The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 19:1-6, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.

4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

There are many beautiful aspects of what we call nature; yet, none are more beautiful than what we behold in a clear, night sky. I once knew a man, whose hobby was scanning the sky with his telescope. Many glorious aspects of the heavenly bodies were

brought nearer to me through his courtesy in the use of it. Far-away stars were abundantly viewable, as were those mystical rings around Saturn. Most glorious, however, was the knowledge that each heavenly body was the handiwork of God and was placed there to speak to me of His glory!

Each heavenly body possesses a language of its own. Its speech exists in silent glory, as we learn to praise the Creator. The entire world thrills at their circumference, for within it lies the home of the sun. Our view of the sun is only when on its playground. At night, it sleeps, as it were, under a covering, until we view it again the following day. The sun bursts forth with rejoicing, just like a groom, who glowlinly exits the chamber that contains his bride!

Observation of creation and contemplation of our Creator merge to convince us that the LORD is a loving God! Why do we go to the extreme of decorating gifts for special occasions, when we know that the decoration will soon be cast aside? We do it because we love the one receiving the gift. Yet, God’s gift of love for us far exceeds that of the heavenly beauties He has placed above and around us.

So, the next time you view or think of the sun or moon or stars, stop and thank the LORD for giving you life. What’s more, ask Him to give you love for Him! For when we love Him, we will live for Him! And our lives will then become a “heavenly beacon” to show His way to others. Love Him and live for Him! Nothing glorifies Him more!

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 11:1-7, “In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;

2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”

4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates.

6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.

7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.”

Are things in life ever so bleak that even those who love the LORD and seek to live righteously become discouraged?

The psalmist David believed it to be so. Those who would destroy the righteous are ostensibly equipped to do so. They

have the equipment for destruction and they appear ready to strike the heart of the righteous. It is precisely at this point

that the seriousness of the situation comes into view: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

At this point, the focus is diverted from “the righteous person” to the very “foundations of righteousness.” Individuals can

be replaced; principles cannot. The current crisis that our nation faces is not centered on a personallity; it is centered on

the principle of Constitutional justice. Theologically, personal beliefs come and go; but the Scriptural principles that foundation

the nations of the world must not be subject to human tampering! Those principles are the teachings of Almighty God, and

they are foundational to all truth and justice.

As bleak as things sometime look, the LORD eternally resides in Heaven and He continually tests and beholds the

behavior of mankind. He adjudicates in His holiness the works of the humanity He created. And while He loves the

righteouos, He despises the wicked, especially perhaps, those who engage in violence.

The LORD is altogether righteous. What’s more, He loves righteousness. Therefore, we are assured of the survival of

the righteous in these words of Scripture: “The upright will behold His face.” They will not be destroyed. The bow and

arrows of wickedness are devoid of all power! The Foundation of God’s Truth will abide forever and give hope and life

to those who are His. Are you one of His? Have you trusted in the LORD Jesus Christ as your Savior? Are you living

daily for Him? Is the Holy Scripture your life foundation? If this is true of you, then you will one day be privileged to behold

Him face-to-face. What a glorious and unspeakable experience that day will be!

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 4:1-8, “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou hast relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me

and hear my prayer.

2 O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.

4 Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD.

6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O LORD!

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, O LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety.

I’m certain that you’ve heard the expression, “Prayer works.” We all understand what that means to the person who says it;

however, it might be better said, “When prayer works, God works.” Moreover, when we pray more consistently, God pays

greater attention. That’s the spiritual equivalent of the saying “It’s the squeeky wheel that gets the grease.” Of course, it’s

the LORD’s right to determine what He does when we pray; yet He says He “has set apart the godly man for Himself.” I understand that to indicate which prayers truly arrest His attention.

Adverse circumstances always produce a modicum of uncertainty, yet we are advised to meditationally focus upon the LORD, and keep silent. For some of us, keeping silent is quite difficult. Silence in situations of trouble is equal to trust, when once we have prayed. We are to turn our uncertainties over to the LORD –and leave them there!

