Monday, December 31, 2012

New Year, New Perspective on "Resolutions"...










Hello!

As we approach the New Year and the proverbial need to make New Year's Resolutions, I think this quote from Paul David Tripp says a lot:
..."the character of a life is not set in two or three dramatic moments, but in 10,000 little moments." -Paul David Tripp

We ought to have goals in life and
to be clear, New Year's Resolutions aren't bad in and of themselves, however, I believe that it's in the goals we have and actions we take in the day-to-day where real victory and life change takes place for us.  
The "little victories" and the "little goals achieved" will lead to long term success! ...that is if you keep at it...don't give up...don't give in to mediocrity. Yes, this may include some failures along the way but that is part of growth!

So, as you approach the New Year, maybe instead of making goals that you may or may not keep and then "beat yourself up" if you don't reach your goals, maybe go ahead and set larger goals but try fulfilling them through smaller goals and day-to-day actions? Things that are tangible / attainable?

Take time to pray and ask the Lord through His Holy Spirit to help you each day today and in the New Year to come!

Something to think about as we enter the New Year.

Here's to your success and victory in the New Year!

May the Lord work in and through you mightily this next year for His kingdom and glory!

Happy New Year!

Blessings in Christ,

rlk

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas 2012!!

Hello and Merry Christmas!!

This is a gift from me to you! 

Each Christmas Morning, The Koch Entourage will pause to reflect on why we as a family celebrate Christmas by reading the Luke 2 account of the Birth of Jesus Christ just before we exchange and open gifts. So, I decided to share this will you via the below images as well as the linked PDF version. Enjoy...and again, Merry Christmas!!


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62880866/TheChristmasStory_Luke2_1-35.pdf

Have a wonderful Christmas! Please see the below!

Because He is the reason for this season,

rlk




Friday, December 21, 2012

The Long Awaited One


Waiting...... I don't know anyone, especially in our society who likes waiting! Whether it's for your coffee order, or for the car in front of you to "finally" go when the light turns green, or whatever comes to mind...we aren't great at...Waiting!

Imagine for a moment a man who waited his entire life to see the messiah arrive! Then it finally happened! Wow! What commitment! What a heart he had!

Let me encourage you, that no matter what side of salvation you're on - seek the Lord as He's seeking you, He wants a daily relationship with you and stands ready to forgive you of everything you've done, all the sins you've committed past, present and future! You just need to call upon His name, repent and receive His eternal gift for you - salvation then walk with Him! What a great time of year (any time is great of course) to receive His free gift!

For all of us, the wait is over. Jesus has arrived and is the solution to our ultimate problem which is sin and separation from God!

I wanted to share the below devotional I wrote some years ago that is a great picture of man's commitment and desire to meet the Messiah before he died - and God brought it to pass through what we celebrate on December 25th!

Merry Christmas!

Let me leave you once again, with this benediction:

MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS FAITH;
THE WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS LOVE;
THE BELIEF IN CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS TRUTH;
THE ALL OF CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS CHRIST JESUS. –Unknown


With Tremendous Love,
Your Brother and Servant,

rlk

__________________________________________________

The Word:

Read:
Luke 2:21-35
Additional Reading: Micah 5:2-4


“The Long Awaited One” by Randolph Koch

Imagine if you had to wait an entire lifetime to attain a goal. This would take patience and determination. Today, in the “I want it here and right now” world we live in, this might not go over too well. Personally speaking, even as I write this, many things come to mind that I've waited for and with some of these things I’ve honestly been waiting for many years for God to open the doors He’s clearly been preparing to lead me through. Let me say, this hasn’t been easy at times and has been very frustrating sometimes. Yet, I keep waiting and keeping my faith and trust in Him as I know He’s preparing the way. He keeps reminding me that it will happen in His will and in His timing- not mine. I look forward to the day when the door swings wide-open for me.


Now, place yourself in Simeon’s shoes for a minute. He was an older and very devout man that the Holy Spirit was working through. It was revealed to him through The Spirit that he would not die before he would see the Messiah. Simeon had literally been waiting his whole life to see Jesus Christ, the Son of God come to Bethlehem as the prophets of old foretold. Then after Jesus was born and circumcised and the days of purification were completed according to the Law, Mary and Joseph made their way to the temple to present Jesus to the Lord. Simeon saw the baby Jesus and took Him with joy into his arms, held Him and said the following words:

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
-Luke 2:29-32

The long awaited One had arrived! Simeon’s wait was over! We can only imagine the sheer joy, wonder, and awe he must has experienced as he held in his very arms the One whom God had sent as Savior of the world!

Possibly you’ve been waiting your whole life for something that you just couldn’t place your finger on? Jesus is the One who you’ve been missing and honestly, He’s been waiting for you to realize your need for Him. Please seek Him now while you still have time to receive His gift.

Maybe you have Him now and have received Him but have forgotten what a gift He is? It’s not too late to enter back in re-committing yourself to live for Him, His purpose and plan. It’s never too late to turn away from complacency and bad habits. Even if you feel that you’ve forsaken and completely turned away from Him, it’s never too late to return to Him as His arms are wide open waiting for you to come to Him.

Whatever your situation is, run to him and cling to Him because the long awaited One, Jesus Christ, is waiting for you and came to earth on your behalf for your salvation!

Questions To Get Started With:

-Have you received His gift of salvation yourself?
-Have you been missing something in your life that you can’t quite place your finger on? Have you considered that Jesus Christ is who you’ve been missing?
-If you’re a Christian, have you become complacent in your faith and relationship with Him? If so, do you know what you need to do to get back what you once had with your Savior?
-This Christmas, will you celebrate the true meaning and reason for Christmas?




Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas Through The Eyes of A Child and Our Greatest Need


Hello and Merry Christmas!

Today I wanted to share two items with you. 

1. I wanted to share this cute video I saw recently at a Christmas celebration of The Christmas Story Through the Eyes of Children:

 

2. Here's a poem that I really love by Roy Lessin titled "Our Greatest Need":

Our Greatest Need
by Roy Lessin

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness,
So God sent us a Savior.  

Have a blessed day!

Blessings during this Christmas time,

rlk

Friday, December 14, 2012

Emmanuel - Our God (Your God) is With Us (You)


Feeling alone right now or lately? 

Please hear me, God is there with you and for you, friend. Just call out to Him, He is there! 

Please view this video which is another great video reminder to share during this Christmas season. 

"Emmanuel" by Geoff Moore. 

May you be encouraged and ministered to through this song and reminder that He is with you!


Blessings,

rlk  

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The 12 Days Of Christmas













Hello!

Happy 12-12-12! Hope this message finds you well!

There are twelve days until Christmas! Are you ready? Are you ready to celebrate the most important Birthday ever? I hope you are!

Today, I wanted to share something I found years ago on Dayspring.com. 


Dayspring produces great cards and some years ago they placed the below linked devotional content online.

They called it the Twelve days of Christmas as it is meant to be a 12 devotional countdown until December the 25th.

I placed the 12 devotions in a PDF document for your enjoyment & uploaded it here:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/62880866/The%20Twelve%20Days%20of%20Christmas.pdf


I’ve also uploaded a second PDF document that gives 12 suggested ideas/resources for the 12 days of Christmas here: 

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/62880866/Resources%20for%20the%2012%20days%20of%20Christmas.pdf

There are some good ideas included.

Hope the devotionals and the resource ideas bring you encouragement and a little more of His light to your Christmas holiday festivities and preparations.

Have a wonderful day in Him! Please see the above links.

Because He Lives and He Is the Reason for the Season,

In His Strong Love,
    Your Servant and Brother,

rlk

Sunday, December 09, 2012

Carol of The Bells by The Franz Family

Here's another beautiful version of "Carol of The Bells". This one from gifted/talented Franz Family!

Got to love the music of Christmas!

Enjoy!

rlk

Carol of the Bells // The Franz Family from ColdWater Media on Vimeo.

Monday, December 03, 2012

Are you missing the point of Christmas?

Hello!

It's clear that many really miss the point of Christmas.

From the craziness of Black Friday through the political correctness that people think should be observed - it's clear that people forget or want to forsake the true meaning of what we celebrate during December and on December 25th!

Recently I saw this brief video from Pastor Greg Laurie where he shares some thoughts on this very thing! Check it out below.

Let me ask you, are you missing the point of Christmas? Or, are you getting the point, the truth of Christmas? 


My prayer for you is that you celebrate and really savor the true meaning of Christmas this year and in the years to come!

Because He is The Reason for the Season,

rlk

Sunday, December 02, 2012

December 1st: "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day."


You may or may not have heard this before but here's an updated version of "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns....Thought it was a good one to kick the month of December off with! Some great food for thought in this song!