A Shepherd's Heart

Open Thoughts on Worship

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:54:00 +0000

What does authentic congregational worship in song look like?

We see in the scriptures that in Biblical times it was most often people joining together to worship God and encourage each other with songs, hymns and spiritual songs. We are meant to focus our hearts on God and to be an encouragement to those who join together.

What if we did just what the above brief paragraph says? What would worship in song look like in today's "modern" church?

Over the last several years I’ve observed a lot of different trends happening in worship at churches and I’m sure you have as well - Some are good and some are bad. Some are authentic and some are not. Some are genuine and some are gimmicks.

I've been a part of church and around enough churches to see a whole range of things!...and I draw some of these from my own experiences in leading worship in Small Groups, Sunday School Classes, Retreats, Men's ministry as well as Sunday morning corporate worship.

So, I started to put together a list or “open thoughts on worship” sort of a do’s and don't's list not that it's really meant to be that rather, just a list of contrasting thoughts. Not a definitive list but as start and not in any particular order. Or, Maybe it's a list of "does" or "does not" look like list...

Some are meant to be funny although they resemble reality while others are meant to be a bit sobering.

I also want you to encourage you to join the conversation by adding to this list by leaving a comment here.

I will continue to add to this list in the months to come and hope you will too as we seek to understand and dialogue about “what does it look like to truly worship the Lord in song and lead the congregation in worship?” (from the Worship leader as well as the worshiper standpoint.)

Blessings,
rlk

Do:

Begin with prayer as a team and as you begin to lead the congregation in worship. (as much as possible)
Select Christ centered songs
Select songs that are Biblical
Select a balanced mix of the old and the new song and hymns as there's depth in both (like adding some hymns into the mix from time to time and doing them in an updated fashion is fine as long as you don't change the words/truths of the original hymn)
See your role as shepherding role and then shepherd the congregation in worship in song
Avoid songs that focus on man’s feelings or man in general
Select songs that focus on God
See worship as an opportunity to help focus and prepare the congregations hearts to receive the Word of God.
Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit!
Sing in a Key that is comfortable to not only you but more importantly the congregation
Sing the melody when you lead and only do melody on occasion because the congregation needs to hear their part and follow you!
When praying if you want to some light transition or musical accompaniment - allow someone else to play like the keyboard as it sounds better and it’s not distracting
Be Authentic/Transparent
Be Humble
Encourage
Be respectful to the worship team - respectful of their time/investment and respectful of who they are as individuals
Be professional in conduct
Connect with the congregation
Assess if you're truly called to lead worship
Enjoy what you’re doing
Express joy during worship
Practice!
Remember that you're also a worshiper!
Strive to be an effective leader.
Give thought to coordinating the songs you select with the message that will be given - there might be a way to tie it together or complement the message rather than detract from it
Seek out a mentor - Someone who can help you grow spiritually (Disciple you) and as a worship leader or team member
Shepherd your team
Build a strong and like-minded worship team or teams
Remember who you’re worshiping and leading others in worship unto
Allow others to lead – you don’t always have to be in the center of leading worship
Allow the congregation to respond to the Lord in prayer, etc. and build that into the "worship set" from time to time.
Pray
Be in the Word
Be an enabler
Set an atmosphere of worship (this can mean a combination of things)
Allow others to use their gifts and talents
Select people who have proven character and a heart to serve
Open your eyes
Avoid gimmicks
Encourage the congregation to leave the troubles of the week at the feet of Jesus

Don’t:

