Allow God To Work All Things Together For Good.

My Friend,

I don’t know anyone who really enjoys going through trials or hard times. We know that life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, heart ache as well as joy. And things often don't go according to our plans, desires, or even dreams. It also may be a struggle sometimes to not understand why we go or are going through things sometimes, especially in the midst of the trial.

 

Maybe for you it's a job loss, a health crisis, an economic loss, a broken relationship or one in conflict, or something else? No matter what, whether it's the good times or times of uncertainty and trial, we must remember that His ways are higher than our ways.

 

We need to trust and live in faith resting in the truth that God only has good in store for us even through the times of growth when it certainly doesn't feel "good". Even when things aren’t going how we planned or expected them to go we need to trust Him and have faith in His purpose, will, and plan knowing His plans are better than our own every single time!

Furthermore, even though we want to know the whys or reasons for our trials, we don't have to know or understand all the reasons behind what we're going through, but, we know God does and we can trust that everything we face again, is for our good and growth.

 

Our trials may never be “easy”, but, as we mature in faith, we may handle them better as we begin to recognize that these times are opportunities for good for ourselves and others. 

As we walk through these seasons we will grow and whether we realize it or not, others will also benefit as we go through the trials, (and come out on the other side) as they will be watching us and may learn from what God is doing in and through us which will in turn help them as they face their seasons of trials. 

 

Take time to read, study, and take to heart Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-8, and Isaiah 55:8-9 for starters.

 

In closing, let me encourage you to not get ahead of God by trying to force or try to somehow speed through a season He has for you, instead, allow God to work all things together for good…for your good and for His Glory.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
 
Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
 

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Kick Off 2023 With Free Gifts From A Shepherd's Heart!

Hello and thank you for stopping by ashepherdsheart.org!

Thank you for the honor of serving you in 2022 and Lord willing, the privilege to serve you even more in 2023! 

To kick off the New Year, I've updated two resources and also created some new free resources for you. 

Here's what I'm gifting you via a free download via the following links: 

1. 365 Day Bible Reading Plan (Updated). Here's the link to download the plan: 365 Day Bible Reading Plan.

2. The SOAP Bible Study Method (Updated). Here's the link to download The SOAP Bible Study Method. 

3. 2 different simple sermon notes pages. (New) Here's the link to the full page size sermon notes page and folding size sermon notes page as you seek to be hearers and doers of The Word.  

One note about printing: If you decide to print these, make sure you click "Fit" under the page sizing if the print preview looks like it will spill outside of the margins. 

Hope you enjoy these free resources from my heart to yours!

Thank you for the gift and honor of serving you! 

Your Brother and Servant In Christ,

Randolph Koch

Founder and Servant-Shepherd of A Shepherd's Heart. 

Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, Whatsapp, and More).

Please help us reach and help people for God's Kingdom and Glory! 🙏

https://www.givesendgo.com/ashepherdsheart

The Final Advent Celebration Observance 2022: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas!

This weekend is Christmas Eve and Christmas day which is the final Advent celebration observance. This is the culmination of this Year's Advent journey as we remember and celebrate the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ! The most important birth and birthday ever!

Here's some basic information for those who enjoy incorporating Advent into their Christmas celebration.

Center Candle:

Color: White Theme: Christ (His Arrival!)

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

When: Christmas Eve or Day

What to do:

- Light all the Red Candles and then light the White Center Candle.

- Remember the Theme of the Fifth candle.

- Read: Luke 2:1-20

Suggested Prayer:

- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for His arrival! Thank Him that He humbled Himself to come here so we might have life in Him!

- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you point people to Him proclaiming Who He is, why He came and the true meaning of Christmas!

- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today.

I hope you've enjoyed your Advent Journey as you've prepared your heart to receive Him anew this Christmastime!

Your brother and servant in Christ, Randolph Koch

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

The Fourth Sunday Of Advent 2022.

 

Hello Friend!

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and if you're incorporating Advent as part of your Christmas celebration, here's the basic theme, scripture, and suggested prayer for today's Advent observance!

Fourth Candle:

Color: Red Theme: Peace

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 4:7
 
When: Fourth Sunday of Advent
 
What to do:

- Light Four Red Candles. (The first 3 Sunday candles plus today's candle.)

- Remember the Theme of the Fourth candle.

- Read: Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 4:7

Suggested Prayer:

- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for experiencing the peace that comes through knowing Him! Thank Him for giving you true peace even amongst the chaos that you experience in life sometimes!

- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you experience His peace daily and that your heart and mind will be guarded thanks to Jesus.

- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today.
 
If you haven't downloaded your free copy of the Celebrating Advent Guide, feel free to do so via the following link.
 
https://tinyurl.com/yx54znh7
 
Merry Christmas!
You're brother and servant in Christ, Randolph Koch
 
#advent #Christmas #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #livelifeonpurpose #reshare
#ashepherdsheart

The Third Sunday Of Advent 2022.

Hello Friend!

This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent and if you're incorporating Advent as part of your Christmas celebration, here's the basic theme, scripture, and suggested prayer for today's Advent observance!

Third Candle:

Color: Red Theme: Joy

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:10, Luke 2:7-15

When: Third Sunday of Advent

What to do:

- Light Three Red Candles (The first two weeks plus today's.)
- Remember the Theme of the Third candle.

- Read Isaiah 35:10, Luke 2:7-15

Suggested Prayer:

- Based on today’s theme and Scripture reading, thank and praise the Lord for the great joy that comes from knowing Him!

- Ask for His help through His Holy Spirit to help you experience this joy daily and help you proclaim “the good news of great joy” in your community!

- Pray for whatever else that has been laid on your heart today.

If you haven't downloaded your free copy of the Celebrating Advent Guide, feel free to do so via the following link.

https://tinyurl.com/yx54znh7

Merry Christmas!
You're brother and servant in Christ, Randolph Koch

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

December 2022 Memory Verses

Hello!
For our December scripture memorization, I've suggested Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 7:14, and John 1:14, which are just a few of the many verses that point to Jesus birth and life, which is fitting this Christmastime.

As always, 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 of course to memorize it in that version.
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You'll notice that following the verses are 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 your 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!
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May you continue to abide in God's Word through reading, studying, memorization and living it out as vital keys to our growth.
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Have fun with scripture Memorization! Don't stress about it! And, as always, be in The Word and stay in The Word!
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You're in my prayers and please reach out if you need any tips.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch
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P.S. If you need some scripture memorization tips, please check out this article: https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2018/02/the-bible-is-essential-part-3-scripture.html
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Connect with A Shepherd's Heart: https://linktr.ee/ashepherdsheart (Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube, Website, YouVersion, Telegram, and More)
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Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
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