The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Kings 18:1-8, “Now it came about in the third year of Hoshea, the son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah became king.
2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.
3 He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done.
4 He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan (the name of Moses’ bronze serpent). He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him.
6 For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.
7 And the LORD was with him; wherever he went he prospered. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
8 He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.”

The Scriptures are literally filled, almost to overflowing, with those who served the LORD and were blessed, along with those who served themselves and were punished! Once again I will quote the truism: “You can’t do wrong and get by!”

Hezekiah (mentioned in verse one) was only 25 years old when he became king.
“He did right in the sight of the LORD,” as he followed the pattern of his father David. Note well that 25 is the minimum age required for one to serve in the Congress of the United States (U. S. Constitution – Art. 1, Sect. 2). It’s one thing to know what is right, quite another to do what we know to be right. Perhaps we’ve failed to note the difference between “knowing” and “doing.”

Yet, even if we do right in the sight of the LORD, we must believe that He will bless what we do because we’re honoring Him in the doing. It is my firm belief that the LORD will bless the United States if we honorably support Israel in her warfare with nations set to thoroughly destroy her!

According to the passage before us, we can count on the blessings of the LORD only when we’re trusting in Him! It’s not an age-factor; it’s a belief-factor. At my age, my life is encumbered with far more things than when I was a child. Oh, I worried as a child, but about things like whether our ball game would be delaid, as clouds were gathering for what looked like rain. Big stuff, it was to a kild.

Today, I look at our nation’s leadership and those ball games don’t seem to be that important. Even adults suffer from that syndrome. We concern ourselves with “things” that (as my grandmother used to say) “…don’t amount to a hill of beans.” Truth be told, we had better get right with the LORD or we may lose our nation.

It all begins with you and me. I pray for our nation and her leaders. But, I pray for myself, too, not being willing to align myself with those who seem without care for what happens to our nation. Currently, we have some truly Christian leaders in our Congress. They need our prayers. But, we’re in no position to pray for them until we are straight with the LORD ourselves. Do you know Him? You’re not the help our nation needs, until you yield totally in faith to Him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
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,

Genesis 20:1-7, “Now Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; then he sojourned in Gerar.
2 Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, ‘Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.’
4 Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, ‘Lord, will You slay a nation, even though blameless?
5 ‘Did he not himself say to me, “She is my sister”? And she herself said, “He is my brother.” In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.’
6 Then God said to him in the dream, ‘Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.
7 ’Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.’”

If you were raised in a home like mine, the cardinal sin was lying! I learned it first from my parents, being taught it as a cardinal truth from the Scriptures. I was a “normal” kid in other respects, too; so I’m not endeavoring to convince anyone that my “rank” as a kid was above my peers. I had my share of “knocks and scrapes,” as much as anyone. But, I did not lie –to my parents or grandparents or teachers or anyone! I knew better.

Abraham knew better, too, when he lied to Abimelech. In fact, he involved Sarah, in the deception, when he convinced her to say that she was his sister instead of his wife. Truth be told, Sarah was both! Still, it was a deception, and deceptions are lies.

There are added reasons why we should not lie. Inevitably, the truth will prevail, leaving us with “egg on our faces.” This does nothing to enhance us or the situation that is involved. Also, lying rarely ceases with one untruth. A good attorney (or the like) could soon reveal our attempt at deception, and our reputation would, thereafter, always be in doubt.

As Christians, we should always espouse truthfulness. It is valid to say that there are things we know (or think we know) that should never be told, lest they damage the reputation of another person. But, following the directives of the LORD should always supercede others in our reasonings
regarding truth. Remember: “Always tell the truth and you won’t have to remember anything.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Genesis 32:24-29, “Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
25 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.
26 Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.’ But he said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’
27 So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’
28 He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.’
29 Then Jacob asked him and said, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And he blessed him there.”

Jacob had played the game; now, it was time to count his losses. Esau had been tricked by his brother, and word had come that Esau was en route to meet Jacob. What can Jacob do?

Weary as he was, Jacob laid down to rest. He was about to lay his head on a rock, as if it were a pillow, when an angel challenged him by wrestling. And the angel asked, “What is your name?” So, Jacob told him, “My name is Jacob.” But the angel said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and men and
have prevaled.”

The brothers’ response is left for telling in the 33rd chapter of Genesis. All was well when the two brothers ultimately met. It’s safe to say that neither of the brothers wanted to fight. The LORD had prospered both of them, and they were ignoring the differences that had once encumbered their thoughts.

We have similar situations that challenge us. There are those with whom we are not that close. We are often fearful as we anticipate meeting those we’ve not seen for a considerable time. We may not agree with their positions on important matters. What are we to do? Remember that wrestling match? The LORD will prevail.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Numbers 32:8-12, “We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance.
19 “For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.”
20 So Moses said to them, “If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,
22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.
23 ‘But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.’”

I truly have no prejudice, unless there is an honest wrong within the other party. Having witnessed the testimonies of true, Christian believers from Iran, it is difficult to want to see Iran destroyed. At the same time, I am confident that most of the Israelis are not Christians; therefore, it is difficult to want to see Israel in the seat of trouble.

In reality then, although I favor and pray for Israel because they are the LORD’s people, I have witnessed as clearly as possible the salvation experiences of some Iranians. Thus, I am required to continue to pray for Israel, and I pray for believers in Christ, who are opposed to Israel.

I say that to say that Moses was undoubtedly somewhat confused when a portion of Israel did not want to cross the Jordan at Kadesh-barnea and fight along with their fellowmen. They liked the land on the Kadesh-barnea side of the Jordan and wanted simply to stay where they were.

Still, the LORD had apportioned their land as on the other side of the Jordan River. Moses is the LORD’s leader; but what is he to do?

Of all the things that I despise,
The foremost one is compromise.

Ultimately, Moses persuaded those, who wanted to remain in Kadesh-barnea, to first cross the Jordan, fight with their fellow countrymen; and then, return to Kadesh-barnea and live there.

There are times the LORD’s people have to compromise. To refuse to ever compromise is like saying that you’re always right; and we know that’s not true. Still, sometimes the line that separates right from wrong is very, very thin. Pastors are used to viewing problems from more than one perspective; so, if you are contemplating what to do, visit with your pastor. Just be prayerful and share everything with him. He will be confidential. Just trust him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Acts 2:16-21, “…this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
17 ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;
18 EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.
19 ‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
20 ‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME.
21 ‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’”

You don’t have to be an acclaimed genius or possess a Ph.D. to see and understand that the whole world is in a mess. The word “disagree” fits well with most people, regardless of the subject matter. Politics, religion, law and a host of other matters – are all subject to disagreements.

Theology, too, has it’s protagonists and its antagonists on just about every conceivable aspect one might draw from the Bible. Ministers of various religions differ widely on biblical teachings. Many ministers –even some who hold tenaciously to long time biblical truths– are being relieved of their pulpit positions due to moral issue that date well into their past histories.

Are not all of these atrocious matters prevalent in our own time? Indeed they are! And the demons of Hell shout for joy when those of the “Christian faith” fall prey to such Satanic beliefs and pleasures!

How then is mankind to discern truth from error? The Holy Scriptures depict truth from error. And the Holy Scriptures, having filled the lives of repentant men, work to construct lives that pattern the LORD Jesus!

One day (perhaps not as far in the future, as we might think), He will notify us all to give an account of the stewardship of our lives — to Him. How prepared we are for this “accounting,” lies squarely in whether our lives are truly His! Be ready! That Accounting Day is closer than we think.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

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