AUGUST 8

By the Spirit

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:9, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

Galatians 3:1-3, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

Every born-again believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God.  As a result of hearing the gospel and responding with faith, a person receives the Spirit. Yet, receiving the Spirit is only the start of the Believer’s ongoing relationship of dependency on the Spirit. 

The church in Galatia had a problem.  Paul had preached the gospel to those folks.  Some believed, and a church was born.  But then the church was infiltrated by individuals who falsely taught that one’s salvation depended on the keeping of the law.  Being thus deceived, the church foolishly departed from its Spirit-led beginnings, to venture off on a faulty flesh-driven detour. Paul’s admonishment of the Galatians reminds us of a sad reality: we humans tend to gravitate towards a works-based approach to salvation.  We pridefully assume we have what it takes in ourselves to do (and not do) what is required of us.  Yet we don’t have what it takes.  We need Jesus as much now as we did when we first trusted in Him.  We need the Spirit in the same way.  The Christian life is not about trying harder to be better, it is about walking in yieldedness to, and dependence on, the Spirit.

Let me attempt to illustrate.  Some years ago, we took our two-year-old grandson to the Portland Zoo.  If you’ve ever been there, you know how big it is and how many exhibits there are.  Plus, there’s the little train to ride—he loved that!  To help visitors, signs are posted everywhere directing them in which way to go.  In addition, a map is provided showing where the differing animal exhibits can be found.  Now imagine if we had brought our two-year-old grandson to the entrance of the zoo and dropped him off.  Here you go, son, we’ve brought you to the zoo, now it’s up to you to find your way.  That’d be akin to child abandonment because he’d never make it.  He’d get lost and get weary and who knows what would have happened?

The Christian life is not easy.  It is by a miracle of God’s grace that God takes us, radically depraved as we were, and delivers us one day into glory. It’d be impossible for any of us to navigate this journey, or persevere through life’s challenges apart from the indwelling work of the Spirit of God. At the beginning of your salvation, you were born again of the Spirit.  The Spirit came and took up residence in your heart.  You began your Christian life through the Spirit, so you are to walk with Him now.  You need Him now as much as you did when you first received Him!  Every moment of every day, He is guiding you.  Always directing your heart and thoughts Christ-ward—leading, teaching and empowering.  Having begun by the Spirit, one can only be perfected by the Spirit, and to attempt to do otherwise is foolhardy!

I SURRENDER ALL

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine. [Refrain]

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me. [Refrain]

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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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