Living Thanks Out Loud

24_11_23 -Ep.339 - Run With Horses Podcast - Living Thanks Out Loud

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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

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**(28:00)**
Today we consider what it means to live a life of Thanksgiving!

Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It’s very cool that we can do that together!

Thank you for joining me today! “If you’re new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”

**(27:00 – 23:00)**

Spiritual Habits - Solitude
### **Podcast Segment Outline: Solitude as a Spiritual Discipline**
*"Today, we’re diving into the often-overlooked but essential spiritual discipline of solitude."*
- Define solitude: *"Solitude is intentionally stepping away from the noise and busyness of life to be alone with God."*
- Emphasize its importance: *"Jesus practiced solitude regularly, and it’s a vital habit for spiritual growth."*

#### **2. Biblical Examples of Solitude (1 minute)**
- **Jesus sought solitude for prayer and renewal**:
- *"Mark 1:35 says, ‘Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.’"*
- *"Jesus made solitude a priority even amidst a demanding ministry."*
- **Solitude before major decisions**:
- *"Luke 6:12 tells us, ‘Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.’"*
- *"Before choosing the twelve disciples, Jesus spent the night alone with the Father."*
- **In moments of distress**:
- *"In Matthew 26:36, Jesus withdraws to the Garden of Gethsemane, telling His disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’"*

#### **3. Benefits of Practicing Solitude (1 minute)**
- **Connecting with God**:
- *"In solitude, we quiet our hearts to hear God’s voice. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’"*
- **Strengthening faith**:
- "Isaiah 40:31 says, ‘But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.’ Solitude renews our spiritual energy."
- **Aligning our will with God’s**:
- *"In the silence, we surrender distractions and refocus on God’s purposes for our lives."*

4. Practical Steps for Practicing Solitude
- Set aside intentional time:
- "Start small—find 10 minutes in your day to unplug from distractions and focus on God."
- Choose a quiet location:
- "Like Jesus, find a ‘solitary place’ where you can focus."
- **Use the time to pray and meditate on Scripture**:
- "Bring a verse like Psalm 62:5 – ‘My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.’"

- "Solitude isn’t about escaping life—it’s about stepping away to reconnect with God so we can return refreshed and refocused."

- "This week, take a moment of solitude and seek God’s presence. Start with Mark 1:35 as your inspiration."

**(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1

Intro: Living as a "new self" is not just an inward change but should be visible to others. Gratitude should be an outpouring of this new life in Christ.

1. Overflowing with PEACE: Gratitude Rooted in Unity (v.15)
Paul calls us to let Christ’s peace rule, promoting unity and gratitude within the body of Christ.
Application: Gratitude fosters unity, while bitterness and self-centeredness tear it down.

What actions come out of a Thankful heart and influence our unity?
- promotes humility, readily forgives, lifts up others, etc

2. Overflowing with WISDOM: Gratitude increased as We Grow in the Word (v.16)
When the word of Christ dwells richly in us, it transforms our minds, shaping us into grateful, wise people.
Application: A heart filled with Scripture is naturally inclined toward thankfulness.

The better we know God and understand what He has done for us, the more thankful we will be.

3. Overflowing with PURPOSE: Gratitude expressed in All We Do (v.17)
Living in the name of Jesus, on His mission, means every act—big or small—is done with thankfulness to God.
- Application: We can honor Christ in all things when we remember that everything we do is an offering of thanks.
A person who sees their work, family roles, and daily interactions as opportunities to thank and glorify God.

How does a Thankful Heart encourage us on the mission of Jesus?
-reminded of what Jesus did for use
-want others to share in the blessing

**(00:00) END PART 1**

**(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**

Why Thankfulness Matters
- It reflects a heart aligned with God’s will and purpose.
- Gratitude transforms our perspective, shifting focus from circumstances to God’s goodness.

The Command to Be Thankful
1. Biblical Foundations
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- Psalm 107:1: “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
- Emphasize thankfulness as a command, not an option.

2. Thankfulness as Obedience
- It’s part of submitting to God’s lordship.
- Disobedience in thankfulness can lead to bitterness or discontent.

Thankfulness in Difficult Circumstances
1. Biblical Examples
- Job 1:21: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
- Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Though the fig tree should not blossom... yet I will rejoice in the LORD.”
- Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

2. God’s Sovereignty and Goodness
- Trusting God’s plan even when it’s not clear.
- Thankfulness as an act of faith and trust.

The Fruit of Thankfulness
1. Influences Your Relationship with God
- Deepens your relationship with God. (Psalm 50:23: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.”)
- Promotes joy and contentment (Philippians 4:11-13).

2. Your Thankfulness Influences Others
- Thankfulness is contagious and glorifies God before unbelievers (Matthew 5:16).
- It fosters unity and encouragement within the church body (Ephesians 5:19-20).

3. Practical Challenge
- Write a letter of thanks to someone who has blessed you.

Closing Thoughts
1. Key Points
- Thankfulness is God’s will for you.
- It’s not dependent on circumstances but rooted in who God is.
- It transforms your heart and your witness.

2. Challenge
- Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:18 this week.
- Start a blessing journal, remember what God has done.

**(5:00 – 1:00)**

Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man

Humanity’s Purpose

- *“Have you ever wondered why you were created? What is the purpose of life from God’s perspective?”*

- *“Today, we’re exploring humanity’s purpose according to the Bible. From the beginning, God designed us with intention and meaning.”*

- *“Let’s look at Scripture to understand why God created us and what our lives should be about.”*

#### **2. Humanity Was Created to Glorify God (1 minute)**
- **Primary purpose: To glorify God**
- *Isaiah 43:7*: *“Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”*
- Emphasize: *“We are made to reflect God’s glory in our words, actions, and attitudes.”*
- **What does glorifying God mean?**
- To glorify God is to honor Him and display His character.
- *1 Corinthians 10:31*: *“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”*

- *“Every aspect of life—work, relationships, and even recreation—can glorify God when done with the right heart.”*

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#### **3. Humanity Was Created for Fellowship with God (1 minute)**
- **God’s desire for relationship**:
- *Genesis 3:8*: *“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.”*
- *“This verse shows that from the beginning, God desired close fellowship with humanity.”*
- **Sin broke fellowship, but Christ restores it**:
- *John 17:3*: *“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”*
- Explain: *“God’s purpose is for us to know Him intimately, not just as Creator, but as Savior and Father.”*

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#### **4. Humanity Was Created to Serve and Steward Creation (1 minute)**
- **Stewardship of the earth**:
- *Genesis 1:28*: *“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”*
- *“This means we are caretakers of God’s creation, managing it responsibly for His glory.”*
- **Good works as part of our purpose**:
- *Ephesians 2:10*: *“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”*
- Connect: *“Serving others and fulfilling the tasks God gives us is part of our God-given purpose.”*

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#### **5. Humanity Was Created to Enjoy God Forever (30 seconds)**
- **Eternal joy in God’s presence**:
- *Psalm 16:11*: *“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”*
- Explain: *“Our purpose includes delighting in God, both now and for eternity.”*
- Summarize: *“God didn’t create us out of necessity but out of love, to share His joy and glory with us forever.”*

- Recap the key points:
- *“We were created to glorify God, enjoy fellowship with Him, steward His creation, and ultimately experience the joy of His presence forever.”*
- Call to action:
- *“Take time this week to reflect on these truths. How can you glorify God in your daily life? How can you grow in fellowship with Him?”*
- Encourage with Scripture:
- *“As Colossians 3:17 reminds us, ‘And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’”*

**(1:00)**

- “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)**