The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#616: How to Become a Cheerful Giver May 18, 2022

Show notes

God loves a cheerful giver. I believe this is because God himself is a giver. God loves to give. Every blessing we have is because God has given them to us. When we give with joy we are being like God.

Main Points:

1. God blesses those who give. He said if we give sparingly, meaning in a small amount, we will receive a small blessing, but if we give generously, the blessing will be generous.
2. Paul goes on to teach us that giving is personal. It is between each person and God. We should give what the Lord puts on our hearts to give. We should be obedient to the Lord in this area. We should not give reluctantly and feel that we are under compulsion or forced to do so.
3. Paul is not teaching us a so-called “prosperity doctrine.” This does not teach us we should give so we can get more for ourselves. We become cheerful givers when we realize that everything we are and everything we have is because of the grace of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8. He said, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

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#615: Using the Power of the Holy Spirit May 17, 2022

Show notes

I want you to acknowledge an important truth today. God’s purpose for your life is greater than your ability to accomplish it. You need a power greater than your own. You can’t fulfill God’s purpose without God. You don’t have enough strength, wisdom, creativity, or resources to do God's will all by yourself.

Main Points:

1. If you are a Christ-follower, it’s likely you already know God wants to use your life. As you serve him, he has tasks for you to accomplish. Your life has a purpose. As you use the gifts, talents, abilities, time, and resources God has given, your life is on mission for God.
2. The God who calls us, is the God who equips us. The God who gives us purpose also gives us power.
3. We gain access to this power by praying and asking God to fill us with His Holy Spirit and then stepping out in faith and trusting God to use us with his power. God’s power is activated when we are using the gifts God has given us.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Ephesians 3:20 - “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

2 Peter 1:3 - “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

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#614: Rejoice Anyway May 16, 2022

Show notes

Anyone can rejoice when life is good, but to rejoice when life is hard is a deliberate act of faith. You are deciding that your trust and confidence in God are not circumstantial. Your faith is rooted in the character of God.

Main Points:

1. The word "rejoice" means to feel or show great joy or delight. In fact, the word “rejoice” is found in the Bible 154 times. That is a lot of rejoicing.
2. The Bible says we are to rejoice in God’s goodness. We rejoice over God’s strength. We rejoice in his deliverance. We rejoice in his salvation. As for when we are to rejoice, Psalm 89 says we rejoice in God’s name all day long. Philippians 4 says we are to rejoice in the Lord always.
3. The reason we can rejoice at all times is because of the object of our rejoicing. Paul says we are to “rejoice in the Lord.” We don’t just rejoice. We don’t just celebrate. We don’t just throw a party. We have a reason to rejoice. We rejoice in the Lord.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Habakkuk 3:17-18 - “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

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#613: Created in the Image of God May 15, 2022

Show notes

We are not God. We are not little gods, but we were created to be like God in character and lifestyle. Our life should reflect the glory of God to others. When we do this, we are healthy and whole. The Bible describes this as holiness.

Main Points:

1. Our sin has distorted the image of God within us, and now we can’t see ourselves as God sees us. We ascribe to labels the world places on us. We struggle with discovering our true identity.
2. It is essential that you hear this message way down deep in your soul. Regardless of the circumstances of your conception, you were created by God. You were created for purpose. Your life has meaning and value.
3. To live the life God created and designed you to live, you must embrace the truth that you were created in the image of God. Your life is not an accident, a mistake, or an after-thought. Your life is important and you are here today because of the will of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Genesis 1:26-27 - “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Psalm 139:13-14 - “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”

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#612: How to Bear More Fruit May 14, 2022

Show notes

God in his sovereignty knows what is keeping us from spiritual growth and bearing fruit. Sometimes there might even be good things in our lives, yet they are occupying our mind, our time, and our resources, and as a result, we are not growing spiritually.

