The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 1:20-26, “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’
21 “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us–
22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us– one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen
25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’
26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”

What do you do when someone you’ve trusted suddenly forfeits that trust? This was the dilemma in which the disciples found themselves when Judas Iscariot withdrew from the group. We’ve all lost friends. The saddest loss, however, comes when friends abandon clear, biblical teaching and align with those opposed to Scriptural truth. Add to that, Judas’ suicide; and the entire Christian group was in desperate need.

The position the group took was to stay with the Word of God. Peter pointed to the Psalm (69:25) that gave them both instruction and hope. Two of their finest men, Joseph (also known as Barsabbas and/or Justus) and Matthias were then nominated, whereupon the entire group went to prayer. It was not a political scramble with some arguing for one and some arguing for the other. They all looked to the LORD in prayer seeking His choice. Then they voiced the one for whom they believed to be the LORD’s choice. How blessed we would be if all churches followed their pattern.

One method of voting in those times was to write the names of the nominees on ballots and drop them into a container. They then shook the container to shuffle the ballots. The ballot that first emerged from the container was assessed to be the LORD’s choice. In this case, the choice was Matthias.

Interesting, too, is the fact that there was no negative outcry from those who voted for Joseph. Unity of the group under the leadership of the LORD was their strength. That’s the key to our strength, too. Pray for your church’s leadership. Pray for unity in all things, especially in the teachings of God’s Holy Word. The LORD is both pleased and glorified when we delve daily in His blessed Word!

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,

Acts 1:15-19, “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,
16 ‘Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17 ‘For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.’
18 (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.
19 And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, “Field of Blood”.

It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s a formal occasion or just a casual group of long-time friends, there is always someone who takes charge of the gathering. Have you not noticed that? On this occasion, it was Simon Peter who single-handedly took charge of the group of about 120.

If there were any in the group who might have objected to Peter’s leadership, they held their peace when he mentioned the Scripture and the Holy Spirit. The Scripture needed confirmation of fulfillment, as the Holy Spirit foretold of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus. It is found as far back as David in Old Testament times, when he said: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against Me” (Psa. 41:9).

Judas Iscariot is the one intentioned in that Psalm. He shared in the LORD’s ministry. He was trusted by the group in that he carried their money. Interestingly enough, Judas then betrayed Jesus to the Jewish leaders for 30 pieces of their silver, the price of a slave. Still his conscience bothered him so, that he returned the silver, casting it on the floor of the temple. In the end, what Judas had done so preyed upon him that he ended his own life by his own hand.

“The Field of Blood,” mentioned in our verses was the ground the Jewish priests purchased for a burial site for the poor. What a sad ending to one who had been privileged to walk and learn from Jesus Himself. We are so privileged to live and learn of Him. Yet, along with privilege comes responsibility. Those of us who have trusted Him and been born of the Spirit are responsible to love others and share Him with them. Those who have yet to trust Him should recognize the privilege they have of trusting Him as LORD and Savior, too.

As we move into the CHRISTmas Season, we have greater opportunity to trust Him and share Him. May He always be glorified as He occupies our lives and fills us with His LOVE everlasting!

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,

Acts 1:12-14, “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13 When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

There are some things that occur in our lives that are just too emotional to describe. I remember having an experience that actually left me speechless. My wife said, “That really affected you, didn’t
it?” Yes, it did.

That’s what the disciples of Jesus felt as they watched Him ascend into Heaven. Emotionally stunned, they journeyed from the Mount of Olives back to Jerusalem, some 2,000 paces, and went immediately to prayer. Whether they discussed what they had witnessed as they walked back to the city, the Bible does not say. It only tells us that they were of one mind, and poured out their hearts together in prayer.

There are things too wonderful for words, except for expressing them to the Father. Remember the reaction of Jesus’ mother Mary when she learned she was to be the mother of the Messiah? Luke records: “Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk. 2:19).

Prayer includes words –even words that seem to lack full expression. Yet, when we encounter the LORD, He understands. He even understands our hearts when tears are all our hearts can express. Still, He enables us to know that He has heard us as He comforts us. Do you know Him? He knows you and wants you to know Him. He is always ready and waiting to hear from you. Go on, talk to Him. He understands all languages. What’s more, He understands the language of your heart.

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,

Acts 1:9-11, “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.
11 They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’”

One of the saddest moments in the visit of dear and close friends is when they are leaving. You were excited when you heard that they were coming; you were thrilled with joy while they were their; but you felt sad and a bit empty when they were leaving.

If you have experienced something like that with close and loving friends, you have some knowledge of how Jesus’ disciples must have felt when they saw Him leaving, lifted up into Heaven and disappear out of their sight.

The prophesy of His coming was foretold in many ways throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. Then He came and lived with them for several years, ministering to people and showing them the way of salvation. They had learned of His purpose in coming to Earth; they had witnessed His teaching and His miracles. They had witnessed His sacrifice on the Cross for their sins. They had fellowshipped with Him subsequent to His Resurrection from the dead. And now, they were beholding Him ascending into Heaven.

They heard the words of two angels, who were clothed in white, assuring them that He would return and in a manner equivalent to what they were experiencing of His ascension into Heaven. But they retained in their hearts His promise to return. Is that promise resonating in your heart?

Are you assured of Jesus’ return? The Word of God foretells it. Two angels assured His disciples of it. Jesus Himself promised it. Just think: you and I may live to see it! What a day that will be! But, it will come quickly! So, get prepared now! Trust Him today as your LORD and Savior! There will be no time then to prepare.

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,

Acts 1:6-9, “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’
7 He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

My dear mother was a schoolteacher, so you can just imagine what my sister and I learned from the questions she was asked by her students. But having to answer the questions Carol and I would ask at home, mom was well prepared for whatever she was asked at school.

Jesus’ disciples asked a lot of questions, too. As we examine the disciples’ questions, we learn how close we are in asking the same things. “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” That is the prime question of religious Jews today! Only recently, I finished reading a book on that very subject. Everything is ready for the rebuilding of the Temple in the area known to us as “the Dome of the Rock.” It could even come in our lifetime!

Jesus replied to His disciples much like my mother used to reply to me; namely, “It’s not the right time for you to know about that,” she would say. “You need to put your mind on what your dad wanted done before he gets home from work!” There are some things we’re just not supposed to know. If the Bible gives a specific answer to a question, well and good; but if it doesn’t, we’re just not supposed to know. The Father has specific times for everything and He will reveal them when He’s ready.

What Jesus said to His disciples (and to us, as well) was that true believers would receive authority and knowledge from the Holy Spirit, which would prompt us to become witnesses of Him to others throughout the entire world! Not everyone is called of God to be a foreign missionary, but He does expect all of us to witness of His saving grace to others living around us. I have to confess that I fail to do that as often as I should. Do you need to confess that to Him, too? When He comes, it will be too late.

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