Tag: Colossians 3:15

One Way to Prepare For 2022

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Two Things Are Critical

As you embark on the journey in the year 2022, two things you do are critical.

  1. The CHOICES you make.
  2. The ACTIONS you take.

One – Choices You Need To Make Everyday

1. Choose to get excited about each new day.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 English Standard Version (ESV),

  • Each day is a gift from God.
  • Make a daily choice to rejoice.
  • Get yourself fired up for having another day of life and be glad.

2. Choose to be thankful.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 (ESV)

  • Allow God’s peace both into your heart and to rule your heart.
  • It’s hard, if not impossible, to be thankful and miserable at the same time. Choose to be thankful.
  • Thank God daily for your daily bread.

3. Choose to be positive.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

  • Don’t say, “Good Lord, it’s morning” but say “Good morning, Lord.”
  • Make sure you get up on the right side of the bed.
  • As the late Zig Ziglar used to say, “Get rid of your ‘stinking thinking.’”

4. Choose victory over defeat.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4 (ESV)

  • Remember the words of the old hymn, “Faith is the victory.”
  • Never forget it is the Lord who goes with you to battle the daily enemies and challenges. (see – Deuteronomy 20:4)
  • God gives us the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. (see – 1 Corinthians 15:57)

5. Choose to live above the level of mediocrity.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

  • We are to work heartily.
  • Our work honors God.
  • Remember, in any endeavor of labor, our work honor’s God.

6. Choose to put the other person first.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

  • The late Christian motivational speaker, writer, and Bible teacher Zig Ziglar (a Baptist deacon and member of my church) said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

7. Choose to have hope.

Though he slay me, I will hope in him (God);

Job 13:15a (ESV)

8. Choose to keep on keeping on.

  • I had an Associate Pastor named John West that frequently admonished all to “keep on keeping on.” He would say, “Keep trying; keep doing what you are doing. Keep doing your best; never give up and keep on keeping on.”
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1967, “You don’t get to the Promised Land without going through the Wilderness. You don’t get there without crossing over hills and mountains, but if you keep on keeping on, you can’t help but reach it.”

Two – Choose to take ACTION by accepting Christ as Savior.

The only way we can really have a winning 2022 is to know Christ as Savior. Do you know Him as your personal Savior and Lord? Here is how to be sure.

Man’s Problem:

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23 (ESV)

Man’s Penalty:

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

God’s Provision:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (ESV)

God’s Promise:

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9 (ESV)

To accept Christ as Savior – A Prayer of Salvation:

“Lord Jesus, I confess to you I am a sinner. I believe that you died for my sins and that God raised you from the dead. I ask you to forgive me for my sin right now. Thank you for saving me and for giving me eternal life. In your name, I pray. Amen.”

FYI – I originally wrote this last section in 1988 as an article titled “Our Need and God’s Provision” using the KJV as the Bible reference. It was published in “Motivators for Sunday School Leaders” by the Baptist Sunday School Board (now Lifeway Christian Resources).

Called To Peace

Posted in Bible, Bible Verse, Blog, Business, Christian Business, Christian Businessman, Christian Businesswoman, Devotional, Devotions, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful, Happy, Hope, Inspirational, Inspire, J Kepler, JA Kepler, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Love, Motivation, Prayer, Prayers, VerseLeave a comment

How To Have Real Peace

Posted in Bible, Bible Verse, Blog, Business, Christian Business, Christian Businessman, Christian Businesswoman, Christian Writers, Devotional, Devotions, Faith, Faithful, Happy, Hope, Inspirational, Inspire, J Kepler, JA Kepler, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Motivation, Prayer, Prayers, Verse1 Comment

Self-isolation, can’t go out to eat, avoid the beaches, Zoom Bible study classes, and live streaming of church services. It’s enough to make the most peaceful person anxious.

Or maybe like me, you’ve been tested for Covid-19 with the nose swab and had the COVID blood test to see if you have the antibodies meaning you had the virus. Fortunately, I tested negative for both. However, this upside-down world has robbed some of the usual peace of mind from me. I get anxious when I go to the grocery store or the pharmacy. Having peace of mind is hard for me. So …

What’s a man or woman to do? Where can we find real peace?

Everyone is searching for peace today. We seek real tranquility in our work, in our relationships, and yet the order that the world can give us is extremely fragile. It is temporary. 

The peace that God gives us is different from what the world offers. It is permanent. God’s peace affords tranquillity amid trouble. Seek His peace and experience a tremendous gift from God.

Three Kinds of Peace

1. Spiritual Peace – At Peace with God.

Romans 5:1 ESV – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. Emotional Peace – The Peace of God.

Colossians 3:15 ESV – “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

3. Relational Peace – At Peace with Everyone.

Romans 12:8 ESV – “the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

John 14:27 ESV – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Key’s to God’s Perfect Peace

Key #1 – Obey God’s Principles

Psalm 119:165, 167 ESV – “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. … My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.”

Key #2 – Accept God’s Pardon

Micah 7:18 ESV – “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression … He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in steadfast love.”

Key #3 – Focus On God’s Presence

Isaiah 26:3 ESV – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Key #4 Trust God’s Presence 

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Key #5 Ask For God’s Peace

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV – “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”  I like to call Jeremiah 33:3 God’s phone number.

Remember, pray first, then you’ll find peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV – “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Photo Source: Image by michel kwan from Pixabay

Becoming a Peacemaker

Posted in Blog, Christian Writers, Devotions, Faith, Friends, Friendship, Hope, J Kepler, JA Kepler, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Love, Prayers2 Comments

Matthew 5:9 English Standard Version (ESV), “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Peacemaking Is Not

  • avoiding
  • appeasing

You Need To Be a Peacemaker

Did You Know Unresolved Conflict …

1. Blocks your fellowship with God.

1 John 4:20-21(ESV), “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

1 John 1:3-4 (ESV), “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

2. Prevents your prayers being answered

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV), “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

Matthew 5: 9 ESV, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God

3. Hinders your happiness.

Job 18:4 (ESV), “You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place?”

Five Steps to Becoming a Peacemaker (using the acrostic P.E.A.C.E.)

P – Plan a peace conference

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV), “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

E – Empathize with their feelings

Philippians 2:4 (ESV), “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

A – Attack the problem not the person

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV), “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV), “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

C – Cooperate as much as possible

Romans 12:18 (ESV), “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

E – Emphasize reconciliation not resolution

2 Corinthians 5:18 (ESV), “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”

Colossians 3:15 (ESV), “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

It has been said that the only time a woman will allow a man to have the last word is when it is an apology. – Unanimous

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

One Great Way to Prepare For The New Year

Posted in Blog, How to be Saved, How to Become a Christian, J Kepler, JA Kepler, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, Motivation4 Comments

One Great Way to Prepare For The New Year

Two Things Are Critical

As you embark on the journey in the year 2020, two things you do are critical.

  1. The CHOICES you make.
  2. The ACTIONS you take.

One – Choices You Need To Make Everyday

1. Choose to get excited about each new day.

Psalm 118:24 English Standard Version (ESV), “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

      • Each day is a gift from God.
      • Make a daily choice to rejoice.
      • Get yourself fired up for having another day of life and be glad.

2. Choose to be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 (ESV), “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

      • Allow God’s peace both into your heart and to rule your heart.
      • It’s hard, if not impossible, to be thankful and miserable at the same time. Choose to be thankful.
      • Thank God daily for your daily bread.

3. Choose to be positive.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV), “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

      • Don’t say, “Good Lord, it’s morning” but say “Good morning, Lord.”
      • Make sure you get up on the right side of the bed.
      • As the late Zig Ziglar used to say, “Get rid of your ‘stinking thinking.’”

4. Choose victory over defeat.

1 John 5:4 (ESV), “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

      • Remember the words of the old hymn, “Faith is the victory.”
      • Never forget it is the Lord who goes with you to battle the daily enemies and challenges. (see – Deuteronomy 20:4)
      • God gives us the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. (see – 1 Corinthians 15:57)

5. Choose to live above the level of mediocrity.

Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

      • We are to work heartily.
      • Our work honors God.
      • Remember, in any endeavor of labor, our work honor’s God.

6. Choose to put the other person first.

 Philippians 2:3 (ESV), “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

      • The late Christian motivational speaker, writer, and Bible teacher Zig Ziglar (a Baptist deacon and member of my church) said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

7. Choose to have hope.

Job 13:15a (ESV), “ Though he slay me, I will hope in him (God);”

8. Choose to keep on keeping on.

      • I had an Associate Pastor named John West that frequently admonished all to “keep on keeping on.” He would say, “Keep trying; keep doing what you are doing. Keep doing your best; never give up and keep on keeping on.”
      • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1967, “You don’t get to the Promised Land without going through the Wilderness. You don’t get there without crossing over hills and mountains, but if you keep on keeping on, you can’t help but reach it.”

Two – Choose to take ACTION by accepting Christ as Savior.

The only way we can really have a winning 2020 is to know Christ as Savior. Do you know Him as your personal Savior and Lord? Here is how to be sure.

Man’s Problem: Romans 3:23 (ESV), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Man’s Penalty: Romans 6:23 (ESV), “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God’s Provision: John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

God’s Promise: Romans 10:9 (ESV), “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

To accept Christ as Savior – A Prayer of Salvation: “Lord Jesus, I confess to you I am a sinner. I believe that you died for my sins and that God raised you from the dead. I ask you to forgive me for my sin right now. Thank you for saving me and for giving me eternal life. In your name, I pray. Amen.”

I originally wrote this last section in 1988 as an article titled “Our Need and God’s Provision” using the KJV as the Bible reference. It was published in “Motivators for Sunday School Leaders” by the Baptist Sunday School Board (now Lifeway Christian Resources).

Photo Source: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay