Month: May 2025

Strength in the Bed of Languishing

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Strength in the Bed of Languishing
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

📖 Psalm 41:3 (KJV): “The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.”

Ever been laid low—physically, emotionally, spiritually?

Yeah, me too.

Psalm 41:3 reminds us that we’re not alone in those moments when our body is too tired to move, our mind too foggy to think, and our spirit too weary to fight. It’s one of those verses that doesn’t just preach—it sits with you. It doesn’t try to fix everything in a hurry. It simply says, “I see you. And so does God.”

“The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.” — Psalm 41:3

Now that’s a kind of holy comfort that doesn’t wear out when the doctor walks out the door or when another pill bottle runs dry.

I Know That Bed All Too Well

Over the last few years, I’ve become well-acquainted with the “bed of languishing.” Not just the kind you lie in at night, but the one you carry around with you during the day—the invisible one that settles in your bones and makes you feel like you’re dragging an anchor through life.

Let me paint the picture plainly. I’ve been dealing with:

  •  Irritable bowel disease
  •  Pancreatitis
  •  COVID (twice)
  •  Atrial fibrillation
  •  Ventricular fibrillation (that one nearly took me out)
  •  Trigger finger surgery with complications and still a mess
  •  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  •  Lichen planus
  •  High blood pressure
  •  High cholesterol
  •  High triglycerides
  • Glaucoma
  • Macular degeneration
  • Prostate the size of a baseball
  • Arthritis that never leaves me alone 

 

Throw in a dash of self-pity for flavor—since my wife passed a few years ago—right after both of my parents passed away , and there’ve been days I felt like my body was going to cash in before my spirit ever had a say. 

Yet, I’m still here as God still has a purpose and I figure my writing these devotionals everyday is part of it, as is my book and article writing that seem to get to the one person who needs to here just what God share through me.

But Then This Verse Shows Up

In the midst of all that, this verse from Psalms landed soft on my soul like a warm quilt on a cold night. It reminded me that even if my body is rebelling and my heart feels like it’s splintering into pieces, God is still making the bed. He’s still tucking in the sheets, plumping the pillow, and whispering, “Rest, child. I’m here.”

  • Even in sickness, God is present.
  • Even in weakness, He’s working.
  • Even in silence, He’s near.

That’s the truth I hold onto when my knees buckle, when the monitor beeps a little too long, or when the pharmacist knows me by name.

He Tends the Bed We Lie In

This verse isn’t about magical healing or quick fixes. It’s about presence. God doesn’t promise to yank us off the sickbed the moment we call His name, but He does promise to sit by us. To strengthen us right there in the middle of it all. To tend to us like the Great Physician He is. And sometimes, He sends flesh-and-blood ones too—nurses, doctors, friends who bring soup, sons who carry burdens, daughters who call and say, “Just checking on you, Dad.”

So if you’re feeling like you’re on that bed—whether from a broken body, a broken heart, or a soul that’s just plain tired—this one’s for you.

  • Take comfort.
  • Take your time.
  • Take His hand.

The Lord will strengthen you. Yes, even there.

📖 Psalm 41:3 — “The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.”

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie

Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s books at Jimmie’s books available in paperback, ebook, audio, and large print

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When the Washing Machine Dies and the Soul Groans

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When the Washing Machine Dies and the Soul Groans
Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Well now… this verse hit home today:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”— Matthew 11:28 KJV

It wasn’t some mountain-moving moment or crisis of biblical proportions. It was just a busted washing machine.

Yep. Yesterday, right in the middle of an otherwise ordinary day, the ol’ washer up and gave up the ghost. Just quit. Stopped spinning, left the tub full of water, and soaked the laundry like it had all just stepped out of a Texas thunderstorm.

And where was I?
Sitting in the AMC IMAX Theater.

Popcorn in my lap, lights going down, the last preview fading into black. The latest Mission Impossible movie was just beginning—Tom Cruise about to go do something wild to save the world.

Then my iWatch buzzed.

I glanced down. A text from my son—the one who lives with me.
A short message: “Washer quit. Full of water. What should I do?”

I stared at the screen like that washing machine had just insulted my mama.

