The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 26:1-12, “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
6 I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Your altar, O LORD,
7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders.
8 O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not take my soul away along with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed,
10 In whose hands is a wicked scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on a level place; in the congregations I shall bless the LORD.”

The cry of the psalmist is focused on the LORD! He has lived a faithful life, and now begs for an evaluation, not only for his external faithfulness, but for his inward life as well. He signals his internal faithfulness to the LORD in that he refuses to “sit with deceitful men.”

Further, he proclaims his innocence and speaks of his thanksgiving in the LORD. His proclamation is not selfish; rather, he includes all who “love the habitation of the LORD, and of His House.” This faithful servant does not boast of his own holiness, but continues to walk in integrity, and begs for the LORD’s redemption. His foot “stands on a level place,” indicating his steadfastness in the ways of his LORD. He does not waver between good and evil.

What this Psalmic servant is, he trusts will accrue to the glorification of his LORD. He establishes a pattern for all who desire to live righteously, and thereby be of praise to the LORD. Oh, that we would demonstrate the LORD in our daily lives! That is something for which we might be truly thankful.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:8-13, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

There’s a story of a mother, asking her small boy which of their liturgical preachers he liked best: the pastor or the bishop. Ready as lightening, the boy replied, “the pastor.”

“Why would you say that?” the mother asked again.

The boy replied: “Well, the pastor says, ‘Finally, and it’s final. But the bishop says, ‘Lastly; and it lasts and lasts and lasts.’” It’s an apocryphal story, although I know some boys who would have replied in much the same fashion.

The Apostle Paul, author of our commencement passage (i.e., the far above passage!) identifies for us six guidelines upon which we can rely on the LORD being with us. We are to dwell on these factors regardless of the circumstances we encounter in life.

As a youth, Paul had been trained as a tentmaker. Yet, when the LORD called him into His service, there was little-to-no time for tent-making. Thus, Paul needed funds from Christian friends for his livelihood and travel.

That’s a need of many men and women in missionary service today. They are rightly dependent on us to provide for them, as they carry the Message of Jesus to others, many in foreign lands. Above all, they need our prayers! Do you know a missionary? Are you praying for him or her daily? Do they have funds for their work?

If you are led to send them funds for their work, I would suggest that you first contact them regarding how to send it. It’s a good way to say “Thanks” at Thanksgiving!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 11:1-6. “I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me.
2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.
3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.
5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles.
6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.”

Have you ever played games? Of course, you have. But, I’m not speaking of the kind of games which you are thinking. Perhaps, one of your parents was a “gamester.” Moms and dads can be, you know. Then, when you queried about who was coming or where the prankster parent was taking you, you found that parents can be tricksters as much as anyone else.

The Apostle Paul was no prankster! But he did engage in a bit of “foolishness.” He said so himself. “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.” He had every right to be jealous. He was the LORD’s servant; and he had led them to faith in Christ. It was his express desire to present each and every believer to Christ in the fashion that Christ desired.

Paul then mentions Eve. Yes, she is the same Eve that was created to be with Adam in those early days of creation! The serpent lied to Eve; and in the process of her yielding to the serpent’s temptation, sin, which had been unknown up to that time, deceived her into plunging the whole of creation into sin against the will of the LORD!

Paul did not want the believers in Corinth to be misled, as Eve had been. Verse four in the passage above is the revelation of the deceit that would have mislead the believers. It was someone Paul undoubtedly knew, yet he did not reveal it to the Corinthian believers. He actually chides the Corinthians saying, “you bear this beautifully” (v. 4).

Paul undoubtedly anticipated the attitude of the Corinthians when he admitted to being “unskilled in speech.” Yet, simultaneously, he vindicated himself when he said, “…even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge…” (v. 6).

Serious, godly pastors do not preach for money! Yes, but they have to live, just the same. Still, there are those who desire only the money! Watch out for them! Don’t be robbed of the Truth by those who could care less. Follow Jesus only!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

2 Samuel 22:32-39, “For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a
rock, besides our God?
33 “God is my strong fortress; and He sets the blameless in His way.
34 “He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.
35 “He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your help
makes me great.
37 “You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.
38 “I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, and I did not turn back
until they were consumed.
39 “And I have devoured them and shattered them, so that they did not
rise; and they fell under my feet.”

A few days from now we will be celebrating THANKSGIVING! It’s a time
of historical remembrance of the Mayflower landing at Cape Cod, Mass.
on 21 December 1620, carrying 103 pilgrims (including one newly-born).
Primarily, these passengers were seeking religious freedom, although some
were doubtlessly anticipating a financial success in the new land.

To my knowledge, no one on the Mayflower quoted from our scripture
passage above; yet the passage fits well into the thoughts of the
passengers.

Surely, we would do well to think like they thought. They were courageous in taking the voyage, and once landed, determined to
erect a church house for worship. Oh, how much we can learn from
our heritage! Even more, however, from the Book that gave them
guidance! I trust that you are reading the Bible every day, and following
its teachings.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Exodus 2:16-20, “Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock.
18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?”
19 So they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock.”
20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression: “One good turn deserves another.” Unfortunately, there are too few “good turns” to start with; and when they’re found, there are still fewer “good turns” left with which to reciprocate.

Watering flock of any description was and is a difficult task. In the first place, wells were exceedingly deep. I remember dropping a rock into Jacob’s Well in Israel. I waited and waited and finally heard it splash in the waters far below. Instantly, I had an appreciation for both the well-diggers and those who drew the water for their livestock.

I live in a nice community. Kids, many of whose name I do not know, are always waving to me when I’m outside. Sometimes they come to my door looking for a job that would help us both; and it’s then that I see how polite they are close-up.

But, apparently, those who opposed the seven daughters of the Midian priest didn’t have the manners of boys in my living area. Deep well or not, there was plenty of water for everyone. “Just get in line, boys! These girls were here first! And besides, they’re drawing water for my livestock, as well as for their own. You’ll get your turn!

It was then that the “Egyptian” (Moses) helped the girls; and the girls reported such to their father. In a half-hearted tone, Reuel, their father, rebuked the girls for not inviting Moses to dinner. (Politeness was the rule of the day, whoever you were.)

Although Moses never intended to stay with Reuel and his family, he evidently made an impression on them all, so much so that Reuel even gave one of his daughters to Moses as his wife.

Times have changed because people have changed. Unfortunately, it’s not always for the better. We have a different code of ethics than those of Moses’ and Reuel’s day. At the same time, they can teach us something if we will but listen. The LORD is our Shepherd, too, if only we will allow Him to be so.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom