The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 2:3-7, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

Did you ever take an online survey? I took one the other day. At the end of the survey, it asked if I had any

comments to make about their product. I’ve always got comments, so I ventured to say exactly what I thought. But when I examined it carefully, I discovered that it was just a selfish comment, possessed of no humility on my part. So I erased it all and didn’t send it. I don’t remember having the Apostle Paul on my mind at the time, but what he says in the verses above fit me to a “t.”

Are you a person who only looks out for yourself? We’re supposed to look out for ourselves, but not only for

ourselves. Other people have needs, too; and they are to be cared for more importantly than our own. It’s the Christian way. Jesus Christ set the pattern for the attitude we should have. What attitude is that? “He existed in Eternity with the Father, (but) did not regard being the Father’s equal something to be grasped (with retention).” That means that when the Father needed someone to send to Earth to give His message and to die on the Cross for the sins of mankind, Jesus did not put up a fuss! He “emptied Himself,” that is, He lowered Himself to the status of a human being and took on a man’s appearance.

Whether you’ve ever thought of it, I don’t know, but what Jesus did was “tough stuff!” Imagine the governor of you state becoming a street cleaner! That’s a “come-down!” Well, Jesus’ “come-down” was even more so because He was God! He was thinking of us – you and me! So He became a “servent,” despite the fact that He was and always had been God!

Do you want to be like Jesus? Quit thinking about yourself and start thinking about others and their needs. Don’t look for what you think they can do for you; just concentrate on their needs and how you can help them. That’s the true, Christian way! What do you get out of it? If you have to ask that, you haven’t caught on to what this is all about. But, since you ask, I’ll tell you. You will get joy unspeakable, seeing a person have a need met that he or she couldn’t meet by themselves. So, let’s quit thinking about ourselves and start looking at how we can help a neighbor! Okay? Do it the Jesus way!

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,

Philippians 1:27-28, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28 in no way alarmed by your opponents– which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.”

As I read the news today, one of the most disturbing events is the conduct of so-called “Christian” people. We must all be aware that our personal conduct is known to more individuals than we know. Especially are non-Christians watching us. Some who are watching, are wanting to find us living contrary to what we claim to be; others, however, are watching with hope that what we have is real. Thus, it’s not simply what we say in witness; it what we live day-by-day!

Paul wanted to hear that the Philippians were “standing firm…(and) striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” That’s what we want from our pastors and teachers. It’s precisely what the LORD Jesus wants from all of us! Football season is upon us. No one, however, wants a quarterback who is inconsistent in passing, or a team that is not “striving together.” In the same vein, the LORD wants all of us –pastors, teachers, all believers—to “stand firm” in what we believe and work together with others in spreading the Message of Jesus!

But what about those who oppose our teaching? Don’t be alarmed by them! Your steadfastness in Christ will serve to destroy their opposition to the LORD. Remember when David went to battle with Goliath? When Goliath was killed, the opposing army fled in surrender. It’s the same with us. When we stand up for Christ, it demoralizes the opposition. They no longer have the upper hand. And the “salvation,” of which Paul speaks, is expressly from God!

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was not intentionally speaking spiritually when he said, “The only thing we have to fear…is fear itself.” Yet, his words clearly apply to us as believers. Still, we have no reason to fear anything or anybody because the might and power of the LORD are protecting and empowering us at all times! Now is the time for us to BE SOMETHING and DO SOMETHING! We may not have much time.

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,

Philippians 1:19-21, “For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Did you ever meet someone with confidence? I mean real confidence! I hope it was just a story, but I heard

of an airplane that had no pilot. (Stay with me, now.) And as the plane raced through the sky, the onboard PA system said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a totally automatic, self-piloted airplane. It can take off and land without human assistance. It can maneuver through turbulent weather without human assistance. In fact, the voice you are now hearing has been pre-recorded. There is no one here except those of you who are passengers. But, you are not to worry; for nothing can go wrong…can go wrong…can go wrong..”can go…”

The Apostle Paul possessed that kind of confidence. He was imprisoned in Rome, but he believed that what had befallen him would ultimately “turn out for (his) deliverance.” He was in prayer and he was confident that the Philippian believers, too, were in prayer. It was the provision the Holy Spirit had placed in his heart. Paul was certain that whatever occurred, he would not be dishonored, but that Christ Jesus would be exalted. Yes, he might die; but, that was not a concern. Whatever occurred, as long as the LORD was exalted, that was what was important!

It’s probably not what most young people would wish for their lives. Oh, the believers might. They are always exuberant to share the Gospel –but, again, they might not be so excited about dying. How would that honor the LORD? So, we all enter the “justifiable arena” that allows old people to die in the dissemination of the Good News, but not the young. Paul’s view was different. Either way was fine with him, as long as the LORD Jesus Christ was glorified. His key thought on this subject is: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

There are two kinds of “death,” as we view it here: physical death and death to one’s self. The latter death is the one we should earnestly seek. For when we are dead to ourselves, we are alive in Christ. Self is what masks the world from seeing Christ. Self is what hinders us from obeying the Holy Spirit’s commands. Self never exalts Christ, and His exaltation is what our Christian lives are all about. Yielding to Him always means gain to us. Failing to yield to Him means things “can go wrong, can go wrong, can go wrong…” Think about it.

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,

Philippians 1:15-18, “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.”

For a long time, this passage bothered me. Oh, I believed it! That was not the problem. Paul identifies two kinds of preachers: one type is preaching Christ for their own benefit; the other is preaching Him for His glory.

Of course, I was troubled that some preachers were in the ministry for their own benefit. Their motives were not pure. But, what that kind of preacher, pastor or evangelist or teacher –whatever his motive, it was none of my business.

What really bothered me was the fact that Paul say that whatever the preachers motives – good or bad – he rejoiced that Christ was proclaimed. How could anyone with pure motives not care that some were just in the ministry to “feather their own nest’ –to pad their own bankroll? Should we care? Does it truly matter?

Yes, we should want all preachers and teachers of the Word to be sincere and honest in the whole of their ministries. Those who are not sincere will one day stand before God and give an account of their ministries.

But, the LORD’s Word, the Gospel, the Truth that is biblical, carries the power of its own accomplishment.

Remember when we reminded you that “The Word of God is not bound” (2 Tim. 2:9)? Remember, too, what Isaiah wrote in 55:11,

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Remember these two verses when you’re sharing your faith in Christ with someone. It’s a good idea to memorize both verses and have them “on hand.” The opportunities to share Jesus with others often comes without warning.

A man stopped me in Walmart the other day to tell me that 1) he was a veteran, and 2) that he was growing some rare watermellons at his home. As I patiently listened, I was thinking, “How to I segue into Christ in this one-way conversation?” Finally, I said, “Well the good LORD has certainly blessed you with some of His good fruit, hasn’t He?” That was all I got to say. He left when his part of the conversation was completed. Did what I said do any good? I don’t know. But, sometimes people think back on what has been said to them. In such situations, we have to leave the results to the LORD.

So now that verse in Philippians doesn’t bother me. I’ve joined Paul in leaving the results of the Gospel to the LORD Himself. We all have to do that. But, that doesn’t mean we’re excused from the “battle.” Oh, no! We are responsible to speak up and to shut up –both under the command and control of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Just be read for both and listen to the Holy Spirit, who issues the command.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Valarie, one of my two precious daughters-in-law is going to the Mayo Clinic for evaluation concerning a physical

problem she has had for several months. Our family has been praying for her almost from the onset of the illness.

Now, I am asking you to join us in praying for her. It does not-at-all appear to be life-threatening; still, it inhibits

her ability to attend to the many responsibilities she has. Thank you for praying with us.

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,

Philippians 1:12-14, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

This is not an easy Grands Letter for me to write. Yet, while it’s difficult, it brings joy to my heart when I realize that “…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love (Him), to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Four months ago, 25 August 2019, marked the departure date of my Loving Wife, Rose Marie. With those last breaths of earthly air, she awoke in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ in Heaven! It was the destination for which she had longed, since committing her heart and life to Jesus in 1950 at the age of 16.

Philippians is connoted as “The Joyous Epistle.” But, how does joy comport with someone’s death? It does because the verses above could have been written with regard to her multiple surgeries, hospital, and rehabilitation visits for over a decade. Her circumstances truly “turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel.” Time and time again, sometimes with gasping breaths, she beamed as she told doctors, nurses, therapists, and cleaning ladies that Jesus Christ was her Savior and LORD! Further, she urged them to accept Him.

How many ultimately were “born again” due to her witness? I don’t know. We were not there to get a head-count, only to share the glory of His Name and witness to His saving grace!

We discovered that a number of doctors, nurses, therapists, and cleaning personnel already knew the LORD. What we urged was that they might share Him with others, who had never known Him or had never been “born again,” but never learned to share Him with others.

Let me say what I know my sweet Rose Marie would say to you, were she here and standing over my shoulder: “Jesus changed my life and gave me hope –hope that exists nowhere outside of Him. Just ask Him into your life. He will change your life and give you the joy I have. If you already know Him, share Him with others! You will experience unbelievable joy, and that will get you ready to join Him some day.”

Thank you, Grands Letter recipients, for all of your prayers. Prayer is the work the LORD gives to His people. Prayer and the Word give encouragement like nothing else! God bless you abundantly!

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.”