Who Is Acceptable to God?

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.
 
Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.
 
Books: Click on BOOKS to see some of the books I’ve written or where I’ve been a contributor. 

Abundant Life

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.
 
Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.
 
Books: Click on BOOKS to see some of the books I’ve written or where I’ve been a contributor. 

Mustard Seed Faith

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.
 
Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.
 
Books: Click on BOOKS to see some of the books I’ve written or where I’ve been a contributor. 

Our Hope is In God

Bible Verse:

“Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”

Psalm 33:22 (KJV)

My Story:

At twenty-three years old, I became a Christian. Since then, I have believed in the power of prayer and know that God is always listening. However, in my early forties, as I faced one challenge after another, I felt overwhelmed and discouraged. My career was struggling, and after a career change, I was struggling to make ends meet. I was losing hope, and for the only time in my life, felt like giving up.

One day, as I was reading the Bible, I came across Psalm 33:22, which says, “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Something about those words spoke to my soul. I realized I my focus was on my problems that I had forgotten to put my hope in God. The words echoed in my head over and over that day “Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” I needed to put my hope in the Lord.

From that day on, I prayed, trusting in God’s plan for my life. I saw small blessings.

One example is a gift of money to pay my mortgage payment on time. 

Another is a veterans benefit. It allowed me to retrain for a high paying information technology job. I realized God was with me every step of the way.

As I continued to put my hope in the Lord, I experienced a newfound sense of joy and peace. I no longer felt overwhelmed by my circumstances because I knew God was in control. I looked for opportunities to help others and spread love and kindness wherever I went.

In the end, I turned my hobby into my career. I earned more money than I ever dreamed of, and I stayed current on my debts, provided financial stability for my wife and children. 

My hope and faith in the Lord would carry me through any challenge that lay ahead.

Who wrote Psalm 33:22 and when was it written?

We do not attribute the authorship of this psalm to any specific individual. Many believe that King David wrote it, as we give him credit for writing many of the psalms.

Nobody knows the exact date when somebody wrote Psalm 33, as the Book of Psalms contains prayers and songs collected over a period of centuries. Scholars believe the psalm’s writing occurred during the time of the Kingdom of Israel, which was ruled by King David and his successors from around 1000 BC to 586 BC.

What is the context of Psalm 33:22?

Psalm 33 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving to God for his power, sovereignty, and faithfulness. The psalm begins with an exhortation to sing joyfully to the Lord and play skillfully on musical instruments, acknowledging that the word of the Lord is right and true, and that all his works were done in faithfulness.

Psalm 33:22 is the concluding verse of the psalm and it reads: “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” This verse is a prayer of trust and dependence on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, asking for his ongoing presence and protection. It is a reminder that despite the challenges and uncertainties of life, we can rely on God’s unwavering love and place our hope in him.

What is the meaning of Psalm 33:22?

Psalm 33:22 says, “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” This verse is a prayer for God’s continued presence and love in the lives of those who trust in Him.

The verse begins with the phrase, “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord.” “Unfailing” emphasizes God’s love is constant and dependable. Here the psalmist is asking for God’s love to be present with them always, showing a desire for a close and personal relationship with God.

“Even as we put our hope in you,” the second part says. This phrase recognizes that the psalmist’s hope is in God alone. They trust God will provide for them, protect them, and guide them through life. By putting their hope in God, the psalmist is expressing their confidence in God’s faithfulness and goodness.

Overall, Psalm 33:22 is a prayer of trust and dependence on God’s love and faithfulness. The verse acknowledges that God’s love is unfailing and that the psalmist’s hope is in God alone.

What does “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,” mean?

The phrase “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord” is from Psalm 33:22 in the Bible. This verse is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God’s power and goodness as Creator and Redeemer. The psalmist is expressing trust in God’s love and protection, and asking for it to be with them.

In particular, the phrase “unfailing love” is a translation of the Hebrew word “chesed,” which is a term that carries a rich and complex meaning. We can translate it as “steadfast love,” “loyal love,” or “mercy.” They often used this word in the Hebrew Bible to describe God’s love for His people, which is faithful and unchanging even in the face of their sins and failures.

So, when the psalmist says, “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,” they are expressing a desire for God’s enduring love and faithfulness to be present with them. This is a prayer of dependence and trust in God’s goodness, and recognizes the need for His help and guidance in all aspects of life.

What does “Lord, even as we put our hope in you,” mean?

Psalm 33:22 is a verse from the Bible which reads, “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” This verse expresses a prayer of trust and faith in God’s love and protection.

The phrase “even as we put our hope in you” is a statement of faith and trust in God. It acknowledges that the Psalmist is placing his hope and confidence in God’s love and protection, even in difficult and uncertain times. This phrase also implies that our hope is not in anything else but in God alone.

The Psalmist is asking God to let His unfailing love be with us as we trust in Him. God’s love, which is unchanging and eternal, roots our hope in Him.

In summary, the phrase “Lord, even as we put our hope in you” expresses the Psalmist’s trust and confidence in God’s love and protection, and his acknowledgement that our hope is firmly placed in God alone.

What is the difference in biblical translations of Psalm 33:22 (KJV, NIV & ESV)

  • Psalm 33:22 KJV biblical translation says:

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 33:22 KJV
  • Psalm 33:22 NIV biblical translation says:

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:22 NIV
  • Psalm 33:22 ESV biblical translation says:

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Psalm 33:22 ESV

How does Psalm 33:22 give encouragement?

The verse reminds us that God’s love is unfailing, so it is never-ending and unconditional. This can encourage, especially during difficult times when we may feel like we are alone or that God has abandoned us. The verse encourages us to trust in God’s love, knowing that He is always with us and cares for us.

The verse also encourages us to put our hope in God. When we put our hope in Him, we are placing our trust in His promises and His faithfulness. This can encourage when we are facing challenges or uncertainties in life, knowing that God is in control and has a plan for our lives.

The verse is a prayer that asks God to be with us and to show us His unfailing love. This can be comforting, especially when we are feeling overwhelmed or anxious. When we pray, we can experience a sense of peace and comfort, knowing that God is listening and cares about our concerns.

Overall, Psalm 33:22 can be a source of encouragement because it reminds us of God’s unfailing love, encourages us to put our hope in Him, and offers comfort through prayer.

How can I apply Psalm 33:22 to my life?

Psalm 33:22 says, “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” This verse reminds us that God’s love for us is unfailing, and we can trust in Him to guide us through our lives. Here are some ways you can apply this verse to your life:

  • Trust in God’s love: Remind yourself that God’s love for you is unfailing, and that He will always be with you no matter what you face in life. This can help you find peace and comfort in difficult times.
  • Put your hope in God: Instead of relying on your own strength and abilities, put your hope in God and trust that He will guide you to where you need to be. This can help you find direction and purpose in your life.
  • Pray for God’s love: Ask God to fill your heart with His unfailing love, and to help you recognize and appreciate it in your daily life. This can help you cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.
  • Show love to others: As you experience God’s unfailing love in your life, share that love with others by showing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. This can help you spread God’s love to those around you.

Overall, Psalm 33:22 can be a reminder to trust in God’s love and to put our hope in Him, which can bring peace and purpose to our lives.

A model or example prayer using Psalm 33:22

Dear God,

I come before you today with a humble heart and a spirit of thankfulness. You are the creator of all things, and I am grateful for your loving presence in my life. Your word says in Psalm 33:22, “May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Lord, I put my hope in you today, knowing that your love never fails.

I pray you would pour out your love upon me and my loved ones. May we feel your presence in our lives, and may your love fill us up and overflow into the lives of those around us. Help us put our trust in you and to lean on your strength in times of trouble. May we find comfort and peace in your unfailing love.

Lord, I pray you would guide us and direct our paths. May your wisdom and understanding be our compass as we navigate the challenges of life. Help us make wise decisions and to follow the path that leads to your perfect will for our lives.

Lord, I pray you would bless us with joy and happiness. May we find joy in the simple things of life and in the relationships that you have given us? Help us spread your love and joy to those around us, so that others may also experience the goodness of your love.

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love. May we always put our hope in you and trust in your goodness. 

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

Conclusion: 

God’s unfailing love is always with us. 

Sometimes we cannot recognize or accept His love. 

Exercising the hope that we have in Christ by accepting through acknowledgment helps us experience His hope.


Today’s article is from the forthcoming book: “Hope: How to Have Hope During Times of Hardship | The Bible Speaks to Life Issues, Book Three” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Ed.D. from Poetry and Prayer Press (c) 2023

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.

Books: Click on BOOKS to see some of the books I’ve written or where I’ve been a contributor.

Why We Should Not Fear

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.
 
Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.
 
Books: Click on BOOKS to see some of the books I’ve written or where I’ve been a contributor. 

God Will Be With You

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.

God Is With You

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.

Books: Click on BOOKS to see some of the books I’ve written or where I’ve been a contributor.

What Do You Want to Accomplish?

Jim Kepler Reflecting on Life

Hello Everyone

Hello Everybody. Can you believe it’s already Friday? As I grow older, the week seems to zoom by as fast a as school holiday evaporated when I young. Even though I am officially retired, I try to make the best use of each day I have.

Two-minute warning

Reflecting on something I heard Coach Joe Gibbs (member of the NFL Hall of Fame and the NASCAR Hall of Fame) say. His words, “If we view life as a football game, at my age I’m in the fourth quarter. Not only is it the fourth quarter, but the two-minute warning has been given. I’m now running the hurry-up offense to accomplish as much as I can.” 

Jim Kepler and Coach Joe Gibbs taken at Interstate Batteries Corporate Headquarters. Coach Gibbs was doing a book signing. You can learn more about or purchase his book at the below link.

 

Life Span

I turn 70-years old later this year. As a child in Sunday school and church I learned Psalm 90:10. The verse tells what are expected life-span is. The verse says, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten (70 years); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years (80-years), yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” 

Each day is precious

Each day is precious. My mother made four score and one and my father made four score and ten. I have an urgency to avail myself to use each day fully and to continue to share my Christian faith. I don’t fear death. I know that heaven is my destination because I am a Believer in Jesus Christ. I just want all of you to spend eternity with me in heaven. So, you’ll hear me share stuff about Jesus from time to time.

How to Become a Christian

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus –My Story.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.

 

How Are a Man’s Steps Established?

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If you died tonight, would you go to heaven?

Here’s how can know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be sure heaven is your eternal home. Click the link to read my personal story of accepting Jesus – Jimmie’s Story.

 

Need to Recharge Your Personal Strength and Power?

The Strength We Need

Coronavirus/Corvid-19 news fills all media. Gloom and doom permeate everywhere. The shelter at home orders is spreading the globe. Current circumstances make us weary and sap our energy. So many today are tired and worn out. What’s a person to do?

Today I want to look at the secret of our power of strength as a Christian. We’ll be looking in the Holy Bible at the book of Ephesians, chapter three, verses fourteen through twenty-one. The passage is a prayer for strength by the Apostle Paul.

I got the idea for this article from a Sunday morning sermon on March 8, 2020, by my pastor, Dr. Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. A part of the article is adapted from my sermon notes, a part is original

Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV) – A Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Work of the Holy Spit Through Us

We will look at the work of the Holy Spirit through us. We will see how we have all of God, that is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit working in and through us if we are Believers.

Because of what Christ has done for us, we as Believers of Jesus Christ, are all wealthy (riches of His glory) and worthy.

I’d Rather Have Jesus

I think of a comforting old hymn written in 1922 by Rhea F. Miller with the music composed by George Beverly Shea, titled “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; 
I’d rather be His than have riches untold; 
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands. 
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand 

Chorus:

Than to be the king of a vast domain 
Or be held in sin’s dread sway. 
I’d rather have Jesus than anything 
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; 
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame. 
I’d rather be true to His holy name [Chorus]

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom; 
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb; 
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs. 
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead [Chorus]

Songwriters: Rhea F. Miller. Since the song was written in 1922, it is published by Public Domain.

Christians Are A Child of God

If you are a Believer in Jesus Christ, you are a child of God. As His child, you have His power and His strength. 

Here are some verses about the strength of God and His power.

 Joshua 1:9 (ESV) – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 33:25 (ESV) – “Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.”

Deuteronomy 33:27 (ESV) – “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy.’”

2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV) – “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

Psalm 46:1 (ESV) – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV) – “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling,”

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) – “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Habakkuk 3:19 (ESV) – “God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.”

Mark 12:30 (ESV) – “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

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

1 – We Are Strengthen by the Power of the Holy Spirit

A. The Holy Spirit Has the Power to Convict a Person, Convince a Person, and Bring a Person to Conversion.

B. The Holy Spirit Has the Power to Witness

Acts 1:8 (ESV) – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

My pastor, Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, shared the following statistics on March 9, 2020. He said that 83,000 people a day are accepting Christ as Savior. He added that there are more born again Christians in China than in any other country. Sadly, he pointed out that only 6,000 people a day in the United States of America and Western Europe came to faith in Jesus Christ each day.