Select man-centered songs
Select songs just because they’re popular
Act like you’re a soloist or singing a solo when you “lead”
Sing the harmony if you’re leading – the congregation needs to focus on singing praises not trying to find their part!
Forget to teach new songs –actually try to teach it /run through it with the congregations. Just because you know it and your team knows it doesn’t mean they do!
Show boat
Be a fake
Randomly yell /shout - it's OK to be excited but there should be a purpose, order, reason for everything we do!
Add in random or pointless vocal runs
Sing in a key that only dogs can hear and birds can sing in. :-)
Although emotions are part of a natural response to worshiping the Lord, don’t make worship out to be some emotional thing or an emotional device. There's a HUGE difference between being Spirit-Led and and emotion-led.
Think worship in song is a your ticket to church growth
Try to professionalize worship as you miss authenticity by doing so – this isn’t to say that we shouldn’t do our very best for the Lord just don’t discount non-professionals or complicate things by making worship something it’s not
Be in the spotlight or seek to be in the spotlight
Make a big production out of worship
Forget that you're NOT giving a performance
Have a huge ego
Come across as impersonal
Stop having a choir just because you think "modern churches" don't have them anymore. There still may be room for choir as part of the "modern" worship.
Randomly strum your guitar while you pray…it’s distracting
Discount non-professionals
Select the worship team based on looks alone
Select a worship leader just because you think they’ll drive up numbers of visitors and congregation
Select a worship leader just because they are young and hip
Select worship team members who seek to be up front
Select a worship team just because they are “professional”
Use fog machines and fancy lighting – leave that stuff for concerts at your local performing arts center as they don't really add to the worship
Keep your eyes closed the entire time you sing – you can be heartfelt while you worship and lead but you can’t shepherd the congregation with your eyes closed the entire time

Focus

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Here's some great perspective on Focus:

   "Imagine you suddenly found yourself adrift in the ocean with a life preserver but no idea where the shoreline was. As far as the eye can see, there's only the same wide blue vastness. What would you do? Probably tread water, battling waves and struggling against the current. But without a clear direction you'd soon grow discouraged."

    "That's what life is like when we have no focus. We drift about-going to work, paying our bills, reacting to whatever comes our way, but feeling rudderless. We may even be happy for the most part. But eventually days turn into years and we find ourselves so far off course that we've lost track of the dreams we once had."

    "Having focus provides a reference point, a lighthouse on the horizon to swim toward with enthusiasm and hope. It prevents us from floating, adrift in our own personal sea. to make any lasting change or achieve any meaningful goal, you need to know where you want to go and how you're going to get there."

"Without a goal line, the game of football makes no sense, and neither does the game of life."

Taken from The Spark by Chris Downie

Blessings,

rlk

Happy New Year! Entering the New Year In Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:49:00 +0000

The Word:

Read: Jeremiah 29:13
Additional Reading: Mark 11:17, James 4:2, Matthew 7:7

“Entering the New Year in Prayer”
by Randolph Koch

It’s that time of year again as we draw to the end of one year, and reflect on all that has taken place in the past. We look forward with the hopes of better things to come in the New Year. It’s been an especially challenging year for many of us for sure and for some it’s been a year of blessings upon blessing. Regardless of what end of the spectrum you’ve experienced, it’s still a perfect time to reflect on all the Lord has done in your life and to take a perspective, or “pulse” check to see where you are in your walk and life with the Lord.

He calls each of us to seek Him with all of our heart and promises that we will find Him and He will listen. Enter the New Year focusing on building and enhancing your prayer life. Based on His Holy Word we know that He wants our churches, the Body of Christ as whole, and ourselves to be “Houses of Prayer” or in sum, focus ourselves on prayer as He emphasizes that prayer should be a priority. If the Lord wants us to pray, and it’s a true priority to Him, then why don’t we in turn really pray! In Fact, the Lord is the best role model of this for us as He constantly went to pray to the Father and He called His Disciples to pray many times. Each of us should be a house of prayer as we are His temples. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16) Not only this but He just plainly deserves our prayers and everything we are. Not to sound somewhat cliché but we should really become true “Prayer Warriors”, as this life is a real battlefield, spiritually and physically.

In Jim Cymbala’s book "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire", he has this to say about the apostles priority of prayer,

“The apostles had this instinct: When in trouble, pray. When intimidated, pray. When challenged, pray. When persecuted, pray.”

What a great observation! What a truly awesome challenge for us- Can we like the apostles, make prayer our priority in every circumstance, even when we’re not facing troubling times? Just making prayer so much a part of us that we pray throughout the day or set a special portion of the day a side to, intercede, cry out, praise, thank, communicate, etc., with Him through prayer! He wants to hear from us. It pleases Him so much when we focus our attention on Him through prayer.

Why not forget the New Year resolutions this year and consider instead, seeking God’s will for your life and telling Him the desires of your heart. Pour yourself out to Him through your fervent prayers. Renew or begin making prayer a vital part of your life- every day! This can begin with you and I then maybe, just maybe, our example of a prayerful (and prayer full) life will spread to the Body of Christ as a whole, then on into every Christian Church locally where ever we live around the world. We can then be the houses of prayer, as the Lord would desire us to be. Why not make this year an even more special New Year, by entering it in prayer. Seek Him today with all of your heart and be encouraged that He desires this and is ready and waiting to hear from you.

