Tag: Devotional

Leadership as a Calling, Not a Spotlight

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The Weight of the Sword: Leadership as a Calling, Not a Spotlight
📖 “For he is the minister of God to thee for good…” — Romans 13:4 KJV
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

In a world obsessed with influence, where likes, shares, and retweets are mistaken for leadership, the Word of God offers a sobering reminder: true authority is a ministry, not a performance.

Romans 13:4 doesn’t mince words.

Romans 13:4 KJV “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” 

It’s not about power for power’s sake. It’s about serving others under the authority of God.

🔹 Leadership as Ministry

Paul reminds us that those placed in authority—whether government officials, pastors, community leaders, or even heads of households—carry a divine responsibility. They are not self-appointed celebrities. They are ministers of God. Servants with a sword—not for show, but for protection, correction, and justice.

And that sword?
It’s not ornamental.
“He beareth not the sword in vain.”

There’s weight in their words. Gravity in their actions. But also, accountability to the One who called them.

🔹 A Call to Pray for Our Leaders

Whether we agree with them or not, Romans 13 makes it clear: authority is ordained by God. And because of that, we’re not just allowed—but commanded—to pray for our leaders.

Pray for wisdom.
Pray for restraint.
Pray for courage.
Pray for humility.

Let them lead with justice tempered by mercy, truth spoken in love, and strength clothed in compassion.

🔹 Authority with Restraint

The verse doesn’t excuse tyranny or endorse blind obedience.
Instead, it offers a standard: those in authority should seek the good of the people they serve.

And if they deviate from that path, they too will be held accountable—not by the masses, but by the Master who placed them there.

🕊 Final Thoughts

Leadership is never about standing in the spotlight.
It’s about kneeling in the shadows, asking God for wisdom to do what’s right—even when no one’s watching.
So today, whether you lead a nation, a church, a classroom, or a family, remember:
You are a minister of God to others… for good.

Let’s live, lead, and serve with that truth etched on our hearts.

🙏 Let’s pray:

Lord, raise up leaders who honor You. Grant them wisdom, courage, and compassion. Let their authority bring peace and protection. And may they never forget they serve under a higher King. Amen.

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 the Mind Won’t Settle

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When the Mind Won’t Settle: Renewing Your Thinking in a World Gone Mad
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Romans 12:2 (KJV): “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

There’s something sacred about early mornings.

You know the kind I’m talking about—when the coffee’s brewing, the house is still, and your Bible’s open to a page your heart’s been aching for. 

I sat in one of those moments not long ago, thumbing through the twelfth chapter of Romans. That’s when the words hit me square between the eyes: “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

I sipped my coffee, closed my eyes, and let that verse do what the Holy Spirit does best—poke around in places I’d rather keep tidy and untouched.

Because, truth is, my mind doesn’t always do what it’s supposed to.

Maybe yours doesn’t either.

The Real Battleground

These days, we don’t have to look far to find pressure—social media feeds, news cycles, workplace demands, family expectations. It’s a full-blown barrage of noise. Somewhere in the mess, we pick up voices that aren’t our own. Or worse, we amplify the wrong ones.

You’re not good enough.
You’ll never be like them.
You’re too old.
You’ve missed your chance.
God’s forgotten you.

Sound familiar?

The world wants to shape us—to mold our thinking until we’re anxious, reactive, and spiritually worn thin. 

But Romans 12:2 calls us out of that mindset. It reminds us we have a choice:
We can conform or we can transform.

And the difference happens right up here—in our minds.

From Imposter Syndrome to God-Confidence

Before I retired, I was part of a team of young engineers in the IT division of a Fortune 500 company. I was old enough to be their father—sometimes even their grandfather. Most had fancy advanced degrees, bright ideas, and ambition that could light up a city block. They were fast. Sharp. Culturally fluent.

And I’ll admit it—every now and then, I wondered if I still had anything to offer.

That’s imposter syndrome for you.

But I’d learned a long time ago that confidence doesn’t come from diplomas or titles—it comes from knowing who you are in Christ. 

So when the doubts crept in, I didn’t perform harder or pretend stronger. I prayed. I opened the Word. And I let the Lord renew my mind.

You see, the mind of Christ doesn’t echo the world’s judgment. It speaks truth.

It tells us:
You’re chosen.
You’re equipped.
You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be—if you’re walking with Me.

The Daily Work of Renewal

Renewing your mind isn’t a one-and-done event. It’s not like taking a pill that fixes everything overnight. It’s more like washing your windshield after driving through a Texas thunderstorm—necessary, messy, and done more than once.

It happens when we open the Bible before opening our phones.
When we pause to pray before firing off that email.
When we speak Scripture over our anxiety instead of letting the anxiety do all the talking.

Some days, it feels like you’re making progress. Other days, you’re just holding ground. But either way, you’re showing up—and that matters.

God honors the process. He transforms little by little, thought by thought.

How We Show Up Changes Everything

And here’s the kicker—this spiritual renewal doesn’t just stay inside you.
It spills over.

When your mind is transformed, your choices change.
Your leadership changes.
Your relationships shift.
You stop reacting to chaos, and start responding with grace.
You stop performing for approval, and start living from a place of peace.

In Christ, we lead with integrity—not ego.
We serve with compassion—not competition.
We forgive. We listen. We love well.

We begin to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” with our lives—not just our words.

Let the Word Be Louder

Maybe today your mind is crowded with worry.
Maybe you’re overwhelmed with decisions.
Maybe the voices in your head have been too loud, for too long.

Friend, take heart.

You are not alone.
You are not crazy.
And you are not stuck.

You just need a reset—a holy rewiring that only comes through the Word of God.

Let Scripture be the soundtrack of your thoughts.
Let truth drown out the fear.
Let Christ’s voice get the final say.

Because when we renew our minds, we remember what the world wants us to forget:
We are deeply loved.
We are fully known.
We are eternally secure in Jesus Christ.

So pull up a chair.
Pour another cup of coffee.
And open that Bible.

Your thoughts don’t have to run the show anymore.
The renewing of your mind starts now.

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie

📖 Romans 12:2 still speaks. Let it speak to you today.
✍️ Written by Jimmie Aaron Kepler
🌐 jimmiekepler.com | 📰 jimmiekepler.substack.com

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

 

One Day at a Time

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🎙️ One Day at a Time: What I Learned After the Doctor Said “Melanoma”
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

It was about this time in June 2015. The kind of hot Texas day where the pavement wavers like a mirage and the sky looks too bright for bad news. But bad news doesn’t wait for cloud cover.

We were sitting in a cold room full of diplomas and sterile walls when the doctor cleared her throat and gave me a look I’ll never forget. She said, “Your wife has advanced stage three melanoma. We’ve scheduled surgery in two days.”

I didn’t say much. Just nodded while my insides twisted like barbed wire.

That word—melanoma—hit like a fist to the gut. 

And it came two years after her first diagnosis: neuroendocrine carcinoid. That’s the same rare cancer that took down Steve Jobs, and now it was taking its time with my bride. 

They told us plain, looked my wife in the eye: This is serious. I’ll do the surgery to remove the melanoma. If the it recurs after the surgery, it will kill you. I want you to understand this will be terminal. You will die, and even if by some miracle the melanoma progresses slowly, then the neuroendocrine carcinoid will take your life. She added, You need to get your affairs in order.

You don’t ever forget hearing something like that. (Sadly, only ninety days later a PET scan showed the melanoma had recurred.)

The World Got Quieter After That

Everything slowed down. Even the birds outside seemed to hush. You don’t think about grocery lists or emails after news like that. You think about holding her hand. About how your children and her sisters are gonna take it. About how long you’ve got left to tell her all the things you meant to say over the years.

I won’t walk you through the medical side of it. That was her fight, her pain, and she bore it with a kind of grace that still humbles me. She had her team of doctors, specialists, and treatments stacked high like a pile of phone books. But my focus wasn’t on prescriptions or procedures.

I went looking for God.

My Bible Became My Lifeline

I turned to the scriptures like a thirsty man turns to a well. I’d wake up early, stop on my way to work at Starbucks for a blonde roast coffee, and sit with the Word in one hand and my aching heart in the other.

