The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 31:13-15, “For I have heard the slander of many, Terror is on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They schemed to take away my life.

14 But as for me, I trust in Thee, O LORD, I say, ‘Thou art my God.’

15 My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.”

I believe in the inerrancy and infallability of Holy Scripture. It is historically accurate and demonstrates that whatever we encounter, others have previously encountered it, as well. At the same time, we must be careful that Scripture’s meaning is not distorted because we take it out of its context. To the counter of that, I must say that some passages are meaningful even in part and have application to our daily lives.

In the three verses above, the psalmist David is suffering from the slander of his enemies. He cannot seem to move

without being surrounded by the trouble they are jointly causing him. They even want him dead. And in that context, David is saying, “I trust in Thee, O LORD; I say, ‘Thou art my God.’ My times are in Thy hand…” This is the context.

At the same time, without any knowledge of any conspiracy against me, or anyone wanting to take my life, I can say,

“I trust in Thee, O LORD…, ‘Thou art my God.’ My times are in Thy hand.” At this point, I have taken it out of its original context and it is still applicable to my life at all times. Do you trust in the LORD? Do you consider that your

times are in His hand? Then, these few words apply to you, as well, and you can apply them in any and every situation.

Note carefully, however, that not all Scripture can be taken out of its context and applied at our every whim. Even when Scripture taken out of context can apply to our own personal lives, it has to apply to us as it did to those who experienced it first. We can trust the Word of God, but we must never twist the Word to gain an advantage. It is best that we know that the LORD controls what time we have been alloted for life on this Earth, and that our earnest trust is always in Him! Whether there’s trouble or not, those thoughts can and do apply to us every day.

I pray that you and your family will have a Blessed Thanksgiving! And be sure to thank the LORD for His blessings!

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 5:15-20, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise,

16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father…”

Still, there’s more to being wrong than just giving wrong instruction. I have to be careful, too –careful how I “walk”: that is, how I behave; especially, how I spend my time. I need to study God’s Word carefully and understand what His will is for me and for my life. I don’t drink any kind of alcoholic beverage because the Scripture calls it dissipation, “the disposition of ?????? is having no hope of safety; it’s the act of one who has abandoned himself to reckless, immoral behavior.” That’s what alcohol does to a person. Solomon wrote, “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper” (Prov. 23:31-32). Wine kills one’s physical and spiritual sensitivity.

What the LORD wants is for us to “be controlled by the Holy Spirit,” so that our attitude toward one another is always on the positive, spiritual side, where we can sing joyfully to the LORD, and give thanks for all things in His Name.

Think about it. Who controls you? your thoughts, your actions, your beliefs? Who is honestly in charge of your life?

If it’s not Jesus and the Holy Spirit, something is seriously wrong. Get back into the Word! He will be glorified, and you will be joyful when you are safely under His protection, His guidance, and His control.

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,

2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”

Walmart was jammed with people today as late Thanksgiving shoppers (yours truly, included) hurried to buy pies

and food of all sorts in order to lay a proper table for a Family Thanksgiving Dinner. Next to CHRISTmas, Thanks-giving is the most memorable day of the year. Carts clashed as people hurriedly (make that, “too hurriedly”) spun the corrner and raced down the aisle to locate their favorite delacy before someone else snatched the last item!

Yet, with all of the “hussle and bussel,” folks were friendly and warm, even stopping to visit, which may have been

someone’s advantage in grasping that “favorite food.” Still, In all of the maddening crowd, people were cheerful. They said, “Excuse me,” “So sorry,” and even “Thank you.” Imagine! Saying, “Thank you” at Thanksgiving!

According to the Etymological Dictionary, “Even though the language of “thank you ” dates back hundreds of years…, the concept of gratitude has always been a piece of human interaction. The fact that nearly every language today embodies the idea of thanking someone is incredible and goes to show how human communication can survive across different cultures and times….Today, take the time to say ‘thank you’ to anyone and everyone who deserves gratitude. Whether it’s in English, Mandarin, or sign language— show your appreciation for those around you.”

Now, who could disagree with that? More important still, is the Apostle Paul’s instruction that “we should always give thanks to God…!” Yes, it beyond question that the early founders of our American Republic were God-fearing men! Careful history reveals that most of our Constitutional Convention Framers were “born again” Christian gentlemen. Even the few, who were not, were God-fearing men, who recognized His role in the foundation of the Republic.

