The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Trouble is a universal adversary. It comes in a variety of forms. It is sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, sometimes psychological, sometimes spiritual. Yet, it is always accompanied with some form of anxiety. The word trouble (tsarah) means

affliction, anguish, distress. Paul describes his trouble as “a thorn in the flesh,” for which he “entreated the LORD three times that it might depart” from him (2 Cor. 12:7-8). Yet, the LORD’s response was “My grace is sufficient for you…” (v. 9).

More than 10 years ago, I elected to undergo surgery on my right hand. I have what is called “Dupuytren’s conjecture.” It’s an “abnormal thickening and tightening of the normally loose and flexible tissue beneath the skin of the palm and fingers,” and it impedes the normal usage of the hand. In can be compared with sin, in that it always returns.

Paul, you will recall, petitioned the LORD three times for the alleviation of his malady. And each time, the LORD said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

I lay no claim with Paul’s malady, but I am earnestly trusting our LORD’s power to avail for me in this situation. I am not looking for sympathy, I am writing to encourage you who have truly serious conditions that through prayers of faith you may know the LORD’s strength and comfort.

To those of you who have not committed your natural, sinful nature to Him, I appeal to you all the more. Sin is not merely a physical condition; it is a spiritual condition with eternal consequences. Turning to Christ in faith, and repenting of personal sin is the sure and only method of spiritual rescue. My prayers reach out for 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 40:4-5, “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who

lapse into falsehood.

5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done, And Thy thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with

Thee; If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.”

There is so much trouble in the world today that it is mentally and spiritually refreshing to just rest in the trust of the LORD.

Certainly, that is not to say that we can pull back from our spiritual and physical responsibilities and do nothing! Far from it!

Yet, the ultimate result of our prayers and our witnessing lies in His divine hands.

The psalmist has not lost sight of the wonders the LORD has performed. Nor should we. Looking back at Christ’s involvements in our lives should foundation our faith in Him for the future. In my own life, I can identify numerous instances that simply could not have been “accidental.” Let me note for you just one.

When we left Australia for the last time and returned home, we gave our blue, Ford station wagon to a mission organization.

The LORD provided our purchase of a car in the States, but when Rose Marie’s responsibilities required a second car, we told no one! We simply prayed about it. One day, out of the blue, a phone call came from a Christian friend, asking if we needed a second car. We said yes, and he said he had one that he would give us. He retained ownership, but we were to treat it as our own. When I thanked him and had hung up the phone, Rose Marie asked what kind of car it was. I laughed, saying I had forgotten to even ask.

The friend delivered the car, and we were amazed beyond belief! It was a blue, Ford station wagon, automatic transmission — exactly the same model as the one we had given to the mission in Australia! The only difference was that it was a left-hand drive, whereas in Australia, all cars are right-hand drive.

The question that lingers is: Why did the LORD do that? Who caused that Christian friend to think of us? Why was everything so exact with respect to the car? The answer lies in the verses above. It was simply a wonder, which the LORD had chosen to perform. He simply, sovereignly elected to do what He did –perhaps it was to encourage you to believe that with Him all things are possible! It has certainly worked that way with us!

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 37:7-11, “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of

the man who carries out wicked schemes.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.

9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there.

11 But the humble will inherit the land, And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”

Have you noticed how impatient our world has become? Everything seems to cause us unrest. We worry about far too many

things; and we are frustrated that others seem to get “all the breaks” when we’re “left holding an emphy bag.” Well, the answer

to all of our worries and frustrations –whatever they may be– is contained in the verses above.

The first instruction should have been enough. “Rest in the LORD…” Knowing that it would not be enough, the Word continues,

“…wait patiently for Him.” I witnessed a Christian pastor’s message yesterday that “knocked the ball out of the park” for me!

His emphasis was that we need to simply trust the LORD and not allow ourselves to get out of sorts over anything! The LORD’s timing is as exact as the goodness He delivers to us. God is neither hindered, nor hurried, by time.

Interestingly too, we often get upset when others receive the very things that we are denied. What’s worse still is that those who receive what we’re denied are often wicked, evil people! Why does the LORD allow that? But to question Him is to challenge His authority –something we must never do! Just stop being angry, the Word says, as it leads to more evil. The LORD will not allow evil to win the battle, so why would we buy into it through worry or anger?

His promise to us is that “evildoers will be cut off,” completely “cut down, destroyed!” What evil doers? There are so many!

Who is in His focus to be destroyed is not our concern. Perhaps, our frustration and anger are focused on those who exist at a much lower level –like our cutting limbs off of a tree, when the LORD intends to uproot the tree entirely.

