The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#536: When Man Says No, But God Says Yes Feb 10, 2022

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The Big Idea:

As I look back over my life, it was the most difficult seasons in which I have experienced the most miracles. I’ve often thought, everyone wants to see a miracle, but no one wants to need one. I have discovered that in our times of struggle God gets the last word. Maybe today you feel as if every door around you is closed. Remember, no one can close a door that God opens. Keep trusting him.

Main Points:

1. When you have a pressing need, and you are carrying a heavy burden, it’s hard to see a way out. In the natural, you look for every earthly solution. Sometimes it feels as if every door is closed and there is no way out.
2. If in your life you feel stuck today, stand on this truth: God sees you. He sees you right where you are. He is with you. He has not forgotten you. In his time, and in his way, he will move and you will experience his miraculous power. Then you’ll have a story to tell of his faithfulness.
3. Remember, man may say no, but God can still say yes. Trust him. He never fails.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 4:19 - “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Psalm 121:1 - “My help comes from the Lord.”

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#535: A New Birth is Required Feb 09, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Our efforts at personal goodness, no matter how consistent they may be, will never save us. In fact, good behavior is incapable of bringing us into a right relationship with God. We must be born again.

Main Points:

1. Everyone of us, no matter how kind, decent, and respectful we may be, are still sinners. We have sinned. We have violated God’s laws.
2. A newborn baby will need a second birth. It had a physical birth, but to be in right relationship with God it will need a spiritual birth. It must be born again.
3. Have you been born again? Recognize that good behavior is incapable of saving us from our sins. We must have a new birth by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 51:5 - “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Romans 5:12 - “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned”

Romans 3:23 - “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

1 Peter 1:3 - “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

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#534: Seeking God First Feb 08, 2022

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The Big Idea:

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says we are to seek God, but he goes on to say that we are to seek him “first.” This is the matter of priority. We all seek for something. We might seek for opportunity, position, resources, and open doors. We could seek for pleasure, enjoyment, comfort, success, and fulfillment. We might seek for friendship, family, and connection. We all seek something, but Jesus said for those who would follow him, we must seek God and his kingdom first.

Main Points:

1. To seek is to pursue, to look for, to desire to obtain, and to discover.
2. Today is a good day to ask ourselves some important questions: Is Jesus first place in our lives? In all of our seeking, are we seeking God first? Is there practical, everyday evidence that we are putting God first in our lives?
3. Your life and mine is filled with worry. We live with a certain amount of anxiety about our needs being met. Let’s focus on this powerful promise from Jesus. If we begin to seek God first in our lives, God is faithful to meet all of our needs.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:33 - “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

1 Chronicles 22:19 - “Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.”

Colossians 3:1-2 - “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalm 34:10 - “…those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

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#533: You Have Been Chosen by God Feb 07, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Think about this truth. God didn’t have to love us. He didn’t have to offer us grace and mercy. Nothing forced God to show us forgiveness. Nothing compelled Him to give us the precious gift of eternal life, but God chose to. He chose to love us. He chose to call us His own. He chose to make us children of God.

Main Points:

1. If you’ve ever been tempted to doubt the love of God, recognize this wonderful blessing: God chose to love you. Despite all of your sins, your failures, and your mistakes, God still chose to love you and wants to spend eternity with you.
2. But there’s more, not only has God chosen to love us, he has chosen to use us. You have an assignment, a task, and a role to play in the kingdom of God. For many of us, we feel as if we aren’t capable or qualified, so we expect God will use others instead, but that is not what the scriptures teach us.
3. God takes great joy and delight to use our lives for his glory. As He empowers us with His Holy Spirit, and we take steps of faith and obedience, great things are accomplished through our lives. All of this takes place because chooses to make it happen.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 2:9 - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:4 - “…rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 - “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”

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#532: Why Forgiveness is Essential Feb 06, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Forgiving others begins when we realize how much God has forgiven us. You and I could make a list of the offenses God has forgiven. We didn’t earn his forgiveness and we certainly don’t deserve it. He has offered us forgiveness because he loves us. When we realize that we have been forgiven for so much, it is a lot easier to offer forgiveness to others.

Main Points:

1. Jesus’ command to forgive is one of the most difficult commands for us to obey. A lot of times we simply don’t want to forgive. It feels to us that if we forgive, we are letting them get away with the injustice. “They don’t deserve forgiveness,” we say.
2. Why does God make a big deal about forgiveness? Forgiveness releases us from the offense. God offers us freedom.
3. Unforgiveness is a heavy burden. I think we all know what it feels like. But forgiveness is freedom. Where there was once sorrow, heaviness, and bitterness, is now comfort and peace. When we forgive we release others from the offense, but it also brings freedom to our hearts. We no longer carry it with us.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:14-15 - “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

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#531: Flee Temptation Feb 05, 2022

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The Big Idea:

We must see that with God’s help, we have the power to flee and to run away from temptation. If we are hesitant, if we wait and entertain the temptation, we lose power against it. God’s Word teaches us to flee.

Main Points:

1. Temptation is something everyone of us will face. No one is immune. To be tempted is not sin – it’s what you do with the temptation that’s important. Even Jesus was tempted.
2. So, how do we flee temptation? We can always pray. We can cry out to God for strength against whatever temptation we are facing. Sometime it may be necessary to physically flee your environment. You may need to call a friend or family member for support.
3. What is essential is that you choose a course of action before you face the temptation. If you wait until you are tempted, it’s too late. Decide today how you will flee temptation.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:13 - “Lead us not into temptation.”
2 Timothy 2:22 - “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

1 Corinthians 6:18 - “Flee sexual immorality.”
1 Corinthians 10:14 - “Flee from idolatry.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Psalm 141:4 - “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers…”

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#530: Starting Your Day With God Feb 04, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Every morning when you wake up God has given you the gift of another day. Each morning we have a choice of how we are going to start this new day. How we start the day is often an indication of what kind of day we will have.

Main Points:

1. If we oversleep that impacts our day. If we rush into work tasks that will impact our day. Throughout scripture we see examples of people starting their day with God.
2. Throughout any typical day, I’m going to need God’s strength and wisdom. I’m going to face challenges, stress, and possibly anxiety. I’ve discovered that when I miss my morning with God, it impacts my whole day.
3. Before I rush off to work, I want to quiet my spirit. I want to listen for the voice of God. I want to feed my soul by spending a few minutes in the Word of God. I want to make time to pray and give God my burdens. I want to ask him to bless, guide, and direct the day ahead.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 1:35 - “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Psalm 63:1 - “O GOD, You are my God; Early will I seek You”

Psalm 5:3 - “In the morning, O LORD, hear my voice. In the morning I lay my needs in front of you, and I wait.”

Psalm 119:147 - “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.”

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#529: You Have a Next Assignment Feb 03, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Here’s what I believe: As long as you are alive, God has purpose for your life. There is always a next assignment. When our time on earth is finished, we have the joy of spending eternity with the Lord, but until then, no matter our age, or season of life, God has something for us to do.

Main Points:

1. God knew how he wanted to use your life, even before you were born. He has good works for you to do, which he prepared in advance.
2. Be encouraged by this truth: God is not finished with you. Believe that God has uniquely equipped and gifted you for his purpose.
3. One essential quality that is sometimes overlooked is availability. To step in to your next assignment, you must be willing. What God has for our lives is not always easy. It will usually cost us something. It may require sacrifice. Are you willing to step out in faith and uncertainty to trust the Lord?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Psalm 138:8 - “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

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#528: Our Help Comes From The Lord Feb 02, 2022

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The Big Idea:

If God is so powerful that by his word he can create heaven and the earth, is anything I’m facing too hard for him? Do I have a problem he can’t solve? Do I have a need he can’t meet? Do I have a burden he can’t carry? No, the God we serve is the maker of Heaven and earth.

Main Points:

1. Having been a Christ-follower for many years, I often think, “For those who have no relationship with God, where do they go in times of need?” Friends and family can only do so much, and there are things we need they cannot provide. As I reflect on my life, I think of the many times I reached out to God in desperation. He has never failed to provide strength, wisdom, peace, encouragement, guidance, and so much more. But imagine having nowhere to turn in your time of need.
2. But whatever the nature of your trouble, don’t give in to despair. We have a God we can turn to in our time of need. He is the Maker of heaven and earth.
3. Today, you have a choice. Where will you go in your time of need? Who will you look to? I pray you will lift your eyes to the God who is the maker of Heaven and earth.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

Psalm 121:1-2 - “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Hebrews 13:6 - “So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper.”

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#527: Blessings in Disguise Feb 01, 2022

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The Big Idea:

Sometimes our blessings come to us in disguise. What we thought was adversity, later becomes a blessing. What we thought was a trial or difficulty, actually is a tool to help us know God in ways that were previously not possible.

Main Points:

1. It’s in our difficult seasons that we seem to grow the most in our faith. When we are sick, we discover God is a healer. When we struggle financially, we learn God is a provider. When our families are hurting, we realize God can restore us. When we are lonely, we discover God will never leave us or forsake us.
2. Paul said that it was during this time of suffering that God said to him that His “grace was sufficient.” What does sufficient mean? Sufficient means “enough”. God’s grace is enough. He will give you enough to get through whatever you are facing. Enough strength. Enough wisdom. Enough peace. Enough joy. Enough power.
3. Right now, in the midst of your current struggle, instead of focusing on why you are going through this difficulty, focus on what you can learn about God. Even in the worst of circumstances, we can grow in our faith. Remember, God’s grace is sufficient for you.

Today’s Scripture Verse:

2 Corinthians 12:10 - “I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

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