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 ...
