My Friend,
Thursday, January 07, 2021
God Always Hears Your Prayers!
Wednesday, September 09, 2020
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.
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
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
How Shall We Respond? A Little Q&A About Our Current Times.
Hello!
From time to time I'll receive questions from those God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve.
Recently I received another thoughtful question from someone regarding how we as followers of Christ should respond to current events going on in our world.
My response isn't "profound" by any means and others may have a different perspective on this, but, I thought it might be an encouragement to you in some way and a starting point as you seek The Lord for similar things. So, with the permission of the person who asked the question, and with their name omitted, here is the question and prayerful answer.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
Question:
"Hello brother in Christ. I have an honest question. No underlying motive in asking, just looking for an honest answer on your perspective. As a man who appears to be grounded in Biblical truth as far as I can tell through what you post, what is your stance on America's current state and the church's, the body of Christ, needed response in light of all that is going on? Are we being too "quiet", too fearful, are we speaking up as we should into the myriad of issues? It seems there is much, "mixed", for lack of a better word, response from the church. Do we need to be a bit more fierce, is there too much fear of man in the church as a whole? Ok more than one question and they are some loaded questions lol."
Answer:
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Let All You Do Be Done In Love.
Many people today are not responding to things with love in mind nor are they keeping it in the forefront of all they do.
Their words and actions are far from loving and are often far from being motivated by love.
For some of us, it seems as though God needs to take us behind the proverbial woodshed and help correct our behavior. :-)
As followers of Christ we should not emulate the wrong behavior that others choose to display, rather, we should be spurred on by Christ's love for us and the great love of God The Father.
Even in times of correction, we're to be motivated by and we should season it with love. (Just like God does with us.)
It's not easy but it's how God commands us to operate.
So, let all you do be done in love. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Because of His great love for us.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
P.S. Please prayerfully help me with my first ever fundraiser for my little ministry. Please share this small fundraiser with your church family and friends. https://www.fundly.com/a-shepherd-s-heart-2020-fundraiser
Or PayPal's Venmo app by sending to @ashepherdsheart
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Take Everything Back To God's Word!
There is a lot of "noise" that we experience in this life. This includes a lot of information that is rapidly hurled at us each day, including lies from the evil one.
So, it's vital that we sort the truth from the lies.
Even in The Body of Christ, those who may be well intended believer's will proclaim something that ends up not coming to true because it wasn't Biblically true. It clearly wasn't from The Lord!
Are you confused or unclear about something? Consult God's Word!
Did you attend a Christian Conference and something doesn't quite sit right with you regarding something someone taught? Consult God's Word!
Did you attend your regular home church or have you visited a church and something doesn't quite sit right with you regarding something that was taught? Consult God's Word!
Heard something preached on one of the "Christian" networks that doesn't quite sound right? Consult God's Word!
No matter what, make sure you take everything back to God's Word!
If you've been on this journey with me for a while, you've heard me say more than once, that God's Word is the lens by which we see and know the truth.
May we be like The Berean's (See Acts 17:10-12) and take everything back to the lens of God's Word as it's through God's Word that The Holy Spirit will shed light on the truth which will sort out that which is not.
As we abide in and live out His Word, we'll have clearer vision because He will help transform and renew our minds so we can view everything from His lens with His help.
Take everything back to God's Word and as you do so, the Holly Spirit will give you you wisdom, knowledge and discernment that will, again, help separate the truth from the lies.
Don't be a blind sheep! Take everything back to God's Word!
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Who Loves Ya, Baby?
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.
There's never a day where God ceases to love you. His love is for you will never change or end!
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"! :-):-)
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
He Holds All Things 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
Monday, January 20, 2020
Choosing To Live Significantly
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
Monday, January 06, 2020
My YouVersion Devotional Plan "Rooted" is now Live!
Monday, December 30, 2019
A Special Announcement from A Shepherd's Heart! 01/06/2020!
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
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
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Thankfulness...it's really a "thing".
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
Friday, October 18, 2019
You Were Created And Set Free To Serve!
"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
Wednesday, October 02, 2019
Give All The Glory To God!
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
Friday, September 06, 2019
Your Children and Their Choices Don't Define You.
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.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Is God's Love 'Reckless'? (Having a high and right view of God and His Word.)
(Having a high and right view of God and His Word.)
As a followers of Christ, worshiping The Lord through how we live our lives as well as through song is an important aspect of our relationship with Him. He is worthy of our praise!
In everything we do it's vital that we have a right Biblically accurate view of God. It's important that we think and communicate about Him in an honoring way in all we do.
In other words, we need to have a high and right view of God and His Word.
Friday, August 23, 2019
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!
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!
You're Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
Monday, May 13, 2019
The Great I AM Is With You!
In Holiness and Great Power God spoke these words about Who He IS... "I AM WHO I Am.". (Exodus 3:13-15)
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 His and how we view Him should collide with and change our world view including our sense of identity as our identity ought to be ground in The Great I AM!
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!
Your Brother and Servant In Christ,
Randolph Koch
Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Wait On The Lord...No Really...Wait On The Lord.
Friday, January 25, 2019
God Is Always On Time.
Let me encourage you to not listen to those voices because based on God's Word and even your own past experiences, you know God is always on time - no matter what!
The negative voices you hear and the dialogue that goes on in your head during these seasons is a product of doubt and not a product of faith. Hold on to faith and reject all the negative voices of doubt...including the whispers of the enemy or other people.
God always shows up in His perfect timing so don't spend anymore time worrying and shift your faith into "high gear" as you know God is your rock always.
Read the following passages and be encouraged: 2 Peter 3:8-9, 1 Peter 5:6-8, James 4:13-17, Psalm 23:4, Matthew 6:25-34, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 5: 1-5, and Isaiah 41:10.
Your Brother and Servant In Christ,
Randolph Koch
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Your Words Matter
Do you find yourself speaking negative or defeating words to yourself or others? Do you speak words that often tear down?
Let me ask you:
#1 Whose are you?
#2 What does the scripture say about our words and what kind of words we should speak? #3 In Christ, Are you a victim or a victor?
#4 Would you rather speak or receive life giving words or the opposite?
I pray God helps us speak words that are acceptable to Him and as much as possible, brings life to the hearers...including ourselves.
Here are some of the many scriptures about our words and how they truly matter.
Psalm 19:14, Colossians 4:6, 1 Peter 3:10, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 15:4, Matthew 15:11, Proverbs 21:23, Proverbs 26:20, Psalm 34:13, Psalm 141:3, Titus 3:1-2, Proverbs 17:27-28, James 1:19-26
Lets work hard at choosing our words wisely as our words truly matter. May we strive to speak words that build up and don't tear down. Lets speak words of life!
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch