Write Your Purpose Statement

24_11_09 -Ep.337 - Run With Horses Podcast - "Write Your Purpose Statement"

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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

**(28:00)**
Today I want to jump off in a new direction. I have been focusing on the church for months, but today I want to turn to the individual. Do you have a purpose statement? You should, and today I challenge you to write one!

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 - The Power of Prayer

**1. Why Prayer is Essential for Discipleship **
- Luke 5:16 – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Jesus Himself prioritized prayer.
- Prayer isn’t a task—it’s a relational practice that deepens intimacy with God and aligns our hearts with His will.

**2. The Components of Meaningful Prayer **
- Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
- **Key Components:**
- **Praise:** Start by focusing on who God is, acknowledging His greatness.
- **Confession:** Bring your sins before God, seeking His forgiveness.
- **Thanksgiving:** Recognize God’s faithfulness and blessings.
- **Supplication:** Present your requests and intercede for others.
- Incorporating these components helps structure prayer and keeps our focus on God’s character, rather than on our needs.

**3. Prayer for Strength and Wisdom in Following Christ **
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
- Discipleship involves challenges, and prayer for wisdom and strength empowers us to remain steadfast in following Jesus.
- Start each day by asking God for guidance and the strength to live out your faith.

**4. Building a Consistent Prayer Habit (1 minute)**
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
- Intentionally set aside time for prayer.
- Start a daily 5-minute prayer time, use a prayer journal, or incorporate prayer breaks throughout the day. Pray AS you go through life each day.

**(23:00 – 0:00)* *

Why a purpose statement?

- spiritual focus, clarity and daily direction.

**Why Purpose Matters for Every Believer**
- purpose reflects God’s design for each person
Ephesians 2:10 -10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

- Aligning personal goals with God’s eternal purpose.
- The purpose statement as a tool for living intentionally.

**What is a Purpose Statement?**
- purpose statement vs. life goals.
- A purpose statement as a guiding compass rooted in one’s faith, aiming to glorify God and serve others.

**Steps to Create a Personal Purpose Statement**

- **STEP 1:** Reflect on Your Relationship with God
- Questions to ponder: "How has God worked in my life? What passions or burdens has He placed on my heart?"
- Prayer and seeking God’s guidance through scripture. What does Gdo say about who I am and why He made me?

- **STEP 2:** Identify Your Unique Gifts and Passions
- Understanding spiritual gifts (e.g., Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12) and how they shape our purpose.
- Considering talents, interests, and experiences God has given.

### STEP 3: Clarify Your Mission

Ground it in the priorities God gives us through Scripture. While each believer’s purpose will be unique, Scripture clearly defines the overarching mission and priorities that all Christians share. These biblical priorities serve as guiding principles for crafting a personal purpose statement that aligns with God’s will and advances Jesus’ mission.

#### **A. The Great Commandment: Loving God and Loving Others**
- ** Matthew 22:37-39 – “37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

- **Practical:** When clarifying your mission, consider how you will reflect love for God in your life through prayer, worship, and obedience. Likewise, think about how you can show Christlike love to others, especially through compassion, humility, and selflessness.

#### **B. The Great Commission: Making Disciples**
- **Scripture Reference:** Matthew 28:19-20 – 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

- **Practical:** Ask yourself how you can participate in the work of making disciples. This might look different depending on your gifts and context: sharing the gospel with others, teaching in your church, supporting missions, or mentoring someone in their spiritual growth.

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

**(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**

#### **C. A Life of Servanthood: Living as Christ’s Ambassadors**
- **Philippians 2:1-4 – 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

- **Practical:** Consider what it means to represent Jesus in your everyday life. How can your purpose statement include elements of servanthood and humility?

#### **D. Holiness and Growth in Christlikeness**
- ** 1 Peter 1:15-16 – 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

- **Practical:** Reflect on areas of your life where God is calling you to greater obedience and purity. Consider how your purpose might reflect an ongoing commitment to spiritual growth and maturity.

#### **E. Serving in Love through Our Unique Gifts**
- ** 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

- **Practical:** Think about how your gifts, talents, and passions play a role in your mission. How can you use your strengths and experiences to serve God and bless others in ways that reflect His love?

A purpose statement that reflects these biblical priorities ensures that it’s not just a personal mission but a mission aligned with God’s design for every believer.

### 5. **Examples of Purpose Statements**
Purpose statement:Sandra Peoples - I give praise to God for what He’s done in my life and how He is using me to accomplish the purposes He has for me. I am a disciple, a mentor/teacher, a connector, and a community-builder. As I grow in godliness, I encourage others to grow as well. I seek to build a community of faith for special-needs parents so they know they are never alone. I build this community both through my writing and through my local church.

Purpose Statement: “I, Regi Campbell, exist to glorify God as I love, serve and challenge others to be all they can be and give all of themselves to Jesus Christ.”

- My Purpose Statement– To be a mature disciple of Jesus who makes disciples and gives freely to encourage, support and equip the church on it’s journey to fulfill the Great Commission.

### 6. **Living Out Your Purpose Daily**
- Practical tips on using your purpose statement as a daily guide for decision-making and spiritual growth.
- Encouragement to use it in prayer, self-reflection, and goal-setting.
Live Intentionally.

### 7. **Conclusion and Call to Action**
- Pray about your purpose and seek the Lord’s leading.
- Write down their purpose statement and keep it visible.Live by it.
- Encourage feedback or sharing their statements with accountability partners or mentors.Share it with me, I would love to see what you come up with! norman@runwithhorses.net

**(5:00 – 1:00)**

Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man**

Made in God’s Image

### 1. **God's Unique Design for Humanity**
- **Genesis 1:26-27** - "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."
- **Key Point**: Unlike animals or any other part of creation, humans bear God’s image, meaning we reflect His nature and character in a unique way.

### 2. **The Image of God and Human Dignity**
- **Psalm 8:4-5** - "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor."
- **Key Point**: Because we are created in God's image, every human being has inherent worth and dignity, regardless of status, ability, or background. This truth impacts how we treat others and see ourselves.

### 3. **What It Means to Reflect God’s Image**
- **Romans 8:29** - "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
- **Key Point**: Being in God's image isn’t just a status; it's a calling. We are meant to reflect God’s character—His love, justice, mercy, and holiness. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of this reflection, and through Him, we are transformed.

### 4. **The Impact of Sin and the Redemption of God’s Image**
- **Genesis 9:6** - "Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man."
- **Romans 3:23** - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
- **Key Point**: Sin distorts God’s image in us, leading to brokenness and separation from Him. Yet, even after the Fall, humans retain God’s image, which is why life is precious and why Christ’s redemption is essential.

### 5. **Conclusion: Living Out the Image of God**
- **2 Corinthians 3:18** - "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
- **Key Point**: In Christ, we’re being renewed into God’s image. Our calling is to grow in this likeness through sanctification, loving others, and living in a way that honors our Creator.

**(1:00)**

- “Thank you for listening today! Training disciple makers is essential to a thriving church body on mission. As you reflect on this, consider your role—both individually and within the church—in reaching others with the hope of Jesus."
-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)**

Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together

Susan’s New book – Parenting Manual
https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo

My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes.

If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!