Ring in the New Year with Prayer!

Questions To Get Started With:

-Will you make prayer a priority in your life this New Year?
-Will you “pray in” the New Year this New Year’s Eve?
-What kind of changes do you need to make in order for prayer to be a priority?
-If prayer is already a priority for you, what can you do to encourage others to pray?
-Do you know someone that can help you be accountable to your commitment to the Lord in your walk with Him?
-Consider keeping a prayer journal chronicling / highlighting your prayer times with Him, answers to prayer, the revealing of His will for you over time, etc. This is a great exercise for us to make a habit to see Him at work in our lives.

RLK Ministries
Ministry Web Site: http://www.rlkministries.org

RLK Ministries 1997-2012 - "Helping God's people grow in their relationship with Him." Col. 1:28-29

Devotional Starters- Copyright 1997-2012 RLK Ministries. All Rights Reserved.

The Devotional Starters may be reproduced without change for non-profit use. Feel free to forward the Devotional Starters to your friends and loved ones. This notice must be included in its entirety.

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:04:00 +0000

Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful day everyone!

Here's a little Christmas Fireplace for your enjoyment:

Fulfilling the Promise

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:09:00 +0000

Merry Christmas!

During this wonderful Christmas time, I wanted to share a few thoughts and devotions with you.

Below you'll find 3 Devotionals Starters on Christmas that were a part of a series I did a few years back titled "Fulfilling the Promise" that I hope will be a blessing this Christmas. These are also a re-post from a while back. May you be encouraged and challenged by these simple Christ focused devotions.

Before you read the below let me leave you with a few thoughts:

Here’s A Christmas Benediction:

MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS FAITH;
THE WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS LOVE;
THE BELIEF IN CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS TRUTH;
THE ALL OF CHRISTMAS, WHICH IS CHRIST JESUS. -Unknown

I’m so grateful that He sent us a Savior and I pray that you’re enjoying the joy of your salvation. May the truth of Christmas be the center of your Celebration this year and every year as we celebrate the Birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Because He Is The Reason For The Season,

rlk

Please see the below devotionals:

Devotional Starters-"Fulfilling the Promise." Part 1- “Prophecy”

The Word: Read: Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7 and Micah 5:2

"Fulfilling the Promise." Part 1- “Prophecy”
By Randolph Koch

A promise was made long ago, revealed through the prophets and dating back to the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. A Savior would be born. Born to repair the damage that mankind inflicted on himself because of his sin. The Prophets foretold that His name would be Emanuel- "God With Us", and He'd be born in a small almost obscure town named Bethlehem. The Messiah of the world was to come to us born of a virgin to save mankind from its sin and separation from God. The Messiah was God's own Son. Long before all these things would take place God said they would happen; revealed to us and all creation that our God would be with us. God always shows Himself faithful as His Word is true and comes to life in a very real fashion. Just as He spoke light into the darkness and it happened, He spoke to the hearts of the prophets through His Holy Word to begin to reveal the plan He had in place.

We know that roughly two thousand years ago God's One and Only Son was sent to us fulfilling the promises that the Prophecy of the Old Testament stated would take place. He was born in Bethlehem of a virgin named Mary. Our God is with us! As we enter the Christmas season we should have a sense of awe and reverence in how God fulfilled everything according to His Word. He keeps His Word. My Prayer is that we'll all instill this "awe" and that we'll instill the truths of God's revelation to our family, friends, or whomever God so chooses to place in our path. Especially during Christmas time. When we celebrate His birth may we all share the true meaning behind what the world considers as just another holiday. May the truth revealed in prophecy be communicated and known through us. Praise God for revealing Himself and that we can have the true honor and privilege of worshiping Jesus and celebrate His entrance into the world during Christmas. Let us all have a true "Birthday" celebration for our Savior this year and every year for the Lord our God fulfilled His promise through His Son Jesus Christ.

Questions to Get Started With:
-Is your Christmas celebration Christ centered?
-Do you understand that Christ's birth occurred fulfilling the Old Testament Prophecies of God's Word?
-What can you do the share the true meaning of Christmas this year?
-What do the above scriptures speak to you about God's Promise?

