Run With Horses

Building a Spiritual Foundation and Knowing your Identity in Christ - Ep. 218

TITLE: The first stage of spiritual growth
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INTRO
Today on Run With Horses, I am going into a little more detail about the first stage of spiritual growth that we all should pass through on our journey of faith.
 
My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Run Your Race Well, not just Surviving but Thriving as a Disciple of Jesus! There are a LOT of things you could do with your life, but I don’t think anything compares with following Jesus and joining Him on His mission of bringing Hope to the nations. Welcome to Run With Horses and Thanks for including me in your journey!
 
Today’s focus – Stage one spiritual growth.
 
Last time we covered an overview of the three stages of Spiritual Growth. and then go over each one in detail in the next three shows. Let me know if you have questions or comments as we go along! norman@runwithhorses.net
 
First Stage – Spiritual Identity and Foundations
 
What is it? Learning who you are in God’s sight.
Eph.2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. You are loved!
 
Time of developing our character.
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
1 Timothy 3: 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
 
Learning the basics of the Christian life.
The Gospel provides the entry into the Christian life and we never leave that foundation, we build on it. What did Jesus accomplish on the cross? How does that help me live today? What is available to me because of the cross? Power of forgiveness and God’s grace. Prayer – we are able to go to God directly. Fellowship – we have a body of believers who are united by the Holy Spirit. God’s mission – The ministry of reconciliation.
Spiritual warfare, spiritual gifts, ministry to the body of Christ, ministry with the body of Christ. Our testimony – witnesses to His work in us.
Learning about genuine spiritual worship.
 
How do you learn these?
From who?
 
Developing good spiritual habits.
Begin developing the habit of bible study and obedience.
Learning the value and importance of prayer.
Learning about the special community, God’s family, the Church. Developing the habit of intentional relationships.
Developing a good view of stewardship in all areas of life. Time, health, relationships, finances, etc.
 
Why are these so important? They change your mind, immerse yourself in the mind of Christ. Develop discernment, spiritual wisdom and insight.
How do you learn these? From who? How do you maintain consistency?
 
Next time:
The Second Stage – Spiritual Sacrifice and Service
Thanks for joining me today! Check out runwithhorses.net for show notes and past shows. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net if you have comments or questions. Join our facebook community and tell a friend if you have found this show helpful! Keep Running!
 
 
 

Are you growing? Ep.217

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INTRO
Today on Run With Horses, I am introducing three stages of spiritual growth that we should all want to pass through on our journey of faith.
 
My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Run Your Race Well, not just Surviving but Thriving as a Disciple of Jesus! There are a LOT of things you could do with your life, but I don’t think anything compares with following Jesus and joining Him on His mission of bringing Hope to the nations. Welcome to Run With Horses and Thanks for including me in your journey!
 
Today’s focus - Growing in Ministry – Keep taking steps towards spiritual maturity!
 
I hope you understand that God wants you to grow. In many ways, in many area of life. God is working in you to grow.
Hebrew 5:12 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. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Col.1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Col.2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
2 Peter1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
I want to introduce three stages of Spiritual Growth as they relate to your spiritual ministry. To day we will cover an overview of the three stages and then go over each one in detail in the next three shows. Let me know if you have questions or comments as we go along!
 
First Stage – Spiritual Identity and Foundations
What is it? Learning who you are in God’s sight. Time of developing our character. Learning the basics of the Christian life. Developing good spiritual habits.
 
Answering questions like:
Who does God day I am?
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
How do I grow spiritually?
 
Second Stage – Spiritual Sacrifice and Service
What is it? Learning how to relate in a biblical way to others. Learn and apply the “one another’s” of the NT. Learn the meaning and value of sacrifice. Find joy in serving.
 
Answering questions like:
What does it mean to serve others?
What is sacrifice in my life? Why is it important?
What are my spiritual gifts?
 
Third Stage – Spiritual Maturity and Reproduction
What is it? Know and maintain biblical priorities. Maintain healthy spiritual habits and the disciplines that build a strong spiritual life. Intentionally seek out younger people and invest in their spiritual life. Prioritize disciple making activities and relationships.
 
