God Will Use You Despite Your Brokenness!

My Friend,

You may think that God doesn't want to use you or can't use you because of your past or current issues or brokenness.

Let me tell you that this is the furthest thing from the truth!

The Lord is The Great Physician and is more than capable of mending your brokenness while simultaneously continuing to fulfill the purpose, will, and plan He has for you.

Check out this short message featuring a poignant quote:

https://youtube.com/shorts/207n-CMQnQE?si=FT7-ouTyDjjx1OvQ

I pray that you allow Him to heal you according to His power. He has a purpose, will, and plan for you and He wants to use you for His kingdom and glory. Trust Him, follow Him, and serve Him how He directs.

God Will Use You Despite Your Brokenness!

You are in my prayers. Please pray for me as well.

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

_____________________________________

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

Please help us reach and help people for God's Kingdom and Glory! Any spare change would be a blessing!

Personal Fundraiser: https://www.givesendgo.com/ashepherdsheart

Venmo: ashepherdsheart

CashApp: $ashepherdsheart

#purpose #brokeness #faith #joy #peace #truth #wisdom #life #Bible #GodsWord #scripture #Godsword #heart #mind #christianblogger #discipleship #growth #encouragement #soulcare #wellness #trustgodbro #praywithme #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #livelifeonpurpose #ashepherdsheart

Allow God To Work All Things Together For Good.

My Friend,

I don’t know anyone who really enjoys going through trials or hard times. We know that life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, heart ache as well as joy. And things often don't go according to our plans, desires, or even dreams. It also may be a struggle sometimes to not understand why we go or are going through things sometimes, especially in the midst of the trial.

 

Maybe for you it's a job loss, a health crisis, an economic loss, a broken relationship or one in conflict, or something else? No matter what, whether it's the good times or times of uncertainty and trial, we must remember that His ways are higher than our ways.

 

We need to trust and live in faith resting in the truth that God only has good in store for us even through the times of growth when it certainly doesn't feel "good". Even when things aren’t going how we planned or expected them to go we need to trust Him and have faith in His purpose, will, and plan knowing His plans are better than our own every single time!

Furthermore, even though we want to know the whys or reasons for our trials, we don't have to know or understand all the reasons behind what we're going through, but, we know God does and we can trust that everything we face again, is for our good and growth.

 

Our trials may never be “easy”, but, as we mature in faith, we may handle them better as we begin to recognize that these times are opportunities for good for ourselves and others. 

As we walk through these seasons we will grow and whether we realize it or not, others will also benefit as we go through the trials, (and come out on the other side) as they will be watching us and may learn from what God is doing in and through us which will in turn help them as they face their seasons of trials. 

 

Take time to read, study, and take to heart Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-8, and Isaiah 55:8-9 for starters.

 

In closing, let me encourage you to not get ahead of God by trying to force or try to somehow speed through a season He has for you, instead, allow God to work all things together for good…for your good and for His Glory.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
 
Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
 

#good #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #encourage #encouragement #Jesus #HolySpirit #Bible #scripture #GodsWord #love #heart #mind #soul #strength #christian #Christianity #christfollower #instapray #uberpray #pray #health #wellness #trustgodbro #livelifeonpurpose #reshare #ashepherdsheart

Meeting each day with faith, worship, and prayer.

My Friend, 

Life is hard sometimes and we're reminded in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 that difficult times will come. 

We can be brought to places of deep grief, sorrow, and pain. 

As we grow in Christ, we know we can trust Him as we go through each season. 

We can choose to meet our highest and lowest points of life in worship unto The Lord and faith in Him. 

He is The One Who sustains us and He is the healer of our hearts, minds, and souls. 

Read, study, and take to heart 1 Peter 5:7 Psalm 34:1‭-‬4, Romans 8:18, Romans 5:3–4, James 1:12, John 16:33, Isaiah 43:2, Psalm 23:4. 

Then may you consider turning to Him in faith, worship, and prayer no matter what you face each day because you know He is with you! 

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, Tik Tok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More).

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

#trials #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #trustgodbro #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #ashepherdsheart #ReShare #livelifeonpurpose

The 7 Sayings Of Jesus On The Cross Devotional.

Hello Friend!

As we head toward Palm Sunday this weekend, and Passion Week next week, I wanted to share my YouVersion Devotional with you titled, "The 7 Sayings Of Jesus On The Cross." 

The aim of this 7-Day devotional is to help lead us in a time of meaningful contemplation as we study the seven significant sayings of Jesus on The Cross.

Check out the plan via the link or you can search the title, "The 7 Sayings Of Jesus On The Cross." or by my name, Randolph Koch, in the YouVersion app search option: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/18966/

Here’s a brief intro video: https://youtu.be/cIQ5eQY_uxo 

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Randolph/Randy  Koch

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

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

March 2022 Memory Verse.

Hello My Friend,

For our March scripture memorization, I've suggested one verse, which you will be familiar with, to remind us of the importance of scripture memorization as we seek to treasure and hide God's Word in our hearts. 

Here is the memory verse: Psalm 119:9-11.

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!

May you continue to abide in God's Word through reading, studying, memorization and living it out as vital keys to our growth.

Have fun with scripture Memorization! 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, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

#scripture #memorization #MoreHope #2022 #February #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #trustgodbro #livelifeonpurpose #reshare #faithblogger #ashepherdsheart

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)

Friends Helping A Friend 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! https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-ashepherdsheart

Or, if you'd rather not help through gofundme, please see the other giving options here: https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/p/help-a.html

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!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-ashepherdsheart

Or, if you'd rather not help through gofundme, you can share directly via

Venmo: ashepherdsheart or Cash App: ashepherdsheart

PayPal: giving@ashepherdsheart.org

_

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. If you have any questions, please see the FAQ Here.

Created For His Glory

My Friend,

Did you know that you were created for God's glory and you can bring Him glory?
 
Everything that God created is from Him and for Him, His glory, purpose, will, and plan.
 
The whole earth is full of His Glory! (See Isaiah 6:3)
 
I've heard it well said that, “God’s glory is the perfect harmony of all his attributes.”-John Piper

So, His glory is a reflection of His attributes which we cannot fully comprehend in your finite minds. 

As we live this life that He's given us, may we always remember that we should strive to live for His glory in what we do and seek to bring Him glory with the help of The Holy Spirit.

 
Let me encourage you to do a word study through The Scriptures on Glory / His Glory to see what He says about this.
 
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

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

Social Media Vs. Your True Identity, Value and Worth.

My Friend,

Social media is often shallow and toxic. Many people get caught up in it as if it somehow equates to their identity, value and worth.

The truth is that your worth is not found in these things, they are ultimately only completely found in Jesus.

We can all fall into the comparison game as if others are more valuable than we are because they appear to have more followers, etc. Admittedly, I've even fallen into the comparison game once in a while as well.

Please hear me now: Do not seek affirmation, identity, security, value, self worth, acceptance or anything like this from social media as anything you can find online is temporary.

Don't trade what God can only provide...which is permanent...for the temporal feelings you may receive from social media or other people.

Check out the following post sometime regarding who you are in Christ which who you are in Christ is what matters most:

https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2012/03/who-you-are-in-christ.html

Don't compare yourself to others, rather, you do you/you be who you are in Christ and find your affirmation, identity, security, value, self worth, acceptance and more...in Him!

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

Here's one place that lists where you can connect with A Shepherd's Heart:

https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart

Please pray for and help A Shepherd's Heart here. Thank you!

Hand Everything Over To God!

My Friend,

What are you holding onto? Or, What are the things that you are trying to "take care of yourself" but you should really be letting go of? What are the wounds, hurts, and fears that you are packing with you wherever you go? 

Do you realized that all these things hinder your growth and forward walk? These burdens are too heavy a load for you to carry and you aren't supposed to carry them in the first place!

Sometimes we have a very hard time letting go of the past and present hurts. 

Let me encourage you to pray and ask The Holy Spirit to spotlight your heart, mind, and life for areas you've been hanging on to things that you really need to let go of. Then...LET IT GO! 

Hand everything over to Him! 

Hand it over to God as He's The Only One Who can carry your burdens and remember...He never intends for you to try and carry that which He can only carry. 

Let's pray for one another to more readily give things over to God. Let's pray that we'll stop trying to take the place of Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and God The Father as we're Not them so we need to stop trying to be our own "god" or someone else's. 

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

Read, Pray about, and Take to Heart 1 Peter 5:7.

You Will Be And Are Accountable To God.

Read and Study: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

My Friend,

Who or what do you live for and who or what do you embrace and promote?

We live in a broken world, and yet I have to admit that I find it absolutely shocking to see what's going on in our world today at times.

People calling good bad and bad good. People promoting and embracing the most heinous things. Their behavior is horrible and yet they are deemed "good" and "moral" in the eyes of this world.

This is even true sometimes of those who call themselves followers of Christ. They promote some of the most ungodly and vile things and people. Some even claim that Jesus would as well?!

My Pastor recently reminded me that we will be accountable to God for what we embrace or promote.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Then ask yourself:

-Do you embrace that which is unbiblical and ungodly?

--Do you care more about the world than God?

-Do you live more for the world than God?

-Do you love the world more than you love God?

We need to care more about people's eternal well being, their very souls, and eternal destination than that which is momentarily popular.

If you're a follower of Christ then you and I need to stand on biblical principles with Jesus as our foundation. We need to stop playing games. The world is not our foundation but Jesus is.

Furthermore, the world does not and should not dictate our behavior and morals, but God's Word should as it's full of principles for life and godliness.

Friend... I challenge you to seek to live for Him, His kingdom, His glory and your eternal future and not for this world, it's ways, and this little temporal "kingdom".

I challenge you to love people in Jesus name but to not embrace or promote that which goes against God and His Word. If you choose to do so anyway, just remember that you will stand before God one day and you will be accountable.

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. Please share this encouragement with others and please also pray and give if possible to our first ever fundraiser. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Please-Help-AShepherdsHeart

Focus On Jesus, Not The Storm.

Hello Friend,

It was during a storm that Peter saw someone walking from the shore over the crashing waves to the boat he was in. 

Once He recognized that it was Jesus, he said, "Lord, if it’s you,” “tell me to come to you on the water.” Then Jesus said. "come." and then Peter stepped out of the boat. 

Note, he was the only one who had faith enough to step out of the boat.

Once he started walking toward Jesus, Peter made one error though, he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked instead on his circumstances. Then he started to sink into the water and of course Jesus saved him.

We're kind of like Peter sometimes because even though we know what we should do, instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus, we fix our eyes on our circumstances and then our troubles get worse in the process. 

My friend, We need to fix our eyes on Jesus as much as possible and not the storms of life.

Read, Study, and pray about Matthew 14:22-33.

Then ask yourself, am I willing to step out in faith, keeping my eyes on Jesus no matter my circumstances?

Let's pray for one another that we will keep our eyes on Jesus.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ, 

Randolph Koch 

P.S. Please prayerfully help me with my first ever fundraiser for my little ministry which I've extended for 1 additional month as I'm trying to raise just enough for some basic resources to serve you with.

Please share this small fundraiser with your church family and friends. Please help A Shepherd's Heart meet the goal of it's first ever fundraiser. 

Here's the link to the main fundraiser site: www.fundly.com/a-shepherd-s-heart-2020-fundraiser

Or here are 3 other options to help in this friends helping a friend fundraiser:

1. You can use Cash App and send your gift to user name $ashepherdsheart or if you haven't used Cash App before, if you use this link https://cash.app/app/GHCJWXG we'll both receive $5! :-)

2. Use PayPal sending to giving@ashepherdsheart.org.

3. Use PayPal's Venmo app by sending to @ashepherdsheart

You're continued prayers and sharing this fundraiser with friends and family would be greatly appreciated!

#faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #ashepherdsheart #ReShare #livelifeonpurpose #keepyoureyesonJesus

How Shall We Respond? A Little Q&A About Our Current Times.

Hello! 

From time to time I'll receive questions from those God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve. 

Recently I received another thoughtful question from someone regarding how we as followers of Christ should respond to current events going on in our world. 

My response isn't "profound" by any means and others may have a different perspective on this, but, I thought it might be an encouragement to you in some way and a starting point as you seek The Lord for similar things. So, with the permission of the person who asked the question, and with their name omitted, here is the question and prayerful answer. 

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

Question: 

"Hello brother in Christ. I have an honest question. No underlying motive in asking, just looking for an honest answer on your perspective. As a man who appears to be grounded in Biblical truth as far as I can tell through what you post, what is your stance on America's current state and the church's, the body of Christ, needed response in light of all that is going on? Are we being too "quiet", too fearful, are we speaking up as we should into the myriad of issues?  It seems there is much, "mixed", for lack of a better word, response from the church. Do we need to be a bit more fierce, is there too much fear of man in the church as a whole? Ok more than one question and they are some loaded questions lol."

Answer: 

God's Love For You Will Never Change!

Read, Study, and Memorize: Romans 8:38-39.

Dear Friend,

I simply want to share this reminder with you: Nothing will ever change God's great love for you!

 
May you rest in this truth.
 
I think we all need this reminder from time to time.
 
Your Brother and Servant in Christ, 

Randolph Koch
 

P.S. Please prayerfully help me with my first ever fundraiser for my little ministry. Please share this small fundraiser with your church family and friends. 

Here's the link to the main fundraiser site: www.fundly.com/a-shepherd-s-heart-2020-fundraiser

Or here are 3 other options to help in this friends helping a friend fundraiser:

1. You can use Cash App and send your gift to user name $ashepherdsheart or if you haven't used Cash App before, if you use this link https://cash.app/app/GHCJWXG we'll both receive $5! :-)

2. Use PayPal sending to giving@ashepherdsheart.org.

3. Use PayPal's Venmo app by sending to @ashepherdsheart

You're continued prayers and sharing this fundraiser with friends and family would be greatly appreciated!

We're All A Work In Progress.

My Friend, We're all a work in progress.
 
If anything has reminded me of this, it's been taking the accident recovery day by day.
 
Besides the shut down for the Corona Virus, these last two weeks has caused me to slow down.
 
It's caused me to do things differently, (like getting dressed 😂) or caused me to not do certain everyday things, like mowing the lawn, because right now...I can't.
 
It's frustrating at times and riddled with pain, but, at the same time it's making me more and more less self-reliant and more reliant on God and others.

 
This period of time reminds me of life in general as we're all a work in progress... and progress, healing, goals, and progressive sanctification takes time.
 
Life is all a process and really a product of God's grace and provision.
 
Let's be thankful that God isn't finished with us yet. He's still on the throne, He's our provider, The Great Physician and will see us through.
 
Let's pray for one another that we we don't fight being a work in progress.
 
Thank you for your prayers and know that you are in my prayers too!
 
As I continue to recover from the accident, I'll assess when to begin posting again somewhat regularly in the future via social medial and here on my A Shepherd's Heart website. 
 
Your Brother and Servant in Christ, Randolph Koch

#ashepherdsheart #ReShare #livelifeonpurpose #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower

Good Friday Reflection 2020.

Dear Friend,

It's Good Friday and I pray that today will provide you with a time of meaningful reflection as you remember Jesus' sacrifice. 

To help you reflect, here are the following graphics that capture the seven statements Jesus said while on The Cross as recorded in The Gospel accounts. 

I pray you set aside time to seek The Lord in His Word and through prayer. May you take time to worship, adore, and thank Him for His perfect and complete sacrifice for you so that you might have life and salvation in Him. 

He died for our good and may we never forget it or take it for granted. 

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. Here are two resources that will help you as you contemplate all Jesus did for you.

A Devotional - 'The 7 Sayings of Jesus on The Cross': 
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/18966-the-7-sayings-of-jesus-on-the-cross

A Good Friday Article / Devotional: 
https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2016/03/we-call-it-good-fridaybecause-it-was.html