December 3
Bible Reading: Acts 28:7-10
Acts 28:9, “And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.”
God is sovereign over the affairs of our lives. Nothing occurs by accident, and by God’s design “it happened” that the father of the chief man of the island of Malta became seriously ill. Being an apostle, the Apostle Paul, was gifted with the “signs of a true apostle” (2 Corinthians 12:12). Thereby gifted, Paul healed the man. The term “healed” translates a Greek term that usually speaks of an instantaneous healing. Paul was not the source of the miracle, only the vehicle through which God supernaturally worked.
Through Paul, God did a miracle in the immediate healing of Publius’ father. As a result, others flocked to the scene to receive medical help. I’ve seen a similar thing on my trips to Uganda. The medical folks who accompanied us would set up a clinic and folks would line up day-after-day to get help.
The text speaks of how these other folks were “cured,” a different Greek term than the one found in verse 8. The term here speaks of recovering to health. Instead of a miraculous healing, these folks received medical assistance, likely at the hands of Luke, the physician who was accompanying Paul. The latter term is broad enough to include the more vital restoration of the soul that is made possible only through the gospel.
Different kinds of healings are spoken of in our text. Though God can miraculously heal anyone at any time, it’s not always His will to do so. A lack of such healing is not indicative of some hidden sin or lack of faith or any such thing. Alleged healers have confused and harmed the faith of lots of folks. Joni Eareckson Tada, paralyzed as a teenager, longed for physical healing. Despite attending a healing conference in Washington DC, no physical healings occurred, leaving her discouraged and bitter. But later, when she cried out to Jesus for help, she found a deeper healing from sin (Psalm 139:23-24). For decades since she has testified to Jesus’ ability to grant such healing to those who look to Him!
Sometimes healing is instantaneous, as with Publius’ father. More often, it takes time to heal under the watchful care of a competent physician. In all cases, be it physical or spiritual, healing is ultimately from the hands of the Great Physician!
The One who made us has the power to mend us!
THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD
Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again. Refrain
If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus
and say, “He died for all.” Refrain
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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