Wednesday, January 20, 2021

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






#Thankful #Thanksgiving #gratitude #attitude #faith #hope #truth #wisdom #life #encourage #encouragement #Jesus #HolySpirit #bible #scripture #GodsWord #heart #mind #soul #strength #christian #Christianity #christfollower #ashepherdsheart #love #livelifeonpurpose #reshare

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Hand Everything Over To God!

My Friend,

What are you holding onto? Or, What are the things that you are trying to "take care of yourself" but you should really be letting go of? What are the wounds, hurts, and fears that you are packing with you wherever you go? 

Do you realized that all these things hinder your growth and forward walk? These burdens are too heavy a load for you to carry and you aren't supposed to carry them in the first place!

Sometimes we have a very hard time letting go of the past and present hurts. 
Let me encourage you to pray and ask The Holy Spirit to spotlight your heart, mind, and life for areas you've been hanging on to things that you really need to let go of. Then...LET IT GO! 
Hand everything over to Him! 

Hand it over to God as He's The Only One Who can carry your burdens and remember...He never intends for you to try and carry that which He can only carry. 

Let's pray for one another to more readily give things over to God. Let's pray that we'll stop trying to take the place of Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and God The Father as we're Not them so we need to stop trying to be our own "god" or someone else's. 

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch
Read, Pray about, and Take to Heart 1 Peter 5:7.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Are You Dead In Sin Or Dead To Sin?

My friend,

Which kind of person are you? Are you dead in sin or dead to sin?

Jesus came so that you can receive His forgiveness and salvation in Him and then you will be dead to sin and alive in Him! 

It's of utmost importance that you know Jesus personally through receiving His free gift of salvation!

The following is known as The Romans Road as it's 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.

Let me encourage you to grab a Bible and dig into the following verses! You need to understand that:

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 (Jesus does) 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!

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. 

You're brother and servant in Christ, 

Randolph Koch

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love!

Hello My Friend,

What's that? Your past is too messy and you've done too many things that God could never forgive you for and love you?...
 
Or, maybe you think you're "not good enough" to be loved and forgiven?

Or, What's that? You're a follower of Christ and you messed up again and now you think God won't forgive and love you anymore?
 
First off, let me encourage you to stop listening to the lies of the enemy or the lies you keep telling yourself and instead get into The Word and listen to God's truth!
 
He died once for all of your sins and His forgiveness isn't based on what you do or have done...it has nothing to do with your good works. You can't work your way to heaven!

 
What Jesus did for you so you couldn't be forgiven for your sins and no longer be separated from God because of sin, wasn't based on your works, rather, it was all based on what Jesus did! What He did for you was and is complete! You can't add or subtract from it!
 
He Loves you...period. If you've received His free gift of salvation then you're forgiven and He'll continue to forgive you when you sin. We should never doubt that or take it for granted.
 
Nothing can separate you from His love!
Nothing you do can make you love you more or less than He already does!
Nothing you do can make Him not forgive you!

So, stop building a self inflicted wall between you and The Lord and instead: repent, believe, receive His love and forgiveness completely!
 
Yes, you should strive for holiness but when you fall down, (we all do) get back up, repent when you need to repent and seek The Lord as He's not mad at you, He's not going to withhold His love and forgiveness from you!

Rest in His love, forgiveness, and grace and never stop seeking Him with all that is within you!

Rest in the fact that His love for you will never change. His love is perfect!

Praying for you!

Here are a few of the many verses for your you to read, study, pray over and take to heart:
John 3:1-17, Romans 10:8-10, 13, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:10, Romans 8:38-39, Jeremiah 31:3, 1 John 4:18-19

Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
Randolph Koch

P.S. Please share this encouragement with others and please also pray and give if possible to our first ever fundraiser. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Please-Help-AShepherdsHeart

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

You Will Be And Are Accountable To God.

Read and Study: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

My Friend,

Who or what do you live for and who or what do you embrace and promote?

We live in a broken world, and yet I have to admit that I find it absolutely shocking to see what's going on in our world today at times.

People calling good bad and bad good. People promoting and embracing the most heinous things. Their behavior is horrible and yet they are deemed "good" and "moral" in the eyes of this world.

This is even true sometimes of those who call themselves followers of Christ. They promote some of the most ungodly and vile things and people. Some even claim that Jesus would as well?!

My Pastor recently reminded me that we will be accountable to God for what we embrace or promote.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Then ask yourself:
-Do you embrace that which is unbiblical and ungodly?
--Do you care more about the world than God?
-Do you live more for the world than God?
-Do you love the world more than you love God?

