Following Jesus is a Journey, Part 1

Rwh16aug Ep.377 – Run With Horses Podcast –  Following Jesus is a Journey, Part 1 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

**(24:00)** Pastor’s wives are often a forgotten link in a healthy church. What can you do to support your pastor’s wife in her role? That’s the topic of today’s show.

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 simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in 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!”

**(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1

Following Jesus is a Journey

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Pilgrimage, marathon, wilderness journey, The Pilgrim’s Progress.  • spiritual growth: Ongoing transformation into Christ’s likeness (Romans 8:29).  • Growth is neither instantaneous nor stagnant; it is a progressive walk empowered by the Spirit.  • Our Goal: Equip disciple makers to understand, model, and guide others on this journey.

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*1 Spiritual Growth is Progressive, Not Instantaneous  • Growth is lifelong; sanctification happens progressively as believers are conformed to Christ.  • Conversion is the starting line, not the finish line.  • Philippians 1:6 – “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.”  • 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.”  • Colossians 2:6-7 – “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

Key • God initiates growth, but we must remain rooted and allow Him to complete the work.

Applications for Disciple Makers  • Help new believers understand growth takes time—avoid unrealistic expectations.  • Celebrate progress, not perfection.  • Encourage consistent abiding rather than instant change.  * Be obedient in the little things each day, it adds up.

Illustrations  • Seed to tree imagery (Mark 4:28).  • Personal testimony of gradual transformation.  * Bike Ride across Iowa _ RAGBRAI ⸻

*2: Expect Seasons of Slow Growth and Struggle  • Growth is not linear; dry seasons and struggles are part of God’s process.  • Waiting and hardship often deepen roots unseen.  • Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”  • Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”