The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 11:31-34, “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”

Have you ever taken time to remember people who were instrumental in influencing your life? If you’re like I am, you started with two or three and suddenly numbered far more than you had thought possible. I think that’s what happened to the Apostle Paul as he thought back on the history of Israel. He started with Abel and before he knew it, he was naming a host of faithful believers.

Sarah (v. 11) was first; and now he mentions Rahab, a prostitute. There are some people in the current news who claim that their lives have been significantly changed by the LORD –people whom I would never have guessed ever even read the Bible. But the mention here of Rahab shows that people can be changed by the power of God.

Paul realizes he cannot name everyone when he says, “For time will fail me…” Yet, he mentions Gideon, who with 300 men surrounded Jericho and brought the walls down. I’ve stood on the ruins of Old Testament Jericho. Kathleen Kenyon, the noted archeologist, was the first to discover the ashes of the fires that engulfed that city, all from the LORD using the hand of Gideon.

Interestingly enough, Barak was mentioned, but not Deborah (Jud. 4). Samson, the Old Testament strongman, was noted. However, he was weakened by a clever, evil woman, and blinded by his enemy, the Philistines. Jephthah was a warrior and became a good and mighty man, despite the fact that his mother was a prostitute. David and Samuel well deserved to be in this Roll Call of the Faithful. And while Paul did not name everyone, he alluded to Daniel and possibly, Esther, who put to flight the enemies of her people, the Jews, and occasioned the suicide of the wicked Haman!

The Bible teaches that there will be another Roll Call. I’ts called “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” At that time, all believers will give account of their stewardship, or lack of it. Everything we have done and/or failed to do, will, of course already be known by the LORD. Yet, some of us will be embarrassed when it all becomes known to others at that judgment. Rewards will also be distributed, each of us receiving appropriate commendation for the service to the LORD that we have rendered while here on Earth.

Those mentioned above by the Apostle Paul, and all whose lives extend well beyond his knowledge, will stand before the LORD and give account of what they have done and what they have failed to do. Are you ready for that test if it were tonight? Start right now and repent before the LORD of all evil things that you have said and done. Ask Him to reveal to you things you’ve honestly forgotten. Then, admit those things to Him and ask His forgiveness. Get yourself ready for the BIG ROLL CALL before Jesus! You have time right now to get ready. Tomorrow may be too late.

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 11:27-29, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.”

Once you get used to living by faith, it’s difficult to live and trust in any other way. Moses’ parents exercised faith with him when Pharaoh of Egypt had ordered that all male Israelite children were to be put to death. (Sounds more than a bit like Planned Parenthood today, doesn’t it?) Still, when the time came, Moses left Egypt, knowing pharaoh would pursue him, but fearless of what he might do. Instead, Moses kept his eye on the LORD, who could not be seen. This required Moses to exercise full faith and confidence in the LORD.

Moses kept the Passover, as God had commanded, and sprinkled blood on the doorposts and on the crosspiece on top of the door. This kept the death angel from entering the houses of the Israelites and taking the lives of their eldest male child. When they left Egypt on the journey to the Promised Land, it is estimated that some 2 million or more people left Egypt under Moses’ leadership. The care (food, et al) of that many people took a great faith in the LORD for the necessary provisions.

When they all reached the Red Sea, Moses trusted the LORD, who held back the waters, enabling them to cross on dry land. Yet, when the Egyptians pursued them into the sea, the LORD withdrew His hold on the waters, and let them deal

their destruction on the Egyptians and their chariots. Simultaneously, He brought the children of Israel safely to land.

Great leadership, whether in the home or the school or the government of a nation, is always leadership that trusts in the Divine Control of Almighty God! That kind of trust is what you and I must embrace throughout life. Situations will occur that will test whether we can accomplish what the LORD has assigned us. That’s why is vital that we not “push ourselves” into situations, but study to know His will. We need to be persistently prayerful of all matters. The Holy Spirit will reveal what is and what is not the Father’s will. When that is determined, we can move ahead with full faith and trust.

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 11:23-26, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;

26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”

A child from birth to three years of age, has no concept of the meaning of “faith.” A child learns quickly, however, to trust his parents in a variety of things. It’s not uncommon in Australia for a child to learn to swim before he learns to walk. And any child at an early age, and beckoned by a parent to “jump in,” can be said to be “trusting.” In Moses’ situation, however, that first notation of faith falls to his parents. Their trust was sufficiently great in the LORD as to erase their fear in the Egyptian king’s edict (Exo. 1:22).

The Old Testament account of Moses is that he was placed in a wicker basket covered with tar and pitch. Moses was then put into the basket and it was set among the reeds at the bank of the Nile River. Miriam, Moses’ sister, watched to see what would happen.

And when the daughter of Pharaoh came to the Nile to bathe, she discovered the child and ultimately raised him as her own. Thus, Moses studied in Egypt and became proficient in all things Egyptian.

When Moses became of full age (40), he “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” He chose instead to suffer the treatment the Israelites suffered than to side with the Egyptians. Note that verse 26 above says that Moses “considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” What all Moses may have known about Christ, the Coming Messiah, we may never know this side of Heaven; but as Abraham looked for “a city, whose builder and maker is God,” so Moses saw in Christ greater and richer rewards than could be found in all of Egypt.

What is the object of your search? Are you looking for riches that are visible around you? Are you looking for the City that the LORD is building for His born-again sons and daughters? What is it that you really, deep down in your heart, want above all else? What you

choose to pursue may be far less than your Heavenly Father wants to give you.

I heard a story of a son who wanted an automobile for his high school graduation. His father surprised him by giving his a gorgeous, genuine leather-bound Bible. The son was so angry at not getting the car that he threw the Bible down and left for college in a huf!

While he was away at college, his father took ill and died. The son returned for the funeral feeling somewhat ashamed at the way he had acted years before. In a moment of sadness, he reached for the Bible his father had given him; and as he flipped aimlessly through the pages, he discovered an envelope that had never been opened. In deep melancoly, he opened the envelope and

discovered the title to the car he had so desperately wanted. It was his free and clear. In all the years he could have used it, it lay quietly there in the middle of his Bible. Our desires are always far less than our Heavenly Father’s desires for us. Take your eyes off of the treasures of Egypt and trust that the LORD has greater riches in store for you –greater than you could possibly imagine!

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 11:20-22, “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.”

Men are always proud of their sons! Especially is this true when a son achieves the level of his father. Isaac was the son of promise. Remember that Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah, his wife, was 90 when the LORD promised them a son. That son of promise was Isaac, who in turn, was the father of Jacob. Jacob was a man of faith and the father of Joseph.

Much more could be said of Joseph than will be in this letter. The admiration of Jacob for Joseph was excelled by the LORD’s admiration of him.

There is no personality in all of Scripture, who was more Christ-like than Joseph, with the notable exception of Jesus Himself. Joseph was loved of his father, hated of his brothers, thrown into a cistern, raised from the cistern, sold for 20 pieces of silver, ultimately exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. All of these characteristics (as well as others) are later depicted in the life of Jesus Christ Himself.

What is more than worth your interest (and mine) is noticing that Joseph did nothing to promote himself, whether with his father, his brothers, or Potipher. The LORD pushed Joseph into every position and Joseph brought glory to the LORD wherever he was placed. Isn’t that what our LORD wants of us? Don’t worry about things that lie ahead! Don’t seek to maneuver yourself into what looks to be a desirable position of authority. The LORD knows who is best fitted for every opening. Just pray for His will to be done. He will place you appropriately. Often, those “opportunities” that look so good turn out to be not so good. Best to follow the Leader. Look at what was accomplished through those who did! God bless you!

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 11:13-16, “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the Earth.

14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Although, it was many years ago, I can remember being promised things that were never given to me. I clearly remember a friend of the family describing something from the war (WW II, not the Civil War!!). When I asked something about it, he said, “I have a piece of that and I’ll give it to you.” But his promise was never fulfilled. Without any doubt whatsoever, I will die without that promise ever coming to reality.

These people who are listed in the Roll Call of the Faithful here in Hebrews 11, “died in faith without receiving the promises.” Yet, by faith they saw what had been promised them. It was a heavenly city, and they realized that they were not citizens of Earth, but of that Heavenly City –a City that God had faithfully prepared for them.

If you believe that these faithful people were thinking of another earthly city, verse 15 says, they would then have had the opportunity to return to the area from which they had come. No, they were looking for a Heavenly City, a better place than that from which they had come. And because they were trusting God, Who had promised them that City, He was not “ashamed to be called their God.” For truly, He had prepared a City for them.

Have you grasped what this is all about? The totality of persons listed in Hebrews 11 believed that God had something in store for them that was infinitely superior to anything they had possessed on this Earth. What He had prepared for them, He has prepared for us as well. You and I won’t see the place until we die, leaving behind this corrupted, evil world!

When D. L. Moody was dying, he cried out, “I see Earth receding! I see Heaven coming! It is glorious!” Those standing beside Moody, heard and recorded his final words; but they saw nothing because their time for moving from this world into the next had not yet come. What we see and hear of happenings in our world today makes us eager to move heavenward.

Yet for now, we must exercise faith in the clear promises our blessed LORD has made to us. He has prepared for us a City. The sign on the door is marked “THE ENTRANCE FOR THE FAITHFUL.” Can you enter at that door? Have you trusted the LORD Jesus Christ as your Savior? Don’t put that off! “Today is the day of salvation.” And if you have trusted Him, are you sharing your witness of Him with others? One day, I will be writing and —

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.”