The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jeremiah 32:16-18, “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, then I prayed to the LORD, saying,

17 ‘Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee,

18 who showest lovingkindness to thousands, but repayest the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The LORD of hosts is His name…’”

Were you ever given a task that puzzled you? –a strange order that made no sense whatever? Jeremiah

Was aware that the land in which he lived was about to be overthown. Yet the LORD had ordered him to

sell the portion of the land that he owned. Whatever could that mean? It meant obedience. There would be

more to the LORD’s order later, and Jeremiah would ultimately understand it all; but for now, it seemed utterly strange to him.

Obedience is difficult. It often lies far outside our understanding. Yet, to the One who knows more than we know, it has purpose. We’re not always allowed to know the LORD’s business. Were He to bring us in on

what He intends, we would surely ask “Why?” Servants don’t need to know why; like children, they just need to obey.

To his credit, Jeremiah went to the LORD in prayer. But he did not anything of the LORD. Most of our prayers have to do with our wants. Yet, the LORD knows our needs and desires. We need to model our praying more like Jeremiah’s. He simply praised the LORD and acknowledged His power in creation, saying, “Nothing is too difficult for Thee.” We believe that as “head knowledge”; but do we believe it fully?

Years later, the disciples of Jesus said to the LORD, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). That’s what we need:

“expanded faith.” True, absolute confidence in the LORD and what He is able to perform.

Often, when we have witnessed a work of the LORD, we believe and rejoice for a time. Then, when another

difficulty arises, we say, “Yes, He did that, but will He do this?’ Thus, our faith wavers. Remember Jeremiah’s prayer: “Nothing is too difficult for Thee!” Let those words apply to everything, but be certain that His Spirit is guiding you in your petition. The Spirit’s guidance rests heavily upon whether we are living in His will and according to His Word. Stay focused on Scripture!

We hold you in our prayers, according to His will and favor,

Nana & 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,

Colossians 3:12-17, “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

14 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

There was a sudden dip in the weather this week, requiring all sensible people to dress more warmly. Of course, there are always some, who wish to defy common sense and dress as if it were summer. They risk illnesses. The same is true spiritually. There are required changes in the spiritual life of the true believer.

The truly born-again believer in Christ Jesus is to exhibit compassion and kindness toward others. He is to view the needs of others ahead of his own. He is to express gentleness and patience toward others. Instead of chiding a runner who cannot keep pase, he asks, “What can I do to help you run faster?”

“Bearing with someone” relates to their present offenses; “forgiving each other” relates to their past offences. Negatives have to be eliminated, no matter how severe they might have been. We don’t know what is going on in the minds and hearts of others; thus, patience is always required of us.

Love is the master key! The word here is agape. It is not an attitude we can easily produce. It is, in fact, the product of the Holy Spirit who indwells us and all true believers in Jesus Christ. It is the love Christ expressed in His death on the Cross. His love drew us to Him; now it is for His Love to unify us with others.

He undisturbed peace controls our attitude toward others, despite what they do and say against us. Umpires call out players for infractions of game rules, regardless of who the players are. Even so, the Holy Spirit calls us out for not expressing Christ’s love on all occasions. We are never out of the game!

The accomplishment of all of this (as difficult as it may seem) is rooted in the Word of Christ. We are to instruct others in His way, and correct them when they stray from that teaching –but always in a spirit of love. Do it with music that is uplifting and instructive, music that denotes thanksgiving to the LORD for His unspeakable gift of Himself for us! When we engage ourselves with the Word, our expressions to and toward others will be honoring and glorifying to Him. Praise the LORD for His ongoing and unspeakable gifts!

We pray for you daily, and sincerely appreciate your prayers for Rose Marie at this time,

Nana & Dado III

P. S. Rose Marie is doing better right along. Her spirits have always been high, despite the

circumstances. The intubation tube has been removed, she always says “Thank you”

to doctors and nurses who give her assistance. Her sense of humor is now outwardly

expressed, and her room in ICU has taken on a loving, spiritual glow. Opportunities

to witness abound to doctors, nurses, therapists and all. Praise the LORD!

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,

Psalm 104:31-35, “Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; Let the LORD be glad in His works;

32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34 Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.

35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, And let the wicked be no more.

Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!”

I have lived long enough to be convinced that nothing occurs outside of God’s purpose.

Some things are delightful and pleasant; some are hurtful and troublesome. Yet, nothing

occurs other than what He directs or allows.

