The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction

of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the

knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…”

From the day you were saved, you were in a battle –a battle to be all the LORD wants

you to be. The battles we fight are not waged and won by how smart we are. They are

won by the LORD’s divine power. But that being so, why are we even involved? Why

doesn’t He just do it all by Himself? It’s because He has designed to use us in the process.

What do we do to enable Him to use us? We think only of good and holy things! That’s

what Paul meant when he said, “…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Have you ever considered that you become what you think? Just as your body functions

best when you eat the proper foods, your mind and life become what you think! Think good

thoughts. Stay away from everything that “is raised up against the knowledge of God.”

We love and pray for you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Matthew 8:2-4, “And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said,

‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. 3 Jesus stretched out His hand

and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ And immediately his leprosy

was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, ‘See that you tell no one; but go, show

yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a

testimony to them.’”

The Book of Matthew transcends from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You have heard that it has been said…,

but I say unto you…” ~ But, now in Matthew 8 (above), He heals a leper and says,

“…go show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded…”

If the Book of Matthew is a bridge from the Old to the New, why would Jesus tell

the man to follow the Old Testament practice? ~ If I cannot spell words correctly

by writing a letter by hand, why should anyone expect me to spell correctly by

typing on a computer? By showing Himself in league with the Father and agreeing

with the Old Testament Law (which was never intended to save), Jesus establishes

His authority to show the better way – the way of salvation in Himself as His Father’s

better plan.

God bless you all today!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Matthew 6:34, “’So do not worry about tomorrow;

for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough

trouble of its own.”

This verse is lifted from the midst of the Sermon on the Mount

(Matthew 5-7) –the incomparable words of Christ that cover

Everything in human experience. ~ Anxiety bothers our world.

Fears and threats of all kinds swirl around us. Yet, as with a

tornado, there is absolute peace at the very center. Gogie

was a worrier. Burl, who lived next door, was a worrier, too.

He used to say, “Don’t tell me it doesn’t pay to worry. Nothing

I ever worried about ever happened.” Worry changes nothing.

When we “rest” in Jesus, we have nothing about which to worry.

He is ever and always in control.

Love you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 21:12-15, “’But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you,

delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.

13 “’It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14 “’So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand

to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able

to resist or refute.’”

Almost daily, I receive notifications from third-world countries, where Christians are

suffering persecution and death because they are Christians and because they are

sharing “the faith once delivered to the saints.” What our LORD Jesus warned the

disciples in the passage above has its parallel in today’s world. Yet, look what He

says: “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony!” It’s like peace after pain.

Don’t prepare to defend yourself, He said, for He promises to give us what to say

at that precise moment. And He alone knows how far that testimony will reach

into human hearts –things our enemies cannot forget –things that lead them either

to repentance and faith or that testify against them in judgment. So be faithful!

Love and prayer for you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Mark 7:37, “They were utterly astonished, saying, ‘He has done all things well;

He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’”

This was the occasion of Jesus’ healing a deaf man, who, because of his

deafness, could not speak plainly. You would do well to read the entire

passage (much too long for us here). What was equally amazing was the

reaction of the people who witnessed the miracle. They said, “He (Jesus)

has done all things well (k???? ?????).” He still does! And our lives and

that of our nation will do well when we rest them in His nail-scarred Hands.

Love you all, and Happy Birthday to Heather! She’s 15 today!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas