APRIL 24

Loving without Expectations 

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:46, 10:8; Luke 14:12-14

“Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8b).

As many of you know, I’ve made many trips to Uganda working with Hope and Mercy Mission.  It’s been a tremendous privilege to be a part of the amazing work God is doing in that region of the country. Mission teams of folks from churches on both coasts of America have ventured there many times to assist pastors and churches in the region and God has worked through them to do incredible things.  Early on in my involvement in that work, I was hesitant to keep asking for funds from our church family for our repeated visits.  I questioned whether the people would tire of my repeated appeals or if we could afford it. But I didn’t understand or appreciate the extent of God’s readiness to provide through His people.  Ultimately our church in Astoria spent many tens of thousands of dollars in supporting that ministry.  But we never lacked for funds.  In fact, our church finances prospered as we expended resources in that missionary endeavor.  Donations would come right on time and from unexpected places, as God’s people demonstrated an eagerness to assist their impoverished brethren on the other side of the world.  The churches involved would work to send many suitcases full of provisions for the folks over there–books, t-shirts, dresses, eyeglasses, gifts and candies for children, pens and pencils and notebooks, medical supplies, and all sorts of other needed items.  Hope and Mercy Mission would buy boxes of Ugandan Bibles to distribute to the many churches involved over there.  It was always quite an undertaking to unpack and sort through all the suitcases of supplies when we finally arrived in the village.  We knew that on the other side of those gifts we’d witness the overflowing gratitude of our Ugandan friends.

God was working through His people to lovingly provide and assist their brethren in a far away place, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve witnessed in my life.  All those folks gave in Jesus’ name, sacrificing their time, effort, and finances, to help folks that they’d never seen and who would never be able to pay them back. God’s love is like that.  He freely gives and calls us to freely give as we’ve freely received.

How incredibly blessed we are as believers in Christ! Indeed, we are the recipients of “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).  In “lavishing upon us” the riches of His grace, God has filled our cups to overflowing (Ephesians 1:8).  All three persons of the Triune God have had a part in this.  The Father has chosen and adopted us; the Son has redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, and enriched us; and the Spirit has sealed us, thus serving as a guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:4-14).  How has this happened for you?  What did you do to deserve these incredible blessings?  The answer is, of course, is that you’ve done nothing to merit any of that which you have received (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 4:7).  These blessings have freely come to you entirely by the grace of God–simply because God is who He is.  Indeed, everything pertaining to your salvation, from that moment of saving faith until you are taken home to glory, has been freely given to you.  Indeed, you and I have freely received!!!

It is in the nature of God’s children to love as they have been loved (Ephesians 5:1-2).  Jesus has saved us that we may “become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). He’s made a radical change in us.  The world loves, but according to the rules of its barter system approach, in which love is shown with the expectation of receiving something in return.  God’s love is something far more glorious in that it flows from His heart, it comes with no demands or expectations.  The child of God is Spirit-led and empowered to love in like manner–whether it be love shown to an enemy or a stranger or to friend–to love without expectations is a part of what it means to love like Jesus.  

Freely You Have Received, Freely Give

Father.  Praise You and Thank You for the incredible blessings You’ve bestowed on me according to the riches of Your grace.  I was so incredibly lost in sin, but then You intervened.  I had hoped for forgiveness, but by Your grace You’ve blessed me in an exceeding, abundant, beyond all I could ask or think manner!  In lavishing Your grace upon me, You’ve filled my cup to overflowing.  Thank You that it’s in Your nature to give like that!  Forgive me for my sinful tendency to hold on to things as I do. Change my heart, Lord, and open my eyes to the glory of Your love and Your ways.  Grant that I might walk according to the example of Jesus, who said it is more blessed to give than to receive. From Your hands I’ve received infinite blessings, may my heart and my hands be ever glad to freely pass them on to others.  In Jesus’ name.  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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