Run With Horses

How are your Priorities? 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
 
Today we continue thinking about how we can be intentional about making spiritual progress in our life. What will you consistently do to move forward in your spiritual life?
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
 
Two weeks ago we looked at our purpose comparing Peter Drucker’s Five Magic Questions with what the Bible tells us about our purpose. God’s call for you to be an active disciple maker on His mission of reconciliation is clear. How do you respond to God’s call? What does that mean that you should do with your life?
 
Let’s start to answer that question today!
 
First a quick review since we have been away from the topic for a few weeks.
 
Resources
https://andrewsobel.com/article/peter-druckers-five-magic-questions/
******
Peter Drucker’s Five Magic Questions
The management guru Peter Drucker framed his consulting advice around five critical questions. With the answers to these five questions, you could run and grow your business.
Here are Drucker’s five questions:
 
1. What is your mission?
 
2. Who is your customer?
 
3. What does your customer value?
 
4. What results do you seek?
 
5. What is your plan?
 
The Bible doesn’t tell you exactly what to do each day but God does tell you what is important to Him and what you should value in life. That is a pretty good place to start when you consider your priorities.
 
Matt. 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
 
Luke 10:38-42 – Mary and Martha – busy first or Jesus first?
 
Matt. 22:35-40 –
 
Deut. 6:4-7 -
 
 
Romans 12:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 2:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (to vs 13 with deacons)– Qualifications for Leaders in the church
 
Matt. 28:18-20 – Great commission – Make disciples
 
Two weeks ago we ended with the questions, “What does that look like in your life? How are you living out these truths?” Have you had a chance to think and pray about your answer?
 
Let’s put the question another way. What will you prioritize and pursue in your life?
 
Where do you get your priorities? Answer that one wrong and you will never be on the right path in your life!
 
What does the world say?
Media of all kinds, TV, movies, music, SM, magazines, books, billboards, etc.
What is the dominant message of the copmmercials we ingest so much of? YOU NEED MORE! STUFF WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY AND FULFILL YOU!
 
 
After a short break we will look at some biblical advice for our priorities.
 
 
PART 2
 
Stephen R. Covey -The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People : “As a longtime student of this fascinating field [of life and time management], I am personally persuaded that the essence of the best thinking in the area of time management can be captured in a single phrase: Organize and execute around priorities.”
 
Here are a few non-negotiables as I understand them.
God must be first.
Exodus 20:2-3 –
(See Luke 10 Mary and Martha Example, Jesus over serving others.)
 
Character Counts.
Romans 5:3-5 –
 
Galatians 5:22-26 –
 
Our Relationships Matter, A Lot.
 
1 Cor. 6:1-11 –
 
Eph. 2:1-3 –
 
Romans 12:9-21 –
 
Phil. 2:1-4 –
 
There are so many places in the bible where God tells us to love each other and care or each other. As part of God’d fanily we are to pursue meaningful relationships with others. A meaningful relationship is one that is centered on Jesus and moving toward Him.
 
So my quick summary of three top priorities. God FIRST. God FIRST in us. God FIRST in our relationships.
How is this working out in your life? Next week we will look a little more at priorities and try to get practical.
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your lifeno? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

How are your Priorities? 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
 
Today we continue thinking about how we can be intentional about making spiritual progress in our life. What will you consistently do to move forward in your spiritual life?
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
 
Two weeks ago we looked at our purpose comparing Peter Drucker’s Five Magic Questions with what the Bible tells us about our purpose. God’s call for you to be an active disciple maker on His mission of reconciliation is clear. How do you respond to God’s call? What does that mean that you should do with your life?
 
Let’s start to answer that question today!
 
First a quick review since we have been away from the topic for a few weeks.
 
Resources
https://andrewsobel.com/article/peter-druckers-five-magic-questions/
******
Peter Drucker’s Five Magic Questions
The management guru Peter Drucker framed his consulting advice around five critical questions. With the answers to these five questions, you could run and grow your business.
Here are Drucker’s five questions:
 
1. What is your mission?
 
2. Who is your customer?
 
3. What does your customer value?
 
4. What results do you seek?
 
5. What is your plan?
 
The Bible doesn’t tell you exactly what to do each day but God does tell you what is important to Him and what you should value in life. That is a pretty good place to start when you consider your priorities.
 
