The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 1:11-17, “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it;

14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.

15 But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased

16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

I recently spoke to a Japanese lady, who has become a Christian. Strangely enough, she became interested in the Bible when she read the word in a comic book. She acquired a Bible and began to

read it. The Gospel of Christ became clear to her and she accepted Jesus as her LORD and Savior.

My purpose in citing that experience is to show that the Word –the Bible—itself carries the power

of its own accomplishment (Isa. 55:11). That does not mean that we should not witness verbally

to others; it simply means that the right Book in the hands of a hungry heart can satisfy the human

soul.

The apostle Paul was Jewish before he was Christian. His embrace of Judaism and his keen mind

had led him to a higher responsibility in that religion. He was not saved through the witness of a

Christian; rather he came to know Christ while on his way to persecute Christians (Acts 9). Paul’s

experience demonstrates that the harshest critics of the Christian faith can themselves be saved!

Mitsuo Fuchida was the lead pilot in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought America

into World War II. Jacob DeShazer, was a bombardier in the Doolittle raid over Japan. He became

a prisoner of war, and while in prison, came to know Christ as his Savior. He wrote a tract of his

salvation in Christ –a tract that was handed to Fuchida, as he was on his way to meet General

Douglas McArthur. Fuchida read the tract and accepted Christ as his LORD, too. He later became

an evangelist and preached throughout Japan, leading many to faith in Christ.

You can be active for Christ, too. You can hand Gospel tracts to people you meet. You can

encourage people to read the Bible. That’s what I’m doing right here and now. Paul had a unique

experience on the Damascus Road. He spent the rest of his life telling about it. What a fantastic

pattern for all of us! Let’s get started!

Praying for you to become strong in the LORD,

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,

Galatians 1:6-10, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

The apostle John wrote, “…and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32).

Pontius Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth?” We all want to know the truth, but there are so many who are saying that what they say is truth, that it becomes difficult to know what truth really is.

The Galatians had this trouble. Paul had preached the Gospel to them and many of them had believed in

Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. All was well for a time. Then a group, who believed in a works-based salvation, came along and persuaded the Galatians to follow their teaching.

It’s the same today. We are constantly assailed by teachers and preachers, who say that salvation is dependent upon how we live and the good works that we do. “Live right and you’ll get to heaven,” they say.

But what specific “works” and how many of them have to be accomplished to secure salvation?

Paul denounces such teaching! He says that the Gospel –the Good News—is the simple belief in Jesus’ death on the Cross and His resurrection from the dead that brings salvation. That being said, Paul denounces these false teachers by saying that anyone who teaches contrary of his (Paul’s) teaching should be set aside for divine destruction!

Simply stated, we are to read and study the Word of God –the Bible—and to believe only what it says. Turn off those who stray from that Word. Don’t listen to them! Listen only to God, who has given us His Word. “Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved,,,” (Acts 16:31). That is His Truth!

We love you 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.”

Dear Grands,

Galatians 1:1-5, Paul, an apostle (not sent from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),

2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:

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

4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”

Who gave you the authority to –? You have undoubtedly heard that more than once in your life. And you may hear it again. When I became dean of the faculty at Northeastern Bible College, I quickly saw that some changes were needed in my area. I began by announcing that I had been hired by the president of the college and I was there to work with them in carrying out the responsibilities of the academic area.

Authority must be ascerted, but it must rest upon an even higher authority.

Paul does precisely this when he commences his letter to the Galatian Church. He announces that he is an apostle sent from the LORD Jesus Christ. The word apostle has a history in sailing. Ultimately, it came to mean “one sent on a mission by a higher authority.” With Paul, that authority rested in the LORD Jesus, whom God the Father had given to be the sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. Jesus proved His authority by arising from the dead.

Now, upon that Supreme Authority, Paul announces that the Grace of God is extended to the Galatians, and to all mankind. The “to you” literally means “to your advantage.” God’s grace is always to man’s advantage. Someone arranged the word “grace” into an acrostic: God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense.” What could be more advantageous to us than that? God’s grace then produces “peace” in us. The psalmist had said it in Old Testament times:

“Those who love Thy law have great peace,

And nothing causes them to stumble” (Psa. 119:165).

Those who believe on the LORD Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have a peace that cannot ultimately be distrubed. Along with that peace, Christ redeemed us from sin and its grip. All of what He did for us, He did “according to the will of our God and Father…”

Satan himself is under the supreme authority of our LORD Jesus Christ! He cannot move against us in any way unless the LORD allows it. When He does allow it, it is largely as a punishment for our lapse back into sin. Yet, even then, the glory of the LORD arises leading Paul to say, “to Whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.” What a Savior we serve! What blessing He bestows upon our lives! What then hinders us from sharing His blessing with others? “Onward and Upward” are His marching orders! Let’s get in step and get started!

Our prayers continue 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.”

Technical difficulties have prohibited its issue until now. ~Gene

Dear Grands,

Psalm 17:1-8, “Hear a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry;

Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

2 Let my 1judgment come forth from Thy presence; Let Thine eyes look with equity.

3 Thou hast tried my heart; Thou hast visited me by night; Thou hast tested me and

dost find 1nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

4 As for the deeds of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept from the paths of the violent.

5 My steps have held fast to Thy paths. My feet have not slipped.

6 I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God; Incline

Thine ear to me, hear my speech.

7 Wondrously show Thy lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge

at Thy right hand From those who rise up against them.

8 Keep me as 1the apple of the eye; Hide me bin the shadow of Thy wings…”

I have never been tried before a court of law. Certainly, I have been in court, sometimes

to accompany friends, who were being tried, and sometimes just for the experience.

David had presented himself before the LORD for He was the Supreme Judge, and David

wished for honesty in judgment. He knew he could realize justise before the LORD.

Sometimes we experience condemnation because we have done wrong and deserve

judgment. But David offers evidence of his innocence. I have said and done nothing

that was worthy of condemnation before You, he said. I have lived according to Your

Word and I have not frequented those places that lie outside of your will for me. That

Is why I have called upon you to hear my plea for justice and be released.

When we live according the manner David in this passage, we can approach the LORD

for justice with the assurance that He will be honest and righteous in his treatment.

His judgments are only to be feared when we live according to those things that David

avoided. Living righteously assures us that we will be viewed as “the apple of His eye”

and will be protected by “the shadow of (His) wings.” May our Blessed LORD protect

you today and throughout your walk with Him.

Prayerfully yours always,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America