It was reported the other day that President Trump had asked all evangelical Christians to pray for him. Apparently, he was consulting with the Supreme Court on some Constitutional matters. Circumstances of such magnitude require the readiness of God’s people in prayer. There are many circumstances in life that require prayer. The question is whether we believers are truly ready for the task.

David expresses the peace he knows –peace that allows him to sleep soundly. It is the confidence that the LORD is in

control and stands instantly ready to protect and defend His own, whatever the adversity. Do you have that confidence in the LORD? Is He your first thought when adversity strikes? Are you “prayed up,” so to speak? Does the gladness the LORD provides, rest abundantly in your heart and life? Do you know that gladness and peace and safety of which David speaks? The adversities of circumstances in life cannot successfully stand against the LORD! He is our strength and shield. And when our lives rest thoroughly in Him, we then know and experience His divine peace.

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 3:1-8, “O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me.

2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.

3 But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.

5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek; Thou hast

shattered the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; Thy blessing be upon Thy people! Selah.”

Without question, the American election procedure has fueled the most enormous political rage in our lifetime! While

attorneys on both sides of the controversy seek to wiggle their ways through the legal labyrinth, many without legal

expertise are looking upward with the Psalmist and crying the words of David, “O LORD, how my adversaries have

increased!”

I am reminded of the old hymn, “Where could I go but to the LORD?” I have witnessed (as many of you have) television

personalities and their guests concluding their thoughts with “the LORD is in charge, and we look to Him for the solution.”

Perhaps, the LORD has delayed His resolution of this morass to cause us to see that He and He alone IS the solution!

The most encouraging note in this minor-keyed musical dilemma lies in verse four, where David seeks the LORD, and

says, “He answered me from His holy mountain.” God never answers prayers that are never prayed! He allows us to

“stew in our own juice,” as my mother used to say, until we come to the knowledge of Him as the only source of rescue.

Don’t miss noting that when the LORD answered David, David laid down and slept. And when he awoke, the LORD

sustained him. The LORD kept David’s mind and spirit from giving way under the stress of the situation. He does the

same for us.

All of this Letter has been couched in the curcible of a national referendum. Just don’t miss the fact that everything

in this Psalm relates to every possible situation you and I may encounter in our daily lives. A careful analysis of the

concluding verses (vv. 6-9) reveals that David envisions his battles as already victorious! The numbers of enemies is

inconsequensial. David sees the battle as the LORD’s; and it is already a victory to those who belong to Him. Do you

belong to Him? If not, you can be His by asking forgiveness for your sins and trusting Him just as David did. You will

then know the refreshment of a heart and soul –yours!—that He alone can produce.

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,

2 Peter 3:3-9, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the

beginning of creation.’

5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was

formed out of water and by water,

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

7 But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of

ungodly men.

8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand

years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish

but for all to come to repentance.”

If you knew that your death were imminent, what words would you want to leave with your loved ones? Peter knew that his time was limited, and that those who deride and mock, and intentionally misrepresent spiritual truths were very soon to come. “Where is the promise of Christ’s coming?” they mocking request. They beg whoever will listen to consider that everything is just the same as it was from the beginning.

What these false teachers intentionally omit is how the Earth and the heavens were constructed from the beginning. They also to this very day misrepresnet Peter’s statement that “one day is with the LORD as a thousand years.” Peter is simply saying that with God there is no calculation of time, as there is with man. In fact, the LORD created time for man where the Scriptures state, “And there was evening and there was morning, one day” (Gen. 1:5).

No one can succesfully challenge the LORD’s promise or what might appear to be His slowness of fulfilliing it. What is necessary is for everyone to be spiritually ready for His Coming! Two important words appear in that ninth verse: perish and repentance. Perish relates to death and eternity in Hell. Repentance is our acknowledging our sin and earnestly saying, “LORD, forgive me!”

If you have not repented of your sin and trusted Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior, you face eternity in Hell. Don’t put off repentance! It’s not the “good life” you live or “the particular church you attend,” or “whether or by what means you were baptized—“ It’s repentance that counts! –and faith and trust in Jesus, who died for our sins and arose from the grave—

He is Coming Again! Be certain you are ready!

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