I’ll admit, my first thought wasn’t exactly holy. It was more along the lines of, “Why me, Lord?” I didn’t want to deal with it. Didn’t want to shop. Didn’t want to spend. Just wanted stuff to work like it ought to.

So I stepped out into the hallway, thumbed out a quick reply, told him where I was, and promised to call after the movie—after Ethan Hunt saved the day.

Back when my late wife Miss Benita was still with me, she’d be the one to tell me something had quit working. I’d just shake my head and say, “Well, guess we’re buying a new one.” Then I’d add, “That’s why we save for emergencies.”

I still remember the first time it happened. She blinked through tears and said, honest as ever, “I thought washers lasted forever.”

Bless her. I wish they did.

Truth is, now it’s just me handling these curveballs. And some days? That weight feels heavier than it should. I don’t like dealing with this kind of stuff. Never have. Just thinking about it wears me out.

But then I come back to that verse.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Not advice.
Not a checklist.
Not one more thing to do.
Just… rest.

We all carry something.

Might be a busted washer. Might be a busted heart.
Could be a pile of bills. A whole heap of regrets.
Or maybe it’s just plain old weariness from trying to hold it all together.

But Jesus? He sees it. He knows.
And He doesn’t ask us to tough it out or fix it on our own.
He just says… Come.

So if you’re dragging today—worn-out in body, soul, or spirit—hear this from someone standing in line at the appliance store with a cart full of worry:
You ain’t alone.
And you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.

One Last Thing…

Like me, you’re probably dealing with something today. Something heavy. Something frustrating. Something that steals your peace and wears down your bones.

If you feel up to sharing, leave a note in the comments below. Doesn’t have to be long. Just enough to let me know what’s weighing you down.

And I promise—I’ll pray for you. You and whatever’s making you weary.

Because we’re in this together, friend. And His rest? It’s big enough for all of us.

Grace and peace,
Jimmie

Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s books at Jimmie’s books available in paperback, ebook, audio, and large print

When You Don’t Know, Ask the One Who Does

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When You Don’t Know, Ask the One Who Does
By: Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Well now…

I’ve been around long enough to know that leadership—and life for that matter—ain’t about having all the answers. Truth is, it’s mostly about knowing where to turn when you don’t.

I’ve seen boardrooms full of polished shoes and pressed suits come to a grinding halt because no one knew the next right step. I’ve seen family kitchens do the same thing—different setting, same lost look in folks’ eyes. And I’ve been that guy too, staring out the window, coffee in hand, wondering what on earth to do next.

That’s where James 1:5 comes in, like an old friend with a calm voice:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” — James 1:5 (ESV)

Ain’t that something?

No condescending lectures. No divine eye-rolls. Just a promise: Ask, and He’ll give. Generously. Kindly. Without shame.

I’ve whispered that prayer more times than I can count—before hard conversations, during dry seasons, in quiet moments at the crossroads. And I’ll tell you what: the best decisions I’ve ever made didn’t come from books or brains, but from a bit of humble silence and a whole lot of asking.

So if you’re standing on the edge of a big decision—or maybe just knee-deep in the mess of everyday life—don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom’s front porch.

Ask God. Then listen. Then step forward.

You don’t have to lead alone.

Grace and coffee,
Jimmie Aaron Kepler

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Carryin’ the Cross Ain’t for Show

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Carryin’ the Cross Ain’t for Show
By: Jimmie Aaron Kepler

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24 (KJV)

I reckon if Jesus were sittin’ across from us today, sipping coffee at the local Starbucks or leaning on the fence after Sunday service, He’d say it just like He did back then:

“If you wanna follow Me, you best put yourself aside, pick up your cross, and walk this road with Me.”

Now that’s not the kind of message you’d put on a billboard or wrap up in shiny bows. That’s a boots-on-the-ground, gut-check kind of truth.

Not the Leadership We’re Used To

See, the world’s got this idea that leadership’s about titles, corner offices, and who talks the loudest in a meeting. But Jesus—He had a way of flipping the script. While folks argued over who’d be greatest in the kingdom, He knelt down with a towel and washed dirty feet.

You don’t get much more upside-down than that.

He didn’t come to be served. He came to serve. To bleed. To forgive folks who didn’t even know they needed forgiving. And that’s the kind of leadership He calls us into.