And over and over, one verse kept coming back like a faithful friend:

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”— Matthew 6:34 (KJV)

That’s Jesus talking. He wasn’t sugarcoating life—He was giving us a way to survive it.

What That Verse Meant to Me

I read it a dozen times before it sank in:
Today is enough. Don’t drag tomorrow’s troubles into it.

I couldn’t fix her diagnosis. Couldn’t plan a perfect future. But I could hold her hand on that day. I could sit beside her while she napped. I could whisper prayers when she was too tired to say her own.

When I stopped staring into the fog of what might be, I started seeing what was—God’s presence, right in the middle of the mess.

A Prayer from a Worn-Out Caregiver

Father in Heaven, help me live in the now.
Let me see You in this moment, even when the moments are hard.
Help me let go of tomorrow’s worries and take hold of the grace You’ve given me today.
I don’t know what’s coming next, Lord, but I know You’ll be there when it does.
And that’s enough for me. Amen.

Looking Back

My wife passed in 2018. And though the pain of her absence lingers, so does the peace I found in that verse. God didn’t promise easy. He promised enough—enough strength for today, enough grace for the heartache, enough hope to keep walking.

So if you’re facing a long road, whether it’s your diagnosis or someone else’s, take it from a fella who’s walked it slow: God is in the middle of it.

Take a breath. Take His hand.
And take it one day at a time.

🕊
Still trusting.
Grace and peace,
Jimmie 

💡 Need More Encouragement for the Journey?

If today’s message about chronic illness struck a chord, you’re not alone. I’ve walked that road—and I wrote a devotional book especially for folks like us navigating the long, winding path of chronic illness.

Whether you’re facing the diagnosis yourself or walking beside someone you love, this book offers heartfelt prayers, biblical wisdom, and honest encouragement for each step of the journey.

👉 Looking for hope, peace, and direction?

You can learn more and grab your copy right here: [Prayers: Prayers for the Chronically Ill: 60 Prayers or Caregiving: Biblical Insights From a Caregiver’s Journey ]

Because you don’t have to walk through this alone—and God’s love still speaks into the hard places.

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

It’s Okay to Cry

Posted in @jimmiekepler, Ancient Wisdom for Today, Bible, Bible Memes, Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Christian Living, Christian Writers, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, jimmiekepler.com, Poet, Poet's Life, Poets, US Military History, Writer's Life, WritingLeave a comment
It’s Okay to Cry
A Morning Thought From Jimmie Aaron Kepler
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

Living with a chronic illness—or walking beside someone who is—will bring tears. That’s not weakness. That’s not failure. That’s just life being honest. And friend, it’s okay to cry.

Some days, it’s the quiet ache of fatigue that won’t let go. Other days, it’s watching someone you love fight a battle their body doesn’t seem ready to win. And then there are the days where the tears come out of nowhere—no warning, just a wave. I’ve learned not to fight them. I’ve learned to let them come.

And here’s the beautiful truth tucked away in God’s Word: He sees every tear. He remembers every sorrow. And He’s for us, not against us.

📖 Today’s Scripture

Psalm 56:8-9 (KJV)“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”

I love how personal this verse feels. King David, worn and weary from being chased and misunderstood, still believed that his tears mattered to the Almighty. He believed God kept track of each one, collecting them like precious pearls in a bottle. That’s not just poetry—that’s divine care.

💡 What It Means to Me

God doesn’t waste sorrow. He doesn’t overlook tears. And He certainly doesn’t dismiss our pain as something we should just “get over.” No, He sees. He remembers. He heals.

David’s confidence in the Lord’s attention gives me strength. He wasn’t ashamed to cry. He knew the One who counted every step he took and every tear he shed. That same God knows you. Knows me. And, praise His name, He’s for us.

🙏 A Prayer From the Heart

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of tears and the healing they bring. Remind me that crying isn’t weakness—it’s honesty. It’s release. It’s the soul’s way of saying, “This matters.”

Lord Jesus, thank You for not brushing aside our weeping. For joining us in the garden of grief. For showing us by Your own example that it’s okay to cry.

