The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 1:19-21, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

James pastored, what in New Testament times, would have been considered a sizable congregation. He has just spoken to them of the LORD’s will and that it included them being witnesses of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection from the dead. Then, he compliments them by saying, All of that you know, my beloved people. Certainly, James was honest in his appraisal of the church he served, but he was preparing them for a scolding they richly deserved.

The three-worded phrases he uses says it all: quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. Far too often we, too, are eager to hear something bad about someone –even within the church body. Why is that? Are we not all Christians? Yes, we are, but we have not fully renounced our sinful natures. Moreover, as soon as we hear it, we cannot wait until we have told someone else! Are we so spiritually small, that we think telling something on someone else makes us look bigger, more intelligent, more sophisticated? I’m afraid so.

What is worse than being a tattle-tale, or more correctly, a gossip? Whoa! says James. Be slow to anger, also. Being angry achieves nothing, especially not the righteousness of God. Is it for anger that He saved us? Absolutely not!

If you were a lost person and looking for a spiritual answer to your problems, would you trust the witness of a gossip? –someone who loved to share bad things about other people? Someone who was controlled by anger? Absolutely not!

Now you can understand James’ warning. So put aside those things that are evil-producing! Be humble, like the LORD Jesus Christ, and truly receive and believe His Word that led you to salvation by faith in Him. For it is then, that we are free to share our faith in Him with those looking for a spiritual answer to their problems. God bless you! Now, get out there and GO!

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,

James 1:17-18, “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.”

I once received a check, but had no idea from whom it had come. You see, the sender forgot to sign it! I finally realized who the sender was and wrote him a poem, including the check that lacked his signature. It was a risk because he could have been offended, but being a Christian, he took my humor in good sorts, and returned the check with his signature.

Almost every Christmas or birthday, someone in the family receives a card from someone who failed to sign it. Sometimes we figure it out, and sometimes we never know. Yet, there is no question concerning the origin of good and perfect things. They all come from the LORD! Good (agathos) also means “kindness” or “generous.” Perfect (teleios) means “complete.” It has reached its ultimate; it is thoroughly mature. Nothing better can be viewed or known.

All of this relates to the LORD God Almighty! He is always seen as “Above”; thus, blessings “coming down” are to be always viewed as from Him alone. His identity as “the Father of lights” notes Him as Creator. At the same time, He is in contrast with the heavenly “lights,” such as the sun, moon and start. The sun varies in its intensity of heat. The LORD does not vary. The sun causes “shifting (of) shadow(s).” The LORD is always the same.

Everything good and perfect that occurs in life is “the exercise of His will.” Our salvation, too, was the exercise of His will. His Truth, whether proclaimed from the pulpit or shared by a friend, brought about our salvation. Yet, we are but the “first fruits” in our generation. His purpose in reaching us with His Good News is that we might, in turn, reach others with it, also.

Are you reaching others? Is that your basic intention each day? Are you praying for someone who needs salvation? Gifts that are given on special occasions should not be left unused. The givers want to see that you appreciated their gifts. So, it with the LORD. When we appreciate His gift of salvation, we want to share it. And that is exactly what He wants, as well.T

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,

James 1:5-6, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”

James commenced this epistle with an emphasis on faith. Believers in the LORD (Christians) actually became believers when they

exercised true faith in the LORD for forgiveness of their sins and in His promise of Eternal Salvation. But James knows from Scripture and from life experience, that not everyone who says he is a Christian is a true believer. Thus, he says quite literally, “But if any of you lacks wisdom –maybe you do, maybe you don’t— let him ask of God…”

Salvation comes only from the LORD God. Man’s works are the product of his Adamic nature, therefore, man can only be saved by a thoroughly righteous God. When he asks, there is the promise that “it will be given to him.” At the same time, man must ask in faith! And that faith must be thoroughly clean from all doubt. Nothing is clean until it is thoroughly clean! And only God can thoroughly clean man from his sin.

But, why is there the warning about “faith without doubting”? It is because the one who doubts is all over the place, just like the seas that are driven furiously by the winds. Those who are not thoroughly faithful, can never know what true faith is all about. They ask of the Father, but are never sure whether He will answer. And if He does, they’re not sure it will contain all that they have asked.

Remember this: God ALWAYS ANSWERS PRAYER! Sometimes, He says, “Yes!” Sometimes, He says, “No!” And sometimes He says “Wait!” Still, we must never doubt that He has heard us, or that His answer is in our best interest. Just trust Him. He is never ever wrong!

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,

James 1:1-4. James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

What does it really mean to be a “Christian”? Verse one tells us that those born as Jews can also become Christians. James himself was Jewish by birth, but look at what he says: “to the twelve tribes…” They are Jewish by birth, but they are also a part of the Church of our LORD Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is more than belonging to a church –any church. How can this be? It is true because Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ. And when a Jew or a Moslem or a Buddhist –whatever religion—trusts Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, he becomes a Christian!

If you think being a Christian is easy, read the troubles Christians have in Uganda, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Latin America (to name only a few). In many countries, being a Christian is truly a “life or death” matter. Yet, James says we are to “consider it all joy,” because such trials test our faith and produce endurance, enabling us to successfully withstand even greater tribulations.

“Let endurance have it’s perfect result,” James says. The LORD knows what’s going on. When we endure in one trial, we will be complete and lack nothing; thus, we are fully prepared to endure yet another trial. Note that James is not saying we will be smarter or wiser; it will simply be easier for us to endure the next trial we encounter. But why should we suffer? We

suffer because Jesus suffered. Are we to avoid or escape suffering when He suffered for us? Not at all!

Just learn to love others and be joyful! Let the Word of Christ settle down and make its home in your heart and mind. God bless you and make your faithful always “to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12).

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,

Hebrews 13:18-21, “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

19 And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,

21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Paul is coming to the close of his letter to the Hebrew Christian Church when he asks for their prayers. Leaders, too, need prayers, especially those who have faithfully ministered the LORD’s Word. For some unknown reason, Paul has been hindered from being personally in their midst, and he wishes their prayers for him and his companions that they might soon be able to visit them in person. Personal appearance allows fellowship, but a letter can be read multiple times. Each has its advantage.

God the Father is the God of peace. He willingly sent His Son into the midst of the world’s population in order to bring it peace. The sacrifice of His Son, the LORD Jesus, was an offer of peace. Through His shed blood on the Cross, He provided an exit from the world’s prison of evil. And through His Resurrection from the dead, He made offer to the whole world the forgiveness of sin and the assurance of Eternal Life with Him.

Whatever we need, be it physical, spiritual, or emotional, the LORD is able to provide help or enable us to cope with the malady’s plagues. Either way, He is the Great Shepherd, who leads, feeds, and in all ways provides for us, His sheep. The provisions He gives to us redound to His glory when we allow Him to work fully within and through us. May His glory that works to our benefit, ever and always be to His glory alone!

Jesus paid it all;

All to Him I owe,

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

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.”