The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 4:1-4, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’

4 But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

“Now on Friday there’s goina be a little quiz.” Professor Beasley’s quizes were never what you would call “easy”; but he softened the warning with a warm smile. Obviously, he intended to question us as to what he had said in his previous lectures. They were for our benefit, as was everything he did and said.

But there is a clear difference between a test and a temptation. A test is for our good; a temptation only looks as if it’s for our good, but clearly it is not. Satan’s hijacking of CHRISTmas by introducing Santa Claus was not the end of his nefarious tactics. But, this time, the tables were turned. It was necessary that Jesus prove His strength to resist evil; thus, the Holy Spirit led Him into the valley of temptation for that proof.

Temptation to do evil often comes when we are physically weak. Jesus hand fasted and prayed for 40 days. He was not only hungry, He was tired as never before. And it was when He was in this condition, that the devil pounced on Him with a cleaver twist of words.

“If You are the son of God –and You are—command that these stones become bread.” You’re in charge here, there’s no need for you to suffer like this. You’re the boss of this business; you’re the pastor of this church.

You’re the head of this family, just do what you want! Satan makes it so inviting. And, truth be told, we fall for his scheme. But in the end, “it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper” (Prov. 23:32).

Jesus’ response was a steadfast resistence! He simply quoted Scripture. The Greeks had clear meaning in the way they wrote and spoke. Our English version that says, “It is written,” says in Greek, “It has been written and it remains that way.” Pretty powerful stuff! Jesus is saying that the physical bread is far less important that the spiritual Word of God. The Word of God is that which continues to be His Word in every situation. It is always present for our deliverence from temptation; it is all-powerful in that nothing can stand against it.

So, then, why do we still fall into Satan’s traps? Isn’t it clear? We either neglect or ignore His Word. Well, why does He continue to allow us to fall into Satan’s traps? It is to prove His strength to deliver us. Yet His Word only works for us when we live in it daily and lean upon Him for deliverence. Are you doing that?

We love you and are praying for you,

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,

John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

1 John 5:20-21, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”

CHRISTmas for the year 2018 is now past; but it ought to live in our lives and be celebrated every day! Just think: The Word, the second Person of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), became flesh –like us! He lived among those whom He created –those who had descended from Adam and Eve, His original creation.

Those who lived in the days of the shepherds and the magi actually, physically saw Him! The Apostle John, who wrote the words of the verses above, physically walked in His presence and heard His teaching! Yes, John beheld Jesus’ glory! And Jesus was the “only begotten” from the Father.

“Only begotten” (?????????, monogenes) means “the only one of its kind.” Jesus Christ was and is unique. And He was given to us that we might know Him and understand His teaching. Jesus is thoroughly true in His life and in all that He says. When we trust Him, He comes into our lives in the Person of the Holy Spirit, who then gives us what we need to understand.

Further, He inspired godly men to write what we now have and know as the Holy Scriptures, the Bible! He superintended their writings, so as to guarantee their accuracy. We have, therefore, no valid excuse for living apart from the Scriptures. We are also warned to “guard (our)selves from idols.” How do we do this?

We do it by reading and carefully studying the Bible. The Holy Spirit will then bring to mind the teachings embedded in our hearts, so that we might live every day for the glory of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How is that for a day-to-day CHRISTmas!

We love you and pray for you daily,

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,

Luke 18:16, “Jesus called them unto him, and said, ‘Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not:

for of such is the kingdom of God.’

17 “Verily I say unto you, ‘Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.’”

Millions of young children (and some even older) will awaken early this morning to see what presents

Santa Claus has left them under the Christmas tree. Despite the fun and frivolity that accompanies this day, the entire season has been hijacked! It is and ought to be the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Yet, some 280 years ago, a legend overtook the true meaning.

Satan is as subtle as he is cruel. Slipping poison into someone’s milk is as deadly as a gunshot. Both achieve the same nefarious end. So, instead of trampling on a display representing the Christchild’s birth, Satan simply pushes the display of fun and frolic and undermines Christmas’ true meaning.

Jesus call was for “little children to come unto (Him).” The “forbid them not” surely covers the idea of Santa.

