DIVINELY DELIVERED

June 26

Bible Reading: Acts 5:17-26

Acts 5:19, “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.’ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.”

In one of the most notorious of jailbreaks, three prisoners escaped from what was supposed to be America’s most inescapable prison, Alcatraz, in San Francisco in 1962.  This, despite the prisoners being subjected to 12 guard checks every day.  The trio used decoy heads for their beds, made of soap and plaster that fooled guards into thinking they were in their cells. They escaped through a kitchen smokestack and strung 50 raincoats together to make a raft.

We read of many jailbreaks in the book of Acts.  Unlike the escape from Alcatraz, the apostles were innocent of any wrongdoing and they didn’t escape on their own.  It was Satan himself, working through the religious leaders, who locked them up.  But they were divinely called to bear witness to Jesus, so God sent an angel of the Lord to break them out of jail.  Once released, they returned to the temple and followed the angel’s instructions, speaking “to the people the words of this life” (Acts 4:20).  The “captain of the temple and the chief priests” were greatly perplexed by how their prisoners had escaped (Acts 4:24).

There is a real devil, and he’d love to keep us all bound by chains.  We are all born sinners and, as sinners, we are born to slavery.  Sin is a harsh taskmaster, and freedom is an elusive dream.  Life in the jailhouse of Satan’s domain of darkness is full of misery and hopelessness.  How beautiful the day, then, when the “light shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).  God worked to “deliver us from the domain of darkness (transferring) us to the kingdom of his beloved son” (Colossians 1:13).  We’ve been set free!  Set free from sin!  Set free to know and love Jesus!  Set free to serve!  Set free to share with others “the words of this life” (Acts 4:20).

As a new student at seminary, I joined the choir.  I can still remember the words to that first song we learned: “To all who are tortured and ravaged by sin. The frail and the wounded about to give in.  There’s news of release and captivity’s end. We’ve been set free, Come and See.” God worked to break us out of prison.  Now we’ve got a message to share with others!

“Come And See, the power of sin has been broken. The gates of your prisons stand open, Come And See!”

COME AND SEE
To all who are tortured and ravaged by sin
The frail and the wounded about to give in
There’s news of release and captivity’s end
We’ve been set free, Come And See

Oh sleeper awake, come out of the night
Throw open the door and step into the light
For sin is undone and the wrong is made right
We’ve been set free, Come And See

Chorus
Come And See, the power of sin has been broken
The gates of your prisons stand open, Come And See
Arise, believe, for the power at work both to rescue and save
Is the power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave
We’ve been set free, Come And See

I, too, lived in slavery, unmercifully bound
Battered and broken, I finally knelt down
And there in obedience freedom was found, I’ve been set free
And now through the dungeons of darkness and night
I run in the freedom of liberty’s light
And shout to the captives, ”Oh prisoners take flight
We’ve been set free, Come and See” [Chorus]

If the enemy’s holding a knife to your chest
Demanding you give up or die
In Christ crucified you’ve already died
And now you are free [Chorus]

Artist: Steve Green; Songwriters: David Huntsinger, Jon Mohr, Bonnie Huntsinger

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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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