The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 48:16-19, “’Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.”

17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.

18 “If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

19 “Your descendants would have been like the sand, And your offspring like its grains; Their name would never be cut off or destroyed from My presence.’”

If you’re regular in attendance at a Bible-believing church, you’ve heard your minister refer to “the Trinity.” What you (and possibly your minister) may have overlooked is that while the word Trinity is not mentioned in the Scriptures, the Members of the Trinity are. Look closely at verse 16 above: “And now the LORD God (this is the Father) has sent Me (this is the Son), and His Spirit (this is the Holy Spirit).” These are not three gods; they are the three Persons of God in what is theologically called “the Godhead.”

The LORD is our Redeemer and the One who teaches us how to benefit (profit) from every situation. Further, He leads us “in the way (we) should go.” It grieves the LORD when we stray from His intentions. You can almost “feel” the intensity of His words when He says, “If only you had paid attention to My commandments!” Great gain always follows those who are obedient to the LORD. “Their name (will) never be cut off or destroyed from (His) presence.”

I get regular text messages from President Trump. We’ve never met, and I know that his hopeful intention is that I would reciprocate with some monetary funds. I have not reciprocated in any way, but not out of any disrespect toward him. If he were personally known to me, and I to him, a discontinuace of the texts would be hurtful. It would be as if he were no longer interested in our friendship. When we fail to adhere to our LORD’s intentions for us, it could easily seem to Him as if we were no longer concerned about affiliation with Him. None of us what that! And moreover, neither do we want that for our children and grandchildren. We want them to be His as well and innumerable “like the sand.”

Thus, it all begins with us as parents and grandparents.

“Train up a child in the way he should go,

Even when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).

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,

Numbers 13:30, “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.”

Revelation 17:14, “”These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

I have a confession to make! But, before I reveal it, I need to remind you that there are different kinds of confession. There is a confession of sin, where one has done wrong and needs to reveal it to clear the conscience. There is also a confession of faith, where one has discovered something worthy of benefit and, therefore, worth being declared to others. My confession is of the latter kind, a confession of faith! Stay tuned, and I’ll share it.

The word “overcome” means “to get the better of someone or something in a struggle or conflict.” The first of only 25 mentions of the word “overcome” in Scripture appears when the LORD led the Israelites out of Egypt. Now in the wilderness of Sinai, Moses wants to explore the land of Canaan prior to moving Israel in that direction. The twelve spies searched out Canaan and reported their findings to Moses. They all found the land to be rich and fertile, but the people were strong and lived in fortified cities. Ten of the 12 spies thought it was too great a risk to attempt a takeover. Only Caleb and Joshua possessed the faith to believed they should forge ahead. “…we shall surely overcome it,” Caleb said. Ten of the leaders were not so enthusiastic, but Caleb and his friend, Joshua, stood their ground.

It’s interesting, too, that the last mention of the word “overcome” in Scripture is found in Revelation 17:14. Saying, “…the Lamb will overcome them (meaning, His adversaries). In one sense, it is difficult to understand why anyone would be in opposition to the LORD. But, when men become enamored with themselves and view themselves as authorities over all, they resent all others, even the LORD God. Yet, unlike mere mortal men, He will not yield to His adversaries. He is God, and He will overcome all adversaries!

In warfare, participants generally identify themselves with their fellow-soldiers by wearing uniforms that correspond. Those who are opponents wear different uniforms that identify with those on their side. In spiritual battles, we identify either with the LORD or against Him; and we identify not by what we wear on the outside, but what we wear in our hearts. It doesn’t take long for either side to identify the position of the other. Those of us who genuinely identify with the LORD Jesus Christ, show love and concern that flows from the heart. We are the ultimate victors because we identify with Christ. He will overcome all of His adversaries! I truly and honestly trust that you are with Christ in this battle!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Now, for my confession: A close friend took me to the theater to view the Christian film, OVERCOMER! Now, that may not

strike you as a “big deal”; but for this non-theater-going boy, it was indeed a BIG DEAL! Flywheel, Fireproof, Facing the

Giants, War Room, Courageous have all been good productions from the Kendrick Brothers; but in my estimation, this film

exceeds all the previous in that it contains numerous varied themes that weave throughout the storyline. I simply urge you to

see OVERCOMER with a clear, personal presentation of the Plan of Salvation. You might witness to a lost friend by inviting

him to attend. Pray about it!

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 11:1-3, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2 For by it the men of old gained approval.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”

The word faith is mentioned no less than 250 times in the Bible. It is closely related to the word trust, which has 83 mentions in the Scriptures. The three verses above could be translated,

“Now, trust is the confidence of the expected, the proven test of things not seen.

For by it the elders bore witness. By faith we understand that the worlds were

prepared (created) by the word of God, so that what is seen did not come from

things already visible.”

Faith and trust in this passage mean virtually the same thing. It is undoubtedly true that “by (trust) the old men gained approval.” However, my Greek text says that ????????????? in verse two means “the activity of a witness.” The old men of that time, the elders, had confidence in what they expected the LORD to bring about, so they witnessed to others of their confidence in the LORD and what they trusted He would bring to pass.