Yahweh-Rapha, God who heals, I give You the chronic illness—the weariness, the worry, the long nights, and the uncertain tomorrows. Please grant me and my loved ones the grace to feel what we feel, and to come to You with every single tear.

Let my family be a soft place to land when the sorrow wells up. Help us all be gentle with one another. Loving. Supportive. Kind.

And when I’m tempted to question, Lord, help me trust instead. Help me rest in the confidence of David, who boldly declared: “God is for me.”

Amen.

Tears may fall, but they never fall unnoticed. And sometimes, the holiest thing we can do is let them come.

Grace and Peace,
Jimmie Aaron Kepler
Poet. Storyteller. Encourager of souls.

💡 Need More Encouragement for the Journey?

If today’s message about chronic illness struck a chord, you’re not alone. I’ve walked that road—and I wrote a devotional book especially for folks like us navigating the long, winding path of chronic illness.

Whether you’re facing the diagnosis yourself or walking beside someone you love, this book offers heartfelt prayers, biblical wisdom, and honest encouragement for each step of the journey.

👉 Looking for hope, peace, and direction?

You can learn more and grab your copy right here: [Prayers: Prayers for the Chronically Ill: 60 Prayers]

Because you don’t have to walk through this alone—and God’s love still speaks into the hard places.

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

Accepting God’s Love

Posted in @jimmiekepler, Ancient Wisdom for Today, Bible, Bible Memes, Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Christian Living, Christian Writers, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, jimmiekepler.com, Poet, Poet's Life, Poets, US Military History, Writer's Life, WritingLeave a comment
Accepting God’s Love
A Morning Thought from Jimmie Aaron Kepler
By Jimmie Aaron Kepler

📖 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” — 1 John 4:18 (KJV)

There’s something about fear that can sneak into the corners of your heart, especially when you’re staring down a diagnosis you didn’t ask for. The kind that shows up in a doctor’s office on a Tuesday afternoon and lingers long after the sun sets.

I’ve seen it in my own life. I’ve seen it in the eyes of people I love. You get the news—the test results, the scan, the whispered “I’m sorry”—and suddenly the future you thought you had? It evaporates like dew on a hot Texas morning.

Instead of plans, you’ve got questions.
Instead of peace, you’ve got panic.
Instead of control, you’ve got a storm you can’t steer through on your own.

And yet—right there, in the middle of all that uncertainty—God whispers something surprising:

“There is no fear in love.”

Now, that verse from 1 John 4:18 isn’t just a pretty line to embroider on a pillow. It’s a lifeline. A reminder that perfect love—God’s love—casts out fear like light driving out the dark.

💔 What Happens When Life Changes in an Instant?

When you or someone you love is diagnosed with a chronic illness, everything shifts.

Hopes and dreams get put on hold—or rewritten entirely. You start mapping out a new normal. It’s a road you didn’t plan to walk, and it can be lonely, long, and painful.

Chronic illness—by definition—isn’t something that goes away overnight. The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics says it lasts at least three months. Often longer. Sometimes forever.

These are just a few of the chronic illnesses people live with every single day:

  • Alzheimer’s  or Dementia
  • Arthritis and chronic inflammation
  • Cancer
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Migraine headaches
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Sickle cell disease

Each one of these names carries weight. Pain. Exhaustion. Fear. And if you’re the caregiver? The load might be different, but it’s just as heavy.

🙏 So Where’s the Peace?

That’s where 1 John 4:18 steps in.
Not with platitudes. But with promise.

“Perfect love casteth out fear…”

It doesn’t say love tiptoes around fear. It says love casts it out. Throws it out. Evicts it.

And how? Because that love doesn’t come from us—it comes from Jesus Christ.
When we invite Him in, He doesn’t just comfort—He transforms.
He gives us boldness because we begin to look like Him. And He, friend, is not afraid.

That kind of love—His love—is the cease and desist letter to fear.

It’s what lets you sit beside a hospital bed and still have hope.
It’s what lets you wake up with uncertainty and still find peace.
It’s what lets you say, “I don’t know what tomorrow brings—but I know Who holds it.”

💡 Real Love. Real Courage.

It’s easy to talk about love when life is calm.
But real, perfect love shows up when everything falls apart.

Jesus doesn’t promise us a pain-free life. He promises us His presence in the pain.
And when His perfect love lives in us, we’re not defined by fear anymore.

Not even death can shake the peace He gives.

“He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

So if fear is creeping in—and it does from time to time—that just means it’s time to lean deeper into Jesus. Let His love finish its work in you.

🛐 A Prayer from the Heart

If you’re walking through illness, caregiving, or fear of any kind, I invite you to pray with me:

Lord Jesus, thank You that there is no fear in love—but perfect love casts out fear. Heavenly Father, help me keep my mind and heart focused on You and Your love for me.

When I look toward the future and feel anxious, remind me You’re already there. Give me grace to meet each challenge. Strength for each step. Peace that passes understanding.

And help me know, with full confidence, that as a Believer in Jesus Christ, my ultimate future is secure—in Heaven with You. 

Amen.

🕊️ One Last Thing

If you’ve never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, now’s a fine time to do so.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to say yes to the One who already loves you perfectly.

And if you have—hold tight. Fear doesn’t get the final word. Love does. Always.

Grace and peace to you, friends.
—Jimmie 

💡 Need More Encouragement for the Journey?

If today’s message about chronic illness struck a chord, you’re not alone. I’ve walked that road—and I wrote a devotional book especially for folks like us navigating the long, winding path of chronic illness.

Whether you’re facing the diagnosis yourself or walking beside someone you love, this book offers heartfelt prayers, biblical wisdom, and honest encouragement for each step of the journey.

👉 Looking for hope, peace, and direction?

You can learn more and grab your copy right here: [Prayers: Prayers for the Chronically Ill: 60 Prayers]

Because you don’t have to walk through this alone—and God’s love still speaks into the hard places.

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

📍 jimmiekepler.com | jimmiekepler.substack.com

 

Finding Purpose

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Reset

It’s Friday, the first day of November 2024. The morning feels fresh with newness, yet familiar, like stepping into a well-worn path. I was up by 6 AM, my mind already spinning with the day ahead. The last week of September plus October was a time of world travel and letting my beard grow wild. This morning I trimmed it down to a goatee. It feels like a small reset. I’m tidying up as I face the start of another month.

By 7:15, I had settled at my local Starbucks, holding a glass of water in one hand for my morning medications and a tall blonde roast coffee in the other. The aroma of coffee grounds and the gentle hum of morning chatter created a comforting backdrop as I settled in with my thoughts.

Nowhere Man

After opening my MacBook, I began listening to The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man,” as I do from time to time. You may be wondering why I decided on this song and why it holds such significance for me. During my recent travels I was in Liverpool England in September. I did The Beatles tour. The tour had me thinking on John Lennon’s life.

1n 1965 John Lennon wrote “Nowhere Man”. He was in a period of intense introspection. He was famous, admired, wealthy—by all standards — a man who had “made it.” Yet, amid this success, he questioned his identity and purpose. The song captures his struggle, expressing the unsettling feeling of being adrift despite outward achievements.

Fame Wasn’t Enough

For Lennon, fame wasn’t enough; something deeper was missing. In “Nowhere Man,” he reveals the ache of feeling detached, disconnected, and, perhaps, unanchored—a feeling that resonates worldwide. We’ve all had moments where we feel like we’re going through the motions, searching for something elusive that might give life meaning.

Listening to the song reminds me to be cautious, to resist letting life slip into routine without intentional purpose. Lennon’s story is a reminder: he had all the outward markers of success, yet something remained unfulfilled. I don’t want to end up like that. I appreciate his influence on music, culture, and activism, yet I perceive a longing for something more in him. For me, that “something” is purpose—a sense of direction that grounds me.

Purpose

This idea of purpose brings me back to a time in my life that shaped my outlook. When I was in the tenth grade, my church youth group performed a Christian musical called “Purpose,” written by Jimmy and Carol Owens. Aimed at young people, it explored themes of faith, self-identity, and finding meaning. The storyline followed a group of young people wrestling with their beliefs and discovering their purpose within their Christian faith.

The musical’s message was uncomplicated yet meaningful: our purpose transcends the surface, rooted in a significance. It struck a chord, especially during a period of cultural turmoil and societal transformation. The musical encouraged us, a young audience, to lean into our faith, to look beyond societal expectations, and to find our purpose in something lasting.

Faith in Jesus Christ

Reflecting on that experience now, decades later, I see how it helped to solidify my foundation. For me, faith in Jesus Christ gives life meaning beyond the ebb and flow of external achievements or challenges. I base my purpose not on fame or wealth, but on living in alignment with my faith and values. And so, on this November morning, as I sip my coffee and listen to Lennon’s haunting lyrics, I’m reminded of that grounding truth.

Do You Have a Purpose?

Purpose is something we all seek. It’s what keeps us going, even when the path ahead seems unclear. So, I’ll ask you: do you know your purpose?

Through faith in Christ, I believe I’ve found mine. And it’s a purpose I hold close, reminding me of what matters, even as the world around me changes.

You can find my story of finding purpose here. It is how I became a Christian. Click HERE for my story.

A Response to Change

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A response to change

Meditations

The seventieth decade of life has descended on me. While my body feels the wear of the years, my brain feels like I’m sixteen going on seventeen. If life was an hourglass, the sands would be running out.

Eight years ago, I heard former Super Bowl winning football coach and current NASCAR owner Coach Joe Gibbs describe life as a football game. He had turned seventy-five years old and likened his age to being in the fourth quarter of a football game. The officials have given the two-minute warning.

He said, “To achieve all your life’s aspirations, when you’re my age, it’s time to run the hurry-up offense. You feel the pressure of time running out. The clock will be all zeros before you know it.”

Writing has always been a key part of my aspirations, but more importantly, I want to share the life lessons I’ve learned from my loved ones, military experience, and Christian leaders. I’ll call the lessons learned “The Meditations of Jimmie Aaron Kepler.”

Change

During my early twenties, I served as a second lieutenant in the US Army. My previous company commander’s term ended, and a new captain took charge. The new commander brought about significant changes. Lightning quickness describes the pace of change. My role shifted from leading a rifle platoon to leading a weapons platoon.

Change dominated the day. I asked my father, a military retiree, for advice. Overwhelmed and frustrated best described my feelings during this process. I was my first experience going through a change of command.

My father emphasized that change is the sole constant in life. My ability to adapt to change was crucial for survival in the workplace. He told me that the new company commander or any boss or supervisor makes changes. I need to support those changes and help him or her succeed.

Dad told me if I can’t get along with the new commander or boss, I need to “get along.”

I asked him what he meant by that statement.

He told me I should be able to work with or adapt to any manager or leader placed over me. If I decide I don’t want to work or follow the new person’s leadership, I need to move on – get along to a new job. He said that it’s me who has to change; I will never change my boss. Me developing a negative or resistant attitude because of the changes does no one any good.

Dad quoted Philippians 4:11 from the Bible, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

He added, “Jim, it’s up to you to be content where you live, where you work, with your friends, with your family, and with your boss. Quit your whining, adjust your attitude, and be happy you have a successful job and a loving family. Now go help make your new boss a success. When he succeeds, you succeed.”

Why Should We Wait on the Lord?

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Waiting:

Waiting on God’s timing can be hard. The Bible gives us guidance on waiting in Psalm 27:14.

Bible Verse:

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14 KJV

Who wrote Psalm 27:14 and when was it written?

Psalm 27:14 was written by King David. It is part of the Book of Psalms, which is traditionally attributed to him. 

The exact date of its writing is uncertain, but it is believed to have been composed during David’s reign as King of Israel, around the 10th century BC.

What is the context of Psalm 27:14?

King David expresses his trust and confidence in God despite facing adversaries and challenges. 

Throughout the psalm, David speaks of seeking refuge in God, finding strength in His presence, and waiting patiently for His deliverance.

Verse 14 encourages patience and courage in waiting for God’s timing and intervention. 

It emphasizes the idea of trusting in God’s plan and relying on His strength to sustain us through difficult times.

What does Psalm 27:14 mean?

Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to trust in the Lord and wait patiently for His timing. It emphasizes the importance of having courage and faith while enduring trials or waiting for answers to prayers. 

The promise is that God will strengthen the hearts of those who put their trust in Him and wait for His guidance and provision.

What does “wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:” from Psalm 27:14 mean?

Psalm 27:14 is an encouragement to trust in God and have patience in His timing. It advises believers to wait patiently for the Lord’s guidance, help, and deliverance in difficult times. 

The phrase “wait on the Lord” implies a sense of dependence on God and His plans, rather than relying solely on human efforts or understanding.

The verse also encourages believers to be courageous and not lose heart while waiting for God’s intervention. It assures that God will provide strength and support to those who trust in Him.

Psalm 27:14 is about maintaining faith, courage, and patience in God, even when facing challenges or uncertainties in life.

What is the difference in biblical translations of Psalm 27:14 (KJV and ESV)? 

Psalm 27:14 KJV biblical translation says:

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14 ESV biblical translation says:

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

How does Psalm 27:14 give encouragement?

Psalm 27:14 provides encouragement in several ways:

  1. Encouragement to Wait on the Lord: It reminds believers to be patient and trust in God’s timing. Waiting on the Lord implies putting faith in His plan and recognizing that He knows what is best for us.
  2. Encouragement to Be Courageous: Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to have courage despite their circumstances. It acknowledges that waiting on the Lord may require endurance and steadfastness, but assures that God will provide the strength needed to persevere.
  3. Promise of Strength: Psalm 27:14 promises that as we wait on the Lord and remain courageous, He will strengthen our hearts. This strength comes from the Lord’s presence and enables believers to face challenges with confidence.

Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to trust in God’s timing, to be courageous in the face of adversity, and to rely on His strength to sustain them through difficult times.

How can I apply Psalm 27:14 to my life?

Here are some ways you can apply Psalm 27:14 to your life:

  1. Trust in God’s Timing: Psalm 27:14 encourages patience and trust in God’s timing. Sometimes, things don’t happen as quickly as we would like them to, but waiting on the Lord means trusting that He knows what is best for us and will act in His perfect timing.
  2. Be Courageous: Psalm 27:14 calls us to be of good courage while we wait. Waiting can be difficult and uncertain, but having courage means facing challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
  3. Seek Strength from God: When we wait on the Lord, He promises to strengthen our hearts. This means that as we wait patiently for His guidance and provision, He will give us the inner strength and resilience we need to endure and overcome any trials or obstacles we may face.
  4. Persist in Waiting: The repetition of “wait, I say, on the Lord” emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance in waiting on God. It’s a reminder to continually trust in Him, even when the waiting seems long or difficult.
  5. Pray for Guidance: While waiting, continue to pray and seek God’s guidance. Use this time of waiting to deepen your relationship with Him through prayer, meditation on His word, and seeking His will for your life.

Applying Psalm 27:14 to your life involves trusting in God’s timing, being courageous, seeking strength from Him, persisting in waiting, and continually seeking His guidance through prayer and meditation on His word.

A model or example prayer using Psalm 27:14:

A prayer based on tPsalm 27:14 might go something like this:

Dear Lord,

As I face challenges and uncertainties in life, help me to wait patiently on You. Grant me the courage to trust in Your timing and Your plans. 

Strengthen my heart, Lord, so that I may remain steadfast in faith, even when the journey is difficult. 

May I find peace and confidence in knowing that You are always with me, guiding and protecting me. 

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

What are five takeaways from Psalm 27:14?

Here are five takeaways from Psalm 27:14:

  1. Patience and Trust: Psalm 27:14 emphasizes the importance of waiting on the Lord, indicating the need for patience and trust in His timing and plan.
  2. Courage: It encourages believers to be of good courage, suggesting that maintaining courage is essential while waiting on God.
  3. Divine Strength: The promise of divine strength is given to those who wait on the Lord, indicating that God provides the necessary strength to endure difficulties and challenges.
  4. Repeated Emphasis: The repetition of the phrase “wait, I say, on the Lord” underscores its significance, highlighting the importance of relying on God and not acting impulsively or out of fear.
  5. Encouragement to Persevere: Psalm 27:14 serves as an encouragement for believers to persevere in their faith and to continue trusting in God’s guidance and provision, even in times of uncertainty or waiting.

