There's A Difference Between Information And Transformation.

My Friend,

You can be saved, know a lot about the Bible, you can talk the talk, you can attend church regularly, know a bunch of information, and do a lot of other great things and yet, you can still choose to live a life that is not in transformation.

If your life consists of just checking off the boxes regarding all these things and not allowing God to change you from the inside out, you may know a bunch of information but you know nothing about transformation and you're stunting your own growth in the process.

You just can't fake it until you make it when it comes to the things of The Lord.

You see, God has begun the transformation in you through saving you...bringing you from spiritual death to spiritual life through His son Jesus but after this, you have to be willing to receive God's help in transforming you day-by-day as you put on the new self and life He's given you.

You have to walk the walk my friend...and that is an act not of legalism but of faith, obedience, will, desire, and a matter of the heart.

You have to want Him to change you and seek after the transformation that only He can truly provide.

To be transformed is a command (I.E. Romans 12:2) and in part it's a process, and it's also a gift from God but again, it's a gift you have to be willing to receive because He will not force transformation upon you but if being transformed isn't the objective for you then you are truly missing out on the complete life He wants you to live for Him if you don't allow Him to transform you day-by-day.

There's A Difference Between Information And Transformation.

Don't seek just after information and head knowledge but seek transformation by seeking The One Who has begun and will finish the transforming work in 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, 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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July 2021 Memory Verse.

My Friend,

Here's July's memory verse: Galatians 2:20

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)

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Go Where The True Gospel Is Preached!

My Friend,

So many today in the church forget that gathering together is not about the building, or the entertainment, pro music, and feel good messages that may tickle the ears.

These may seem nice for a short while but you won't be challenged to grow in your walk with Christ and long term, places like this just churn out baby Christians who stay baby Christians.

Let me encourage and challenge you to make it a priority to be a part of a local church that preaches the true Gospel and the whole counsel of God's Word.

Be a part of a local church that keeps Jesus and God's Word in the center of all they do.

Don't settle for anything else!

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)

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

June 2021 Memory Verse.

My Friend,

Scripture Memorization is vital and as promised, here's the first of prayerfully many more, monthly memory verse suggestions.

June's Verse suggestion is 2 Corinthians 5:17. I've suggested the ESV version but if you have another good word for word translation you enjoy, feel free to memorize it in that version. I may share verses twice a month sometimes but for now, once a month is a good starting point.

Sharing here in case you don't follow A Shepherd's Heart on Facebook or Instagram where this was previously shared.

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!

Also, here's a useful post about scripture memorization tips:

https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2018/02/the-bible-is-essential-part-3-scripture.html

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) 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!

Grow!

My Friend,

What are you doing to grow in the grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Jesus day-by-day?

What are you doing to grow in your relationship with Him on a consistent basis?

No one else can grow for you. There is no autopilot or "magic pill" you can take to grow.

You have to put in the daily work to build your relationship with the Lord and grow still more in Him.

Part of the goal in our life in Christ is to become mature in Him. (See for example Colossians 1:28-29, 1 Peter 2:1-3, Colossians 1:9-13)

Whatever you do, don't stop growing in Him. Don't stop growing to know Him. Don't stop growing to make Him known. Don't stop allowing Him to do a work in and through you for His kingdom and glory.

Let me encourage you to...

-Regularly read/study/abide in God's Word and live it out.

-Regularly talk to God through prayer.

-Regularly serve The Lord and others.

-Regularly grow in relationships within The Body of Christ as Iron Sharpens Iron. (Proverbs 27:17)

-Regularly stay vigilant and active in your relationship with Him.

In Sum, Grow and never stop growing.

You're in my prayers. Philippians 1:6

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!

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Give It All To God!

Someone, including me, needs to hear this periodic reminder.

This is something God continues to remind me time and time again, including in the midst of the challenging season I've been facing.

Always remember

Give it all to God.

He knows exactly

what you need.

He knows exactly

what you're going through.

He's got you covered, always!

You're in my prayers!

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. Please pass on this encouragement to others who may be encouraged that God hears their prayers.

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

https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart

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