Devotional Starters-"Fulfilling the Promise." Part 2- Announcement from Heaven and Joseph's Dilemma.

The Word: Read Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25

"Fulfilling the Promise." Part 2- Announcement from Heaven and Joseph's Dilemma.
By Randolph Koch

We're once again reminded of a story that we've heard many times. An angel, sent by God, comes to Mary to make an announcement that would change her life (and the world's). She was a virgin betrothed to marry a righteous man named Joseph. She was troubled by what the angel Gabriel told her. She had a lot of questions I'm sure. The angel comforted and reassured her to not be afraid then laid out everything for her, even what she should name the child. Once she was put at ease she stated, "Let it be done according to your word." I wonder if she knew how incredible her statement was and if she was familiar or not with the prophecy she would play a part in fulfilling? Here again we witness God's Word in action. Real people fulfilling what God really said and recorded for us in the scriptures. Everything is fulfilled according to God's Word. Miraculously, Mary would remain a Virgin until after the baby was born. She also would have most likely faced some ridicule because she was pregnant before she and Joseph were married. She persevered and treasured all the angel revealed to her. Even if she didn't understand all the implications of having this child meant, she showed great faith and courage, as she was willing to do what God wanted her to do.

In comes Joseph, He was the one betrothed to Mary. He finds out that she's pregnant with who know whose child. "What should I do? He asks himself." Should I put her away (divorce her), because by this time they were joined together according to scripture. He was rightly troubled because he desired to do what was pleasing to God. He showed that he was very honorable because he did not want to ruin Mary's reputation either. He had a real dilemma on his hands. But, here again, God sends an angel to intervene and set things in place so the promise of God may be fulfilled through the birth of the Christ Child. In a dream, the Angel makes everything clear to Joseph as he explains what the situation with Mary was. The angel explained what the prophecy said and that Mary was the one who would bear the Messiah conceived by the Holy Spirit. He went on to tell him that it was ok for him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph awakens and goes to take Mary as his wife as the angel of the Lord commanded.

God sent the angel to talk with Mary and Joseph, announcing the promised One from God was coming and He would be using them to fulfill the prophecy and to bring His one and only Son into the world. This is an amazing thing God chose to do for mankind. The stage was now set for the entrance of the King of Kings as promised by God. It's amazing how God works out all of the details, isn't it?! God continues to show Himself faithful to reveal and fulfill the promises in His Son. The Messiah would be born of the Virgin Mary according to God's Word. Questions to Get Started With: -What kind of faith was evident in Mary and Joseph? -How would you describe their faith by their actions? -What do you think was going on inside them as the Angel came to them with this news? -Do you think they completely understood what the announcement from the angel meant? -What do you think you would have done if you were in their shoes? -What do these announcements tell you about God's Promise?

Devotional Starters-"Fulfilling the Promise." Part 3- The Triumph of Christmas

The Word:

Read Luke 2:6-7, Luke 2:8-15, Matthew 2:1-12

"Fulfilling the Promise." Part 3- The Triumph of Christmas
By Randolph Koch

As we celebrate Christmas there is a sense of wonder we should have in how God fulfilled the Promise of Jesus Christ. First we remember the prophecies He revealed through the Prophets of Old. Then there was all that the angel spoke to Mary and Joseph. Now we come to see everything that God said would be has come true. What we celebrate is really to us the culmination of the truth of God's word. That God would send His one and only Son into humanity in the human form of a baby. Everything that God promised and foretold would happen has come true! Praise God that it is so!

We first see the reality of it all in the town of Bethlehem. In the very town that the prophets foretold- Mary gave birth to the Son of God and named Him Jesus. (Just as the Angel told her to.) He was really born in a manger because due to the census they all traveled to Bethlehem to partake in, there was no room for them in the inn. God still provided for their needs still keeping with the fulfillment of the promise.

Next we see real witnesses of the actual time and places surrounding the Messiah's birth. (Besides Mary and Joseph themselves) God sent the angel once again to announce the birth of Christ. He came to the Sheppard's telling them that a Savior was born for them who is Christ the Lord. He gave them a sign telling them where the Messiah would be and what He would be dressed in. After the angel left, they left their sheep and went straight to the very place where the angel told them He'd be. They witnessed the Christ child, Mary and Joseph. They left there worshipping and praising God because what they saw confirmed what the angel had told them. Can you imagine being a part of what they experienced? What a humbling experience it would have been.

The next witnesses were brought to the Christ child some time after His birth. A star led them to the Christ Child. God used this star up in the heavens to lead the magi to Christ where they worshiped Him and gave Him gifts. Then on top of this, God protected Jesus, Mary, and Joseph from Herod's jealousy, envy and wrath as He sent the angel once again to Joseph in a dream, warning him of Herod's plan telling him to flee from their and go to Egypt. Here again God provided in His infinite wisdom a plan to protect His Son until the appointed time some thirty plus years later when He would die for all mankind's sin. Joseph was obedient again and left in the night to Egypt where they would await the angel's word, which would confirm that it was safe to return. It seems that God also provided protection to the magi, as I believe He gave them the wisdom to go home by a different route. A route by which they'd find safe passage home. (Avoiding contact with Herod and his pending wrath, as he aimed to kill the Christ Child.) All of God's promises came to reality, with physical and written proof. God is faithful and we can all celebrate the triumph of Christmas through our Savior's birth! My prayer for all of us is that the reality of all that God spoke, wrote, planned, and fulfilled, will keep us in awe of His power and majesty. Each year, may our Christmas become more worshipful and thankful as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ- the Fulfillment of God's Promise. God keeps His promises!

Questions to Get Started With:
-How do the scriptures confirm all that God promised in order for us to have a Christmas to celebrate at all?
-What are some of the proofs of Christ's birth outside of the scriptures?
-Do you know the facts surrounding the Birth of the Lord?
-What does the Humanity of Christ refer to?
-What does Christmas mean to you? How does it impact your celebration and holiday festivities?
-If you don't know Him, then don't you think it's time that you receive His free gift- especially during Christmas?
-Maybe you do know Him but have taken a step away from your faith and relationship with Him? Don't you think it's time to recommit yourself to Him and truly celebrate Christ's birth? -How can you share the true meaning of Christmas with others at work, school, or anywhere you are? Is this a priority for you?

RLK Ministries

Personal Ministry Web Site: http://www.rlkministries.org
E-mail: rlkmin@msn.com

RLK Ministries 1997-2011- "Helping God's people grow in their relationship with Him." Col. 1:28-29

Devotional Starters- Copyright 1997-2010 RLK Ministries. All Rights Reserved.

The Devotional Starters may be reproduced without change for non-profit use. Feel free to forward the Devotional Starters to your friends and loved ones. This notice must be included in its entirety.

The First Gift of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:53:00 +0000

Wanted to share a devotional I wrote a few years back.

I trust that it will be an encouragement to you as you fix your eyes on The Reason for this Christmas Season.

Blessings,

rlk

"The First Gift of Christmas"
By Randolph Koch
The Word:

Read Luke 1:5 - 2:40
Additional Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
"The First Gift of Christmas"

As we approach each Christmas season, it becomes more evident that the world we live in has a completely different reason or idea of and for Christmas. From the commercials, to the shopping mall decorations, to the yearly hot toy or gadget items that everyone says you’ve just got to have. It seems that everywhere we turn is devoid of the truth of Christmas. Things get more watered down every year. For many, Christmas becomes merely a time to exchange gifts - as many as possible. Or for others it becomes a time of year to share good tidings so to speak, as if they shouldn’t all year through. So many just don’t understand what it’s all about. Unfortunately it becomes a competition for some regarding how many gifts a person receives. The number of gifts to them equates to how great or how bad their Christmas was or wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, receiving presents is a real blessing but I wonder how much is too much when it comes down to it. The same can be said about how much we decorate or indulge in the name of “Christmas”. These things can be a lot of fun and with the right focus can make things memorable as long as we don’t lose sight of the truth of Christmas. There are so many things that can be trappings of the season or blessings depending on whose hands they’re in. God wants us to enjoy these times of the year but we have to do it responsibly. Someone asked me one time whether or not it’s our personal responsibility to seek out the true meaning of Christmas? What a wonderful question! I replied to the effect that yes indeed it is our responsibility to celebrate and keep the true meaning of Christmas at the center of our celebrations and Christmas holidays.
Yet, some still focus on the gifts because of the gifts the wisemen brought, but I would submit that we should focus on “The gift” of Christmas, Jesus Christ Himself. Celebrate His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Jesus is and was the first gift of Christmas. In fact, He is and was the long awaited Gift of Christmas. Without Christ, there would be no Christmas. Let us draw near to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and treasure all that He is. He’s the best gift we can ever have and the full expression of God’s love for us. We need to take our focus off ourselves and our mere gift receiving / giving, and place it back where it should be - on Jesus! Let us help our friends and loved ones know His love and that He is the reason for Christmas. He is in the very name of the holiday but sadly many just don’t see Him, yet. No matter what you do every Christmas, may you strive to worship the Lord for the most important birthday celebration and gift
we can ever receive. Let us never forget that Jesus is the first and foremost gift of Christmas!