We need to care more about people's eternal well being, their very souls, and eternal destination than that which is momentarily popular.

If you're a follower of Christ then you and I need to stand on biblical principles with Jesus as our foundation. We need to stop playing games. The world is not our foundation but Jesus is.

Furthermore, the world does not and should not dictate our behavior and morals, but God's Word should as it's full of principles for life and godliness.

Friend... I challenge you to seek to live for Him, His kingdom, His glory and your eternal future and not for this world, it's ways, and this little temporal "kingdom".

I challenge you to love people in Jesus name but to not embrace or promote that which goes against God and His Word. If you choose to do so anyway, just remember that you will stand before God one day and you will be accountable.

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Randolph Koch

P.S. Please share this encouragement with others and please also pray and give if possible to our first ever fundraiser. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Please-Help-AShepherdsHeart

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Finding Strength & Hope In Forgiveness

Read and Study Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 ESV; Romans 10:9‭-‬10 ESV; Psalm 103:12 ESV; and Psalm 139:14 ESV

To the people who care about you, you are not a nuisance or a waste of time. 

Don't let doubts discourage you from living a full life. Time is short and you can't change or take back regrets, but you can control where you focus your energy now clear into the future. 

Realizing this empowers you to feel in control of your journey. Anxiety and fear numbs, but forgiveness brings a visceral freshness unparalleled by anything that could be conjured in an impaired mind.

Dig deep, push back, fight the lies, forgive yourself, and be strengthened. YOU are worth the time and energy even if it's a challenge to believe it.


For my fellow believers Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great launching point to maintain a healthy idea of what is truth vs a lie by "not leaning on your own understanding." V5. It says the Lord "will make your path straight" V6. That straight path is hard to find without the forgiveness given on the cross. 

When you confess and become saved (Roman's 10:9-10) you are forgiven in the deepest way possible. As far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)! Now we have to decide if we want to accept that God's free gift of grace and forgiveness is enough. 

He is the only one who constantly says you're worth the time when you believe a lie. He is the only one who will continually wash you white as snow all the while not leaving or forsaking you even when the accuser roams. You are a child of God and therefore loved, cared for, forgiven, and wonderfully + fearfully made (Psalm 139:14).

Hold on to hope my friends!!

God Bless 

- Noah

Picture of a view of The Pacific Ocean From Otter Crest By Noah Koch


We're blessed to have Noah Koch as a guest contributor to A Shepherd's Heart. He hails from the Pacific Northwest in the USA where he actively and passionately lives life on purpose for The Lord. He's very creative and talented 
as a communicator, photographer, musician, and writer. He has a true servant's heart. We prayerfully look forward to further guest posts from Noah in the future.


Please prayerfully consider helping this ministry through a gift of any size via our first ever fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Please-Help-AShepherdsHeart

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

Focus On Jesus, Not The Storm.

Hello Friend,

It was during a storm that Peter saw someone walking from the shore over the crashing waves to the boat he was in. 

Once He recognized that it was Jesus, he said, "Lord, if it’s you,” “tell me to come to you on the water.” Then Jesus said. "come." and then Peter stepped out of the boat. 

Note, he was the only one who had faith enough to step out of the boat.

Once he started walking toward Jesus, Peter made one error though, he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked instead on his circumstances. Then he started to sink into the water and of course Jesus saved him.

We're kind of like Peter sometimes because even though we know what we should do, instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus, we fix our eyes on our circumstances and then our troubles get worse in the process. 

My friend, We need to fix our eyes on Jesus as much as possible and not the storms of life.

Read, Study, and pray about Matthew 14:22-33.

Then ask yourself, am I willing to step out in faith, keeping my eyes on Jesus no matter my circumstances?

Let's pray for one another that we will keep our eyes on Jesus.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ, 

Randolph Koch 


P.S. Please prayerfully help me with my first ever fundraiser for my little ministry which I've extended for 1 additional month as I'm trying to raise just enough for some basic resources to serve you with.

Please share this small fundraiser with your church family and friends. Please help A Shepherd's Heart meet the goal of it's first ever fundraiser. 

Here's the link to the main fundraiser site: www.fundly.com/a-shepherd-s-heart-2020-fundraiser


Or here are 3 other options to help in this friends helping a friend fundraiser:

  1. You can use Cash App and send your gift to user name $ashepherdsheart or if you haven't used Cash App before, if you use this link https://cash.app/app/GHCJWXG we'll both receive $5! 

  2. Use PayPal sending to giving@ashepherdsheart.org.

  3. Use PayPal's Venmo app by sending to @ashepherdsheart

You're continued prayers and sharing this fundraiser with friends and family would be greatly appreciated!

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