Answering questions like:
Who around me needs encouragement today?
How can I help others grow and serve?
What do I need to do to help others become disciple makers?
 
OUTRO
Thanks for joining me today! Check out runwithhorses.net for show notes and past shows. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net if you have comments or questions. Join our facebook community and tell a friend if you have found this show helpful! Keep Running!
 
 

Ageless Beauty. -Ep.216.

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Ageless Beauty
 
Discussion on aging. How th e world views it, how Christians can/should view it
 
Term – “sandwich generation”
 
Stereotypes – dementia, frail, bed-ridden, no fun
 
Loss of autonomy is probably the hardest part of old age to accept. Those ADL’s (Activities of Daily Life) you’ve performed for yourself most of your life must now be done by someone else.
 
Many benefits to being older – experience, wisdom, able to pass on to next generation
may know how to handle relationships better
 
Old person’s situation makes a big difference – sickness, family around? Mobility
 
Compare: tribal environment vs. modern environment
-- elderly are valued; their knowledge is needed; no other resources (youtube, books)
-- most experienced and good at basket weaving (e.g.). Current day knowledge hasn’t changed for centuries. Continues as it has been.
-- In US, old are in the way, not respected, not useful. The knowledge they had (i.e. slide rules) is obsolete now. Technology keeps changing.
 
Need a purpose for living, feel useful to others, feel needed
-- understand what God wants from you in this chapters
-- You DO have a role if you’re still breathing!
 
 
Perspective/Outlook
God provides a basis for seeing the future in a positive light!
You can be thankful every day for something.
You can be a blessing to someone every day if you try.
 
On what do you base your worth? What makes you valuable?
-- Do you feel valuable because of how you look? (what happens when you get wrinkly, bald, & saggy?)
-- Do you feel valuable because you are productive in society or to your family or church? (what happens when you are no longer able to feel productive?)
-- Is your worth based on your sense of pride?
-- Or is it based on the value God places on you, for being created in His image? He proved how valuable you are!! (sending Jesus to pay your way to belong to His family)

Grace when you need it . . .Every day! - Ep.215

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Grace when you need it . . .Every day!
 
What is it?
Merriam_Webster – Grace
a: unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b: approval, favor
c: disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency
 
From GotQuestions.org (https://www.gotquestions.org/mercy-grace.html)
“Mercy and grace are closely related. While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not exactly the same. Mercy has to do with kindness and compassion; it is often spoken of in the context of God’s not punishing us as our sins deserve. Grace includes kindness and compassion, but also carries the idea of bestowing a gift or favor. It may help to view mercy as a subset of grace. In Scripture, mercy is often equated with a deliverance from judgment , and grace is always the extending of a blessing to the unworthy.”
 
God’s undeserved favor toward the unworthy.
 
It’s good news!
Acts 20:24
 
What does it do?
 
Romans 3:23
 
Hebrews 4:16
 
II Corinthians 12:9
 
2 Thess. 2:16
 
Titus 2:11
 
 
 
2 Timothy 2:1
 
Romans 15:15
 
1 Cor. 3:9
 
Eph. 3:1
 
2 Cor. 8:1
 
 
How do I get it? What do I do with it?
 
Eph. 4:7
 
Rom. 12:3
 
1 Peter 4:10
 
Paul attributes his life and ministry to the grace of God at work in him.
1 Cor. 15:9
 
How do I respond?
Romans 14:4
 
Humility, knowing I don’t deserve even a fraction of the grace that God gives.
Confidence that God will do His part in my life. It doesn’t rest on my ability or wisdom. God will make me stand. So never stop pursuing godliness and righteousness because God has promised that you will obtain it!
Courage to attempt great things.
Overflowing Thanksgiving because God has counted me worthy to be part of His family.
 

What’s your Next Action for Spiritual Growth?

