The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 27:21-23, “But the governor answered and said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’

22 Pilate said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said, ‘Let Him be crucified!’

23 And he said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But they kept shouting all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!’”

Matthew 7:21-23, “”Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22″Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23″And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

When I was in evangelism on a full-time basis, my information included a notation that I played golf. Possibly, someone who read that took it to mean that I was a superior golfer. In any event, an Australian had matched me

with a local doctor. We met casually one day and he said to me, “I hear that we have a golf game lined up.”

I responded, “Yes, I’ve heard that, too.” Then he asked me, “What is your handicap?” I had heard the term previously, but to this day, this very writing, I could not give you a clear definition of what a golf “handicap” is. So I responded to

the doctor with the first thing that came to mind. I said, “Oh, I’m fully handicapped.” Do I need to say that we never played?

Those people who cried out to Pontius Pilate in Matthew 27, were saying the wrong thing. Undoubtedly prompted by their Jewish religious leadership, they chose Barabbas over Jesus. What’s worse, they cried for Jesus to be crucified.

They were wrong people crying for a wrong thing. Whether they were aware of why Jesus had come is problematic. Yet, they wanted no part of Him –not in their lives!

The people who cried out to Jesus in Matthew 7, were saying the right thing, even calling Him “Lord.” Yet, Jesus said that simply calling Him Lord was not enough. There is a day somewhere on the Divine Calendar, when well-meaning

people will plead for their lives, saying, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name…?” We even performed miracles in Your Name! But, Jesus will say, “I never knew you; depart from Me…”

You may not be among those who wished Him crucified. I pray you’re not! It is more likely that those who will be denied acceptance by the LORD Jesus, have simply thought that their religious activities and conduct of moral goodness was sufficient to be accepted. But, it’s not! All of us are sinners in His sight! And sin cannot enter into eternal

fellowship with Christ Jesus. We must be forgiven of our sin to live with Him. To be forgiven, we must ask Him to forgive our sin, and simultaneously commit our lives to Him, to behave according to His will. He then “marks” us as His own, by sending the Holy Spirit into our lives to guide and direct us in all of our endeavors.

If you think just “being religious” is sufficient, you are wrong. He wants us to commit ourselves fully and completely to

Him and His service. The best time for beginning anew on anything is at the start of a new year. Just take a moment right now and ask Christ to forgive you. Commit your life, energy, talents –everything!—to Him. Get into the Bible and learn His instructions! His Spirit will lead and explain how you should live. You will be thrilled at your new life!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 6:18-20, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

It truly pays to keep old notes. Today, while rumaging through some old self-made calendars, I came across the names and addresses of old friends I met in Finland, Sweden and Norway. It was like an old “home-coming.”

Along with those addresses and notes of churches where I was blessed to preach, was a notation of some Principles of Prayer, from a fellow minister. I thought you’d like to read them on this eve of the coming A.D. 2020.

1. No believer’s spiritual life will ever rise above the level of his praying.

2. No church’s ultimate effectiveness will ever rise above the level of its corporate praying.

3. No church’s corporate prayer life will be greater than the prayer life of its membership.

4. No individual’s prayer life will be greater than the time spent alone daily with God in His Word.

5. No person’s practice of prayer will rise above his view of prayer.

6. Praise is a vital and indispensible factor in the prayer life publicly and privately.

7. The only way to lear to pray is to pray.” –Dr. Jack Taylor

A dear and longtime friend of mine phoned me last night. Our prayer-relationship goes back to early college days, where we used to meet and pray in a dusty old unused room that still retained the odor of old chemicals. Yes, it was an old chemistry lab. As our extended conversation began to trend toward a conclusion, I sensed the LORD wanted us to pray, Interestingly, however, it was my friend who suggested that very thing, and we concluded by talking to our LORD Jesus Christ.

Several biblically savy people have mentioned to me recently that the world situation was in line with what the Scriptures say it will be when the LORD Jesus returns for His own. Whether we should be on our knees or

verbally witnessing to the lost at that time must be left to the Holy Spirit of God. But, He IS Returning! So, we need to be sensitive to the Spirit’s daily leadership over our lives. A.D. 2020 could be the year! Don’t be caught napping!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Let me recommend the materials listed on https://www.heraldofhope.org.au/. The editor, Dr. John Ecob, is a longtime friend from “down under” (Australia, to the uninitiated!). The materials on this website (many of which are free and downloadable) are of sound, biblical eschatology.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:23-25, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”

There are many different kinds of work in the world. The work that some men do, I wouldn’t dare to attempt. There is other work that I could do, but just don’t want to do that kind. There are those who do the work that I do, and many of them do it better than I. In all of this, Paul seems to have no concern for the kind of work others do; it’s just that he wants it to be done heartily, with encouragement and satisfaction. Furthermore, he wants it to be done for the LORD!

Whatever work you do, if you delight to do it, it’s pretty certain that it’s from the LORD. He’s the one who gives us the strength and ability to do what we do; but what we “reap” by doing it, definitely comes from the LORD. I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to do a number of things in my lifetime. Almost all were related to some form of ministry, like radio, television, writing, Chaplaincy –numerous things, all of which were ministry-related. Embedded in each of those areas was a genuine excitement in knowing that it was all for reaching others with the Gospel of Christ.

But, beware! The one “who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong…” That’s a two-edged sword, because when we do that which is wrong, we are simultaneously not doing that which is right. And God is no respecter of persons! So, watch out that you always walk on His side of the road of life and attend only to those things of which

the Holy Spirit gives leadership. God bless you and you demonstrate His Love to those you encounter in your walk.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 4:2-6, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that

we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how

you should respond to each person.”

Somewhere in these letters, I’ve shared with you this story. I used to rush home from school in time

to hear my favorite story on our little A.M. radio. Stories were always at a critical point, and this day

was no different. Static in the atmosphere masked the story! I would never know whether the hero’s

life was spared. What could I do to remedy the situation? I could PRAY! And I did. And the static that

had been present, suddenly vanished, and the program was as clear as crystal! True story!!

Paul admonishes every believer to “devote (himself) to prayer.” The word “devote” is ????????????,

proskartereo, meaning “to attend constantly” to the matter of prayer. You don’t have to be on your

knees; you don’t have to close your eyes; you don’t even have to voice your prayer aloud, although

I recommend that you show reverence by employing each of them. Remember, too, that prayer is

asking the LORD to “open up to us a door for the Word.” It’s not as much about us, as it is about

opening an opportunity for us to share His salvation with someone else. How do I know that’s true?

Read on: Paul says, “so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ…” Neither we nor those with

whom we share Christ, understand completely the “mystery” of His salvation. Yet, when the door of

their hearts and minds are opened, He makes the “mystery” understandable.

One more thing: what we say must be uttered in the crucible of good conduct. The LORD gives us

wisdom toward those with whom we speak. That makes “the most of the opportunity.” He teaches us

how we ought to appear in love toward others, and how we are to respond to whatever they may

ask or say. If we truly trust Him to be faithful to His Word, we need not be afraid. You’ll be amazed

how quickly and completely the LORD will clear the static, when His Word is being shared.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Shirley is a 90-year-old lady, who faithfully attends my Sunday School class. Many weeks ago,

I asked the class to pray about two very important issues that were of consern to me. Almost every

Sunday she asks if those issues have been resolved. One has. Please pray with Shirley and me

that the other issue will find resolution in the will of our LORD. Thank you!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Luke 12:2-5, “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

3 “Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!”

“How in the world did you find out?” I can remember saying something like this to my mother when I was a small kid. She was remarkable! She knew things about me that I didn’t know! And what she didn’t know, she quite skilfully wormed out of me. Oh, she was clever! –and smart! Beyond that, she was loaded with wisdom. The sad thing was how much of her wisdom and instruction I neglected to acquire.

Solomon had wisdom beyond that of any man who ever lived, except the LORD Jesus. The Apostle Paul was also loaded with wisdom, and doubtlessly passed it on to his companion, Dr. Luke. Solomon wraps it all up by saying that the key is to fear (reverence) the LORD and keep His commandments. Why should we fear (or reverence) Him? Because He is God! If you were due in court and required to stand before the judge, showing him courtesy and speaking gently out of fear, would, hopefully, be your first thought. Why? Because he is in charge of your fate! God is in charge of everything, so shape up!

Solomon and Luke both say that you won’t be able to hide anything from God. Nothing great or small will be hidden from Him. And we will all be judged for each and every sin we have committed –sins of which we have failed to repent. Hey, listen! If my mother knew things about me that I didn’t know, the LORD will surely know everything, even things she didn’t know. Shape up! Be smart! Listen to His instructions in His Word! Listen to the voice of His Holy Spirit! Walk carefully! Don’t think you know it all. You don’t! But, He does!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”