Main Points:

1. Here’s an important spiritual truth: God wants your life to bear fruit. He wants you to be a blessing to others.
2. Jesus is our source of life. He is our vine. If we are connected to him we have the life-giving power of God within us that make our lives fruitful. Yet, we also see that our Heavenly Father is the gardener and that he prunes the branches (that’s you and me) that bear fruit, so we will produce more fruit.
3. God is the gardener who prunes the life of everyone who abides in Christ and bears the fruit of Christ. This pruning enhances spiritual growth by removing whatever hinders our spiritual growth.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 15:1-2 - “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. “

Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

James 1:2-4 - “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

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#611: Pray Without Ceasing May 12, 2022

Show notes

As Christians, prayer is always a whisper away. Prayer is communication with God, and we can live each minute of the day in a constant, flowing, conversation with God. You don’t need a special appointment to talk with God. You can do so, anywhere, and at anytime.

Main Points:

1. There is significant value in making a specific time for prayer. In fact, I think that if we are not intentional about a time and a place for prayer, it’s likely we won’t be consistent in our prayer life.
2. When you think of God’s goodness and his blessings, you can have a spontaneous moment of praise and gratitude towards God. When you see a prayer request posted on Facebook, you can pause and bring that need to the Lord.
3. What a blessing it is for you and I to have such access to God. It’s truly amazing. The God of the universe, the God who has such power that He spoke and the world came into existence, this God gives you an audience. This God welcomes you into His presence. This God loves you and wants to hear from you.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Romans 12:12- “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

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#610: Paying Attention to the Voice of God May 11, 2022

Show notes

Of all the things we can pay attention to, we must pay attention to God’s voice and what He is doing. You can’t afford to miss out on the voice of God.

Main Points:

1. With so many things calling for our attention, we may find ourselves easily distracted and without focus. To pay attention requires intention.
2. Every day, you can hear the voice of God. We don’t just serve a silent deity. We have a relationship with a living God who is involved in the lives of his children. I believe daily we can hear God’s voice in our spirit. Every time we open our Bibles we should expect to hear the voice of God.
3. Let’s take an inventory of the things we are paying attention to. Perhaps you’ll discover you’ve been too distracted. Let’s give space and time for the voice of God. We desperately need to hear what He is saying.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 4:32 - “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Hebrews 2:1 - “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

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#609: Surrendering to God May 10, 2022

Show notes

You and I are going to struggle with our humanity. Surrender doesn’t seem like a good idea to any of us. It feels like we are giving up and losing control, but when we surrender to God we lose things we don’t need to gain the things we really do.

Main Points:

1. Everything you need is on the other side of surrendering your life to God.
2. Everything you need God can provide. Yet, often the provision doesn’t come until we surrender to God.
3. God’s plan is not about depriving us of good things. He delights to give His children good gifts. He also desires, above all else, for us to follow him and delight in him. Sometimes God will make us sacrifice something we want, to secure our hearts for the greatest good: himself.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 26:39 - “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

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#608: The Grace to Forgive May 09, 2022

Show notes

As Christians, we must see that the grace that offers us God’s forgiveness, enables us to forgive others when they sin against us.

Main Points:

1. Our forgiveness of others is a response to the forgiveness we have received. If God can forgive me, he can enable me to forgive others.
2. Christianity is a religion of forgiveness and healing. It is about God’s forgiveness of us, and our forgiveness of others. Both types of forgiveness are miracles and examples of how Jesus changes lives. Jesus is in the business of healing relationships and restoring families. I believe this is one of our greatest stories and most powerful ways we can witness to our community.
3. Forgiveness is a decision you make to refuse to live in the past. It’s a conscious choice to relate others from their sins against you, so that you can be set free.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 18:21 - “He came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

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#607: A Heart for Worship May 05, 2022

Show notes

When we have a proper heart for worship we’ll see that worship is not for us. Worship is for God. We worship for an audience of ONE! He is the audience, we are not. As our hearts are directed in praise, adoration, gratitude, and love for God, in return we experience joy.

Main Points:

1. Worship is the response of all that we are to all that God is. To worship is to declare God’s worth.
2. While worshipping together with a group of believers is both biblical and important, we should recognize that worship is not something only to be done on Sundays in a church building. Worship is a lifestyle. As recipients of God’s grace and mercy we want to give him worship and praise everyday and throughout the day.
3. Do you have a heart for worship? Let me encourage you to include worship in your daily spiritual disciplines. Let it be a part of your daily time with the Lord. As you worship and honor the Lord, he is glorified, and you will be blessed.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Psalm 95:6 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

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