Matt. 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
 
Luke 10:38-42 – Mary and Martha – busy first or Jesus first?
 
Matt. 22:35-40 –
 
Deut. 6:4-7 -
 
 
Romans 12:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 2:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (to vs 13 with deacons)– Qualifications for Leaders in the church
 
Matt. 28:18-20 – Great commission – Make disciples
 
Two weeks ago we ended with the questions, “What does that look like in your life? How are you living out these truths?” Have you had a chance to think and pray about your answer?
 
Let’s put the question another way. What will you prioritize and pursue in your life?
 
Where do you get your priorities? Answer that one wrong and you will never be on the right path in your life!
 
What does the world say?
Media of all kinds, TV, movies, music, SM, magazines, books, billboards, etc.
What is the dominant message of the copmmercials we ingest so much of? YOU NEED MORE! STUFF WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY AND FULFILL YOU!
 
 
After a short break we will look at some biblical advice for our priorities.
 
 
PART 2
 
Stephen R. Covey -The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People : “As a longtime student of this fascinating field [of life and time management], I am personally persuaded that the essence of the best thinking in the area of time management can be captured in a single phrase: Organize and execute around priorities.”
 
Here are a few non-negotiables as I understand them.
God must be first.
Exodus 20:2-3 –
(See Luke 10 Mary and Martha Example, Jesus over serving others.)
 
Character Counts.
Romans 5:3-5 –
 
Galatians 5:22-26 –
 
Our Relationships Matter, A Lot.
 
1 Cor. 6:1-11 –
 
Eph. 2:1-3 –
 
Romans 12:9-21 –
 
Phil. 2:1-4 –
 
There are so many places in the bible where God tells us to love each other and care or each other. As part of God’d fanily we are to pursue meaningful relationships with others. A meaningful relationship is one that is centered on Jesus and moving toward Him.
 
So my quick summary of three top priorities. God FIRST. God FIRST in us. God FIRST in our relationships.
How is this working out in your life? Next week we will look a little more at priorities and try to get practical.
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your lifeno? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

Goodbye 2023, Hello 2024! 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
 
Today we have a little family review of 2023 and look forward toward 2024.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus.
 
 
What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

Goodbye 2023, Hello 2024! 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
 
Today we have a little family review of 2023 and look forward toward 2024.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus.
 
 
What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

Christmas 2023 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
 
Today we pause from our regular show and focus on the birth of Jesus. I hope to read through the story of His birth as told by Matthew and Luke. It is a lot and if you are listening on Revelation Radio there is a chance I won’t finish in the hour I have. If so, you are invited top complete the reading yourself at home.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. At this time of year we remember His birth and the life that He lived, leading to the cross.
 
 
Isaiah 7:14
 
Isaiah 9:6-7
 
Luke 1:1-80
 
Matthew 1:18-25
 
Luke 2:1-39
 
Matthew 2:1-23
 
 
Taken from the World English Bible, American English Edition
 
And that, my Friends, is the story for he birth of Jesus according to Matthew and Luke!
 
I have heard many arguments over the years of why we should not celebrate Christmas. A Christian whitewash of a Pagan holiday is the common complaint.
 
Yes. So What.
There was a good reason for coopting the pagan celebrations and putting a reminder of God’s work in their place. When you remove a huge part of your life, you will replace it with something. When people turned to God, the vacant days set aside for celebrating idols would be filled with something. Like those stones I mentioned in the first half, just stones until they are set aside as a memorial for remembering God’s work. Christmas is like that.
But, it is in danger of being overrun by commercialism and that is a concern. The world would like to forget that Jesus IS.
 
What do you and your family do to keep Jesus at the center of Christmas? Any special family traditions?
 
