Friday, April 29, 2016

What Does Society Really Want When They Cry Out For Tolerance?


There used to be a time when tolerance essentially meant that we'd all appreciate each others differences and treat one another with respect despite our differences. It seems that those days are long gone. 

Some might argue that this isn't the case or that this is a simplified definitions but you can look no further than social media, TV to see that there isn't much in the way of appreciation rather, you see the opposite of it. 

So, what does society really want when they cry out for tolerance? 


Monday, April 25, 2016

A Prayer for Grace & Truth and the Wisdom to Know How to Apply Them Both - Monday, April 25, 2016


Read: Romans 10:17, John 4:1-26, John 1:14, James 1:5 and Matthew 28:16-20)

Dear Heavenly Father,

In a day and age where sin, confusion and lack of grace and truth abounds - I pray for Your Holy Spirit's help in these matters as we need Your help all the more. 

Some want to throw out truth all together in order to accommodate in "grace and love" even when it's in opposition of the truth of Your Word. Help us to understand that Your truth is part of Your love and faith comes by hearing. (Romans 10:17)

On the other hand some want to throw out grace all together and sometimes hit people over the head with the "truth" when they forget the scriptures teaching about grace and love which is not devoid of truth. (John 4:1-26)

Yet, You oh Lord call us to both in love. 

Monday, April 18, 2016

A Prayer for the Employed and Underemployed - Monday, April 18, 2016



Read:Philippians 4:19, Colossians 3:23-24 & Ephesians 6:7

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I praise You as our provider! Without You...we would have nothing!

No Life...No Job...  No Income... No Food on the table...  and much more that we would not have. Help us to keep this in mind if we're prone to complain specifically about our jobs.

I thank You and praise You for providing work for us to do so we can earn a living and give back from the first fruits of our labor to build Your Kingdom. 

I thank You even for the jobs that You've provided but things aren't going great for us and we may even be stressed out at times or less than excited about what we're doing for work or going through at work. You are there with us and will bring us through. 

I pray that You'd provide meaningful work for us to do and give us the desires of our hearts to be able to make a good living doing what we enjoy and while we sometimes have to wait for that...that You'd continue to provide us with a good income no matter what it is You've given us to do. 

Not that we are worthy or deserving, please help receive and have favor always with our employers and if at all possible that they'd treat us well as our superiors. May they value the contributions we make and may that see the hard work we put it. May they seek to help us have a true life/work balance. 

Help us Father to be content but at the same time not become complacent in what we're doing rather, help us to listen for Your Holy Spirit's leading if it's time to move elsewhere to a place you've also prepared for us. 

Even when we don't receive recognition, even when we aren't valued or are undervalued, may we remember who we ultimately do our work for! (Colossians 3:23-24 & Ephesians 6:7

Help us to not get too discouraged and please help us to continue to press on as we seek to be the best employees for Your glory as well as our good. 

No matter what - I ask that You provide and bless us with continuous employment...however, if there are times where there are gaps in our employment, may You continue to supply for all of our needs. Help us to trust You all the more knowing you have a plan for us!

I especially pray for those unemployed right now that You'd help them have extra faith, hope and trust. 

I pray that You minister to them and bless them in a special way. 

I pray that You give them the desires of their heart by providing good employment where they are able to do something they enjoy and are passionate about and are compensated well! Please cast out all discouragement in their lives Father. 

Father, whether we're employed or underemployed, help us to cling to You at all times knowing that You're always at work and always have been to provide for Your children. 

Where there's discouragement may You insert Your Hope and Encouragement. 

Please also provide us with Your wisdom and direction always. 

May it be clear to all the employed, underemployed and those who are witnesses that You're mighty hand is in and over all things! 

In Jesus Name I praise You and Thank you, Amen.

Blessings in Christ,

rlk

Monday, April 11, 2016

A Prayer For When We Have No Words To Pray - Monday, April 11, 2016



Read: Romans 8:26-27

Heavenly Father, 

So often when we're in the midst of trial and overwhelmed, we don't know what to pray or how to pray sometimes. If we're honest, sometimes we just don't have the energy to pray even though we know it's what we really need to do. 

Even in the good times we don't pray as we should.

We complicate things sometimes too thinking we have to have the "perfect" words when there really aren't perfect words and You just want us to be present with You and speak from transparently from the heart. 

We don't praise you as we should...

We don't communicate with You as we should...

We don't pray for others as we should...

We don't pray for ourselves as we should...

As imperfect as we are we do desire to seek You in prayer but, we need Your help.

