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.
 

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Kick Off 2023 With Free Gifts From A Shepherd's Heart!

Hello and thank you for stopping by ashepherdsheart.org!

Thank you for the honor of serving you in 2022 and Lord willing, the privilege to serve you even more in 2023! 

To kick off the New Year, I've updated two resources and also created some new free resources for you. 

Here's what I'm gifting you via a free download via the following links: 

1. 365 Day Bible Reading Plan (Updated). Here's the link to download the plan: 365 Day Bible Reading Plan.

2. The SOAP Bible Study Method (Updated). Here's the link to download The SOAP Bible Study Method. 

3. 2 different simple sermon notes pages. (New) Here's the link to the full page size sermon notes page and folding size sermon notes page as you seek to be hearers and doers of The Word.  

One note about printing: If you decide to print these, make sure you click "Fit" under the page sizing if the print preview looks like it will spill outside of the margins. 

Hope you enjoy these free resources from my heart to yours!

Thank you for the gift and honor of serving you! 

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, TikTok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, Whatsapp, and More).

Please help us reach and help people for God's Kingdom and Glory! 🙏

https://www.givesendgo.com/ashepherdsheart

Thank You God For Another Year!

Hello Friend,

Just a few days ago (The 9th) I was blessed to celebrate Birthday # 52 and I want to simply thank God for the gift of another year to serve Him and His people as I turn another year older and hopefully wiser. :-)

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Not that I'm worthy but I pray this next year will be a blessing and filled with opportunities to serve and bring Him glory. 

Opportunities to serve His people helping meet spiritual and physical needs as much as possible. Opportunities to live life on purpose together as we strive to seek, serve, and love Him with all that is within us! 

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I pray this year will be a year of further growth for me and that I'd become more deeply rooted in Him. 

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I pray that God would somehow use me to help others grow in their relationship with Him and that they'd become more deeply rooted in Christ as well!

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I pray that He would expand His kingdom and glory through me as I seek to give glory to Him and point people to Him. 

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I'm truly a nobody who is thankful and blessed to know The Somebody, Jesus Christ. 

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Many Blessings friend! Thank you for the honor of serving you!

Your brother and servant in Christ, 

Randolph Koch

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P. S. You're prayers appreciated: https://www.givesendgo.com/ashepherdsheart

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

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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.

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April 2022 Memory Verses.

My Friend,

For our April scripture memorization, I've suggested 3 verses.

Here are the memory verses: Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 20:28, Romans 6:23.

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

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

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No Past Is Too Dark For The Love And Forgiveness Of Christ.

My Friend,

Everyone has a past and if we're honest, everyone has regrets too. The truth is that we've all missed the mark and fallen short of the glory of God. (Read Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)

Hear me when I share that nothing you've experienced, no matter what sins you've committed, no matter what, there's nothing that can keep you from the love and the forgiveness of Christ! (Read Romans 8:38-39)

Yes, I know the schemes of the evil one (and possibly others) whose aim is to try and convince you that Jesus' sacrifice isn't enough. That His grace and love isn't enough. That He is not enough, but...satan is a liar!

No matter how dark you think your past and present is - allow Jesus to shine His light upon the darkness by receiving His free gifted of salvation.

Allow your history become HIStory which will then be about His redemption of you, your new life in Him, and then your eternity with Him!

Thanks be to God that He gave His Son Jesus to die in your place as the perfect and complete sacrifice! He is the only way! (Read John 14:6)

Don't allow your past hinder you anymore and instead repent of and confess your sins, believe in faith Jesus died for you and rose again in victory over death and sin, and receive in faith Jesus as your Savior through His free gift of salvation. (Read: Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-10, 13, 1 John 2:2, John 10:15, and Ephesians 2:8-9)

Put your faith fully in Him and leave your past, present, and future with Him.

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).

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

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Remember The Great I AM!

My Friend,

I wanted to share something I communicated in 2019 as I believe someone needs to hear this and receive this reminder and small glimpse of Who He Is!

Read Exodus 3:13-15. In Holiness and Great Power God spoke these words about Who He IS... "I AM WHO I Am.".

God is The Great I AM that generations have worshiped and revered! He is The One true God Who is beyond time and space. He’s always been…He has no beginning and no end. He simply...IS!

Flash forward to the New Testament where Jesus stated He was the I AM and Jesus asked on multiple occasions, "Who do you say that I Am?" (Mark 8:29 and Matthew 16:15)

This question is vital to you and I as Who He is and how we view Him should collide with and change our world view including our sense of identity as our identity ought to be grounded in The Great I AM!

He is the same I AM that has always existed.
He is the same I AM Who was there during creation and Who spoke everything into existence.
He is the same I AM Who gave us life.
He is the same I AM Who carries you, sustains you, guides you, and protects you day-by-day.

You and I need to also understand that Jesus is the same I AM being fully God Who chose to come in the flesh to dwell among us.

No matter what you're facing right now, pause for a moment and remember that if you're in Christ, You walk with The Great I AM...and, He is with you always!

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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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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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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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)

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).

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!

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

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.

Beware Of Pride.

My Friend,

This world is so full of pride and arrogance sometimes. So much so that it's sickening. We see it all over the TV, social media, pretty much everywhere you turn.

Sadly, some in the church are very prideful to the point they no longer represent Jesus, rather, they only seek their own gain and fame.

I'm reminded of Proverbs 16:18 where we're instructed that pride comes before destruction or in some versions it says it comes before the fall.

In other words, if your life is full of pride and you head down that path, you are heading toward destruction and you are not representing Jesus well as His ambassador.

None of us are immune to pride. We are prideful intentionally or unintentionally. We need to not be like the world. I'm not talking about a general "taking pride in what you do" rather, I'm talking about true pride and arrogance. I think we all know the difference between pride and humility.

Be careful how you communicate. Be careful how you respond to others. Be careful how you post and what you post on. Even in the name of "truth" we can be arrogant.

As they say, "check yourself before you wreck yourself." Pause before you respond to someone or post something and ask The Holy Spirit if your heart has any pride or arrogance in it through what you're about to say or do?

Always remember Who you represent and strive daily to do it well and by doing so, you will honor Him and continue down the right path.

Seek humility instead of pride even in speaking the truth.

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

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