Wednesday, January 20, 2021

No Matter Who Leads A Nation, God Is Still On The Throne.

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." -Psalm 9:10 ESV

My Friend,
Who are you putting your trust in?

It's inauguration day in the USA and there are many who will either be happy, sad, or somewhere in between.

I simply want to encourage you today with a reminder (no matter where you live) that politicians, no matter where you land politically, are not The Savior, only Jesus is.

Politicians can only provide temporary supposed solutions to peace, provision, unity, hope and more while Jesus is your true refuge and is The Only One Who can provide true peace, provision, unity, hope and more.
For everyone reading this today, let me encourage you in that no matter what nation you live in, if you are a follower of Christ, one of the greatest things you can devote yourself to is praying for your leadership state, local, and national. It doesn't matter if they are in Christ or not, you can pray for them and God hears the prayers of His people.

Put your trust and hope in The Lord and not in any politician or other human.

If you're anxious or worried today, let me encourage you to turn from that and instead, turn to The Lord in prayer and through abiding in His Word. Put your trust in The Lord.

Read, study, and take to heart Luke 12:25-31 and Psalm 9:10.

Praying for you and praying for our leaders...may we all turn To The Lord in all and for all things.

Your Brother and Servant In Christ,
Randolph Koch

P.S. Please pass on this encouragement to others who may be encouraged that God hears their prayers.

Here's one place that lists where you can connect with A Shepherd's Heart:
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Taking Steps Of Faith (Regardless Of Whether You Have It All Figured Out.)

My Friend,

I don't know about you but sometimes I freeze in my steps because I kind of want all the details before I move forward or sort of "to be in control" of things. I like to know as much details as possible and sometimes I get stuck with the "analysis paralysis" because I'm focusing more on rethinking things too much instead of doing what I should do first, which is seek God first.

I also tend to be a "perfectionist" at times and don't complete something as soon as I should because I fall into the false idea that it needs to be somehow "perfect" when there is no such thing! I'm sure I'm the "only one" who struggles with things like this. ;-)

While there is wisdom in planning, what matters most is seeking God through prayer and through His Word for each plan, dream, goal, and step of faith as the first step for anything we do.

I encourage you to seek Him through prayer, His Word, and through seeking Godly counsel as needed, then take the step or leap of faith knowing Jesus is The One directing your path. Even if you're afraid, you will know His peace as you do what He's calling you to do. We will never have it all figured out, but we know The One Who does have it all figured out.
Just like when Peter stepped out of the boat after he asked Jesus, "If it's you Lord, tell me to come to you on the water." and Jesus said, "Come" (See Matthew 14:22-33), Jesus was calling Peter to take a step of faith. While water was familiar, Peter had never walked on water before and instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, he looked at the stormy waters and started to sink. He did the right thing though by crying out to The One Who was able to save Him, Jesus, and Jesus came to His rescue but Jesus said "Come" with no further instructions and while Peter did, again, he didn't keep His eyes on Jesus as he stepped out of the boat in faith.

We're not too different from Peter and each day God is calling you and I to take steps of faith. Sometimes, it's full on scary to take that step of faith, but none-the-less, Jesus knows and will help us, He is calling us regardless of whether or not we have all the details. We're supposed to live by faith and not by sight. (See 2 Corinthians 5:7)

Whatever you're facing today, whether a major decision, something you've put off for a while that you know He has called you to do, or whatever it is, remember this: IF you put your trust in The Lord, (and not in yourself alone) you don't have to have all the details to move forward... just take one step of faith at a time with or without the details.

Here are a few of the many passages to read, study, and take steps of faith regarding: Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:13, and Hebrews 11:8.

Your brother and servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

P.S. Please pass on this encouragement to others who may be encouraged that God hears their prayers.

Here's one place that lists where you can connect with A Shepherd's Heart:
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Be In The Word And Stay In The Word.

My Friend,
God has shown us and told us how we should live throughout His Word.
None of us walk perfectly and it's not about perfection, but it is about putting in the effort to walk in a way that is pleasing to Him.
May we reflect what He's shown us and not reflect the behavior of the world or others who call themselves believers but who choose not to live according to God's Word. Basically they live as if they weren't saved from the chains and wages of sin.
Let me encourage you to strive to:
-Be in The Word.
-Stay In The Word.
-Actively Live out The Word.
-Reflect God's Word in your actions, conduct, and what you say.
Let me also encourage you to do justice as He lays it out in His Word not how the world defines it. Let me encourage you to also strive to love kindness and to walk humbly, before God.
Don't live like the nonsense we see time and time again on display all around the world through people's behavior. You either strive to live for Him or you don't, there's no in between.
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8 ESV
Let's pray for one another.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

P.S. Please pass on this encouragement to others who may be encouraged that God hears their prayers.