All of this is a challenge to you and me as to whether we truly believe that the LORD has created the universe just as He said. By the way, the phrase, “the word of God,” uses ???? instead of ?????. Both words translate “word,” but ???? (rhema) refers to the spoken word, while ????? (logos) refers to the written Word, the Scriptures. All that is to show that the LORD God said, “Let there be – and there was!”

Some scientists stumble over the truth of Scripture which declares that God spoke and it was done! Yet, there are scientists who are also true Christian believers. Science knows quite a lot about the building blocks of the universe; still, they search for what unseen force holds the basic blocks of the universe together. They call it the “Colossian force,” from Colossians 1:17, that says, “And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

I was preaching in a church in Honolulu one Sunday, and I quoted what I have said the scientists called that “unseen force.” Greeting people at the door, after the service, I was introduced to a scientist. As we shook hands, I asked him

If he could corroborate my pulpit statement. He grinned as he said, “That’s it. You’re absolutely correct.”

Everything in the Bible is true! It is also true that sound, accurate science will bear out the truth of Scripture. In the meantime, for those of us who are not scientists, we can accept by faith the Scriptures and all they contain. I hope you read your Bible every day. I hope you thank the LORD in prayer for the wonderful truths He has given us in Scripture.

Join me as I seek to live-out in my life what I understand the Scriptures to say. Let’s pray for one another! This same Scripture says that Jesus is coming soon! There will come a day when we will wish in tears that we had spoken God’s truth to someone we loved. You can pre-erase that day by sharing Him with them today!

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 10:28-31, “Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

How often have you hear someone say, “Oh, she’s the nicest, sweetest person I’ve ever known,” when you knew she wasn’t that kind of person at all? We’re pretty clever, we are. We know when to turn on the charm and when to show

our fangs in sheer hatred! All that is to say, we don’t really know a person until we experienced all sides of their personality.

We think of God as being fair and all-loving –and He is! But He visits vengeful punishment on those who fail to adhere to His Law. Parents are often like that. They love and treat their children with all kinds of kindness –until the kids misbehave and go against what they have been taught. Meeting out punishment doesn’t make the punisher an evil person. Punishment’s intention is to make the evil person good.

Let’s be as honest as we are clear: there are some children and some adults that give no evidence of ever becoming what human society demands of them. They can be fined and jailed over and over again; but when they are released, they fall right back into the acts that put them away in the first place. No fair-minded judge would, who cares for the people in his city, will release such persons to prey on honest citizenry. The LORD is fair-minded, and He openly declares vengeance upon those who intentionally trample on the principles of His teachings in His Word.

It might do each of us (certainly, myself included) to examine our lives –the lives we live in the presence of Almighty God every day. If we are true believers, who have repented of our sins and trusted Him as LORD of our lives, we cannot be said to have “trampled under foot the Son of God”; but, we have ignored many of His teachings. Parents can’t easily be compared with God, especially in the area of punishment. But, we can be sure that His punishment for our wrong-doings will be greater that of parents.

Engage in a good check-up of your life. Be sure you’re right with the LORD. ‘Cause if you are, you have nothing to fear when you meet Him. And if you’re not — you will not escape the sting of His wrath. Bye the way, He IS COMING!!!

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 10:19-25, “Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as

you see the day drawing near.”

With the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the whole human race was plunged into sin! They had defied God’s orders and they were totally dependent upon Him to bail them out. Temporarily, the LORD clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins. Such animal sacrifices would have to do until the Father sent His Son, Jesus to sacrifice Himself on the Cross to pave the way to forgiveness. Jesus Christ then became the “great Priest” over the House of God on Earth.

Paul then challenges the Jewish believers (to whom the book of Hebrews was originally intended) and us to “draw near” to the LORD, possessing a sincere heart full of faith and a conscience cleansed from all evil by the precious blood of Christ Jesus. Everything good and subsequent in our lives depends upon our spiritual cleansing. It is not something we do; it is what Jesus does for us when we repent and trust in Him for His cleansing.

Paul then challenges us further, saying, “Let us hold fast to the confession of our faith.” Loved of the LORD, and now forgiven, the challenge is to avoid wavering in doubt. Did not the LORD promise to keep us close to Him? Is He not faithful? Of course, He is! Just remember what He did on the Cross, and how He arose from His tomb three days later. Can One who did this not be imminently trusted in all things?

Finally, Paul becomes very practical. “Let us consider,” he says, “how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”

The word “another” is the Greek word ?????????? hupenantios, meaning “another of the same kind; i.e., a believer.

I am endeavoring to do that very thing as I write to you. I want you to be encouraged, even stimulated, to love fellow believers and even encourage lost friends to turn their lives over the Christ and dispose all of their ungodly activities.

The Day of Christ Jesus’ Return draws closer day-by-day. We may think we have sufficient time to get ready, but when His Trumpet sounds, the Holy Spirit within us will answer and lift us up to meet Him in the air. From that point onward, we will live with Him in Heaven! Don’t waste time! Pray for your lost friends! Witness to them of the salvation in Jesus!

No one knows when He will come. It could be tonight!

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.”