Remember that “Thanksgiving List” I asked you to make? Have you made it? Don’t forget to Thank God personally in prayer as you construct the list. The Word says, that we “are beloved by the LORD…,and “sanctified by the Holy Spirit,” If it were not for Him, you and I couldn’t compose such a list at all! God bless you! Have a Glorious Thanksgiving! And may the LORD be thanked and praised for all His great works and wonders! You are in my prayers.

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,

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing;

18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Have you noticed that the “easy” things in life are less meaningful than the “difficult” things?

This is not to say that the “easy” things are valueless; it’s that the human spirit requires a challenge.

Ask me to reveal my favorite color and write a paragraph about it, and I’m hardly challenged. I would

probably ask, “What difference does it make and of what value that would be to anyone?”

Ask me to research the Greek words for “love,” in both the Bible and secular historical records,

and I would be off and running.

Rejoicing in every situation is difficult. One who receives a significant decrease in salary or pension

finds it difficult to rejoice. A decision that puts in jeopardy the sustenance of life is a difficult situation

over which to rejoice. Prayer itself is difficult because we rarely pray for something without considering

the negative side. Yet, we are instructed to pray sincerely as the Spirit leads, and do it continually.

Giving thanks is easier because it assumes that we have received that for which we have prayed. But,

the Apostle says, “in everything give thanks,” even when the answer is contrary to what we wanted.

And yet, he states quite positively that everything that has occurred “is God’s will for (us) in Christ Jesus.”

WAIT!! Does that mean…? Yes, it does! It means that even if the situation for which we prayed turned

out devatatingly contrary to our desire when we prayed, we are to say, “Thank You, LORD.”

Let me tell you that these are not easy lessons to learn! Somebody has “thrown a spanner (wrench) in

the works.” This wasn’t supposed to happen!!! In such situations, we absolutely MUST recognize the

devastation we encounter as being the LORD’s will; and we must say, “Thank You” to the LORD. His

ways are not our ways; and for that in itself, we should be exceedingly thankful.

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,

Psalm 26:7; “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And declare all Thy wonders.

8 O LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, And the place where Thy glory dwells.”

Psalm 50:14, “”Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High…”

Psalm 69:30, “I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.”

There are 27 verses in the Bible that contain the word “Thanksgiving.” Twenty-two are in the Old Testament,

and they range from Leviticus to Jonah. Five “Thanksgiving” verses are in the New Testament, and they range

from Second Corinthians to Revelation.

As we move closer and closer to Thanksgiving, we need to think seriously of how the LORD has blessed us,

and we need to proclaim and declare and sacrifice and praise and sing and magnify Him in our Giving of Thanks.

Here are just a few of the things for which I am thankful:

1. That I was born in the United States of America, that was founded as a Christian nation.

2. That my parents and grandparents were Christians, and handed down their faith in Christ.

3. That I was led to faith in Jesus Christ by my parents at the tender age of seven.

4. That I had teachers in High School and College that acknowledge the reality of God.

5. That I met and married a dedicated, loving, Christian girl, who loved Christ even more than she loved me.

6. That all of our children and grandchildren have come to know Christ as their Savior.

7. That the LORD allowed me to be in His ministry, and share His Word throughout the world.

8. That I have confidence in the infallibility of the Scriptures –the Bible, and continue to learn from it daily.

9. That I have a host of dedicated, Christian friends, whom I remember daily, and whose prayers avail for me.

10. That I look forward to spending Eternity with Christ and with those whom I love, who are already there.

Let me challenge you to draw up a list of your Thanksgivings. As I review my list above, I see nothing thing there

about food. Oh, we’ll have a big dinner, to be sure. But there’s so much more to Thanksgiving than a family meal. It’s a time of spiritual and physical reflection. Re-read the four verses above. Note that they all focus on the LORD. All praise should be focused on Him. We are only alive because of His grace. We only have health because of His grace. We only have loved ones because of His grace. All glory and praise belong to Him! And praise is more than verbal acknowledgment. It includes that, of course, but He wants us all to look like Him. When we do, He is praised! ~ God bless you all abundantly! Have a glorious Thanksgiving on November 28!

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.”