Run With Horses

By: Norman Smith
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  • Summary

  • The Run With Horses podcast strives to help disciples of Jesus reach their full potential. Join us for practical advice to help overcome spiritual roadblocks and find the motivation you need to persist through life’s trials.
    Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
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Christianity Spirituality
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Episodes
  • Living Thanks Out Loud

    Living Thanks Out Loud
    Nov 24 2024
    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 ...
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    56 mins
  • From Biblical Purpose to Daily Action

    From Biblical Purpose to Daily Action
    Nov 17 2024
    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 ...
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    56 mins
  • Write Your Purpose Statement

    Write Your Purpose Statement
    Nov 10 2024
    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....
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    56 mins

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