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What’s your Next Action? - Ep.214
 
The last show we talked about being too busy. Today I want to confirm that we do all have a lot to do and would like to get the important things, the big rocks we talked about last time, accomplished or at least worked on. When we talked about the putting the big rocks in first, we were primarily thinking about scheduling. It’s a calendar issue. But once you get to that time, what do you do? That is the topic of today’s show.
 
Several years ago I was introduced to the book Getting Things Done by David Allen. It is a really good and fairly simple system of organization that I would highly recommend if you have a complicated and busy life like I do. But today I am not going to go over the whole system but only one key aspect that may be enough for you to really take hold of your life and make progress in the really important areas.
 
For everything in life that you intend to work on or make any progress on, you need a Next Action. It seems almost too obvious but how often do you have a project that needs working on that you aren’t really sure how to move forward with? I am really concerned about my and your spiritual life so let’s look at some examples. Many people feel like they don’t know the bible well enough. That actually probably true for all of us! The problem is that many people leave it there.
 
You might hear things like. “I don’t know my bible as well as I should. I really should study more. “
But then no actually plans are made to study or learn more. There is no clear Next Action, just a vague feeling that things aren’t quite as good as they could be. Sounds like a recipe for guilt without change!
 
What does a Next Action look like? How do you find one?
Usually a little planning ahead goes a long way. If the project is important to you, and certainly growing in your ability to understand and apply God’s Word to your life should qualify as an important project it is worth some effort. The higher the priority in your life the more worthwhile it is to spend time praying and planning. The first step is usually brainstorming ideas and options.
 
For growing in your understanding of the bible, what options do you have? Hopefully you are already a regular member of a good church that teaches the bible, if not, please start there! Be aware that the main service times are probably not the only options through the church, many churches have weekly bible studies of various kinds that might be a great fit for you.
 
A second option might be asking your pastor for a good recommendation. There are video courses online and numerous books on specific topics as well as overviews of the book of the bible. You might get more out of a book or lesson on how to study the bible, then take notes as you read through the New Testament. Lots of options here!
 
But this is still too vague for a Next Action. If you are serious about it, you have to make some choices. You have to make some decisions. There are lots of things you could do, but what are you going to do?
 
Once you pick a path forward, write down the steps needed to make it happen. The first one, the one you have to do to get started, is your next action. Want to start by learning more about how to read and study the bible yourself? First step might be to research book options. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart is one I can recommend. If you choose it your Next Action would be to order it!
 
Break any project into the smallest steps and make sure you always know what the next step is, that is your Next Action. If you keep working on these, over time any project will make forward progress.
 
I challenged you last show to write down the big categories of life, the things you really care about. If you did that you should also now have some idea of the things in life that are really important to you. If you went the extra step, you also marked out some time on your calendar to devote to that area of your life. If you put down your spiritual life as a major priority, you still have to answer the question, what do I do with the time I have devoted to spiritual growth? This process of determining Next Actions can ensure that you always have something worthwhile that you are working on, something that is moving you forward in your spiritual life.
 
Prayer life? What can you do, an action, that might help? Pick a better time, use a notebook, study Paul’s prayers. Church life seem stale? What might help? Spend time praying for your church leadership throughout the week, volunteer to serve in a different way, reach out to people around you during the week. There is always something, however small, that you can do that will help you. Pray about it and look for that opportunities to grow in every area of life.
 
I understand that it is easy to get stuck. Life is busy, we have lots of distractions, it can be hard to know what to do next. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will eventually get somewhere. Keep pursuing righteousness, don’t give up and don’t quit. Keep going forward, one step at a time.
 

Too Busy? Put the Big Rocks in First! -Ep.213

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Too Busy? Put the Big Rocks in First!
 
I don't know what it is about our culture but most of us are busy all the time. Or at least we FEEL busy and that turns out to be just as tiring! The problem is that we aren’t necessarily accomplishing a lot of the right things. Have you ever struggled to find time to read your bible or pray for your friends salvation? Do you miss a small group meeting or church gathering regularly because of “life”? Then you are in this category of too busy.
 
