MARCH 23

Hope’s Purifying Work

Bible Reading: 1 John 3:1-5

I got a haircut a few days ago.  The beautician at the beauty shop did a great job, especially considering what she had to work with!  I was reading the other day about the “beauty shop visit” of Queen Esther who was being prepared to see King Ahasuerus.  Her makeover lasted twelve months, and involved “beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments!”  Holy Makeover!  But then again one’s got to be ready before going to see the King!

We are so blessed to be called the children of God (1 John 3:1)!  But as long as we are in this world we are out of place. The day is coming when we will be presented to Jesus, Our King!  “What we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

This confident expectation of seeing Jesus, now works to motivate and instruct us towards holiness.  Jesus spoke of his preparatory work regarding his church this way: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).  How much time and effort is directed towards preparing a bride for her wedding day?  Jesus is even now working to prepare his bride, the church, for her presentation to him.  So, the church works towards this purpose, even as its members exercise their gifts that they “might grow up in every way into him” (Ephesians 4:15).  

Salvation is in three tenses.  The believer has been justified (past tense), is being sanctified (present tense), and will be glorified (future tense).  How wonderful this sanctifying work of Jesus, whereby he takes us from where we were, dead in our trespasses and sins, and works to transform us into Christlikeness!  It is the ultimate of makeovers.  It is a work of the Spirit, as he mediates the presence of Christ to us, in us, and through us.  Through the renewing of our minds, and as we put off sin and put on Christlikeness, he works to transform us “from one degree of glory to another” (Ephesians 4:22-24; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change us (John 17:17). “The Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword” and is able to discern “the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16).  Those who hope in him pay attention to the Word–hearing it, reading it, studying it, memorizing it, meditating upon it, doing it–that the Spirit might work a powerful, transforming change in us!

People pursue earthly hopes, like fame and fortune, with an amazing degree of effort and determination.  How much more should the certain hope of seeing Jesus work to motivate the believer in the pursuit of holiness!  All three members of the Triune God have worked and are working towards that goal in our lives!  We’ve been saved to that purpose.  The Spirit of God now works within us, towards that end.  We’ve been well-provisioned–in the Word, in prayer, and in the fellowship of believers–that we might be purified as we look to our glorious union with Christ!  There’s no more virtuous purpose! We do well to pursue it with renewed Spirit-led enthusiasm!  

John Angell James, “the very contemplation of heaven, in which hope indulges—has a transforming power…Oh, the unworthiness that is in me! Not only the sins I have committed and still commit, but the evil nature, the unworthiness in me, all these things which I have to mortify. There is so much to be done, and time is uncertain. We do not have a moment to spare or to waste. We may find ourselves with Him, facing Him, at any moment!”  

What You are Looking for will Determine What you are Living For

Heavenly Father. How incredibly blessed we are to be called Your children! We once were children of wrath, but now we are objects of Your love. We were once lost in sin, but now we’ve been forgiven and empowered by the Spirit to walk in newness of life. You’ve availed to us everything needful that we might put off sin and put on Christlikeness. Forgive us for our inattentiveness to Your rich provisions. Though we don’t now know what we shall be, the day is coming when we will, having been glorious transformed to be like You! May this present hope in our future destiny work to motivate us in the pursuit of holiness, that we might be pure even as You are pure. Amen.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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