WRITING DEVOTIONALS: How It All Began—and Where It’s Led

Back in 2012, while serving as pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church, I began writing devotionals for our church family. We had encouraged everyone to join a “Read Through the New Testament in a Year” plan—one chapter a day, five days a week. It’s a simple plan that takes you through all 260 chapters in a year.

Pastoral responsibilities—and a trip to Uganda—kept me from writing a devotional for every chapter that first year. But in 2014, I was able to finish the project. I printed several copies and took them with me to Uganda to share with English-speaking pastors.

After Laura and I moved to Heppner, I revised and posted those devotionals to my blog, looking2jesus.blog. I also shared them with our church family here, along with other friends and churches. That early effort led to further devotional writing—on Acts and Psalms, and on topics like the attributes of God, prayer, the Word of God, and the books of Colossians and Philippians.

Each devotional was written with a commitment to remain faithful to God’s Word. Some explore key doctrinal truths. Others include illustrations drawn from my own life—whether from my years in pastoral ministry, short-term missions in Uganda, service as a hospice chaplain, or Laura’s cancer journey. You’ll also find hymn stories, testimonies of conversion, and short biographical sketches of missionaries and spiritual leaders.

Most of the books follow a consistent and approachable format: a key Bible verse, a devotional narrative, a summary quote, and questions for personal reflection or group discussion. This structure is intended to make the devotionals both engaging and applicable for daily spiritual growth.

In recent months, I’ve compiled, formatted, and self-published these works through Kindle Direct Publishing. They’re now available in both paperback and eBook format. You can find them on Amazon by searching for my name: Jerry Conklin.

Here’s a quick look at the titles currently available:

• Looking to Jesus: A Devotional Journey through the New Testament
  A devotional for each chapter of the New Testament.
• First Things First: A Devotional Journey through the Book of Acts
  Five devotionals for each chapter in Acts.
• From the Mire to the Choir: A Devotional Journey through the Book of Psalms
  One devotional for each chapter in Psalms.
• Blessed by the Book: Devotional Reflections on Why the Word Matters
  Thirty devotionals on the power of God’s Word to transform hearts and minds.
• Knowing the God Who Saves: Devotional Reflections on the Attributes of God
  Thirty devotionals exploring God’s character and attributes.
• Prayer Matters: Devotional Reflections on the Purpose and Power of Prayer
  Thirty devotionals on cultivating a deeper prayer life.
• Hopeful in Jesus: Devotional Reflections on the Hope of the Believer
  Thirty reflections on how to remain hopeful in uncertain and trying times.
• Joyful in Jesus: A Devotional Journey through the Book of Philippians
  Thirty devotionals from Paul’s joyful letter to the Philippians.
• Complete in Christ: A Devotional Journey through the Book of Colossians
  Thirty reflections on Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency.

From time to time, I’ve heard from readers who’ve been blessed and encouraged by these blog posts—and occasionally, I hear stories of how one of them was shared to uplift someone else in their moment of need. Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. It’s been a tremendous privilege to walk with you through the Word.

With Laura now in hospice care, I’ll be taking a break from daily postings for the time being. Psalm 150 will be the final blog entry—for now. But if you’d like to continue reading, many of my blog posts have been compiled into the books listed above. They’re available in both print and digital formats.

May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you looking to Jesus.