Run With Horses

Written by: Norman Smith
Listen for free

  • 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.
    Show more Show less
Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Show more Show less
Episodes
  • What is hindering your spiritual growth?

    What is hindering your spiritual growth?
    Feb 2 2025
    25_02_01 -Ep.349 – Run With Horses Podcast – What is hindering your spiritual growth? 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 Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith — **(28:00)** Today I’m asking the question, “What is hindering your spiritual growth?” We have all the resources we need, God is doing His part, so why do we still struggle? 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)** Caregivers Corner **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 There are several common hindrances to spiritual growth that Christians face. These obstacles can be internal or external, but all of them can slow or even stagnate a believer's growth in Christ. 1. Lack of Biblical Knowledge and Study 2. Neglect of Prayer 3. Unconfessed Sin and Lack of Repentance 4. Worldly Distractions and Priorities 5. Lack of Discipleship and Church Community 6. Spiritual Laziness or Lack of Discipline 7. Unbelief or Doubt 8. Fear of Man or Persecution 9. Spiritual Warfare 10. Pride and Self-Sufficiency Overcoming These Hindrances To grow spiritually, Christians must be intentional about: Developing strong spiritual habits (Bible study, prayer, fasting, worship, service). Staying accountable in the local church through fellowship and discipleship. Relying on the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and distractions. Being diligent in faith despite trials and temptations. **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** A church can easily drift from its biblical purpose if it is not intentional about staying focused on God's mission. Some of the common hindrances that prevent a church from remaining faithful to its biblical purpose: 1. Mission Drift (Losing Focus on the Great Commission) 2. Biblical Illiteracy Among Leaders and Members 3. Compromising with Culture 4. Overemphasis on Programs Instead of Discipleship 5. Leadership Failures and Power Struggles 6. Fear of Man and Avoidance of Hard Truths 7. Lack of Evangelism and Community Engagement 8. Division and Conflict 9. Prayerlessness 10. Materialism and Financial Mismanagement Overcoming These Hindrances For a church to stay faithful to its biblical purpose, it must: ✅ Stay rooted in sound doctrine and biblical teaching. ✅ Keep discipleship and evangelism as the central focus. ✅ Equip and release believers for ministry, not just entertain them. ✅ Commit to prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. ✅ Uphold godly leadership and unity in the church **(5:00 – 1:00)** Bibliology – Preservation of Scripture **(1:00)** The spiritual journey may seem long and slow sometimes, but don’t give up. Keep on putting one foot in front of the other and get up when you fall down. You will face stumbling blocks but God is able to take you through them and even to strengthen you along the way. – “Thank you for listening today! Giving Thanks should be a daily part of the life of every disciple of Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for, we just so easily are distracted by the details of life. Be intentional, be thankful! -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also 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. **(00:00)** If you want to support the Run With Horses Podcast and Radio Show, the best way you can do that is by telling other people about it and leaving a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Another way is by checking out our books. Our goal is to support your spiritual growth in any way we can. A link to each of our author pages on Amazon is in the show notes. You can find all our shows with links to the most popular podcast apps at rwh.podbean.com. Thanks for joining us on the journey! https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith
    Show more Show less
    56 mins
  • Spiritual Disciplines - Fellowship