C. The Holy Spirit Has the Power to Help Us Live in Joyful Hope.

Acts 1:8a (ESV) – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.”

D. The Holy Spirit Give Us the Power to Overcome Our Fears and Anxieties

We need to access and use what God has already given us.

To maintain our strength, we need to access and use what God has already given us. We don’t need something new.

To recharge our strength and power daily, we need to 

    1. Pray
    2. Posture (by that, I mean yielding and surrounding to the Lord every day).

Remember, kneeling is an act of humility before the Lord.

Never forget, God’s Spirit lives in you if you are a Believer in Jesus Christ.

Don’t lose heart. Why? You have God in you!

2 – We Are Strengthened In the Inner Being

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

You are made in the image of God and remade in the image of Christ.

Ephesians 3: 18 -19 (ESV) says, “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

He strengthens our love.

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

WORLD is symbolic of the width of God’s love.

GAVE HIS SON is a manifestation of the depth of God’s love.

NOT PERISH shows the length of God’s love.

Fall in love? No, you grow in love. The perfect love of God cast out fear.

Ephesians 3:17 (ESV) says, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”

This is allowing Christ to be at home in your heart.

3 – He Strengthens Us To Be Filled With His Fulness 

Ephesians 3:19 (ESV) says, “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

We need to realize that it’s all for Jesus.

    1. You need to realize and receive that the Holy Spirit is in you since you acted Jesus as Savior and received salvation.
    2. You need to empty life of self and sin.
    3. You need all the Holy Spirit to control your life.
    4. You need to walk with Christ daily.

How I Became a Christian or How I Was Saved.

Did you know being good doesn’t get you to heaven? Being “saved” does. Here’s my story of “being saved”.

On July 11, 1977, my life changed. If you look up that date in history, you will find nothing historically significant happened on that Sunday. It was a noteworthy day for me. That day was the watershed event in my life.

July 1977 found me on active duty as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. I was serving as Battalion Maintenance Officer, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Life was good. I had a beautiful, intelligent wife. I had a new son born in January that same year. I had just gotten a commendable rating during an annual general inspection in maintenance. It was the first commendable rating since the division had returned from Vietnam. Named an Outstanding Junior Officer of the Ninth Infantry Division because of the commendable rating, I received an offer of a regular army commission. My career was going great.

I always tried being the best I could be and doing what was right. I was a detail-oriented perfectionist, high-achieving, and a workaholic. I excelled at most things I did. However, after all of this, I still had an empty, unsatisfied, void, and alone feeling. Beginning in my college years I tried drinking adult beverages, women, materialism, partying, and hanging out with the right crowd to fill this unexplained need I had. I knew something was missing from my life.

I was also attending church. At my church, I noticed a group of men my age that seemed to have what I was missing. I attended a Bible study with them. Here I found that God has given us an important manual for life — the Bible. He has the answers to the problems and emptiness we may face in that book. 

I found out I was here for a purpose, and not by accident. I learned Jesus loves me and desires to have a personal relationship with me. However, sin separated me from Him.

I realized I had a sin problem.

The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23 But no one is perfect! Not even a perfectionist. We have all sinned and therefore cannot save ourselves by simply living a good life. Why?

I learned there was a penalty to be paid for my sin.

The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

I learned God gives us a promise.

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

I learned that God made provision for me.

The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. – Romans 10:9-10

I prayed to accept the gift of eternal life through Jesus.

I prayed, “Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the grave so that I might have eternal life in Heaven with You. I willingly repent of my sins and ask you to come into my heart and life. Take control of my words, thoughts, and actions. I place all of my trust in You for my salvation. I accept You as my Lord and Savior, and this gift of eternal life. Amen.”

What came next?

Since then, my life has not been perfect. It’s been far from it. I have messed up from time to time – too many times – sometimes failing miserably in my decisions and choices. However, I have had direction and purpose in my life. I know where I am headed. I have the Bible to give me the principles for daily living. I am never alone. I have had real peace for the last 43 years.

How about you?

Have you ever been “saved”? 

You can do like I did. Romans 10:9-10, 13 tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Why Not Accept Christ Now?

 If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, you can pray this prayer – Dear Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I am a sinner, and I am very sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived. I repent of my sins and ask your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood for my sins. I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. I invite you to come into my heart and become my Lord and Savior. Amen.


Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay