Horsegate Ministry

  Heard this from Pastor Jim from Belmont Baptist Church on Dec 15, 2001 men's prayer breakfast held at FBCBF. My spiritual life needs this. But, what a message to give from training of a horse. If by God's grace I become an expert horse trainer who trains not only the horse but owner then the owner can build from the foundation. A good solid training foundation needs to take place just as Christ's foundation needs to be laid. Look at the foundation of gold, silver, etc. From God's perspective these are weak building blocks. I could use harsh training techniques tools to train a horse but these would be shown for what they are one day. If my techniques survive through the trials of spooking, trail riding, tailoring, etc then the reward will be there. If what I have trained "burn up" I will continue to train other horses but just getting by. Do I want to just get by? No! I want the foundation to be solid and survive. Oh what a message this could be! Thank You Lord!

 Two key words: build foundation, laid foundation. This is what God has done. Someone else is building on it (Jesus). Training foundation - Can you train through a foundation that can be built on? Ex John Lyon techniques and adding Ray Hunt techniques. This requires some thought!!

 Never take Your mind off the goal thus You lose focus. But, to obtain the goal takes small accomplishments (steps). For example - the everyday battle to stay focus on the Lord. Some days You lose the battle (steps) but the goal (Christ's victory) is still there. Same with goals and small steps of training a horse. Keep the goal in focus but don't go straight to it. Take small steps and some days will be good, some will be bad but never give up and You and horse, just like You and God, will reach the goal.

 Note the "prepare your minds" for action; "self-controlled'; "set your hope…." (Faith); and “when Jesus Christ is revealed'. Analogy to horse training.  I must prepare my mind for what the horse is to do. It also helps if the horse understands I as master he must obey. I must have self control because eventually I will expect the horse to have self control. (i.e. when frightened, look to me). I must be hopeful the horse will do as I ask. I am hopeful God not do as I ask but His will I will follow. When Jesus is revealed. Kind of like a light bulb coming on. When He is Lord and Savior. I hope the light bulb comes on for horse. I will be the Alpha and he will be “ruled over" by me.

 See also Hebrew 11:6 pg 3 and 1 Chr 28:9 If thou seek him, he will be found of thee. What trainer/owner wants to get their horse to a point in the training program and then lose ground only to start over completely or start a few steps back? Horses retain for about 18 months and then they start losing what they learned. Believers in Christ never lose their salvation but we certainly lose our love (zeal) for Christ. This is just a warning to say You worked hard - don't lose it, don't slide. Being a Christian is hard work - being a horse trainer is hard work. Why would we want to tear down what is built. We know a well trained horse brings rewards. In Heb 11:6 God rewards those who earnestly seek him. That takes every day!

 What trainer/owner wants to get their horse to a point in the training program and then lose ground only to start over completely or start a few steps back? Horses retain for about 18 months and then they start losing what they learned. Believers in Christ never lose their salvation but we certainly lose our love (zeal) for Christ. This is just a warning to say You worked hard - don't lose it, don't slide. Being a Christian is hard work - being a horse trainer is hard work. Why would we want to tear down what is built. We know a well trained horse brings rewards. In Heb 11:6 God rewards those who earnestly seek him. That takes every day!