The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 20:7-11, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together.

9 And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead.

10 But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, “Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.”

11 When he had gone back up and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left.”

Preaching is important if it’s true, biblical preaching. It’s important because it concerns Jesus Christ and because it seeks to persuade both believers and non-believers to trust in Christ as their LORD and Savior and to behave in the lifestyle for which the LORD saved them.

True biblical preaching is not a slave to a clock on the wall. True Christians recognize that Scripture is their Guidebook, and earnest pastors recognize the same. Thus, time is of less importance than what the congregation is receiving from the Scriptures.

In the Scriptural account above, however, young Eutychus gave way to sleep under Paul’s long preaching. Ultimately, the young man fell from the upper story and was determined dead. Through the power and providence of the LORD, Paul was able to revive the young man. A concerned congregation then turned its attention to hearing the remainder of the ministry of Paul.

We’re hardly in danger of falling out of windows during Sunday sermons; however, we often neglect to see the value the message has for the congregation at large. Earnest pastors prayerfully prepare the LORD’s message for the LORD’s people. We would all do well to bear this factor in mind. Someday we’ll give an account!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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,

Exodus 2:23-25, “Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.”

It was in the early days of my formal education that I learned that I needed help. In the first grade, I needed help learning to read. In the second grade, I needed help learning to write. In the third grade, I needed help learning multiplication tables. When I failed to negotiate my bicycle properly, I needed help to stop the bleeding and a dentist to save some of my teeth.

Virtually everything in life requires our need for help. Israel needed help when the nation was in bondage. It’s not always a sign of weakness; we often encounter something that is beyond our experience. Circumstances rush upon us at every stage of life. It’s important that we learn in order that we might serve others. For those whom we serve will ultimately be called upon to serve others, as well.

If our reading in Exodus takes us beyond the second chapter, we soon discover that Moses needed the appearance of a burning bush (Ex. 3:2), and further still, the instruction of an angel (3:4). Moses himself later became a great teacher, leading Israel across the Red Sea, through the wilderness, and all the way to the Promised Land. He taught Israel as he learned from God.

Is not Moses’ example a clear signal to us? We learn from Scripture in order that we might teach others. What has He taught you recently? Have you found an occasion to share with others what you have learned from Him? We’re not to be “bossy,” we’re to be observant and helpful to others. What’s the value of learning if we fail to share with others what we have learned? Someone’s calling and needs your help today.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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,

Ezekiel 11:14-20, “Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
15 ‘Son of man, your brothers, your relatives, your fellow exiles, and the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, “Go far from the LORD; this land has been given us as a possession.”
16 “Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.’”
17 “Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”‘
18 “When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it.
19 “And I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.”

Human beings are the same in every country and in every generation. The old saying, “What’s mine is mine,” operated in Ezekiel’s day just as it does in our day. The general attitude of the heart of mankind has not changed. Nor will it change! We live in a different time zone, far removed from the days of Ezekiel; still, the general attitude of humanity seems destined to remain the same until Jesus comes again.

The nations that stand opposed to Israel today are unanimously opposed to Israel’s claim to the land the LORD granted to them. Yet, the LORD has not altered His promise. “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel” (v. 17). He is currently doing precisely what He promised through the prophet Ezekiel. He will keep and honor His promises to you and me, as well “…a new heart…a new spirit…” that we might be and live to the praise of His glory!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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,

1 Peter 3:8-12, “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

10 For, “THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.

11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

12 “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”

If ever there were words in Scripture to which I needed to adhere, it is these above! And all the way from Heaven, I can hear my dear mother shout: “THAT’S THE TRUTH! IT’S ABOUT TIME!”

You see, I have never been one to withhold my opinion on almost any subject. Yet, to be fair to myself, the score was always fairly even, at least if you allow me to omit the “humble in spirit” part. At my current age, I am understanding the futility of “returning evil for evil” and “insult for insult.” I am currently endeavoring to apply to my life those aspects listed in verses 10-12. Seriously, I would appreciate your prayers.

Do you admit to what I have admitted? Or are you always “harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit”? It’s an honest question. I’m not seeking to indict anyone for possessing the conduct I possessed for many years; rather, I’m admitting my wrong to demonstrate that you can admit yours.

Look, the very best of our LORD’s created humanity engages in wrongful deeds and attitudes. We shouldn’t, but we do. His prescription for us all is that we may “love and see good days… keep (our) tongues from evil and (our) lips from speaking deceit.” I’m genuinely going to try. It will be encouraging to me if you will consent to try, too. How about it? We may not have that many days left before the LORD comes! What do you say? Let’s give it the good old college try!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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,

Ezekiel 37:27-28, “My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

28 “And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”

1 Peter 3:15-18, “…sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit…”

Sanctification is the act of being made holy. (Most of us could stand that, couldn’t we?) In the Old Testament passage of Ezekiel, the prophet is speaking to the Israelites and how the Israelites could become more like the LORD. Notice, too, that it is not simply the people trying to do better; it is their willingness for the LORD to make them better! It is the LORD alone “…who sanctifies Israel.”

The Scriptural passage above from the New Testament (1 Peter 3) has not greatly changed, except that His Word is more inclusive, speaking to us as Gentiles as well as Jews. Simon Peter focuses upon our New Testament hearts and speaks of hope, gentleness, and reverence, each of which is bound up in a good conscience.

Reader, be clear! Understand that trust in the redemptive power of God is what each of these passages teaches. It’s only that God the Father is referenced by Ezekiel in the Old Testament, while the Son, Jesus, is referenced in the New Testament. Our responsibility is the same: He is our LORD, we must reverence and follow Him.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

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