Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Resurrection Sunday!


Wanted to wish you a wonderful and peaceful Resurrection / Easter Sunday!
 

Here's a beautiful song by The Getty's - "In Christ Alone".
http://youtu.be/DE2jtaml-Bo

Check out the message in this e-Card: http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/easter/his-sacrifice.html

Also, here's additional information about Jesus' Resurrection that I read a while back and posted via the following link:

https://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2009/04/historical-evidence-for-resurrection.html

 
I hope your Good Friday was filled with gratitude and contemplation for the great sacrifice He paid for you and may this Sunday be filled with joy as you celebrate and worship the risen savior Jesus Christ!

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!


With Love In Him,

rlk

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Bear Fruit!

Here are two questions for your Wednesday: #1- Are you bearing fruit? & #2- What kind of fruit are you bearing?

Let's pray for each other that #1- we'd bear fruit & #2- that we'd be found bearing good fruit for His Glory, our good and for the good of others!!




































Blessings,

rlk

Monday, March 25, 2013

Child of The Most High God!






















You are a child of the Most High God! Walk in and meditate on this truth today!

When thoughts bombard your mind saying, "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" Just smile and say, "I am a child of the Most High God!"

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise." -Galatians 3:26-29


Blessings,

rlk

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Your past, is Your Past...So, Don't live there anymore!

Hello!

Walk in these truths today...

"Don't Judge me by my past, I don't live there anymore!"

Praise God this is true of all of us who are in Christ as He holds not one sin against us and gives us the grace and the help through His Spirit to daily be renewed and daily take steps forward with Him for positive life change! Hear me when I say this - He is in the business of transforming hearts, minds & lives! This includes yours!! He is the key to life change!

Stop kicking yourself for your past! Yes, learn from your past sins and mistakes but stop "going there"! You know what I mean?!?!

When the evil one comes at you, remind Him of these truths and no matter the triggers that dredge up the past or the people who choose to dredge it up and live there just stop right now and Praise God that He is right there with you loving you unconditionally and directing/guiding you each day! Give these things over to Him!

Walk in His truth and reach out to Him and your family in Christ if you need help along the way and remember - you no longer live in the past!

Be Blessed!

Psalm 103:12 "as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us."


In Christ,

rlk

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Critics vs. Your Creator


Saw this phrase the other day which I found impactful and started flood of thoughts...

"Pay more attention to your Creator rather than your critics."

I've been learning this lesson and sometimes the hard way over the years and I strive all the more today to pay attention to my loving Heavenly Father rather than others. Why? Because if I let my guard down and lose my focus on Him - I end up exhausted trying to live for the approval of others or by trying to make people like me or gain their approval which is futile!  Many times I’ve lived to try and please, gain the approval of, or get people to like me who honestly will never give it to me nor do they honestly give me much thought at all.

To meld my words with the words of I’m sure of many others, let me share that it really comes down to focus  - putting your focus on The Lord your God rather than just other people's opinions of or actions toward you!

This doesn't mean that we can't learn from our critics but it does mean that some people, no matter what you do, that they are never going to be for you!  I know it’s a tough truth but it’s the truth! One that I’ve struggled with a lot at times – especially when people you expect to be supportive of and an encouragement to you only to find they aren’t and have no intentions to be for various reasons like their own insecurities or jealousy to name just a few. 

Here’s a quote that makes me laugh but is very true:

“Some people find fault like there is a reward for it” – Zig Ziglar

Think about it, you could exert a lot of effort, (and probably do sometimes, right?!) trying to work hard to change yourself and try to meet all their, (many times unhealthy) demands and attempt to do everything they asked, yet, they still find something wrong. Plus, they never change anything about themselves but they demand change of you!

We need to continually learn to ignore those critical voices. Ask yourself, why do I need those people’s approval? Why am I knocking myself out to meet their approval?!

Let me tell you, the truth is - you don’t need their approval! 

