The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;

5 for our gospel did come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

7 so that you became an example to all the believers…”

Even in these few verses, it is abundantly clear that the apostle’s desire for the Thessalonian Church was precisely what the LORD Himself desired. Hopefully, we continue to believe that His desire for us today is precisely what He desired for that early church in Thessalonica.

To be true, times have changed. Were that ancient congregation to witness our gathering today, they would doubtlessly be shocked at our numbers, our conduct, our electronic systems, and the multifarious means we have of sharing worship with thousands outside the walls of our own congregation.

Current methods of sharing the Gospel are not to be discouraged, so long as they do not impede the clarity of the Message itself. As ancient as the Good News is, it must not be beclouded by 20th-century innovations. Click on the tract attached and share it with others.

Click here to view the Gospel tract — “It’s Not How You Play the Game”

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 8:12-19, “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’

13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.”

14 Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.

15 “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.

16 “But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.

17 “Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true.

18 “I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.’

19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, ‘You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.’

Did you ever get into an argument only to discover that you were up against someone who knew infinitely more about the subject under discussion than you did? Well, I have; and let me tell you: it’s not where you want to be!

The Pharisees always thought they knew more about spiritual things than anyone. So, when Jesus humbly announced that He was “the Light of the world,” they saw the opportunity to pounce on Him and show all those standing around just how smart they really were! Yet, close examination shows that Jesus’ intention was not to argue, but to draw to Himself those who were living in spiritual darkness.

Jesus is, after all, “the only true Light of life.” Without Him, we are all living in the darkness of sin. He alone is the way out of spiritual darkness. Have you discovered Him to be that? If not, you need Him today! For we not only “see” by His Light, we need to share His Light with others. May He brighten your life and your pathway as He brightens those of others!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:13-20, “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’

15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’

16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

I’ve had a few “Wow!” moments in my life, but nothing to even begin to compare with what the shepherds encountered that night! It must have been as frightful as it was enlightening! Go out some dark night and try to imagine that happening to you! It just might be that you would then find it hard to sleep! People often travel miles to observe phenomena related to the moon, but nothing even close to what the shepherds encountered!

I heard some outstanding Christmas music the other day that prompted me to wonder what the music in Heaven will be like! But wait! Will there be music in heaven? Surely, there will be. Yet, the Scripture says, “…the heavenly host praising God and saying”—not singing.

As wonderful as heavenly things must be, we must be careful not to allow ourselves to mentally manufacture things that are spiritual. They will always exceed our expectations.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Matthew 9:18-26, “While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.’ 19 Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples. 20 And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; 21 for she was saying to herself, ‘If I only touch His garment, I will get well.’ 22 But Jesus, turning and seeing her, said, ‘Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.’ At once the woman was made well. 23 When Jesus came into the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24 He said, ‘Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.’ And they began laughing at Him. 25 But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 This news spread throughout all that land.”

Faith in the LORD Jesus Christ is the supreme answer to all difficulties! All too often we look beyond the LORD for the answer to our difficulties. Yes, in the day in which we live, He has given wisdom to doctors to learn, to analyze, and to treat many of the physical difficulties which we often experience. Yet, much more is often involved in the healing process than human medical treatment. That’s why many doctors refer patients to other doctors. No one except the LORD knows everything about physical or emotional difficulties.

That is why there are multiple verses in the Bible that instruct us to “trust in the LORD…” Yes, there is such a thing as having “faith” in medical doctors; yet, even they will often guide us to the LORD for the ultimate answer to the most difficult problems. “If I only touch His garment,” the woman said, “I will get well.” That’s why the Scripture says, “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:5).

Heartily in Christ,

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

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

Dear Grands,

Genesis 22:1-8, “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’”

2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.

5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.

7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.”

What would we do if we were directed by the LORD to sacrifice one of our children? The LORD, of course, knew He was ultimately going to spare Isaac; but Abraham didn’t! Aren’t we thankful that the LORD doesn’t put us to such a test? Yes, we face tests of a similar nature. It’s just that here in Scripture we can read ahead and know both the LORD’s intention and the ultimate outcome. Do we believe Him when He orders us to behave in a strange and dangerous manner? We must remember that “God will provide for Himself…” His way is always best. Our trust must always reside in Him.

Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

Heartily yours in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have.”

– Corrie ten Boom