THE GOD WHO SAVES

APRIL 4

Psalm 68

Psalm 68:20, “To God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.”

There have been several occasions in my life when I narrowly escaped death, thanks to someone intervening to save me. One such incident occurred when I was a boy and fell into the Little Deschutes River. Hearing my mom’s frantic cries, my dad rushed into the water and pulled me to safety, preventing me from drowning. Another time, I was riding on the handlebars of my uncle’s bike—definitely not the wisest choice—and we crashed, with me landing headfirst on the pavement. Covered in blood, my uncle feared the worst, but managed to get me to my grandma’s house, where I received care.

While these deliverances by human hands saved me physically, there are other forms of death that only God can address. The term “death” means separation, and in this sense, there are various kinds of dying. Spiritual death refers to separation from God due to sin. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, a consequence of original sin that introduced death into the human experience. Eternal death is the most tragic and sever, as it involves separation from God for all eternity. Only the Lord has the power to deliver from both spiritual and eternal death!

As a hospice chaplain, I’ve witnessed the dying process of dozens of individuals. When their physical condition has advanced beyond the point of human intervention, it is left to our hospice team to provide compassionate care to both them and their families. My role is to build a connection, offering comfort and hope as much as possible. Though death approaches, there is still hope in the Lord, who died for sins and rose from the dead.  The Apostle Paul’s final words reflect this hope: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” He is able to bring life to those spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1,5) and deliver those who trust in Him from eternal death (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).  Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead to save us, and that salvation from sin is all encompassing—from sin’s penalty, sin’s power, and one day from sin’s presence.  Indeed, He is the God who saves!

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.”—Hebrews 7:25

Application questions: God is the one who saves!  Have you trusted in Jesus for salvation?  Thank Him for His saving work and keep trusting Him to finish the work He started in 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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