The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 126:1-6. “When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

3 The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.

4 Restore our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Psalm 127:1-5, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.

5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”

It seemed to me that these two psalms belonged together. Of course, they are in proximity within the Bible; yet, it is encouraging that they are conjoined so as to be read in sequence. In the first psalm, we see Israel being freed from captivity and brought joyfully to her homeland. In the second psalm, there is additional praise and productive rejoicing in their lives and with each other. However, it seems that in the latter, greater emphasis is laid upon the worship of the LORD.

This placement in Scripture encourages us to rejoice over our opportunities, as well as over the salvation He has granted us! Challenging us to complete and full redemption? Indeed, the LORD has done great things for us!” And are we glad! Glad indeed!

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,

Exodus 15:1-7, “Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said, ’I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.

3 “The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name.

4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

5 “The deeps cover them; they went down into the depths like a stone.

6 “Thy right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Thy right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

7 “And in the greatness of Thine excellence Thou dost overthrow those who rise up against Thee; Thou dost send forth Thy burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.”

We read, but do we really believe? These things occurred in biblical times! Nothing like this occurs today! Oh, really? I just completed reading a biography that contained some of the most remarkable experiences one could ever encounter. They ranged from the LORD snatching people alive from the jaws of certain death to some of the most exciting encounters and preservations of circumstances you could read anywhere! What’s more, it’s true and happened in our own time!

We are so focused on concepts like “luck” and “good fortune” that we have forgotten how powerful and adept the LORD is at protecting and providing for His own! Yes, we have the Scriptures, and we read of His protection and provision for His people in biblical times. But the times are different today. That was then! Where is He for us today? Shame on us for even thinking such foolishness!

Oh, ye of little faith! How ashamed we will be when we stand before Him on that day in Glory! We will hear Him speak to us and ask, “Why did you not believe Me? Did you not know that the LORD, who hurled the Egyptian riders into the sea, was the same LORD who provided the way of escape for His people Israel?

We will learn on that day just how involved our LORD was in all of our menial affairs, bringing life, health, and provisions to us when it all seemed so impossible from our weak and faithless perspective. “THY RIGHT HAND, O LORD, IS MAJESTIC IN POWER!” Help us to believe You!

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,

Malachi 3:1-7, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.

2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.

3 “And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

4 “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD, as in the days of old and as in former years.

5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien, and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts.

6 “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study, and they wondered how this statement related to the character and nature of God. One of the women made an appointment to watch the silversmith work, but she mentioned nothing about the reason for her interest.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire. He explained that in refining silver, it required holding the silver in the middle of the fire so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about the verse that says, “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked if it were true that he had to sit there the whole time the silver was being refined. He told her that he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time. A moment too long in the flames, and it would be destroyed. “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” she asked.

“Oh, that’s easy,” he said. “It’s when I see my image in it.” If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. “Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.”

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,

Exodus 15:1-11, “Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said, ‘I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.

2 ‘The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.

3 ‘The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name.

4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; And the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

5 ‘The deeps cover them; They went down into the depths like a stone.

6 ‘Thy right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power, Thy right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

7 ‘And in the greatness of Thine excellence Thou dost overthrow those who rise up against Thee; Thou dost send forth Thy burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.

8 ‘And at the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were piled up, The flowing waters stood up like a heap; The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 ‘The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be gratified against them; I will draw out my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’

10 ‘Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 ‘Who is like Thee among the gods, O LORD? Who is like Thee, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?”

Songs of praise always follow victories! What is most notable is that the praise is always the LORD’s. He is Victor! We are but the recipients of His victories! As it was with Moses, so it is with us. The armies of Egypt were in hot pursuit. Israel faced the Red Sea! Escape from Egypt seemed impossible. There was no way out!

Ah, but the LORD had a plan! And His plans have no stable opposition. The key to victory is to press onward! That key is the spiritual secret to winning all battles. The key to the victory for Israel continues to be the key to every battle we Christians face. Obedience to Christ is always the key to victory! Just praise Him for His faithfulness!

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,

3 John 1:1-8, The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

3 For I was very glad when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;

6 and they bear witness to your love before the church; and you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

8 Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”

What a kind and thoughtful letter the Apostle John addresses to Gaius, who is undoubtedly a leader in the local church. It is understandable that the letter would be first read by him; yet, its contents are intended to encourage the entirety of the church.

Church congregations are always in need of encouragement. John himself was doubtlessly encouraged by being able to send such a message. He reminds the church that people on the outside are always noticing what is transpiring within, whether it is good or bad. So, the congregation must always be true, upright, and faithful.

When it’s all said and done, the church must always exemplify Jesus Christ! Does the aggregate of our daily conduct always reflect His love and concern for others? If it does, then others are seeing and hearing what He earnestly desires. The responsibility of the church depends upon each of us. We are the church; and it will never be more like Christ than we are.

When we walk with His light shining brightly upon us, we can know that the comfort of His presence is always there. Thus, we must always be faithful to Him and to 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