A full discussion of this topic would include lots of details like the average American spends 3.5 hours on their smartphone every day. I am sure the 47 minutes per day spent on YouTube aren’t worth mentioning. The fact that the typical American watched 3 hours of TV every day probably doesn’t really relate to our feeling of being to busy does it? One college group I spoke with admitted that most of them watched a movie a day and often more on the weekends. Are you a gamer? That 2-4 hours that most gamers hit per day probably doesn’t matter when it comes to your struggle to find 15 minutes a day to read your bible. . . no way.
 
Ok, Ok, Maybe I am hitting this a bit hard but listen to this. You have time to do what you really want to do. Period. Ouch.
 
Let that rattle around in your head a little. I understand there are , rare, exceptions. I am not talking to you if you are working two jobs as a single mom of three energetic boys with no family around to help. Your life is full, I get it. That is not most people. If you are average, and coincidentally most of us are… you have time to use as you see fit almost every day. How do you choose to spend it?
 
If you are one of those people who would like to grow spiritually, and if you are listening to this show I would assume that you are, it is in those smaller daily choices that the battle for the day is one or lost. Do you check your FaceBook page before or after your devotion time? Do you call that friend you have been meaning to pray for before or after watching that movie? We often have good intentions but slip up in the details. If that is you, keep listening for some advice on how to manage the chaos of life.
 
I first heard the story around 15 years ago. A college professor was helping his class see the importance of having clear priorities and then following them. He pulled out a glass jar and put several large rocks in it. “Is it full?” he asked. “Yes!” came the enthusiastic answer. This was back when teachers actually taught in class and students wanted to learn. He pulled out a small box filled with pebbles and proceeded to add them in the spaces around the large rocks in the jar.
“Is the jar full” he asked. “Yes.” came the answer again. This time he pulled out a plastic bin with sand in it and poured it over the rocks and pebbles, letting the sand filter through the cracks to the bottom of the jar.
“Is it full now?” he asked. “No!” came the reply, the students finally realizing something was up. The professor smiled and pulled out a jar of water and poured it over the rocks, pebbles and sand until the jar was completely full. “Now the jar is full. So what is the lesson here?” he asked.
“You can always fit in a little more?” came the tentative reply. After a good laugh and acknowledgement that we all try to do just that the professor gave the lesson.
“Put the big rocks in FIRST.”
 
That my friends is the key to living the life God intended, that is filled with true purpose and deeper meaning. Put the big rocks in first.
What are the big rocks? Your Priorities and main purpose in life. What is really most important to you? Is it really worth the effort it will take? What will it take to reach that purpose? You need to see both your goals in life and the actions steps it will take to get there.
 
If you are serious about making some life changes get out a pencil and paper, or live in the modern world and take notes on your phone! But Make a note to answer some questions for yourself.
 
First, list the big categories that you see in your life right now. Here are some examples.
Spiritual Growth, Career, Family, Local Church, Community Activities, Friends, House Upkeep, Garden, Exercise/ Physical Health, Hobbies, etc
 
Now identify the most important ones. Hopefully you place your personal relationship with God right at the top. But if YOU don’t place it there from your heart you will not sustain the life that will make ti possible. Your heart will ultimately determine you choices and be reflected in your time management.
Make that list of the big categories in your life that you really care about and are “mission critical” so important that you can’t function without them.
 
For each category, ask yourself what success in that area of life looks like. Then, list the activities that contribute to being successful in that area of life. You are answering the question, What does it take to do well in this part of my life?
 
Lay that paper aside and take out a calendar. Put in all the immovable objects in your calendar. Work schedule, church schedule, doctor appointments, etc. Now take your list of top three categories of life and put in the most important activity that contributes to success in that area. If you are a parent that is probably in your top three and time with the family is absolutely required to do well as a parent. Where is it in your daily and weekly schedule? If you follow my advice you time alone with God is THE most important part of your week and is the foundation that gives the rest of the week meaning. Put it in your best time. If you are a morning person, do it first every day. If you are a night person, do it at a time that you will be able to be consistent and protect that time. If your lunch break is best, plan ahead and be ready to give some of that time to God every day.
 
If you intentionally do this, put the big rocks into your day first, you will find that over time, there are very few things that really matter, that you really care about, that don’t get done. My daughter wants to be a songwriter. She needs to write new songs on a regular basis to do that. One song a year does technically make you a songwriter (Hey, I wrote two songs in the past two weeks but I am NOT a songwriter!) but she would not be happy looking back after 30 years and realizing that she had a gift that wasn’t used to it’s potential. What gifts has God given you? What responsibilities has God given you? What relationships has He given you to shepherd? You are a steward of all of life and much to many people’s dismay, you can’t just float through and be successful.
 
Put the big rocks in first, review your choices regularly and keep pursing a life of righteous and eternal value. The race before you requires patience, so keep running!

How do you face your weaknesses? - Ep.212

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How do you face your Weaknesses?
 
Weaknesses. Everybody has them. Nobody likes them in themselves or in others. But there they are, just waiting to embarrass you and make you feel guilty all over again. Weaknesses come in all flavors, mental, physical, emotional, and moral. And all of us have varying degrees of all kinds of limitations and weaknesses.
 
For most of your weaknesses, you either learn to work around it, as in physical handicaps, or try to find some way to build up that area, apply to a school to boost your job potential. But for a Christian, moral and spiritual limitations are the most critical because they carry a greater weight of eternal consequences. Not that the other limitations don’t have eternal ramifications, but the spiritual limitations are more directly related to our relationship with God and His Church.
 
What are some examples of spiritual weaknesses? First, let me clarify that much of our spiritual weakness comes from unaddressed sin in our lives. If you call unforgiveness a weakness and leave it at that you may try to shrug it off like the bad knee that keeps you from playing basketball. No need to address it and work to change it. But as a follower of Jesus, everything that hinders us from pursuing Him with our whole heart is a problem. So unforgiveness is suddenly a big deal. It isn’t just a little thing, but a massive stumbling block that threatens our unity with the church and our fellowship with God. It is sin and must be addressed as sin.
 
Now I am sure many of you will agree with that and already make a regular practice of confessing and repenting of known sin in your life. The problem comes in with areas we continually struggle with, a besetting sin some might call it. Most of us have a spiritual weakness that regularly shows up in our life and leads to sin of some kind. How do you address that weakness? Do you address it or just give up, admit defeat in that area and move on?
 
My challenge for you today. Don’t accept defeat, fight to the bitter end to be the person God is changing you into. He has already promised to finish the work He started in you. And if you have accepted Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross on you behalf through Faith, God says that He declares you Righteous! And that is amazing! You can’t work for that righteousness (Rom.4:5). It is God’s work on your behalf. And that work is why the battle is worth it. You will not lose this fight. You may lose a battle today, but God is using this fight in your life to build your reliance and trust in Him. He uses your weakness to make you more like Jesus. So don’t give up, ever.
 
So how do you approach the spiritual weakness in your life that so often leads to sin?
 
One, Embrace the TRUTH that the ultimate victory is yours, no matter how this battle turns out. God has never lost one yet, you won’t be the first.
Phil. 1:3-6 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 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
 
Two, Prioritize Prayer. Don’t underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit and His ability to work when you have no strength left. Repeat with Paul, when I am weak, then You are strong.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 9 And 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. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong
 
The next few points are all part of using all of the tools available that God has given you. Don’t try to power your way through weakness, let God work in and through you.
 
Three, Use Your Mind. It may sound trite to you but spending time reading, meditating on and memorizing scripture is part of the process.
2 Tim.3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Use all the tools available, God’s Word is an important one!
 
Four, Stay Connected to God’s Family. The church is an important part of the life of a follower of Jesus. When you are weak, the gifts that God has given the church are there to lift you up.
1 Thess. 5: 8-11 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
 
Some believer you know has the gift of encouragement. Someone has the gift of wisdom and can give you practical pointers to help you see your way forward clearly. You need support. God has give the Holy Spirit and His Church to support you through this life. Don’t leave it out!
 