Not the kind that climbs ladders. The kind that carries crosses.

What the Cross Looks Like

The cross ain’t always some big, tragic burden. Sometimes it’s showing up to a thankless job and giving it your best anyway. Sometimes it’s loving folks who are downright prickly. Sometimes it’s biting your tongue when your pride wants the last word.

It might be caring for someone who’ll never say thank you. Might be praying when you feel dry. Might be holding steady when the storm’s blowin’ hard.

And most of the time, it’s quiet. No spotlight. No applause. Just you and Jesus and a long, dusty road.

This Road We’re On

Jesus didn’t say, “Build a brand and follow Me.” He said, “Deny yourself.”

And that part? That’s the hardest. Because self wants the easy chair, not the crossbeam. But somewhere between the letting go and the holding fast, we find Him walking right beside us.

And somehow, the load gets lighter.

So today—maybe in your office, maybe at the kitchen sink, maybe in traffic with a short fuse and a long to-do list—you’ve got a choice.

Will you follow?

Will you deny your way for His?

Will you pick up your cross, however ordinary or heavy it feels, and take that next faithful step?

The road’s long, friend. But we’re not walkin’ it alone.

And the One we follow? He’s already been there… and He’s walkin’ us home.

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie

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The Sounds of Silence

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When I Should’ve Kept Quiet
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

We were sitting at breakfast—me and a longtime friend I’ve been blessed to sometimes travel with. Just friends, nothing more. She’s smart as a whip, well-read, full of stories, a beautiful woman both inside and out, and patient—especially with me.

Now, I have this bad habit. I talk too much. Always have. Even back in grade school, I missed the honor roll more than once because of a C in citizenship—too social, they said. Some bosses said the same years later. Too many words, not enough listening. Even put it on my annual review.

That morning, between bites of scrambled eggs and sips of coffee, she finally spoke up after I’d been rambling on, chasing one story after another. She smiled, gentle but firm, and said, “Jimmie, you don’t need to tell your whole life story every time. Sometimes, just respond to what I’m saying. Don’t chase rabbits.”

It stung, because she was right.

See, I’ve interrupted stories, cut off people mid-sentence—not out of malice, but because I thought I was connecting or helping. Truth is, I wasn’t listening. I was showing off. Or maybe showing my loneliness. Either way, I wasn’t being kind. I wasn’t being present.

I remember my grandma once told me, “Jimmie Aaron, the girls don’t care how much you know or where you’ve been. They want a man who listens and says nice, honest things about them. That’s why they like the strong, silent type.”

Lord knows, I should’ve taken her advice to heart.

Recently, I read a verse that brought all this back to mind:

“But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, ‘Do not answer him.’” — Isaiah 36:21 ESV

Sometimes the wisest thing to say is nothing at all.

There’s power in silence. Wisdom, too. I’ve learned that when I talk too much, I crowd out other people’s hearts—and sometimes, even God’s voice. You can’t listen and talk at the same time.

So now, I’m working on that. Less rambling. More listening. Fewer rabbits. More respect. And I have my friend to thank for caring enough to point out an area I really need to work on everyday.

And when the moment calls for it, I ask God to give me the grace to shut my mouth and open my ears.

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie

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When the Soul Remembers

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When the Soul Remembers: A Morning with Psalm 103
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Well now…

This morning started quiet. One of those slow roll-outs where the house is still wearing its robe of sleep. I woke before the alarm, before the cats stirred, before the sun even hinted at showing up. I just laid there, staring at the ceiling, letting the stillness hold me for a moment.

There’s a verse that drifted into my mind—soft, steady, familiar. Like the voice of an old friend.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. —Psalm 103:1 KJV””

I’ve heard that verse my whole life. Quoted it, sung it, even preached it back when I wore the pastor’s hat. But this morning it hit different—landed deep. Not just a verse. A reminder. A call.

I got up slow, the way a man does when his body’s been through a few decades of life. My joints chimed in, reminding me they weren’t as young as they used to be. I shuffled down the hallway, past the old pictures and the bookshelf with my old seminary books and well-worn Bibles.

