The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 2:11-13, “It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

12 If we endure, we will 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.”

Paul often spoke in positive-negative statements. Just as

electricity requires both a positive charge and a negative

charge, so does the Christian life. ~ This is a reliable word,

he says. Here then are the two positives: 1) If we died with

Him (and we did), we shall also live with Him. 2) If we patiently

endure (and we will), we will also reign with Him. Then, he

give us the two negatives: 1) If we say “no” to Him or deny

Him to others, He will deny knowing us. 2) If we are faithless

in being and doing what He desires and has given us to do,

He will remain faithful. Why? Because the LORD cannot

be or do what is contrary to His holy nature. ~ Think of it

like this: Have you ever done anything contrary to what

your parents desired of you? Did your parents then do

what they had told you not to do? Of course not! Had they

done what they told you not to do, they would be denying

the very thing right they had desired in you. While this may

sometimes break down with human beings, it never breaks

down with God! Always trust Him and do His will. That

always brings His blessings!

Love you; and may the LORD make us faithful always,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 6:17-19, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world

not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but

on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous

and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good

foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”

Paul’s warnings were always practical. If what he says seems otherwise,

Just remember that what he is writing is the Word of the LORD! Riches

are indeed uncertain. In the 1929 Stock Market crash, unbelievably

wealthy men threw themselves to death out of high buildings, because

the riches in which they trusted were suddenly and thoroughly wiped out!

Hope must always be founded on the LORD. Paul is not against riches; he

simply warns against trusting in them. He says we are to do good with all

the LORD has entrusted to us, and, thereby, be rich in good works. We are

also to be generous and eager to share what the LORD has entrusted to us.

While we cannot trust in money, we can and must trust the LORD as our

foundation. When we do this, we experience true life, which is always in Him!

You, Grands, are our riches! We have prayed for each of you even before

you were born. What you have become and are continuing to become,

we view as the LORD’s enrichment to us; and for that there’s not enough

money in the world to equal it!

Love you more than you’ll ever know this side of Heaven,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard

your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It’s not always easy to do what is best. There are times when we find

it hard to rejoice. Still, the Bible encourages us to “rejoice in the Lord

always.” We are never to be anxious about anything. Just pray earnestly

to the LORD for what we need. This is absolute trust in Him that He will

provide us with what we need. And don’t forget to say “Thank You.”

What will that trust bring us? It will bring us the peace of God, the very

opposite of anxiety. Further, our prayerful requests will result in answers

well beyond what we have ever thought –even beyond our understanding

of how such blessings could ever be! He will guard our hearts and minds

against the anxiety that would rob us of His peace. Do you believe that?

It is always beneficial to us to believe the LORD and to trust His Word.

Just don’t worry! That’s your part; everything else lies under His control.

We don’t know everything that concerns you day-by-day, but we are

praying for you anyway. We love you immeasurably!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 5:25, “Brethren, pray for us.”

A few days ago, I mentioned a verse or two that I’ve often

thought of as humorous. The verse above often strikes me

humorously, although it is not intended that way in Scripture.

The Australian Baptist was a national Baptist paper that

circulated in every state and in the Northern Territory. Just

about every meeting I held was mentioned in the Baptist

paper. They would give some information about where the

meetings were being conducted, and a brief bio on me. But,

at the end of every piece there was this verse, “Brethren,

pray for us.” Thankfully, many did and our meetings were

greatly blessed of the LORD. Still, I’ve often wondered how

many who read the paper viewed the verse as an urgent

request, seeing this Yankee evangelist was preaching.

Now, without any sense of humor, please pray for us. We

need your prayers as much as you need to pray. God bless

you abundantly!

Love,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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Dear Grands,

I Thessalonians 5:16-23, “Rejoice always;

17 pray without ceasing;

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit;

20 do not despise prophetic utterances.

21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

22 abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may

your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If the Apostle Paul sounds a lot like a parent in these verses, it is because

he has been given that spiritual responsibility over all believers. It would

take a lot of time for me to write and for you to read the explanation of

the seven bolded words and phrases above. Paul admonishes each of us

to do what we are enabled to do that is right; then in our last verse (v. 23),

he assigns to the LORD Himself what He alone can do: make us holy. The

Only the “God of peace Himself” can “sanctify,” or make us completely

holy. Why, then, are we not completely holy? We are not, because we

have not obeyed those seven indicators listed in verses 16-22. The

Grace of God must balance with the obedience of man. He alone can

make us holy, but we can and must abstain from the enemies of holiness.

Pray for your pastor as he brings the LORD’s message today!

We pray for you and love you without restriction,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

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