Run With Horses

Why Do We Resist Change?

Why Do We Resist Change?
 
Change is scary for most people. “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me” carries the implied need for change. You have to make different choices. Denying yourself in anything is a big change for most of us. Choosing to serve in any way is another change. Following Jesus is giving the reigns of your life to someone else is a life of constant change. There are some good reasons why we make it more difficult than it has to be though. If you want to grow, to become the person God intends for you to be, you need to change. Here are some things to be aware of as you pursue the change that God is working in your life.
 
1. Too much too soon.
It is easy to see our failures and jump in to change everything at once. That usually doesn’t work.
It helps to prioritize the needs you see in your life and attack one at a time. At least commit to one and develop new routines or habits in one area before adding too many others. Don’t make it harder on yourself than you need to!
 
2. Not connecting related problems or not attacking the root issue.
If we make a change in an area that is influenced heavily by other decisions we make, we may find ourselves fighting a loosing battle to change something that is an uphill battle.
IE. trying to address your financial problems without addressing your spending habits.
 
3. All people tend to seek out the easy route naturally. That is usually the way we are familiar with already, no change or learning required.
You already know how to do things one way. Change means learning a new way and developing a new way of looking at life and responding to difficulties. Everyone prefers level ground, no one wants to run uphill. But the view is better from there!
 
4. Not sure why we need to change. If you don’t understand the goal clearly, or believe in it, you may find yourself lacking motivation when faced with a difficult change.
Why is this change important for you? If you can’t answer that you will struggle to make the change. Spend time thinking through and examining your life, identify meaningful change areas and make sure you understand why it is necessary before you begin.
 
5. Not having SMART goals.
Specific. Measurable. Actionable. Realistic. Time-specific.
Vague thoughts about doing better don’t usually work.
 
6. We often give up to soon. Deep, meaningful life change takes time and effort.
Anything worth doing will take time and effort. Don’t give up just because you don’t see results overnight. If you have thought through your WHY, stick with it when times get tough. There is a reason you are going through the trial.
 
7. We often try to change other people. That isn’t in your control.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone did the right thing all the time? Sorry, we don't live in that world yet. Encourage people to change, help them when they will let you, but don’t let others inability to change keep you from being the person God intends for you to be!

What if this is the END? Worried?

Many people are worried about the end of the world with wars, climate issues, moral decay and the general decay of things around us. God says trust Him, He is working!

What Do We Mean By Spiritual Growth?

Spiritual Growth should be a goal for every believer. Today we look at a few verses that help us think through what that means in the life of a follower of Jesus.

How is your parenting?

Thinking through some common questions parents have about life as a family with children.

Can You Trust God’s Providence?

Providence
How is this different from Fatalism? What is will be vs. What God purposes will be The key is God has a goal, moving all toward His purpose Fatalism has no point
How does my sin, choices affect God’s plan?
A.How should this information change my Thinking? 1.All my trials have meaning. No reason to say, “Woe is me.” Purpose in it.(Rom. 8:28)How I interpret life’s happenings
2. My sin is included in God’s plan
3. What God is doing is so much bigger than me. Spurgeon sermon on God’s providence – even the dust in the air is moving according to God’s purpose.God is working on an eternal scale, we only see what is right in front of us, and often don’t see that!
4. Knowing God is working should affect my attitude. Joy and Peace are the result of resting in Him. (illus. Norman’s truck) – Fear and worry have no place.
B.How should this change my Conversations?Word usage – accident, tragedy, Conversations about life’s troubles will be different if you see God’s hand working vs. if you don’t see it.
C. How should this affect my Decision making?You can trust God without worrying about making the “right” choice. You can’t make a choice that can ruin God’s plan.We take too much responsibility for God’s plan. “If I don’t share the gospel, this person won’t get saved.” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Decisions, Decisions!

The choices we make can really affect our spiritual lives. Thinking through the process of how we make those decisions can really help us keep on track.

Questions To Ask Yourself (and then your spouse) About Your Marriage

Questions To Ask Yourself (and then your spouse) About Your Marriage
What kind of husband/ wife am I?What is the best part of our relationship in this time of life?What ways can I honor my spouse more?What is my spouse dealing with in life that I can help with right now?How can I be more understanding with my spouse right now?What strengths do I have? How do they benefit my marriage and my spouse?How can we spend more time together? What should we do or talk about?What would grow our friendship right now?How can I improve as a husband/wife?Am I growing in Christ-likeness? What will help me do so?

Do You Have Goals For Your Family?

Do You Have Goals For Your Family?
What are your goals for your family?What kind of family do you want to have?What are your family priorities? Do your spouse and children know them?What place does God have in your family? What place should He have?What will it take to be that family? What is your role?
For your children?What do you want for your children?Do you have spiritual goals for them?How are you preparing them for independence?What relationship do want to have with your children when they are adults? What will it take to get there?How are you passing your values on to your children? Hint: Be intentional!
For your marriage?What kind of marriage do you want to have? What changes do you need to make to be the person who you seen in that ideal relationship?How can you help your spouse be the person they were meant to be?Have you communicated any of this to your spouse? Why not?
For yourself?What kind of parent do you want to be?What kind of spouse?What will it take to be that person?

Are You Evaluating Yourself for Spiritual Growth?

Do A Self-Evaluation!
 
Evaluate your current life in each of the following six categories. From 1 to 10, how are you doing? Why did you give yourself that rating? What could you do to improve in this area? Write down one CLEAR ACTION that you can do this week to improve in this area.
Prayer, Bible Reading, Outreach, Discipleship of Believers, Time Management, Exercise, Personal Spiritual Growth
 
1) What are 2-3 areas where God is challenging me to grow spiritually?
 
2)What sins am I actively struggling with right now?
 
3)What am I studying/learning with the intent of applying it to my life?
 
4)If married, what am I doing to consistently help my spouse to grow spiritually? Kids?

Family Friday: thoughts from our journals

We have talked about journaling as a way to improve your consistency in reading the bible, today we share some of our journal entries with you.