Personal Spring Cleaning

rwh01march -Ep.353 – Run With Horses Podcast –Personal Spring Cleaning 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 A "spring cleaning" for your life is a fantastic way to reset and refresh your routine, mindset, and environment. Where do most people begin and how can we make that a little more intentional as a disciple of Jesus? Here are some thoughts: 1. Declutter Your Space: This is a reoccurring theme for many of us. The things we surround ourselves with can eventually control us. Take charge and evaluate everything in light of eternity and it’s usefulness as a follower of Jesus.   2. Revamp Your Routine: Building and maintaining healthy habits is a large part of staying consistent in your spiritual life. What habits do you have, What habits do you need to develop?   3. Refresh Your Digital Life: Reduce and remove digital distractions.. Today’s screen focused world can be a hindrance to an authentic relationship with Jesus. Evaluate your screen time and use it wisely.   4. Review Finances: Strive to be a good steward of your finances.   5. Assess Personal Goals: What is the big picture of what God is doing in your life? How is He growing you and what is He challenging you to become? Compare your goals with His goals for you!   6. Invest in Health: Finances aren’t the only place that we need to be good stewards! Your health matters. Are you taking care of the level of health that God has given you?   7. Reconnect with Relationships: Relationships are a big part of our spiritual life. We need relationships with others and they need us. Be intentional and keep Jesus at the center of all of your relationships.     8. Learn Something New: Don’t stagnate physically, mentally or spiritually. Read good books on topics that will help you grow. The spiritual disciplines are always a place you can invest and reap rewards.   9. Cleanse Your Mind: Romans 12:1-2 Renew your mind. Maintain time in God’s Word and really spend some time meditating on it, asking God to make His thoughts your thoughts.   10. Physical Clean-Up: You surrounds can really affect your emotional and mental state which impacts your spiritual life. Spend some time cleaning up your space physically to help you focus spiritually.     You can do a personal spiritual evaluation by reflecting on key principles and practices found in Scripture. This evaluation is not about perfection, but about growth in faith, love, and obedience to God. Here’s a step-by-step guide for conducting a spiritual evaluation: 1. Reflect on Personal Relationship with God Prayer and Devotion: Evaluate how consistent and sincere your personal time with God is. Are you seeking to commune with Him daily in prayer and through His Word? (Matthew 6:6, James 4:8) Do you have a consistent time or do you need to plan one? Heart Check: Ask yourself: Do you truly desire to know God more deeply, or have other distractions and idols taken His place? (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37) 2. Evaluate Your Relationship with the Word of God Bible Reading and Study: How regularly are you engaging with the Scriptures? Are you reading to grow, to learn, and to obey, or simply out of obligation? (Psalm 119:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Are you consistently reading through Scripture? NT every year as a beginning goal. Obedience to the Word: Do you apply God’s Word to your life? Is your obedience rooted in love for Christ and a desire to honor Him? (John 14:15, James 1:22) 3. Assess Your Life of Repentance and Confession Confession and Repentance: Are you regularly confessing sins and repenting? Acknowledge areas where sin has a hold and work on turning away from them. (1 John 1:9, Romans 12:1-2) Humility and Accountability: Are you humble enough to admit areas where you need growth, and do you have accountability in your life? (Proverbs 27:17, James 5:16) 4. Examine Your Love for Others Love for Others: Do you love others as Christ has loved you? Evaluate your relationships with family, friends, and fellow believers. (John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-21) Are you meeting new people regularly? Forgiveness and Grace: Are you quick to forgive and show grace, or do you harbor bitterness or unforgiveness? (Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:21-22) Are YOU the center of your relationships or is Jesus? 5. Reflect on Your Role in the Body of Christ Service and Ministry: Are you actively serving others in the church and in your community? God has gifted each believer for the building up of His body. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Ephesians 4:11-16) Where are you using your gifts? Fellowship: Do you prioritize fellowship with other believers? Being a part of the body of Christ means engaging with the community of believers, not just individually. (Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47) 6. Assess Your Personal Witness and Evangelism Sharing the Gospel: Are you actively sharing your faith and seeking opportunities to tell others about Christ? Evaluate your willingness to be a light in the world. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) Living as a Witness: Is your life reflecting the character of Christ to those around you? Are others able to see Christ in your actions and attitude? (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 3:15) 7. Check Your Spiritual Fruit Fruit of the Spirit: How are you reflecting the fruit of the Spirit in your life? (Galatians 5:22-23) Are you putting effort into your spiritual growth? How? Spiritual Growth: Do you see areas where God has grown you, but also areas where you need to mature? (2 Peter 3:18, Philippians 1:9-11) 8. Evaluate Your Priorities and Stewardship Time and Resources: How are you managing your time, talents, and treasures? Are your priorities in line with God’s kingdom purposes? (Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 10:31) Generosity and Stewardship: Are you generous with what God has entrusted to you, not only in finances but also in your time and abilities? (2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Luke 6:38) 9. Seek the Holy Spirit’s Conviction and Guidance Holy Spirit’s Role: Invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart, convict you of any unconfessed sin, and guide you into truth. Trust in the Spirit’s work to help you grow in Christ-likeness. (Psalm 139:23-24, John 16:13) Response to Conviction: How do you respond when the Holy Spirit convicts you? Are you willing to obey, even when it is difficult? (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:16-18) 10. Set Goals for Spiritual Growth Action Plan: Based on your evaluation, set specific, measurable, attainable goals for your spiritual growth. These could involve areas of Bible study, prayer, service, or outreach. Accountability: Consider seeking an accountability partner or mentor who can help you stay focused on your growth and provide support. (Proverbs 27:17, Galatians 6:1-2)