Finding Strength & Hope In Forgiveness

Read and Study Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 ESV; Romans 10:9‭-‬10 ESV; Psalm 103:12 ESV; and Psalm 139:14 ESV

To the people who care about you, you are not a nuisance or a waste of time. 

Don't let doubts discourage you from living a full life. Time is short and you can't change or take back regrets, but you can control where you focus your energy now clear into the future. 

Realizing this empowers you to feel in control of your journey. Anxiety and fear numbs, but forgiveness brings a visceral freshness unparalleled by anything that could be conjured in an impaired mind.

Dig deep, push back, fight the lies, forgive yourself, and be strengthened. YOU are worth the time and energy even if it's a challenge to believe it.

For my fellow believers Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great launching point to maintain a healthy idea of what is truth vs a lie by "not leaning on your own understanding." V5. It says the Lord "will make your path straight" V6. That straight path is hard to find without the forgiveness given on the cross. 

When you confess and become saved (Roman's 10:9-10) you are forgiven in the deepest way possible. As far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)! Now we have to decide if we want to accept that God's free gift of grace and forgiveness is enough. 

He is the only one who constantly says you're worth the time when you believe a lie. He is the only one who will continually wash you white as snow all the while not leaving or forsaking you even when the accuser roams. You are a child of God and therefore loved, cared for, forgiven, and wonderfully + fearfully made (Psalm 139:14).

Hold on to hope my friends!!

God Bless 

- Noah

Picture of a view of The Pacific Ocean From Otter Crest By Noah Koch

We're blessed to have Noah Koch as a guest contributor to A Shepherd's Heart. He hails from the Pacific Northwest in the USA where he actively and passionately lives life on purpose for The Lord. He's very creative and talented as a communicator, photographer, musician, and writer. He has a true servant's heart. We prayerfully look forward to further guest posts from Noah in the future.

Please prayerfully consider helping this ministry through a gift of any size via 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

Who Loves Ya, Baby?

Read John 3:16-21, Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:19-21, 2 Corinthians 12:9

I remember as a young child there was a TV show called, "Kojak" which was about a NYC Police Detective and his famous line was, "Who Loves Ya, Baby?". It's kind of comical to look back on but honestly, it's a valid question that from our heart of hearts, we may ask. "Who Loves Me?"

I'm here to tell you that God loves you!

Despite your sin and many imperfections, God sent Jesus to die on your behalf because of His great love for you.

Even on your worst day, He still loves you! 

There's never a day where God ceases to love you. His love is for you will never change or end!

You and I need to remember and never take His great, perfect, sacrificial, and eternal love for us for granted.

Let me encourage you that no matter what you think, feel, or have been told, or what kind of crummy day you might have, you are loved with an everlasting love by God as expressed through the indescribable gift of His son Jesus.

Last but not least, God's Word clearly shows you His love from cover to cover so next time you need a reminder, open the Word of God and be reminded of "Who Truly Loves Ya, Baby"! :-):-)

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

Jesus Will Calm Your Storms.

Read: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 24

I received this beautiful reminder recently from my pastor: "The same waves that are over your head, are the same waves that are under Jesus' feet." -Pastor Brett Meador

You'll recall the story when Jesus walked on the water toward the disciples and Peter asked to join Him. Jesus told him to come and Peter with faith got out of the boat. He got part way to Jesus and then took his eyes off of Jesus and started to sink in the water. He cried out to Jesus, and Jesus saved him and the made it to the boat. (See Matthew 14:22-33)

Then there was another time that Jesus calmed the storm. (See Mark 4:35-41)

I'm also reminder of how He was victorious over death as He died as payment for our sin and rose on the third day in victory over death. (See Luke 24)

Jesus is your all in all my friend and whenever you feel afraid or overwhelmed, remember that the same Jesus that overcame death and paid the penalty for our sin, the same Jesus that calmed the storm, the same Jesus that walked on water over the crashing waves, is more than able to help you overcome what you face. He will calm, quiet, and overcome the storms and navigate and overcome the crashing waves of your life.

Put your trust in Him and as you feel like the waves are crashing over you or the storms of life are overwhelming you, remember that the waves are under Jesus' feet and so are the storms as they are subject to Him.

Your Brother and Servant In Christ,

Randolph Koch

He Holds All Things Together

It's with humor and truth that I share this post using tacos as a means to remind you, that you are loved by The One who never falls apart! And, because of His great love and His sufficiency, You don't have to try and hold everything together!

He holds all things together...and you don't!

And I don't care if it's on a weekly "Taco Tuesday" but you're more important than tacos. :-)

There may be times or seasons where you feel like everything is falling apart or you're falling apart. Let me reminder you that you don't have to keep it all together all the time or feel that you have to because the reality is that you know, are loved by, and have a personal relationship with The One Who does hold all things together.

He keeps everything together. He is your strength. He is your hope. He's The One Who will put all the pieces together if your life is in pieces or your heart, mind, and emotions feel like they are in pieces.

Even on your worst day, He still loves you. Even while you were His enemy, He loved you and Jesus died for you. (See Romans 5:8)

God will always love you, even through the roughest of seasons, that won't ever change so lean into Him instead of yourself and He will see you through!

Read Colossians 1:17 and Hebrews 1:3a for encouragement from God's Word.

P.S. Don't forget that you're loved by the body of Christ too and we're supposed to bear one another's burdens. See Galatians 6:2.
Your Brother and Servant In Christ,

Randolph Koch

Give Your Anxiety To The Lord.

We all may have experienced times where our circumstances, worries, or troubles, including the things that are often out of our control, weigh us down.

Instead of dwelling and abiding in The Lord and His Word, we allow ourselves to dwell in all of the before mentioned. 

We dwell on the could of, should of, would of scenarios as if we can fix or take back whatever it was or is all by ourselves.

We allow ourselves to go down the path of anxiety, depression, and more which may include or or result in stress, sleepless nights, weak strength, our joy is often diminished or gone at that moment, and we can also experience other physical side effects and more.

Now, don't get me wrong as there are real medical issues at times but often we hurl ourselves down a path we shouldn't go down or need to quickly back out of. However, it's often a path of our own making if we're honest.

Let's stop the sleepless nights and ulcer inducing behavior and instead, try our very best to give it to The Lord in prayer, seek the counsel and encouragement of His Word, as well as the counsel and encouragement of the godly people God has placed in our lives. 

God is our strength, so, to be blunt, we need to start living like He really is!

Read Matthew 6:34 and 1 Peter 5:7 for starters for encouragement from God's Word.

I'm praying for you and please pray for me as well that we might grow more in giving our anxiety to Him more automatically as we should not be carrying it first place. 

Your Brother and Servant In Christ,

Randolph Koch

Choosing To Live Significantly

Dear Friend,

I continue to meet people even within the church who struggle with identity, significance, and purpose. So, I wanted to republish this article from several years ago with hopes it will bring encouragement to whomever reads it. I've also included a link to another post at the end which is a reminder of who you are Christ. 

Your Brother and Servant,

Randolph Koch

"Choosing To Live Significantly" By Randolph Koch

Read: John 15:5, John 15:16, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:12, Philippians 4:13

On some level, we all want to be significant. We want to feel valued which in and of itself, there’s nothing wrong with that as long as we don't pursue it or live it out in an unhealthy way.

With this, we can often struggle with feeling insignificant or unworthy, and more. You may struggle with feeling insignificant at times as well. You are not alone...the world is full of people searching for significance and struggling with the very same things.

Unfortunately, some confuse significance with fame or popularity which it is not. They identify their worth by what they do or accomplish. In addition, some want to seek fame …the next viral video or YouTube. Some feed on how many “likes” or followers they receive on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram.

Some will also try to bring you down and make you feel that you aren’t important, worthy or worth something…but as for you...hold onto God's truth and don't believe the lies spoken to you or that you speak to yourself!

You have to shift your focus off these temporal things to God's eternal Word and specifically what He says about you and how He defines you!

You are significant… No matter what, I want you to know here and now that in Christ, The One Who gave you life in the first place and defines you…He says you are significant!

So much so that He took up the cross for you so that you might be forgiven and have salvation in Him. He loved you that much!

Again, here are some scripture encouragements (of the many and same as above) about who you are in Christ: John 15:5, John 15:16, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:12, Philippians 4:13

Please note that NONE of these passages say anything about God operating without a specific purpose in regard to you nor do we see here that you have no worth or significance! ...Quite to the contrary…Again…You became worthy and significant through Christ!

You may feel insignificant at times but you can choose to live significantly by living the way God has commanded you to live!

God the Father sees you and says…There’s my child whom I love with a sacrificial, perfect and eternal love whom I sacrificed my Son Jesus for!

Choose to live significantly for Him my friend because you are secure, accepted and significant in Christ! Don't ever forget your worth! God gives you significance...so live it out!

In Christ Alone,

Randolph Koch

P.S. Please share this post with others to encourage them and please see the following link for further study about who you really are in Christ.  https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2012/03/who-you-are-in-christ.html

A Clean Slate

Read and Study Psalm 103:11-12

If you are in Christ, you need to remember that your Heavenly Father has given you a clean slate.
 As a part of this clean slate, He does not hold your sins against you.

I have to ask though, since He doesn't hold your sins and past against you, why do you hold on to them or hold on to your past sometimes?

Friend, It's times to really walk in the new life He's given you.

As part of this, if you're holding on to things, remember that you've experienced His forgiveness and you need to lay it all down at His feet. 

You also need to forgive yourself as He's already forgiven you!

You are completely forgiven!

I have to ask though, since He doesn't hold your sins and past against you, why do you hold on to them or hold on to your past sometimes?

Friend, It's times to really walk in the new life He's given you.

As part of this, if you're holding on to things, remember that you've experienced His forgiveness and you need to lay it all down at His feet. You also need to forgive yourself as He's already forgiven you!

I pray that you take these truths to heart in Jesus name. 


Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch 

My YouVersion Devotional Plan "Rooted" is now Live!

Hello!

Thank you for visiting the A Shepherd's Heart website!

I'm excited to share that my YouVersion Devotional Plan, "Rooted" is now Live in the YouVersion Bible App and website!

Here's the link: http://bible.us/r/4cs

Thanks for your prayers, for prayerfully subscribing and completing the plan, and helping spread the word by sharing with your family and friends!

Excited to see what God does through this in the lives of those who go through the plan. Praying this plan is a blessing to the body of Christ,

Humbly In Christ,

Your Brother and Servant, 

Randolph Koch

P.S. Please note: If you're unfamiliar with the YouVersion Bible App, if you open this link via your smartphone or tablet, you’ll want to open it via the free YouVersion Bible Application or it will open via a browser. If you are opening this via a PC it will likely open via your web browser only.

A Special Announcement from A Shepherd's Heart! 01/06/2020!

Hello!

Thank you for visiting the A Shepherd's Heart Website!

Please check out this special announcement regarding my latest YouVersion project which is launching 1 week from today!

https://youtu.be/HXBMKKJtAFw

Humbled and thankful for this opportunity to serve the body of Christ!

Please stay tuned for more information to come later this week!

In advance of the New Year, Happy New Year!

Thanks for your prayers!

Your Brother, Friend, and Servant,

Randolph Koch

He Is Emmanuel - God Is With You!

Hello Friend,

This time of year can solicit a multitude of thoughts, emotions, and the feeling of being alone. While this may be true, we need to remember that no matter what you and I are facing each day, remember that Jesus is Emmanuel. God is with you/us!

He is Emmanuel my friend and will never leave or forsake you!He will always be with you!

Let me ask you: Are you feeling feeling alone or low? If so, don't be afraid to reach out to Him in prayer and through His Word if you're feeling alone or low and He will lift you up.

And, don't be afraid to reach out to other's after you've met with Him because we're supposed to be in this life together as the body of Christ. 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23

May this truth that He is always with you be an encouragement to you and allow you to celebrate Christmas in an even more special and meaningful way.

Merry Christmas!

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. You're in my prayers! Please reach out if you'd like me to pray for something specific! 

Thankfulness...it's really a "thing".

What are you thankful for? Do you make thanksgiving part of your day-to-day or like many, do you relegate this to holidays or special occasions?

It may sound ridiculous to hear that but sadly it's true because some today don't have an attitude of gratitude...they have the opposite of that.

Thankfulness can be found despite the circumstances of a given day or moment. 

Thankfulness can be found with each new day because each day provides a fresh new start.

Thankfulness can be found in the beating of your heart and with every breath.

Thankfulness can be found in the rising and setting of the sun as each day is a gift to live out.

Thankfulness can be found in salvation, love and a new life found in the Savior. 

Thankfulness is a decision... a mindset... an attitude...a choice. 

You can find so many things to be thankful for if you just pause for a moment and look around you...what do you see? You should see a multitude of things to be thankful about. 

Maybe you need to periodically take time to pause for a few minutes and write down what you're thankful for instead of what you're ungrateful for?

Don't compartmentalize your thanksgiving. Be thankful daily. Thank others daily. Thank God for the life you've been given and for the people He's blessed and surrounded you with. 

Be thankful for the "big" and "small" things in your life because at the end of the day they are all truly big things. Your life, your attitude and your outlook will be far better if you are thankful and appreciate how blessed you truly are!

Here are 8 passages (of the many in God's Word) to help you meditate on regarding thankfulness.

Take time to read, study and pray about these and then go find more in The Word for yourself.

Psalm 95:2-3
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

1 Corinthians 1:4-5
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—

2 Corinthians 9:11-12
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 7:17
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 106:1
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

1 Thessalonians 5:18
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Be thankful because God is good and He loves you beyond measure.

Thankfulness is really a thing...just make it your thing! 

Thankfully,

Randolph Koch

You Were Created And Set Free To Serve!

I recall hearing Pastor Greg Laurie say the following:
"God looks at us and says, “I know what you can be. You don’t know it yet, but I know. I know what I can make you into. You’ll be a mighty man of God. You’ll be a mighty woman of God.” -Greg Laurie

Friend, You are His workmanship and He has uniquely created you with a specific purpose, will, and plan for you in mind. Through His free gift of salvation you've been set free from the bondage of sin and have been given a new life in Christ.

He did this because He loves you with a perfect and eternal love!

Pause for a moment and let these truths sink in.

This speaks volumes to me because He not only saved us but thought exactly what He created us to do according to His purpose, will, and plan! We're unique in Him and made by and for Him! We are set apart by and for Him!

With this in mind, have you considered that you can and should freely serve Him and that you've been called to do so?

We don't serve to somehow "continue to earn our salvation" rather, we serve out of love for Him and thanksgiving for all He's done for us.

Please note that serving isn't just for "The professionals" as in the paid and volunteer pastors and staff...no..serving is for ALL of us!

So, what's holding you back from serving the Lord?

Let's pray for one another that we get off of our seats and really live to be His Hands and Feet for His kingdom and glory!

Please read and study Ephesians 2:10 (ESV),James 2:14-18 (ESV), and 1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV) for encouragement from God's Word and then walk in the work He's call you to do.

Your Brother and Servant In Christ, 

Randolph Koch

There's Nowhere You Can Hide!

Read:  Psalms 139:7, Romans 8:37‭-‬39, and Luke 19:10  

You may try to convince yourself that you've done too much wrong or your past or present is far too messy for God to love you.

You may even try to run and hide from Him.

Let me tell you that no matter if you know Him already or not, there is nowhere that you can run or hide from the presence and love of God!

So, quit trying to run and hide from The Lord your God and instead run to Him!

Your Brother and Servant In Christ,

Randolph Koch

Give All The Glory To God!

Influence, platform, followers, celebrity, popularity, and more are some of the many things people strive for in many church and individual circles today.

They are all kind of buzz terms that really don't account for much, (especially if you have the wrong focus.) in the long run in regards to truly building God's kingdom and making sure He's known.

Some who may have began with good intentions trying to point people to Christ, have ended up trying to build their little kingdoms and followings so they are well known instead of turning the focus on The One they are supposedly trying to represent.

Sadly, they convince themselves that it's the same thing... But it's not! They give into popularity and celebrity status which is a far cry from where they first began.

Then you have people like a well known rapper bringing in the numbers by the thousands for his so called "Sunday Service" which essentially is worship of the certain rapper instead of worshiping Jesus and pointing people to Him!

Whether it's "celebrity preachers" or well known music artists, down to common everyday Christians like you and I, we have to guard against seeking after fame for the sake of fame. We also have guard against allowing people to in essence worship us when Jesus is the one Who we all should be worshiping.

My friend, make sure you... Build His kingdom and not your own.
Communicate His platform. (AKA The Great Commission)
Worry about His influence as He works through you and not your own.
Worry about building His followers and not your own.
He must increase and you and I must decrease.

No matter how popular you may become, no matter how many followers you have, no matter what... Don't let people worship you. Instead, point them to Jesus in all you do because it's all about Him and not about you an I!

All glory, honor, and praise belongs to Him! 

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

Your Children and Their Choices Don't Define You.

A Little Disclaimer: I've had a draft of this article/encouragement sitting in my queue to finish 
for months and I thought now is a good time to finally finish it with the season I'm currently in. :-)

As my wife and I move into the next phase of life with all of our 5 children being young adults now, I've been reflecting on all the child raising years. 

I've noted my own strengths, weaknesses, successes, and mistakes and yet despite all my short comings and even the good things I've done, I see that my adult children are making good decisions. They are owning their faith and relationship with The Lord and working toward their adult goals. I have no doubt that they will do well with God has their guide and I will continue to pray for them and be a line of counsel as they make their way. 

My aim in this article is to briefly touch on several parent related topics with hopes that you may find encouragement no matter the season you're in and no matter the actions your children choose. May you have a glimpse of God's grace and a renewed hope in The Lord as you continue your journey. 

Live Life On Purpose!

 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds"

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Friend,

I wanted to simply take a moment and remind you that you should never underestimate the impact you have in and on the lives of others whether in "big" or "small" ways. You never know how God will use you in someone's life! God does want to use you! 

Wouldn't it be incredible if someone looked at you and said, "Because of your impact on my life, because of God working in and through you, I didn't give up!"...and "Because of your influence in my life, I now want to life on purpose for His Kingdom and Glory too!"!? 

You probably already are helping or have helped people not give up but you don't know it because they haven't told you yet! 

Keep pressing forward! You can inspire others! You can, do, and are making a difference in this world! 

Let's help each other not give up! Let's help each other live life on purpose for His Kingdom and Glory!

Let's be an inspiration to those around us as we just may be the one on a given day that helps them...not give up and helps them live life on purpose!  It only take a spark, and you might just be the spark God wants to use to impact others. 

THANK YOU...to those who have helped me...Not Give Up! 

THANK YOU...to those who have helped me live life on purpose! 

God wants us to live life on purpose/with purpose for Him...so do it day-by-day!

You're Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

Got Hope?

Read Psalm 42:11, Romans 15:13, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 3:15

Truth be told, I may be kind of a nerd at times as I enjoy SciFi movies and books from time to time. I also nerd out on new technology and many other things like random facts and more. 

When I was a young kid I recall seeing the original "Star Wars" movie when it first came out in the local movie theater. 

Ok, I may have just dated myself a bit as that was a LONG time ago in sort of a galaxy far far away...but back to my point in sharing this. :-)

There's a scene that has stuck with me over the years and it's the scene where Princess Leia pleads for help from Obe Wan Kenobi and she finishes with the line, "You're our only hope." 

Hope in general and hope of help or deliverance is such a powerful thing. 

Let me ask you, in what or in whom do you put your hope in? 

As followers of Christ since we've experienced salvation in Him, and as we study God's Word, and walk with Jesus daily, we know true hope. In Christ, we know our hope is in Him.

Hope in Jesus will never disappoint. 

No fictitious character, no person, no thing can be our true hope as Jesus is The Only Hope for our lost and broken world. He is our only hope, period. 

If you don't put your hope in Him, you don't have or know true hope. 

Let me encourage you to put your hope in Him friend and no one or nothing else.

In Christ Alone,
Your Brother and Servant,

Randolph Koch

Fresh Eyes On Humility and Confession

Read Philippians 2:1-11, Psalm 119:105, and Matthew 5:16

Do you ever arrive at a familiar passage of Scripture, one that you've read and studied many times, and God shows you an insight that you possibly missed several times before?

It's not uncommon for us to sometimes gloss over the truths He teaches us but I'm thankful for His patience toward us while we finally learn something He's likely been trying to teach us for a long time! 

It's no doubt that God's Word is a lamp to our feet and light to our path just as Psalm 119:105 says and I'm thankful God illuminates us soul, minds, and spirit so we may live more faithfully for Him, His Kingdom, His glory.

As we abide in God's Word we are sure to find rich truths through His instructions for us.

Philippians 2:1-11 is no exception because the passage if full of truths to unpack and apply to our lives. 

Faith, Mountains, and Molehills.

Read Matthew 17:20, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 6:27–28, Matthew 6:31, and Matthew 6:34

There's the old saying you might be familiar with that is, "Making mountains out of a molehills".  

Unfortunately, we as people of faith who know God's truth (or should), can still fulfill this old saying instead of fulfilling God's Word by responding in faith.

Due to our fear, doubt, forgetting the basic tools God has given us, as well as being guilty of overthinking, we can often create our own mountains and obstacles where there are none. Or, we can take the problems and obstacles at hand and make them far larger than they really are. 

Instead of responding in faith, we can go straight to fear, doubt, anxiety and more which always clouds our vision of God's truth.

In contrast, God's Word reminds us that our faith can move mountains. (Read Matthew 17:20)

The question is, will we allow The Holy Spirit and The Word of God to help us respond more often in faith rather than in fear and doubt?

Will we turn to God's Word and God Himself through prayer first instead of putting Him second while we get stuck in the thoughts of our own heads as well as our emotions? 

Will we strive to turn to God, the wisdom of His Word, the help of His Holy Spirit, Prayer, and Godly counsel more often during the times of problems and obstacles rather than our own thoughts, feelings, and limited wisdom? 

Whether our troubles are mountain sized or molehill sized, let us pray for one another that we'll turn to God in faith first and always and not give into our fears and doubts.

Let's strive to stop living the old life and really ask for God's help to walk in new life every day, in Jesus name.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch