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

Live By God's Truth.

Read John 8:31‭-‬32 ESV

We live in a day and age where people try to proclaim that they live by "their truth" or that you should live by "your truth". 

To be clear, there is no your truth, my truth, or their truth no matter what anyone today tries to say. 

May we remember that as follower's of Christ, we are to live by God's Truth which is The Truth. 

May we make it our prayer that we would be led by and live by God's Truth always in Jesus name.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ, 

Randolph Koch

P.S. I'm here to serve you. Please reach out if you need prayer or encouragement. 

(Footbridge @ McDowell Creek Falls photo by Randolph Koch) 

Keep Pressing On!

As someone who has battled depression off and on for most of my life, I've always appreciated this statement:

"If you rearrange the letters in the word..."Depression" you'll get..."I Pressed On".

As a follower of Christ, I've learned that it's not just me "Pressing On" but It's The Lord through His Holy Spirit that strengthens and enables me to press on as I cannot do it alone.

It's The Lord Who has brought me through every battle with depression or any other battle. He's The One Who fights for me and has already won the battles. He's The One that has given me the strength and reason to get out of bed or to not stay in isolation during the seasons of battling depression. He's The One Who has kept me alive and not allowed me to make selfish decisions in my youth and early adulthood when I wanted life to end. He is my hope and strength.

He's The One Who has continually encouraged, strengthened, and spurred me on to keep on pressing on! I would not be here without Him and I would not make it through any storm or battle without Him.

I pray that no matter what you are facing, whether you battle depression or not, no matter what you face may you and I stand with Christ and truly know and say...."I Pressed On" because that's exactly what God wants us to do for His Kingdom, Glory, and our good.

May we always remember to thank Him for helping us overcome the battles because we'd be nowhere and defeated without Him.

Keep pressing on my friend!

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

PS. Keep living life on purpose for Him!