Run With Horses

 Ep.366 – Run With Horses Podcast – Stewarding Your Time Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith **(24:00)** If you are like me you have a long list fo things you would like to see accomplished this week. Time always seems in short supply with way more to do than time to do it. in the middle of the busyness, what is God doing? How can we keep Him first in the middle of the rat race. That our topic today! Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1 Run With Horses is on the radio! If you are enjoying Run With Horses, would you let someone know? Contact the radio station or leave a review on your favorite app. We want to hear from you! ### 1. Stewardship of our Time: “Redeeming the Time” Passage: Ephesians 5:15–17 (NKJV) “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Principle: Every minute is a gift. We must “buy back” each hour from distractions by aligning our schedules with God's priorities—especially the Great Commission. ### 2. Wisdom in Planning: “The Plans of the Diligent” Passage: Proverbs 21:5 (NKJV) “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, to poverty.” Principle: Thoughtful, prayerful planning prevents wasted time and creates margin for gospel opportunities (e.g., inviting neighbors, mentoring new believers). ### 3. Counting Our Days: “Teach Us to Number Our Days” Passage: Psalm 90:12 (NKJV) “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Principle: An eternal-perspective reminder that life is brief. When we internalize our limited hours, we'll prioritize what lasts—making disciples. ### 4. Purposeful Living: “Doing All to the Glory of God” Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Principle: Every task—work, rest, family time, evangelism—should be offered as worship. That reshapes even “routine” minutes into Kingdom service. ### 5. Prioritizing Prayer & Communion: “Jesus Prayed Early” Passage: Mark 1:35 (NKJV) “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Principle: Jesus structured His day around communion with the Father—our ultimate source of wisdom for time management and disciple-making. ### 6. Eternal Urgency: “For What Is Your Life?” Passage: James 4:14 (NKJV) “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Principle: The fleetingness of life compels urgent obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20). ### 7. Single-Mindfulness: “Deny Yourself” Passage: Luke 9:23–24 (NKJV) “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Principle: Self-discipline in scheduling (saying “no” to lesser things) frees us to “lose” our lives in service—especially in making disciples. ### 8. Balance Work & Rest: “Six Days You Shall Labor…” Passage: Exodus 20:8–10,12 (NKJV) “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…6 for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth…12 ‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long…'” Principle: Biblical sabbath—and honoring family—establish healthy rhythms that prevent burnout and protect time for disciple-care. ###9. Investing in Others: “Do Not Steal” (as Stealing Time) Passage: Ephesians 4:28 (NKJV) “Let him who stole steal no longer… but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” Principle: Our work (and your time!) isn't just for self—but for generosity. Freeing up “spare” hours to invest in new believers. ### 10. The Great Commission as First Priority Passage: Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always…” Principle: Every time-management decision must be filtered through: “Will this help me obey Jesus's command to make disciples?” **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** ### Part 2: Practical Advice for Using Time to Be and Make Disciples ### 1. Begin with a Paradigm Shift: Time is Kingdom Currency  • Time is not just something we “spend”; it's something we invest. Just like money, time can be stewarded for temporary or eternal purposes.  • Regularly ask: “Is this activity helping me know Jesus more deeply or helping someone else follow Him better?” “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time…” (Ephesians 5:15–16) ### 2. Build Life Around Jesus's Priorities, Not Just Adding Him In  • Many busy Christians are trying to fit Jesus into their schedule instead of building their schedule around Him.  • Suggest starting with these 3 buckets and planning around them:  • Time with God (Being a disciple) – prayer, Scripture, Sabbath, silence.  • Time with others (Making disciples) – intentional meals, mentoring, small groups.  • Time on mission (Living sent) – workplace witness, neighborhood engagement, volunteering. ### 3. Combine Your Calling With Your Calendar Help them redeem ordinary rhythms by integrating disciple-making into:  • Meals – “Who can you eat with this week that needs encouragement or the gospel?”  • Commutes – Use it for prayer, audio Bibles, check-in calls with mentees.  • Family time – Lead short devotionals, model hospitality, include kids in ministry moments.  • Work breaks – Strategic encouragement or follow-up with someone God's placed nearby. “Disciple-making doesn't always need new time blocks—it often needs intentionality in existing ones.” ### 4. Create a Disciple-Making Weekly Rhythm Encourage a simple rhythm:  • Daily: Time with God, open eyes to opportunities.  • Weekly: 1 relational touchpoint (e.g., coffee, call, prayer walk).  • Monthly: One deeper investment (e.g., mentoring conversation, service together).  • Quarterly: Retreat or reevaluation—Am I growing? Is anyone growing because of me? ### 5. Say No to Say Yes Help them see that every “yes” is a “no” to something else.  • Challenge: “What are you doing that someone else could do, so you can do what only you can do?”  • Sometimes the most spiritual thing they can do is decline a good thing for the sake of the best thing (Luke 10:41–42 – “Martha, Martha…”). ### 6. Use Tools with Intentionality  • Calendar: Block time for people, not just tasks.  • Alarms/reminders: Prompt prayer, Scripture, check-ins.  • Apps: Bible apps, group chats for discipleship groups, accountability tools.  • Notebooks or journals: Record prayers, disciple progress, insights from Scripture. ### 7. Don't Go Alone—Form a Band of Disciple-Makers  • Encourage small discipleship bands of 2–4 people with shared goals and check-ins.  • Ask: “Who's helping you follow Jesus better? Who are you helping?”  • This builds encouragement, accountability, and shared momentum. ### 8. Encouragement: Grace Over Guilt, Progress Over Perfection  • Remind them that they are not earning God's favor by being busy for Him.  • Jesus is not measuring productivity; He's forming people.  • Celebrate small, faithful steps. Even 5 minutes of prayer for someone is eternally significant.  • God multiplies what we surrender, even if it's small (loaves and fish principle). “You may feel behind, but Jesus is not. He's patient, and He delights in every act of love in His name.” ### Challenge  • “Imagine if every one of us made just one disciple this year.”  • write one name they'll pray for or pursue this month.  • You don't need more time—you need more focus and faith. **(5:00 – 1:00)**  Doctrine Today Jesus and His Present Ministry The Holy Spirit's Role in Disciple Making. Dispensational Baptist view of the End Times Understanding Theology is Important The Gospel and Ongoing Disciple Making Church Role in Discerning God's Will Barriers to Disciple Making Spiritual Warfare Jesus – Incarnation God's Sovereignty Sin and the Call to Make Disciples I. Introduction: The Clear Call of Jesus  • Matthew 28:18–20 (NKJV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”  • The Great Commission is not a suggestion, but a command.  • Discipleship is not optional for the believer—it's our identity and mission.  • Briefly affirm your audience's desire to follow Jesus more faithfully. II. The Nature and Consequence of Sin  • Romans 3:23 (NKJV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  • Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV) “But your iniquities have separated you from your God…”  • Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us…” Key Points:  • Sin is not just moral failure—it's a barrier to intimacy with God and others.  • Sin entangles and weighs down believers, keeping us from active obedience.  • Our mission to make disciples is spiritual warfare—sin compromises our witness, our clarity, and our power. III. Sin's Direct Impact on Discipleship A. It Weakens Our Witness  • 1 Peter 2:11–12 (NKJV) “…abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable… that they may, by your good works… glorify God.”  • Our credibility is tied to our character. Ongoing, unrepentant sin dulls our message. B. It Diminishes Our Passion  • Revelation 2:4–5 (NKJV) “…you have left your first love. Remember… repent and do the first works.”  • Sin numbs the heart. A lukewarm heart does not multiply disciples—it replicates complacency. C. It Breaks Fellowship and Unity  • John 13:34–35 (NKJV) “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  • Sin disrupts love and unity, weakening the Church's witness and the environment in which disciples are formed. IV. Repentance and Restoration for Disciple Makers  • 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…”  • Psalm 51:10–13 (NKJV) “Create in me a clean heart… Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.”  • Repentance is not the end of ministry—it's often the beginning of renewed fruitfulness.  • David sinned greatly, but through repentance, his voice became a song of redemption that still disciples us today. V. Living Holy to Make Disciples Effectively  • 2 Timothy 2:21 (NKJV) “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master…”  • Holiness is not perfection, but readiness—an availability for God's use.  • Personal holiness fuels spiritual authority and fruitfulness in disciple-making. VI. Conclusion: Renew the Mission  • Luke 9:23 (NKJV) “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”  • Philippians 2:15–16 (NKJV) “…shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…”  • The world needs disciples. The church needs disciple-makers. Jesus is still calling.  • Let us repent where we've fallen, recommit where we've grown weary, and re-engage the mission with holy fire. **(1:00)**  Busyness can suck that life out of you. One reason is that other activities intrude on the work that God is doing in you and through you. Be proactive and put God first in every activity, every day. It's not always easy but it's always right. – “Thank you for listening today!  -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Don't be discouraged by the challenges you face. Keep your eyes on Jesus and embrace the opportunity to grow through the trial. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running." **(00:00)**

rwh24may Ep.365 – Run With Horses Podcast – Goal Setting Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith    **(24:00)** Do you find yourself wandering through life, one day morphing into the next and one year much like the last? Is your life lacking the clear spiritual progress you would like to see? IF so, today may be just for you. We are looking at pursuing clear Biblical goals to get out of a rut and back on track.   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”   **(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1     Goal setting is useful for followers of Jesus—especially for Baptist Christians who want to be disciple makers—because it helps us live intentionally, steward our time wisely, and align our lives with Christ's mission.   ### 1. **Keeps Us Focused on the Mission**   Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19–20, NKJV). Setting specific goals helps us stay focused on this Great Commission. Without clear direction, it's easy to drift. But when we prayerfully set goals for relationships, spiritual growth, and ministry opportunities, we live with purpose. Why do we drift so easily? The world is full of distractions. Even good things can hinder us from pursuing the best things. Our priorities should be clear but often seem fuzzy.   ### 2. **Encourages Faithful Stewardship**   Ephesians 5:15–16 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Goal setting helps us steward our time, talents, and resources for eternal impact. It keeps us from wasting energy on things that don't contribute to Christ's kingdom. Every resource is ultimately God's. Our time is our most valuable resource and the easiest to waste. Clear goals help us evaluate the use of all of our resources in light of God's work in our life and in the world.   ### 3. **Provides a Framework for Spiritual Growth**   2 Peter 3:18 urges us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Setting personal spiritual goals (e.g., daily devotions, Scripture memorization, sharing the gospel weekly) helps us pursue maturity as disciples—so that we can help others grow as well. Although God always does His work of sanctification, He invites us to be part of the process. making clear decisions based on His Word and His Work is part of the process. There are clear choices that help us to grow toward maturity. Prayer, Bible reading and involvement with the church family are foundational and it is easy to set simple realistic goals for each on that will help us stay on track.   ### 4. **Promotes Intentional Relationships**   Disciple making requires time and intentionality. Setting goals to meet regularly with a younger believer, to start a Bible study, or to mentor a new Christian helps ensure we are actively investing in others for their spiritual benefit (2 Timothy 2:2). Disciple Making is about people. Using our time wisely gives us more time for investing in others. Keeping our lives simple helps us free up time and resources to be generous in all areas of life.   ### 5. **Builds Accountability and Encourages Perseverance**   When we set godly goals and share them with others in the church, we create a structure for encouragement and accountability (Hebrews 10:24–25). This helps us persevere when we face discouragement, setbacks, or spiritual warfare. We need to ask for accountability. IT is difficult to do that when we aren't actually working on anything related to our spiritual growth. With clear goals it is easy for others to talk with us about how God is working in us. Those conversations can be encouraging and help us perevere when times are tough.   ### 6. **Reflects the Wisdom of Planning Under God's Sovereignty**   Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty.” While we trust God's sovereignty over our lives, we are still called to plan wisely and act in faith. Goal setting is an act of diligence that honors the Lord when it is submitted to His will (James 4:13–15).God has a plan. He is organized and purposeful in all that he does. If we are to be growing in Christ-likeness, we are to be growing in purposeful choices that lead us closer to Him.   **In summary:** For a believer who wants to make disciples, goal setting is a practical expression of faithfulness. It helps us be intentional about growing spiritually, investing in others, and fulfilling Jesus' mission—always depending on God's grace and guidance every step of the way.   **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Implementing goal setting into a personal spiritual journey is a way for a disciple of Jesus to grow in Christlikeness and become more effective in making disciples. As a disciple committed to the authority of Scripture and the Great Commission, goal setting should be approached prayerfully, biblically, and purposefully.   How do you begin implementing goal setting in your spiritual life?   ### 1. Start with God's Purpose, Not Personal Ambition   Our goals must flow from God's purposes—not personal preferences. God's purpose for every believer is to be conformed to the image of Christ and to make disciples.  

Norman is out sick but the ladies carry the day!

rwh10may Ep.363 – Run With Horses Podcast – A Growth Mindset for Disciple Makers Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith   1. The Growth Mindset in a Christian Context Paul challenged believers to put effort into their spiritual life. Change is a part of growth and we should desire to be more like Jesus. A Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit who is working to make us like Jesus. Change will happen. The joy is that we can embrace it and benefit from working with God instead of against Him. A growth-minded believer: Welcomes challenges as opportunities for sanctification (James 1:2–4 NKJV). Perseveres under trial, knowing endurance produces spiritual maturity (Romans 5:3–5 NKJV). Seeks feedback and correction, recognizing rebuke refines faith (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV; Proverbs 12:1 NKJV). Celebrates others' growth, rejoicing when fellow believers flourish (Romans 12:15 NKJV). 2. Discipleship and the Great Commission Jesus' charge to “make disciples” frames our growth-oriented calling: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV) A growth mindset fuels the “teaching” phase: we believe learners can grow in knowledge, obedience, and Christ-likeness. It also shapes our own approach, as we accept that our skills in evangelism, teaching, and mentoring improve through practice, prayer, and reliance on God. 3. Spiritual Growth is a Process Scripture depicts growth as a journey: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” —2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection…” —Hebrews 6:1 (NKJV) “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) These passages underscore that maturity takes intentional effort—exactly the outworking of a growth mindset in the spiritual realm. 4. The “One Another's” and Growth Mindset Command Scripture (NKJV) Growth-Mindset Connection Love one another John 13:34–35 Encourages perseverance in relationships even when hard. Serve one another Galatians 5:13 Builds humility and stewards gifts for others' growth. Encourage one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Puts others first. Admonish one another Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:14 Welcomes correction for mutual sanctification. Bear one another's burdens Galatians 6:2 Cultivates perseverance and compassion. Spur one another on Hebrews 10:24 Motivates toward good deeds and spiritual progress. Pray for one another James 5:16 Invites God's transforming power in growth. Be kind and tenderhearted Ephesians 4:32 Gives mercy to those who need it, we all do! Together, these “one another's” form the relational soil in which a growth mindset flourishes—each believer both a learner and a teacher, giving and receiving grace, correction, encouragement, and accountability. 5. Practical Implications for Disciple Makers Model a growth mindset by sharing your own struggles and progress in Bible study, prayer, or ministry skills. Set incremental goals for disciples (e.g., memorizing Scripture, leading a small group), celebrating small wins to build confidence (Zechariah 4:10 NKJV). Cultivate “one another” rhythms in your church—regular accountability groups, prayer partnerships, and service teams. Teach the biblical process of growth—explain that sanctification involves trials, correction, and perseverance, rooted in passages like James 1:2–4 (NKJV) and Hebrews 12:11 (NKJV). Encourage reflection—have disciples journal progress, confess weaknesses, and plan next steps, reinforcing that effort and dependence on Christ yield transformation.   **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   The Holy Spirit reshapes how we think about challenges, our own abilities, and the process of sanctification. 1. Confess Fixed-Mindset Thinking and Renew Your Mind “I can't change,” “I can't do that.” and the like are big hinderances to spiritual growth. Lies need to be brought into the light and exchanged for truth. The question should be, “What is God doing? What does HE want me to do?” God empowers His people for His work. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” —Romans 12:2 (NKJV) Practice: Keep a “mindset journal.” When you catch yourself thinking “I'll never grow in this,” write it down and pray: “Lord, show me Your truth here.” Replace it with a Scriptural affirmation (“I can grow by God's grace”—Philippians 4:13). 2. Meditate on God's Word Daily A growth mindset flourishes when immersed in truth. Scripture both reveals God's power to change us and gives the roadmap. Read, Think Deeply about,and put it into practice. “…but his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.” —Psalm 1:2 (NKJV) Practice: Start with 5–10 minutes each morning reading a short passage (e.g. one chapter of Proverbs or the Gospels). Ask: “What does this teach me about God's promise to strengthen me?” 3. Pray for Wisdom and Perseverance Growth requires divine enablement—both insight and the grit to keep going. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally…” —James 1:5 (NKJV) “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” —James 1:2–3 (NKJV) Practice: Begin each day by asking God for wisdom to see opportunities for growth and the patience to endure them. When trials come (at work, in relationships, in ministry), thank Him for the refining work He intends. 4. Engage in Christian Community Even if attendance has been spotty, intentional fellowship is vital for encouragement, accountability, and skill development. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another…” —Hebrews 10:24–25 (NKJV) “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” —Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) Practice: Commit to attending at least one fellowship gathering (Sunday service, small group, men's/women's Bible study). Ask a mature believer to meet monthly as a “growth partner” for prayer and feedback. 5. Set Small, Measurable Goals for Spiritual Disciplines SMART goals Growth rarely happens overnight. Incremental victories build confidence that God can grow you further. “For who has despised the day of small things?…” —Zechariah 4:10 (NKJV) Practice: Choose one discipline (e.g., Scripture memory, daily prayer journaling, service) and set a tiny goal: memorize one verse a week, pray five minutes daily, serve once a month. Celebrate each completion by recording it in your journal and thanking God. 6. Welcome Correction and Feedback A growth mindset leans into rebuke, knowing it produces maturity. “The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.” —Proverbs 15:31 (NKJV) “But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” —Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV) Practice: Invite a trusted mentor or friend to give you honest feedback on your spiritual habits. When you receive correction, respond with “Thank you—help me understand how to improve.” 7. Practice Gratitude and Celebrate Others' Growth Focusing on progress—both yours and others'—reinforces a mindset that abilities can expand. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” —Romans 12:15 (NKJV) “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) Practice: Keep a “gratitude list” of spiritual wins you see in yourself and others. Send a quick note or text to encourage a fellow believer when they share a breakthrough. 8. Rely on God's Strength in Weakness A growth mindset isn't self-reliance; it's dependence on Christ, who is at work in us. “…when I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:10 (NKJV) Practice: In moments of discouragement (“I failed again…”), confess your weakness and ask Christ to work through it. Memorize 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 and speak it aloud whenever you feel stuck.     **(5:00 – 1:00)** Doctrine Today Jesus and His Present Ministry The Holy Spirit's Role in Disciple Making. Dispensational Baptist view of the End Times Understanding Theology is Important The Gospel and Ongoing Disciple Making Church Role in Discerning God's Will Barriers to Disciple Making Spiritual Warfare Jesus – Incarnation God's Sovereignty God's sovereignty means that God reigns over all things with perfect wisdom, power, and love, and nothing in our lives is outside His control. 1. God's Sovereignty Brings Peace in Uncertainty When life feels chaotic or unjust, God's sovereignty assures us that nothing happens apart from His knowledge or plan. “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.” —Psalm 103:19 (NKJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28 (NKJV) Why it matters: Even suffering and confusion have purpose under God's rule. He's not reacting—He's reigning. 2. God's Sovereignty Fuels Evangelism and Disciple-Making Because God is sovereign over salvation, we can evangelize boldly, knowing He draws hearts to Himself. “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” —John 6:37 (NKJV) “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” —John 6:44 (NKJV) Why it matters: The results of disciple-making aren't on your shoulders. You sow and water; God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6–7 NKJV). 3. God's Sovereignty Grounds Our Identity and Purpose You are not random. You are created, saved, and called intentionally. “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” —Psalm 139:16 (NKJV) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” —Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) Why it matters: Your life, your calling, and even your challenges are part of God's good and sovereign plan. 4. God's Sovereignty Produces Worship and Humility When we recognize God is in control and we are not, we bow in awe and dependence. “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all.” —1 Chronicles 29:11 (NKJV) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. —Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV) Why it matters: Sovereignty reminds us that God is God—and we are not. 5. God's Sovereignty Guarantees His Promises Will Stand We can believe God's Word with full assurance because no power can thwart His will. “Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” —Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV) “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.” —Psalm 33:11 (NKJV) Why it matters: Our eternal hope is secure because it rests in God's unshakable rule.   **(1:00)** It's important for all of us to see the big picture in life. God IS working and He WILL complete His work in you. Daily remind yourself that God is drawing you to Himself and He invites you to be an active participant in your spiritual growth. Reject the lie that you can't change. See the person God wants you to be and put real effort into doing your part, trusting that God will always do His part.   – “Thank you for listening today! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Don't be discouraged by the challenges you face. Keep your eyes on Jesus and embrace the opportunity to grow through the trial. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running." **(00:00)**

rwh3may Ep.362 – Run With Horses Podcast – Accountability Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith **(24:00)** Do you find it difficult to stay on track and actually do the things you know you should do? Is consistency in exercise, healthy eating, regular prayer and daily time with God a problem for you? If so, you may benefit from seeking healthy, ongoing accountability as part of your spiritual journey toward Christ-likeness. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 Shout out to Radio Stations!   When the topic is accountability many people instantly run for the hills, fearing an heavy overbearing hand forcing them to do things they don't want to do and hating every minute of it. Let me ease your mind, that is not Biblical accountability! Biblical Accountability is a key tool in the life of a follower of Jesus who is seeking to grow spiritually and live according to biblical principles. It is something you invite into your relationships with other growing disciple of Jesus. We are on the same path and can help each other as we go. It's not force, it's mutual cooperation to intentionally move in the direction God is showing us. 1. Accountability to God As followers of Jesus, we are ultimately accountable to God for how we live our lives. Every believer must recognize that their actions, thoughts, and behaviors are under God's authority. Romans 14:12 2 Corinthians 5:10 2. Accountability to Fellow Believers The Bible also teaches that believers should be accountable to one another. We are not meant to walk the Christian life alone. God designed the church as a community where believers help one another grow spiritually. Galatians 6:1-2 James 5:16 3. Mutual Accountability in Spiritual Growth Spiritual growth requires intentionality, and part of that is having people in our lives who can help hold us accountable in our pursuit of holiness and spiritual maturity. Hebrews 10:24-25 Proverbs 27:17 4. Examples of Accountability in the Bible Nathan and David: A powerful example of accountability can be seen in the relationship between the prophet Nathan and King David. After David's sin with Bathsheba, God sent Nathan to confront David about his sin. Nathan's courage to hold David accountable ultimately led to David's repentance and restoration (2 Samuel 12:1-14). This example highlights how accountability often involves speaking the truth in love, even when it's difficult. Paul and Peter: The apostle Paul held Peter accountable in Galatians 2:11-14, when Peter's actions were inconsistent with the gospel. Peter was initially eating with Gentiles, but when certain Jewish believers arrived, he withdrew, fearing what they might think. Paul publicly confronted him, saying, “But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?'” (Galatians 2:14). This shows that accountability sometimes involves a public rebuke when necessary to uphold the truth of the gospel. Jesus and His Disciples: Jesus modeled accountability in His relationships with His disciples. He often rebuked them for their lack of faith or for misunderstanding His mission (e.g., Matthew 16:23, when He rebuked Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!"). However, He also encouraged them to support each other, as seen in John 13:34-35, where He commanded them to love one another as He had loved them. The accountability Jesus modeled was always rooted in love and truth. 5. Personal Responsibility and the Role of the Holy Spirit Ultimately, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of a believer as they grow spiritually. The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin, guides them into truth, and empowers them to live out the Christian life. Accountability to the Holy Spirit is a matter of responding to His promptings and seeking His strength to live faithfully. John 14:26 Romans 8:13   **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Seeking out accountability is a crucial aspect of spiritual growth for several reasons. It helps believers stay on track in their walk with God, provides encouragement, and ensures that they are living according to biblical principles. 1. Why Should a Person Seek Out Accountability? a. Prevents Spiritual Drift Accountability acts as a safeguard against spiritual drift. Without accountability, a person might subtly slide away from their spiritual disciplines, make compromises, or even fall into sin without realizing it. Having someone who can help point out blind spots and encourage continued growth helps keep a believer anchored in their faith. Proverbs 4:23 b. Helps Resist Temptation We all face temptations, and sometimes, the temptation to sin feels overwhelming. Accountability provides a powerful weapon to fight against temptation, as having someone to confess struggles to and ask for prayer can make a huge difference in overcoming sin. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 c. Provides Encouragement Christian life is not a solo journey. Having others to encourage and challenge you is crucial for perseverance, especially when trials come. Accountability relationships are a source of encouragement when things feel difficult or when you're unsure about the next steps in your spiritual walk. Hebrews 10:24-25 d. Fosters Humility and Repentance Having someone who can challenge us or confront us when we're in the wrong helps us maintain a heart of humility and openness. Accountability is not just about staying in line but also about being willing to acknowledge our faults and make changes when needed. James 5:16 2. How Does Accountability Help a Person Grow? a. Encourages Discipline Spiritual growth requires intentionality and discipline. Accountability partners help set goals and hold each other to those goals. This might involve commitments to prayer, Bible reading, serving others, or other spiritual disciplines. Having someone to check in with keeps us motivated and consistent. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 b. Provides Insight and Perspective Accountability often brings perspective. We can be blind to our own shortcomings or struggles, but an accountability partner may see things we don't. They can offer valuable advice, wisdom, or scriptural insights that help us grow. Proverbs 27:17 c. Strengthens Faith When believers come together for mutual accountability, their faith grows. Seeing others live out their faith and share their experiences can inspire us to deepen our own commitment to God. It fosters a sense of camaraderie and strengthens our resolve to stay faithful. Romans 1:12 d. Promotes Holiness and Christlikeness Accountability helps keep believers focused on the goal of becoming more like Christ. The process of confessing sin, receiving correction, and being encouraged to pursue holiness creates an environment where believers can grow in their sanctification. Philippians 2:1-2 3. How Can a Person Go About Finding Ongoing Accountability Relationships? a. Start with Prayer Before seeking accountability, it's important to pray for guidance. Ask God to lead you to the right people—those who are spiritually mature and trustworthy, and who will help you grow in your faith. James 1:5 b. Look for Like-minded Individuals Seek people who are also committed to growing spiritually and living out biblical principles. Accountability works best when both parties are serious about their spiritual growth. This can include fellow church members, small group participants, or individuals from a Bible study. 2 Corinthians 6:14 c. Join a Small Group or Bible Study Small groups, Bible studies, or discipleship groups are great places to build deeper relationships where mutual accountability can happen. These groups provide a natural environment for openness, prayer, and spiritual growth. Acts 2:42 d. Approach Someone with Humility If you don't already have an accountability partner, don't be afraid to approach someone you respect spiritually and ask if they would be willing to meet regularly to hold each other accountable. Be honest about what you're seeking and humble in your approach. Proverbs 15:22 e. Be Open and Transparent The success of accountability relationships depends on openness and honesty. Be willing to share your struggles and your victories, and be open to both encouragement and correction. Ephesians 4:25 Accountability is Healthy Relationships At its core, talking about growth issues together. What we need, how we do it, what the stumbling blocks are. Asking how it's going is a rminder to keep trying! **(5:00 – 1:00)** Doctrine Today Jesus - Incarnation **(1:00)**   – “Thank you for listening today! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Don't be discouraged by the challenges you face. Keep your eyes on Jesus and embrace the opportunity to grow through the trial. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running." **(00:00)**

rwh26april Ep.361 – Run With Horses Podcast – Resilient Faith Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” Resilience is the ability to withstand, recover and even thrive in the midst of life's challenges while trusting God to accomplish His work. Resilience is really about our Faith. It is the strength and endurance to keep pressing forward in the face of adversity, maintaining faith in God's sovereignty and goodness. Resilience is not simply about surviving difficulty, but about growing spiritually and becoming more Christ-like in the process. Biblical Understanding of Resilience Patience Matures Our Faith: James 1:2-4 See trials as opportunities for spiritual growth: Resilience is tied to patience developed through trials. Instead of letting trials break us, we allow them to refine and mature our faith, making us more like Jesus. God's Strength in Our Weakness: The Apostle Paul exemplifies resilience in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: Resilience in the Christian life is not about our own strength, but about relying on God's strength. Our weakness becomes the vehicle for God's power to work through us, glorifying God and accomplishing His Will. Imitate Christ's Example: Hebrews 12:1-2, Follow Jesus' example of enduring the cross, all for the joy set before Him: Jesus endured because He had an eternal perspective. Resilience, for the follower of Christ, involves fixing our eyes on the hope and reward that await us in eternity. Tis life is the journey that God uses to prepare us for eternity with Him. Trusting God's Promises Leads to Hope: Romans 5:3-5 : Hope is really important when we face challenges. And there is always Hope in Jesus! Trials refine our character and deepen our relationship with God. Knowing Him and His purposes, ultimately makes us more resilient in our Journey of Faith. Resilience and Discipleship In the life of a believer, resilience is directly connected to discipleship and spiritual growth. Discipleship is not just about learning doctrine or performing religious duties; it is about becoming more like Jesus. As we endure trials with faith and patience, we grow in spiritual maturity and learn to depend on God more fully. Resilience Shapes Character: As we persevere through challenges, our character is refined, and we learn to love, trust, and obey God more fully. Romans 5:3-5 shows that tribulation produces perseverance, which leads to stronger character and unshakable hope. Resilience Cultivates Faithfulness: Discipleship is about the journey of following God daily in every circumstances. 1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us that our faith is tested, and once proven, brings glory to God: As we remain faithful under trial, we demonstrate the genuineness of our faith. This faith, Real, tested and proven, will bring glory to God. Spiritual Growth Through Trials: The process of growing as a disciple requires us to be resilient. Trials are the training ground for spiritual maturity if you are a disciple of Jesus. He never promised an easy path! But He promises that it would be worth it in the end. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Resilience The Holy Spirit is integral to developing resilience. Romans 8:11 speaks of the power of the Holy Spirit to give life and strength to believers: The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead enables believers to live with endurance, overcoming obstacles and remaining faithful in trials. Prayer and trusting God to work when our strength is gone are both Key for developing the abiity to get up every time life knocks you down. Resilience Keeps You On The Path To Christ-likeness As we endure hardship, we grow in patience, character, and hope, which ultimately leads to greater spiritual maturity. This process is central to ongoing discipleship, as it shapes us into the image of Christ. A disciple of Jesus is on a continual journey of growing in faith, learning to rely on God's strength daily, and persevering through life's trials. Both disciples and disciple makers have a role to play in this journey of Faith. Spiritual strength is nurtured through the spiritual disciplines as we deepen our relationship with God, and learn to trust in His faithfulness. How To Develop Resilience See the Big Picture: God is at work in the world and trials are normal and natural. The goal is not to avoid them but to grow through them. Let God accomplish His work in your life. God opens doors for ministry through our personal trials, look for them! Do everything that you can to grow and mature your Faith! Be intentional about life, particularly your spiritual life. Embrace God's Word: One of the foundational ways a disciple develops resilience is through a deeper understanding of and trust in God's Word. The Bible gives an eternal perspective for enduring trials. By studying Scripture, disciples learn what God is doing and learn to trust His promises, which gives them the strength to persevere. Psalm 119:50: A Deeper Relationship with God: Resilience is nurtured through a close relationship with God. Everything that we do to draw closer to Him helps prepare us for the next challenge. Prayer, meditation and memorizaton of the Bible and time with God's family all strengthen our trust in God's provision, wisdom, and presence. Jesus modeled these in His own life, we should do no less. Philippians 4:6-7: Through Reliance on God's Strength (Not Our Own): Resilience is not about self-sufficiency, but about relying on God's strength. The Apostle Paul was a model of this truth, understanding that his weakness allowed God's strength to be more clearly displayed. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: A disciple develops resilience by recognizing that through their weakness that God's power is most evident. This humility and dependence on God's grace is key to enduring trials with perseverance. Through Practicing Obedience and Faithfulness in Small Things: Resilience is developed when a disciple learns to be faithful in the small things, trusting God in everyday life. Obedience, even in seemingly insignificant matters, builds the foundation for enduring greater trials. Luke 16:10: By being faithful in small matters, a disciple strengthens their ability to endure more significant trials and challenges. Through Fellowship with Other Believers: Resilience is also cultivated in the context of community. Believers encourage one another, pray for one another, and share in each other's struggles. Being part of a supportive Christian community strengthens a disciple's ability to persevere. Hebrews 10:24-25: Fellowship provides encouragement and accountability, helping disciples remain resilient as they navigate life's challenges. How a Disciple Maker Helps Others Develop Resilience A disciple maker has a unique role in helping others grow in resilience by walking alongside them, providing guidance, and encouraging them to press on in their faith. Here's how a disciple maker can help others develop resilience: Modeling Resilience through Personal Example: One of the most powerful ways a disciple maker can encourage resilience is by modeling it in their own life. When a disciple maker faces trials and shows how they rely on God's strength, it serves as a powerful testimony for others to follow. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7: Teaching the Importance of Perspective: Disciple makers can help others develop resilience by teaching them to have an eternal perspective on their trials. They can point others to the hope of eternal life and the ultimate victory that awaits, even in the midst of hardship. Romans 8:18: By helping others keep an eternal perspective, disciple makers teach them to view their trials in light of God's promises and the hope of future glory. Encouraging the Practice of Spiritual Disciplines: Disciple makers should encourage the regular practice of spiritual disciplines—prayer, Bible study, worship, and fasting—as these practices strengthen the disciple's spiritual resilience. Colossians 2:6-7: Spiritual disciplines help to deepen a disciple's relationship with God, which builds the foundation for resilience. Providing Encouragement and Accountability: A disciple maker should be a source of encouragement and accountability, especially in difficult times. They can remind the disciple of God's faithfulness, pray for them, and offer counsel that points them back to Christ. Galatians 6:2: Helping others bear their burdens is an essential part of developing resilience. A disciple maker should walk alongside their disciples, offering support, encouragement, and wisdom during trials. Helping Disciplines Focus on God's Promises: Disciple makers can help others develop resilience by pointing them back to God's promises in times of hardship. The promises of God's presence, provision, and protection provide a firm foundation for resilience. Isaiah 41:10: A disciple maker can continually remind those they are discipling of the faithfulness of God, helping them to trust in His promises during difficult times. Conclusion A disciple of Jesus develops resilience by deeply engaging with God's Word, prayer, dependence on God's strength, obedience, and fellowship with other believers. A disciple maker helps others develop resilience by modeling it, teaching the importance of perspective, encouraging spiritual disciplines, providing support, and focusing on God's promises. Together, these practices foster a strong, enduring faith that enables believers to press on through trials and grow more like Christ in the process. Doctrine Today Spiritual Warfare   It's not easy to keep going when the journey is long and tough. The good news is that Jesus understands and takes the journey with us. You never have to face the trials alone. Stand tall and lean on Jesus in the middle of Life's storms, trusting that He is growing you into the person you need to be.   – “Thank you for listening today! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Don't be discouraged by the challenges you face. Keep your eyes on Jesus and embrace the opportunity to grow through the trial. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running."

rwh19april Ep.360 – Run With Horses Podcast – Balancing Self-Reliance and Interdependence Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith **(24:00)** Do you go it alone or do you walk through life with others? It's not an either/ or proposition, it's both! There are areas where you definitely have to pull you own weight but often, much more often than you may think, we are supposed to help each other through life. Today, we are thinking about self-reliance and interdependence for disciples of Jesus. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 B. Overview Scripture calls believers to cultivate personal accountability (self-reliance) while actively engaging in a community of faith (interdependence). Key Themes: Biblical foundations for self-reliance in areas like personal spiritual growth, work, and stewardship. Scriptural mandates for living in community, bearing one another's burdens, and using spiritual gifts for the common good. C. Context Emphasize believer's individual responsibility before God. Highlight the importance of local church fellowship as a way of fulfilling our mission together. D. Today I want you to consider: What does “self-reliance” mean in your personal walk with Christ? How do you see interdependence playing a role in your local church or community? II. Self-Reliance in the Christian Life A. Definition and Biblical Context Self-reliance: Cultivating personal responsibility in one's faith, work, finances, and spiritual growth, recognizing that while God provides strength, He also calls us to be diligent stewards of our lives. B. Passages on Self-Reliance Proverbs 6:6-8 (NKJV): “Go to the ant, you sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise. Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.” Encourage proactive effort and preparedness in everyday life. In what areas of your life can you emulate the ant's industriousness? Galatians 6:4-5 (NKJV): “But let each one examine his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” Highlight the importance of personal evaluation and responsibility. How can you take ownership of your spiritual growth while avoiding pride? Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Emphasize that personal achievement is rooted in Christ's strength working through us. How does relying on Christ's strength change your approach to personal challenges? C. Practical Steps Self-Examination: Encourage daily devotional practices and self-reflection. How are you taking responsibility for your life now? What practical actions show that you are serious about your spiritual life and responsibilities before God? Personal Responsibility: Discuss setting goals in prayer, work, and study. Where do you need to be more proactive? Are the basics covered? Are you seeking out ways to intentionally pursue godliness in your life? How, Where, When? Is it on your calendar and in your budget? Stewardship: Explore biblical principles of managing finances, time, and talents responsibly. Do you recognize the accountability that you have before God in the decisions you make? What does that look like? **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** III. Interdependence in the Body of Christ A. Definition and Biblical Context Interdependence: Recognizing that while believers are called to personal responsibility, they are also part of a larger, unified body where mutual support, accountability, and service are essential. B. Passages on Interdependence 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NKJV): “For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ...” Illustrate how each believer has a unique role that contributes to the health of the whole body. Which “spiritual gifts” do you see in your life that benefit the community, and how can you serve more effectively? Where and how are you living out this ‘Body Life' of the church? Sunday morning worship service is NOT enough. Are you intentionally seeking fellowship and investing in the life of your church family. Are you inviting them into your life? Small groups, one on one meetings, microchurch gatherings in public and homes. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV): “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Stress the call to support one another in times of difficulty. How have you experienced God's provision through the help of others? How can you extend that help? Ephesians 4:15-16 (NKJV): “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ. From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is equipped, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Emphasize mutual edification and the organic growth of the church as a family of believers. In what ways can you contribute to the spiritual growth of your church family? Intentionality is Key. C. Application and Practical Steps Fellowship and Community: Discuss the importance of small groups, church ministries, and accountability partnerships. Doesn't happen accidently. Serving Others: Outline practical opportunities for service in the local community and the global church. Local church, neighbor church, etc. IV. Integrating Self-Reliance and Interdependence Recognizing the Balance Christians are called to be proactive and responsible stewards of their own lives (self-reliance) while also fully engaging in the support system provided by the Church (interdependence). James 2:14-17 (NKJV): “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? … Thus faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Faith must be expressed both individually and collectively. How does your personal faith inspire you to serve the community, and in turn, how does community service strengthen your personal walk with Christ? How do you maintain personal discipline while remaining open to community guidance? “In what specific ways will you take responsibility for your personal growth this week, and how will you actively engage with your faith community?” **(5:00 – 1:00)** Doctrine Today Jesus and His Present Ministry The Holy Spirit's Role in Disciple Making. Dispensational Baptist view of the End Times Understanding Theology is Important The Gospel and Ongoing Disciple Making Church Role in Discerning God's Will Barriers to Disciple Making 1. Lack of Intentionality Unclear Vision: Often, churches and individual believers may not have a clear, intentional vision or plan for disciple making. Without concrete goals, training, and accountability measures, disciple making can become an incidental outcome rather than a strategic priority. Scriptural Neglect: Some ministries may focus heavily on evangelism while underemphasizing the lifelong process of nurturing, teaching, and mentoring new believers. This disconnect from the biblical mandate (e.g., Matthew 28:19-20) can lead to a superficial understanding of discipleship. 2. Cultural Individualism Self-Reliance Over Community: Modern Western culture often emphasizes personal autonomy and self-reliance, which can contrast sharply with the biblical call to community (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). This individualism makes it more challenging to create environments where believers willingly submit to accountability, mentoring, and mutual growth. Reluctance to Invest in Others: The desire for personal achievement and success may lead some to undervalue the long-term commitment required to disciple others, rather than focusing on immediate personal benefits or social status. 3. Time Constraints and Busyness Competing Priorities: In today's fast-paced society, individuals often struggle to balance work, family, and ministry responsibilities. This busyness can leave little room for the deep, personal interactions required for disciple making. Over-Scheduled Lives: Constant digital engagement and overloaded schedules can lead to shallow relationships that lack the depth needed for transformative discipleship. 4. Lack of Effective Leadership and Training Insufficient Leadership Development: Effective discipleship requires mentors who are themselves mature in their faith and skilled in relational dynamics. A shortage of trained leaders who can intentionally mentor others is a significant barrier. Inadequate Resources: Churches may not invest adequately in training programs or create robust systems for leadership development, resulting in missed opportunities to equip believers for disciple making. 5. Digital Distractions and Superficial Engagement Impact of Technology: While digital media offers innovative outreach tools, the overreliance on online interactions can lead to more shallow, transactional relationships that lack the depth and accountability found in face-to-face mentoring. Social Media Culture: Constant engagement with social media may foster a culture of immediacy and quick approval, which can detract from the slow, formative process of true disciple making. 6. Fear of Judgment and Vulnerability Relational Barriers: Discipleship involves vulnerability and accountability. Many believers may be reluctant to share their struggles or admit weaknesses due to the fear of judgment or rejection by peers. Cultural Stigma: In both church settings and the broader society, there can be stigma associated with showing vulnerability, leading individuals to hide their need for growth rather than seeking relational support. 7. Theological Misunderstandings Misconceptions About Grace and Works: Some may mistakenly view discipleship as a checklist of rules or a set of actions rather than a transformative process fueled by the Holy Spirit. This can lead to legalism on one end or laxity on the other. Lack of Depth: Without a robust, well-balanced teaching on both grace and discipline, believers can misunderstand the essence of discipleship, which involves both receiving God's unmerited favor and engaging in the process of sanctification. 8. Resource Limitations and Institutional Challenges Financial and Infrastructural Constraints: Smaller churches or those in economically challenged areas might lack the resources to create comprehensive discipleship programs. Budget constraints, limited venues for small groups, or lack of access to quality teaching materials can impact effectiveness. Institutional Resistance: Sometimes, long-standing institutional practices can resist change, making it difficult to adapt or innovate new methods for effective disciple making. **(1:00)**   As we follow Jesus there is a need to do our part and help others along the way. Engaging in the life of the church family often benefits you more than you expect, in ways that you don't expect. The Body of Christ, when operating as it should helps you to grow and gives you opportunities to invest in helping others to grow. Your gifts are needed just as you need the gifts of others.   – “Thank you for listening today! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. May we all be found faithful, ready, and living for eternity. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running." **(00:00)**

rwh12april Ep.359 – Run With Horses Podcast – How's Your Self-Discipline? Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith **(24:00)** Following Jesus was never meant to be easy. Self-discipline is a key component of a Christian's walk with Christ, especially for those who are striving to be obedient to His call to be disciple makers. Self-discipline - today we look at what it is and what it matters. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 Biblical theology, emphasizes holiness, and sanctification. Self-discipline is an essential piece of the puzzle for growing your faith, honoring God, and becoming more like Christ. 1. Self-Discipline is Essential for Spiritual Growth The Bible teaches that following Jesus involves ongoing transformation. Self-discipline enables a Christian to maintain focus on spiritual growth and maturity. This growth is not passive; it requires intentional effort to discipline oneself in the faith. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV): “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” In this passage, Paul emphasizes the importance of self-discipline in the Christian life. Like an athlete training for a race, the believer must discipline their body and actions to ensure they live a life pleasing to God. This passage also highlights that discipline is necessary for not only spiritual progress but also for preventing spiritual failure. 2. Self-Discipline in Fleeing Sin and Pursuing Holiness Self-discipline is crucial for resisting temptation and living a holy life. Christians are called to reject sin and live in a way that honors God, and this requires discipline in thoughts, words, and actions. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV): “But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Paul urges Timothy to “exercise” toward godliness, which speaks to the discipline of growing in spiritual maturity. This is contrasted with physical exercise, which has limited benefits, while spiritual discipline has eternal value. Titus 2:11-12 (NKJV): “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” The grace of God teaches the believer to deny sinful desires and live disciplined lives, demonstrating the power of grace in enabling self-control. 3. Self-Discipline in the Use of Time and Resources Christians are called to be stewards of their time, talents, and resources. Practicing self-discipline helps them use these gifts in a way that honors God and furthers His kingdom. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV): “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” This passage speaks to the importance of using time wisely. Self-discipline involves making choices that align with God's will, ensuring that the believer is living for eternal purposes rather than temporary desires. 4. Self-Discipline in Prayer and Bible Study A disciplined prayer life and consistent study of Scripture are vital for growth in the faith. Christians must intentionally set aside time to communicate with God and immerse themselves in His Word. Matthew 26:41 (NKJV): “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus speaks to the importance of watchfulness and prayer to avoid falling into temptation. Self-discipline in maintaining a life of prayer is necessary for strength against sin. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV): “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This emphasizes the discipline required in studying Scripture. A believer who wants to rightly divide the Word must be diligent and disciplined in their study. 5. Self-Discipline in Following Jesus' Example Lastly, the ultimate example of self-discipline is Jesus Himself. He lived a life of perfect self-discipline, obeying the Father's will even to the point of death on the cross. Luke 9:23 (NKJV): “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'” To follow Jesus is to practice daily self-discipline, denying one's own desires and submitting to the will of God. Conclusion For anyone who is striving to follow Jesus, self-discipline is not merely about willpower, but it is a response to God's grace and a necessary aspect of sanctification. It requires a commitment to spiritual practices, a resistance to temptation, and an ongoing pursuit of holiness. Through self-discipline, believers not only grow in Christ-likeness but also glorify God in all aspects of their lives. Self-discipline is both a duty and a privilege, empowered by the Holy Spirit and essential to the believer's walk with Christ. It is through discipline that Christians can live according to God's Word and fulfill their calling to be holy and set apart for His purposes.   **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** Developing self-discipline as a follower of Jesus requires intentional effort and commitment. A commitment to the spiritual disciplines can be a big part of the process of growing as a follower of Jesus. These disciplines are practices that help a believer grow in their relationship with God, resist temptation, and align their lives more closely with His will. In the context of following Jesus, self-discipline is rooted in God's grace but also requires the active participation of the believer in cultivating habits that foster spiritual growth. The spiritual disciplines are habits that help us keep our focus. Prayer, Bible reading, meditation and study Silence, Solitude, Community, Fasting. These are habits that help you build a strong spiritual life. We have talked about them before and will come back to them again but for now, Know that studying and practicing the spiritual disciplines should be a part of your spiritual life.   Developing personal self-discipline is a key aspect of spiritual growth and daily life, especially for a Christian who is striving to follow Jesus. While spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, and worship are vital, personal self-discipline in everyday activities also plays a significant role in the overall process. Here are practical steps that can help someone develop or increase their personal self-discipline: 1. Set Clear Goals and Priorities Having clear goals allows you to stay focused and motivated. Self-discipline thrives when you have a sense of purpose. Start by determining what is most important to you, both in your spiritual life and personal life. Actionable Step: Write down your goals—spiritual, personal, and professional—and prioritize them. Break them down into smaller, achievable tasks. For example, if your goal is to read through the Bible in a year, break it into daily reading plans. 2. Create a Routine or Schedule A structured routine helps build self-discipline because it instills consistency. When you have a set schedule, you're less likely to be distracted by fleeting desires or emotions. Actionable Step: Create a daily or weekly schedule that includes time for prayer, Bible study, work, exercise, meals, and sleep. Setting fixed times for these activities helps cultivate habits and limits procrastination. NEXT ACTION. DO IT. Proverbs 12:1 (NKJV): “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.” A disciplined schedule allows you to grow in knowledge and wisdom, as it gives you time to learn and apply godly principles. 3. Develop Healthy Habits Small, healthy habits can lead to big changes. Good habits can gradually transform your life and build the foundation for self-discipline. These habits can include morning routines, exercise, and eating habits. Whole Life stewardship requires WHOLE LIFE DISCIPLINE. Actionable Step: Start by adopting one healthy habit at a time, such as drinking water in the morning, avoiding social media first thing, or exercising regularly. Focus on consistency, and gradually build other habits on top of that. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV): “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” Taking care of your body through healthy habits is a way to honor God and develop discipline. 4. Practice Accountability Accountability is a powerful tool in developing self-discipline. When you know someone is holding you accountable, it increases your motivation and helps you stay on track. You aren't in this alone. Actionable Step: Find an accountability partner or a group that shares your spiritual goals. This could be a prayer partner, a mentor, or a small group from your church. Regular check-ins and mutual encouragement can strengthen your resolve. Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV): “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Accountability helps keep you on the path of discipline and encourages you to grow together with others. 5. Learn to Say No Self-discipline often involves making hard choices and learning to say no to things that are not aligned with your goals or that hinder your progress. This applies to both time management and spiritual focus. You must be clear on God's calling for you life and let nothing hinder your pursuit of Him and His mission. Actionable Step: Practice saying no to distractions, whether it's binge-watching TV, spending excessive time on social media, or even good things that might prevent you from focusing on what matters most, like spending time with God or with family. Matthew 5:37 (NKJV): “But let your ‘Yes' be ‘Yes,' and your ‘No,' ‘No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Learning to say no when necessary is part of being disciplined, especially when it comes to guarding your time and energy. 6. Eliminate Distractions Distractions are one of the biggest barriers to self-discipline. It's difficult to stay focused when you're surrounded by temptations or interruptions. By intentionally reducing distractions, you can stay on task and make better use of your time. Remember Mary and Martha. There is one thing you need. Actionable Step: Identify areas of your life where you tend to get distracted—such as your phone, the internet, or unproductive relationships—and take steps to minimize those distractions. For instance, you could put your phone in another room while reading your Bible or studying. Matthew 6:6 (NKJV): “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Finding a quiet, distraction-free space for prayer or study is essential in maintaining self-discipline. 7. Take Breaks and Rest Self-discipline doesn't mean working yourself to exhaustion. Taking breaks is important for mental and physical well-being. Rest allows you to recharge and maintain focus over time. Actionable Step: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Ensure that you also take time off from work and other obligations to rest, whether it's a weekly Sabbath, a day off, or short breaks during the day. Exodus 20:8-10 (NKJV): “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work...” Resting is essential for spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal, and it's a discipline that promotes a balanced life. 8. Practice Self-Control in Small Things Building self-discipline in small areas of life can create a ripple effect that leads to greater self-control in bigger things. Start with simple acts of self-restraint, and work up to more challenging areas. Actionable Step: Practice self-control by limiting small indulgences, such as sweets, caffeine, or unnecessary spending. This builds the muscle of self-discipline, which will help in more significant areas like temptation or long-term goals. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that grows as we practice it in daily life. 9. Celebrate Small Wins It's easy to become discouraged if you're only focused on long-term results. Acknowledge and celebrate small victories along the way to stay motivated. Actionable Step: When you accomplish a goal or stick to a discipline for a certain period, reward yourself with something meaningful—whether it's a small treat, a break, or a time of reflection and gratitude. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV): “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Recognizing progress along the way encourages perseverance and motivates you to continue toward your final goal. 10. Seek God's Help and Grace Ultimately, self-discipline is not about relying solely on your strength, but on God's grace. Ask the Lord to help you develop discipline, giving you the strength to overcome weaknesses and the wisdom to prioritize what matters most. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Depend on God's strength to help you grow in discipline, especially when things seem too difficult. Conclusion: Developing self-discipline is a process that requires intentional action and reliance on God's grace. By setting clear goals, creating a structured routine, developing healthy habits, and seeking accountability, you can grow in self-discipline and make progress in your personal and spiritual life. Keep focusing on small, practical steps while relying on God's strength and guidance through it all. **(5:00 – 1:00)** Doctrine Today   Church Role in Discerning God's Will   **(1:00)**   How are you doing at keeping those hard tasks on your schedule? Doing the right thing is seldom easy and it often takes more effort that we would like. But it is worth it do be disciplined and maintain our focus. When you fail, start over, persistence is a big part of discipline! – “Thank you for listening today! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. May we all be found faithful, ready, and living for eternity. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running." **(00:00)**

Ep.358 – Run With Horses Podcast – Emotional Intelligence for Disciple Makers Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith Part 1:Emotional Intelligence for Disciple Makers 1. Introduction Introduce the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and its relevance in the Christian life, particularly in leadership and discipleship. 2. What is Emotional Intelligence? Definition of Emotional Intelligence: Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. It involves four key components: Self-awareness: Recognizing one's emotions and their impact. Self-control: Managing and controlling one's emotional responses. Empathy: Understanding the emotions of others and responding appropriately. Compassion: The desire to help Social skills: Building relationships and communicating effectively. Example: Self-awareness: A disciple maker who can recognize their frustration with a fellow believer and chooses to address it in a godly manner rather than reacting impulsively. Empathy: Listening attentively to someone in pain, offering comfort as Christ would, instead of offering quick solutions or judgments. Biblical Example of Emotional Intelligence: Jesus' Emotional Intelligence: Jesus exhibited all four aspects of EI. Self-awareness and Self-regulation: In Mark 14:34–36, Jesus shows emotional vulnerability, yet chooses God's will over His feelings. Mark 14: 32 Empathy, Compassion and Social Skills: Jesus empathized with people, showing compassion. In John 11:33–36, He wept with Mary and Martha at the death of Lazarus, showing deep emotional connection and compassion. 3. Why is Emotional Intelligence Important for Christians? Discipleship and Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence helps disciple makers understand the emotional state and needs of others. Effective disciple making requires patience, compassion, and the ability to manage one's own emotions. Biblical Foundation: Ephesians 4:2-3 – This passage emphasizes emotional control (lowliness, gentleness) and empathy (bearing with one another). Developing Relationships with Others: Jesus' ministry was deeply relational, and He connected emotionally with people. Matthew 9:36 – Jesus ability to understand and connect was key to His effective ministry and discipleship. Practical Application for the Church: Proverbs 15:1 – Galatians 6:2 – 4. Thinking Deeply Reflect on: A time when they experienced emotional stress in ministry or discipleship. How emotional intelligence (or lack thereof) impacted the outcome.     Part 2: Developing Emotional Intelligence for Disciple Makers 1. Recap Briefly recap the key points 2. Deep Dive: How to Develop Emotional Intelligence Self-awareness and Self-control: James 1:19 – Practice slowing down our reactions and reflecting before responding. Teach that self-awareness is about recognizing triggers and the emotions behind them. Learn to listen WELL. Psalm 139:23-24 – Develop self-awareness through prayer, asking God to reveal any emotional blind spots. Self-control through Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 – Spiritual growth is the foundation of developing emotional intelligence. These virtues align with the emotional self-control we need as Christians. Developing the fruit of the Spirit is key to emotional stability. Empathy: Romans 12:15 – Empathy requires actively engaging with others' emotions, whether in joy or sorrow. Philippians 2:4 – Developing empathy requires intentionality—seeing and caring about others deeply. Pause and ask yourself about the emotional state of other people. Consider WHY they feel they way they do. Seek Understanding. Social Skills: Colossians 3:12-14 – Social skills are rooted in humility and kindness, and effective communication flows out of a heart that is filled with love. Listen to understand! Spend time with people. Look for opportunities to develop deep and lasting relationships. Put their interests first! Practical Strategies for Developing EI: Daily Reflection and Prayer: Incorporate a time of self-reflection each day to assess your emotional responses and ask the Holy Spirit for help. Consider journaling your thoughts and addressing the way you responded to people throughout the day. Ask yourself if you could have responded in a way that better exhibits the fruit of the spirit. Active Listening: Practice listening without responding immediately, making sure to validate the emotions of others. Learn to ask clarifying questions. Accountability Partnerships: Form small groups or one-on-one accountability relationships to help one another grow in emotional maturity.     Doctrine of the Month   The Gospel and Ongoing Disciple Making   – “Thank you for listening today! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. May we all be found faithful, ready, and living for eternity. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running."  

rwh29march -Ep.357 – Run With Horses Podcast – A Confident Disciple of Jesus Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” Confidence   I. Intro - A. Definition of Confidence - Confidence as trust or belief in God's work through us, not in our own abilities.   - B. Importance of Confidence for a Follower of Jesus - Empowers boldness in sharing the gospel and teaching God's Word. - Provides strength to guide others in their spiritual growth.   II. The Foundation of Confidence: Trusting in God's Strength - A. Confidence in God's Power, Not Ourselves - Philippians 4:13 2 Corinthians 3:5   - B. The Role of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:8   III. Confidence in the Word of God: The Source of Authority - A. The Transformative Power of God's Word Isaiah 55:11 - B. Trusting God's Promises in Discipleship Matthew 28:18-20   2 Timothy 2:2 IV. Confidence in the Face of Challenges - A. Overcoming Trials with God's Confidence Romans 8:37   - B. Assurance of God's Presence and Support Joshua 1:9 Matthew 28:20   V. Confidence in God's Plan: Trusting in His Sovereignty - A. Belief in God's Control and Purpose Romans 8:28 - B. Confidence in Discipleship Outcomes 1 Corinthians 3:6-7   VI. Confidence in Our Identity in Christ - A. Knowing Our Identity in Christ Ephesians 2:10   - B. Confidence in Our Calling as Disciple Makers 2 Corinthians 5:20 1 Peter 2:9 Developing Confidence   I. Building Confidence in God   A. Strengthening Your Relationship Through Prayer   - Regular prayer as a means to invite God into daily life.   - Philippians 4:6-7 - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18   B. Studying the Bible   - Deepening understanding of God's character and promises.   - 2 Timothy 3:16-17   - Psalm 119:105   C. Reflecting on Past Experiences   - Recognizing God's past provisions to build future confidence.   - Deuteronomy 8:2   - Psalm 77:11-12   D. Surrounding Yourself with a Supportive Community   - Sharing experiences and receiving encouragement from others.   - Hebrews 10:24-25   - Proverbs 27:17   E. Trusting God's Timing   - Learning to trust in God's perfect plan.   - Ecclesiastes 3:1   - Isaiah 40:31   F. Worship and Praise   - Focusing on God's greatness and faithfulness.   - Psalm 95:1-2: "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."   - Psalm 100:4-5   G. Living Out Your Faith   - Acting on God's Word to strengthen faith.   - James 1:22   - Matthew 5:16   H. Learning from the Faith of Others   - Drawing inspiration from biblical stories and testimonies of believers.   - Hebrews 12:1   - Romans 15:4   These verses can serve as a foundation for building confidence in God through various aspects of faith and practice.   Find confidence in God's power, promises, and presence.   2 Timothy 1:7     Doctrine of the Month Community and the Spiritual Growth of a Christian   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. May we all be found faithful, ready, and living for eternity. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running."  

rwh22march -Ep.356 – Run With Horses Podcast – How well do you know yourself? Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith What is self-awareness? According to the Oxford Dictionary: conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. Character: Feelings: Motives: Desires: Have you ever stopped to truly reflect on how you see yourself and how that compares to how God sees you? Self-awareness is vital for spiritual growth and understanding God's will for our lives. It's actually pretty important as a human traveling through life with other humans! There is often a tension between how we see ourselves, how others see us and how God sees us. II. What is Self-Awareness from a Biblical Worldview? Definition of Self-Awareness: The ability to see and acknowledge one's thoughts, feelings, actions, and motivations in the light of God's truth. Understanding our identity in Christ, our strengths, weaknesses, and the call God has on our lives. Scriptural Foundation: Psalm 139:23-24:   Romans 12:3: Self-awareness requires humility, recognizing both our value in Christ and the need for personal growth. We often focus on how we compare to those around us rather than to Jesus and who He calls us to be. Pride is easy when we look at others, humility is easy when we focus on Jesus. III. How Can We Become More Self-Aware? Daily Reflection and Prayer: James 1:5:   Engage with Scripture: Hebrews 4:12:   Seek Accountability and Fellowship: Proverbs 27:17:   Practicing Confession and Repentance: 1 John 1:9: IV. Why Is Self-Awareness Important According to Scripture? For Personal Growth in Christlikeness: 2 Corinthians 13:5:   Philippians 3:12-14:   For Serving Others with Humility: Philippians 2:3-4:   For Glorifying God: 1 Corinthians 10:31 Doctrine of the Month   Understanding Theology, is crucial for discipleship because it shapes how we relate to God and others, guiding our lives and actions towards imitating Christ.   May we all be found faithful, ready, and living for eternity. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running."  

Ep.355 – Run With Horses Podcast – Live Like Eternity Matters Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith 1.The Reality of Eternity The Promise of Eternal Life Why Eternity Matters 2. Eternal Perspective: Shaping Our View of Life Eternal Perspective on Temporal Life Living with an Eternal Purpose 3. Life in Light of Eternity: Practical Application Prioritizing God's Kingdom Over Earthly Concerns Investing in the Eternal: The Rewards of Faithful Service Living a Holy Life in View of Eternity 4. Eternal Relationships: Sharing the Gospel and Building God's Kingdom The Call to Evangelize and Make Disciples Investing in People for Eternal Impact 5. Eternal Hope: Encouragement for Perseverance The Assurance of Eternal Life The Comfort of the Future Life 6. Living in Hope and Obedience A Call to Live in View of Eternity The Motivation to Live for Christ Today 7. Eternal Life Changes Everything Every moment counts in light of eternity. Make choices that reflect the reality of eternal life, live with purpose, share the gospel, and find your hope in God's promises. Evaluate their life regularly, look to live in ways that honor God and reflect His eternal purposes. 8. Doctrine Focus End Times

rwh08march -Ep.354 – Run With Horses Podcast – Resisting Temptation Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith Resisting Temptation: A Biblical Approach to Overcoming Sin How Temptation Works Temptation works through a process that often involves desire, opportunity, and choice. It's important to understand how it operates in order to resist it effectively. Below is a breakdown of how temptation works, from a Biblical perspective: 1. Temptation Begins with Desire 2. Temptation Entices 3. Temptation Presents a Choice 4. Temptation Leads to Sin 5. Temptation's Full Outcome: Death and Destruction How Temptation Works in Our Lives In summary, temptation works through the following stages: Desire: Temptation begins with internal cravings or desires for things outside of God's will. Enticement: Temptation presents those desires as appealing and promises fulfillment. Choice: The individual faces a decision on whether to act on the desire or to resist it. Sin: Yielding to temptation results in sin and disobedience to God. Consequences: The end result of sin is death and separation from God. Prayer: Seeking God's Strength Scripture: Meditating on God's Word Accountability: Strengthening Each Other Avoiding Triggers: Preventing Temptation The Holy Spirit: Power to Overcome Temptation Fasting: Strengthening the Spirit Focusing on Eternal Rewards Doctrine of the Month The Holy Spirit's Role in Disciple Making.

rwh01march -Ep.353 – Run With Horses Podcast –Personal Spring Cleaning Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith A "spring cleaning" for your life is a fantastic way to reset and refresh your routine, mindset, and environment. Where do most people begin and how can we make that a little more intentional as a disciple of Jesus? Here are some thoughts: 1. Declutter Your Space: This is a reoccurring theme for many of us. The things we surround ourselves with can eventually control us. Take charge and evaluate everything in light of eternity and it's usefulness as a follower of Jesus.   2. Revamp Your Routine: Building and maintaining healthy habits is a large part of staying consistent in your spiritual life. What habits do you have, What habits do you need to develop?   3. Refresh Your Digital Life: Reduce and remove digital distractions.. Today's screen focused world can be a hindrance to an authentic relationship with Jesus. Evaluate your screen time and use it wisely.   4. Review Finances: Strive to be a good steward of your finances.   5. Assess Personal Goals: What is the big picture of what God is doing in your life? How is He growing you and what is He challenging you to become? Compare your goals with His goals for you!   6. Invest in Health: Finances aren't the only place that we need to be good stewards! Your health matters. Are you taking care of the level of health that God has given you?   7. Reconnect with Relationships: Relationships are a big part of our spiritual life. We need relationships with others and they need us. Be intentional and keep Jesus at the center of all of your relationships.     8. Learn Something New: Don't stagnate physically, mentally or spiritually. Read good books on topics that will help you grow. The spiritual disciplines are always a place you can invest and reap rewards.   9. Cleanse Your Mind: Romans 12:1-2 Renew your mind. Maintain time in God's Word and really spend some time meditating on it, asking God to make His thoughts your thoughts.   10. Physical Clean-Up: You surrounds can really affect your emotional and mental state which impacts your spiritual life. Spend some time cleaning up your space physically to help you focus spiritually.     You can do a personal spiritual evaluation by reflecting on key principles and practices found in Scripture. This evaluation is not about perfection, but about growth in faith, love, and obedience to God. Here's a step-by-step guide for conducting a spiritual evaluation: 1. Reflect on Personal Relationship with God Prayer and Devotion: Evaluate how consistent and sincere your personal time with God is. Are you seeking to commune with Him daily in prayer and through His Word? (Matthew 6:6, James 4:8) Do you have a consistent time or do you need to plan one? Heart Check: Ask yourself: Do you truly desire to know God more deeply, or have other distractions and idols taken His place? (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37) 2. Evaluate Your Relationship with the Word of God Bible Reading and Study: How regularly are you engaging with the Scriptures? Are you reading to grow, to learn, and to obey, or simply out of obligation? (Psalm 119:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Are you consistently reading through Scripture? NT every year as a beginning goal. Obedience to the Word: Do you apply God's Word to your life? Is your obedience rooted in love for Christ and a desire to honor Him? (John 14:15, James 1:22) 3. Assess Your Life of Repentance and Confession Confession and Repentance: Are you regularly confessing sins and repenting? Acknowledge areas where sin has a hold and work on turning away from them. (1 John 1:9, Romans 12:1-2) Humility and Accountability: Are you humble enough to admit areas where you need growth, and do you have accountability in your life? (Proverbs 27:17, James 5:16) 4. Examine Your Love for Others Love for Others: Do you love others as Christ has loved you? Evaluate your relationships with family, friends, and fellow believers. (John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-21) Are you meeting new people regularly? Forgiveness and Grace: Are you quick to forgive and show grace, or do you harbor bitterness or unforgiveness? (Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:21-22) Are YOU the center of your relationships or is Jesus? 5. Reflect on Your Role in the Body of Christ Service and Ministry: Are you actively serving others in the church and in your community? God has gifted each believer for the building up of His body. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Ephesians 4:11-16) Where are you using your gifts? Fellowship: Do you prioritize fellowship with other believers? Being a part of the body of Christ means engaging with the community of believers, not just individually. (Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47) 6. Assess Your Personal Witness and Evangelism Sharing the Gospel: Are you actively sharing your faith and seeking opportunities to tell others about Christ? Evaluate your willingness to be a light in the world. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) Living as a Witness: Is your life reflecting the character of Christ to those around you? Are others able to see Christ in your actions and attitude? (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 3:15) 7. Check Your Spiritual Fruit Fruit of the Spirit: How are you reflecting the fruit of the Spirit in your life? (Galatians 5:22-23) Are you putting effort into your spiritual growth? How? Spiritual Growth: Do you see areas where God has grown you, but also areas where you need to mature? (2 Peter 3:18, Philippians 1:9-11) 8. Evaluate Your Priorities and Stewardship Time and Resources: How are you managing your time, talents, and treasures? Are your priorities in line with God's kingdom purposes? (Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 10:31) Generosity and Stewardship: Are you generous with what God has entrusted to you, not only in finances but also in your time and abilities? (2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Luke 6:38) 9. Seek the Holy Spirit's Conviction and Guidance Holy Spirit's Role: Invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart, convict you of any unconfessed sin, and guide you into truth. Trust in the Spirit's work to help you grow in Christ-likeness. (Psalm 139:23-24, John 16:13) Response to Conviction: How do you respond when the Holy Spirit convicts you? Are you willing to obey, even when it is difficult? (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16-18) 10. Set Goals for Spiritual Growth Action Plan: Based on your evaluation, set specific, measurable, attainable goals for your spiritual growth. These could involve areas of Bible study, prayer, service, or outreach. Accountability: Consider seeking an accountability partner or mentor who can help you stay focused on your growth and provide support. (Proverbs 27:17, Galatians 6:1-2)

24_0125 -Ep.352 – Run With Horses Podcast – When You Feel Like Quitting Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith When You Feel Like Quitting what do you do. Everyone gets beat down occasionally. When you do, how do you handle it? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” Dealing with Disappointment and Discouragement Biblically - Or, What to do when you fell like quitting! I. The Reality of Disappointment and Discouragement Opening Quote: “When you feel like quitting, remember why you started.” Key Idea: Everyone faces disappointment and discouragement at some point, whether in ministry, relationships, or personal struggles. However, God's Word gives us perspective on how to face these moments with faith and perseverance. II. Acknowledge the Reality of Disappointment Scripture Reference: Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Disappointment is not something we should deny or try to avoid. It's a reality of life, but God is close to the brokenhearted. He doesn't leave us in our despair. No one's life goes like they expect or really want it to. Pain and suffering are a reality. Example: David – In many of his psalms, David expressed deep feelings of despair and discouragement, but he also demonstrated turning to God in those times (e.g., Psalm 42).     III. Recognizing the Call to Persevere Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” In the midst of discouragement, we must remind ourselves that God's promises are true. We may not see the fruit immediately, but the reward is coming if we remain faithful. Example: Paul – Despite constant opposition, Paul continued in his ministry, reminding others to press on despite the trials (2 Corinthians 4:6-10). IV. Recalling the Purpose Behind Our Journey Scripture Reference: Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The Apostle Paul, despite his challenges and struggles, kept his eyes on the prize—the call of God in Christ Jesus. Our purpose in Christ should be the motivation to keep going. Example: Moses – Leading the Israelites out of Egypt was a long and challenging journey, but Moses remained focused on the ultimate promise of the land of Canaan (Hebrews 11:24-26). V. God's Faithfulness in Our Struggles Scripture Reference: Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” God's faithfulness never wavers. Even in moments of discouragement, we are reminded that He is with us, strengthening and helping us through the journey. Example: Elijah – After his great victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah faced deep discouragement and wanted to quit. Yet God met him where he was and reassured him that He was still at work (1 Kings 19:1-18). VI. Trusting God's Timing and Plan Scripture Reference: Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” It's easy to feel discouraged when the timing doesn't seem right. But we can trust that God's timing is perfect, and He is working everything for our good in His sovereign plan. Example: Joseph – Joseph's journey was filled with disappointment and discouragement (betrayal, false accusations, imprisonment), yet God was with him, working through his circumstances for a greater purpose (Genesis 50:19-20). VII. Focusing on Our Relationship with Jesus Scripture Reference: Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” In our moments of discouragement, Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, knowing that He understands our struggles and that He is with us through them. Example: The Disciples in the Storm – When the disciples were in the storm, Jesus was with them, and He calmed the storm. Jesus is with us in our storms (Matthew 14:22-33). VIII. The Strength to Keep Going Comes from God's Presence Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” In our weaknesses, we are reminded that God's grace and power are enough. It is through our weakness that His strength is made evident. Example: Paul's Thorn in the Flesh – Paul dealt with a persistent difficulty (the thorn in his flesh), but he learned to rely on God's grace, which gave him strength to continue (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). IX. Encouraging One Another in Disappointment Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Encouragement is a key part of walking through discouragement. God has placed us in community so that we can support one another and remind each other of the hope we have in Christ. Example: Barnabas and Paul – Barnabas, known as the “Son of Encouragement,” helped Paul when others were fearful of him, reminding him of God's calling and purpose in his life (Acts 9:26-27). X. Conclusion: Pressing On with Hope in Christ Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Paul's words serve as a powerful reminder that despite all the struggles, the end of the journey is worth it. There is a crown of righteousness for those who press on, keeping their eyes on Jesus.   – “Thank you for listening today! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. May we all be found faithful, ready, and living for eternity. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running."

24_0125 -Ep.350 – Run With Horses Podcast – How Should We Then Live? Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith Living with Eternity in Mind 2 Peter 3, speaks powerfully about the end of the world, the second coming of Christ, and how we should live knowing the judgement is coming. Do you think about how to live with the reality that one day this world will be destroyed and we will stand before God to give an account for our lives? The Coming Judgment [2 Peter 3:1-10] Peter reminds us that God's judgment is not delayed; God is patient, wanting no one to perish but all to come to repentance (v. 9). The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, unexpected, and it will bring sudden destruction. And it is certain. We see here that Peter emphasizes something we must remember: Just because God hasn't acted yet doesn't mean He won't. God's timing is different from ours. We may think He's slow, but He is actually giving us time to turn to Him. How Should We Live in Light of the Coming Judgment? [2 Peter 3:11-14] In verses 11-14, Peter shifts the focus from the world's end to our responsibility as Christians. Since all these things are going to be destroyed, Peter asks, ‘What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?' This is a profound question for us today. If we know that one day the world as we know it will end, and we will stand before God, how should we live in the here and now? Living in Light of Eternity Living with Hope and Patience Pursuing Holiness Being Ready for Christ's Return The Role of the Church in Living with Eternity in Mind [2 Peter 3:15-16] The church plays a crucial role in preparing believers for the coming judgment. We're not just here to be entertained or to consume religious content. We are here to be equipped, to grow in godliness, to be His body at work on His mission in the world and to live with the constant awareness that Christ could return at any moment. As members of the church, we need to encourage one another to stay focused on eternal truths. We need to challenge one another to live holy lives, to persevere in faith, and to continue spreading the gospel to those who don't know Christ. There is no more important mission for us. Practical Applications for Today Prioritize What Lasts Live with Urgency in Sharing the Gospel Cultivate a Heart of Holiness Serve Others in Light of the Coming Judgment Live Peacefully and Blamelessly The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Service   1. The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Be Witnesses of Jesus 2. The Holy Spirit Equips Us with Spiritual Gifts for Ministry 3. The Holy Spirit Guides Us in Discipling Others 4. The Holy Spirit Enables Us to Bear Fruit in Discipleship 5. The Holy Spirit Strengthens Us for the Work of Discipleship Matthew 28:20 – “...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” The Holy Spirit is with us, empowering us to live out our calling to make disciples and bring others into the Kingdom of God.   – “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life.Be intentional, be thankful! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. May we all be found faithful, ready, and living for eternity. Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus and never stop running."    

25_02_08 -Ep.350 – Run With Horses Podcast – Elevating Others Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith — **(28:00)** Today I'm encouraging you to elevate other people. Why should you do that? How do you do that? That my friends, is the topic of the day! Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)** Caregivers Corner **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 Elevating Others: Sharpening One Another in Christ Why Should I Elevate Others? 1. Biblical Mandate to Consider Others: 2. Part of God's Design for the Church: 3. Spiritual Growth Through Mutual Sharpening: Who Should I Elevate? 1. Fellow Believers: 2. Disciples You're Mentoring: 3. Those in Need of Encouragement: 4. Those with Ministry potential -reproduce disciples and leaders How Do I Elevate Others? 1. Through Words of Encouragement: 2. Through Intentional Relational Discipleship: 3. Through Acts of Service and Sacrifice: 4. Through Accountability and Loving Correction: 5. Consider how to help them succeed in life, faith and ministry **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** The Church's Role: Equipping for Evangelism and Edification The Biblical Mandate for the Church's Equipping Ministry 1. The Church as an Equipping Body: 2. The Great Commission's Call to Evangelism: 3. Edification as a Community Responsibility: How the Church Equips for Evangelism 1. Teaching the Gospel Clearly: 2. Training in Personal Evangelism: 3. Cultivating an Outward-Focused Heart: How the Church Equips for Edification 1. Creating a Culture of Discipleship: 2. Encouraging Mutual Accountability: 3. Teaching and Modeling Spiritual Disciplines: The “Iron Sharpens Iron” Ministry 1. Sharpening Through Authentic Relationships: 2. Balancing Grace and Truth: 3. The Church's Role in Fostering This Environment: **(5:00 – 1:00)** Bibliology – Preservation of Scripture Is There a God? How do we respond? **(1:00)** The spiritual journey may seem long and slow sometimes, but don't give up. Keep on putting one foot in front of the other and get up when you fall down. You will face stumbling blocks but God is able to take you through them and even to strengthen you along the way. – “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life. Be intentional, be thankful! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)**  

25_02_01 -Ep.349 – Run With Horses Podcast – What is hindering your spiritual growth? Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith — **(28:00)** Today I'm asking the question, “What is hindering your spiritual growth?” We have all the resources we need, God is doing His part, so why do we still struggle? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)** Caregivers Corner **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 There are several common hindrances to spiritual growth that Christians face. These obstacles can be internal or external, but all of them can slow or even stagnate a believer's growth in Christ. 1. Lack of Biblical Knowledge and Study 2. Neglect of Prayer 3. Unconfessed Sin and Lack of Repentance 4. Worldly Distractions and Priorities 5. Lack of Discipleship and Church Community 6. Spiritual Laziness or Lack of Discipline 7. Unbelief or Doubt 8. Fear of Man or Persecution 9. Spiritual Warfare 10. Pride and Self-Sufficiency Overcoming These Hindrances To grow spiritually, Christians must be intentional about: Developing strong spiritual habits (Bible study, prayer, fasting, worship, service). Staying accountable in the local church through fellowship and discipleship. Relying on the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and distractions. Being diligent in faith despite trials and temptations.   **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** A church can easily drift from its biblical purpose if it is not intentional about staying focused on God's mission. Some of the common hindrances that prevent a church from remaining faithful to its biblical purpose: 1. Mission Drift (Losing Focus on the Great Commission) 2. Biblical Illiteracy Among Leaders and Members 3. Compromising with Culture 4. Overemphasis on Programs Instead of Discipleship 5. Leadership Failures and Power Struggles 6. Fear of Man and Avoidance of Hard Truths 7. Lack of Evangelism and Community Engagement 8. Division and Conflict 9. Prayerlessness 10. Materialism and Financial Mismanagement Overcoming These Hindrances For a church to stay faithful to its biblical purpose, it must: ✅ Stay rooted in sound doctrine and biblical teaching. ✅ Keep discipleship and evangelism as the central focus. ✅ Equip and release believers for ministry, not just entertain them. ✅ Commit to prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. ✅ Uphold godly leadership and unity in the church   **(5:00 – 1:00)** Bibliology – Preservation of Scripture **(1:00)** The spiritual journey may seem long and slow sometimes, but don't give up. Keep on putting one foot in front of the other and get up when you fall down. You will face stumbling blocks but God is able to take you through them and even to strengthen you along the way. – “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life. Be intentional, be thankful! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)** If you want to support the Run With Horses Podcast and Radio Show, the best way you can do that is by telling other people about it and leaving a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Another way is by checking out our books. Our goal is to support your spiritual growth in any way we can. A link to each of our author pages on Amazon is in the show notes. You can find all our shows with links to the most popular podcast apps at rwh.podbean.com. Thanks for joining us on the journey! https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith    

24_01_25 -Ep.348 – Run With Horses Podcast – Spiritual Disciplines - Fellowship Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith — **(28:00)** Today we continue our survey of the spiritual disciplines. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)** Caregivers Corner Stages of Spiritual Growth – Questions to Ponder Young Adult and Parent **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 Solitude, silence, fasting, simplicity, meditation, Study, worship, prayer, fellowship, service. Fellowship As A Spiritual Discipline Introduction Fellowship : a deep, spiritual, and relational bond among believers in Christ, united through the Holy Spirit. Fellowship is often undervalued as a spiritual discipline but it is essential for Christian growth, accountability, and encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 - 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 1: Biblical Foundation of Fellowship 1.1. Fellowship in the Early Church Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV) "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Fellowship was not just social but an intentional, spiritual practice. Community: teaching, breaking bread, prayer, and sharing in each other's needs. 1.2. Theological Importance of Fellowship 1 John 1:3 (NKJV) "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." Fellowship with one another is rooted in our fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. It's not just about socializing; it's about participation in the life of God through Christ. 2: Fellowship as a Spiritual Discipline 2.1. The Role of Fellowship in Christian Growth Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Fellowship is a necessary part of Christian life because it encourages us to love one another and perform good works. Regular gathering in worship and fellowship for mutual encouragement. 2.2. Fellowship as Encouragement and Accountability Galatians 6:1-2 (NKJV) "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Fellowship involves mutual care, helping each other through struggles, and bearing one another's burdens. 3: Fellowship and the Importance of Community for Spiritual Growth 3.1. Using Spiritual Gifts Within the Community 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV) "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." Fellowship involves the active use of spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. Not isolating one's spiritual gifts but using them in the context of community for the mutual edification of all believers. 3.2. Living Out the "One Anothers" of the New Testament Romans 12:10 (NKJV) "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Ephesians 4:2-3 (NKJV) "With all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Colossians 3:13 (NKJV) "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." We all have a call to "one another" living: love one another, serve one another, bear with one another, and forgive one another. These relational commands can only truly be lived out within the community of believers. Fellowship, in community, is where we practice these commands. 3.3. The Community and Spiritual Growth Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Fellowship in community provides the context for mutual sharpening and growth. Accountability, prayer, correction, and encouragement are critical in the spiritual formation of every body of believers. 4: Practical Ways to Cultivate Fellowship 4.1. Intentional Relationships Romans 12:10 (NKJV) "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Because we are all so busy, making fellowship a priority is important, creating opportunities for one-on-one and group connection. 4.2. The Role of Shared Meals and Hospitality Acts 2:46 (NKJV) "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Fellowship is deeply connected to shared meals and hospitality in the early church. What are practical ways this could be applied today? 4.3. Prayer and Spiritual Conversations Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Prayer meetings, small groups, and discussing Scripture are ways to cultivate deeper fellowship. 5: The Power of Fellowship for Mission 5.1. Evangelism Through Fellowship John 13:34-35 (NKJV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Fellowship serves as a witness to the world of God's love, drawing others into the faith through the community of believers. Our relationship with each other draws others in. 5.2. The Global Fellowship of Believers Philippians 1:5 (NKJV) "For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." Fellowship is not just a local practice but a global reality for the church as a whole. Christians are united in the mission of spreading the gospel. Conclusion Summarize: importance of fellowship as a spiritual discipline, its role in spiritual growth, and its impact on mission. How are your fellowship practices and how can you deepen your relationships with fellow believers. Make fellowship an intentional part of your Christian walk, both in personal relationships and in the broader church community.   **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**     **(5:00 – 1:00)** The Mission of the Church The mission is rooted in the Great Commission, the call to make disciples of all nations, as well as the call to love, serve, and witness to our communities. The Great Commission The local church is primarily tasked with evangelizing and making disciples. Jesus gave this clear command in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV) This mission to go and make disciples is not just for individual Christians but for the collective body of Christ, the church. Every church, whether large or small, is called to be part of this global mission to spread the gospel. The Church as a Witness The local church also serves as a witness of God's love, truth, and holiness to the world. Jesus said in Acts 1:8: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NKJV) The local church's mission extends beyond its walls. It is called to bear witness to Christ, not just in its immediate community (Jerusalem), but also to the surrounding areas (Judea and Samaria), and even to the ends of the earth. This requires both local outreach and global mission efforts. The Church as a People of Fellowship and Discipleship A central aspect of the local church's mission is fostering a community where believers can grow in their faith. In Acts 2:42, we see the early church's commitment to fellowship and discipleship: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42, NKJV) Through teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, the church strengthens its members to live out their faith and equip them to serve in the mission of Christ. A local church is a place where Christians come together to grow deeper in their relationship with God and each other. The Church as a People of Service The local church is also called to serve both its members and the surrounding community. In Galatians 6:10, Paul encourages the church to actively do good: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10, NKJV) This service is a practical outworking of the love of Christ. It involves caring for the needy, providing for the poor, and supporting those who are suffering. Serving within the church and in the wider community is part of the mission to represent Christ and His love in tangible ways. Conclusion To sum it up, the local church has a clear and vital mission: to make disciples, to be witnesses of Christ, to foster fellowship and discipleship among believers, and to serve those in need. This mission is not just about activities; it's about living out the gospel in every area of life. As we seek to fulfill this mission, we can be confident that Christ is with us every step of the way (Matthew 28:20).   **(1:00)** Philippians 1:6 – "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." – “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life.Be intentional, be thankful! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)** AD: If you want to support the Run With Horses Podcast and Radio Show, the best way you can do that is by telling other people about it and leaving a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Another way is by checking out our books. Our goal is to support your spiritual growth in any way we can. A link to each of our author pages on Amazon is in the show notes. You can find all our shows with links to the most popular podcast apps at rwh.podbean.com. Thanks for joining us on the journey! https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith    

25_01_18 -Ep.347 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Study   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   **(28:00)** Today we consider the Spiritual Discipline of Study.   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”   **(27:00 – 23:00)** Stages of Spiritual Growth – Questions to Ponder 1. Spiritual Infant Loving God: Do you understand the Gospel and what Jesus has done for you? Loving Others: Do you feel connected to a church family? Making Disciples: Do you know what it means to share your faith with others? 2. Spiritual Child Loving God: Are you developing a regular habit of prayer and Bible reading? Loving Others: How are you learning to serve others in love? Making Disciples: Do you understand why discipleship is important? What steps are you taking to grow in your ability to explain the Gospel?       **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1** Study as a Spiritual Discipline 1. Building a Biblical Foundation - Why Study Purpose of Study: To know God and grow in spiritual maturity. Key Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Hosea 4:6a: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Importance of Study: Strengthens our faith (Romans 10:17). Equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Protects against false teaching (Acts 17:11, Ephesians 4:14). 2. What to Study The Word of God: Primary focus should be the Bible. Key Scripture: Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Matthew 4:4: "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Supporting Resources: Study guides, commentaries, and Bible dictionaries. Church doctrinal statements and creeds (to understand Baptist distinctives). Key Topics to Include: The nature of God, salvation, sanctification, and missions. 3. Who Should Study Every Believer: Spiritual growth is the responsibility of all Christians. Key Scripture: Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." 1 Peter 2:2: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." Special Responsibilities: Teachers and leaders bear greater accountability in teaching and applying truth. Key Scripture: James 3:1: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** 4. How to Study The Grammatical-Historical-Literal Framework for Studying the Bible 1. Purpose: Understanding how to study the Bible to uncover its intended meaning. Emphasize that Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and must be handled carefully (2 Timothy 2:15). Goal: Equip learners to study Scripture accurately and faithfully. 2. Overview of the Framework Definition: Grammatical: Focus on the language and structure of the text. Historical: Consider the historical and cultural context. Literal: Interpret according to the plain meaning of the text, unless clearly figurative. Key Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8: "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading." 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 3. Step-by-Step Explanation A. Grammatical Approach Focus: Analyze sentence structure, grammar, and word meanings. Practical Tools: Use concordances and interlinear Bibles to study original Greek and Hebrew words. Recognize literary devices like metaphors, similes, and hyperboles. Example: Study "love" in 1 Corinthians 13, noting the Greek word agape for deeper understanding. B. Historical Approach Focus: Understand the cultural, geographical, and historical context. Practical Tools: Use Bible atlases, historical commentaries, and timelines. Research customs and traditions relevant to the text. Example: Explore the context of the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37) to understand Jewish-Samaritan relations. C. Literal Approach Focus: Take the text at face value unless the context suggests figurative language. Practical Tools: Identify genre: poetry, narrative, prophecy, etc. Compare Scripture with Scripture to clarify meaning. Example: Interpret Genesis 1 as a literal account of creation, unless a figurative explanation is evident. 4. Application and Integration Combining All Three Elements: Example Passage: Study John 3:16 using all three approaches. Grammatical: Analyze "believe" in Greek (pisteuo) to understand its depth. Historical: Consider Nicodemus' Jewish background and understanding. Literal: Take the plain meaning of God's promise of eternal life for believers. Practice Exercise: Assign a passage for group study, using the framework to break down its meaning. 5. Recommended Resources Concordances: Strong's Concordance. Interlinear Bibles: Available on BibleHub or Blue Letter Bible. Historical Context: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Commentaries: For beginners: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. For advanced study: The Expositor's Bible Commentary. 6. Conclusion Reiterate the value of accurate Bible study for spiritual growth and understanding. Encourage consistent practice using the framework to build confidence in handling Scripture. Close with 2 Timothy 2:15 as a charge: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Key Scripture: 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."   Practical Steps for Bible Study: Pray for Understanding (Psalm 119:18). Read the Passage Repeatedly (Joshua 1:8). Observe: Look for key words, phrases, and structure. Interpret: Use cross-references and study tools for clarification. Apply: Determine how the passage affects your life and obedience to God. Think – God given ability Recommended Resources for Beginners: A good study Bible (e.g., NKJV Study Bible). Bible dictionaries (e.g., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary). Introductory commentaries (e.g., Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Bible). Online tools like BibleHub or Blue Letter Bible for concordances and interlinear studies. Logos Bible software         **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - The Church Defined Edification and the Local Church   Outline: Leadership of the Local Church Topic: A Baptist theological perspective on the leadership structure and responsibilities within the local church. 1. Introduction (2 min) Key Idea: Baptists hold to congregational governance under the Lordship of Christ, with two biblical offices: pastors/elders and deacons. Purpose: To explore the roles, qualifications, and functions of church leaders. Scripture Reference: Colossians 1:18 "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." 2. Christ as the Head of the Church (2 min) Christ is the ultimate authority, and leaders serve under His direction. The local church submits to His Lordship in all matters of faith and practice. Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:22-23 "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." 3. The Role of Pastors/Elders (5 min) Definition: Pastors (also called elders or overseers) are responsible for shepherding, teaching, and leading the church spiritually. Key Responsibilities: Preaching the Word, equipping the saints, and providing oversight. Scripture References: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 1 Peter 5:2-3 "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." 4. The Role of Deacons (5 min) Definition: Deacons are servants who support the practical needs of the church to free pastors for their primary roles. Key Responsibilities: Serving the congregation, addressing physical and administrative needs. Scripture References: Acts 6:3-4 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 1 Timothy 3:8-13 "Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." 5. Congregational Governance (3 min) Definition: In Baptist churches, the congregation is the final authority under Christ. Members are responsible for affirming leaders, making key decisions, and maintaining doctrinal purity. Scripture References: Acts 6:5 "And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch." Matthew 18:17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." 6. The Importance of Servant Leadership (3 min) Key Idea: Both pastors and deacons model servant leadership, following Christ's example. Leadership in the church is about humility, service, and love for the body of Christ. Scripture Reference: Mark 10:43-45 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 7. Conclusion (2 min) God has ordained pastors and deacons to serve and lead the church under Christ's Lordship. Congregational participation ensures the church remains faithful to its mission. Call to action: Pray for your church leaders and actively support the work of the local church.       **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**

25_01_11 -Ep.346 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Prayer   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   **(28:00)** Today we consider the Spiritual Discipline of   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”   **(27:00 – 23:00)**       **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 Prayer as a Spiritual Discipline Section 1: The What and Why of Prayer as a Spiritual Discipline Definition and Nature of Prayer Prayer as communication with God: a dialogue, not a monologue. Biblical definition: Biblical Foundation of Prayer Jesus' teaching on prayer: (Matthew 6:6) (Matthew 6:9-13). (Matthew 21:22). 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV): Philippians 4:6 (NKJV): The Purpose of Prayer in Spiritual Growth Acknowledging dependence on God: (Jeremiah 33:3). Developing intimacy with God: (James 4:8). Alignment with God's will: (Matthew 6:10). The Role of Prayer in a Growing Spiritual Life Strengthening faith: (Jude 1:20). Overcoming spiritual challenges: (Matthew 26:41). Spiritual Growth: Discuss how prayer fosters a deeper relationship with God. James 5:16 (NKJV): Dependence on God: Emphasize prayer as an expression of reliance on God's wisdom and strength. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): Transformation: Explain how prayer transforms the believer's heart and mind. Romans 12:2 (NKJV): **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Section 2: How to Pray as a Spiritual Discipline (30 minutes) Practical Steps for Prayer Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (ACTS): Explain this model of prayer. Begin with adoration and thanksgiving: (Psalm 100:4). Confess sins: (1 John 1:9). Bring petitions and intercessions: (Hebrews 4:16). Combining Prayer with Other Spiritual Disciplines Prayer and Bible reading: Meditate on Scripture and respond in prayer (e.g., Psalm 119:18). Scriptural Prayers: Encourage using the Psalms and other scriptures as prayers. Psalm 51:10 (NKJV): Prayer and fasting: Seek God's guidance and clarity (e.g., Acts 13:2-3). Prayer and worship: (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Incorporating Prayer into Daily Life Setting regular prayer times: (Psalm 55:17). Praying throughout the day: (Ephesians 6:18). Using prayer prompts or journals to stay consistent. Routine and Spontaneity: Encourage setting aside specific times for prayer while also being open to spontaneous prayer throughout the day. Prayer Journals: Suggest keeping a journal to track prayer requests and answers. Community Building: Highlight the importance of praying together as a church community. Acts 2:42 (NKJV):   **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - The Church Defined Edification and the Local Church **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**

25_01_04 -Ep.345 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Silence and Solitude   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   **(28:00)** Today we consider the Spiritual Disciplines of Silence and Solitude, what they are and how to use them!   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”   **(27:00 – 23:00)**   Caregiver's Corner   **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 Silence and Solitude Section 1: Understanding Silence and Solitude 1. Definition of Silence and Solitude Silence: A spiritual discipline involving intentional quietness to hear God without external noise or distractions. Solitude: A spiritual practice of being alone with God for reflection, prayer, and listening. Deepening Relationship: Silence and solitude provide an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with God. In the quiet, distractions are minimized, allowing for a more focused and intimate communion with God.   2. Biblical Foundations Jesus' Example: Mark 1:35: "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." Luke 5:16: "So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Elijah's Encounter with God: 1 Kings 19:12: "And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." David's Meditations: Psalm 62:1: "Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation." 3. Theological Significance Silence and solitude create space to hear God's voice and discern His will. They reflect dependence on God rather than on human activity. They align with humility and submission to God's leading. Priesthood of all Believers – you can enter the presence of God! 4. Making a Space in the Noise Fighting Distraction: In today's fast-paced, technology-driven society, the constant stream of information can be overwhelming. Regularly practicing solitude and silence helps Christians resist the cultural pressures of noise and distraction, allowing them to build a more profound spiritual life. Creating Space for God: The digital age has made it increasingly challenging to find moments of quiet. By intentionally setting aside time for solitude, Christians can reclaim their focus on God amidst the chaos of modern life. 5. Practical Examples of Silence and Solitude Morning devotion in a quiet room or outdoors. Retreats dedicated to prayer and reflection. Taking moments during the day to pause and seek God in silence. Listening to God: These practices create space to hear God's voice and discern His will. In a world filled with noise and busyness, silence allows believers to be more receptive to God's guidance and presence.   Section 2: Practicing Silence and Solitude in Daily Life 1. Tying Silence and Solitude to Other Disciplines Developing Spiritual Disciplines: Solitude is a key spiritual discipline that helps Christians grow in their faith. It encourages practices such as prayer, meditation, and Bible study, which are essential for spiritual maturity. Prayer: Silence prepares the heart to pray authentically and listen to God's response. Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Bible Reading: Solitude allows for focused study and meditation on God's Word. Joshua 1:8: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night." Meditation: Reflecting on Scripture in silence deepens understanding and application. Journaling: Writing out your lessons learned and questions that come up as you read and study God's Word 2. Overcoming Challenges Addressing distractions: Practical tips for creating a quiet space. Struggles with being alone: Encouragement to view solitude as time with God. 3. Corporate Applications Encouraging church retreats focused on silence and prayer. Teaching congregations to incorporate moments of silence into worship services. 4. Spiritual Benefits of Silence and Solitude Clarity in decision-making. Aligning with God's Will: Silence and solitude help believers align their desires and actions with God's will, ensuring that their service is effective and God-honoring.   Renewed strength and peace. Isaiah 30:15: "For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.'" Deeper intimacy with God. Personal Reflection: Solitude offers a chance for self-examination and reflection on one's life and spiritual journey. It allows believers to assess their actions, thoughts, and motivations in light of their faith. Repentance and Renewal: In the quiet, individuals can confront their sins and shortcomings, leading to repentance and spiritual renewal. Physical and Spiritual Rest: Silence and solitude provide rest for both the body and the soul. Solitude provides a necessary break from the busyness of life, allowing for both physical rest and spiritual rejuvenation. As noted in Psalm 23:2-3, God leads His people beside still waters to restore their souls Peace and Clarity: These practices can bring peace and clarity, helping believers to navigate life's challenges with a calm and focused mind. Equipping for Ministry: Just as Jesus used times of solitude to prepare for His ministry, followers of Jesus can use these times to equip themselves for service. It is a time to seek God's strength and wisdom for the tasks ahead.   5. Closing Thoughts Silence and solitude are essential disciplines for followers of Jesus because they foster a deeper relationship with God, provide opportunities for reflection and renewal, and prepare believers for effective service. Encouragement to begin small and remain consistent. 6. Reflection Questions for Listeners How can you incorporate silence and solitude into your daily routine? What steps can your church take to encourage these disciplines corporately?     **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**         **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month -   The Church Defined Key question: What is the Church? Definition of the Church: A local body of baptized believers, united in covenant for worship, discipleship, and the mission of Christ.     The Universal Church   Ephesians 1:22-23 "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Explanation: All believers united under Christ as the head.   The Local Church   Acts 2:41-42 "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." Explanation: Local expressions of the universal Church gathered for worship, teaching, and fellowship.   **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today! Is your life too noisy and too busy? Do you need to carve out a space to really seek God? Consider intentionally seeking a time alone to pursue Jesus without the clamor of outside pressure. Get away with your Bible and a journal and allow God to refresh you as only He can!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**

24_12_28 -Ep.344 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Fasting   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   ---   **(28:00)** Last week we looked at biblical meditation, Today we consider the spiritual discipline of fasting!   **(27:00 – 23:00)** The "one another" commands found throughout the New Testament are critical for followers of Jesus for several reasons.   1. Foundation of Christian Community 2. Reflecting Christ's Love 3. Promoting Spiritual Growth 4. Enhancing Prayer Life 5. Witness to the World 6. Encouraging Humility and Service   **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1   What Are Spiritual Disciplines? Define spiritual disciplines as practices rooted in Scripture that help believers grow in their relationship with God. Key verse: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)   Biblical Examples and Spiritual Purpose of Fasting 1. Biblical Examples of Fasting Fasting in Mourning and Repentance: David fasting after his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:16-17 - ). The people of Nineveh fasting in response to Jonah's preaching (Jonah 3:5-10 )   Fasting for Guidance: Ezra fasting for safety and protection (Ezra 8:21-23 )   The church at Antioch fasting before sending out missionaries (Acts 13:2-3 )   Fasting in Crisis: Esther and the Jews fasting before she approached the king (Esther 4:16))   Jehoshaphat proclaiming a fast when Judah was under threat (2 Chronicles 20:3-4   Fasting in Preparation for Ministry: Jesus fasting 40 days and nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2 )   Paul and Barnabas fasting before appointing elders (Acts 14:23) 1.2 The Spiritual Purpose of Fasting Seeking God's Presence and Power:   Humble Dependence on God:   Aligning with God's Will:   **So, Why Fast? Mourning, Repentance, Seeking Guidance, Wisdom, A Crisis, Preparation for Ministry   **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Section 2: Practical Application of Fasting 2.1 How to Fast as an Individual Preparing for a Fast: Know Your WHY. What's your purpose? Pray and focus on the purpose for the fast. Choose the type and duration of fasting. Plan what will replace food, don't leave a vacuum. Prayer, Bible Reading, Memorization, etc.   Types of Fasting: Complete Fast: No food or drink (Esther 4:16, Paul at conversion, Moses on Sinai; extreme circumstances only). 1.Desperate Circumstances: Often connected with life-and-death situations or pivotal spiritual moments. 2.Short Duration: Typically no more than three days unless miraculously sustained (e.g., Moses' 40-day fast). 3.Purpose: To seek divine intervention, guidance, forgiveness, or revelation.   Partial Fast: Partial fasts in the Bible involve abstaining from certain types of food or drink rather than completely abstaining. These fasts were often used for extended periods or in specific contexts where individuals focused on humility, devotion, or spiritual preparation. (Daniel 10:3 - 2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. John the Baptists Lifestyle)   1. Characteristics of Partial Fasts 2. Select Restrictions: Focus on limiting specific foods (e.g., rich foods, meat, or wine). 3. Purpose: Often linked to humility, seeking God's will, or preparing for spiritual encounters. 4.Extended Durations: Commonly longer than complete fasts, lasting days or weeks.   Intermittent Fast: Skipping meals during specific times. IE. miss lunch for prayer. Intermittent fasting, characterized by periodic abstention from food or drink for specific times, is not explicitly named in the Bible but can be inferred from certain practices and rhythms. Biblical examples suggest some individuals and communities engaged in fasting at particular times of the day or for designated periods as part of their spiritual devotion. Luke 18:12 – Pharisee fasted twice a week, on a schedule.   Characteristics of Intermittent Fasting in the Bible 1.Time-Based Fasting: Often occurred during specific hours of the day (e.g., morning to evening). 2.Regular Patterns: Certain groups, like the Pharisees, observed fasting on scheduled days. 3.Corporate and Personal Practice: Seen in communal settings (e.g., Israel) and individual devotion (e.g., Anna). 4.Purpose: Spiritual preparation, mourning, seeking guidance, or demonstrating devotion.   Non-Food Fasts: Avoiding distractions like social media, entertainment, or hobbies to focus on God. The Bible does not explicitly describe non-food fasts in the same way it details abstinence from food and drink. However, certain practices resembling non-food fasts can be inferred from Scripture when individuals or groups chose to abstain from particular activities, comforts, or luxuries to seek God or focus on spiritual matters. Purpose: To demonstrate humility and focus entirely on seeking God during a period of spiritual reflection.   Jonah 3:6-7 - The king of Nineveh declared a fast and removed his royal robes as a sign of repentance: "Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes." Purpose: Symbolizing humility and repentance before God.   Characteristics of Non-Food Fasts in the Bible 1.Sacrificial Nature: The focus is on denying oneself something of value to draw nearer to God. 2.Symbolic Acts: Often associated with mourning, repentance, or humility (e.g., sackcloth and ashes). 3.Spiritual Intent: Aimed at seeking God, expressing devotion, or prioritizing spiritual over physical needs.   **Ask: What is the biggest time waster that draws me away from god? Can you fast from that activity?   During the Fast: Dedicate time to prayer, Bible reading, and reflection. Prepare ahead of time so you are ready. Journal your thoughts and prayers to track spiritual growth. Ending a Fast: Break the fast gradually, with thanksgiving and continued focus on God's purpose.   **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Salvation *The Need for Salvation * The Provision of Salvation *The Response to Salvation *The Results of Salvation   **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today! Have you incorporated fasting into your spiriutal life? IS there a place in your life God is calling you to grow where fasting might be the right tools to help you humble yourself before Him? It's worth considering fasting if you are serious about following Jesus!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**  

24_12_21 -Ep.343 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Biblical Meditation   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   ---   **(28:00)** Today we consider the spiritual discipline of biblical meditation!   **(27:00 – 23:00)**   Small Groups: Small groups are an essential part of the life of a healthy Baptist church. These gatherings provide a place to live out the “one another” commands of the New Testament. Through small groups, we build relationships that help us grow spiritually, serve together, and use our gifts to strengthen the church one relationship at a time. **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1   What Are Spiritual Disciplines? Define spiritual disciplines as practices rooted in Scripture that help believers grow in their relationship with God. Key verse: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)   Meditation as a Spiritual Discipline Section 1: Biblical Meditation A. Introduction to Biblical Meditation Define meditation from a Biblical perspective: Focused, intentional contemplation of God's Word and works. A spiritual exercise focused on Scripture, involving contemplation and prayer Rooted in Scripture, with the goal of knowing God and aligning one's heart with His will. Differentiate Biblical meditation from Eastern meditation: C. Differences Between Eastern Meditation and Biblical Meditation (10 minutes) Focus: Eastern meditation often centers on self-awareness and inner peace, while biblical meditation focuses on God and His Word(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.). Eastern meditation emphasizes emptying the mind and achieving detachment. Biblical meditation emphasizes filling the mind with God's truth and cultivating intimacy with Him (Philippians 4:8). Posture: Eastern practices may emphasize physical posture (e.g., sitting cross-legged), whereas biblical meditation prioritizes the posture of the heart(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.). Worldview: Eastern meditation may promote the idea of achieving spiritual freedom or "nirvana," while biblical meditation acknowledges dependence on God and His grace(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.).   B. Key Bible References (NKJV) Joshua 1:8   Psalm 1:1–2   Psalm 119:15–16   C. Biblical Examples of Meditation David Psalms filled with meditations on God's law, character, and works (e.g., Psalm 19:14). Isaac Genesis 24:63: Jesus Frequent times of solitude and prayer, often grounded in God's Word (Luke 5:16). D. The Purpose and Fruit of Biblical Meditation Deepening understanding of God's Word. Transforming the heart and mind (Romans 12:2). Encouraging obedience and spiritual growth.   **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Section 2: Practical Help for Practicing Biblical Meditation A. Establishing a Biblical Framework for Meditation Set aside focused time daily (morning or evening). Create a quiet space free from distractions. Begin with prayer for understanding and insight (Psalm 119:18). B. Techniques for Practicing Meditation Select a Passage or Verse Choose a specific Scripture to meditate on, e.g., Psalms, Proverbs, or teachings of Jesus. Select verses or passages that resonate personally. What is God doing in your life now? Read and Reflect Read slowly and repeatedly, emphasizing different words or phrases. Ask Questions of the Text What does this reveal about God? What does this mean for my life today? Memorize and Internalize Commit verses to memory for ongoing meditation throughout the day. Techniques for Effective Meditation (10 minutes) Lectio Divina: Explain this ancient practice of slow, contemplative reading of Scripture. It is traditionally associated with monastic communities. The practice emphasizes a slow, meditative reading of the Bible, aiming not just to study Scripture but to experience it personally and prayerfully. The Four Steps of Lectio Divina: A. Lectio (Reading):   B. Meditatio (Meditation):   C. Oratio (Prayer):   D.Contemplatio (Contemplation):     Journaling: Encourage keeping a meditation journal to record thoughts and insights Incorporating Prayer: Discuss how to integrate prayer into meditation, asking God for understanding and application of His Word     C. Overcoming Distractions Find a quiet, distraction-free location. Write down stray thoughts to address later. D. Using Tools to Enhance Meditation Journaling: Record insights and applications. Music: Listen to hymns or Scripture-based songs.   E. Incorporating Meditation into Daily Life Meditate while walking, driving, or doing simple tasks. Reflect on sermons, Bible studies, or daily readings. **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Salvation *The Need for Salvation * The Provision of Salvation *The Response to Salvation   **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**         Meditation - Psalm 1:2: 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 63:6: When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Philippians 4:8: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.   Prayer - Mark 1:35: Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Luke 6:12: Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Matthew 6:5-13: Model Prayer   Fasting- Matthew 4:1-2: 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Matthew 6:16-18: 16“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.   Study - Luke 4:4, 8, 12: 3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' ” 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' ” 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,To keep you,'11 and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' ”12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' ” Luke 24:27: 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.     Simplicity - It helps us set money, possessions, worldly accomplishments, and other material things in their proper perspective so that God is restored to the throne of our lives. Simplicity requires us to let go of practices, time commitments, thoughts, and relationships that contaminate body and spirit so that we can better reflect the image of Christ. The foundation of Christian simplicity is to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust that everything else will fall in its proper place. Matt 6:33: – 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   Solitude - The point of solitude is to refrain from talking so we are placed in a posture to listen. The more we do this, the better we become at discerning God's voice from our own. It requires us to trust that God will show up—but, we must not give up! Luke 5:16: "So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Lamentations 3:25-26: 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly. For the salvation of the Lord. Set at least a few minutes alone with God daily.   Submission - Submission calls us to give up our plan for the good of others and the fulfillment of God's will. It is through self-sacrifice that we find joy and through carrying out God's will that our lives have meaning and purpose. James 4:7: 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Hebrews 13:17: - 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.   Service - Service requires us to relinquish our rights for what we think we deserve to demonstrate God's sacrificial love. Our willingness to set our own desires aside to meet the needs of others stems from a deep relationship with God. Mark 10:45: 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” John 13:12-17: 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.                  

24_12_14 -Ep.342 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines - Tools for Growth Part 1   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   ---   **(28:00)** Today we consider the Spiritual Disciplines, what they are and how to use them!   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”   **(27:00 – 23:00)**   Caregivers Corner **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1   What Are Spiritual Disciplines? Spiritual disciplines are practices rooted in Scripture that help believers grow in their relationship with God. Key verse: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)   Segment 1: Foundations of Spiritual Disciplines   Biblical Practices: They are prescribed and modeled in Scripture, both for personal and communal growth. Key verse: (Psalm 1:1-2) Means, Not Ends: These practices help believers grow in Christlikeness and deepen their relationship with God. Key verse: (2 Peter 3:18)   Segment 2: Types of Disciplines   Two types of spiritual disciplines: Disciplines of Abstinence: Solitude, silence, fasting, simplicity. Key verse: (Matthew 6:17-18) Disciplines of Engagement: Study, worship, prayer, fellowship, service. Key verse: (Hebrews 10:24-25)   Segment 3: Right Motivation Emphasize that these practices should be driven by love for God and a desire to know Him. Key verse: (Mark 12:30)   **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Avoiding Pitfalls in Spiritual Disciplines   Recap Part 1, summarizing the definition, foundation, and types of spiritual disciplines. Key verse: (Philippians 3:14)   Segment 1: Potential Pitfalls Legalism: The temptation to turn disciplines into a checklist or law. Key verse: (Galatians 5:1) Misplaced Virtue: Viewing the disciplines themselves as virtuous or meritorious. Key verse: (Isaiah 64:6) Losing Focus on Christ: Centering on the practices rather than Christ Himself. Key verse: (Hebrews 12:2)   Segment 2: How to Stay Christ-Centered Strategies for keeping Christ at the center of your spiritual disciplines: Begin each practice with prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you. Regularly meditate on the gospel and Christ's finished work. Key verse: (1 Corinthians 2:2) Be intentional about aligning every discipline with the goal of growing closer to Christ.   Approach spiritual disciplines with the right heart and purpose. Key verse: (Matthew 6:33)   **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Salvation *The Need for Salvation * The Provision of Salvation   **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life.Be intentional, be thankful!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**  

24_12_07 -Ep.341  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Developing Biblical Character   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together  - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   ---   **(28:00)** Today we consider Biblical Character, what it is and how to get it!   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”   **(27:00 – 23:00)**      Spiritual Habits -     **(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1 Part 1: What is Biblical Character?  1. Definition of Biblical Character      • Definition: Dictionary definition of character 1. "Moral or ethical strength: integrity. Biblical perspective on character 1. Character as inner moral strength 2. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV): "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Biblical character is the moral and spiritual qualities that align with God's Word, reflecting His nature and will in a person's life.          ◦ Rooted in the word “character,” which implies a distinctive mark or engraving. Biblical character involves being “marked” by God's nature.      • Key Passage: Romans 5:3-4        "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."     • A. Integrity 1. Definition: "The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles"2. Job 2:3 (NKJV): "And the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.'"      • B. Faithfulness 1. Importance of being trustworthy 2. Luke 16:10 (NKJV): "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."   2. Examples of Biblical Character in Scripture      • Abraham (Faith and Obedience):         ◦ Genesis 22:12: "And He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.'"          ◦ Emphasis on obedience to God despite personal cost.      • Joseph (Integrity and Forgiveness):         ◦ Genesis 39:9: "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"          ◦ Focus on Joseph's integrity and forgiveness in Genesis 50:20.      • Ruth (Loyalty and Devotion):         ◦ Ruth 1:16: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God."      • Daniel (Faithfulness):         ◦ Daniel 6:10: "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days."    3. Why Biblical Character Matters      • Reflection of God's Nature:          ◦ 1 Peter 1:15-16: "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"      • Witness to Others:          ◦ Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."      **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**  Part 2: Developing Biblical Character  1. Foundational Principles for Developing Biblical Character      • Commit to God's Word:         ◦ Psalm 119:11: "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."          ◦ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV): "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.         ◦ Spiritual habit of daily Bible reading and meditation.          ◦ Study and Meditate on God's Word  - Joshua 1:8 (NKJV): "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Practical tips for Bible study and meditation         ◦ Practical tip: Use a reading plan to engage with Scripture regularly.      • Prayer for Transformation:         ◦ Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."          ◦ Develop a habit of daily prayer asking God for character growth.          ◦ Cultivate a Strong Prayer Life  - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV): "Pray without ceasing." - Different types of prayer and their importance in character development     • Community and Accountability:         ◦ Relationship - Building authentic connections 1. With God: Prayer and personal devotion 2. With others: Accountability and fellowship         ◦  1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NKJV): "So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us."         ◦ Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."          ◦ Be involved in a discipleship relationship or small group for encouragement and accountability.          ◦ Embrace Accountability and Community - Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV): "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." - The importance of Christian fellowship in character growth   2. Practical Steps to Build Character      • Practice Humility:         ◦ Philippians 2:3-4: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."         ◦ Practice Obedience and Submission to God  - James 1:22 (NKJV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - The role of obedience in shaping character      • Respond Well to Trials:         ◦ James 1:2-4: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."          ◦ View difficulties as opportunities for God to refine character.      • Serve Others:         ◦ Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."          ◦ Develop selflessness through acts of service.  * Develop Spiritual Disciplines (4 minutes) - Fasting, solitude, service, etc. - 1 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV): "But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness."   3. Encouragement to Continue Growing      • Ongoing Process:         ◦ 2 Peter 1:5-7: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love."          ◦ Sanctification is a lifelong journey.          ◦ Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."         ◦      • Final Exhortation:         ◦ Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."    Call to Action:     • Reflect on one area of character that needs development this week.      • Commit to one practical step (e.g., memorize a verse, journal about a trial, seek accountability).      • Pray daily for God's help to grow in character.     **(5:00 – 1:00)**     Doctrine of the Month - Salvation *The Need for Salvation Romans 3:23-24 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”   Define salvation as deliverance from sin and its consequences. Briefly discuss the universality of sin. *Sin Problem Explain sin as rebellion against God (1 John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.). Emphasize the separation sin causes between humanity and God (Isaiah 59:1-2 - 1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.). *God's Standard Discuss God's holiness and the impossibility of humans meeting His standard (Romans 3:10 - 9What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” 13“Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15“Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17And the way of peace they have not known.” 18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”).   Reflect on your need for salvation and your personal standing before God.    **(1:00)**     - “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life.Be intentional, be thankful!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**              

24_11_23 -Ep.339  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Living Thanks Out Loud Podcast:  rwh.podbean.com Website:  www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:   https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:   https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together  - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 --- **(28:00)** Today we consider what it means to live a life of Thanksgiving! Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)**    Spiritual Habits - Solitude ### **Podcast Segment Outline: Solitude as a Spiritual Discipline**   *"Today, we're diving into the often-overlooked but essential spiritual discipline of solitude."*   - Define solitude: *"Solitude is intentionally stepping away from the noise and busyness of life to be alone with God."*   - Emphasize its importance: *"Jesus practiced solitude regularly, and it's a vital habit for spiritual growth."*   #### **2. Biblical Examples of Solitude (1 minute)**   - **Jesus sought solitude for prayer and renewal**:     - *"Mark 1:35 says, ‘Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.'"*     - *"Jesus made solitude a priority even amidst a demanding ministry."*   - **Solitude before major decisions**:     - *"Luke 6:12 tells us, ‘Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.'"*     - *"Before choosing the twelve disciples, Jesus spent the night alone with the Father."*   - **In moments of distress**:     - *"In Matthew 26:36, Jesus withdraws to the Garden of Gethsemane, telling His disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.'"*   #### **3. Benefits of Practicing Solitude (1 minute)**   - **Connecting with God**:     - *"In solitude, we quiet our hearts to hear God's voice. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.'"*   - **Strengthening faith**:     - "Isaiah 40:31 says, ‘But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.' Solitude renews our spiritual energy."   - **Aligning our will with God's**:     - *"In the silence, we surrender distractions and refocus on God's purposes for our lives."*   4. Practical Steps for Practicing Solitude   - Set aside intentional time:     - "Start small—find 10 minutes in your day to unplug from distractions and focus on God."   - Choose a quiet location:     - "Like Jesus, find a ‘solitary place' where you can focus."   - **Use the time to pray and meditate on Scripture**:     - "Bring a verse like Psalm 62:5 – ‘My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.'"      - "Solitude isn't about escaping life—it's about stepping away to reconnect with God so we can return refreshed and refocused."     - "This week, take a moment of solitude and seek God's presence. Start with Mark 1:35 as your inspiration."   **(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1 Intro: Living as a "new self" is not just an inward change but should be visible to others. Gratitude should be an outpouring of this new life in Christ. 1. Overflowing with PEACE: Gratitude Rooted in Unity (v.15)    Paul calls us to let Christ's peace rule, promoting unity and gratitude within the body of Christ.    Application: Gratitude fosters unity, while bitterness and self-centeredness tear it down. What actions come out of a Thankful heart and influence our unity? - promotes humility, readily forgives, lifts up others, etc 2. Overflowing with WISDOM: Gratitude increased as We Grow in the Word (v.16)    When the word of Christ dwells richly in us, it transforms our minds, shaping us into grateful, wise people.    Application: A heart filled with Scripture is naturally inclined toward thankfulness. The better we know God and understand what He has done for us, the more thankful we will be. 3. Overflowing with PURPOSE: Gratitude expressed in All We Do (v.17)     Living in the name of Jesus, on His mission,  means every act—big or small—is done with thankfulness to God.    - Application: We can honor Christ in all things when we remember that everything we do is an offering of thanks.     A person who sees their work, family roles, and daily interactions as opportunities to thank and glorify God. How does a Thankful Heart encourage us on the mission of Jesus? -reminded of what Jesus did for use -want others to share in the blessing **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Why Thankfulness Matters      - It reflects a heart aligned with God's will and purpose.      - Gratitude transforms our perspective, shifting focus from circumstances to God's goodness.   The Command to Be Thankful   1. Biblical Foundations      - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.     - Psalm 107:1: “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”      - Emphasize thankfulness as a command, not an option.   2. Thankfulness as Obedience      - It's part of submitting to God's lordship.      - Disobedience in thankfulness can lead to bitterness or discontent.     Thankfulness in Difficult Circumstances   1. Biblical Examples      - Job 1:21: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”      - Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Though the fig tree should not blossom... yet I will rejoice in the LORD.”      - Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”   2. God's Sovereignty and Goodness      - Trusting God's plan even when it's not clear.      - Thankfulness as an act of faith and trust.   The Fruit of Thankfulness   1. Influences Your Relationship with God      - Deepens your relationship with God. (Psalm 50:23: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.”)      - Promotes joy and contentment (Philippians 4:11-13).   2. Your Thankfulness Influences Others      - Thankfulness is contagious and glorifies God before unbelievers (Matthew 5:16).      - It fosters unity and encouragement within the church body (Ephesians 5:19-20).    3. Practical Challenge      - Write a letter of thanks to someone who has blessed you.         Closing Thoughts  1. Key Points      - Thankfulness is God's will for you.      - It's not dependent on circumstances but rooted in who God is.      - It transforms your heart and your witness.   2. Challenge      - Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:18 this week.      - Start a blessing journal, remember what God has done.      **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man  Humanity's Purpose        - *“Have you ever wondered why you were created? What is the purpose of life from God's perspective?”*       - *“Today, we're exploring humanity's purpose according to the Bible. From the beginning, God designed us with intention and meaning.”*        - *“Let's look at Scripture to understand why God created us and what our lives should be about.”*   #### **2. Humanity Was Created to Glorify God (1 minute)**   - **Primary purpose: To glorify God**     - *Isaiah 43:7*: *“Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”*     - Emphasize: *“We are made to reflect God's glory in our words, actions, and attitudes.”*   - **What does glorifying God mean?**     - To glorify God is to honor Him and display His character.     - *1 Corinthians 10:31*: *“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”*        - *“Every aspect of life—work, relationships, and even recreation—can glorify God when done with the right heart.”*   --- #### **3. Humanity Was Created for Fellowship with God (1 minute)**   - **God's desire for relationship**:     - *Genesis 3:8*: *“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.”*       - *“This verse shows that from the beginning, God desired close fellowship with humanity.”*   - **Sin broke fellowship, but Christ restores it**:     - *John 17:3*: *“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”*     - Explain: *“God's purpose is for us to know Him intimately, not just as Creator, but as Savior and Father.”*   --- #### **4. Humanity Was Created to Serve and Steward Creation (1 minute)**   - **Stewardship of the earth**:     - *Genesis 1:28*: *“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'”*     - *“This means we are caretakers of God's creation, managing it responsibly for His glory.”*   - **Good works as part of our purpose**:     - *Ephesians 2:10*: *“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”*     - Connect: *“Serving others and fulfilling the tasks God gives us is part of our God-given purpose.”*   --- #### **5. Humanity Was Created to Enjoy God Forever (30 seconds)**   - **Eternal joy in God's presence**:     - *Psalm 16:11*: *“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”*     - Explain: *“Our purpose includes delighting in God, both now and for eternity.”*   - Summarize: *“God didn't create us out of necessity but out of love, to share His joy and glory with us forever.”*      - Recap the key points:     - *“We were created to glorify God, enjoy fellowship with Him, steward His creation, and ultimately experience the joy of His presence forever.”*   - Call to action:     - *“Take time this week to reflect on these truths. How can you glorify God in your daily life? How can you grow in fellowship with Him?”*   - Encourage with Scripture:     - *“As Colossians 3:17 reminds us, ‘And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'”*         **(1:00)**     - “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life.Be intentional, be thankful! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)**        

24_11_16 -Ep.338  - Run With Horses Podcast  - From Biblical Purpose to Daily Action Podcast:  rwh.podbean.com Website:  www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:   https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:   https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together  - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 --- **(28:00)** Today we follow-up on the idea of developing a personal Purpose Statement with a challenge to develop practical, concrete action steps guided by a Vision Statement. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)**    Spiritual Habits - "Investing in Community as a Spiritual Discipline"** **(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1 REVIEW: Why a purpose statement?       -  spiritual focus, clarity and daily direction.  **Why Purpose Matters for Every Believer**    - purpose reflects God's design for each person  Ephesians 2:10 -10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. My Purpose Statement– To be a mature disciple of Jesus who makes disciples and gives freely to encourage, support and equip the church on it's journey to fulfill the Great Commission.    - Explain the transition from a Purpose Statement (why we exist and what we aim to accomplish) to a Vision Statement (how we plan to live it out in specific, concrete ways).  **What is a Vision Statement? **    - **Definition:** A Vision Statement identifies the specific focus areas and methods by which we live out our purpose, giving practical direction to our mission.    - Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”    - **Example**:  My Vision Statement: My vision is to be meaningfully engaged in discipling men, particularly those in or preparing for ministry, equipping them through intentional, personal relationship and producing resources to encourage and support the spiritual growth of the church. ### 3. **Breaking Down the Vision Statement: Purpose and Action Steps**    - **A. Discipling Men**   From Biblical Purpose – a disciple who makes discipleship From Personal Vision of Application in My Life – discipling men       - **Application**: How to build intentional relationships with men, especially those in or preparing for ministry.       - **Examples of Practical Action Steps**:            - Establish regular meeting times with specific individuals for mentoring.           - Create discipleship materials, books, or guided studies to help facilitate growth.           - Join or start a men's discipleship group.    - **B. Equipping through Intentional Relationships** From Biblical Purpose – a disciple who makes discipleship From Personal Vision of Application in My Life – discipling men       - **Application**: Invest time and resources into building deep, purposeful relationships.       - **Examples of Practical Action Steps**:            - Schedule regular one-on-one conversations focused on their spiritual journey.           - Offer practical tools, such as a Bible study series or recommended readings.           - Set goals with those you're discipling, checking in periodically for progress. **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**    - **C. Producing Resources for the Church** From Biblical Purpose –  gives freely to encourage, support and equip the church From Personal Vision of Application in My Life –  producing resources to encourage and support the spiritual growth of the church       - **Application**: Develop resources that can be used by the wider church community.       - **Examples of Practical Action Steps**:           - Write articles, create videos, or design teaching outlines that support spiritual growth.           - Collaborate with church leaders on curriculum for small groups or Bible studies.           - Share resources on a website, podcast, or social media to reach a broader audience. ### 4. **Maintaining Focus and Adaptability**    - **Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”    - **Discussion**: How do you Stay focused on your vision even when challenges arise? Both statements written in the front of my journal. Review regularly.    - **Encouragement**: Remain prayerful and seek God's guidance as you live out your vision. Regularly review and adjust your vision as needed to stay aligned with His will. ### 5. **Conclusion and Challenge**    - Summarize the episode by reinforcing the purpose of a Vision Statement as a practical guide for living out your purpose.    - **Challenge**: Create your own Vision Statement with specific actions that reflect your unique calling and gifts.    - Share your Vision Statement!   **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man     • Romans 5:12 – 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.    **(1:00)**     - “Thank you for listening today! Even if you don't take the time to write out your purpose and vision statements, it's worth spending some time thinking and praying about how God made you and what HE designed you for. We were all created for fellowship with Him and have a place in His mission to take the Good News to the world. Be intentional. -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)**        

24_11_09 -Ep.337 - Run With Horses Podcast - "Write Your Purpose Statement" Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 **(28:00)** Today I want to jump off in a new direction. I have been focusing on the church for months, but today I want to turn to the individual. Do you have a purpose statement? You should, and today I challenge you to write one! Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)** Spiritual Habits - The Power of Prayer **1. Why Prayer is Essential for Discipleship ** - Luke 5:16 – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus Himself prioritized prayer. - Prayer isn't a task—it's a relational practice that deepens intimacy with God and aligns our hearts with His will. **2. The Components of Meaningful Prayer ** - Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - **Key Components:** - **Praise:** Start by focusing on who God is, acknowledging His greatness. - **Confession:** Bring your sins before God, seeking His forgiveness. - **Thanksgiving:** Recognize God's faithfulness and blessings. - **Supplication:** Present your requests and intercede for others. - Incorporating these components helps structure prayer and keeps our focus on God's character, rather than on our needs. **3. Prayer for Strength and Wisdom in Following Christ ** - James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” - Discipleship involves challenges, and prayer for wisdom and strength empowers us to remain steadfast in following Jesus. - Start each day by asking God for guidance and the strength to live out your faith. **4. Building a Consistent Prayer Habit (1 minute)** - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.” - Intentionally set aside time for prayer. - Start a daily 5-minute prayer time, use a prayer journal, or incorporate prayer breaks throughout the day. Pray AS you go through life each day. **(23:00 – 0:00)* * Why a purpose statement? - spiritual focus, clarity and daily direction. **Why Purpose Matters for Every Believer** - purpose reflects God's design for each person Ephesians 2:10 -10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. - Aligning personal goals with God's eternal purpose. - The purpose statement as a tool for living intentionally. **What is a Purpose Statement?** - purpose statement vs. life goals. - A purpose statement as a guiding compass rooted in one's faith, aiming to glorify God and serve others. **Steps to Create a Personal Purpose Statement** - **STEP 1:** Reflect on Your Relationship with God - Questions to ponder: "How has God worked in my life? What passions or burdens has He placed on my heart?" - Prayer and seeking God's guidance through scripture. What does Gdo say about who I am and why He made me? - **STEP 2:** Identify Your Unique Gifts and Passions - Understanding spiritual gifts (e.g., Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12) and how they shape our purpose. - Considering talents, interests, and experiences God has given. ### STEP 3: Clarify Your Mission Ground it in the priorities God gives us through Scripture. While each believer's purpose will be unique, Scripture clearly defines the overarching mission and priorities that all Christians share. These biblical priorities serve as guiding principles for crafting a personal purpose statement that aligns with God's will and advances Jesus' mission. #### **A. The Great Commandment: Loving God and Loving Others** - ** Matthew 22:37-39 – “37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” - **Practical:** When clarifying your mission, consider how you will reflect love for God in your life through prayer, worship, and obedience. Likewise, think about how you can show Christlike love to others, especially through compassion, humility, and selflessness. #### **B. The Great Commission: Making Disciples** - **Scripture Reference:** Matthew 28:19-20 – 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - **Practical:** Ask yourself how you can participate in the work of making disciples. This might look different depending on your gifts and context: sharing the gospel with others, teaching in your church, supporting missions, or mentoring someone in their spiritual growth. **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** #### **C. A Life of Servanthood: Living as Christ's Ambassadors** - **Philippians 2:1-4 – 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. - **Practical:** Consider what it means to represent Jesus in your everyday life. How can your purpose statement include elements of servanthood and humility? #### **D. Holiness and Growth in Christlikeness** - ** 1 Peter 1:15-16 – 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” - **Practical:** Reflect on areas of your life where God is calling you to greater obedience and purity. Consider how your purpose might reflect an ongoing commitment to spiritual growth and maturity. #### **E. Serving in Love through Our Unique Gifts** - ** 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: - **Practical:** Think about how your gifts, talents, and passions play a role in your mission. How can you use your strengths and experiences to serve God and bless others in ways that reflect His love? A purpose statement that reflects these biblical priorities ensures that it's not just a personal mission but a mission aligned with God's design for every believer. ### 5. **Examples of Purpose Statements** Purpose statement:Sandra Peoples - I give praise to God for what He's done in my life and how He is using me to accomplish the purposes He has for me. I am a disciple, a mentor/teacher, a connector, and a community-builder. As I grow in godliness, I encourage others to grow as well. I seek to build a community of faith for special-needs parents so they know they are never alone. I build this community both through my writing and through my local church. Purpose Statement: “I, Regi Campbell, exist to glorify God as I love, serve and challenge others to be all they can be and give all of themselves to Jesus Christ.” - My Purpose Statement– To be a mature disciple of Jesus who makes disciples and gives freely to encourage, support and equip the church on it's journey to fulfill the Great Commission. ### 6. **Living Out Your Purpose Daily** - Practical tips on using your purpose statement as a daily guide for decision-making and spiritual growth. - Encouragement to use it in prayer, self-reflection, and goal-setting. Live Intentionally. ### 7. **Conclusion and Call to Action** - Pray about your purpose and seek the Lord's leading. - Write down their purpose statement and keep it visible.Live by it. - Encourage feedback or sharing their statements with accountability partners or mentors.Share it with me, I would love to see what you come up with! norman@runwithhorses.net **(5:00 – 1:00)** Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man** Made in God's Image ### 1. **God's Unique Design for Humanity** - **Genesis 1:26-27** - "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - **Key Point**: Unlike animals or any other part of creation, humans bear God's image, meaning we reflect His nature and character in a unique way. ### 2. **The Image of God and Human Dignity** - **Psalm 8:4-5** - "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor." - **Key Point**: Because we are created in God's image, every human being has inherent worth and dignity, regardless of status, ability, or background. This truth impacts how we treat others and see ourselves. ### 3. **What It Means to Reflect God's Image** - **Romans 8:29** - "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." - **Key Point**: Being in God's image isn't just a status; it's a calling. We are meant to reflect God's character—His love, justice, mercy, and holiness. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of this reflection, and through Him, we are transformed. ### 4. **The Impact of Sin and the Redemption of God's Image** - **Genesis 9:6** - "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man." - **Romans 3:23** - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - **Key Point**: Sin distorts God's image in us, leading to brokenness and separation from Him. Yet, even after the Fall, humans retain God's image, which is why life is precious and why Christ's redemption is essential. ### 5. **Conclusion: Living Out the Image of God** - **2 Corinthians 3:18** - "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." - **Key Point**: In Christ, we're being renewed into God's image. Our calling is to grow in this likeness through sanctification, loving others, and living in a way that honors our Creator. **(1:00)** - “Thank you for listening today! Training disciple makers is essential to a thriving church body on mission. As you reflect on this, consider your role—both individually and within the church—in reaching others with the hope of Jesus." -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)** Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

24_11_02 -Ep.336  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Calling and Equipping Disciple Makers Podcast:  rwh.podbean.com Website:  www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:   https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:   https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together  - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 **(28:00)** I have been focusing on the church and a discipleship pathway for a few months now. Today I want to circle back to a key point. We're remembering why churches must prioritize training disciple makers, ensuring that each member is both equipped and encouraged to engage in making disciples. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(27:00 – 23:00)**    Spiritual Habits - Daily Devotions**     - **Key Passage**: Psalm 1:1-3 - 1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Highlights the strength and fruitfulness of those who meditate on God's Word daily. A disciple maker builds a strong foundation on God's Word. - **Building Daily Devotional Habits:** Just as physical food sustains our bodies, daily time in Scripture and prayer nourishes our spirits. Discipline is required, but the rewards are life-giving. - **Practical Tips**: Find a consistent time, place, plan and method that work for you—whether journaling, guided reading, Chapter a day or praying through Scripture. Just do it. **(23:00 – 0:00)* *   The Church's Mission to Train Disciple Makers**   - **Defining the Church's Role in Discipleship**: The church isn't just a gathering place; it's a training ground. We're called to move beyond simply teaching about discipleship to actively making disciple-makers.   - ##**Key Goals in Disciple-Maker Training**:     - **Mature, Self-Feeding Believers**: Equip members to study Scripture and grow spiritually on their own. This is a critical step if they are to teach others.  Heb. 5:12 - 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.      - **Everyday Missionaries**: Members should be able to share their faith naturally within their own circles—family, workplace, and community.  Acts 1:8 -  8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”      - **Trained Disciple-Makers**: We aim to cultivate disciple-makers, not just attendees, with hearts prepared to replicate the faith. Matt 28:18-20 - 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”    - **Pastors, Church Leaders, and Missionaries**: As God leads, some will be called to new roles in leadership and church planting, supporting disciple-making movements in other communities. ## The Church needs an Intentional Process - **Engage, Connect, Equip, Release Discipleship Framework**: Revisit the pathway and its critical role in building disciple-makers ready to serve both within the church and beyond. Not THE way, A way. Every church needs to be intentional about carrying out the mission of Jesus. ##**Examples of Disciple-Making in Action**: - **Sunday School Reimagined**: What would a disciple-making approach look like? From intentional mentoring to encouraging members to reach others personally. - **Training and Support from the Church**: Weekly large gatherings are more than services; they're opportunities for mutual encouragement, skill-building, and strategic equipping. -**Smaller groups provide ongoing accountability and support in life and ministry**:  A place for deeper, slower conversations. More personal interaction. A time for questions. Practical personal support as a disciple maker. **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** Practical Steps for Churches to Train Disciple Makers**      ##- **Identify Local Needs and Engage Culturally**: For the church to be effective, we must first understand the needs and concerns of our local community. -What is going on in our community? What are people talking about? What do they do in their free time? How can we show them the love of Jesus in practical ways? Where can we join them and build relationships? Soup kitchens, food pantries, sports parks, high school games, community events...  --- **Lead by Example**: Church leaders can model engagement, showing how to reach people relationally, addressing both practical needs and spiritual hunger. Let the church know what you are doing and invite them to join you. ##- **Provide ongoing Evangelism and Discipleship Training**:   --- **Annual Evangelism Training**: Practical workshops in both “What is the Gospel?” and “How to Share the Gospel,” along with practice sessions. Keep it in front of the church. Hear testimonies from people on a regular basis. Their salvation testimony, a story of sharing the gospel with a co-worker, etc. Encouraging and challenging.   --- **Disciple-Making Groups**: Encourage small group Bible studies aimed at disciple-making, not just fellowship. Edify first. How are we growing? What weaknesses do we have as a church family? How can we address them? Foundations first, then build, every one spiritually healthy and on mission is the goal. - **Encourage Community Participation**: Join local events, showing the love of Christ through service, conversation, and invitations to faith-centered gatherings. Do things in public as a church. Encourage activity participating in community events. We can't be salt and light if we are always in the building with the doors shut!  -  **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man**      - **Key Concept**: “Made in God's Image”  Genesis 1:26-27 - 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Man was created uniquely, bearing God's image, with a capacity for relationship, creativity, and purpose. - **Understanding Man's Purpose**: Man is designed to glorify God. We reflect God's character, are called to steward His creation and to live in fellowship with Him. - **Sin's Effect on Humanity**: Sin distorts our ability to reflect the image of God and accomplish His purpose. It also separates us from God, but in Christ, we are redeemed, and our purpose is restored. **(1:00)**   **Closing**   - “Thank you for listening today! Training disciple makers is essential to a thriving church body on mission. As you reflect on this, consider your role—both individually and within the church—in reaching others with the hope of Jesus." -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. **(00:00)** Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

24_10_26 -Ep.335 - Run With Horses Podcast - The Challenge of Shepherding a Church Part 2 Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 ***(28:00)*** END ***(27:00)*** I have been talking about the church and how we can develop an intentional process to live out out purpose in the world. Today, I want to focus on the role of the pastor in all of this. What a big job! Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... ***(27:00) ***END***(23:00)**** Habits – Personal Humility and Teachability • Habit: Maintain a posture of humility, being teachable and open to correction and growth. • Biblical Basis: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (James 4:10) Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. • Why It's Important: Pride can hinder spiritual growth and effectiveness in discipling others. Humility allows the disciple maker to continue growing and learning. Prides keeps you at the center, Humilty helps keep Jesus at the center. ***(23:00)***END***(0:00) Shepherding and equipping a church for ministry requires a lot from a pastor. 1. **Spiritual Leadership** - **Biblical Knowledge****Prayer Life****Discernment** 2. **Preaching and Teaching** - **Effective Communication****Teaching Skills** 3. **Relational Skills** - **Empathy and Compassion****Conflict Resolution****Mentoring and Discipleship** 4. **Leadership and Vision Casting** - **Visionary Leadership****Decision-Making and Strategy****Delegation** 5. **Equipping and Empowering** - **Recognizing Gifts in Others****Training and Development****Empowerment – give authority away to others** 6. **Administration and Organization** - **Organizational Skills****Team Building****Budgeting and Stewardship** 7. **Emotional Intelligence** - **Self-Awareness****Ability to read the room****Resilience** 8. **Counseling and Pastoral Care** - **Counseling Skills****Crisis Management** 9. **Cultural Awareness and Engagement** - **Cultural Sensitivity**: Churches are often diverse in terms of culture, background, and socioeconomic status. A pastor must be culturally aware and sensitive, able to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. - **Community Engagement**: Pastors should have a heart for the local community and a strategy for how the church can serve outside its walls. Engaging with local needs and being a visible presence in the community helps fulfill the church's mission. 10. **Adaptability and Lifelong Learning** - **Adaptability**: The church and broader culture are always changing. Pastors must be flexible, able to adapt their leadership and ministry approaches to meet new challenges, such as changes in technology, social issues, or generational shifts. - **Continual Growth**: Great pastors are lifelong learners, committed to their own spiritual, intellectual, and professional growth. Attending conferences, pursuing theological education, or engaging with mentors helps pastors stay sharp and effective in their ministry. 11. **Personal Integrity and Character** - **Moral Integrity**: Above all, pastors need to model Christlike character, demonstrating integrity, humility, and faithfulness in their personal and professional lives. Trust is central to leadership, and integrity is foundational to building that trust. - **Servant-Heartedness**: Pastors should approach their leadership role with humility and a desire to serve others, following the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). By developing these skills, a pastor can effectively shepherd the congregation, equip members for ministry, and create a thriving, Christ-centered church community. Balancing the various responsibilities of a pastor—such as sermon preparation, counseling, small groups, leadership, and training — requires intentional time management and prioritization. Here's a strategy to help a pastor manage these tasks effectively: 1. **Set Priorities and Define Time Blocks** - **Sermon Preparation:** This is typically the pastor's core weekly responsibility, so allocate large, uninterrupted blocks of time. Many pastors reserve the best mental energy times, such as mornings, for sermon prep. A typical week might include: - **Monday**: Initial study and prayer for the sermon. - **Tuesday/Wednesday**: Deep study, outlining, and drafting. - **Thursday**: Finalizing and practicing delivery. - **Counseling:** Set dedicated times during the week for counseling appointments. For instance, 1-2 afternoons can be reserved for pastoral care and counseling. - **Small Groups and Discipleship:** These typically occur in the evening. You can limit these to a few nights per week (e.g., Tuesday and Thursday) and delegate or raise up other leaders to assist in leading groups. - **Leadership and Training:** Set aside time for leadership development, meetings, or training sessions. This can be scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the need. For example, leadership meetings could be set for Monday or Wednesday afternoons, before or after sermon prep. 2. **Delegate Where Possible** Pastors often feel they need to do everything themselves, but delegating is key to maintaining balance. Assign trusted team members or volunteers to lead certain small groups, handle administrative tasks, or even assist in some counseling roles. ***(00:00)*** END PART 1*** ___________________ ***(27:00) ***BEGIN PART 2 ***END ***(5:00)*** 3. **Utilize Early Mornings or Evenings for Training and Leadership** If training leaders or discipling key individuals is a priority, use early mornings for small leadership huddles or evenings if that works better for the participants. Short, focused meetings (e.g., breakfast meetings) can maximize time without disrupting the rest of the day. 4. **Batch Similar Tasks** Instead of switching between different types of work throughout the day, batch similar tasks together. For instance, group all counseling appointments on specific days and leave other days for sermon prep and leadership training. This minimizes transition time and helps you stay mentally focused on one type of task at a time. 5. **Personal Development Time** Block time each week for your own spiritual and professional growth. Without this, it can be easy to burn out. This might include personal Bible study, prayer, or reading to stay refreshed. 6. **Protect Your Sabbath** Schedule a clear day of rest each week to recharge. It's important for pastors to guard their time for personal renewal, family, and spiritual refreshment. ### Example Typical Weekly Schedule:### Where is the rest? - **Monday:** - Morning: Sermon prep (Initial study, prayer, and research) - Afternoon: Counseling and administrative tasks - Evening: Rest/Family time - **Tuesday:** - Morning: Sermon prep (Deep study and outlining) - Afternoon: Counseling appointments - Evening: Small group meeting or discipleship group - **Wednesday:** - Morning: Sermon prep (Writing and structuring) - Afternoon: Leadership team meeting or training session - Evening: Midweek service or discipleship training - **Thursday:** - Morning: Sermon prep (Finalization and practice) - Afternoon: Free for flexible needs or meetings - Evening: Small group meeting or discipleship - **Friday:** - Morning: Personal study and prayer (Sabbath/Rest day) - Afternoon: Counseling or visiting members - Evening: Rest/Family time - **Saturday:** - Morning: Free for sermon review or final prep - Afternoon: Outreach, ministry, or personal rest - Evening: Rest - **Sunday:** - Preaching and ministry day ## My Thoughts on a Weeks Schedule Sunday AM Message – Theology of the week – Main theme for the body to focus on this week. Sunday PM – small group ministry, each group asks specific questions about the application of the morning theme and discusses personal application and questions. Feedback for the pastor should come from these groups, what wasn't understood or agreed with? Midweek small groups – prayer focused on living out the mission of Jesus, who are we reaching out to now, how are we doing in living out the Sunday Am message. How can we pray for each other and answer questions that come up as we make real attempts to be followers of Jesus. SS AM before next Message and new theme – final thoughts on the theme from last week, questions about application, encouragement to continue applying this truth to their lives For the pastor, First thing on the schedule is Personal pursuit of Jesus. Second is time with men he is equipping for ministry. Ideally every pastor would always have 2-3 men he is training. Give them your best time and meet when they are available. As men are trained and able to come alongside in ministry time is freed up for the pastor to train others. I put prep for these men above sermon prep. Third, prep for weekly theme. Ideally these consistently builds and are related so you aren't starting from zero, ever. The focus should be practical truths that, when applied in the life of the believer, lead them closer to Jesus and His mission. Fourth, general ministry activities and life of the church tasks. Delegate as many of these as possible. You serve the church body best not by doing everything for them but by helping them see that they are the church and it is their responsibility to be the church. ****(5:00) ***END***( 1:00)*** DOCTRINE October – Bible Authority of the Bible Inerrancy of the Bible Sufficiency of the Bible Necessity of the Bible Necessity: Related to sufficiency, but slightly different, this doctrine holds that “the Bible is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for knowing God's will, but is NOT necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God's character and moral laws” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, 116). This gets at the difference between special and general revelation. Scripture alone provides special revelation: knowledge of God's will and salvation Rom. 10:13–17 – 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Israel Rejects the Gospel 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” Acts 4:12 – 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” **(1:00)**END**(00:00) Thanks for joining me again today! I think you will agree with me that the role of the pastor is a big job. If you are not a pastor, take some time to pray for yours today. If you are a pastor, thank you for your service and take some time to ask God to continue growing you in Christ-likeness as you serve. If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00) Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

24_10_19 -Ep.334 - Run With Horses Podcast - The Challenge of Shepherding a Church Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 ***(28:00)*** END ***(27:00)*** I have been talking about the church and how we can develop an intentional process to live out out purpose in the world. Today, I want to focus on the role of the pastor in all of this. What a big job! Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... ***(27:00) ***END***(23:00)**** Habits – Life-long Learning Why? If you are still breathing God still has a work for you. Prayer and conversation are the bedrock of our relationships and you can do those throughout your life, often improving with age and expierience. Commit to Lifelong Learning: Develop a strong biblical foundation. Complement formal learning with self-study, reading classic Christian works, and staying updated on current theological discussions. Reading Regularly: Read books that deepen your knowledge of the Bible, theology, church history, ministry, and leadership. Developing a reading habit helps you stay informed and sharp for ministry. Podcasts, conferences, etc. ***(23:00)***END***(0:00) Shepherding and equipping a church for ministry requires a lot from a pastor. The role of a pastor involves spiritual leadership, practical management, relational care, as well as conflict resolution, strategic planning and vision-casting. 1. **Spiritual Leadership** - **Biblical Knowledge**: A deep understanding of Scripture is foundational for guiding others in their faith and making wise, biblically-informed decisions. Pastors must be able to teach and apply God's Word effectively. - **Prayer Life**: A vibrant prayer life is crucial for a pastor's personal connection with God and for interceding on behalf of the church. This spiritual discipline provides direction and strength in ministry. - **Discernment**: Pastors need the ability to discern God's will in various situations, guiding the church in spiritual matters, resolving conflicts, and making decisions that align with God's purpose for the congregation. Reliance uppon God to do the work in people's hearts. 2. **Preaching and Teaching** - **Effective Communication**: Pastors must be skilled communicators, able to convey complex theological concepts in a clear and engaging way. Preaching that is rooted in Scripture, relevant, and inspiring helps build up the church. - **Teaching Skills**: Beyond preaching, pastors often lead Bible studies, classes, or small groups. The ability to teach in a way that encourages learning and spiritual growth is key to equipping others for ministry. 3. **Relational Skills** - **Empathy and Compassion**: Shepherding requires understanding the needs, struggles, and joys of church members. A pastor should be compassionate, able to listen well, and offer support during personal and spiritual challenges. - **Conflict Resolution**: Conflict is inevitable in any community. A pastor needs to mediate effectively, helping to resolve disagreements with wisdom, grace, and patience, while keeping the unity of the church in mind. - **Mentoring and Discipleship**: Pastors should mentor and disciple individuals, helping them grow spiritually and discover their gifts. This requires building personal relationships and investing time in the development of others. 4. **Leadership and Vision Casting** - **Visionary Leadership**: A pastor should have the ability to articulate a clear, God-given vision for the church and inspire others to pursue it. This includes setting direction for ministry initiatives and fostering a culture of service. - **Decision-Making and Strategy**: Along with vision, pastors must develop and execute plans that align with that vision. This includes delegating tasks, organizing ministries, and making sound decisions in challenging situations. - **Delegation**: Pastors can't do everything themselves. They need to identify and empower others, delegating responsibilities to staff, volunteers, and lay leaders while trusting them to carry out their roles effectively. 5. **Equipping and Empowering** - **Recognizing Gifts in Others**: Pastors must be able to discern the spiritual gifts and talents within their congregation and guide people to use them for the benefit of the church. This also involves creating opportunities for service. - **Training and Development**: Equipping others for ministry requires providing practical training, whether through formal classes, mentorship programs, or on-the-job learning. Pastors should be intentional about developing the skills of potential leaders and volunteers. - **Empowerment – give authority away to others**: A key part of equipping is empowering others to take ownership of their ministry roles. Pastors need to release control and authority and trust others to lead and serve, offering support rather than micromanagement. This is Jesus's church not the pastor's church. 6. **Administration and Organization** - **Organizational Skills**: Churches often have many moving parts—events, programs, services, and ministries. A pastor needs to be organized and able to manage time, resources, and people efficiently. - **Team Building**: Pastors must build strong ministry teams, fostering collaboration among staff and volunteers. This involves identifying strengths, fostering unity, and ensuring that everyone is working toward the same goals. - **Budgeting and Stewardship**: While not always directly responsible for finances, a pastor should understand the church's budget and ensure that resources are being stewarded wisely to further ministry goals. 7. **Emotional Intelligence** - **Self-Awareness**: Pastors need to understand their own emotional state, strengths, weaknesses, and how they impact others. Emotional intelligence allows them to lead with authenticity and empathy. - **Ability to read the room**: Being attuned to the emotions and dynamics within the congregation helps pastors navigate sensitive situations with care, whether in pastoral counseling, church conflicts, or personal relationships. - **Resilience**: Ministry can be emotionally demanding, so pastors need resilience to deal with stress, criticism, and setbacks while maintaining a sense of purpose and faith. 8. **Counseling and Pastoral Care** - **Counseling Skills**: Many pastors provide pastoral counseling to individuals and families going through difficult times. This requires active listening, empathy, and biblical wisdom, as well as an understanding of when to refer people to professional counseling. - **Crisis Management**: Pastors often help people through life's most challenging moments—bereavement, illness, or relational breakdowns. Knowing how to provide comfort and spiritual guidance during crises is an essential part of pastoral care.

24_10_12 -Ep.333 - Run With Horses Podcast - Why do people attend church and not join the mission? Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 ***(28:00)*** END ***(27:00)*** Last week we looked at what it means to be an everyday missionary. This week I want to step back again and look at the big picture and ask. “Why do we have so many attenders who show up each week but have no interest in the mission of Jesus? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... ***(27:00) ***END***(23:00)**** Habits – Exploring and Developing your Spiritual Gifts Romans 12:3-8 Ephesians 4:11-16 Spiritual Gifts Inventory - https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service Discover by serving – try new things ***(23:00)***END***(0:00) There are many reasons why church members attend services but don't get involved in ministry. 1. **Lack of Confidence or Feeling Unqualified** 2. **Busy Schedules** 3. **Lack of Awareness of Opportunities** 4. **Fear of Commitment** 5. **Consumer Mentality** 6. **Burnout from Previous Ministry** 7. **Spiritual Immaturity or Lack of Discipleship** 8. **Disconnection from Church Leadership** 9. **Introversion or Social Anxiety** 10. **Misunderstanding of Ministry** ***(00:00)*** END PART 1*** ___________________ ***(27:00) ***BEGIN PART 2 ***END ***(5:00)*** Equipping church members for ministry is a vital role of church leadership. It not only strengthens the body of Christ but also helps members discover and use their spiritual gifts. Here are several key ways church leadership can equip members for ministry: 1. **Teach a Biblical View of Ministry** 2. **Offer Spiritual Gift Assessments** 3. **Provide Training and Resources** 4. **Model Servant Leadership** 5. **Create a Culture of Service** 6. **Communicate Clear Opportunities for Involvement** 7. **Offer Small, Low-Commitment Entry Points** 8. **Mentorship and Coaching** 9. **Empower and Delegate Authority** 10. **Create Teams for Collaboration** 11. **Foster Discipleship and Spiritual Growth** ****(5:00) ***END***( 1:00)*** DOCTRINE October – Bible Authority of the Bible Inerrancy of the Bible The Bible, in the original manuscripts, does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact. The Bible always tells the truth. Titus 1:1-4 Proverbs 30:5 2 Timothy 3:16 - Can you trust God? Yes! Will you always understand everything God says and does? No. **(1:00)**END**(00:00) Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00) Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

24_10_05 -Ep.332 - Run With Horses Podcast - Everyday Missionary Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 ***(28:00)*** END ***(27:00)*** Last week I asked what is a self-feeding Christian and how do I become one? This week we continue looking at the goals of our discipleship pathway and turn our attention to becoming an everyday missionary. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... ***(27:00) ***END***(23:00)**** Habits – Abide in Christ Abide carries the meaning to Wait on, remain in, persist with, keep on, etc. John 15:4-8 Not passive. An active choice to remain in Christ. Similar to Paul urging Timothy to pursue godliness. 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 ***(23:00)***END***(0:00) What is an everyday missionary? How do I become one? Merriam- Webster : Missionary - a person undertaking a mission. Everyday - 1, encountered or used routinely; 2, used, suitable for, or seen every day An everyday missionary is someone who lives with the mission of Jesus at the center of their lives, everyday. "Everyday missionaries are those who practice a life on mission where God has placed them."- REF (https://calvarydothan.com/everyday-missionaries/) An Everyday Missionary is a Disciple Maker, working on the mission of Jesus where they are. We have to start with a clear understanding of the mission of Jesus. REF (https://discipleship.org/blog/mission-of-christ/) Two-fold mission of Jesus 1. To make redemption for every person possible. Only Jesus could do this. No other name. ***Acts 4:12 Sinless life and perfect sacrifice. ***Hebrews 7:22-28 "It is finished." ***John 19:28-30 **Redemption is now possible for all.** Justifies through Faith. ***Romans 3:21-26 ***(00:00)*** END PART 1*** ___________________ ***(27:00) ***BEGIN PART 2 ***END ***(5:00)*** 2. To start of movement of messengers of redemption. These messengers are called disciples by Jesus and were prepared by Him to take the message of redemption to the world from generation to generation. Disciples are Ambassadors for Christ. ***2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Disciple have A New Relationship. ***John 13:12-17 Disciple follow A Clear Command. ***John 13:34-35 Disciples Carry a Clear Message. ***1 Corinthians 5:1-6 - The message requires us to repent and believe, turning from our old ways to follow Jesus, becoming His disciples and joining His mission. The messengers of the Redemption message gather in assemblies Jesus calls the Church. The Church gathers to use their gifts to support mutual spiritual growth and progress toward Christ-likeness. The New Testament calls this edification. It is the building up of the Church for works of service. Our spiritual growth has a purpose. Ultimately God's Glory, accomplished through obedience to His commands. An Everyday Missionary lives with this mission and message in view. Choices are made that keep them engaged in the mission. It is an intentional lifestyle. Looking for conversations that keep Jesus at the center. ****(5:00) ***END***( 1:00)*** DOCTRINE October – Bible Authority of the Bible Matthew 4:4 2 Timothy 3:16 Psalm 19:7-11 2 Peter 1:19-21 Matthew 28:18 **(1:00)**END**(00:00) Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00) Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

24_09_21 -Ep.330 - Run With Horses Podcast - A Self-Feeding Christian Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04 ***(28:00)*** Last week I talked to Ambrose Propose about his preparation for mission work with Ethnos360. The week before that we looked at how to intentionally release the church into the community and on mission. This week we look a little more closely at one of the goals of our discipleship pathway. What is a self-feeding Christian? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... (27:00) ******* (27:00) (end 23:00) Habits – Solitude Matt. 6:6 Mark 1:35 Luke 5:15-16 Luke 6:12-13 (23:00) ****** (23:00) (end 0:00) What is a Self-Feeding Christian? How do I become one? There is an expectation of growth in Scripture. That makes sense if you accept the goal of Christ-likeness. I am not like Him today and the only way to get closer is to change. Am I being spoon feed or taking responsibility for my own spiritual growth? Growth Toward Maturity Hebrews 5:12 1 Corinthians 13:11 Jeremiah 17:10 1 Peter 2: 1 Ephesians 2:10 --- ### **1. Read the Bible Regularly** --- ### **2. Study the Bible to Live It** --- ### **3. Meditate on God's Word** --- ### **4. Apply the Bible in Your Daily Life** --- ### **5. Live Out Biblical Wisdom, Godly Priorities and Jesus's Mission** ### **6. Transform Your Life with Scripture** --- ### **7. Teach Others from Scripture** (00:00) END PART 1 ******** (27:00) BEGIN PART 2 (end 5:00) (5:00) ********* (5:00) (end 1:00) DOCTRINE September – Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit Seals and gives Assurance 2 Cor. 1:21-22 Eph. 1:13-14 Eph. 4:30- Romans 8:12- 1 John 3:24 **(1:00)** Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00) Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

24_09_21 -Ep.330 - Run With Horses Podcast - Interview with missionary Ambrose Propson Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast This seek an interview with special guest Ethnos360 missionary Ambrose Propson! Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show...

24_09_14 -Ep.3 - Run With Horses Podcast - Supporting the Church on Mission Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Susan's New book – Parenting Manual. https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo **(28:00)** Last week we started looking at what it means to release the church into the community and on mission. This week we continue are journey to empower every member for ministry and get everyone engaged in the mission. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... (27:00) ******* (27:00) (end 23:00) Habits - Pursuing Community - some effort required! 1 Corinthians 1:10-11 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (23:00) ****** (23:00) (end 0:00) MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH - Consider in Light of RELEASE A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION. The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus. We want to RELEASE people for ministry, the pathway is a plan to get the there with the support of the church! Think about the goals of the pathway. How do they fit in with the goal of RELEASING people for ministry? a. self-feeding Christians - you can't release immature believers, disciple to maturity and mission b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus, people are released into their family and neighborhood first! c. disciple-makers - we want to release disciple makers, not church attenders or nominal believers or people with their own agenda. d. pastors, church planters, missionaries - result of God'd leading in the lives of the released! e. new churches - result of the church related in our communities and going to new communities. f. all members of the church, shepherded well - a byproduct of healthy disciple making We are on the Fourth step in the Pathway; RELEASE ENGAGE, CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE Last week I mentioned that We are over-programmed and under-discipled. And our Programs just aren't producing many mature disciple makers! For many of us programs have been a way to stay busy and feel good about ourselves without actually engaging in the mission of Jesus to make disciples who take the message of reconciliation to the world. ##Think about it. It is unfortunately possible to teach Sunday School and not be making disciples. It is possible to lead a children's ministry and not make disciples. Music ministry, be a deacon, be an elder and even be a pastor without making disciples? Too often true. To accomplish our purpose as we understand it from our definition of the church, we need to intentionally embrace the mission of Jesus and make practically real-world steps to change our habits and lifestyle to one that follows Jesus. Individually we can accept that and desire that kind of life change and spiritual growth, but what is the role of the church in this process? ##Can we reimagine how we DO church with disciple making as the goal AND process? What does a disciple making Sunday School look like? How do we encourage, train and release our church leaders at every level to be disciple makers? The Discipleship Pathway gives us steps to take that move us from where we are to active engagement in the mission, one step at a time. The church has a role in: 1.Education: teaching the truth of God's Word and what the Christian life looks like 2.Training: sharing the skills and tools that will help us use our gifts and get involved in the work of the ministry 3.Encouragement 4.Vision 5.Partnership 6.Ongoing support 7. Evangelism - but primarily supporting members in their outreach I feel like I am probably missing some things but you get the point, The church body corporately supports the individual disciple that make up the church in carrying out the work of the ministry. (00:00) END PART 1 ******** (27:00) BEGIN PART 2 (end 5:00) How do we RELEASE the church for ministry? The church leadership set the tone for the church. Maybe a good illustration is that the church leadership lets everyone know what STYLE, KEY and TEMPO we are playing the song in. God has given us the song of praise, the life of sacrificial worship to be carried out by disciple makers. As a local body, we need to figure out what that song sounds like in our current environment. Culture, people groups, sub-cultures, economy, politics, geography, and the like all influence the song. We must know our local culture. What issues are people dealing with and what are they concerned about? What does God have to say about these issues? We want to identify natural pain points in the community as well as natural connecting points. ###REF: https://research.lifeway.com/2020/08/26/4-steps-to-shepherding-your-church-through-community-engagement/ ___1. Lead people to engage in local cultural issues. KEY is LOCAL. What are people in your neighborhood talking about? Get to know individuals and talk to them! I'm not talking about standing in a peaceful protest line (though that is one way), but an even more personal connection—whether through helping a young mother see the truth of the gospel or coming alongside her decision to carry full term. Engagement might mean mentoring to that young man who is scared to death about being a single dad at such a young age. We want to be involved in a personal way. There are always cultural issues in our communities that you can begin to pray over to see where God is leading you and your church to be more involved. ___2. Provide for needs in your local community while sharing the gospel. There is a tendency for volunteers to merely invite to church those who come through the door and not necessarily engage with the gospel. Make it a practice to be present to pray for those with needs and as doors open to share the truth of the gospel. All church members need to be trained to do the same. Where can we be involved AS A CHURCH? Within that context, members should be encouraged and empowered to pursue individual relationships. ___3. Provide regular opportunities for evangelism training. Evangelism training on a regular basis isn't happening in many of our churches. I recommend at least once a year a church should provide opportunities for people who have a desire to learn how to better share their faith. There are a couple of kinds of training that should take place. First, Education - Why we need to share the Gospel, What is the Gospel? 1-2 simple clear methods to memorize so we can come back to them and build on them. Second, Practice - Role-playing, testimonies and the like give practice putting the truth into your own words. More time thinking and talking through the gospel make it easier to do when the opportunity arises out in public. Third, Evangelistic Bible Study - every member should learn how to lead the discussion through a chronological Bible study in a small group. ___4. Lead your church to participate in community events. Every community has events throughout the year. Some events would allow you to set up a booth alongside other vendors. Local farmers market, a business fair, 5k races, concerts in the park, etc. Have branded church materials available, business cards as well as flyers with links to the church website and information about who you are as a church. The more members you have participating the better! Be a church family enjoying life together! Think outside the box, but keep the need to share the gospel clearly in the forefront of the minds of your people. (5:00) ********* (5:00) (end 1:00) DOCTRINE September – Holy Spirit Renewing Work of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Titus3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. **(1:00)** The church is an unstoppable force when it is united and on the mission of Jesus. Divisions, apathy, and distractions can pull us off the mission and into other pursuits that don't have eternal value. How can you stay on the journey together? How can you encourage others in your church when they are beat up by life? The life of following Jesus is an adventure that we undertake together. We need each other! And we all have to take it one day at a time. Let's commit to following Jesus today and giving Him the freedom to change us and use us on His mission. Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00) I don't think I have mentioned it yet but my wife has a new book out. It is a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes. If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!

24_09_07 -Ep.328 - Run With Horses Podcast - Releasing the Church Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast **(28:00)** Last week we talked about being intentional as a church and as individuals to use our gifts to equip the church for ministry. This week we consider what it means to release the church for ministry. How do we get everyone engaged in the mission? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... (27:00) ******* (27:00) Habits – Journaling Psalms 119:11 Deut. 6:4-9 - An Intentional Way to hide God's Word in your heart. Write out what God is teaching you and prayerfully make plans to live it out. (23:00) ****** (23:00) MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION. The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus. Don't forget the goals of the pathway. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway? a. self-feeding Christians b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus c. disciple-makers d. pastors e. new churches f. all members of the church, shepherded well We are still on the THIRD step in the Pathway; EQUIP ENGAGE, CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE Why is all this so important? We are overprogrammed and underdiscipled. Programs aren't producing disciple makers! We are busy doing things at the church building but year after year nto much better at engaging people in our community. We get off mission and turn inward. ###REF: https://theunstuckgroup.com/developing-an-effective-discipleship-strategy-the-ultimate-guide/ (00:00) END PART 1 ******** (27:00) BEGIN PART 2 ###REF: https://theunstuckgroup.com/q3-2024-unstuck-church-report/ ###REF:https://www.baptistmessenger.com/how-your-church-can-engage-your-community/ (5:00) ********* (5:00) DOCTRINE September – Holy Spirit gives Life John 6:63 - Romans 8:9-11 - Job 34:12-15 - **(1:00)** Next week we will continue looking at ways to release the church into the community and on mission. This week, spend some time praying for your church and your community. Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00)

24_08_31 -Ep.327 - Run With Horses Podcast - Intentionally Equipping For Ministry Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast **(28:00)** This week we are continuing on or journey of developing a discipleship pathway for the church that helps us intentionally be the church. How can we do the work of equipping the church for ministry? Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... (27:00) ******* (27:00) Habits – Fellowship Acts 2:40-42 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (23:00) ****** (23:00) MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION. The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus. Don't forget the goals of the pathway. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway? a. self-feeding Christians b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus c. disciple-makers d. pastors e. new churches f. all members of the church, shepherded well We are still on the THIRD step in the Pathway; EQUIP ENGAGE, CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE What is equipping in the church? It is preparing each member of the church to use their talents, gifts, and abilities to carry out the work of the ministry throughout their lives. First, what is the WORK OF THE MINISTRY? The best simple definition I have heard is that it is the work of bringing God's message to people. We are all called and equipped, as members of the body of Christ, for this ministry. There is a further equipping, seen in Eph. 4 carried out corporately by the church as we build each other up and prepare members for ministry. Church leadership is given the responsibility of leading the way in equipping all members for service and engagement in the mission of Christ. Eph. 4:1-5 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (00:00) END PART 1 ******** (27:00) BEGIN PART 2 Eph. 4:11-16 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Walk Worthy You are called Attitude matters – humble, loving Relationships Lead - who has God placed around you? Unity is Important The Church is key for maturity – seek, pursue Christ-likeness for everyone We all have gifts the church needs.Use yours to build up the church. The goal is maturity – Christ-likeness, nothing less We build each other up. **Be Intentional. As an Individual, and as a Church.** Pray for growth. Work toward growth. Growth/ Maturity means a life lived on the mission of Jesus. - Sharing the Good News - Teaching biblical truth - Practicing a lifestyle that puts Jesus and His mission first. Purpose and priorities! - Serve others – consider others interests and spiritual needs - Live out the one another's – you need the church - look for accountability – meet regularly with others who are on mission. - sacrifice of time and resources for the mission – live with eternal values - intentionally thinking about others. In your church, in your community. # Where are these relationships intentionally happening? Sunday School, small groups, homes of motivated disciples who constantly reach out to others to build them up, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. # Pastors – be visionary, help your people see the calling to be actively engaged in disciple making, make sure your church provides training and space to live out that calling! From the pulpit – vision, theology, motivation In the smaller groups – training, skills, encouragement In the smallest groups – support, accountability and personal direction, training as needed. (5:00) ********* (5:00) DOCTRINE August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit Jesus Intercessor intercede - to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences : mediate Romans 8:31-35 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Hebrews 7:23-25 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. **(1:00)** As a member of God's family you have a part to play in preparing God's people for ministry. Prayerfully consider how God wants to use you to build up you church family and strengthen them for service. And stop to think, what is your role in the mission of Jesus to the world? Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00)

24_08_24 -Ep.326 - Run With Horses Podcast - A PNG Report Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast This week I have a special guest! My son, Cameron, is back from a missions trip to PNG and I thought we could see what he has learned before he is off to Bible College. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... Habits - Giving Finances Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Self 2 Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. DOCTRINE August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit The Death of Jesus Propitiation – to satisfy the wrath of God against sin. 1 John 4:10 - In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Reconciliation - having fellowship and peace with God where once there was enmity. Romans 5:10-11 - For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Redemption - the work of Christ on our behalf, whereby he purchases us, he ransoms us, at the price of his own life, securing our deliverance from the bondage and condemnation of sin. 1 Peter 1:18-19 - knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. The work that Jesus did on the cross, restoring our relationship with God and placing us into His family also gave us a mission and purpose in life. Cameron's trip to PNG is part of that mission. You relationship with people in your community is also part of that mission. How are you intentionally living that mission out this week? Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.

24_08_17 -Ep.325  - Run With Horses Podcast  - A Church Equipped for the Mission Podcast:  rwh.podbean.com Website:  www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:   https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:   https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast **(28:00)** Last week we began discussing what it means to be a church that equips people for ministry. We considered that it must be relational and built on the foundation of God's Word. This week we look at the practical aspects of equipping in the church. What does that actually look like in the life of the church? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... (27:00) ******* (27:00) Habits - Meditating on Scripture Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Psalm 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Meditation is like chewing. It is slow and thorough. Write notes about what you see in this passage. Make connections between the various sections. Ask yourself, “What do these words from God say?” “What do they mean?” Place who you are and what you do next to this passage and ask God to examine you. Continue to write your findings.(https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/biblical-meditation/)accessed 08.14.2024  (23:00) ****** (23:00) MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION. The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus. Don't forget the goals of the pathway. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway?  a. self-feeding Christians  b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus  c. disciple-makers  d. pastors  e. new churches  f. all members of the church, shepherded well We are still on the THIRD step in the Pathway;   EQUIP ENGAGE, CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE Merriam-Webster definition:  1: to furnish for service or action by appropriate provisioning Ie. equip an army 2:  to make ready : prepare What is equipping in the church?  It is preparing each member of the church to use their talents, gifts, and abilities to carry out the work of the ministry throughout their lives. It's answering the question.  If the church is made of the people and every member is responsible for the work of the ministry, how do we intentionally help each other prepare and carry out that work, inside and outside the four walls.  Last week we gave some guidelines. Equipping in it's best form is Relational. It is fundamentally Speaking the Truth. God's Word and the Holy Spirit supply the Wisdom that we need. But when we ended last week we still had the question, what does that look like in the local church. Equipping for the work of the ministry is actually a part of all that the church does, although we don't always do it intentionally. Consider our discipleship pathway.     • Engage: As the church talks about outreach and community connections, some members are just learning that we SHOULD be thinking about those outside the church. This is the beginning of equipping new members of the church. It shares the mission of Jesus to the world and the part the church plays in carrying it out.     • Connect: The church needs to teach foundational Biblical truth to new members as well as those who are considering what it might mean for them to follow Jesus. In this phase the church answers the questions, “What is the church and how do I become part of the church?  Consistent Bible teaching during this phase helps put down a firm foundation that a strong  Christian life and ministry can be built on. What is the biblical basis for service?     • Equip: Laying the foundation of a Biblical life should challenge believers to consider how God has gifted them to serve the church. Equipping often begins in a believers life as a time of discovery. Who am I, How has God designed me and what do I need to live my call as an everyday missionary in the world?        During the early life of a new believer, it is helpful to help them think through both corporate aspects of ministry in the church and the individual ministry that every believer has.  Equipping here helps answer the questions, “What ministry opportunities best fit my gifts and interests?” and “What training or skills could I get to help me serve better?”        Spiritual Growth: As a believer grows and connects with people and the ministries of the church, they should begin to get involved and see the need for further growth and skill training. Part of the Equipping ministry of the church is making it clear what training the church offers and how to take advantage of it. Training that the church recommends from other organizations, counseling centers, bible college, etc. are also kept available as part of helping every member grow in life and service. Equipping is answering the question, “How do I get ongoing training for ministry? “     • Release: Once individuals are fully engaged in the mission, both in edifying the church and in reaching out in the community, Equipping takes the form of helping workers sustain a life of purpose and ministry through the challenges that life brings. Ongoing support, counseling, refreshment through deep relationships and the ministry of God's Word help the church to sustain ministry and grow spiritually. Practically, Where and How does the church do all of this? 1. The Scriptural Foundation is taught through weekly sermons and Sunday school lessons. This is the part most churches do well. We are good at teaching Biblical truth. The theology behind what we do is taught week after week through expository messages that help us understand who God is and what He is doing in the world through His church. 2. Small groups are a place where a lot of equipping happens organically. In the midst of conversations and life challenges we have opportunities to help each other grow and learn to live out our faith in relationships. Leaders and hosts of small groups play a big part in the equipping ministry of the church as they model healthy, Jesus-centered relationships to the group. Here we talk about how our theology works itself out in our daily lives. Encouragement to act soon what we believe. Practical guidance on how to carry out ministry in the community and comfort when we struggle. 3. Individual relationships in the church are often a space where equipping takes place although some individuals are more intentional about it than others. 4. General ministry training and skill development (for SS teachers, deacons, sound booth workers, etc) are carried out either on an individual, as needed basis, or on a yearly schedule with a group. Depending on the focus this can range from a classroom setting to a more informal gathering where issues are talked through and modeled. 5. Specific ministry training is usually handled in a small group or individually as needed. Staff and pastoral training, etc. (00:00)  END PART 1 ******** (27:00)  BEGIN PART 2 (5:00) ********* (5:00) DOCTRINE August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit The Humility of Jesus Philippians 2:1-9 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  **(1:00)** Next week we will continue exploring how we, as a local church can work to equip each other for the work of the ministry. Practically, there are decisions we make about what, when and where that affects our ability to be disciple of Jesus who are equipping other disciples of Jesus.  When the church meets together and has discussion about what we do, we have to consider how we can best do the work of equipping people for ministry if we want to see spiritual growth in the church. There is a limit to how much we can grow without active engagement in the mission of Jesus. Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00)

24_08_10 -Ep.324  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Equipping the Church for Ministry   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   **(28:00)** Last week we focused on the connection we have with Jesus and the church.  This week we continue along those lines and consider how the church can be intentional about helping people build their relationship with Jesus and His family.   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you may want to check out our website, runwithhorses.net, and listen to some of the past shows to catch up. I have spent several shows focusing on a simple definition of the church and the current discussion we are having about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show...   (27:00) ******* (27:00)   Habits - Serving   John 13:2  And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.   1 Corinthians 10:24  24Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.   Philippians 2:1-4 1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.        (23:00) ****** (23:00)   MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION.   The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus.   Don't forget the goals of the pathway. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway? a. self-feeding Christians b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus c. disciple-makers d. pastors e. new churches f. all members of the church, shepherded well   We are on the THIRD step in the Pathway;   EQUIP ENGAGE, CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE   Merriam-Webster definition:  1: to furnish for service or action by appropriate provisioning Ie. equip an army 2:  to make ready : prepare   What is equipping in the church?  It is preparing each member of the church to use their talents, gifts, and abilities to carry out the work of the ministry throughout their lives. It involves specific skills, like playing the piano, as well as learning to use your gifting more intentionally, like the gift of encouragement. It's an ongoing process in the church, something we are always to be doing. It's answering the question. If the church is made of the people and every member is responsible for the work of the ministry, how do we intentionally help each other prepare and carry out that work, inside and outside the four walls. What skills and training do we need? What encouragement and motivation? Not just information. Most people need more than facts to engage in meaningful Gospel ministry.   A 9Marks article entitled, What Should ‘Equipping' Christians Look Like?, sees four basic approaches to the topic, most of which affirm the general teaching of the New Testament.   REF - https://www.9marks.org/article/what-should-equipping-christians-look-like/   Now this article answers some of the questions we may have about equipping in the church.  First, it is Relational. No surprise since disciple making is essentially one on one equipping and it relies on a relationship. Second, It is founded on Speaking the Truth. Third, God's Word and the Holy Spirit supply the Wisdom that we need.   The question remains, what does that look like in the local church.   (00:00)  END PART 1 ******** (27:00)  BEGIN PART 2   (5:00) ********* (5:00)   DOCTRINE August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit   Jesus is our Great High Priest Hebrews 4:14-16 Hebrews 9:6-10 **(1:00)** Next week we will continue exploring how we, as a local church can work to equip each other for the work of the ministry. Practically, there are decisions we make about what, when and where that affects our ability to be disciple of Jesus who are equipping other disciples of Jesus.  When the church meets together and has discussion about what we do, we have to consider how we can best do the work of equipping people for ministry if we want to see spiritual growth in the church. There is a limit to how much we can grow without active engagement in the mission of Jesus.   Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00)

24_08_03 -Ep.323  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Connect – United with Jesus and His Family   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   **(28:00)** Last week we focused on the connection we have with Jesus and the church.  This week we continue along those lines and consider how the church can be intentional about helping people build their relationship with Jesus and His family.   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you may want to check out our website, runwithhorses.net, and listen to some of the past shows to catch up. I have spent several shows focusing on a simple definition of the church and the current discussion we are having about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show...   (27:00) ******* (27:00)   Habits - **Community**  Acts 2:41-47 -  > 41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.   Romans 12:4-5 -  >4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.    Ephesians 2:19-22 - >19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.    (23:00) ****** (23:00)   MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION.   The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus.   Don't forget the goals of the pathway. Clear goals are important. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway? a. self-feeding Christians b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus c. disciple-makers d. pastors e. new churches f. all members of the church, shepherded well   We are still on the SECOND step in the Pathway;  ENGAGE, CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE   The church's role in connecting people to Jesus. What can the church do intentionally to help people connect their life, values, and purpose to Jesus? 1. Biblical teaching and preaching - the Bible is the foundation   a. Our identity in Christ-  >ACCEPTED I Am God's Child- John 1:12 I Am United with the Lord- 1 Corinthians 6:17 I Am Chosen and Adopted- Ephesians 2:3-8 I Am Complete in Jesus- John 4:1-45 I Have Direct Access to God Through Jesus- Hebrews 14:14-16 >SECURE I Am Free from Condemnation- Romans 8:1-2 and John 8:1-12 God Is at Work in My Life for His Glory and My Good- Romans 8:28 >SIGNIFICANT I Am Connected to Jesus as My Source of Life- John 15:5 I Have Been Called to Bear Fruit- John 15:16 I Am Seated with Jesus in Heaven- Ephesians 2:6 I Am God's Workmanship- Ephesians 2:10 I Can Approach God with Freedom and Confidence- Ephesians 3:12 REF (https://rootedministry.com/how-im-teaching-students-to-ground-their-identity-in-christ/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5Ky1BhAgEiwA5jGujmbR95PXgQowc5t6NcSS8cXzKPrMbmAxT2k7yGq0Hb6T1fTk9EHcyhoC_E4QAvD_BwE)   b. The character and mind of Christ Philippians 2 - 5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.    c. The mission of Christ Matthew 28:18-20 - Be and Make Disciples (followers of Jesus)   d. Healthy relationships aa. United in Christ bb. New family Answer the question, what does each believer need to grow to become more like Jesus and to embrace the mission of Jesus as their own?   2. Equipping and Training a. Spiritual gifts Romans 12:6-8  1 Corinthians 12:8-10    b. Spiritual disciplines >1. Prayer At least 25 times in the Gospels, we read of Jesus praying. According to Luke 5:16, Jesus prayed often by himself. In other words, He made a habit of it. >2. Fasting At the onset of His public ministry, Jesus took 40 days to fast in the wilderness. While it made His body weak, His spirit grew stronger. >3. Public Worship Luke 4:16 says that “on the Sabbath day [Jesus] went into the synagogue, as was his custom.” >4. Bible Reading Studying Scripture was an important part of Jesus' life. In fact, by age 12, He was already as biblically literate as the leading teachers (Luke 2:41-47). >5. Solitude and Silence Jesus regularly ministered in front of large crowds. But He also made a habit of getting away from time to time (Luke 5:16). In fact, He even encouraged His disciples to get away to a quiet place and rest (Mark 6:31). >6. Service In Mark 10:45, Jesus said His goal in coming to earth was not to be served but to serve others and to give His life for our benefit. REF (https://influencemagazine.com/practice/seven-spiritual-practices-of-jesus)   c. Practical ministry skills Answer the question, what training or skills does each believer need to carry out their role in the church and on the mission?   (00:00)  END PART 1 ******** (27:00)  BEGIN PART 2    3. Introduction to Personal Ministry a. Where has God placed you? Our individual stories are part of a much bigger Story.   Ultimately, this Story is not about us, but about Him.   God works in unexpected, unexplainable ways to accomplish His purposes.   God sovereignly and purposefully ordains and orchestrates the circumstances of our lives.   What we see now is not the whole story.   We can trust Him to write the story of those we love.   The challenges we face may be a part of God writing someone else's story.   Those who trust in Him will never be disappointed.   You can trust God to write your story… REF (https://openthebible.org/article/10-things-to-remember-about-gods-providence-in-our-lives/)   All this also makes a difference when we consider: b. Who has God put in your life? > Home > Work/ School > Community – The Art of Neighboring > Church Encourage everyone to see the relationships around them and bring Jesus into them.   4. Corporate Ministry a. How do we intentionally serve each other? One Another's of the NT Love one another (John 13:34 - This command occurs at least 16 times) Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10) Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10) Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16) Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11) Be likeminded towards one another (Romans 15:5) Accept one another (Romans 15:7) Admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16) Greet one another (Romans 16:16) Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25) Serve one another (Galatians 5:13) Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13) Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13) Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25) Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32) Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19) Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5) Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3) Look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4) Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13) Teach one another (Colossians 3:16) Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18) Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13) Stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24) Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9) Employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another (1 Peter 4:10) Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5) Pray for one another (James 5:16) Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)    b. How do my gifts build up the body of Christ?  You are part of something bigger than than yourself! > Intro to church ministries > Prayer service, prayer focus > One Another's of NT > Intro to Small Groups - you can learn to help others grow, in individual relationships and in small groups or family units.   Help everyone ask and answer the question, what is my role in the local body of Christ? How does my church need my gifts?     (5:00) ********* (5:00)   DOCTRINE August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit   Jesus - God Incarnate Merriam-Webster: Incarnation - the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ "..at one point in time and space, God entered the world, in the person of Jesus Christ, as He had never done before or since. ...the doctrine of the incarnation means that God is in the world and at work there." - Millard J. Erickson   Hebrews 4:14- 16  - 14Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.   He knows us and our need. He can relate to us. He is the perfect one to represent us, as God He is able, as man He understand our need.   Hebrews 9:11-14 - 11But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?    He is the perfect High Priest who alone can offer the perfect sacrifice for our sins.       **(1:00)**   How is your church doing at helping new believers connect with Jesus in a real and meaningful way? Are relationships in the church growing and strong, able to handle the trials that always come our way? If we are too be intentional disciples of Jesus it is important that we make a genuine effort to live out the purpose of the church together.   Thanks for joining me again today! If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00)  

24_07_27 -Ep.322 - Run With Horses Podcast - Connect – The Church, Jesus and His Family Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast (28:00) Last week we focused on why must we ENGAGE with our community if we truly are the church. This week we consider how important it is that we are connected together as one body united. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you may want to check out our website, runwithhorses.net, and listen to some of the past shows to catch up. I have spent several shows focusing on a simple definition of the church and the current discussion we are having about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show... (27:00) ******* (27:00) HABITS - Bible Reading There are many habits that will help you on the road toward Christ-likeness but the habit of reading the Bible is one of the absolute most important ones you must constantly build into your life. Why? How else can you know what it means to be like Jesus? The NT is key to growing in your understanding of the life of Jesus. As you see how He lived, talked and related to people, it should greatly influence how you live. Your goal is to have the same attitude and intentions that He has toward God the Father and other people. How do you do it? First, there is no wrong way to begin. If you don't have a bible reading habit now, start one. Start simple, keep it short, but begin to build the habit of consistently reading God's Word. A common complaint is that the Bible is hard to understand, and that is true if you haven't grown up in the church or spent much time in the Bible. The Bible is a book that takes some time to really grasp. It covers thousands of years and every part of life through history, poetry, letters and straight teaching. But if you apply some effort you will get it and it is worth it! Start by getting a reading plan or making one yourself. Stick to the NT until you have read it through twice. If you need a simple plan, start with Mark, then read Acts and continue through the NT. Start easy and read a chapter a day or a few verses a day with the goal of building up to a chapter. Have a pen and notebook handy and write down the key ideas of the chapter. Put it in your own words and think about what you need to do in response. If you don't understand something, write down your questions, but maintain the habit of reading every day. It will reward you in time as you begin to see the big picture. (23:00) ****** (23:00) Time for a quick review: What is as DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY? Simply put, an intentional plan to help followers of Jesus grow toward Christ-likeness. That word intentional is key. MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION. The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus. Don't forget the goals of the pathway. Clear goals are important. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway? a. self-feeding Christians b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus c. disciple-makers d. pastors e. new churches f. all members of the church, shepherded well We are focusing on the SECOND step in the Pathway; ENGAGE, CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE As someone grows in their understanding of who Jesus is and begins to follow Him, they need to develop a solid connection to Him that allows them to abide in Him. It's important to really know Him. John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. How do we come to know and love Jesus? In His Word and in His people, the church. We need a strong connection to Jesus. We need a strong connection to His church. The Second Step of the Discipleship Pathway focuses on helping us make those strong connections to Jesus and His church. This is the TOGETHER in our definition of the church. The CONNECT step includes Foundations of the Christian Life that help us grow in our relationship with Jesus and His church. a. prayer – building the habit of talking to God - praying for His church, His people - learning to pray for His mission b. Bible A. reading the Bible B. studying the Bible C. memorizing the Bible D. meditating on the Bible E. Learning to live out His commands c. community – the church is really important to Jesus. It has to be important to us! A. fellowship B. service – serving one anther and the community, together C. mutual edification D. the one and others of the New Testament E. Joining the church on the mission of Jesus, more on this later d. disciple-making foundations – part of knowing and obeying His commands A. be intentional B. be relational C. expect reproduction e. simple journaling – thinking deeply about His Word and how you should respond to Him (00:00) END PART 1 ******** (27:00) BEGIN PART 2 In all of these the goal is knowing and loving Jesus more and developing a deeper connection with Him and His church as we carry out his mission in the world. We begin to connect to His mission from the moment we accept Jesus as Savior. A new believer is an example of the reconciliation that God is working in the world. God has a clear purpose for our lives and the fact is that His mission is central to His purpose for each of us. How do you learn about His mission? In His Word and as we grow in our relationship with His church. We carry out His mission with His church, as His church! Personal Evaluation and Spiritual Development This is seeing God at work, preparing me for ministry. Everyone has a part in the mission of Jesus. We often talk about it is using the words – ministry and mission. Some view ministry as our service to each other inside the church, and mission our service to those outside the church. I'm not sure I see the division quite like that but clearly we have a responsibility and opportunity to engage with people who are part of our local church and those who are not a part of it. Pauls says we engage with those outside the church as ambassadors for Christ, carrying His message of reconciliation to the world. How do you find out about your part in ministry and how do you know your gifting? A personal evaluation can cover many avenues and provide a starting place although it can't answer all your questions. Ultimately you will learn how you best serve as you serve. Jump in and volunteer to help and ask for guidance from mature believer in your church. To begin, here are some areas to prayerfully consider as you think though how God has made you and what role you have in his church and mission. a. the DISC profile. Who am I, relationally? - how do I behave in various situations around different kinds of people. You can learn, grow and adjust and get better are relating to everyone. b. spiritual gifts inventory. Who am I, in service? - ask your pastor if there is a spiritual gifts inventory that he uses - remember that this can't tell you what your gifts are but it can't give you some direction as you think and pray through it. - many of your gifts will be discovered and build upon as you serve and begin to get involved in Christ's mission c. hobby, interest, skill set. Who am I, in my current and future ability? - you already know a lot about many different things. From cooking to carpentry, people bring some skills to the table when they come to Christ. - I recommend making a list of everything you know and can do, along with things you already have a desire to learn, and prayerfully give each one to God. d. training. A. Past, what I have now. - education and practical skills B. Future, what I want or need. - as doors open for ministry and service, you may see the need for more training. e. experience. - God uses all you are to make you a fitting tool for helping others A. Work B. Ministry C. Life f. Pursue spiritual growth - be intentional - seek out people who are actively growing to talk with - assume God wants to use you! What all this means is that we need to be intentional about our relationships and seeking out people who will challenge us to live like Jesus. It also means pursuing opportunities to learn about God's Word. It also means looking for opportunities to join His church on His mission. Next time we want to consider the role that the church has in helping people connect to Jesus and to each other. As always, it takes being intentional and putting our theology into actions! (5:00) ********* (5:00) DOCTRINE July - God – Omnipresent, Holy, Righteous and Just August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit God is Righteous and Just Deut. 32:3-4 For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. 4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. Romans 3:21-26 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. God always does what is right. He Himself is the standard for what is right. God is always all that He ought to be as God. He is always consistent with His own character. (1:00) How connected are you with the church? How can you help others connect to Jesus and His family? In both cases, the love of God is a driving force that compels us toward Him and others as we join Him on His mission. It can be difficult but there is nothing in life that is as worth the effort as pursuing Jesus and following Him. Thanks for joining me again today! Stop and say a prayer for your church family today! I'd love to hear from you, write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00)

24_07_20 -Ep.321 - Run With Horses Podcast - Engage – The Church in the Community Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast (28:00) Last week I introduced the word ENGAGE as representing the first step a discipleship pathway for the church. Today I want to anchor it more fully in our working definition of the church. Why must we ENGAGE with our community if we truly are the church? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! I don't say it enough but I am really thankful you are with me on this journey of pursuing Jesus and His mission. I have been told, repeatedly, that I need to do a better job of getting the word out about this show. I do believe what we are talking about is valuable, at least to some people, but I need your help to find them. If you have enjoyed the show, leave a review wherever you find the podcast and more importantly, tell someone else to have a listen. (27:00) ******* (27:00) HABITS – Prayer Part of the life of a disciple is developing the habits that help you follow Jesus well. Prayer is a key part of that life and an essential habit to develop. 1 Thess. 5:16-18 – 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. • Make a commitment: Commit to praying and understand its importance • Schedule time: Schedule prayer into your daily routine as well as be prepared to pray wherever and whenever • Find a place: Choose a regular place to pray and minimize distractions, but practice praying in the chaos too! • Ask for help: Ask God to help you pray and transform your heart • Pray with others: Pray together, pray with and for each other • Pray while exercising: Divide your workout into prayer periods • Read the Bible: Use Bible passages and verses as a foundation for your prayers, Paul's prayers are awesome! • Other tips: Keep a prayer diary, find a regular prayer partner, and give thanks for the privilege of prayer (23:00) ****** (23:00) Time for a quick review: What is as DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY? Simply put, an intentional plan to help followers of Jesus grow toward Christ-likeness. That word intentional is key. MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the MISSION of Jesus as His witnesses TO THE WORLD, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on HIS MISSION. The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus. Don't forget the goals of the pathway. Clear goals are important. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway? a. self-feeding Christians b. everyday missionaries – everyone on the mission of Jesus c. disciple-makers d. pastors e. new churches f. all members of the church, shepherded well We are focusing on the first step in the Pathway; ENGAGE, then CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE ENGAGE - Actions by the Church, outside the four walls primarily. * Community Engagement Be part of what is happening in the neighborhood, community. Pastor here on the town council. Local clubs – art, sports, civic. There are a lot of people who want to make your community a better place, help them do that. * Relationship Building Look for opportunities to go beyond the community event or club. Invite people into your life. Supper, hobbies, coffee, etc. * Evangelism Live your faith in front of your friends. Let them know you pray for them. Ask them what you can pray for! Share answers to prayer in your own life. Share a meaningful verse you have been memorizing or meditating on recently. Let them know your faith is genuine by your conversation and life choices. After a short break we will be back to consider why it is so important that we get out and interact with our community. (00:00) END PART 1 ******** (27:00) BEGIN PART 2 Why is this so critical? The world no longer looks to the church for answers about anything. We need mature believers to take a Christian worldview into the marketplace and engage in the crucial conversations that people are having. Who do people look to when they have questions? Their network of relationships, their friends. How do you get to be one of them? # Reference: https://www.str.org/w/what-do-non-christians-think-of-christians-and-christianity- QUOTE,” The aim of the interview is not for students to actually do apologetics. I just want them to become more comfortable talking with non-Christians and to establish a habit of asking questions and listening attentively. I also want them to see firsthand how and where the ideas that we discuss in the classroom are at work in the lives of people they know. Here are the required questions: How would you describe your personal spiritual beliefs? Do you believe God exists? If so, why, and what do you believe God is like? If not, why? What has your exposure to Christianity been? As best as you can, describe what you think Christianity teaches. Who do you believe Jesus was and why? What do you think about the Bible? What is your honest perception of Christians? What are your top reasons for not believing the Christian faith is true? Do you have any objections to Christianity? If so, what? Is there anything that could persuade you that Christianity is true? If so, what? If not, why?” # These questions can start conversations with your friends and neighbors that they need to have with a mature follower of Jesus. The question is, are we consistently producing mature followers of Jesus? Where and how does the church train, encourage, motivate, support, and equip the individual to go out and be actively engaged in the community. Equipping by the Church- support and training for engagement 1. Gospel Foundations 2. First Steps in Gospel Ministry (5:00) ********* (5:00) DOCTRINE July – God – Omnipresent, Holy, Righteous and Just August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit Today we want to pause and consider that God is Holy. Merriam-Webster - : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. A biblical definition: The Hebrew word for “holy” literally means “separate” or “set apart.” Holiness is talking about His absolute purity. God is unstained by sin and evil. He is perfect in every way, and perfectly good all the time. Completely separate from sin. 1 Samuel 2:2 - “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 1 John 1:5 - This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Isaiah 59:2 - But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. 1 Peter 2:13-16 – 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1:00) Thanks for joining me again today! Stop and say a prayer for your church family today! I'd love to hear from you, write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running. (00:00)

24_07_06 -Ep.320  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Engage – Part One of the  Discipleship Pathway Podcast:  rwh.podbean.com Website:  www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:   https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:   https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Last week we began talking about a discipleship pathway for the church. Today we begin to break it down and consider the first step. What does it mean to Engage with your community? Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! ******* HABITS - Thanksgiving The Discipleship pathway is intended to help a church be intentional about helping people take steps toward Christ-likeness. However, individually each one of us has the same responsibility and opportunity to pursue that growth ourself. One thing that you can do personally to support a life of pursuing Jesus is work to develp new habits that make it easier to move forward. Today I want to focus on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a habit that we all can and should develop and ingrain in our lives. 1 Thess. 5:16-18,  How? Make it easy and give yourself reminders. Memorize this verse or others like it. One step at a time. This is a good place to start. ****** A quick review: What is as discipleship pathway? Simply put, an intentional plan to help followers of Jesus grow toward Christ-likeness. That word intentional is key. MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the mission of Jesus as His witnesses to the world, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and EQUIP OTHERS to join them on His mission. The discipleship pathway is an intentional plan to equip others to be on the mission of Jesus. Don't forget the goals of the pathway. Clear goals are important. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway?  a. self-feeding Christians  b. everyday missionaries  c. disciple-makers  d. pastors  e. new churches  f. all members of the church, shepherded well First step in the Pathway. ENGAGE, then CONNECT, EQUIP, RELEASE ENGAGE -  Everything is covered with the clear expectation of Intentional Engagement by all members of the church. Actions by the Church, outside the four walls primarily. * Community Engagement  Where and how are we involved in the community?  How does the church family encourage and support community activities and projects? * Relationship Building  We seem to have lost the ability to build realtionships!  What does it take to make a new friend? Time and conversation.  Galatians 5:22-23, 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. * Evangelism – Gospel Conversations -  built on relationships.  Not a rote prepackaged gospel conversation, although there is a time and place for those, but bringing your friends into your relationship with Jesus and sharing hwo the Gospel has impacted your life. * Pre-Baptism – following up with those God is working in.  - Gospel review – How well do they understand what Jesus did on the cross?  - Christian Life Basics – How do you build a relationship with Jesus?   > Prayer   > Bible Reading   > Church Family  - Church Family – get to know relationally, invite your unbelieving friends into your church family network of friends   > Importance of–    > Purpose of – introduce the mission of Jesus ** Baptism/ Membership – connected with the church family officially. Equipping by the Church- support and training for engagement 1.  Gospel Foundations. -  grounded in God's Word and His work in our life  a. salvation and faith – review and talk about your own life change comfortably  b. Jesus' finished work on the cross and the implications of that work, what Jesus did in and through you.  c. our new identity and all that means for life, who we are has changed and impacts everything!  2. First Steps in Gospel Ministry  a. my testimony – your story connected with God's story  b. Three Circles gospel presentation  c. The Bridge gospel presentation   ********* DOCTRINE July – God August – Jesus September – Holy Spirit God is Omnipresent Jeremiah 23:23-24,  Psalm 139:7-10,    Thanks for joining me again today! Stop and say a prayer for your church family today! I'd love to hear from you, write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.  

24_07_06 -Ep.319  - Run With Horses Podcast  - Beginning A Discipleship Pathway   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   I have spent some time looking at the a definition of the church recently, today we begin thinking about what it means to live this out as a church.   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   A quick review:   MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the mission of Jesus as His witnesses to the world, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and equip others to join them on His mission.   Why do we need this kind of essential definition of the church?  Clear vision – who we are and what we do Unity Clear purpose – what do we need to focus on, How do we accomplish our purpose Goals and Strategic planning, Intentionality Church planting – more and faster Mission   So what does it look like to be a member of something like this? What is my role? How am I supposed to act and what should I do? The church IS it's members. Every member needs clarity of vision and purpose.   The church is a group of people who are intentionally and increasingly moving along a path toward becoming like Jesus. So, are you a good church member? How about a good disciple of Jesus? What can you do to help your church as you all grow in Christ-likeness and pursue Him and His mission together? These are all questions we have asked in the past. Now, let's begin to develop some answers. A church needs a discipleship pathway. What do I mean by that? Some define it as a disciple making strategy for the church. Navigators has called it “a sequenced plan to move disciples from one stage of growth to the next.”  REF: https://navigatorschurchministries.org/2023/07/21/growing-disciples-the-discipleship-pathway/ What you should take away from any definition is that it is intentional, some thought has been put into it, and it has the goal of helping people grow toward Christ-likeness. Clear goals are important. What are the goals of a discipleship pathway? a. self-feeding Christians b. everyday missionaries c. disciple-makers d. pastors e. new churches f. all members of the church, shepherded well

24_06_29 -Ep.318 - Run With Horses Podcast - Life is a Journey   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast  

24_06_22 -Ep.317 - Run With Horses Podcast - Becoming a Responsible Adult   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast

Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   I have spent some time looking at the a definition of the church recently, today I want to consider what it means to be a good member of the church.   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   A quick reminder:   MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the mission of Jesus as His witnesses to the world, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and equip others to join them on His mission.   So what does it look like to be a member of something like this? What is my role? How am I supposed to act and what should I do? The church IS it's members so what we do makes the church what it is to some extent.   The Church Member is a Disciple of Jesus *Arrange their life to be with Jesus *Intentionally pursue the character of Jesus *Increasingly love what Jesus loves *Are committed to the mission of Jesus because of their devotion to Jesus   Knows the mission of the church Prays for church and it's leaders Understands the value of their presence Pursues peace and unity in the church family Has healthy relationships with unbelievers Teachable Humble Patient An encourager Is a theologian Is a growing disciple maker Builds up others Think about ministry and how to do it better Work hard We over me. Lives for others. Understands difference between preferences and Biblical principles.    

24_06_08 -Ep.315 - Run With Horses Podcast - Are Short-Term Missions Trips Worth It?   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   I have just returned from a 3 week trip to Japan taking two groups, one from a Bible college and one from a church. I'm often asked if these trips are worth it, today, let's explore that question!   Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together!   Mission trips are by definition focused on the mission of Jesus, but are they really? How do short term trips fit into the bigger picture of what it means to be the church?   MY WORKING DEFINITION OF CHURCH A CHURCH is a group of followers of Jesus who worship Him in spirit and truth, humbly offering their lives as living sacrifices, together living out the mission of Jesus as His witnesses to the world, by sharing the gospel and making disciples through teaching obedience to His commands as they edify and equip others to join them on His mission.   Goals of short term trips:   Some examples: https://ministry127.com/missions/4-goals-for-a-short-term-missions-trip   https://leadership.lifeway.com/2019/06/26/three-objectives-for-a-short-term-missions-trip/   https://www.youthpastortheologian.com/blog/are-short-term-missions-trips-worth-it   1. Work Projects 2. Support missionary in relationship building 3. Encourage local churches and missionaries 4. Recruit new workers for the harvest 5. Inform and recruit prayer partnerships 6. Give both the church going and the churches receiving a better vision of the Universal church.   Why do short term missions trips sometimes have a bad reputation? 1. Vacation for rich Americans 2. Fulfilling for team, meaningless for nationals. 3. No clear purpose. 4. Team unprepared. 5. Waste of missionary time.   GRIT     Doing it Well: https://missionguide.global/articles/missionexcellence   https://www.imb.org/2017/05/18/5-things-consider-church-plans-short-term-mission-trip/   1. Have clear goals that fit in with the missionary or national church pastor's long-term vision and strategy. 2.Take time to train and prepare the team to be servants in all areas of life. 3. Use the opportunity to equip the team in new ways that will benefit the sending church when they return. New training opportunities. 4. Support disciple making in both the sending and receiving churches. 5. Plan ongoing evaluations and debrief, get the receiving church's evaluation. 6. Pray! 7. Choose the right people for the team   Thanks for joining me again today! Stop and say a prayer for your church family today! I'd love to hear from you, write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.