THE MASTER’S VOICE

March 7

Bible Reading: John 10:19-27

John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

The headline described the tragedy this way: “450 sheep leap to their deaths in Turkey.”  The article explained what happened.  In July 2005, in the Turkish village of Gevas, one sheep went over the cliff, enticing nearly fifteen hundred others to follow.  By the time 450 died, the pile of sheep carcasses at the bottom of the cliff grew large enough to cushion the fall for the rest.  Hundreds of sheep died.  It was a heartbreaking loss for the 26 families, each possessing, on average, 20 sheep.  Collectively, they lost about $100,000 worth of sheep.

What were those sheep thinking?  They weren’t!  They were sheep doing a stupid thing, something sheep are prone to do.  Their experience reminds us that we humans are prone to sheep-like behavior, walking on a broad path that leads to destruction, lest God intervene to put us on a better and safer path (Matthew 7:13-14). 

Their experience also begs the question, “Who are we listening to?”  We’ve choices in the matter.  We can listen to ourselves, or we can listen to what others tell us to think or do.  One sheep jumped, and all the rest did the same!  Or we can listen to the Good Shepherd who came to rescue us from ourselves and lead us in a better way and to a better place.

How precious, then, are ears tuned to listen and respond to the Master’s voice? One cannot work to improve their own spiritual hearing.  There are no hearing aids on earth that can avail such a blessing!  It is Jesus alone who can restore a wayward sheep to His flock and grant them ears tuned to His voice (1 Peter 2:25).  The book of Revelation speaks of the unveiling of Christ in his return.  Much trouble is soon to visit this planet.  In that context we are reminded of how important it is to have ears to hear: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3)!

It is a distinguishing characteristic of those that belong to Christ that they possess ears to hear His voice and hearts to follow His lead. Do you have ears tuned to hear the Master’s Voice?  Praise God for that!  Blessed are those who hear!

“Follow Christ, not the crowd.”

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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