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

The Source of Your Identity

Dear Friend, 

I wanted to take a moment to simply remind you that if you are in Christ, you are a new creation and your identity in Him is what matters plain and simple!

No one's opinions defines you nor does your past!

"When we finally understand and are confident and secure in our identity in Christ, our past as well as the opinions of others regarding us will not shake or define us!" -Randolph Koch

To learn more about your identity in Christ, Dive into God's Word and abide in Christ and you will discover your true identity!

True security and identity will only be found in Him! He is truly the source of who you are!

For further encouragement from God's Word, Please check out this post and pass along the Truth of God's Word about who you are in Christ: http://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2012/03/who-you-are-in-christ.html

In Christ Alone,
Your brother and servant,

rlk

PS: Check out this new page on A Shepherd's Heart: 
http://www.ashepherdsheart.org/p/ministry-service-offerings.html which is a growing basic list of areas where I may be able to serve you!


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Remind Me Who I Am...

Are you struggling with your present circumstances? Do you struggle with your past? Do you struggle with insecurities? Do you label people or feel labeled? Are you struggling with your identity? Are you “paralyzed” trying to figure out who you are or by others opinions of you?  Are you listening to the lies and accusations of the evil one or maybe others in your life that hurl verbal abuse at you?

Stop right now and listen – you need only open and start reading and studying God’s Word, the Bible to see who you really are! Instead of focusing on what we call “self-esteem” start focusing on “Christ-esteem” meaning, every truth the Bible says about who you are and how God see your through and in His son Jesus Christ. This is where you true identity is...not in anyone or anything else!

When you have bad days, are feeling low, depressed, insecure, or whatever you may be thinking or feeling - open His Word and let His reminders wash over you! Don’t by the lies you, the evil one, or other people tell you. Cry out to God in prayer and lay down…give up…cast all those cares upon Him because He cares for you and doesn’t want you crippled by all untruths that are shot at you on a daily basis. Maybe even stop right now and ask Him, like this song/video by Jason Gray says…Lord, “remind who I am”…

Check out and dwell on this song and God’s word knowing that you are His beloved child!

                                    http://youtu.be/eKyY8zfjBMQ
Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

rlk  

Who You Are In Christ

Who are you in Christ?

If you are a Christian, then the statements below are true of you and understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential to your success in living the victorious Christian life! 

Years ago someone shared this information with me and it completely changed what I see in the mirror and believe about myself. I also changed what I think about myself and others because of what He thinks and says about us!

I pray that you are encouraged and challenged and allow His Spirit to reshape your thinking about yourself and others!

You are Secure, Accepted, and Significant and much more in Christ and you need to understand that who you are, your identity, etc. is formed or should be formed in Christ and how He sees you and through what The Word of God says about you!

What God and His Word says about who you are is essential to truly living a full and effective life for Him!

You see, what you think about yourself as well as what others say or think about you does not define you! It doesn't mean that what others say about us doesn't temporarily emotionally impact us in some way, because it does, rather what they say doesn't change who we really are! 

May you walk in newness each day, walk and operate in His resurrection power secure in your salvation and who you are in Him!

Do you really want to see part of who you are via what God's Word says about you? If so, I want to encourage you to continue below and really read through the brief post as it shares much about the reality of Who you are in Christ! 

I wanted to share with you from my heart to yours as again, it's truly life changing to see who you really are...in Christ! You are highly valued and of great worth! Believe and receive these truths about you! 

Hover over the verse and a window will appear with the verse or you can of course open your own Bible and read it alongside this post. A statement about each verse is listed to the right of the reference. 

I am secure...

Romans 8:1-2 - I am free from condemnation and have been set free from sin and death through Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28 - I am assured that God is at work for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 - I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - I have been established, anointed, and sealed in Christ by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 - I have been raised up with Christ and I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 - I am confident that God is not finished with me yet and He will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 3:20 - I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 - I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control.
1 John 5:18 - I am born of God, I am under His protection and the evil one cannot touch me.

I am accepted...
John 1:12  - I am God's child.
John 15:15 - I am a friend of Jesus Christ
Romans 5:1 - I have been justified and have peace with God thanks to Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6:17 - I am united and one with Jesus in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - I have been bought with a price through the sacrifice of Jesus and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 - I am a member of Christ's body.
Ephesians 1:3-8 - I have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world and I’ve been adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 - I have been rescued from, redeemed, and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 - I am and have been made complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16 - I can approach God with confidence as I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ and know He understands everything I face.

I am significant...
John 15:5 - I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and created to bear fruit.
John 15:16 - I have been chosen by God and He has appointed me to bear good fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 - I am God's temple and His Holy Spirit dwells within me.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - I am a new creation and a minister and ambassador of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 - I have been raised up and I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 2:10 - I am God's workmanship and I’ve been created in Jesus Christ to do Good works.
Ephesians 3:12 - I may freely and confidently approach God.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

You can also download a PDF version of the above here for your future review.


Let's help others discover who they are in Christ! Consider sharing this post with others, today!

I pray that we all learn and live who we are in Christ! 

Pass this encouragement along to someone else.

Blessings in Christ,
Randolph Koch

Failures

I've been thinking today about failures and wanted to share a brief thought on failures as so many believe that failure define who they are and I'd like to submit to you that they do not! I may add some scriptures to this post later but consider the following:

You still have to own up to your own failures as they usually come with consequences of one form or another but as Zig Ziglar said one time "Failure is an event, it is not a person." Your failures in word, action, etc. don't define you as a person so pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and press forward learning everything you can from your failures and don't let it define who you are!

Also, it took Thomas Edison 1,000 attempts before he created the first working light bulb. So is he remembered for the 1,000 "failures" or the end result which your home is full of today?

I think you see my point now and I hope you do because you're failures are temporal and they do not and should not define who you are to others or ultimately to yourself.

Lastly, God does not see you as a failure, rather, you are diamond in the rough, clay in the Potters Hands, a work in progress so, allow yourself some grace and seek out who you really are according to God's Holy Word.

God Bless You and may He help you keep your eyes fixed on Him!

In His Strong Love,

RLK