The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#446: The Work Ethic of a Disciple Nov 05, 2021

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Episode 446 - Show Notes

Does our faith in Jesus have an impact on our work, and how we work? I believe it does.
What you do matters, but how you do it matters more. Character matters. It matters to God. How you represent Christ in the marketplace matters. Your work ethic is a part of your testimony of a changed life through Jesus.
When you go to work it is a daily opportunity to bring glory to God. When we use what God has given us our intellect, our courage, our manual labor, our intuition, our skills God is glorified.
What does work-ethic look like for Christian? It’s getting up early and sometimes staying late. It is preparation, long-range planning, goal setting, diligence, forethought, showing up for work on time, giving eight hours of work for eight hours of pay, doing what you are asked to do, and dong what needs to be done even if you are not asked.
It’s remembering that God is watching and that He keeps a record. It’s a call to living your life on purpose. It’s a call to not waste your life, but to get up and get out and do something with the opportunities God has placed before you.
Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. Use your intelligence, your intellect, your labor, your talents and gifts, and all God has given to you. Do it today for His glory.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

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#445: Negativity is Contagious Nov 04, 2021

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Episode 445 - Show Notes

In our culture today, we have an epidemic of critical and negative thinking. It comes out in our vocabulary now, more than ever. Social media has given each of us a megaphone to shout to the world our feelings and opinions.
This week as I was praying about my own negativity, I sensed God speaking to my heart these words, “Loren, your negativity is contagious.” Those words stopped me in my tracks. Through my negative attitude, through my critical words, I have the power to influence and impact others to embrace this same negativity.
This brought me to a necessary question: How am I to live as a follower of Jesus?
There is so much around us that is troubling. Like me, you are probably deeply concerned about our country, our culture, our media, and our communities. The easy response is to share our anger and frustrations with others. We gain comfort in sharing disappointments with others. Our points of view are validated as others join in agreement. We have all been there, haven’t we?
Jesus offered His disciples peace. He made the offer in the most unlikely circumstances. At that very minute, Judas met with Jesus’ enemies to plot His arrest. Jesus knew that He would be arrested, forsaken, rejected, mocked, humiliated, tortured and executed before the next day was over. We think that the disciples should have comforted Him – yet Jesus had peace, and enough to give to others.
On this fateful night, Jesus and his followers could have sat around expressing their frustrations and anger at the Jewish religious leaders and the Romans soldiers, but they didn’t.
They understood that in this world there would be trouble. What an important reminder that is to you and me. In this world, there will always be trouble. You and I cannot change that fact. Trouble is here to stay. But our focus is not on this world. This world is not our home. We are on our way to a home where there is no trouble.
Jesus told his followers that in the midst of the trouble of this world that in him they could have peace. I hope you caught that…Jesus offers us peace while we live in a world filled with trouble.
Someone once said that a ship can sail through stormy seas as long as the sea does not come inside the ship. With God’s help, you and I can endure the trouble of this world, as long as we don’t allow that trouble to come inside of us.
The way we protect ourselves from becoming negative and critical is by guarding our hearts. If you feed daily on negativity, you will become negative. If you consume a steady diet of gloomy, pessimistic, troubling news and conversation, you can’t help but begin to express what you are consuming.
Commiserating with others may make us feel better, but it doesn’t bring change to the troublesome world we live in. In actuality, we are passing negativity on to others.
This peace that Jesus promised is found through intimacy with God. Instead of consuming so much negativity around you, begin to daily practice having time with God. Give the problems of this world to God, allow him to fill your heart with his peace.

John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Ephesians 4:29 - “ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

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#444: The Identity of the Holy Spirit Nov 03, 2021

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Episode 444 - Show Notes

It’s important that we see the Holy Spirit as a person. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the God-head. He is not a personality. He is not the personality of God. He is the third person of the God-head.
It’s important for you to know that the Holy Spirit of God comes in a personal way. The Holy Spirit is not impersonal. He is not just a force or a power. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are not just filled with a power – you are filled with the Spirit of God.
This is very important because sometimes we only think of the Holy Spirit as power. In our times of weakness we somehow want to get a hold of this power and use it. But that would be impersonal. But the Spirit of God wants to get a hold of us and use us.
The New Testament was originally written in the Greek Language. In the Greek language this word “comforter” is “paraclete,” which is a combination of two words – “one who is called alongside.” The other word means simply “to help.” So we have the “Counselor – who is called alongside to help.”
Jesus was faithful to fulfill his word. He did not leave us alone. He ascended back to the Father in the glory of Heaven, but he has sent us the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God wants to fill us, teach us, comfort us, guide us, empower us, and use us to bring glory and honor to God.
Begin to make it your daily prayer that God would fill you with His Holy Spirit and that he would use your life for his glory.

John 16:7-8 – “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”

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#443: You Can't Afford to Become Distracted Nov 02, 2021

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Episode 443 - Show Notes

We can become distracted from our faith by the cares of life. We can become preoccupied by our work, responsibilities, task, and duties. We can become inattentive to our relationship with Jesus because we’ve allowed other things to crowd out our faith. As a result, we aren’t paying attention to our relationship with God.
You and I, as disciples of Jesus, cannot afford to become distracted. But we must acknowledge, it is so easy to do so. So many things call for our attention. Our eyes and our focus are drawn to current events, social media, news, and politics. We can become overwhelm by work, unfinished tasks, and never-ending to do lists. Family obligations, event calendars, and even good things can crowd out our faith and time with God.
So, how do we make sure that we do not become distracted from our faith? How can we keep from becoming distracted from the thing that matters most in our lives? Two words come to mind: focus and accountability.
The Book of Hebrews says we are to fix our eyes on Jesus. Where in your life do you need to intentionally focus on your faith? If you do not have a daily quiet time with God where you are in his word and prayer, I would encourage you to start there.
You can also begin to focus on where you want to grow spiritually. Do you need to let go of resentment, anger, and unforgiveness? Do you need to develop a stronger faith? Do you need to demonstrate more love to be like Jesus. Maybe your intentional growth will come from serving and using the gifts and talents God has blessed you with.
Second, we all need accountability. Being accountable comes from being in community with other believers. Church attendance is vital, but the next step of being in regular, close proximity with a few believers is critical. It’s here that we learn to be real with one another and can encourage real spiritual growth.
The danger of distraction can be catastrophic. I know people who once followed Jesus closely, but along they way they become distracted and now they no longer call themselves Christ followers. Let’s guard our hearts and lives closely.

Hebrews 2:1 says, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

1 Timothy 4:16 - “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

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#442: How To Be Sure You Are Saved Nov 01, 2021

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Episode 442 - Show Notes

When it comes to having assurance of our salvation, there are many who struggling believing they are saved. Many live without the assurance of an eternity with God.
I’m so thankful we have the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. If you have placed your faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection on your behalf, and if you have confessed him as your savior and Lord, the Bible says you are saved.
Here’s an important truth to remember. The assurance of our salvation and forgiveness of sins is based on what God has said in his word, not on how we may or may not feel. I’m quite confident that the enemy of our soul wants us to struggle with doubt about our salvation. He doesn’t want you to believe or feel that you are forgiven of your sins.
Feelings come and feelings go. Some days you’ll feel more spiritual than others. Some days you’ll feel closer to God than other days. But the assurance of our salvation is not based on any particular feelings. We stand on the authority of God’s Word.
So the question is: “Do you believe? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the son of God? Do you believe he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins? Do you believe he rose again on the third day? If so, you are a believer.
God wants us to have assurance of our salvation. We should not live our Christian lives wondering and worrying each day whether we are truly saved. By taking God’s Word to heart, you can have no doubt about the reality of your eternal salvation.

1 John 5:11-13 - “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”

In John 3:36, Jesus says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…”

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#441: Your Life Is An Example Oct 29, 2021

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Episode 441 - Show Notes

Today, I’m struck by the truth that you and I get to choose what kind of example we will be. We might not give much thought to our influence, but it would be wise to do so. Unless you are listening to this episode as you live in a cave as a hermit, you are an influence to others.
You are an example to your family, your friends, and your work colleagues. You are an example to your neighbors, your classmates, and people you meet in the marketplace. The question remains: What kind of example will you be?
We might be tempted to say, “Don’t look at me, look at Jesus.” While it is true we must all ultimately look to Jesus, every one of us should be an example of those who look to Jesus.
Remember that throughout this day, you are an example everywhere you go. We don’t always get it right, but we can make a difference in the lives of others as we follow the example Jesus set for us.

1 Corinthians 11:1 - “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
1 Timothy 4:12 - “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

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#440: Times of Indecision Oct 28, 2021

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Episode 440 - Show Notes

As we look back over our lives, we have all made decisions we regret, we are all human and we have a great potential to make mistakes. In fact – we all make mistakes. We wait too long. We pay too much. We say the wrong thing. We open our mouths and insert our foot. All of us do stupid things. But the wise man learns from the mistakes he makes. I hope and pray that we all learn from our mistakes and that we can make better decisions next time.
Life is a series of choices, of decisions. Over the course of your life you’ll make a lot of decisions. You’ll make small, incidental decisions, but you’ll also make life-changing, life-impacting decisions. It’s here that we often get stuck.
Because our decisions carry consequences, we want to be sure to make the right decisions. But how do you know what is the right thing to do? It’s here that we struggle with indecision. Have you ever had a struggle with indecision? Have you ever had a time in which you just didn’t know what to do?
Finding direction comes from admitting that we need a guide. We are often tempted to go our own way, make our own plans, and sometimes we mistakenly leave God out. Isa. 53:6 "Everyone of us have strayed away like sheep! We have left God's paths to follow our own."
Sheep have poor vision and can’t see far ahead. They need a shepherd to lead and guide them because without direction they tend to wander off. We are like that sometimes too, aren’t we. God has promised to be our guide, but we must allow him to lead us.
Our struggle with indecision is trusting the Lord will lead us. It’s so much easier to lean on our own understanding, but when we trust him he has promised to give us the guidance we need.
I have often been stuck in times of indecision. Maybe that’s where you are today. Know that God can be trusted. He wants to be your guide. He will guide you in his will, if you will follow.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

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#439: Because of God's Mercy Oct 27, 2021

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Episode 439 - Show Notes

Mercy is a gift we do not deserve. Though the Bible mentions mercy hundreds of times and clearly is one of the attributes of God, but today, I rarely hear the word mentioned. Could it be that we don’t understand mercy?
Definition: The Greek word for mercy, ‘eleos’ means ‘compassion, pity, clemency. God is merciful in that He withholds the punishment we deserve and shows compassion and pity toward us. Mercy is the withholding of a just condemnation.
We have been forgiven, saved, redeemed, delivered, justified, and blessed, all because of the mercy of God.
Mercy is knowing you have sinned, knowing you deserve judgment, knowing you have fallen short of the glory of God, but have received forgiveness.
God feels compassion towards us. You could say his mercy motivated his grace. God saw us in our great need. He had compassion on us. God does not stop with feelings of pity and compassion. He is motivated to act, to relieve our misery. This is where God introduces grace.

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.”
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:5)

Lamentations 3:22-23 - “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

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#438: Battling Unbelief Oct 26, 2021

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Episode 438 - Show Notes

Most of us have had those moments when we struggled with our faith in Jesus. The moments of difficulty usually aren’t about our belief in God’s ability. They are about God’s willingness. In other words, we know he can help us, we are just not sure if he will.
I wish I could say I have never struggled with my faith, but that would not be true. Sometimes we are weary. We are tired. Sometimes it’s hard to hold on. Sometimes we don’t see God’s hand at work. Sometimes we hear the lie of the enemy telling us God is not there. He doesn’t care.
Many people think struggling with God means we lack faith, but that is not true. Struggling with God is a sure sign that we do have faith. If we never struggle, our faith will never grow stronger. Strong faith is tested faith. There is no other way to grow.=
My encouragement for you today is to not only believe that God can, but believe that he will.

“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. (Mark 9:19-20)

“…if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22) ““If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23). “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

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#437: Jesus is Coming Back Soon Oct 24, 2021

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Episode 437 - Show Notes

For 2,000 years there has been a promise that believers like you and me have held on to. It’s a promise made to us by Jesus. It gives us comfort in our suffering. It gives us peace in our confusion. This promise gives us joy in the midst of sorrow. Which promise? The promise of Christ’s return.
From the first century up to now, Christ followers have always believed that Jesus could return at any time. Why? Because He promised…because He said so.
I believe we are missing an earnest expectation of the return of Christ. I believe in His imminent return, meaning He can return at any time, even today.
There are 260 chapters in the NT. 318 references to the return of Christ. That’s 1 out of every 13 verses. For every verse of prophecy concerning Christ’s birth, there are eight that look forward to his return.
What if you knew Jesus was coming today? Would it impact how you live your life? Would it impact your thoughts, your focus? We don’t know when, but we do know He is coming.
He has made us a promise. He is coming back for his church. He is coming back for you and for me. Today I believe this promise and I pray you do too. Let’s live everyday in anticipation of the return of Christ.

John 14:1-3: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Acts 1:11 - “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

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