ONE MAN’S SUCCESS

November 29

Bible Reading: Acts 27:39-44

Acts 27:44, “And so it was that all were brought safely to land.”

What is true success? Success is often defined by the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. From a purely human perspective, the voyage described in Acts 27 could be considered an utter failure. The goal was to bring the ship and its cargo safely to its destination. However, due to a violent storm, the cargo was jettisoned, and the ship itself was wrecked.

But how should we measure success? What seemed like a victory for the devil in Jesus’ death on the cross was, in reality, his ultimate defeat, as Jesus triumphed through the resurrection. God has a remarkable way of flipping the script, turning what seems like a bad ending into something good (Romans 8:28). Any understanding of success that fails to include God’s involvement is flawed and short-sighted. By one measure, the voyage was a failure, but by another, it was a success.

Though the ship was doomed to crash, Paul’s presence aboard made all the difference. Ultimately, it was God who preserved the lives of everyone on board, but He worked through Paul to accomplish this. Paul trusted God amid the storm. He prayed for the safety of his shipmates, and God answered his prayers (Acts 27:24).

Paul remained faithful to the task God had given him. Even amidst the chaos, he continued to trust in Jesus, to love Jesus, and to serve Jesus. God measures success in terms of faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2). It is by this standard that Paul would ultimately consider his life successful (2 Timothy 4:7).

Paul’s faithfulness benefited others. There’s a saying that goes, “When in trouble and in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.” While some aboard the ship panicked, Paul remained calm and resolute. He continued to trust Jesus and showed genuine care for those around him. Everyone on that ship was better off because Paul was on board. Although he wasn’t a sailor and lacked navigational experience, Paul was in direct communication with the One who rules over the seas.

Life is both precious and unpredictable. We are here on earth for a brief time, and we are called to “make the best use of the time” (Ephesians 5:16). True success in life, then, equates to being faithful, in one’s walk with Jesus, to do that which He has given to do. When we are faithful, others will inevitably benefit.

We do not know what happened to Paul’s fellow shipmates after the shipwreck. However, it’s reasonable to assume that some—if not many—were encouraged by Paul’s example to turn to Jesus for salvation. No matter our circumstances, we’ve opportunity to bear witness to Jesus. In fact, it’s often amid life’s storms that our witness to Him becomes even more powerful.

“Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God’s plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins…He comes in and takes the calamity and uses it victoriously, working out his wonderful plan of love.” –Eric Liddell

SO SEND I YOU
So send I you to labour unrewarded
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown
To bear rebuke, ot suffer scorn and scoffing
So send I you to toil for Me alone

So send I you to bind the bruised and broken
Over wandering souls to work, to weep, to wake
To bear the burdens of a world a-weary
So send I you to suffer for My sake

So send I you to loneliness and longing
With hart a-hungering for the loved and known
Forsaking kin and kindred, friend and dear one
So send I you to know My love alone

So send I you to leave your life’s ambition
To die to dear desire, self-will resign
To labour long, and love where men revile you
So send I you to lose you life in Mine

So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred
To eyes made blind because they will not see
To spend, though it be blood to spend and spare not
So send I you to taste of Calvary

“As the Father hath sent me, so send I you”

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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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