    Spiritual Disciplines - Fellowship
    Jan 26 2025
    24_01_25 -Ep.348 – Run With Horses Podcast – Spiritual Disciplines - Fellowship 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 Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith — **(28:00)** Today we continue our survey of the spiritual disciplines. 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)** Caregivers Corner Stages of Spiritual Growth – Questions to Ponder Young Adult and Parent **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1 Solitude, silence, fasting, simplicity, meditation, Study, worship, prayer, fellowship, service. Fellowship As A Spiritual Discipline Introduction Fellowship : a deep, spiritual, and relational bond among believers in Christ, united through the Holy Spirit. Fellowship is often undervalued as a spiritual discipline but it is essential for Christian growth, accountability, and encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 - 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 1: Biblical Foundation of Fellowship 1.1. Fellowship in the Early Church Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV) "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Fellowship was not just social but an intentional, spiritual practice. Community: teaching, breaking bread, prayer, and sharing in each other’s needs. 1.2. Theological Importance of Fellowship 1 John 1:3 (NKJV) "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." Fellowship with one another is rooted in our fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. It’s not just about socializing; it’s about participation in the life of God through Christ. 2: Fellowship as a Spiritual Discipline 2.1. The Role of Fellowship in Christian Growth Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Fellowship is a necessary part of Christian life because it encourages us to love one another and perform good works. Regular gathering in worship and fellowship for mutual encouragement. 2.2. Fellowship as Encouragement and Accountability Galatians 6:1-2 (NKJV) "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Fellowship involves mutual care, helping each other through struggles, and bearing one another’s burdens. 3: Fellowship and the Importance of Community for Spiritual Growth 3.1. Using Spiritual Gifts Within the Community 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV) "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." Fellowship involves the active use of spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. Not isolating one’s spiritual gifts but using them in the context of community for the mutual edification of all believers. 3.2. Living Out the "One Anothers" of the New Testament Romans 12:10 (NKJV) "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) "For you, brethren, have been ...
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Spiritual Disciplines – Study

    Spiritual Disciplines – Study
    Jan 12 2025
    25_01_18 -Ep.347 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Study 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 the Spiritual Discipline of Study. 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)** Stages of Spiritual Growth – Questions to Ponder 1. Spiritual Infant Loving God: Do you understand the Gospel and what Jesus has done for you? Loving Others: Do you feel connected to a church family? Making Disciples: Do you know what it means to share your faith with others? 2. Spiritual Child Loving God: Are you developing a regular habit of prayer and Bible reading? Loving Others: How are you learning to serve others in love? Making Disciples: Do you understand why discipleship is important? What steps are you taking to grow in your ability to explain the Gospel? **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1** Study as a Spiritual Discipline 1. Building a Biblical Foundation - Why Study Purpose of Study: To know God and grow in spiritual maturity. Key Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Hosea 4:6a: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Importance of Study: Strengthens our faith (Romans 10:17). Equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Protects against false teaching (Acts 17:11, Ephesians 4:14). 2. What to Study The Word of God: Primary focus should be the Bible. Key Scripture: Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Matthew 4:4: "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’" Supporting Resources: Study guides, commentaries, and Bible dictionaries. Church doctrinal statements and creeds (to understand Baptist distinctives). Key Topics to Include: The nature of God, salvation, sanctification, and missions. 3. Who Should Study Every Believer: Spiritual growth is the responsibility of all Christians. Key Scripture: Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." 1 Peter 2:2: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." Special Responsibilities: Teachers and leaders bear greater accountability in teaching and applying truth. Key Scripture: James 3:1: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." **(00:00) END PART 1** **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2** 4. How to Study The Grammatical-Historical-Literal Framework for Studying the Bible 1. Purpose: Understanding how to study the Bible to uncover its intended meaning. Emphasize that Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and must be handled carefully (2 Timothy 2:15). Goal: Equip learners to study Scripture accurately and faithfully. 2. Overview of the Framework Definition: Grammatical: Focus on the language and structure of the text. Historical: Consider the historical and cultural context. Literal: Interpret according to the plain meaning of the text, unless clearly figurative. Key Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8: "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading." 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 3. Step-by-Step Explanation A. Grammatical Approach Focus: Analyze sentence structure, grammar, and word meanings. Practical Tools: Use concordances and interlinear Bibles to study original Greek and Hebrew words. Recognize literary devices like metaphors, similes, and hyperboles. Example: Study "love" in 1 Corinthians 13, noting the Greek word agape for deeper understanding. B. Historical Approach Focus: Understand the cultural, geographical, and historical context. Practical Tools: Use Bible atlases,...
    Show more Show less
    56 mins

What listeners say about Run With Horses

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.ca reviews

Amazon Reviews
No reviews are available