The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 5:19-26, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

It means everything is to start off correctly in a New Year! Admittedly, this presents a formidable challenge. The year is new, but you and I are not! Some (if not all) of the challenges we encountered in past years are again ready to challenge us in A.D. 2026.

If past years are anything to be considered (and they are!), we must either engage new or find better means of combating the enemy of the past. It is foolhardy to think we can overcome new obstacles unless we have previously experienced some victories over them.

Please know that it is not the intention of this writer to imply that the 15 or more negatives noted in the verses above are currently present and knocking on the virtual door of those who are receiving this letter. Nor does this writer possess any knowledge of the attempts, present or future, that will consistently pound on the door of your heart at any given time. All he knows is what he himself experiences and that the LORD is herewith warning every reader that such invasions will attack, and often with a vengeance!

Our only protection comes from the LORD through His Holy Word and from our consistent faithfulness each day with Him in prayer. Let us start 2026 with faithful dedication and living in the Spirit. God bless you abundantly as we commence this New Year!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:12-17, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 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 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

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

Have you ever faced a difficulty with which you didn’t know how to deal? What did you do? To some degree, how we handle any situation depends largely upon its proximity to us and whether we’ve previously faced a closely related situation. Despite not having experienced everything that could easily be included in any situation, let everything be subject to love and devotion to our LORD Jesus Christ.

If Christ truly dwells within us, peace and thanksgiving will be the primary reasons for our attitude of love and devotion. After all, God is love (Cf. 1 John 4:7-20). Further, we know that He “has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true…” (1 John 5:20).

Let’s make 2026, and all years thereafter, years of love and understanding. Who knows, but that 2026 might easily be the year of His long-awaited coming? Be spiritually prepared!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Philippians 2:12-16, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

It’s debatable, but there’s probably nothing more difficult to do than to obey! From the earliest days of childhood, obedience was taught to us all (in one manner or another).

“Did you do what I told you to do?” “What on earth have you done with the time?” “How long have you been in completing that simple task?” –and the list goes on and on. Still, it’s doubtful that as children it ever occurred for a single moment that behind all of these questions lay a measure of the will of God.

Obedience is often challenged by our own desires and the influence of those around us; yet, it remains a cornerstone of spiritual growth. It is through consistent and humble obedience that we reflect the light and character of Christ, even when it feels difficult or countercultural.

It is parental discipline (and discipline is not always punishment!) that teaches us to obey the LORD. And it does the same for our children when we discipline them with love.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:1-7, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Many are the mysteries surrounding the birth of our LORD Jesus Christ. Yet, the Scriptures reveal them to those who are His and to those who earnestly seek them.

Swaddling clothes were simply strips of cloth that served as physical protection for the Child from insects like flies, gnats, and all sorts of pestilent diseases that could have impaired the Child’s necessary sleep. Whether either of His human parents gave thought to the cloth’s cleanliness, we are not told.

“The oriental swaddling clothes consisted of a square of cloth and two or more bandages. The Child was laid on the cloth diagonally, and the corners were folded over the feet and body and under the head. The bandages were then tied, so as to hold the cloth in position. This served as the clothing of the Child until He was about a year old. Any omission would then signal that the child had been abandoned.”

The projection of the cords that bound Him as a child was a sign of those cords that would ultimately bind Him to the cross!

What an exciting picture this depicts of our LORD Jesus Christ!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Psalm 98:1-9, “O sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonderful things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.

2 The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.

5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout joyfully before the King, the LORD.

7 Let the sea roar and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy.

9 Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.”

While the dominance of the th Psalm is understandably concerned with sounds of the Christmas season, we joyously clap our hands upon hearing the mountains sing gloriously together!

It is indeed a time of supreme rejoicing, for the LORD is making known His victory! He is revealing His righteousness to all people, especially to those known to be of Jewish heritage.

Throughout the years of this annual celebration, we have focused on the Christ Child, for it is He who, through His Cross and Resurrection, offers all mankind His forgiveness of their sin and life with a fresh, new beginning. Have you been born again? Have you confessed your sin to Him and asked for His forgiveness?

Opportunity abounds! You can be forgiven and start life anew! What could be more exciting than to commence a New Year knowing that you have been cleansed from sin?

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom