The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 2:6-8, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Our yard was not separated from our neighbor’s yard, and our back yeard boasted of a grand and glorious weepling willow tree. Our neighbor was a good gardner. He knew how to put things into the ground so that they would grow. But as I watched, it appeared clearly to me that he didn’t know how to plant tomato plants. Far too much of the plant was above ground. Mind you, I was a boy of maybe 7 or 8 years, and seeing what needed to be done, I walked behind my neighbor and carefully with my foot put all of the plant underground.

I knew something of planting, but hardly everything. I had yet to learn that certain plants are planted in different ways than other. Planting potatoes is different than planting tomatoes. What all foods have in common is that they must be “firmly planted.” The root of the plant must be firmly inserted in the ground. This was Paul’s point about our being in Christ Jesus. We hear His Word and it brings us to repentance of sin. By faith, we receive Him as our Savior and commence to live the way He instructs us. We live joyously and praise Him for all He has done in and for us.

Then, suddenly, some come alongside us with different ideas, like philosophy. The word philsophy

means “the love of wisdom.” All to often, however, it is human, worldly wisdom that takes us captive. We see it today in “climate change” and “evolution” and other non-sensical “wisdom” that has root only in the minds of unsaved and unscrupulous people. That’s why Paul says we need to keep our minds on Jesus and His wisdom instead of the wisdom of the world.

Do you fall for all the “new” ascertions that headline our news today? I hope not!! All philosophers do not base their beliefs on the wisdom of Jesus. All so-called scientists do not believe in creation, but yield to evolution in the effort to explain the unexplainable. Keep your focus on Scripture, the Bible. Only biblical teachings are “according to Christ.” Stay with The Winner!

May your heart and mind be firmly rooted only in Jesus,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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,

Colossians 1:26-29, “…the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints,

27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.

29 And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”

Billy liked Sally, but she didn’t care much for him. She liked Bobby. What was Billy to do? He devised a plan. He would show his attentions to Janie and virtually ignore Sally altogether.

That got Sally’s attention, and she began to show an interest in Billy. The plan had worked!

In God’s plan, the Jews were first. He intended to use them to share His Gospel with all the world, but the Jews were so focused on the Law of Moses that they rejected His instructions. Paul noted the order when he said,

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation

to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16).

But when the Jews rejected Christ’s Gospel, His ministers turned away from them and looked to the Gentiles (Greeks). This infuriated the Jewish leadership, but it got their attention. Many Jews turned to Christ through the preaching and teaching of Paul and of Peter.

We are not all called to be preachers or teachers in the way we think of them today. We are, however, called to share Christ with others, who do not know Him. In that sense, we are ministers.

Paul wanted “every man (to be) complete in Christ” (v. 28). He diligently worked, relying on the LORD’s power to work within him.

I once had a student who needed a computer. I prevailed upon my son, Richard, to build one for her. “Dad!” he said rather forcefully, “I’ve never built a computer in my life. I don’t know how!”

My response to him was, “I know all of that. But have you ever failed at anything you’ve attempted to do?” His first computer was for my student; and he’s built numerous computers since that time.

The point is that the LORD will work in and through you as you share His Word with others. You will succeed, because there is no failure when the LORD is doing it through you.

Prayerfully and expectantly yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. Some new things are on the horizon for Rose Marie. They are beyond my ability to explain, but

the future for her looks brighter. Please continue to pray for her and her doctors.

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,

Colossians 1:24-25, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God…”

Some of you may know that one of Rose Marie’s many nurses was an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter. A truly Christian lady (except when in the ring! ??), she came to work one day with a black eye. When asked what happened, she quite amusingly and briefly depicted the fight.

Apart from this R.N., I cannot quickly recall anyone rejoicing in their sufferings, much less rejoicing on behalf of someone else. Yet, Paul did count is all glory that he was allowed to suffer in the cause of Jesus Christ. His “filling up tht which is lacking” does not mean that Christ in any way or measure was lacking in suffering. Quite often, some members of the Church have to do more because other members do less. Instead of criticizing those we think are not behaving as they ought, we need to work alongside them and help carry the load.

Ministers –true ministers—do not call themselves into the LORD’s ministry. They are called by the LORD. Paul was “made a minister” by the will of Almighty God; and he benefitted the Church in that he carried out the preaching of the Word of God. When men are appointed by God to be ministers of His Truth, they benefit the Church by how they live, what they preach, and how they love those who have accepted the LORD Jesus as their Savior.