As a follower of Jesus in a real sense, everyday is Christmas. Every day is Easter too. Never forget what He did for you. Live like it matters. Make choices that keep Him first
 
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

Christmas 2023 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
 
Today we pause from our regular show and focus on the birth of Jesus. I hope to read through the story of His birth as told by Matthew and Luke. It is a lot and if you are listening on Revelation Radio there is a chance I won’t finish in the hour I have. If so, you are invited top complete the reading yourself at home.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. At this time of year we remember His birth and the life that He lived, leading to the cross.
 
 
Isaiah 7:14
 
Isaiah 9:6-7
 
Luke 1:1-80
 
Matthew 1:18-25
 
Luke 2:1-39
 
Matthew 2:1-23
 
 
Taken from the World English Bible, American English Edition
 
And that, my Friends, is the story for he birth of Jesus according to Matthew and Luke!
 
I have heard many arguments over the years of why we should not celebrate Christmas. A Christian whitewash of a Pagan holiday is the common complaint.
 
Yes. So What.
There was a good reason for coopting the pagan celebrations and putting a reminder of God’s work in their place. When you remove a huge part of your life, you will replace it with something. When people turned to God, the vacant days set aside for celebrating idols would be filled with something. Like those stones I mentioned in the first half, just stones until they are set aside as a memorial for remembering God’s work. Christmas is like that.
But, it is in danger of being overrun by commercialism and that is a concern. The world would like to forget that Jesus IS.
 
What do you and your family do to keep Jesus at the center of Christmas? Any special family traditions?
 
As a follower of Jesus in a real sense, everyday is Christmas. Every day is Easter too. Never forget what He did for you. Live like it matters. Make choices that keep Him first
 
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

How are your Priorities? 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
 
Today we continue thinking about how we can be intentional about making spiritual progress in our life. Last week our focus was to clarify our purpose this week we think about our priorities.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
 
Last week we talked about seeing the needs in the world. Particularly important is the need for more harvest workers. I asked you to focus on prayer for those workers and to pray for a greater burden for the work and mission of Jesus. I moved on to consider how God made you and has designed you for a purpose. We took John 15:9-17 and looked at some things that God wants for you.
 
This week we turn toward living out that purpose. Hopefully you have spent some time considering what God has to say about you and about the call that Jesus made to all His followers. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Actually the way I like to put it is to combine two verses. “Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Your purpose, regardless of age, income, job title or current address, is to be a disciple maker – an ambassador for Christ.
 
So how do you see your priorities every day? How do you know what to focus on? In other words, how do you live out your purpose?
The world gives you lots of ideas! Many churches take Peter Drucker’s advice.
 
 
Resources
https://andrewsobel.com/article/peter-druckers-five-magic-questions/
******
Peter Drucker’s Five Magic Questions
The management guru Peter Drucker framed his consulting advice around five critical questions. With the answers to these five questions, you could run and grow your business.
Here are Drucker’s five questions:
 
1. What is your mission?
 
2. Who is your customer?
 
3. What does your customer value?
 
4. What results do you seek?
 
5. What is your plan?
 
Sometimes he would spend an entire day on the first question, challenging the leadership team he was working with to redefine what business they were really in.
 
*****
 
I can see some value in those questions, if they are answered the right way. But too often churches answer the question, Who is your customer? With some kind of demographic survey and an ideal person in their area.
 
My customer is Jesus. What does He value? Answer that and you are well on your way to determining your best priorities for the week.
 
After a short break we will look at some biblical advice for our priorities.
 
 
PART 2
 
The Bible doesn’t tell you exactly what to do each day but God does tell you what is important to Him and what you should value in life. That is a pretty good place to start when you consider your priorities.
 
Matt. 6:33
 
Luke 10:38-42
 
Matt. 22:35-40 –
Deut. 6:4-7 -
 
Romans 12:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 2:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 3:1-7
 
Matt. 28:18-20 –
 
What does that look like in your life? How are you living out these truths? Next week I plan to bring in some family for a Christmas show but we will return to building an intentional life of following Jesus for the New Year weekend show.,
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

How are your Priorities? 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
 
Today we continue thinking about how we can be intentional about making spiritual progress in our life. Last week our focus was to clarify our purpose this week we think about our priorities.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
 
Last week we talked about seeing the needs in the world. Particularly important is the need for more harvest workers. I asked you to focus on prayer for those workers and to pray for a greater burden for the work and mission of Jesus. I moved on to consider how God made you and has designed you for a purpose. We took John 15:9-17 and looked at some things that God wants for you.
 