Here's one place that lists where you can connect with A Shepherd's Heart:
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Thursday, January 07, 2021

God Always Hears Your Prayers!

My Friend,

Be encouraged that God always hears your prayers no matter what.
It doesn't matter if they are "perfectly" worded. It doesn't matter if they are long or short or somewhere in between.
What matters is that you commit yourself to prayer and humble yourself as you approach Him filled with confidence and faith.
Your heart and countenance matters more than eloquent prayers of any length.
Also, be encouraged that even when we don't have the words to say or don't know how to pray, The Holy Spirit always intercedes for us. (See Romans 8:26-27.)
Just pray knowing He always has time for you and always hears your prayers.
Read, study, be encouraged by, and take to heart Hebrews 4:16, Romans 8:26-27, and Matthew 6:7 which are some of the many verses about this.
Your brother and servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. Please pass on this encouragement to others who may be encouraged that God hears their prayers.

Here's one place that lists where you can connect with A Shepherd's Heart:

Friday, January 01, 2021

Happy New Year 2021!

Hello and Greetings in The Name of The Lord! 

Thank you for visiting A Shepherd's Heart online! 

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, safe, successful, and hope filled New Year!

May God richly bless you in 2021 as you continue to seek, love, and serve Him with all that is within you! 

Here's to a wonderful 2021 with a fresh new start for all of us! 

It's been an honor serving you in 2020 and Lord willing, I'll have the privilege of continuing to serve you in the New Year!

Thanks and God bless you and your household!

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." 

Numbers 6:24‭-‬26 ESV

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

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#NewYear #2021 #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #Jesus #Bible #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #HolySpirit #encourage #encouragement #Christian #Christianity #Christfollower #ashepherdsheart #livelifeonpurpose #reshare

Friday, December 18, 2020

Christmas Encouragement.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by the A Shepherd's Heart site! 

In case you're not connected with A Shepherd's Heart on social media (Instagram and Facebook), I wanted to share a digest of 5 recent post that were featured there to encourage you in your faith and as you celebrate The Savior's Birth!

Please see the below posts where you'll find a picture followed by an encouragement. 

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch 

My Friend,

I truly love Christmas time. From Celebrating Jesus' birthday, (The Reason for the season), enjoying the music, the decorations, the lights, food, exchanging gifts, enjoying fellowship with others, and much more.

While we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we remember God loves you and I so much that He sent Jesus down as a baby so that we might have salvation, forgiveness, and life eternal thanks to Jesus' sacrifice.

Christmas is a wonderful time to receive The Gift (Salvation) from THE GIFT, Jesus Christ Himself.

Unfortunately, some have bought into the thought that "they are too far gone" for God to love and forgive them.

Let me plainly tell you that this is not true as Jesus is The Light of the world and His light will pierce even the darkest places, even the places where you've gone or currently are that you think He can't reach. No one this side of eternity is too far gone!

Furthermore, once you know Him through receiving His free gift of salvation, be encouraged that nothing can ever separate you from Him!

May you allow the Light of Christ to pierce through the darkest of places in your heart, mind, soul and life in Jesus name I pray.

Here are a few verses to encourage you as you remember Jesus is The Light of the world and there's never a place you can go that He will not already gone first to redeem you.

John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:35-36, John 12:46, Romans 8:38-39

My Friend,

As we continue to contemplate this Christmas season, I am reminded that another gift from The Heart of God is that as we receive His free gift of salvation through Jesus (The Gift), we're then adopted as sons and daughters.

I'm so thankful to be a part of His family now as God is my/our Perfect Heavenly Father!

No matter how your earthly father is or was, may you take comfort in how unconditionally Your Heavenly Father loves you and when He adopts you as His own, it's forever!

May you celebrate Christmas anew as you remember Jesus' birth and God's Gift of salvation which includes your adoption into His family.

Here are a few of many of the verses to read, study, take to heart and to encourage you with a reminder of your adoption in Him: John 1:12, 1 John 3:2, and Ephesians 1:5.

Merry Christmas!

My Friend,
Because of God's great love for you and I, He sent His only son so that we might have forgiveness of our sins, salvation, and new life in and through Him.

Jesus humbled Himself entering this world as a baby. He did this so He could then later on sacrifice Himself for all our sins so that we might have life.

If this doesn't speak volumes to you of His great love for you, I don't know what does.

Maybe you doubt His love for you sometimes? If so, let me lovingly tell you to stop it!

Don't doubt Him and His love and don't allow the enemy of your soul, satan, or other people, to try and fool you into buying the lie that God doesn't or can't love you!

His love for you is relentless. He pursues you from and through His great love for you!

His love for you will never change.

God Loves you completely and showed His great love for you through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for you.

May you pause this Christmas to stand in awe of and celebrate God's perfect and relentless love for you.

My Friend,
I love the rich truths of God's Word as well as the rich truth of The Reason we celebrate Christmas which is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

When I read Colossians 1:27, the phrase, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" comes to life, especially during Christmas.

As we celebrate The Savior's Birth, we should consider anew one of the great wonders of Christmas which is the true hope we have in Jesus.

Why can we have hope? Because Jesus is our hope! He is Emmanuel, God with us and in our case, thanks to His free gift of salvation, God is in us through His Holy Spirit!

As followers of Christ we have The Hope that is unstoppable and irreplaceable because Christ is our hope and again, He has taken up residency within each of us. (I Corinthians 16:9)

No matter how horrible your current situation is, you can always have and find true hope in The Lord. He is your hope!

This Christmas time and all year through, may you put your hope in Him as He truly is the hope of glory.

Take a moment to read, study, and take to heart, Colossians 1:27 as Christ is in you.

My friend,
It's December 1st! Merry Christmas!
As we begin to celebrate the Christmas season, may we prepare Him room in our hearts, minds, and in every area of our lives.
Preparing Him room begins with our hearts and we need to pause regularly to ask The Lord "Am I making room for You Lord?"
Prepare Him room my friend and don't allow anything in your life, including people, to block His work in and through you.
I pray that each of us continue to prepare Him room every day.
Take a moment to read and be encouraged by Luke 2:1‭-‬7 and John 1:1‭-‬5.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Are You Looking For A Christmas Devotional?

Hello!

Merry Christmas and Thank you for stopping by the A Shepherd's Heart Website!

Are you looking for a Christmas Devotional and use the YouVersion Bible App?

If so, you might check out one of my Christmas Devotionals, "Christmas: The Promise Fulfilled." or "The Wonder Of Christmas."

Click on the links one of following links (via Android or iOS it will open via the app or via PC it will open via the website)
Check it out in the app or the images below for a description of the plan.

You'll also find a written and an audio version of each (I recorded and Audio version only available in the app) of the daily devotional content.

Please feel pass it on to family and friends!

If you check this out I pray this simple offering will be a blessing to you this Christmas.

Lastly, if you do complete the these devotionals, please be sure let me know via e-Mail so I can send you a special thank you gift!

Merry Christmas!
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. If you're willing to help a friend that operates ministry as a missionary, please considering helping A Shepherd's Heart through our first ever fundraiser as we seek to help disciple people as we aim to live life on purpose for Him! Please Help A Shepherd's Heart.

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Prepare Him Room.

My friend,

It's December 1st! Merry Christmas! 

As we begin to celebrate the Christmas season, may we prepare Him room in our hearts, minds, and in every area of our lives.

Preparing Him room begins with our hearts and we need to pause regularly to ask The Lord "Am I making room for You Lord?" 

Prepare Him room my friend and don't allow anything in your life, including people, to block His work in and through you. 

I pray that each of us continue to prepare Him room every day.

Take a moment to read and be encouraged by Luke 2:1‭-‬7 and John 1:1‭-‬5. 

Your brother and servant in Christ, Randolph Koch

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Happy Thanksgiving 2020!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

It doesn't matter where you live, or if you celebrate Thanksgiving as we all should cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude.

We have much to be thankful for as God is so good to us! 

I pray we regularly pause and consider how blessed we truly are even amidst the hard times.

I pray that we regularly pause to thank God for His goodness, provision, and everything blessing and good things that come from Him! 

I'm thankful to and for The Lord, my family, friends, the body of Christ...including you!

May we daily give thanks to the Lord! 

I pray you have a wonderful day!
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I'm thankful for you! 
Your brother and servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. Please prayerfully help with our first ever fundraiser. Saving for a camera, mic,  recording device, etc to serve you with. 🙏🏼 Any amount "small" or any size is greatly appreciated! 
https://gf.me/u/yxpmwh






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