I wonder sometimes if this isn’t part of why He gave us His armor to put on, (which is primarily for the spiritual battles we face See Ephesians 6) maybe also to help us battle against the negative voices that come our way deflecting the flaming arrows of those critical voices in our lives as well which has spiritual impact on us!

Stop for a moment and take inventory of especially your friends, how many of them are truly there when you really need them? How many of them are there only typically when you are doing something for them? How many people came to mind that are always negative or judgmental toward you and rarely supportive?

Give it some thought. Maybe for the list of those who aren’t truly there for you, it’s time to remove the negative voices/people from your life, even for a season? Why, because they are hindering your walk with God and negatively impacting your self-worth as well as adding stress to your life that you don’t need!!

It’s not that your life will be perfect, EVER, but it is about the inputs you have in your life whether bad or good and again about the focus you should have…if your focus is fogged-up, it’s time for some “de-fogging” for your own good!  :-) You may feel selfish about it at first but that’s because you’re used to craving approval and doing for those who just take and give nothing in return. God wants to fully use you and if your focus is off – He cannot fully use you or form you further into His image!

Next, take inventory of those who are truly there for you when you need them and with no strings attached – the ones that are always there to speak truth in love into your life? Those who aren’t constantly judging you or causing you pain. The ones who care about and love you unconditionally? Besides your Father in Heaven who is always there for you, who here on earth is really there for you?  Maybe it’s time to put your energy into those relationships again, for your good!

The reality is that you weren’t put on earth to be a people pleaser or to bow to everyone’s whim. If you do that you’ll just end up being used up by people that try to manipulate you or try to over-exert their perceived power over you and miss the blessing of being utilized by the One who truly loves you and cares for you! …and miss the important relationships that are right there in front of you but you’re so caught up in “the fog” - the negativity that your experiencing that you’re blind to this!?

Your job going forward is to:
• keep your focus on God your Father!
• stay in His Word and learn about Him, yourself and how He wants you to live!
• be about the Father’s business and to do His will!
• stay focused on your future!
• allow His truth to permeate your soul and allow His Holy Spirit to strengthen you to ignore the critics and move forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you!

God is for you! He wants all of you! So, let’s pray for each other that we will break free from the destructive patterns and people we’ve had or currently have in our lives so we can be more about the Father’s business and the positive influences in our lives.

Blessings,

rlk


P.S.
Another thought for you to consider is,  who’s always there for you yet you sometimes only pay attention to their friendship when they are doing exactly what you want them to do or going with you to only exactly where you want to go? Are you only thinking about yourself and what you want and not considering them in your plans when you get together?  Are you maybe doing to them exactly what you don't like that others do to you? You should change this starting today, or you may lose them - a person who is a positive influence in your life!

Monday, March 11, 2013

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  

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Approaching God with Confidence!

"Nothing you confess could make me love you less."

We're reminded in Hebrews 4:16 that we can approach God with confidence:

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

We have nothing to fear with Him because His love is perfect...never-changing...unconditional! As my pastor often reminds us, "God is not mad at you, He is mad about you!"

So, when all is said and done, as you walk out your faith day-to-day, confess everything and communicate with God knowing that no matter what you bring to Him, (it's not like He doesn't already know!) that He loves you unconditionally and His love is an everlasting love! Nothing you say will ever change that!! His love remains constant and perfect for you!

So, go in confidence today encouraged by His strong and perfect love for you! ...but don't forget the importance of confession and constant communication with Him as you live and walk out your faith in and relationship with Him!






















Have blessed day!

In Christ,

rlk  

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Eat Some Bread!


Here's a great truth about The Word of God: 

"The Bible is meant to be Bread for daily use, not Cake for special occasions." -Unknown

So my questions to you are...Did you eat some bread today? If not, eat some bread, today! :-)

Be blessed!

rlk

Saturday, February 23, 2013

He is greater!

Here's a big reminder for you! Be encouraged that God is greater and more powerful than the enemy of your soul and anyone else! No matter what you're facing - remember that The Lord your God is greater and He's provided His spirit to help guide, direct, empower and intercede for you! Walk in these truths today!
Blessings,

rlk

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Father’s Mandate

Here's something that the Sr. Pastor of the church where I serve as a lay pastor shared recently and I wanted to share this wisdom with you as well:
“The Father’s Mandate”
1. A father must cultivate a sense of family identity.
2. A father must demonstrate an ongoing love for his wife.
3. A father must understand and respect his child’s private world.
4. A father must keep his promises.
5. A father must give his children the freedom to fail.
6 A father must be the encourager of the family.
7. A father must routinely embrace his children.
8. A father, if he’s going to build a relationship of trust with his children, must build it on God’s Word and not on human wisdom.
Its never too late to begin being the Husband and Dad God wants you to be!
 

Have a blessed week ahead!
rlk

Friday, February 08, 2013

The Mind of Christ



We're called to put on the Mind of Christ!...and we need the Holy Spirit's help to do so! 

Take a look at the below brief word from Max Lucado on this and then let's pray for each other that we'll receive the help we need to put on His mind and live our lives as He wants us to! Amen!?

I can say that most days, it's very hard to put on the Mind of Christ yet, we're not alone and not left to do it on our own! We have the Holy Spirit and other believers in our lives to help us along the way which I'm thankful for!

Jesus is transforming us each day! Praise God that He is!
 

Please see the below!

Blessings in Christ,

rlk

________________________________
The Mind of Christ
by Max Lucado

The heart of Jesus was spiritual. Our hearts seem so far from His.  He is pure.  We are greedy. He is peaceful; we are hassled. He is purposeful; we are distracted. How could we ever hope to have the heart of Jesus?

Ready for a surprise? You already do.  You already have the heart of Christ. Would I kid you?  One of the supreme promises of God is simply this:  if you’ve given your life to Jesus, Jesus has given Himself to you.

The Apostle Paul explains it in 1 Corinthians 2:16: “Strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ.”

The same one who saved your soul longs to remake your heart. His plan is nothing short of a total transformation. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Perhaps in seeing Him, we will see what we can become!

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bed511e434184985961d50fcb&id=539708e415


Thursday, January 31, 2013

How to Study God


How you view, study and think about God matters!

Why? Because how you view God is essential to how you view everything else in life including yourself!


If you have a right or wrong view of God it will positively or negatively impact your life and your thinking pretty much about everything.


Here’s a brief and creative video on “How to Study God”


Something great to think about as you study God’s Word, as you listen to messages each week at church, on the radio, internet, an as you think about and walk with Him each day!


Bottom Line - Your View of God / Theology really matters!

Check this out!:
 
DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Truth About Free Will

Here's a BIG Truth to meditate on as you head into the work week actively seeking to live out your faith each day: 

"Free will doesn't mean doing whatever you want. It means having the Freedom to do what is right." -Unknown

Monday, January 14, 2013

The Romans Road


The Romans Road is comprised of Six Pillars of Truth drawing from a group of six verses from The Book of Romans.

If you walk down this road you will arrive at an understanding of how you can be saved.

If you hover over the verse reference to the right of each of the 6 statements of truth below, the verse will appear in a window, or even better, let me encourage you to grab a Bible and dig into the verses that way!


1. No One is Good – Romans 3:10-12

2. We all Fall Short – Romans 3:23

3. Everyone is Guilty – Romans 5:12

4. We're All Guilty of Sin and Sin Earns Us Death – Romans 6:23

5. God Loves Us – Romans 5:8

6. Confess and Believe – Romans 10:8-10, 13

If you’d like to take a step of faith and receive Jesus as your Savior then here is a suggested prayer you can pray right now to enter into a new life with Jesus Christ fully forgiven and secure! This prayer does not save you but it’s a way to help you confess and receive in faith God’s Free gift of Salvation!
“Dear Father in Heaven, I believe in Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He died on the cross for my sins and that He rose up from the grave. I know that I am a sinner and I repent of my sins. I ask for Your forgiveness and I know that I'm forgiven. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to walk with You. Thank you for saving me. In The Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

The Romans Road....this is a pathway you can walk, right now! 