 

This blog is adapted from his  book, “Wait Upon the Lord: Waiting For God’s Movement and Activity in Your Life” in Book Four from “The Bible Speaks to Life Issues” which  will be released in the Spring of 2024. You can learn more of the book series and purchase it at MORE INFO ABOUT SERIES.

It’s Okay to Cry

Posted in @jimmiekepler, Bible, Bible Memes, Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Christian Living, Christian Writers, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, jimmiekepler.com, Writer's Life, WritingLeave a comment

It’s Okay to Cry

It is okay to cry; the Heavenly Father cares about our tears. Today we look at what God’s word says about crying.

Bible Verse:

Psalm 56:8-9 (KJV), “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”

What the verse means:

Why would one keep tears in a bottle? The idea behind the keeping of “tears in a bottle” is remembrance. King David, the writer of these verses, is expressing a deep trust in God. He knows that God will remember his sorrow.

He knows God will remember his tears. He also is sure the God will not forget about him. David is confident that God is on his side. 

Praying using the verses:

  1. Heavenly Father, thank you for tears. Our tears help us identify and deal with our feelings. 
  2. Lord, thank you for letting us know crying is okay.
  3. It is comforting to know that our tears are noticed by God, that he keeps track of our tears.
  4. Pray that we will turn the sorrow concerning our chronic illness over to God.
  5. Pray that we would feel the freedom to cry out to God and let the tears flow when we need to.
  6. Pray that our family would be supportive, loving, and understanding during the times the tears flow. Pray he would just hold her during these times without questioning and comfort her.
  7. Help us to have the confidence of King David, the author of these verses, and say with him – for God is for me.

 

This blog is adapted from his  book, “Prayers for the Chronically Ill: 60 Prayers” from The Bible Speaks on Life Issues Book One. You can learn more of the book series and purchase it at MORE INFO ABOUT SERIES.

 

What Can Cast Out Fear?

Posted in @jimmiekepler, Bible, Bible Memes, Blog, Caregiver, Caregiving, Christian Living, Christian Writers, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, jimmiekepler.com, Writer's Life, WritingLeave a comment

God’s Love

What do you do when the future you had planned is suddenly erased? 

A person confronting a chronic illness may feel uncertain about the future. Their hopes and dreams may be placed on hold or have to be altered. They may feel hopeless and helpless. When they feel uncertain about the future, lead them to that perfect love which casts out all fear. Share the love of Jesus Christ.

What is a chronic illness? A chronic disease is one lasting three months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear.

Examples of chronic illnesses are:

  • Alzheimer disease
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Glaucoma
  • Heart Disease
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson disease

Bible Verse:

1 John 4:18 (KJV), “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

What the verse means:

  • John says that perfect love produces courage in the day of judgment. Why?
  • Perfect love produces likeness to Christ. Jesus Christ is the Judge.
  • There is another way in which love produces boldness. It does this by its casting out fear.
  • The entrance of perfect love through Jesus Christ is for fear a cease and desist letter to quit. A person cannot both love and fear the same person or thing. When perfect love comes in, the darker fear exits.
  • When love arrives, it brings hand in hand with itself Courage.
  • Boldness is the companion of love, only when love is perfect.
  • Only professing Christians can experience this perfect love of God, a love that casts out fear.
  • As Believer’s we can face the future, including a chronic illness, and even death with the peace that only comes from Christ’s perfect love.

Praying using the verses:

  1. Lord Jesus, thank you that there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.
  2. Heavenly Father, help us to keep our minds focused on you and your love for us.
  3. Remove any fears we may have as we look to the future. 
  4. Provide us with your grace to meet the challenges we encounter daily.
  5. Help us to know as Believers in Jesus Christ our ultimate future is in Heaven.

 

This blog is adapted from his  book, “Prayers for the Chronically Ill: 60 Prayers” from The Bible Speaks on Life Issues Book One. You can learn more of the book series and purchase it at MORE INFO ABOUT SERIES.