Friday, December 24, 2021

Christmas Eve, Every Day!

My Friend,

It’s Christmas Eve and you may recall what it was like as a child as you waited in anticipation for all that Christmas day would bring?! You may have lost some sleep too due to the excitement! :-)

This brings to mind the many who were waiting in anticipation for the Messiah’s arrival, and they waited…for years.

I wonder what the anticipation must have been like!? Was it like Simeon that we learn about in Luke 2 who had been waiting his entire life for The Messiah? 

And then Jesus arrived the wait was over! What a day for Simeon that was and especially after The Holy Spirit showed Hi that he would not see death before he’d seen Christ! Then when Simeon met him face to face, he praised God! (See Luke 2:25-35)

Now as followers of Christ the wait is over! We’ve received His free gift of salvation!

We know and celebrate Jesus, The Messiah’s birth during Christmas an all year through. We don’t have to wait to receive Him, Worship Him, and walk with Him as He is The Messiah!

As we prayerfully live life with a childlike faith, it occurred to me that we can basically have a “Christmas Eve” every day as we anticipate and look forward to each new day to celebrate, walk with, grow in, and do life together with Jesus. 

We can meet Him daily through seeking Him through prayer, studying His Word, serving Him will our entire being, and walking in and being filled with His Holy Spirit. 

May you go to sleep and rise to greet each day with the blessed anticipation of meeting with Jesus, walking with Jesus, and serving Him. He’s our eternal gift that we get to appreciate each day.

I pray you have a wonderful Christmas, and may the light of Christ shine brightly in and through you each days as you live to do His will for all for His Kingdom and Glory!

Lastly, here's a special brief Christmas greeting from my heart to you: https://youtu.be/wY_xHsEFWR0


You're in my prayers.

Your Brother and Servant In Christ,
Randolph Koch

Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)


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Tuesday, November 30, 2021

December 2021 Memory Verses.

My Friend,

For the month of December I've suggested 4 verses (of the many) for your memorization that are a fitting reminder of the birth of Jesus / His arrival!

Here are the memory verses for December: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 2:6-7, and John 1:1-3.




May your heart, soul, mind, and life be filled with awe and wonder of God's indescribable gift during this Christmas time and all year through!

As always, I've suggested the ESV version which is the version I use most often, however, if you have another good word for word translation you enjoy, feel free to memorize it in that version. It's completely up to you.

You'll notice that following the verses is a list of some basic themes/topics. I've included those suggestions as I learned many years ago that having at least one theme or topic in mind when you memorize scripture helps you store them in memory and as you have conversations with others in the future, I can guarantee that as those themes/topics come up, the scripture you've memorized will also come to mind and you may share encouragement from God's Word or re-encourage yourself!

We're reminded of the importance of God's Word by a question from Psalm 119:9, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word" and then in Psalm 119:11 that, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

So how do you "guard your ways according to God's Word" and how do you "store up His Word in your heart?" One way is summed up in these three words: Memorize God's Word!

Abiding in The Word through reading, studying, memorization and living it out are vital keys to our growth.

Have fun with it! Don't stress about it! And, as always, be in The Word and stay in The Word!

You're in my prayers and please reach out if you need any tips.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
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Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
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#scripture #memorization #christmas #advent #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #ashepherdsheart #livelifeonpurpose

Friday, November 12, 2021

Giving Is A Gift.

My Friend,

Giving to God from our first fruits for His Kingdom and Glory, and giving to help others is a gift, privilege, and a blessing. We give because He first gave!

There are numerous scriptures about giving and as you study God's Word, (which I encourage you to do) you'll see that giving is not meant to be some legalistic thing but something God wants us to continue to consider and then take action. God doesn't need your money but He does want you to give and we need to be doers and not just hearers about giving and everything He teaches us! 

Let me encourage you to seek God first through His Word and prayer and ask Him what He would have you do in giving of all the resources He's blessed you with. 

And then, be faithful to do what He impresses upon you to do via The Holy Spirit.

Don't give out of mere obligation or with a bad attitude because it's not "I have to give", rather, it's a "I have the privilege to give!
Let me encourage you to be generous, sacrificial, consistent and cheerful as you give of your money (that He gave you in the first place) as well as your other resources such as your time and talents all for His kingdom and glory! There are so many needs and we can help fill them little by little. 

Read, study, and live out 2 Corinthians 8-9, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Acts 20:35 for starters. 

Then study the scriptures more about giving, tithes, offerings, and more as you continue to seek The Lord about the blessing and gift of giving. 

You're in my prayers.

Your Brother and Servant In Christ,
Randolph Koch

Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
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#cheerful #give #giving #sacrificial #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #livelifeonpurpose #reshare #faithblogger #love #ashepherdsheart

Monday, November 01, 2021

November 2021 Memory Verses.

My Friend,

It is fitting that we give thanks and give gratitude daily to The Lord for Who He is, all He's done, and all He continues to do.
So, for the month of November I've suggested 4 brief verses, of the many, that are in God's Word for your memorization.

Here are the memory verses for November: Psalm 100:4, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 9:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

May your heart, soul, mind, and life be filled with thanksgiving and gratitude to The Lord no matter the circumstances you face!