I ask for Your help and I know that You'll provide it because You're faithful and true!

Helps us to rely on Your Holy Spirit so we'll learn how to pray day-by-day as a first response and not a last response during the good and bad times. 

You teach us in Your Word that when our words fail, when we don't know how to pray that Your Holy Spirit intercedes for us! 

I praise You and thank You for Your help! 

I praise You for loving us so much that You minister to us through Your Holy Spirit in our weaknesses including our wordlessness or prayerlessness.

Help us Father rely on Your Holy Spirit's strength in all things including prayer.

Help us Father to remember that we don't have to have it all together we just need to be faithful to pray no matter what. You know our hearts...that is enough!

Help us to remember that again, when our words fail, when we don't know how to pray, that Your Holy Spirit it there with us and is interceding for us to Your great throne of Grace!

In Jesus Name I praise You and Thank You, Amen.

Blessings In Christ,

rlk


Share this with someone today: When the word won't come or you don't know how to pray...don't worry! The Holy Spirit intercedes for you! Romans 8:26-27 @ashepherdsheart

Friday, April 08, 2016

Excuses

Here's a Friday humor post about excuses - that may make you pause and evaluate things sometime. :-) 

Everybody has a good excuse for not attending church. 

If you take those excuses and apply them to other things we do (or don't do), like eating, they might look like this list:

1. I was forced to eat as a child.
2. People who eat all the time are hypocrites; they aren't really hungry.
3. There are so many different kinds of food, I can't decide what to eat.
4. I used to eat, but I got bored and stopped.
5. I only eat on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.
6. None of my friends will eat with me.
7. I'll start eating when I get older.
8. I don't really have time to eat.
9. I don't believe that eating does anybody any good.It's just a crutch.
10. Restaurants and grocery stores are only after your money.






All humor aside, there are reasons the Lord wants us to come together as the Body of Christ. 

I encourage you to read and study your Bible to discover what the reasons are,  what your roll is as part of the Body of Christ and the Body of Christ's roll in your life. All important and vital to your walk with The Lord! 

Blessings,

rlk 
Hebrews 10:25


le emo Hebrews 10:25


Monday, April 04, 2016

A Prayer for Persistence in Prayer (P.U.S.H) - Monday, April 4, 2016

Read: Luke 18:1-8 & James 5:16

Heavenly Father, Please help us to be persistent in prayer. 

No matter what we experience in life...help us to be faithful and tenacious prayer warriors and servants. 

Help us to make prayer a priority at all times.

Even though a lot of our prayer life is in private, there is an aspect of it that is public as we gather in prayer with others. So, please help us to be so persistent in prayer that people see it in us and know that we make You and Your word a priority.

Please help us to actually follow-through in prayer when people entrust us with prayer needs. 

Help us to be persistent like the persistent widow was in getting her case heard!

Help us to prayer throughout the day as we continue to seek You!

I pray that through the help of your Holy Spirit that we would not allow anything to keep us from communicating with You through interceding and petitioning for others and ourselves...and simply having conversations with you. 

Help us to not be afraid of being persistent in prayer because You are not afraid for persistence.   

Lord, we know you use the circumstances in life to shape, mold and change us into useful vessels for You. 

When times seem hopeless or tough - help us to not give up hope in You! Help us to never give up, period as there's always hope in You! 

Help us to keep Praying. 

Help us to keep P.U.S.Hing through! 

Help us to Pray Until Something Happens because You're always at work and Jesus was the best example Himself of regular, faithful and persistent prayer as He'd often escape the busyness of it all and be found communing with You. 

Help us to remember that You're ALWAYS at work for Your Kingdom and Glory and You always hear our prayers! 

Help us to always evaluate our prayer life and adjust it accordingly as we seek to honor You in all things and do what You tell us to do in Your Word!

I praise You for the gift of prayer! Help us to keep fighting through it all to communicate with You!

In Jesus Name I praise You and thank You, Amen. 

-rlk

Share this with Someone today: "Prayer is very important so don't give up! Keep On PUSHing through! (P.U.S.H. - Pray Until Something Happens)"

Friday, March 25, 2016

We Call It Good Friday...Because it was for Our Good!


Read: Matthew 26:36-28:15, Mark 14:32-16:14, Luke 22:39-24:53, and John 18-21:14.

