The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 6:16-20, “For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of

every dispute.

17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose,

interposed with an oath,

18 in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we

who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,

20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of

Melchizedek.”

With the confirmation of a candidate for the United States Supreme Court underway, it seems appropriate to bring forth this passage for consideration. When we sign important papers, they are very often required to be signed before an official. That is a legal confirmation of who we are and the legitimacy of what we are affirming.

The Apostle Paul (whom I studiedly consider to be the author of Hebrews), affirms that God gave an oath to His people that

His purpose was forever unchangeable. Furthermore, inasmuch as it is “impossible for God to lie,” we are and shall forever be encouraged. This unchangeable purpose of Almighty God further serves as “an anchor of (our) soul(s).”

I have known people who were never certain about their salvation. Theirs is a sad situation. They awaken one morning with a

absolute certainty that they are in Christ Jesus –yet, the next morning, they are unsure. They are lacking in faith –faith that God has spoken clearly in His Word; faith that He is “able to keep them” eternally. They are like a boat without an anchor. They “float” from one position to another, never knowing, “…never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7).

Interestingly, those who are unsure about their salvation and never unsure about that legal paper they signed. They trust the companies that insure their homes, their cars, their multiple acquisitions of value. They just cannot trust the LORD! Their souls are clearly untethered. Yet, God, allowing Who He is, cannot lie. It is unequivocally impossible!

Do you believe God? Is your faith and trust totally and thoroughly resting in Him? I hope and trust that it is! If you’re not sure,

ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life! Ask Him to confirm your salvation through His Word. Then, read the Word and you will become sure. You will anchor your soul in Christ Jesus!

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,

Matthew 6:25-26, “”For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall

drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

26″Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father

feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

Do you worry about things? Important decisions in your life? Health? Finances? Why do you do that? Anxiety is another word for worry. Jesus was very explicit when He said, “Stop worrying! Stop being anxious, and I mean it!” The word anxiety is clothed in the present, active, imperative form in Greek! But, why would the LORD forbid it?

One reason, is that excessive worry can be very harmful to the human body. It can affect the heart; it can affect the blood pressure; it can affect the digestive system; it can affect memory. It’s just not good to worry. The more we worry, the worse off we become.

Another reason not to worry is that worry is the opposite of faith. Yes, we need to eat proper foods; we need to drink a sufficient amount of water every day; we also need to guard our bodies against too much sunlight and against the cold. Missionaries are often confronted with the lack of these things when they go into foreign countries to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some have even been embarrassed by those they were there to reach: for they asked if the God they served could not take care of them! Ouch! That is precisely what Jesus meant.

He cites the birds of the air. “…they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns…(yet) your heavenly Father feeds them.” Are the birds more important to Him than you are? We must learn to trust the LORD in every situation, at every turn in the road. He alone knows what lies around the corner or what circumstance you or I are going to face tomorrow or next week.

Just a few verses beyond our verses above the Scriptures instruct us saying, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (v. 34). Don’t worry about tomorrow. The LORD has a way of taking care of it. There’s enough going on today, for us to concern ourselves about tomorrow. Turn your mind to the strengths and powers of the LORD. He has proved Himself sufficient again and again. Stay in the Word! Keep up with praying! Bury your thoughts in Him with His thoughts. Simply, trust and obey.

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,

Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 “Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in

the house.

16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in

heaven.”

It can easily be argued that there is no greater contrast anywhere than that between light and darkness. Have you not heard people say, “She is simply a ray of sunshine”? or “He always lights up the room”? These are simple expressions that parallel Jesus’ meaning.

Jesus did not direct His meaning to everyone! He did, however, allow that trusting Him as LORD and Savior is available to everyone! Clearly, He Himself is the Light. When we come to know Him and be spiritually affiliated with Him, His Light shines

through us and reaches out to the entirety of the world-at-large.

Further, when we live above the evil of this world, we are like a shining city on a hill. Salvation is not merely a ticket to Heaven; it’s a badge of responsibility here on Earth. We are to give light to all who are around us. At the same time, we are

not to exhibit our light in pride, but in humility; for in that way those who see us and our good works will not be closed-minded

regarding Jesus. Paul teaches us that every man has been awarded sufficient light to lead him to faith in Jesus Christ.

“…that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature,

have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without

excuse” (Rom. 1:19-20).