Out on the porch, coffee in hand, I watched the day break open. The sky started as a soft purple bruise on the horizon, then slowly turned to fire. The kind of sunrise that doesn’t rush. It just unfolds—like a hymn sung verse by verse.

And there it was again.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Not “bless Him when everything’s going right.” Not “bless Him when you feel like it.” Just—”bless Him.”

With all that is within me. Even the parts that ache. Even the parts that doubt. Even the tired, uncertain, worn-out parts of me.

You see, some mornings, praise is a natural outpouring—like water from a spring. Other days? It’s a choice. A whisper of faith in the middle of the mess. And maybe that’s the most honest kind of worship—the kind that chooses to say “He is still good” when nothing around you makes sense.

It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? To let the noise and weight of life drown out the song. But your soul remembers. It knows the truth your mind sometimes forgets—that His name is still holy. His goodness is still real. His mercy still reaches even you and me, here in the quiet of a brand-new day.

So I sat there, sipping my coffee, letting the words rise up again—not from duty, but from deep down where the real stuff lives.

Bless the Lord, O my soul…

And I did.

Maybe today you need to remember too. Maybe you need to pause, breathe deep, and let your soul do the talking. Let it praise through the pain. Let it lift its eyes. Let it bless His name—not because life is perfect, but because He is.

Let everything in you echo His goodness.

Every breath. Every beat.

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie

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A Three-Word Prayer That Walks With Me

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A Three-Word Prayer That Walks With Me
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Some verses don’t need a lot of words to carry weight.

Like this one:

“Pray without ceasing.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Now, that’s not saying you’ve got to spend your whole day on your knees or mutter prayers under your breath from dawn to dusk. No sir. It’s more like this — keeping your heart tuned to God, like a well-loved old radio locked in on a favorite gospel station.

It’s whispering thanks while you’re waiting in line at the pharmacy…
It’s calling out for strength when your knees ache on the stairs…
It’s thanking Him for the warmth of the morning sun or the taste of that first sip of coffee.

That kind of prayer is less about posture and more about presence.
It’s not just a thing we do — it’s a way we live.

Let your life breathe prayer — steady, honest, unbroken like a quiet hum in the background of your day.

That’s what I try to do every morning when I open up my Bible and spend time in devotion. Somewhere between the first light breaking through the window and the last sip of blonde roast, I find myself praying for you — yes, you reading this.

I ask the Lord to watch over you… and if your heart’s still out there wandering, still searching, I pray you come to know Jesus Christ.

So what does that mean — to “come to salvation in Jesus Christ” if you’re a spiritual seeker?

Well, if that’s you, it means you’re looking — for truth, for peace, maybe even for something to hold onto when the world gets too heavy.

You’re not alone in that. I think we all carry questions. Sometimes they’re wrapped in wounds, sometimes in wonder.

To come to salvation in Jesus is more than just nodding your head in agreement with a list of church doctrines. It’s deeper than that. It’s trusting — I mean really trusting, way down in your bones — that Jesus is who He says He is.

The Son of God.
The Savior of the world.
The One who can take the shattered, jagged pieces of your story and gently hand you something whole in return.

That’s the journey I’m still walking.

If you want to hear how that road started for me, I wrote it all down here — My Story.

So next time you’re stuck in traffic or watching the rain dance on the window, remember those three little words:

Pray without ceasing.

They might just be the quiet nudge you need to draw near.

Grace and peace on your journey,
Jimmie

Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s books at Jimmie’s books available in paperback, ebook, audio, and large print

 

The Ones They Threw Away

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The Ones They Threw Away
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

I’ve lived long enough to know what it feels like to be passed over.

To sit in the back row while someone else gets the nod.
To watch the world size you up and decide you don’t quite measure.
Articles turned down. Manuscripts rejected. Ghosted by friends.
Too plain. Too slow. Too much baggage. Too short.
Not enough or not the correct social media presence. Not enough shine.

Yeah, I’ve been there. Maybe you have too.

But the good book has a line that just won’t let me go. It says:

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”— Psalm 118:22–23 (KJV)

Now that’s something, isn’t it?

They tossed that stone aside — said it wasn’t good enough for what they were building.
But God had other plans. He picked it up, brushed it off,
and laid it down as the very first stone in something eternal.