Recent days have brought me into closer contact with His wonders than I would have

believed possible. I have experienced the delicate balance that lies within the human body

and simultaneously found opportunities to bring help to those to whom I have looked for

help on the physical level –all of this explaining the cry of the psalmist:

“Let the glory of the LORD endure forever.”

In words previous to the short verses above, David reveals his understanding of the LORD’s marvellous works. Everything that exists is from His hand and endures at His pleasure. What is man to do? How is

he to behave? He is to sing to the LORD; he is to sing praises to the God who has given him voice and

understanding. The closer we live to the LORD, the greater is our understanding of Him and His glorious

works! Thus, our exultance of Him is expressed in words and expressions that focus on Him alone! So

much of our “praise” is suspect today. Music is the medium that carries expressions of love and glory.

The question is whether we are singing and playing to Him or for the praise of others or the satisfaction

of ourselves?

The focus of the psalmist is clear: the focus of his meditation (away from the throngs of the people) is

ever upon the LORD! That convicts my own heart! I am forced to admit that my time away from those

things required –my meditation, my focus—is all-too-often on worldly things. It takes illness within

oursleves or within a loved one to force our focus on Him. Is He not always sufficient? What exists before our eyes that is more marvelous than our blessed LORD Jesus Christ?

So precious is Jesus, my Savior, my King,
His praise all the day long with rapture I sing;
To Him in my weakness for strength I can cling,
For He is so precious to me.

He stood at my heart’s door in sunshine and rain
And patiently waited an entrance to gain;
What shame that so long He entreated in vain,
For He is so precious to me.

I stand on the mountain of blessing at last,
No cloud in the heavens a shadow to cast;
His smile is upon me, the valley is past,
For He is so precious to me.

I praise Him because He appointed a place
Where, someday, through faith in His wonderful grace,
I know I shall see Him, shall look on His face,
For He is so precious to me.

Please pray for my sweet Rose Marie,

Nana & 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,

Psalm 103:1-24, Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;

3 Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases;

4 Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

6 The LORD performs righteous deeds, And judgments for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

9 He will not always strive with us; Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; And its place acknowledges it no longer.

17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,

18 To those who keep His covenant, And who remember His precepts to do them.

19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; And His sovereignty rules over all.

20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!

21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will.

22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Were you ever so excited that you could not stop telling others about your excitement?

That’s what filled David’s heart when he wrote this 103RD Psalm. The word bless barak means

to congratulate, to kneel down, to persist in blessing and giving thanks. And David uses the word seven times,

denoting the perfection of his blessing. He contrasts his own weakness with the strength and might of

the LORD. He notes his unworthiness of LORD’s blessing, yet he revels in what the LORD has done!

The LORD pardons, He heals, He redeems, He awards, He satisfies!

There is no end to the LORD’s blessings, and there is no end to David’s praise! So should it be with us!

As the old hymn says,

Count your blessings

Name them one-by-one;

Count your many blessings,

See what God hath done!

How I praise Him for His preservation of my beloved Rose Marie – my wife and companion for

these 63 years –and counting. Praise the LORD! Bless His Holy and Righteous Name!

Nana & 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,

Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

Have you ever purchased medicine from a pharmacy? Of course, you have! How did you know that the pharmacist was giving you what your doctor perscribed? How do you know your doctor perscribed the proper medicine? How do you know your doctor properly diagnosed your condition? Everything is covered in one word: trust. You have confidence in the whole line of medical people involved in getting you well.

The Hebrew word batach (??????) means confidence, security, total reliance upon the LORD, the person who provides for your welfare. Just taking an Aspirin may not be sufficient. And how would you know, anyway? Our human understanding is hardly sufficient to diagnose and treat health conditions, whatever they might be. Too often people increase their disabilities by relying on self-diagnosis and self-treatment. Especially is this true in the spiritual realm.

We travel on crooked roads. We have no knowledge whatsoever of impediments that lie around the curve. An oncoming car may be in our lane! We could be headed for disaster! Only the LORD can “may (our) paths straight.” Only the LORD can protect us from imminent danger. Don’t think you’re smarter or quicker than the impediment you face. You risk far too much to trust in yourself. Believe in stead on the LORD. Give Him control of the steering wheel, the brake –everything! He loves you more than you know; and He will always exert His divine wisdom and energy toward your preservation.

We continually pray that you will rely upon His wisdom and power,

Nana & 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.”