowing that the unity of his heart would produce reverence for His Name.

The Psalmist’s promise is to forever “give thanks” to the LORD and to perpetually glorify His Name. His indebtedness to the LORD is beyond measure, for the LORD has delivered his soul from Sheol, the place of the afterlife.

We who have trusted the LORD Jesus Christ and come to know His loving desire toward us, must forever glorify His Name. Nothing must be a wedge between us! “We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture” (Psa. 100:3). His love and attitude toward us is beyond measure. Our love ought to be fully focused upon Him! Is 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,

Psalm 86:1-7, “Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.
2 Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long.
4 Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications!
7 In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, For You will answer me.”

David was first a shepherd, then a servant of the king, then a warrior, and ultimately the king himself. He was a godly man, and a man of prayer. Those who trust in the LORD and find themselves in trouble, are usually those who go to Him in prayer, asking forgiveness.

David is not ashamed to seek the LORD in prayer. Apparently, something in David’s life had slipped from the moorings of God, as he speaks of trouble and seeks forgiveness.

It’s not difficult for us to slip out of God’s will for our lives. Further, it takes courage to admit our sin and seek forgiveness. If you doubt this, think of something you’ve done against someone, and how difficult it was to admit your wrong and to seek their forgiveness.

David’s confidence that God would answer his prayer and forgive him should encourage us. He said, “I shall call upon You, for You will answer me.” It takes courage to admit to doing wrong, and it takes courage to ask forgiveness. Yet, the confidence we have in admitting to wrong, gives courage to the one we wronged to forgive us as well. The LORD is in the business of forgiving. He enables the one we’ve wronged to forgive us. Be ready to pray and to forgive others. You’ll both be better for 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