It was the darkest day of all time. The day Jesus Christ the Savior was crucified. Humanly speaking, there was nothing good about that day. Everything went south in a hurry! The Gospels recount for us the physical and verbal abuse that was inflicted on Jesus and that He bore on our behalf. The shouts of, “crucify Him, crucify Him,” The blows to His body by the whips and rods, The suffering of carrying the cross on the road to Golgotha. The nails driven into his wrists and feet, the anguish as He hung on the cross with a sign above Him mockingly stating who He was, yet with no crime committed, He was crucified.

The vinegar given to Him to drink instead of water when He was thirsty, Then His last words and last breathe- it was finished. Simply unfathomable what He endured! Yet, because of the Father's divine plan of redemption, Jesus, long before He would come to earth in the humble form of man, God chose to send Him as the payment for our sins and the way of salvation. The scriptures also state in the prophetic books of the Old Testament that the Father was pleased to crush Him. This was because He loves us so much He wanted to do everything possible for us to see the folly of our ways and that Jesus is, and came as - the Savior. Jesus is the only plan of Salvation for us from the heart of God. There is no other way we can earn or work our way to heaven. Because of sin we aren’t worthy of God’s forgiveness. Through Jesus Christ we are worthy- only because of His death on the cross.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Our Patient Savior - A Reflection On The Saving Work of Christ


The Word:

Read: 2 Peter 3:9, John 19, Galatians 5:22-23

There have been many occasions in my life and most likely yours, when I needed to refer to a dictionary. I remember when I was a kid I always asked my mom what a word meant or how it was spelled. As I recall, most of the time she would say to me, "Use the dictionary." She wanted me know what the words meant for myself and to rely on the dictionary as a constant resource for my spelling needs. As an adult you'd think I'd stop asking what something means or how it was spelled, but I've found as I search the scriptures that there is always a use for a regular or a Biblical dictionary. It is amazing what you'll find as you refresh your memory of a spelling or a definition. 


On one occasion I looked up the word "patient". I found the word in the dictionary and read the definitions that accompanied it. I was in for a surprise on this occasion because we all use the word patient but do we know what it totally means? In the particular compact Webster's Dictionary I was using it laid out the following as the first definition:
        "Patient - Enduring affliction or pain without anger or complaint."

Pause for a moment and let that definition soak in...

Monday, March 21, 2016

A Prayer For More Passion for Christ as we remember the Passion of Christ - Monday, March 21, 2016


Read: Luke 22:39-46, John 19, Luke 23:34 and Luke 9:23

Heavenly Father, 

As we enter "Passion Week", please help us to have more passion for Christ and live more passionately as we follow Christ. 

Father, we so often reserve our awe, wonder and reverence for all You've done for us through Jesus, for different times of year, but, I ask that You help us to live in the awe, wonder and reverence day-to-day as we seek to make Your name great. 

May we live for Your Kingdom and glory all the more as we recall His ultimate sacrifice. 

Help us to remember the events leading up to Him taking the cross on our behalf. May this keep us sober at all times and never take Your love, grace, truth and sacrifice for granted. 

As we remember how He was betrayed, please help us to never betray You or the people You bring into our paths. 

As we remember His prayer in the garden in anticipation of what He was soon to take on for us, even to the point where He sweat blood, helps us to pray fervently at all times for Your Will, Your Heart, Your Kingdom, Your People, Your Glory and Your plan. 

Help us to toil, sweat, and sacrifice it all if You ask it of us. 

As Jesus asked while nailed to the cross, "Father Forgive them as they no not what they do", help us to readily forgive others for even the most trivial things they do to us. 

Help us to willingly take up our cross daily and follow Jesus as He willingly took the cross for mankind. 

Help us to live fully for You!

Again, Father, I ask that You help us by Your Spirit to have more Passion for Christ as we reflect on The Passion of Christ this week and beyond. 

In Jesus Name I praise You and Thank You, Amen. 

rlk

Share this with someone this week: "It's important that we live passionately for Christ beyond Passion Week!" 

Friday, March 18, 2016

Will the Real St. Patrick Please stand up?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Even if you’re not a wee bit Irish, there is a lot we can learn from the life of St. Patrick. There are a lot of legends/myths about Him but it’s good to separate fact from fiction and today I’m posting a few links to articles about his life which you’ll find below. Also, if you ever have an opportunity to watch an hour long docudrama about his life that was narrated by Liam Neeson, I’d highly recommend it. I believe it was simply called, "Patrick". I'm sure you'll be able to locate it via your favorite search engine.

