THE GRACE OF GOD

December 26

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10

In her eighty-some years, she had never attended church or read the Bible. A bit rough around the edges, she had a sharp sense of humor, and I grew to enjoy our visits. Her awareness of her imminent death sparked an interest in spiritual matters. Though her vision was poor, I bought her a Giant Print Bible, and she began reading the Gospel of John. During one of our early visits, she asks, “With so many religions, how can a person know which one is right?” From then on, we discussed Jesus and the salvation offered by grace through faith. This, I explained, is where the difference lies—salvation is by God’s grace, not by works. Praise the Lord!

A. W. Tozer beautifully defines grace as “the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits on the undeserving.” Grace is inherent in God’s nature, leading Him to pity the wretched, spare the guilty, and favor the outcast. For us sinful humans, it is through grace that we are saved, brought into favor with God, and seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:7).

Theologians distinguish between common grace, which benefits all of humanity, and special grace, which is given to believers. Common grace includes blessings like rain, sun, and the restraint of evil, while special grace is unveiled in the salvation of sinners. Grace, central to Biblical Christianity, appears over 150 times in the New Testament, and is generally defined as “unmerited favor.”

Ephesians 2:1-3 explained how unmerited we were—spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and children of wrath. But through God’s favor, we are saved. Ephesians 1:3-14 highlights the abundant blessings we receive in Christ, all done to the “praise of the glory of His grace” (Ephesians 1:6).

God’s grace is always superlative—Jesus was “full of grace” (John 1:14), and from His fullness, we receive “grace upon grace” (John 1:16). God is rich in grace (Ephesians 2:7), with abundance to spare (Romans 5:17). We are invited to His throne of grace to receive mercy and help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). There is no shortage of grace with God (2 Corinthians 9:8). How incredibly blessed we are by grace! Praise the Lord!

“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”– Jerry Bridges

AMAZING GRACE

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.

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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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