PART OF THE PLAN

June 14

Bible Reading: Acts 3:21-26

Acts 3:24, “And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.”

Sometimes people speak of being a part of something that is bigger than yourself.  Typically, they are referring to a group or movement or cause of some kind.  While it can be a good thing to be a part of something like that, there is nothing bigger than being a part of God’s plan and nothing that bear’s more weight for eternity.

Peter’s purpose in his sermon was to direct the hearts of the people to Jesus.  He spoke both of Jesus’ identity and His work, and how Jesus did all He did to He provide for salvation.  It was important for Peter’s Jewish listeners to realize that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, so Peter reached back thousands of years to covenants and prophets in making his case. 

Jesus is the prophet that Moses had prophesied about many centuries earlier.  Moses had commanded that the Jews listen to the prophet who would come after him (Deuteronomy 18:15).  For century after century, that prophecy stood seemingly abandoned, but then came Jesus.  Long before that prophecy, God made a covenant with Abraham regarding a land, a nation, and a blessing.  God brought the people to the land, and He chose them to be a nation, but the blessing part lay waiting for fulfillment.  It was an audacious promise — “And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Acts 3:25) — but Jesus, the “offspring,” worked through the cross to facilitate that amazing promise!

In calling upon the people to believe, Peter was calling them not just to salvation, but to be a part of something bigger than themselves—God’s plan for the ages!  And it’s no different today than it was back then.  Nations and causes and movements and such will all one day cease, but Jesus is forever and so is His church.  You are there in that promise made to Abraham nearly four thousand years ago, of which Peter spoke. God planned for you long before you were born, and His plans reach unto heaven’s eternity!

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—Jeremiah 29:11

O, GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!

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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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