While I agree that St. Patrick's life is one to celebrate and it's OK to have some fun in celebrating, St. Patrick's Day is not about hitting the pubs, shamrocks and the "Luck of the Irish" like many make it. His life was far more significant to the faith community and in the history of Ireland in comparison to these temporal things. 

After a brief glimpse into the life of St. Patrick you'll see some great reminders and examples regarding God's grace. 

One of those lessons I see is that we need to allow God to use and direct our path no matter what the circumstances and no matter if what we're going through makes sense or not. God is more than able to take someone out of slavery, (like Patrick) or any dire situation and use them for His glory in proclaiming His message. 

St. Patrick wasn't even from Ireland but God used him there to bring His message to the Emerald Island and because of this - many came to a saving grace thanks to God!

Here’s a selection of articles for your edification:

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/ChurchHistory/colson_stpatrick.aspx 
http://www.joyfulheart.com/stpatrick/pat.htm
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2004/stpatricks.html

Lastly, I wanted to leave you with an Old Irish Blessing:

"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back."

"May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields."

"And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

                                ~An Old Irish Blessing

Have an excellent day!

Many Blessing in Christ,

rlk


























#stpatricksday #stpatrick #faith #hope #wisdom #life #liveforGod #freedom #Christian #ChristIsAll #ashepherdsheart

Monday, March 14, 2016

A Prayer for When We Battle Anxiety - Monday, March 14, 2016


Read: Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6

Heavenly Father, I pray for those who are battling or suffering from anxiety...or may in the future.

When we face these times, please help us to...

 ...abide in Your Word so we know and are growing in Your truth. 

...insert Your truth where any anxious thought comes to mind. 

...not worry about the basic provision, food, clothing, shelter, etc as You have all these things covered. 

...remember that You even provide for the birds so again, You will provide for us.

...remember that You even clothe flowers in the field....You will provide all the more for us because You love us!

...remember that we can't add even a day to our lives...only You can!

...not worry about anything and instead put our hope, trust, confidence and faith you.

...not worry about anything but instead, pray.

...remember our battle is also often a spiritual one.

…remember that our battle is not ours alone because you battle with us and go before us!

...armor up...pray on Your full armor to fight the spiritual battle. 

...be grateful for what we have so we don't feed ungratefulness for what we don't which in turn can cause anxiety. 

...be thankful in all things. 

...to have joy even amidst sadness.

...seek You immediately when people hurt us and cause us to become anxious. 

...not dwell on things that we know will cause us to withdraw, become anxious, sad, lonely or experience further pain. 

...be thankful for Your grace and love.

...be there for others who are having anxiety issues....helping encourage them and also point them to You!

In the midst of fear, please give us Your peace. 

When we feel alone, please surround us with your presence helping us to remember we're never alone because You're with us always. 

Please give us an extra portion of Your strength during these times.

Please help us make it through each day with Your Holy Spirit's help. 

Thank You for the gift of prayer. 

In Jesus name I praise you and thank you, Amen! 

-rlk

P.S. Share this with someone today:

"Being anxious doesn't do anything for you but having faith in God, abiding in His Word and constant prayer does!" 

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

Do you want lasting change? Then check out the Put Off and Put On Principle!


So often in life we need to make changes or adjust the way we are doing things. 

Some things are serious and or drastic changes while others are smaller changes that need to be made.

Maybe you have a bad habit you need to quit? Maybe you are trying to reach a goal and in order to reach that goal you have to stop doing something in order to do something better?


So, how does someone do this?

Monday, March 07, 2016

A Prayer for New Mercies and New Beginnings - Monday, March 7, 2016

Read: Lamentations 3:22-23 and 2 Corinthians 5:17

Heavenly Father,

Your Word reminds us that Your Love Never Ceases, Your Mercies never come to an end, Your mercies are new every morning and your faithfulness is great. 

It's hard to remember this when we feel like we're struggling or are hurting. 

It's hard to experience this when we are in the midst of a tough season, feel unloved, forsaken and completely hopeless which is the unfortunate truth sometimes due to the circumstances of life.

Life is hard sometimes and You are always right there with us!

May You daily help us see, experience, and know your mercies are truly new every morning as you give us life each day to live for you!

When we're struggling, maybe hurting because someone who loved us left or a friend or loved one was unloving or unkind - please help us to see that Your love is still evident and it never ends no matter how we may feel.

When we're feeling hopeless, please be our hope...help us break the thought patterns we're stuck in because of the circumstances we're facing so our vision can clearly see You are our only true hope!

Your Word also reminds us that in Christ, We are new creations and the old has past away and new things have come!

Because of this we can rise and experience a new beginning each day. A fresh start...with the past behind us. Not that we won't face consequences of our sin and or mistakes but none-the-less You give us each day to dust ourselves off and begin anew! 

May You help us see and live out the truth that in You, we are new creations and You've given us a new beginning...a new lease on life. 

As we rise and take in the air You've given us to breathe, may we see that moment, that day, as gift from You. May we see that You love us and have a purpose for us here on earth to live out for you.

No matter what we're going through, may You stir our hearts so we might begin again. 

Help us to actually live our lives in such a way that people see the new life You've given us!

Helps to live as if we're truly alive seeking to make every moment count!

Please help us to wrap our minds around the truth of your Word as we awake and strive to live out each day for your Kingdom and Glory. 

Please show the evil one and his demons the door because our lives are Your dwelling place and there's no room for him in Your house! May his influence diminish daily as we abide in You and Your Word as darkness and light cannot coexist.

I praise You and thank You.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Your Brother and Servant in Christ, 


Randolph Koch 

P.S. Share this with someone today: 
"The past is the past. Your history is now and always will be HIStory as He's always known the beginning and end of your story!" -Randolph Koch

Tuesday, March 01, 2016

New Creative Bible Study Through The Gospel of John - from my friend at the Stone Soup For Five Blog!


A long time friend, Kari Denker of the Stone Soup For Five Blog has just written and launched a creative and in-depth 21 week study through The Gospel of John!

This Study is for Adults and youth alike and this week only - it also comes with a companion lap book for kids to do right along with you!


There is nothing out there like it (other than her previous study series of course :-) ) that mixes in-depth Journal Study of God's Word with doodling. Very cool way to remember God's Word!

Item Description From The Author:

"Dig deep into God's word and remember it better than ever. The special package for the launch of the newest Journal and Doodle study through John ends this Saturday! Don't miss out on the study and a lapbook to help your children to join along!
For more information and to purchase your own copy go to:

http://www.stonesoupforfive.com/p/store.html

Also, if you act now and use this special code she created for my followers, SHEPHERD20, you'll get 20% off! The code is good for this week only! Plus, don't forget the special lap book that will come with it if you purchase it this week! Nice bonus beside the 20% off!


Kari has once again poured her heart into creating an incredible resource to help people grow in their knowledge of God's Word and their walk with God!

This would also make a wonderful gift so...Check it Out!

In Christ,

rlk

Monday, February 29, 2016

A Prayer For When We Feel Or Are Hated by Others - Monday, February 29, 2016



Heavenly Father,
When the world hates us for Your name sake, help us to not grow weary as You experienced all this and much worse than this and more.


Help us to to seek to be peacemakers and trust in You as much as possible in such times as... 


When lies and accusations fly... 
When people in and out of the body of Christ misjudge or make false assumptions of us... When people block us on social media etc with no explanation... 
When people ignore us...
When people mistreat us... 

When people reject us... 
When people don't love us... 
When people don't recognize our abilities, skills and talents...
When people are harsh with us... 

When people propagate false information or reports about us... 
When people don't seek first understand us... 

Help us to remember that You've experienced much worse and You are righteous, loving, kind and just.

Help us guard our hearts and minds.


Help us to understand that You know our hearts and minds and You know the truth about each situation and circumstance.


You will set the record and path straight in Your time as You are a righteous King.


Help us to to proclaim Your good news no matter what we face.


Help us to be ready to give the reason for our faith and joy in Christ at all times.


Help us cling to and trust in You always.


Help us to help others do the same.


In Jesus name I pray, Amen.



rlk


#Prayer #nohate #love #justice #ashepherdsheart #hate
#bible #righteous #heart #mind #soul #strength #earth #peace #love #joy #patience #kindess #goodness #selfcontrol #righteousness #purpose #peacemaker #prayerwarrior

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Jumping Through Hoops




Sometimes in life you come across "Hoops to Jump Through" and you have to decide whether or not to jump through said hoops. 

For whatever reason some in leadership including those who should be encouraging you and believe in you (Leaders and even "friends") have expectations of others that they themselves couldn't even meet if they faced the same expectations. 

None-the-less sometimes they will expect you to jump through hoop after hoop until they'll recognize your abilities, skills and efforts. 

Yes, it would be much simpler if they'd see and pay attention to your efforts first so the hoops can be avoided but it comes to a point again, where you have to decide if you're willing to continue to jump through the hoops, which hoops to jump through and when enough is enough.