He turned what was rejected into what was essential.

And that’s the kind of God I believe in —
one who sees value in what the world calls worthless,
one who chooses the wounded, the worn, the weathered.

Truth is, He builds His finest work out of what’s been broken.
Cracks and all. And remember, sometimes it takes cracks to let the light to get in.

So if you’re feeling like yesterday’s news,
like maybe you missed your chance or weren’t ever in the running —
take heart.

You might just be God’s next cornerstone.

Because what others threw away…
God’s got plans for.

And when it’s His doing, well — it’s always marvelous in the end.

Keep the faith,
—Jimmie
📖 jimmiekepler.com | jimmiekepler.substack.com

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You’re Not Walking It Alone

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You’re Not Walking It Alone
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

“So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.”— Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

Reflection:
This morning, I sat at my usual table at Starbucks, sipping a tall blonde roast coffee, and watched the golden light filter through the clouds like grace slipping through the cracks of a weary world. My Bible lay open in front of me, and there it was—Isaiah 41:10. A verse I’ve read a hundred times, but today it felt like a whisper straight to my soul:

“So don’t worry… I am with you.”

Not might be.
Not could be.
Am. Present. Right here.

There’s something powerful in that promise. Not a motivational phrase or a bumper sticker Bible quote—but the living voice of God saying, “I’ve got you.”

Maybe today finds you staring at a medical report you didn’t expect, a job loss you didn’t ask for, or a silence in your house that didn’t used to be there. The weight can sneak up on us. Worry presses down. Fear plays its old familiar tune.

But friend, here’s the good news—you’re not walking it alone.

God isn’t watching from some distant heaven with arms crossed. No, He’s in it. In the mess. In the uncertainty. In the shadowy places we’d rather avoid.
And He’s not just there to sympathize—He’s there to strengthen. To help. To hold us up with His right hand that saves.

A Gentle Invitation:
Let go of the weight you’re carrying.
You don’t have to pretend to be strong.
You just need to lean into the One who is.

His hand is strong enough to hold it.
And you.

A Prayer for Today:
Lord, thank You that I don’t walk alone.
When fear comes, remind me You are near.
When the weight is heavy, remind me You are strong.
Help me to rest in the safety of Your right hand—
The one that saves, the one that steadies, the one that never lets go.
Amen.

Closing Thought:
Wherever this day takes you—whether to a quiet room or a crowded street—remember this: You’re held. And more than that, you’re helped.

Keep walking. He’s walking with you.

Grace and peace,
Jimmie 

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Letting Go, Letting God

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Letting Go, Letting God: A Lesson from Mary
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”  — Luke 1:38 (KJV)

I’ve been sitting with that verse this morning, coffee in hand, heart wide open.

Mary’s words—simple as they seem—carry a kind of quiet thunder. She wasn’t pitching her own plan. She wasn’t angling for comfort or clarity. She just said yes.

Yes to God’s will.
Yes to uncertainty.
Yes to faith over fear.

See, this life we’ve been given? It’s a gift. But here’s the part we don’t always like to admit—we’re not the ones holding the pen. We might sketch out blueprints, map a direction, even daydream the scenery, but the real Author is God. And sometimes, He takes the story places we never expected.

Mary’s response wasn’t about understanding—it was about surrender. Trusting that even if she didn’t have all the answers, the One leading her did.

That kind of trust isn’t popular these days. The world shouts about taking control, being your own guide, writing your destiny. But God? He calls us to be moldable. Teachable. Willing to go wherever He points, even when the road bends and disappears into the fog.

Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way—when God reroutes us, it’s not to confuse us. It’s to use us.

And the devil? He’ll try his best to get in the way. He whispers doubt. Stirs fear. Bends your ear just enough to drown out the Spirit’s voice. But don’t give him the mic. Don’t let him take center stage when the Holy Spirit is whispering to your soul.

Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is simply let go.

Let go of the plan.
Let go of the fear.
Let go of trying to figure it all out.

And let God do what He does best—lead.

Mary did.
Will you?

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie

Did you enjoy this article? You can find more of Jimmie Aaron Kepler’s books at Jimmie’s books available in paperback, ebook, audio, and large print