No, ministers are not without sin, but they endeavor to be, knowing that others are looking to them for leadership in the Christian way of life. Pastors labor under many trying circumstances. We need to pray for them as they bury themselves in the study the Word. There is suffering even in that. Yet, even if pastors fail to live in the shadow of Jesus, they are not our supreme example. Jesus is!! Pray that you will be an example of the LORD Christ to both the saved and the lost.

We are praying for you; please pray for us,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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,

Colossians 1:21-23, “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,

22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach–

23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”

Perhaps you read about a mother and daughter who were reconciled after many years –or a father and son, who had become estranged over a trivial family matter, and how they came together after hearing each other’s true accounts of what happened. Stories like these are multiple in daily news throughout history. So, Paul’s letter to the Greek Colossians is not altogether different.

Salvation was offered first to the Jews; then, when they rejected it, the Gospel was offered to the Greeks (Rom. 1:16; Acts 18:6). It was the Greeks who were “formerly alienated,” self-excluded from the way of salvation. The Greeks were also “hostile in mind,” they hated the thought of salvation. At first, they did not want or think they needed the spiritual life that was offered. Yet, in time, they came to value it.

They heard the Gospel, repented of their sins, and were reconciled to God! Why would God save them? So that they could be holy (sacred) without even spots of moral deficiency and “beyond reproach” (blameless) and presentable to Him. Would you ever consider meeting the Mayor of your town, or the Governor of your state, or the President if you were wearing a dirty shirt or unshined shoes? Of course not! Why, then, would you think of meeting the King of Kings and LORD of Lords with unconfessed sin in your life?

You won’t need to worry about such a situation with respect to the LORD, IF you continue to be faithful and continue to hold to hope (future certainty) that is displayed for you in the Bible! But don’t get proud –only thankful—because this same Gospel is not exclusively yours. It was and is being proclaimed to nations throught all creation. Paul knows, because he was called to be a minister of this Truth. And you know what? –so were you and I.

May our Blessed LORD Jesus keep you prepared and sharing His witness,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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,

Colossians 1:19-20, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him,

20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

Take a serious stroll through history. Examine those who have ruled over others. Excite yourself over those who have reveled successfully in warfare. Drool over those who have emassed millions in gold, silver, diamonds and other precious stones; those who have built castles that turned back unbelievable armies. Yet, in all your examination over the centuries, there is none like Jesus!

These warm and glorious words from Barnes have no peer:

This is to us a most precious truth. We have a Savior who is in no respect deficient in wisdom, power, and grace to redeem and save us. There is nothing necessary to be done in our salvation, which He is not qualified to do; there is nothing which we need to enable us to perform our duties, to meet temptation, and to bear trial, which He is not able to impart. In no situation of trouble and danger will the church find that there is a deficiency in Him; in no enterprise to which she can put her hands will there be a lack of power in her great Head to enable her to accomplish what He calls her to. We may go to Him in all our troubles, weaknesses temptations, and needs, and may be supplied from His fullness – just as, if we were thirsty, we might go to an ocean of pure water and drink.

How is all of this accomplished? Rose Marie and I spent the day in hospital. No, we hadn’t been in a fight, nor were we injured. She simply needed a blood transfusion. And with that transfusion, she looks and acts like a newly rejuvinated lady! We thanked one of the nurses for her assistance, and said, “We are grateful that we can receive life from the blood of another, but we are most grateful for the blood of Jesus Christ, whereby our sins are forgiven and by which we have Eternal Life.” Although what we said was not what she expected, the nurse enthusiastically agreed. The blood of Jesus Christ reigns supreme over all.

We all make mistakes. Christ Jesus alone was without sin. So, when you are “down,” when you feel discouraged and question the value of living, reread the paragraph above by Barnes: “We may go to Him in all our troubles, weaknesses temptations, and needs, and may be supplied from His fullness.” God bless you abundantly! We have no failure when we live in Him!

Loving and praying for you,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. I’m attaching a piano arrangement from my sister, Carol. The words are printed below.

I thirsted in the barren land of sin and shame,
And nothing satisfying there I found;
But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came,
Where springs of living water did abound.

Chorus:
Drinking at the springs of living water,
Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy;
Drinking at the springs of living water,
O wonderful and bountiful supply.

How sweet the living water from the hills of God,
It makes me glad and happy all the way;
Now glory, grace and blessing mark the path I’ve trod,
I’m shouting Hallelujah every day.

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.”