Questions to Get Started With:
-What is Christmas really all about?
-Is Jesus Christ the center of your Christmas?
-What can you do differently each year to make Christmas more meaningful?
-What are some of the things you already do to make your Christmas meaningful?
-Is it bad to enjoy the holiday festivities?
-Is it our personal responsibility to seek out the true meaning of Christmas?

Suggestions for the The Christmas Holiday:
1. Just before you open your presents on Christmas day or Christmas Eve, pray and give thanks for Jesus and for all of God’s goodness in your life.
2. Also before you open your gifts read the Luke 2 account of the Birth of Christ.
3. Make a Birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to Him!
4. Go to candlelight or other Christmas Eve service as it’s a great opportunity to worship and prepare for Christmas day.
5. Throughout the Christmas season, get involved in your community through
a clothing or food drive, or possibly help at shelter, etc.
6. Incorporate things into your Christmas to take to focus of gifts and yourself.
Whatever you do, make Jesus the center of your celebration!

RLK Ministries
Web Site: http://www.rlkministries.org
RLK Ministries 1997-2011- "Helping God's people grow in their relationship with Him." Col. 1:28-29

Devotional Starters- Copyright 1997-2009 RLK Ministries. All Rights Reserved. The Devotional Starters may be reproduced without change for non-profit use. Feel free to forward the Devotional Starters to your friends and loved ones. This notice must be included in its entirety.

The Beginning of Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:50:00 +0000

Wanted to share this devotional with you that I received earlier this week.

God Bless,

rlk

The Beginning of Wisdom

by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." (Psalm 111:10)

This age has rightly been called the "age of information." With multitudes of books and periodicals in every field of study and practice, with billions of dollars devoted to all kinds of research, and now even the "information superhighway" of the Internet. It seems everyone and every organization is posting information of some sort on its own website and email. The world is almost drowning in information.

"But where shall wisdom be found and where is the place of understanding?" (Job 28:12). Job's urgent question can never be answered "online," but only in an ancient book. "Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28).

This spiritual truism is found often in that Book. King Solomon, to whom God had granted special wisdom (1 Kings 3:11-12), penned divinely inspired words when he wrote: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge," and then "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).

If anything is missing in our information age, it is surely the fear of God, at least among most people--even most religious people. But, as our text says: "A good understanding have all they that do his commandments."

From our New Testament perspective, we now know that "in |Christ| are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment" (1 John 3:23). Herein is true knowledge and understanding and wisdom. HMM

Keeping Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:56:00 +0000

Wanted to share a link to a great post that will help you keep Christmas and have a very, very, practical perspective on Christmas.

Check out the following link.

http://gunnarspeaks.com/2008/12/25/keeping-christmas/

Blessings in Christ,

rlk

Celebrating Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +0000

When I had the privilege of helping shepherd a small church I created an Advent guide of sorts (in the form of a bulletin insert and participant’s guide).

I used this information to help lead the congregation through Advent - incorporating it into our services and encouraging them to incorporate it into their celebrations at home.

I recently revised and condensed this information into one document and wanted to share it with you.

Incorporating Advent into your Christmas celebration can be a very meaningful as it can help you focus your hearts and minds on the true meaning of Christmas which is Jesus Christ’s Coming or Arrival (Advent) to this earth!

Last Sunday was the kick-off of the first week of Advent so it’s not too late to incorporate this into your celebration plans!

Click on the following link and a free "Celebrating Advent" document that I put together will download in PDF format. Enjoy! http://www.rlkministries.org/Downloads/CelebratingAdvent.pdf

Hope this information is useful to you and no matter what you do this Christmas season, may you keep Christ in the center of your CHRISTmas celebration!

Blessings in Christ,

rlk

Thanksgiving: Day 24

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:10:00 +0000

Thanksgiving: Day 24 - I'm thankful for the heritage we have here in the USA and it's because of the heritage of the first Thanksgiving that we have the holiday each year! Our country has come so far since that first Thanksgiving but yet we still have far to go in remembering to be thankful and grateful for everything we have been given and for everything we so easily take for granted including our health, our family, our friends, our jobs, our homes, anything and everything! I'm also thankful again as I remember all of my family and friends (here and abroad) for your love, encouragement and for being a part of my life! Life would be dull for sure without you! For my family abroad, I love and will miss not being able to celebrate thanksgiving with you in person! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Don't forget to be thankful for each day you are given as it's truly a gift from God!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to encourage others!

Thanksgiving: Day 23

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:11:00 +0000

Thanksgiving: Day 23 - I'm thankful again to have a roof over my head especially when it's stormy (windy and rainy) outside! I'm mindful of the fact that others aren't as fortunate to have a home and my heart and prayers goes out to them this Thanksgiving. I pray that the opportunity to permanently find a path off the streets will come to them soon!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to encourage others!

Thanksgiving: Day 22

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:17:00 +0000

Thanksgiving: Day 22 - I'm thankful today for the opportunity to serve this week while I'm off on PTO with the Koch Entourage at the Sonrise Church Food Pantry! I'm thankful for the entire crew there that tirelessly serves each week to feed so many in our community!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment on this blog to encourage others!

Thanksgiving: Day 21

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:09:00 +0000

Day 21: I am thankful for having this Thanksgiving week off to enjoy some relaxation, hopefully help at the food pantry at Sonrise Church, get a few things done around the house, and most of all to enjoy spending time with my family and maybe a few friends as well!

Thanksgiving: Day 20

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:19:00 +0000

Day 20: Today I'm thankful for my two kids who took a step of faith to be baptized and for the love and support shown for them today with a great group of family and friends who came to witness this special time!

Thanksgiving: Day 19

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Day 19: I'm thankful on days like today when I'm feeling cruddy due to a cold that I can still be thankful that I have my health as I know this will pass and I know I really have no room to complain. In place of complaining I'm moved to pray for others who I do or don't know that are truly suffering and in some cases hanging on to life. It all comes down to perspective.

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment here to share with and encourage others!

Thanksgiving: Day 18

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Day 18: I’m thankful for the past 13 years employment in Global Logistics and thankful for the adventures that lay ahead with the North America Supply Chain team. Trusting God for great things ahead and thankful for the skills I'll bring with me and the many new ones I'll learn along the way!

Thanksgiving: Day 17

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:13:00 +0000

DAY 17: I’m thankful for the trials of life because- as hard as they are - they bring about perseverance, character and hope! (Romans 5:3-5)

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment here to share with and encourage others!

Thanksgiving: DAY 16

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:13:00 +0000

Day 16: I'm thankful for the simple pleasures of life like a cup of hot coffee on a cold day and the laughter and humor of family & friends!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment here to share with others!

Thanksgiving: DAY 15

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:59:00 +0000

Day 15: I am thankful that each day is a new day full of hope, new opportunities and potential to try and make a difference in this world and that each “yesterday” is behind me!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to share this with others!

Thanksgiving: Day 14

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Day 14: I'm thankful for the people in my life who care enough to see past "1st impressions" or "perceptions" to discover who I really am!

What are you thankful for? Share a comment on this blog to encourage others!

Thanksgiving: Day 13

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:44:00 +0000

Day 13: Thankful for God's provision. Very blessed today in more ways than one!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to share and encourage others!

Thanksgiving: Day 12

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:32:00 +0000

Day 12: I'm thankful for the encouragement and faithful prayers of my friends and extended family who continually bless my family and I!

Thanksgiving Challenge: DAY 11

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:46:00 +0000

Day 11: I’m thankful for the tremendous sacrifice, integrity, and service of the men and women of the armed forces! Thank you for protecting our freedom!

Thanksgiving: Day 10

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:05:00 +0000

Day 10: I’m thankful that each day, (whether bad or good) is truly a gift from God – a gift that I'm striving to use wisely!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to share and encourage others!

Thanksgiving: Day 8

noreply@blogger.com (Randolph Koch) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:57:00 +0000

DAY 8: I am thankful that when I am broke - I'm still richer than most of the world's population!