Five, Physically Do Something Different. If you have been busy, get some extra rest, go to bed early. Stress makes you more susceptible to temptation. If you are a couch potato, get some exercise. Move you body in a good way. Get out and join people volunteering and serving in the community, do Something different.
 
Six, Pursue Godliness and Righteousness.
Flee from temptation and pursue righteousness. Be active and intentional in your pursuit and never give up.
1 Tim. 6:11-12 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
 
Seven, Look For Someone Around You Who Needs Help. As a member of the body of Christ you have gifts that the church needs. Don’t let your temporary struggle keep you from looking to serve others.
Phil. 2:4 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
 
Yes take care of yourself. But don’t let the enemy remove you from the war. Your gifts are needed. Others are struggling like you are and we can help each other persevere.
 
Our struggles are real. Our weakness is real. Our God is Great. If you know someone who needs this message, share it with them and Keep Running!

How strong are you? _Ep.211_

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How strong are you?
 
The world is really concerned about at least appearing strong if not actually being strong.
Physically, emotionally, as well as mentally you are challenged to get stronger and, by the way, here is a product that will help you achieve that strength in record time with no effort on your part! Available today only for the special price of $19.99!
 
Our heros are the winners who overcome incredible odds and win in spite of everything the enemy has to throw against them. Some of our favorite movies are the ones where the hero goes through this amazing mental and physical transformation to succeed in the battle they face. Rocky comes to mind as the model for many movies that followed after. The training scenes are motivational and show the intense desire that leads to intense effort that leads to a transformation that allows our hero to win in the end.
 
Not surprisingly many of us take this same approach to the spiritual life. If I am struggling it must be because I haven’t put in the hours yet. I need more time in the spiritual gym to build those spiritual muscles so I can defeat the sin in my life. One major flaw in this line of thinking. It isn’t anywhere close to what God has to say!
 
If you listen to me often you may think this is contradicting what I often say about putting time in reading God’s Word and applying effort to the spiritual life, but the focus is a little different. You don’t grow yourself, you allow God to grow you. You can’t defeat sin on your own no matter what you do. God has already won that battle for you. True spiritual strength is recognizing our weakness and inability to succeed on our own. Any efforts we put in should flow out of a knowledge that we desperately need God to work in us. I don’t read my Bible to gain spiritual insights to make me super spiritual and able to handle sin on my own, I dive into God’s Word to see more of the God who choose me and loves me in spite of my weakness.
 
God turns the whole idea of strength and weakness on its head. He chooses the weak and opposes the strong. Paul gives a good picture of the attitude we should have in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul realizes that his weakness is a gift from God, meant to help him maintain a proper perspective of life in Christ.
 
2 Cor. 12: 7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And 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. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
 
Weakness is the perfect vehicle to display God’s strength. When we are strong we may be tempted to rely on our own abilities and turn away from God or boast about what we have accomplished. In our weakness, we see god at work everywhere, keeping us upright in the world and using us to accomplish His work.
 
God chooses not the mighty but the weak, and when they show their dependence on Him by attempting the impossible as He leads them forward, God gets all the glory. The story is told of a report who went to one of DL Moody’s meetings in England. He reported that there was nothing he could see that could account for the marvelous work that was seen as a result of Moody’s preaching. Moody was shown the article and replied, “Why that is the very secret of the movement. There is nothing in it that can explain it but the power of God. The work is God’s, not mine.”
 
So how strong are you? When considered in light of God’s work in and through us, that is really the wrong question isn’t it? The real question is how strong is God! With that fully answered and convinced in your own heart and mind, there is nothing you need to fear when you are following in Jesus’ footsteps. Because when you are at your weakest, He is able to reveal His strength in it’s fullest.
Pursue God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and trust in His strength to keep you going until the day He calls you home.
Keep running in His strength!

What is your story?

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What’s your story?
 
Everyone has a story that they use to explain their life and the world around them. You may not think of it as a story but it is the larger context that you place your life in to explain to yourself and others who you are and what your actions mean. It is how you interpret the world around you.
 