The ultimate conclusion is that those who are humble will be freed from both the evil producers and the frustration our focus

on them has produced. Our LORD’s promise is that we shaill “take delight” in “abundant prosperity,” and in all that He will do.

It all says to us: relax, wait on the LORD. His plan cannot fail. Perhaps, it will come more quickly when we exercise patience. Whatever and whenever, we must wrap ourselves in His revealed truth, wherein we are well protected from others and from ourselves!

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 28:1-9, “To Thee, O LORD, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, Lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like those who go down

to the pit.

2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to Thee for help, When I lift up my hands toward Thy holy sanctuary.

3 Do not drag me away with the wicked And with those who work iniquity; Who speak peace with their neighbors, While evil is in their

hearts.

4 Requite them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices; Requite them according to the deeds of their hands;

Repay them their recompense.

5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up.

6 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I

shall thank Him.

8 The LORD is their strength, And He is a saving defense to His anointed.

9 Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.”

Were you ever in a situation that seemed utterly helpless? Wickedness surrounded you! Evil and depravity were everywhere! You were so encompassed about by debauchery that your only help lay in the Hands of the LORD? What do you do? You cry out with all your heart to the LORD for His rescue! You pray more earnestly than you’ve ever prayed for His deliverance.

Deliverance can be an extraction from the midst of an undesirable situation, or it can be an elimination of those persons who intend evil against us! The choice itself lies in the Hands of the Deliverer to whom we cry. We are so smothered by the intentions of those who are working against us to even consider a plausible way out. Of necessity, we yield everything to the LORD’s Divine Hands and beg desperately for mercy!

David himself is powerless. He cries for the LORD to give those who rail against His people the recompense they deserve! That is our

hope, as well. That must be our cry! When we think of ourselves as adequate to stand against evil, we have already lost the battle. Note, too, that David does not offer his own life as a pristine reason for the LORD to intervene. He admits his sin. We must also admit our sin and throw ourselves completely upon the LORD for His deliverance.

With all of the above being true, David simply declares victory! “The LORD is my strength and my shield,” he cries in verse seven. That is a clear and concise declaration of faith in the LORD! We simply cannot pray for the LORD’s deliverance and then wonder if-and- when it will come. We must BELIEVE and declare victory! We must rest in the assurance of that victory and praise the LORD for it!

“He is a saving defense to His anointed.” He is also our Shepherd, leading and teaching us to trust and obey Him.

Do you trust the LORD to extract you from seemingly insurmountable difficulties? If He is your LORD, you will trust Him. If He is not, you must trust Him today. There is no other way, and life’s time is running out. May He bless you and enable you to believe! You will be glad! I can promise you that.

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 19:7-11, “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.”

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the nation. Whatever that court decides is correct, the people of our

nation are obliged to live by its directive. There is nowhere further to take a case that has been decided by the Supreme Court.

There is, however, a yet higher court than the Supreme Court. It is the Divine Court of Almighty God! It deals with human behavior.

The psalmist David uses six heavy, yet applicable words from the LORD to shape our human conduct.

1. The Law of God gives us direction and instruction as to how we are to live our lives. They are complete and perfect

and work to restore our souls as He had intended them to function from the beginning. Everything we need as a directive

is contained in Holy Scripture.

2. The Testimony of the LORD is supportive of both the admonition and confirmation of His Law. The open-minded

person is made wiser by adhering to them.

3. The Precepts of the LORD are His rules of action and conduct that direct our lives. They are both correct and safe to

follow. Besides all else, they bring joy into the life of those who adhere to them.

4. The Commandments of the LORD are His clear and clean orders that we are to implement into our own lives. They are pure and enlightening, easy to understand.

5. The Fear of the LORD relates to His awesomeness. One might willingly risk disobeying the Apostle Paul, but never

the LORD! His ways weigh heavily upon those who challenge His directives.

6. The Judgments of the LORD – His final judgments covering every situation — are always correct. That is, they are

incontrovertable! You might as well talk to the wind. The LORD does not alter or change His pronounced judgments!

But aren’t these directives difficult to follow? They may seem so at first; yet, doing right, living to His standards, brings inward peace

to our needy, spiritual lives. And when we obey His stated will, there is for us a promised reward – “more desirable than gold…and

sweeter than honey.” Still, beyond this, there is an even greater reward for those who follow our LORD’s directives.

What can be more celebrated than rules that bring rewards? Search the Scriptures to see! Live correctly and learn! Focus on His Life

and you will find living both pleasant and exciting! God bless you in your quest!

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