The Question is – will you walk it?

If you’ve already walked The Romans Road and have received Salvation, praise God!


Now go and share The Romans Road with others who have yet to walk this road!

I'm praying for you! May you listen to God's voice as He draws you to Himself either in salvation or day-to-day as a follower of Christ as He guides and directs your path. 

In Christ,

Randolph Koch

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Special Request: The Sonrise Food Pantry Needs Your Help!




 
I have special and urgent request I wanted to share with you! My friends at the Sonrise Food Pantry serves 80 families a week providing them with much needed food staples in their time of need! They are facing an ongoing shortage of the following items: Tuna (and other canned meats), Peanut Butter, Beans (Canned and Dry), and Cereal! These items, if provided would not only help fill the ongoing shortages of these items but it will also stretch out their regular budget providing more of the other items they work to provide each week! If you're able to help meet some of these needs please drop items off at Sonrise (6701 Northeast Campus Way, Hillsboro, OR) during business hours or contact me via e-Mail address and we can find a time to connect. 
Seriously, even providing just a few items will help meet the needs of these families via the Sonrise Food Pantry! Whatever you can do will be very appreciated! 
Thanks for your consideration!
Blessings,
rlk

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Confession


Confession, that's a word that isn't always received well in our society and even in the church sometimes. Yet, the Scriptures teach us that confession is truly positive, free-ing, for-our-good thing! It was provided to us by a loving, Holy, and Just God who doesn't want us to live and didn't create us to live with the guilt of sin or even bitterness and a whole bunch of other things that can happen due to unresolved - unconfessed sin.

When you agree with God by confessing your sin and that your sin is, well, sin, it frees you from a burden that only Christ was meant to carry for you and I.
 

The below brief devotional thought from Max Lucado is a great reminder of these truths.  Please see the below.

May you take time to read it and then take time to confess your sins so you can you truly walk in the forgiveness and freedom He's already provided you with.

With Love and Blessings in Christ,
Your brother and servant,

rlk

____________________________________________________________


  







Confession
by Max Lucado

Today's MP3

Confession!  It’s a word that conjures up many images—some not so positive.


Confession isn’t telling God what he doesn’t know.  That’s impossible.  It’s not pointing fingers at others without pointing any at me.  That may feel good, but it doesn’t promote healing. Confession is a radical reliance on grace—a trust in God’s goodness.  The truth is, confessors find a freedom that deniers don’t!


Scripture says,  “If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right.  He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. John 1:8-9″


Tell God what you did.  Again, it’s not that he doesn’t already know, but the two of you need to agree!  Then let the pure water of grace flow over your mistakes!


From GRACE

____________________________________________________________

Monday, December 31, 2012

New Year, New Perspective on "Resolutions"...










Hello!

As we approach the New Year and the proverbial need to make New Year's Resolutions, I think this quote from Paul David Tripp says a lot:
..."the character of a life is not set in two or three dramatic moments, but in 10,000 little moments." -Paul David Tripp

We ought to have goals in life and
to be clear, New Year's Resolutions aren't bad in and of themselves, however, I believe that it's in the goals we have and actions we take in the day-to-day where real victory and life change takes place for us.  
The "little victories" and the "little goals achieved" will lead to long term success! ...that is if you keep at it...don't give up...don't give in to mediocrity. Yes, this may include some failures along the way but that is part of growth!

So, as you approach the New Year, maybe instead of making goals that you may or may not keep and then "beat yourself up" if you don't reach your goals, maybe go ahead and set larger goals but try fulfilling them through smaller goals and day-to-day actions? Things that are tangible / attainable?

Take time to pray and ask the Lord through His Holy Spirit to help you each day today and in the New Year to come!

Something to think about as we enter the New Year.

Here's to your success and victory in the New Year!

May the Lord work in and through you mightily this next year for His kingdom and glory!

Happy New Year!

Blessings in Christ,

rlk