The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 9:1, “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying,

my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit…”

Lies abound everywhere! They rage! –especially in an election

year! Politicians lie to get elected. Scientists lie about “global

warming”; sometimes even preachers lie. I have a relative, who,

as a kid, lied so much that my mother used to say he even believed

his lies were the truth. ~ I am confident that none of you lie.

The Apostle Paul didn’t lie, either. When we know the LORD,

and have been saved, our consciences “bother” us when we

don’t tell the truth. That’s what Paul meant when he said “my

conscience testifies with me…” But, what do we do when we

find we’ve “bent the truth”? Confess it as sin. Pray for forgiveness.

The LORD cleans the slate of our lives, just as a good shower

cleanses our bodies. There is no substitute for Truth!

We love you all truly,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Psalm 103:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.”

The phrase “bless the LORD” appears 15 times in

the Scriptures. The word “bless” means to kneel

or to praise. We are always to reverence God.

But what about that phrase “all that is within me”?

What is there within us that enables us to bless

the LORD? Does it reference what He does for us?

Or does it reference who His is? Perhaps, it is a

reference to the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

For it is His presence that reveals the fullness of

the LORD. Remember Job, who said, “Though He

slay me, I will hope in Him…” (Job 13:15).

Bless the LORD at all times and in every circumstance,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,

if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

For many of us, school is once again in session. Ah, and once again I am reading

student papers –testimonies of their lives and faith, or lack of it. The problems

they have previously faced are due to their lack of adherence to the verse above.

Some have lacked the correct instruction from their parents. Subsequently, they

have listened and followed the ways of their classmates. They wanted to be liked

by others, so they behaved like others. The simply dwelled on the wrong things.

And in the end, they plunged themselves deeply into sorrow and regret.

Set your thoughts on Jesus and the directive of His Word! To do so is to build a

life of spiritual and physical fulfillment. There is no better way!

Love and prayers,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 9:28-31, “Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

The true glory and brilliance of the LORD Jesus Christ overshadowed what His

disciples and the people normally saw of Him. Only the three disciples were

permitted to witness this revelation of His brightness! Moses and Elijah were

there. Moses had died, but was alive here, proving that death is not the final

stage of man’s existence. Elijah had not died. He was caught up to Heaven

without the experience of death. Moses represents the dead in Christ; Elijah

represents those who will be alive when Christ comes for His Church. Both

are the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:3ff. ~ The glory and power

of Jesus is far more than we know! Faith (belief, trust) is the key to our

understanding.

We love you more than you know,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 6:40, “’A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone,

after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.’”

Some teachers train pupils by telling them what to believe.

Others, train pupils by showing them how to behave. Both

methods have their merits. But even more important is who

the teacher is! Who is teaching you? Sometimes, we don’t

have a choice, say in school. But we do have the right and

responsibility for whether we follow the instructions and

behavior of our teachers. Choose carefully! Jesus is the

Greatest Teacher! His teachings and behavior cannot be

superseded! Always pattern your behavior after Him.

We love you and pray for you daily,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas