The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 1:1-5, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”? And again, “I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”?

I went on a search today – not what you might expect, but an AI search. Actually, I was looking online for information regarding a long-time friend. My purpose is not relevant as to why I was searching for him; what is relevant, however, is that I found numerous individuals with whom I had had no purpose of contact over the years, yet their names appeared numerous times totally without significance.

As I thought of this, I wondered if there were “roadblocks” that could hinder my name from someone. Certainly, nothing could hinder the LORD’s inquiry! He need not even look, as everything is available to Him without an internet – without even a search. What does He think, as He encounters my name? Is there a frown on His face, or is He shaking His head? (“Will that boy ever learn?!”)

I didn’t learn anything about the friend for whom I was looking. But, I learned a bit of what the LORD might be thinking about me! Not to shift the thought away from myself, but have you considered what the LORD might be thinking about you? What changes should you make in your life? What changes should I make in mine? May we startle others with our prayerful love and concern for them! And may we each take on the likeness of our blessed LORD Jesus Christ! He is coming; and we need to be ready. I am ready; and I trust that you are, too.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).

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,

Philemon 1:1-14, ”Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,

2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake…”

7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,

9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you– since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus–

10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,

11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,

13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;

14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.”

I hesitate to send such a long passage; yet, it speaks not only of the Apostle Paul’s love for both Philemon, a long-time brother in Christ, but also of Onesimus, a runaway slave, who once belonged to Philemon. The psychological aspect of Paul’s words is astounding! Please read it again…slowly…patiently, and think of someone whom you might influence by utilizing such smooth, yet genuine, loving words. Who was it that said, “We always gain more with sweetness than with vinegar”? God bless you abundantly!

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,

Ezekiel 22:25-29, “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her.

26 “Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

27 “Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain.

28 “Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

29 “The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice.”

A host of things could be said regarding the lawlessness that prevailed in the days of the prophet Ezekiel. But, of course, lawlessness is hardly new. A quick scan of the news on today’s television often (too often!) depicts men of the cloth indulging themselves in the same schemes against which they warned people when they ministered to their own constituents.

We do wrong when we misuse the things of the LORD. We engage in violence when we intentionally utilize the things of the LORD in an unholy manner and/or for an unholy purpose. It may seem “natural” for a former pastor of a church to spend time reminding the congregation of some experiences of his past ministry in that congregation; still, time is a precious factor that should never be overlooked.

In fact, the whole of our lives ought to honor Jesus Christ! Especially is that true when we profess ourselves to be committed to Him in full-time service. Yet, when we are committed to Him, it is for “full-time” service! There is no limitation; there must never be any imitation.

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,

Philemon 1:1-6, “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,

2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.”

Paul is in prison in Rome. There are no words that can express the agony he was suffering. Yet, his thoughts were not for himself, but for another – Onesimus.

Slavery was a reality in those days, and Onesimus belonged to Philemon; yet, when the opportunity presented itself to him, he escaped. Paul here appeals to Philemon to deal lovingly with Onesimus in the same way the LORD deals with us when we go astray.

Paul links himself with Philemon when he lovingly notes: “I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers.” Then Paul notes to Philemon “…every good thing which is in you…”

You may believe you possess the right to hold a grudge against someone who has done you wrong; but Paul would beg to differ. Even Christ Jesus forgave those who sent Him to the cross.

There’s an old saying that says, “It is never right to do wrong to do right.” If there are strands of a wrong done to you, the LORD will straighten them. Yet, He often awaits our forgiveness of another before He acts on our behalf. In the meantime, let us rest in His promise: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

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,

2 Samuel 7:25-29, “Now then, LORD God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken,

26 so that Your name may be great forever, by saying, ‘The LORD of hosts is God over Israel’; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You.

27 “For You, O LORD of armies, the God of Israel, have given a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore, Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.

28 “Now then, Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth; and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.

29 “And now, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, so that it may continue forever before You. For You, Lord GOD, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

There are a number of things in the passage above that should challenge us. For one thing, we should never be afraid to approach the LORD in prayer. Although He holds limitless power, He is tender and loving toward His children. He actually possesses a greater desire to bestow wonderful things on His people than they know. Still, we have first to divest ourselves of the sin that stains us.

Another important factor is that we ought always to be loving and respectful in our approach to the LORD. Yes, the LORD Himself knows the truth of everything that is said to Him; still, just as a child honors his parents by speaking respectfully to them, we, who know Him, ought to always show Him even greater respect. He is our LORD!

Does the LORD need to be reminded of either His promises or His power? Certainly not; however, it is important for Him to know that we have not forgotten them either. Just as a parent is honored when his child reminds him of his promise, the LORD is honored that we remember His promises toward us and believe in His desire and power to keep them.

How we live our lives will surely encourage our LORD’s promised provisions.

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