The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

A library is a collection of books and other items that are available for reference on a variety of subjects.

Items within any library vary in value, according to its owner. My library has a small number of first-edition

books, and some very old books that to me are priceless. I also have a personal letter that is signed by former President Harry S. Truman and only recently acquired a four-page, digital copy of a hand-written letter by former President Ronald W. Reagan. To me, these items are virtually priceless, yet they pale in comparison to the Holy Scriptures we call “the Bible.”

The Bible you own and read (hopefully, daily) is the most reliable compendium of Truth in he world! It is beyond priceless because it is the Self-breathed Word of the Creator of all life, the LORD God Almighty Himself. What’s more, it is profitable –exceedingly beneficial—providing everything we need to know in order to live a life pleasing to Him. It contains every instruction we need for every occasion we encounter.

The Word of God is profitable for testing evidence in every situation that is proffered (set forth) by anyone. It deals with law and science and religion –every conceivable subject known to man. It is of supreme value in restoring man to an upright position in character when he has fallen into sin and disfavor with God and his fellowmen. The Word instructs parents in their training of children in both mind and morals. It instructs parents in the disciplinary action of children when they stray from such instruction.

There is simply no book or library of books anywhere that equals or comes close to the value of the Bible.

It has been given to us that through our right and righteous living we might glorify Almighty God!

Have you read the Bible today? Don’t delay! There are innumerable “things” that stand ready to divert our attention from God’s instruction. Be faithful and dutiful to the One who gave you life.

Praying in love for you daily,

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,

2 Timothy 3:12-15, “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Do you really desire to live a godly life? If you do –and I trust that you do—get ready for persecution. It’s inevitable. Pesecution comes from those who are evil and they get worse by the day. They pretend to be good and in that pretence they deceive those who are weak in their faith and those who have no faith.

How are we to handle such things that are thrust upon us? It’s simple: just “continue in the things you have learned,” things that godly parents and pastors have taught you from Scripture. Wisdom to handle persecution comes from the Bible –the same Bible that taught you the way of salvation in Christ Jesus. Remember? First, the LORD has placed in every person the reality of His being (Rom. 1:19-20). He has given you the reality of rescue from sin and sinful practices in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Now, you have only to believe.

Over the years, we have lived in several houses. It is amazing to think back and realize how the LORD has led us to each one as His provision. But we had act upon what was required to purchase them. We had to agree on the price and sign the papers that made the purchase legal. So it is with salvation: the LORD has provided the way through Jesus; then it is our turn to believe in Him. That completes the transaction. Mark it well: no man or woman will ever be able to say “We didn’t know!” because God has given sufficient light to everyone. It is His will that none perish (2 Pet. 3:9). It is also His will that we share the way of salvation in Jesus Christ with others. Are you doing that?

We are praying for His blessings on you,

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,

2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

For men will be (1) lovers of self, (2) lovers of money, (3) boastful, (4) arrogant, (5) revilers, (6) disobedient to parents, (7) ungrateful, (8) unholy, (9) unloving, )10) irreconcilable, (11) malicious gossips, (12) without self-control, (13) brutal, (14) haters of good, (15) treacherous, (16) reckless, (17) conceited, (18) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; (19) holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.”

Talk about difficult times! Look at the territory Paul covers in five, short verses! I have inserted numbers in the verses above in order to emphasize the 19 things that Paul says constitute “difficult times.” It would take a considerable time to disect and explain the nuances of everything that is wrapped up in the evils Paul lists; but note that “love of self” heads the list.

The exaltation of self is what caused the love and warmth of the Garden of Eden to be turned into a sinful mess. And everything went downhill from there, as man grasped what he wanted in deference to what God had created for him. Then, to make sure that everyone noticed, man arrogantly boasted of what he possessed and reviled those who were less fortuante than he.

The children of disobedient parents became disobedient themselves. Is that any surprise? They then became ungrateful for everything they received and possessed and turned it all into unholy living. Love for others was eliminated completely. Only self reigned! Men refused to reconcile with others over disputes, and gossiped evil about them instead. Despite man’s emphasis on himself, there was no self-control. Brute force wrapped in extreme hatred was exercised against everyone, especially those who wanted to do good. Times were trecherous as men continued to act recklessly. They were conceited beyond belief and only wanted to party. Was there no good to be found anywhere? Virtually none. At times some tried to appear godly, but there was no true godliness in them.

Paul sternly warned: AVOID SUCH MEN AS THESE! And that warning is still valid for today. Evil always produces evil. Just one rotten apple will bring to ruin the rest in the barrel. Turn away from those who do evil. Surrender your life completely to the LORD! He alone is the Hope for our world! He alone can change the difficult into the delightful.

We love you through our daily prayers,

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,

2 Timothy 2:15-19, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”

“Don’t you ever do that again!” Oh, boy! I can hear my mother’s voice even over the years that have passed. But those same years have blocked out the reason for her stern warning. She could really be tough, but her toughness was a momentary disguize for the love she had. She wanted her children to grow up to be honest, loving adults –something I trust has mindfully occurred.

The Apostle Paul wanted the same for Timothy. Live consistently by the truth of God’s Word and you will never be ashamed. God will approve you; nothing else really matters. Some things look like they should be said, but don’s say them. They just lead to further wrangling, which ends up as ungodliness and spreads to the hurt of what the LORD intends you to be and do.

Don’t listen to everyone! Stay on course with the Bible! Solomon warned that “the writing of many books is endless.” Further, those who are wrong in their theological views are leading people astray –even some well-meaning believers. Just don’t go there! Don’t waste your time with such things. Stick with the Word of God! “The firm foundation of God stands!” It has the Divine seal. The LORD knows those who are His and He firmly and soundly, lovingly instructs His children to “abstain from wickedness.”

We who have believed on Jesus Christ have received the Holy Spirit; and He acts like a loving mother, who wants her children to grow up to be like Jesus. Learn to obey the Holy Spirit, and your life will be free from the anxieties that plague those who do not know Him.

Praying daily in love for each of you,

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,

2 Timothy 2:11-15, “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;

12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth.”

You don’t have to live long to learn that not everything that is said is true. One primary lesson is to learn

what is true, so that you can discern truth from untruth. Paul states a faithful, worthy-of-trust statement that has both positive and negative aspects. Four times here he uses the word “if.” Two of the four concern our living positively; two of the four concern our living negatively. Look at this closely.

“If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.” This speaks positively. We were saved when we denied ourselves the right to live as we wanted –died to ourselves and our own authority over our own lives, and surrendered that authority to Jesus.

“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” This, too, speaks positively. If we remain patient and don’t give up when things are going against us, we will one day live with Him in Heaven.

“If we deny Him…” speaks negatively of our living. It can mean that we refuse to do what the LORD wants of our lives. If that is the case, He will deny us the blessing we would have known had we done as He directed. Denying Him can also mean outrightly saying that we are not His followers, we are not Christians. In that case, He will deny us, which is an extremely dangerous situation.

“If we are faithless…” relates to our negative living, our lack of trust in Him. Our our lack of trust does not affect His faithfulness. The LORD can never be contrary to who and what He is. If we refuse to be or do what He wants, He will simply choose someone else to do it, and we will miss the blessing.

Whatever the situation, don’t get tangled in arguments about things that don’t matter. They simply cause us to lose the direction the LORD has plotted for us, and those we might have reached for Him. Make every effort to be and do what the LORD approves and you’ll never be ashamed for telling His Truth.

Our daily prayer is that you may be all the LORD desires,

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.”