You may play the victim in your story or you may be the hero. The world exists to keep you down or it is an adventure in which you act and react on the way to some meaningful goal.
Your story is how you give meaning to life. It is how you interpret trials as well as blessings.
 
You likely view life with one primary purpose and group of people that everything else revolves around. Many men keep career and work firmly at the center. They have meaning and purpose as long as they have work that is engaging, pays the bills, gives them coworkers to commiserate with or just takes so much of their time and energy that they don’t have anything left for other interests.
 
Maybe for you, your story revolves around family. If your children are taken care of, happy and productive, not trouble makers, etc, you may have a sense of wellbeing and contentment with life whatever personal trials come your way.
 
Sports fan, outdoorsman, baker, gardener, runner, artist or volunteer. You have a story and you have a role that you fill in your mind. These stories, unexamined by most of us, are in the background running our lives and directly influencing our motivations and interpretations of life.
 
Often we let the world around us define us and the meaning that our lives have. When we do that, the world is telling the story. There is one big problem with the story that the world tells, it is based on a lie told by the prince of liars!
Satan wants you to listen to the story he tells about you. He doesn’t want you to hear the message of God’s love and redemption. He doesn’t want you to know that God’s story is still unfolding and you are a big part of it. The story the world tells is godless and meaningless. You are only able to make sense out of things vaguely and with no confidence.
 
But these stories are powerful. They are traps that keep us from reaching our God-given potential and blind us to the reality of His work in the world and in our lives or they are anchored firmly in reality and help us see God at work behind the curtain that is the theater of life. If you want to see life change in a person’s life, help them change their story.
 
Most of us are deeply entrenched in a story that is only partially based in the real world. Our desires, tainted by the flesh and opposed to God, lead us to interpret life with a throne in the center that we sit on. Life revolves around us and the world owes us. The constant clash of this dream with the reality that the world cares nothing for you leads to depression, fear, internal crisis of all kinds and often keeps us stuck in situations with no way out that we can see clearly. We need a better story. One with God at the center, Jesus on the throne and all of life seen for what it is. A battle ground with men’s souls at stake. God is drawing you to Himself, preparing you for eternity with Him and He uses His mission of reaching the world as the vehicle for your life change. You have meaning and purpose, a life that matters, and a family of believers who are on the Way with you. You are not alone in the world with everything against you. You are part of a family with a purpose on a mission that cannot fail.
 
You walk through life with your story. God’s purpose is to draw you into His story.
Keep running!
 
 

What do you do when you see God? Ep. 209

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What do you do when you see God?
 
Many people say they want to know God better and even have a vision of God. But do they really know what they are asking? Look at some of the people throughout the Bible who have seen God clearly and note their response.
 
 
Job –At the beginning - innocent , no iniquity in me – self-view
1:8 – Then 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?”– God’s declaration
42:5-6 – “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.” -when confronted with God
 
Moses – all the training of Pharaoh's court, Exod. 3:2-6 – Burning bush - Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
 
Isaiah – 6:1-5 – Saw God and then - “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
 
Ezekiel – 1;1 saw vision of God – 1:26-28 – This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.
 
Peter – Luke 5:8 – But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
 
Paul – overwhelmed Acts 9;3-6As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
 
When confronted with God throughout the Bible there is a common pattern. Theme – self-abhorrence, self-abasement, averted face, sense of own uncleanness, blindness, prostration, falling as dead. Do you still want to see God?
 
But that is not the end of the story. God wants us to see ourselves as we really are, and we can only do that if we see Him as He really is, not in the image we have created of Him in our minds. When we see Him as He is and see ourselves as we are, we are freed from thinking we have any standing on our own. Pride is gone, abject humility takes its place. With forgiveness and the love of God come the commission from God to serve Him.
 
God does not aim to humiliate us but to change us.
 
2 Cor. 4:6 – shown the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in our hearts in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor. 3:4-6 4And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Cor 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 Cor. 4:5-6 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
 
Really seeing the face of Jesus for who He is takes away our petty desires to succeed in this life. We lose our fear of death because we see life in His face. With a proper view of God and ourself, we are in the best place to be His messengers to the world. Keep Running!