DO WHAT HE SAYS

January 9

Bible Reading: John 2:1-12

John 2:5, “Do whatever he tells you.”

A neighbor of our church called, asking if I would visit as he had some questions for me. I thought I knew him fairly well (though he didn’t attend our church), but what he shared with me came as a big shock. He had tried to kill himself and he was wondering if his attempt at suicide constituted an unforgiveable sin. He had experienced a stroke earlier that year, the pain and disability had been too much for him, so he had tried unsuccessfully to end his life. We spent some time talking about sin and Jesus and salvation. He had something on his mind. He showed me a family picture that was hanging on the wall in another room. He pointed to an aged black-and-white photo of his big family, his mom and dad, and all his siblings, and talked about how his mom had been a fine Christian lady, insisting that they attend church every Sunday. Then he said something that has stuck with me to this day: “I should have listened to my mother.” You could sense the stinging regret in his matter-of-fact statement. His health was failing. He was estranged from his daughter and his son lived far away. Having struggled with alcohol for most of his life, he was reflecting on how things might have turned out differently if he’d heeded his mom’s advice. If only he had done as she’d said!

The context of our passage is the miracle in which Jesus turned water into wine.  Mary told the servants that they should, “Do whatever he tells you.”  She knew, no doubt from experience, that Jesus had the power to fix things.  If they simply followed Jesus’ instructions, then everything would go according to plan, and He would resolve the problem of the embarrassing lack of wine.

But our phrase, “do whatever Jesus tells you,” holds wisdom beyond its immediate context, befitting of that which we find elsewhere in Scripture. There can be no better counsel! We could avoid many of our troubles if we simply listened to Jesus. Of course, it’s not that easy. To heed Jesus, we need Jesus. The first thing necessary is to believe in Him unto salvation. John elsewhere put it this way: “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us (1 John 3:23). Not only can He forgive us of our sins, but He can also give us ears to hear and hearts to obey. “Do whatever he tells you!” That’s a great formula for regret-free living!

Jesus alone can forgive us our sins and give us hearts to obey.

TRUST AND OBEY
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]

But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]

Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [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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