In the truest sense, our light is merely a reflection of His Light. Our good works are His good works. Our loving attitude is His loving attitude. Our victories are His victories. All of that guarentees that He alone is working through us and that He alone is worthy to receive the Glory!

Start shining! Let your light be shared with the lights of others! Let Christ alone be glorified!

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 31:1-6, “In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Thy righteousness

deliver me.

2 Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be Thou to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.

3 For Thou art my rock and my fortress; For Thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.

4 Thou wilt pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me; For Thou art my strength.

5 Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.”

6 I hate those who regard vain idols; But I trust in the LORD.”

You have probably heard the expression that the disciples of Jesus were always either in trouble or headed for

trouble or just getting out of trouble. They lived in extremely difficult times! They had encountered Jesus and

followed Him faithfully for about three years. Now, with Him no longer in their midst, they had been charged to

stand for the eternal truths He had taught them.

David lived a thousand years before Jesus. The words that David wrote in the Psalm above give us a pretty

clear picture of how hard things were for him in his lifetime. Nothing that’s worthwhile comes easily. David sees

the LORD as his “rock and fortress,” his defense. He also leans on the LORD for guidance. Coming to the end

of those verses above, David commits his spirit to the LORD.

The disciples that Jesus left behind experienced the same turbulence as David. And many today face grueling

persecution and reprisals due to their contention for Christ and His teachings. That in itself has hindered some

Christians from witnessing of Him. Perhaps it was even harder for those in Paul’s day because all laws were

devoid of even the shadow of the Christian faith. There was no Constitution that allowed the freedoms we

know today.

Just don’t get discouraged! Don’t be afraid? If you know the LORD, you live and breathe under His protection.

You and I are here for His purpose, not our own. When he has tasked you with a certain responsibility, He will

guard you until that task is completed. Just keep looking up, as His glory continues to radiate upon you. Pray

consistently in everything you do. I like the verse that says the disciples rejoiced “that they had been considered

worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). God bless you as you live for Him in a world that’s unworthy.

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,

John 21:15-17, “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John,

do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to

him, ‘Tend My lambs.’

16 He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes,

Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’

17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He

said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You

know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’”

My dad retired as the purchasing agent for a clothing manufacturing company. I remember the stories

he told of how the salesmen pitched their products. They were always pleasant, and even at times, gave him gifts. But the one thing that was never omitted was dinner! There’s something about dinner that always set the stage for what is deemed most important.

I thought of that when I read the words, “So when they had finished breakfast…” Jesus was always in charge. He didn’t need to feed and relax Peter before He charged him with responsibility; but He did. It simply eased the now-relaxed Peter and prepared him to listen more carefully.

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” These may have referred to Peter’s companions. Or, it may have referred to the fish they had both eaten. In any event, Jesus’ question basically related to Himself. You should be aware that there is more than one word translatable as “love” in the Greek language. Jesus used the highest, possible word, ??????, agapao. It is true love without any strings attached.

Peter responded affirmatively, but used the word ?????, phileo, meaning, “I am a good friend of yours.” Peter clearly knew the difference. Perhaps, after denying Jesus as he did, he simply could not bring himself to say “I love you as much as you love me, no strings attached.” All we truly know is what he said –not what was in his mind when he said it.

Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s responses were also a bit different. Using the metaphor “Tend my lambs,” Jesus is saying that people who have recently believed upon Him still need spiritual attention and instruction. Thus, He says “feed” them, and He uses the word ??????, arnion, meaning little lambs, perhaps newborns.

When Jesus says, “Shepherd My sheep,” He is instructing Peter to “act as a shepherd” and “use care” in leading and guiding them. That metaphor is still active today. It matters little how old one is or how long he has been a believer in Christ, there is always more to learn, more to do. Thus, we all need spiritual care and prayer.

In His third question related to love, Jesus used Peter’s word ?????, phileo. This distressed Peter, as it ought to distress us. Can we truly say that we love Him above and beyond all others, including material possessions?

All of this may seem simple to us. Yet, the instructions that Jesus lays before Peter are not simple.

Pastors today have a gargantuan task! It may look simple, as we see and listen to them instruct us from the pulpit. But each member of the congregation has different needs. Each requires a different level of instruction. Addressing all of those needs requires a great deal of thought and prayer. At the same time, pastors are called to understand the Scripture and always “tell it like it is.”

Pray for your pastor and for everyone who is charged to instruct you in the Scriptures. Stay in the Word! Keep active in prayer! Become an instructive witness to the lost that they might come to know Jesus! I will be praying 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