Children are “programmed” to believe. Whatever standards their parents display before them become their standards for life. Even the Salvation Army, originally called the Christian Mission and founded in 1865 by William Booth, a British evangelist, who preached the Gospel and and helped the poor, has now for many years attired their bell-ringers in Santa Claus garb.

There is only one hope for the world, and it lies in leading children to accept Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Every opportunity we have with children should carry an emphasis on Jesus Christ. We may never stamp out the Santa Claus sherade, but we can steer some childrens’ minds toward Him. This will produce in them the Merriest CHRISTmas of all –one that leads them to Eternal Life in Glory!

Lovingly and prayerfully yours,

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,

Zechariah 2:10-11, “’Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,’ declares the LORD.

11 “’And many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.’”

Prophecies are often difficult to understand, and I make no claim to understanding all of what is intended in these verses above. What is understandable, however, is that the prophet Zecharian is compelling us all to “sing for joy and be glad,” for the LORD is coming to dwell in our midst.

With all the uncertainty that surrounds nations of the world today, it is difficult to see how this prophecy will be fulfilled. Yet, the promise is that many nations will come to the LORD and will be called the people of the LORD. He Himself will live in the midst these nations and we will then look back to such prophecies as this and understand it full meaning.

What is outstanding to me is that a prophecy that dates from about 520 B.C. can have implications and teachings that have meaning to us in the 21ST Century A.D.! We know from the New Testament that Christ is Coming Again. What is amazing is that a prophet some 26 centuries ago foretold it!

All of that being said, the big question is: Are you ready for the LORD’s Coming? First, do you know Him as your Savior? Have you truly been “born from Above”? Have you trusted Him and are you continuing to trust Him as Lord of your life? Is your life clean before Him? Have you earnestly turned from the sins that keep on pestering you? or, do you secretly delight in things you know are not from Him and are displeasing to Him?

Look earnestly for His Return! He is Coming, although we do not know when. He has told us that He is preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3), where we will live with Him forever! Nothing in this life should sparkle so delightfully as to divert our attention from Him and His Coming Glory! Keep living in the Word! Keep your mind and heart on His promised Return! Be ready to greet Him when He Returns!

We love and pray for you,

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,

Revelation 2:5, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place– unless you repent.”

Revelation 2:16, “Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.”

Revelation 3:11, “’I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown.”

Revelation 16:15, “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame.”

Revelation 22:7, “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22:12, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

Revelation 22:20, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

As the story goes, a local pastor had for some time sought to reach the soul of a man he knew. The man always had an excuse. He was thinking about it; he wasn’t quite ready; and such excuses. One day the

pastor manouvered himself into the business place of the man and shouted aloud: “ARE YOU READY?”

The man heard the voice, and llooked up. But no one was there. He wondered about it, but was soon busy again at his work.

Later that week, the man and the pastor met. This time the pastor asked if the man remembered him coming to his shop. He did; but he was puzzled, he said, that the pastor would simply shout out a question and leave before he could reply. “What was that all about?” he asked. The pastor responded asking, “Well, were you ready?” The man thought and said, “No, I was not.” To which the pastor then asked, “What if I had been God?”

Seven times in the Revelation, Jesus clearly warns, “I am coming!” Five times He adds the word “quickly.”

Three times He warns us to repent of our sin. And twice He says for us to “hold on” to the good things we have. All of this should be sobering to us. We should not be complacent and let what we know slip away from us. We should be “about our Father’s business,” as young Jesus was when Joseph and Mary found Him in the Temple. Put first things first!

I have a routine that commences with the prayerful writing of this letter each morning. There are other things to do as well, but this is my priority. What is yours? What do you do that is all-important? What is first and foremost to you? Does it have to do with prayer and Bible reading? That is what the Bible means when it says, “hold on to what you have…don’t let them slip.”

As a small boy, I can remember my mother saying, “There you are dirty and your aunt Dene will be here any minute. Get yourself clean! There’s not much time. She’ll be here soon.” Does something like that resonate with you on the spiritual level? It should. Jesus could come at any moment. Our lives must be clean and ready. Nothing else matters. Are you ready?

We love and pray for you earnestly,

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.”