This week we turn toward living out that purpose. Hopefully you have spent some time considering what God has to say about you and about the call that Jesus made to all His followers. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Actually the way I like to put it is to combine two verses. “Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”
Your purpose, regardless of age, income, job title or current address, is to be a disciple maker – an ambassador for Christ.
 
So how do you see your priorities every day? How do you know what to focus on? In other words, how do you live out your purpose?
The world gives you lots of ideas! Many churches take Peter Drucker’s advice.
 
 
Resources
https://andrewsobel.com/article/peter-druckers-five-magic-questions/
******
Peter Drucker’s Five Magic Questions
The management guru Peter Drucker framed his consulting advice around five critical questions. With the answers to these five questions, you could run and grow your business.
Here are Drucker’s five questions:
 
1. What is your mission?
 
2. Who is your customer?
 
3. What does your customer value?
 
4. What results do you seek?
 
5. What is your plan?
 
Sometimes he would spend an entire day on the first question, challenging the leadership team he was working with to redefine what business they were really in.
 
*****
 
I can see some value in those questions, if they are answered the right way. But too often churches answer the question, Who is your customer? With some kind of demographic survey and an ideal person in their area.
 
My customer is Jesus. What does He value? Answer that and you are well on your way to determining your best priorities for the week.
 
After a short break we will look at some biblical advice for our priorities.
 
 
PART 2
 
The Bible doesn’t tell you exactly what to do each day but God does tell you what is important to Him and what you should value in life. That is a pretty good place to start when you consider your priorities.
 
Matt. 6:33
 
Luke 10:38-42
 
Matt. 22:35-40 –
Deut. 6:4-7 -
 
Romans 12:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 2:1-2 –
 
1 Timothy 3:1-7
 
Matt. 28:18-20 –
 
What does that look like in your life? How are you living out these truths? Next week I plan to bring in some family for a Christmas show but we will return to building an intentional life of following Jesus for the New Year weekend show.,
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

Purpose and Priorities 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
 
Today we consider how we can be a little more intentional about making progress in our life by clarifying our purpose and priorities.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
 
Last week we talked about the year end depressions that hits so many. Loneliness and isolation have a lot to do with it and we stayed there a lot last week. But as the New Year draws closer and more people begin to think about the future, past the Christmas parties and New Year gatherings what waits for you in the next year? If you are thinking next year will be a replay of last year I can see why you might be discouraged. But I don’t believe it has to be more of the same for you.
 
You may not have control over your circumstances or the people around you but you have a loto of influence over your response to those circumstances and people. More of the same from them doesn’t have to mean more of the same from you!
 
But change requires CHANGE.
Where do you start?
Prayer and fasting. What is God doing in you? What is God doing in the people around you? How does God want to use you this year to influence those around you toward Him?
 
Work Goals: What you can do.
Faith Goals: What only God can do.
 
First pray about the big needs you see in the world. Most people need to know Jesus in a real and personal way. The evidence of that is in the news every day. How often do you pray about it instead of complain about it? Where do you see evidence of this need in the people around you?
 
Who are the people working to meet those needs? Pray for workers. Get to know the workers in the harvest field around you. How can you help and encourage them? Don’t know? Pray for wisdom, then go and ask those workers how you can help them!
 
If not NOW, WHEN? If not YOU, WHO? - Ask God to give you the burden and vision for His work.
 
Want to have a better year next year? Pray about how you can serve others more and better.
 
After a short break I will be back with some thoughts on how to use some strategic planning principles to clarify a new direction for a new year in a way that can get you excited about what God is doing in your life!
 
PART 2
 
If you follow my advice you will spend some time at the end of this year and the start of the next in intentional prayer and fasting. Although it is easy to focus on the negative in the world, God uses difficult times to open hearts. If you look for people who need a friend, you will find them. Pray for the compassion of Jesus to guide you in the coming year.
 
Second, after spending time with God, reflecting on Him and the work He is doing in the world, spend some time praying and considering how God made you and what He made you for. You have a purpose.
 
John 15:9-17
 
However you may think about your purpose in this life, I encourage you to consider the FIVE truths from this passage.
 
1. God wants you to Abide in Jesus. John 15:4
 
2. God wants you to have real Joy! Galatians 5: 22-23
 
3. Jesus is a true friend, even when you have no one else. Proverbs 18:24
4. You are chosen! God wants you even when no one else does. Ephesians 2:10
 
5. God wants you to live a fruitful life! Ephesians 2:10 – Created for Good Works! John 15:16 – Chosen to bear fruit!
 
What does that look like in your life? How are you living out these truths? Next week let’s look a little more at how you can narrow down all that you COULD do, to a few things that you can commit to in the coming year. Even one or two small changes in your weekly schedule can make a big difference in your spiritual life. This week, pursue knowing God in His Word, meditate on Who He is and what He is doing in the world around you.
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.

Purpose and Priorities 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
 
Today we consider how we can be a little more intentional about making progress in our life by clarifying our purpose and priorities.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
 
Last week we talked about the year end depressions that hits so many. Loneliness and isolation have a lot to do with it and we stayed there a lot last week. But as the New Year draws closer and more people begin to think about the future, past the Christmas parties and New Year gatherings what waits for you in the next year? If you are thinking next year will be a replay of last year I can see why you might be discouraged. But I don’t believe it has to be more of the same for you.
 
You may not have control over your circumstances or the people around you but you have a loto of influence over your response to those circumstances and people. More of the same from them doesn’t have to mean more of the same from you!
 
But change requires CHANGE.
Where do you start?
Prayer and fasting. What is God doing in you? What is God doing in the people around you? How does God want to use you this year to influence those around you toward Him?
 
Work Goals: What you can do.
Faith Goals: What only God can do.
 
First pray about the big needs you see in the world. Most people need to know Jesus in a real and personal way. The evidence of that is in the news every day. How often do you pray about it instead of complain about it? Where do you see evidence of this need in the people around you?
 
Who are the people working to meet those needs? Pray for workers. Get to know the workers in the harvest field around you. How can you help and encourage them? Don’t know? Pray for wisdom, then go and ask those workers how you can help them!
 
If not NOW, WHEN? If not YOU, WHO? - Ask God to give you the burden and vision for His work.
 
Want to have a better year next year? Pray about how you can serve others more and better.
 
After a short break I will be back with some thoughts on how to use some strategic planning principles to clarify a new direction for a new year in a way that can get you excited about what God is doing in your life!
 
PART 2
 
If you follow my advice you will spend some time at the end of this year and the start of the next in intentional prayer and fasting. Although it is easy to focus on the negative in the world, God uses difficult times to open hearts. If you look for people who need a friend, you will find them. Pray for the compassion of Jesus to guide you in the coming year.
 
Second, after spending time with God, reflecting on Him and the work He is doing in the world, spend some time praying and considering how God made you and what He made you for. You have a purpose.
 
John 15:9-17
 
However you may think about your purpose in this life, I encourage you to consider the FIVE truths from this passage.
 
1. God wants you to Abide in Jesus. John 15:4
 
2. God wants you to have real Joy! Galatians 5: 22-23
 
3. Jesus is a true friend, even when you have no one else. Proverbs 18:24
4. You are chosen! God wants you even when no one else does. Ephesians 2:10
 
5. God wants you to live a fruitful life! Ephesians 2:10 – Created for Good Works! John 15:16 – Chosen to bear fruit!
 
What does that look like in your life? How are you living out these truths? Next week let’s look a little more at how you can narrow down all that you COULD do, to a few things that you can commit to in the coming year. Even one or two small changes in your weekly schedule can make a big difference in your spiritual life. This week, pursue knowing God in His Word, meditate on Who He is and what He is doing in the world around you.
 
Thanks for joining me again today! What is God doing in your life this holiday season? How are you focusing on abiding in Christ in the midst of a busy schedule? 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.