The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 14:1-6, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

4 “And you know the way where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

If you’re of sufficient age to remember World War II, you may remember hearing the Andrews Sisters sing, “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile.” The song was obviously sung to heighten the spirits of the military, as well as those who remained home and prayed for their sons’ and daughters’ safe return.

There were (and are) songs that speak to us of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins. My bias may show through, but there are numerous songs that are seldom sung that speak of both His death and His resurrection—songs that heighten our spirits as we remember His words, “I will come again.” (v. 3).

It is quite certain that there were those in John’s day who were sorrowful concerning His death. The men on the Road to Emmaus number among them. It was understandably difficult for them to hear Jesus say, “I will come again.” Oh, they believed Him, but just the thought of losing Him for a brief time was sorrowful. We experience the same “emptiness” when we lose someone.

The most exciting words that bring us out of the doldrums come from Jesus: “I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (v. 3). We have every reason to be excited! Every reason, if we have repented of our sins and committed our lives to Jesus Christ. While we are here, it is our obligation to encourage others to put their faith in Him as well!

We don’t have all the answers, but He does! And, as we are with our little ones, He will unpack the answers for us as we need to know and understand them!

Keep a good thought! And keep looking up!

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,

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Many New Jersey residents are currently concerned about the drones that are flying in the sky at night above their homes. Officials in government have been contacted, but to date have feigned ignorance of the whereabouts of the drones’ origin. Were such occurrences sighted in the air above your house or mine, we would be concerned, too!

What is of much greater concern, however, is the above Scripture that alerts us to the LORD’s Coming in the sky to receive His people into Heaven itself.

Sadly enough, there are those on earth today who have absolutely no knowledge of who Jesus is, much less of why He will be coming in the sky.

The Apostle Paul declared the truth of Christ’s coming in the passage above. Quite specifically, Paul notes that 1) Jesus died and arose again; 2) that He will be coming to gather together His own (i.e., those who have been spiritually born again by trusting Him as their LORD and Savior). Believers will then be taken to Heaven where they will ever and always be with the LORD.

Let me encourage you to read again the verses at the beginning of this letter.

Jesus will soon be coming for those who have trusted Him. Being “saved” is not a matter of baptism or membership in a particular church. It is totally a matter of faith, a matter of trust in the LORD Jesus Christ.

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk. 21:28). Are you trusting Him? Are you sharing Him with others? Time is quickly running out.

Heartily in Christ,

(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,

I Chronicles 16:30-35, “Tremble before Him, all the earth; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains; let the field exult, and all that is in it.

33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD; for He is coming to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.

35 Then say, “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise.”

It is exceedingly doubtful that by the time this letter goes to press, our government will have learned who is flying those drones over the State of New Jersey. Whoever is responsible and for whatever reason, there are numerous people who are trembling over the situation.

While it is not our purpose to tease or revile anyone for what may be a far more serious situation than anyone knows, there is a far greater reason for trembling. Our world’s population should and will one day tremble exceedingly before the LORD! He is coming to judge the world!

While judgment is generally greeted with fear and trembling, those who are “born again” and are ready to meet Him will “sing for joy before the LORD.” They will sing, “O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting!”

The Question of the Hour is: “Are You Ready for His Coming?” Have you confessed your sins and humbly asked for His forgiveness? This is the most vital aspect of life. It is precisely why He came to Bethlehem and ultimately went to the Cross. He is worshipped because He alone is able to save us. The words above say, “Save us, O God of our salvation.”

He is the ultimate One against whom we have sinned; thus, He is the only One who can forgive sin and receive us into His heavenly home.

Let me know if I can help you. I came to know Him when I was just a lad. Age is not a factor; knowing Him is what truly counts!

Heartily in Christ,

(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,

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day;

6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

7 A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you.

8 You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.

Whatever difficulties we might encounter (and there are plenty of difficulties in life!), the LORD is our only hope of divesting them! The Psalmist views Him as a shelter, a refuge, a fortress, a shield. We are to view Him as our shelter and refuge, too.

Terror, destruction, pestilence, darkness—all take aim at us for their ignominious purposes. Yet, the LORD is our shelter! Our faith rests ever and only in Him.

So, when the waters are rough and the winds blow against us, we can know that He is our “refuge and strength—a very present help in time of trouble” (Psa. 46:1). So, always be of good cheer!

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,

John 14:1-7, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

4 “And you know the way where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

While troubles abound throughout the world, peace is available to reign in our hearts. Many have been rescued from impending disasters through the sheer will that would not surrender to defeat.

Here the apostle John advocates the one aspect that will deliver us from fear: don’t give in to trouble! Trouble will reign in our hearts and minds only if we permit it. Solomon admonished us correctly when he said,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He

will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the

LORD and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your body And refreshment

to your bones” (Prov. 3:5-8).

Isaiah encourages us when he says,

“Trust in the LORD forever,

For in GOD the LORD, we have

an everlasting Rock” (Isa. 26:4).

What more do we need than He has already promised?

Heartily in Christ,

(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