As always, I've suggested the ESV version which is the version I use most often, however, if you have another good word for word translation you enjoy, feel free to memorize it in that version. It's completely up to you.

You'll notice that following the verses is a list of some basic themes/topics. I've included those suggestions as I learned many years ago that having at least one theme or topic in mind when you memorize scripture helps you store them in memory and as you have conversations with others in the future, I can guarantee that as those themes/topics come up, the scripture you've memorized will also come to mind and you may share encouragement from God's Word or re-encourage yourself!

We're reminded of the importance of God's Word by a question from Psalm 119:9, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word" and then in Psalm 119:11 that, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

So how do you "guard your ways according to God's Word" and how do you "store up His Word in your heart?" One way is summed up in these three words: Memorize God's Word!

It doesn't matter what age you are, we're all capable of memorizing scripture and need to incorporate it into our lives for our benefit and the benefit of others!

Abiding in The Word through reading, studying, memorization and living it out are vital keys to our growth.

Have fun with it! Don't stress about it! And, as always, be in The Word and stay in The Word!

You're in my prayers and please reach out if you need any tips.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Web, YouVersion, and Telegram)
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Friday, October 15, 2021

9 Things You Should Remember & Be Encouraged By About God Day-by-Day.

Hello Friend!  

Here are 9 of the many things you should remember and be encouraged by about God day-by-day.
 
Check out this video here: https://youtu.be/nPxR_DlgRfQ

He is The Only Way!
John 14:6

He Loves you!
Ephesians 3:18-19, Psalm 5:11-12, John 3:16

He is Faithful! 
Hebrews 10:23 and Deuteronomy 31:6

He is for you!
Romans 8:31

He is Good!
Psalm 119:68

He is your deliverer!
Psalm 34:4

He is your sustainer!
Psalm 54:4

He always hears you! 
1 John 5:14-15

He is with you always!
Matthew 28:20 and Joshua 1:9

May you be lifted up!
Please pass this encouragement on to others.

You're in my prayers!

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

 
Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Web, YouVersion, and Telegram)

Monday, October 04, 2021

Seasons Of Change.

I was walking this morning and enjoying the beautiful fall leaves when I started to hear God speaking to me through them. 

He showed me that the most beautiful leaves are the ones that are changing and blemished. How cool is that?

I started to think about all of us and how God changes us as we grow in Him and work toward the day of perfection and I guess I’ve always thought about the beginning and the ending but not the middle. The part that is CHANGING. 

Changing is hard. It’s work. It’s leaving old things and clinging to the new. It’s dark and ugly sometimes but as I looked at the leaves I began to see that the dark spots just made them more beautiful. It wasn’t the perfectly changed leaves that I felt God pointing out to me – it was the ones with blemishes that were the most colorful and beautiful. 
We don’t have to be beautiful or perfect to be seen and loved by God. He sees perfection in us because He sees us through Christ. 

I think my walk away today was simply to revel in the beauty of the change and not let myself be discouraged by the blemishes life and choices may have left in me – that’s beauty to God because it means I’m growing and changing and that’s beauty to others because it means I’m human and relatable. 

We all have things we go through that are hard. Some things happen TO us and some things happen BECAUSE of us – our choices. But what if we’re willing to share those things with others and let them see the beauty they are becoming in us as we change and grow? 

What if instead of dwelling on them and staying where we are, we decided to use them as a catalyst for even more growth? Just something to think about. Romans 12:2 ESV

In Christ,

Angela Koch


Picture of fall leaves by Angela Koch


We're blessed to have Angela Koch as a guest contributor to A Shepherd's Heart. Angela is the wife of Randolph Koch, Founder and Servant-Shepherd of A Shepherd's Heart. She hails from the Pacific Northwest in the USA where she actively and passionately lives life on purpose for The Lord as she uses her many gifts, talents, and skills to bless others. We prayerfully look forward to further guest posts from Angela in the future.



Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, Whatsapp, and More).

Friday, October 01, 2021

August 2021 - October 2021 Memory Verses.

Hello Friend,

Here are the August through October memory verses. 

This is a bit of a catch-up as with summer and other activities I realized I posted on other locations but didn't post here to share directly with you!?!



As always, I've suggested the ESV version which is the version I use most often, however, if you have another good word for word translation you enjoy, feel free to memorize it in that version. It's completely up to you.

You'll notice that following the verse is a list of some basic themes/topics. I've included those suggestions as I learned many years ago that having at least one theme or topic in mind when you memorize scripture helps you store them in memory and as you have conversations with others in the future, I can guarantee that as those themes/topics come up, the scripture you've memorized will also come to mind and you may share encouragement from God's Word or re-encourage yourself!

We're reminded of the importance of God's Word by a question from Psalm 119:9, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word" and then in Psalm 119:11 that, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

So how do you "guard your ways according to God's Word" and how do you "store up His Word in your heart?" One way is summed up in these three words: Memorize God's Word!

It doesn't matter what age you are, we're all capable of memorizing scripture and need to incorporate it into our lives for our benefit and the benefit of others!

Abiding in The Word through reading, studying, memorization and living it out are vital keys to our growth.

Have fun with it! Don't stress about it! And, as always, be in The Word and stay in The Word!

You're in my prayers and please reach out if you need any tips.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

#memorization #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #ashepherdsheart #livelifeonpurpose #reshare #faithblogger #love #ashepherdsheart


Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Web, YouVersion)

Please help A Shepherd's Heart if you are able. Any amount $1 on up is a big help! https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-ashepherdsheart

Fundraiser:
If you'd are able to help in a friend helping a friend endeavor, please help A Shepherd's Heart if you are able. Any amount $1 on up is a big help!
Or, if you'd rather not help through gofundme, you can share directly via
Venmo: ashepherdsheart or Cash App: ashepherdsheart
PayPal: giving@ashepherdsheart.org
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or you can use your favorite app to send to giving@ashepherdsheart.org.
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Thanks and many blessings!
The A Shepherd's Heart Team

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Friday, September 24, 2021

Starting Each Day With Fresh Faith.

My Friend,

Just as God's mercies are new every morning, we need to rise up each day to greet those new mercies with fresh faith in The Lord fueled by the power of The Holy Spirit.
It's through faith that we're justified and it's through faith that we have access to His grace and its faith in Jesus that we can have and know true hope. (See Romans 5:1-5)
It's also by faith that we have assurance in and through Him and helps us fully live life as we put our faith into action just like many who have gone before us. (See Hebrews 11)
We need to have constant faith and the faith you had yesterday was for that day really and each day we need to have faith for each new day He provides us as we walk with Jesus.
To walk by faith requires you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and not the crashing waves that seem to be appearing around you.
Let me encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus my friend and keep walking by faith and living with fresh faith relying on Him day-by-day.
Take time to read, study, and take to heart Romans 5:1-5 and Hebrews 11 for starters and seek to start each day with fresh faith.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
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Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Web, YouVersion, and now Telegram)

Fundraiser:
If you'd are able to help in a friend helping a friend endeavor, please help A Shepherd's Heart if you are able. Any amount $1 on up is a big help!
Or, if you'd rather not help through gofundme, you can share directly via Venmo: ashepherdsheart or Cash App: ashepherdsheart
or you can use your favorite app to send to giving@ashepherdsheart.org.
Thanks and many blessings!
The A Shepherd's Heart Team

P.S. A Shepherd's Heart is not a 501c(3) organization so again, this is a friends helping a friend endeavor such as helping an individual missionary.

Thursday, September 09, 2021

5 Affirmations From God's Word.

My Friend,

Everyday, and especially in these uncertain and tumultuous times, may you seek The Lord all the more for truth, wisdom, affirmation, encouragement, identity, and more!
Here are 5 Affirmations from God's Word for you and coinciding scriptures for you to read, study, and take to heart.
Let's pray for one another in Jesus name.

Your brother and servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

Here are some recent post via my YouTube Channel:
Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Web, YouVersion)
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Fundraiser:
If you'd are able to help in a friend helping a friend endeavor, please help A Shepherd's Heart if you are able. Any amount $1 on up is a big help!
Or, if you'd rather not help through gofundme, you can share directly via Venmo: ashepherdsheart or Cash App: ashepherdsheart
or you can use your favorite app to send to giving@ashepherdsheart.org.
Thanks and many blessings!
The A Shepherd's Heart Team

Thursday, August 05, 2021

No, You Can't Have Your Own Truth.

My friend,

We live in a time where The Truth is under attack. A time where the world thinks the truth is for sale, that the truth is "relative" (no absolute truths), where people are really big on proclaiming that they live by "their truth" and that you should live by "your truth". From a secular perspective, it may seem appealing but is it really truth and where does it end?
The truth always leads us somewhere and it should bring about lasting change and boundaries to live by but I'm not convinced that the world's "truth" is really the truth.
The truth today it's less about truth and more about people thinking their opinion is the truth no matter how untrue and baseless what they are saying is.
In "living their truth" it often seems like they are trying to somehow justify a ton of sinful behaviors, push baseless claims, and again to push an opinion which doesn't really equate to "truth". Basically, it's a "leave me alone with "my truth (opinions)" and "however I want to live my life no matter what" viewpoint.
To be 100% clear, while we all have opinions, there is no your truth, my truth, or their truth. There are only opinions and The Truth and The Truth will set you free, not keep you in bondage.
Furthermore, you can try to live "your truth" and they can try to live "their truth" but in the end, it will lead to destruction because it's not The Truth.
Let me remind and encourage you that as followers of Christ, we are to live by God's Truth which is The Truth and as we do, we are also to speak The Truth in love.
As we pursue The Truth, let me also encourage you to make sure that in sharing your opinions and taking in other opinions, to pray and then check it against the lens of Truth which is God's Word, before you communicate it or take in the opinions of others.
May we make it our prayer that we would be led by and live by God's Truth through The Holy Spirit always in Jesus’ name and may we never be swayed by or buy into "truth" of this world.
You're in my prayers.
Your brother and servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
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Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Web, YouVersion) Please help A Shepherd's Heart if you are able. Any amount $1 on up is a big help! https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-ashepherdsheart