Wednesday, February 27, 2008

You Are Not Forgotten


The Word:
Read: Luke 12:6-7


"You Are Not Forgotten" by Randolph Koch

Standing alone, or in a crowd of people, in a time of struggle or easy going, you may feel at time that you are alone. This happens to many, because at times we have a wrong view of God. We tend to believe sometimes that God is a distant God that is only around or available when we speak the "magic words" in our prayers. We think that when mankind forgets us or treats us bad that God must be the same way. This is so far from the truth! God loves us so much that He gave us His one and only Son. We know this to be true as believers so why should we feel alone?
You're more important to God than anything in the universe. Be encouraged today knowing that God will never forget you or forsake you. He knows each hair on your head and I can't think of anyone else that knows us that well. So remember, you are never alone and you'll definitely never be forgotten in regard to our great and mighty God.

Questions To Get Started:
-Are you prone to feeling alone?
-How much time do you spend with the Lord on a daily basis?
-Do you notice a difference in how you feel when you do or don't spend
time actively seeking Him?
-Do you relate your self worth with how God views you; or with man's opinions?



(Original Publish Date; Thursday, July 09, 1998 – Revised 02/27/08)

 

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Our Refuge




The Word:
Read:
Psalm 46:1-11


"Our Refuge" by Randolph Koch

Here they come again. The pressures, trials, and struggles of life. It seems that we have daily events that give opportunity to refine us; reminding us who we should be seeking as our shelter. Personally I've been bombarded with one event after another, making me almost feel like I'm going to break down or make me question what is going on. "Why are things going so rough I've asked myself?"

There have been so many times where there has been so much to do at work with literally not enough time to get everything done. It's pretty overwhelming at times. Then I'm reminded of the scriptures that tell me to cling to God and not operate under my own understanding. Seek refuge. Seek the only cover that will protect and sustain us because the storms will continue to come.

Recently, I turned on the news to see coverage of the aftermath of a cyclone that led to a major flood in South Africa. The people were running as fast as they could through very deep water, scrambling to save their lives. Some were only able to escape with the clothes they had on their backs. It was heart wrenching to see them. It was obvious that they had tremendous fear. It was visible on their faces as they climbed onto a small platform where a helicopter was waiting to try to rescue as many people as they could. There was a lack of helicopters so when one would come, you'd see them sprint by the dozens toward their rescue; many being turned away because there was no room for them. There were pictures of those that had been waited for hours and in some cases days in the chilling waters, to be rescued.

In other parts of the world during this same time, volcanoes were erupting. People in these locations were fleeing also for a safe refuge. All of these things remind me of the truth that every one of us no matter in flood, famine, or any situation good or bad we need our own refuge. We need to run to Jesus and cling to Him with everything we have. We cannot rely on ourselves completely because we cannot make it without Him. He is our refuge. The question is will we seek Him today?

Maybe it's been a long while since you've made Him a part of your life? Give Him control and He can take care of you completely. Enter back in to His presence and know that He'll strengthen, encourage, and hold you up by His power, glory and strength.

Maybe you're a Christian that is walking faithfully with Him? May you seek Him all the more because you know the value of seeking and clinging to Him in your life.

You could be a non-Christian reading this today- I'd like to encourage you to seek His refuge for the first time. Come to know salvation through Jesus Christ. He is waiting with open arms for all of us to run to Him.

For all of us may His refuge be our daily homecoming as we come and go - wherever we go. We can trust Him for He will never fail us. No matter what happens in this world He'll be your refuge.

I pray for all of us that in times of trouble or not, we'll seek Him as our refuge. You'll never go wrong by seeking Him.

Questions to Get Started With:
-Do you cling to Him as your refuge?

-Do you seek Him daily?
-Are you striving in the midst of your struggles?
-Or have you ceased to strive and know that He is God?



(Originally published Feb 28, 2000)

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Free 2008 Calendar

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Wanted to let you know about a new free four page 2008 Calendar download that I've created and made available for you on the RLK Ministries Download page. Three of the four photos feature Oregon locations.
You can download a full year calendar in one file or four individual files that have three months per file/page. The files require the free Adobe Acrobat reader in order to view and or print them.

Feel free to share the calendar with anyone you believe would enjoy having a copy.

In Christ,

Randolph Koch