The inn keeper in modern tradition often gets a bad rap because of the Biblical account that tends to get embellished a bit, where there was "no room in the inn".
We tend to stop right there and while this is partially true, the reality is that while there wasn't room for Mary and Joseph inside the actual Inn due to the massive amount of people who came to be a part of the census, the inn keeper made the last possible space available to them which was the manger. He did still make room for them.
That's an interesting distinction as from what we know from the Biblical accounts found in the Gospels, room was made for Joseph and Mary and it was in that lowly place Jesus was born!
Yes, did the King of Kings deserve better accommodations?...a resounding YES, but none-the-less He came and humbled Himself born in very humble place all for you and I.
Now here's the question for all of us, Do you and I make room for Jesus In our lives day to day? Or, do we reject Him keeping Him "at arms length" keeping yourself "too busy" either in your relationship with Him if you're a follower of Christ or ignore His Word and The Holy Spirit's guidance? Or, if you're not a follower of Christ, do you keep rejecting His free gift of salvation for you?
I pray that we make room for Him...reserve for Him the greatest space within our lives...like a "royal" or "presidential" suite so He can fully take up residency within us!
Take time to read, study, and take to heart Luke 2.
This Christmas and all the days of your life make room for Jesus as He deserves your all and not just a lowly portion or no portion at all. Prepare Him room, make room for Him every day!
Merry Christmas!
Have a wonderful Christmas as you celebrate the birth of Christ!
Because He is The reason for the season, Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
-Founder and Servant-Shepherd of A Shepherd's Heart
Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
Please like, comment, and reshare this message, and please like, follow, and subscribe to A Shepherd's Heart wherever you are seeing this message.
Please help us reach and help people for God's Kingdom and Glory! Any spare change would be a blessing! 🙏🏼
Hello! It's Christmas time!
Let me be one of the first to wish you a very Merry and meaningful Christmas!
Did you know that incorporating Advent into your Christmas celebration can be a fantastic way to help focus your heart, worship, and celebration on the birth of Christ / His first coming?...which is the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas in the first place!
Advent is a more traditional part of Christmas that is still observed by many as it can be a very meaningful part of your Christmas remembrance.
Meant to share this earlier with you but I have been under the weather for about a week and unfortunately didn't have the energy to post this on my website or send this via e-Mail to you.
I wanted to share a free resource with you that I created titled, "Celebrating Advent" which is a basic resource that will help guide you week by week through the basics of Advent leading you to Christmas day.
If you'd like to download your free gift copy in PDF format, please click on the following link:
https://tinyurl.com/yx54znh7
It's designed to be printed double sided and then folded in half to tuck inside your Bible.
Have a wonderful Christmas as you celebrate the birth of Christ!
Because He is The reason for the season, Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
-Founder and Servant-Shepherd of A Shepherd's Heart
Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
Please like, comment, and reshare this message, and please like, follow, and subscribe to A Shepherd's Heart wherever you are seeing this message.
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
#christmas#advent#Heisthereasonfortheseason#faith#ashepherdsheart
If you're looking for a free devotional, I wanted to encourage you to check out my two current YouVersion Christmas Devotionals:
Christmas: The Promise Fulfilled and The Wonder of Christmas.
Both are geared to help you and I in some small way set our hearts, minds and and souls on the Wonder and Awe of all that Jesus has done for you and I that we remember and celebrate during Christmas and all year through.
Or, you can search for my name, Randolph Koch in the YouVersion Bible App to find them there.
Thank you in advance for subscribing to and completing the free devotional and again, Merry Christmas! May you always remember that Jesus is The Reason for The Christmas Season!
You're in my prayers and again, Merry Christmas!
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 help us reach and help people for God's Kingdom and Glory! Any spare change would be a blessing! 🙏🏼
Let me be one of the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Did you know that incorporating Advent into your Christmas celebration can be a fantastic way to help focus your heart, worship, and celebration on the birth of Christ / His first coming?... which is the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas in the first place!
Advent is a more traditional part of Christmas that is still observed by many as it can be a very meaningful part of your Christmas remembrance.
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and I wanted to share a free resource with you that I created titled, "Celebrating Advent"
If you'd like to download your free gift copy in PDF format, please click on the following link:
This weekend is Christmas Eve and Christmas day which is the final Advent celebration observance.
This is the culmination of this Year's Advent journey as we remember and celebrate the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ! The most important birth and birthday ever!
Here's some basic information for those who enjoy incorporating Advent into their Christmas celebration.
Center Candle:
Color: White Theme: Christ (His Arrival!)
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20
When: Christmas Eve or Day
What to do:
- Light all the Red Candles and then light the White Center Candle.
- Remember the Theme of the Fifth candle.
- Read: Luke 2:1-20
Suggested Prayer:
- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for His arrival! Thank Him that He humbled Himself to come here so we might have life in Him!
- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you point people to Him proclaiming Who He is, why He came and the true meaning of Christmas!
- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today.
I hope you've enjoyed your Advent Journey as you've prepared your heart to receive Him anew this Christmastime!
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and if you're incorporating Advent as part of your Christmas celebration, here's the basic theme, scripture, and suggested prayer for today's Advent observance!
Fourth Candle:
Color: Red Theme: Peace
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 4:7 When: Fourth Sunday of Advent What to do:
- Light Four Red Candles. (The first 3 Sunday candles plus today's candle.)
- Remember the Theme of the Fourth candle.
- Read: Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 4:7
Suggested Prayer:
- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for experiencing the peace that comes through knowing Him! Thank Him for giving you true peace even amongst the chaos that you experience in life sometimes!
- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you experience His peace daily and that your heart and mind will be guarded thanks to Jesus.
- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today. If you haven't downloaded your free copy of the Celebrating Advent Guide, feel free to do so via the following link. https://tinyurl.com/yx54znh7 Merry Christmas! You're brother and servant in Christ, Randolph Koch #advent #Christmas #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #livelifeonpurpose #reshare #ashepherdsheart
This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent and if you're incorporating Advent as part of your Christmas celebration, here's the basic theme, scripture, and suggested prayer for today's Advent observance!
Third Candle:
Color: Red Theme: Joy
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:10, Luke 2:7-15
When: Third Sunday of Advent
What to do:
- Light Three Red Candles (The first two weeks plus today's.) - Remember the Theme of the Third candle.
- Read Isaiah 35:10, Luke 2:7-15
Suggested Prayer:
- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for the great joy that comes from knowing Him!
- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you experience this joy daily and help you proclaim “the good news of great joy” in your community!
- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today.
If you haven't downloaded your free copy of the Celebrating Advent Guide, feel free to do so via the following link.
Hello!
For our December scripture memorization, I've suggested Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 7:14, and John 1:14, which are just a few of the many verses that point to Jesus birth and life, which is fitting this Christmastime.
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 of course to memorize it in that version.
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You'll notice that following the verses are 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 your 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!
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May you continue to abide in God's Word through reading, studying, memorization and living it out as vital keys to our growth.
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Have fun with scripture Memorization! Don't stress about it! And, as always, be in The Word and stay in The Word!
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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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P.S. If you need some scripture memorization tips, please check out this article: https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2018/02/the-bible-is-essential-part-3-scripture.html
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Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
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Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
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#scripture #memorization #strength #2022 #November #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soulcare #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #trustgodbro #instagod #livelifeonpurpose #reshare #faithblogger #ashepherdsheart
This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent and if you're incorporating Advent as part of your Christmas celebration, here's the basic theme, scripture, and suggested prayer for today's Advent observance! Second Candle:
Color: Red Theme: Love
Scripture Reading: Micah 5:2, 1 John 4:9-17
When: Second Sunday of Advent
What to do:
- Light Two Red Candles (Last Week's and This Week's)
- Remember the Theme of the Second candle.
- Read: Micah 5:2, 1 John 4:9-17 Suggested Prayer:
- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for His great and unconditional love for you! Thank Him for His love for all the world.
- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you love other people and to share His gift of salvation and love with others.
- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today.
If you haven't downloaded your free copy of the Celebrating Advent Guide, feel free to do so via the following link.
Today is the First Sunday of Advent and if you're incorporating Advent as part of your Christmas celebration, here's the basic theme, scripture, and suggested prayer for today's Advent observance!
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First Candle:
Color: Red
Theme: Hope
Scripture Reading: Luke: 1:26-38, Romans 15:12-13
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When: First Sunday of Advent
What to do:
- Light One Red Candle
- Remember the Theme of the First candle.
- Read: Luke 1:26-38, Romans 15:12-13
_
Suggested Prayer:
- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for being your only hope! Thank Him for giving you hope!
- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you cling to that hope each day and to share hope in Christ with others!
- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today
_
If you haven't downloaded your free copy of the Celebrating Advent Guide, feel free to do so via the link in the bio.
Let me be one of the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Did you know that incorporating Advent into your Christmas celebration can be a fantastic way to help focus your heart, worship, and celebration on the birth of Christ / His first coming?...which is the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas in the first place!
Advent is a more traditional part of Christmas that is still observed by many as it can be a very meaningful part of your Christmas remembrance.
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and I wanted to share a free resource with you that I created titled, "Celebrating Advent"
If you'd like to download your free gift copy in PDF format, please click on the following link:
For our February scripture memorization, I've suggested a few verses (of the many) for your memorization that are focused some more on love. Here are the suggested memory verses for February: John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:19, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (Or feel free research and pick your own.) :-)
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 Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
