The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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**The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast**

Daily episodes are hosted by Pastor Loren Hicks. This podcast will challenge you to go deeper into your Christian faith. The goal is to inspire you to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Episodes have been downloaded over 750,000 times.

Latest Episodes:

#386: The Lens of Scripture Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Episode 386 - Show Notes:

God offers us a lens that can fix our spiritual vision – the vision we need to view life correctly. This is the lens of scripture. Apart from the Bible, we will develop the viewpoint of the world around us. We’ll see life from a selfish, humanistic, worldly point of view, instead of a godly point of view.
As we daily interact with scripture, as we make it a part of our daily lives we begin to change how we see and interpret things. I want to encourage you to being to make God’s Word a larger part of your life. Pray about how you can consume more scripture. When will you read or listen? When will you journal? Which verses will you memorize and meditate on? Which bible study will you attend?
Scripture informs us of God’s viewpoint. Through the Bible we begin to understand God’s view of love, law, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We discover how God sees sins, evil, wickedness, and immorality. We see how God views our lives, our purpose, our work, and our finances.
You’ll never be able to see clearly, with spiritual eyes, apart from the lens of God’s Word. Begin to make the Bible a part of your daily life. Ask God to give you a hunger for his Word. Allow it to shape your thinking, your beliefs, and your entire life.

Psalm 119:18 - “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

Psalm 119:105 - “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

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#385: Making Wise Decisions Aug 31, 2021

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Episode 385 - Show Notes:

God gives us circumstances in our lives to teach us to know Him. He allows problems, pressures and difficulties -- all kinds of situations in our lives to help us know Christ and to grow to spiritual maturity. I wish there was an easy way to spiritual growth, but there is not.
One of the great questions we can ask is, “How can we make wise, godly decisions?” Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about decision making.
We ask God for his wisdom. Before we ask family, friends, and co-workers, we should pray and ask God to show us what to do. We should ask the question, “God, what do you want?” Not, “What do I want?"
Find someone who is mature, godly, and wise. Be willing to ask for their advice and then listen. Often we are looking to validate what we already think, but keep an open heart and recognize that God can speak to you through others. Talk to somebody who's made a similar decision, talk to friends who know your weaknesses, ask for advice.
So, often we are unable to move forward because we are paralyzed by fear. We ask, “What if this happens?” Other times we are stuck because we have so many options and we are afraid of making a wrong decision. We call this paralysis by analysis.
What decision do you need to make? I encourage you do something great with your life for Jesus' sake. Don't waste your life. Don't live in mediocrity. Don't just exist. Make wise decisions that will determine your future.

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

Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

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#384: The Ministry of Encouragement Aug 30, 2021

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Episode 384 - Show Notes:

One of the greatest ways we can bless others during their time of need is be an encouragement. Many look for a ministry on a stage, but we often over look the power of the ministry of encouragement.
The ministry of encouragement is so needed today. This could be your ministry. God could use you to be a blessing to those who are carrying heavy burdens. God can use your voice to inspire, uplift, and comfort others.
Each of us can to be an encourager to someone else. There are people all around us who are discouraged and could use a word of comfort or an act of kindness. Whether friends, family members, acquaintances, or strangers, we could make a tremendous difference in someone’s life and give them a glimpse of Christ as we follow His example of compassion and kindness.
Ask the Lord to put someone on your heart who needs encouragement. Take action. Allow the Lord to use you to be a blessing as you serve in the ministry of encouragement.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another just as you also are doing”.

Galatians 6:2 - “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

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#383: Not Your Strength, But God's Strength Aug 29, 2021

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Episode 383 - Show Notes:

The devil’s goal is always to produce discouragement, confusion, or indifference. He doesn’t want you to successfully live the Christian life. He doesn’t want you to be victorious over sin. He doesn’t want you to be used by God and to give God glory.
Jesus said the devil is a liar and a murderer whose aim is to destroy, to wreck, to distort and pervert the plan of God. In the midst of these conditions, Paul gives us a word of encouragement: ”Be strong in the Lord," the apostle says, "and in his mighty power." It is possible to stand; it is possible to overcome our enemy.
This battle is spiritual in nature. It’s not a physical battle. Our enemy is spiritual and so is our power and our armor.
Paul reminds us that to fight a spiritual battle we have to have strength, inner strength. It’s a strength that comes from God. You might feel weak today, but you are a good candidate to receive the strength of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “His strength is made perfect in our weakness.”
We gain this spiritual strength through prayer and by putting on the spiritual armor God provides. Whatever battle you are fighting today, know that you cannot defeat the enemy alone. Reach out to God, cry out for his strength, draw closer to him through his Word. His strength is available and it is sufficient for the battle we face.

Ephesians 6:10 - “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Ephesians 6:12-13 - “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

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#382: Truth That Will Set You Free Aug 28, 2021

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Episode 382 - Show Notes:

Our world today is truth averse. Often people do not want to know God’s truth because it might call them to change, surrender, or conform to God’s will. All of this seems painful. But God’s truth actually brings freedom, wholeness, and healing.
The enemy of our soul is has decided to attack truth. Truth is under fire like never before. Satan’s attempt is to twist, pervert, and rewrite God’s truth. He seeks to blind people from the God’s truth. As a result, we have a culture that is averse to biblical truth. People have come to believer there is no such thing as moral absolute truth. We have elevated personal choice and freedom over the declared Word of God.
The devil attacks truth for one reason: He knows truth sets people free. When we use God’s truth, we can resist Satan’s lies. They will no longer have power over us.
Think about Jesus’ statement…you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Where do we find this truth? We find it in God’s Word. My view of truth will determine my value of truth. If I hold the Bible in a high view, if I have a high view of scripture and believe it to be the authoritative word of God, then I’ll take it seriously.
As we value God’s truth, as we receive it, as we believe it, and as we apply it to our lives, we will find freedom. It’s available to each of us today.

John 8:32 - “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

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#381: Walking Into Your Next Season Aug 27, 2021

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Episode 381 - Show Notes:

I believe for each of us God has a next step planned. No matter how long you have served Jesus, there is still as next step of faith and spiritual growth ahead. You don’t want to miss what God has for you because you were comfortable or afraid to move forward.
I wonder how many of you listening today are at the point of a new season in your life. God is leading you forward. He is calling you to step out in faith. You know it’s right, but it’s also very hard. It would be so much easier to stay where you are. Life has become comfortable and predictable. But you won’t grow unless you step forward in faith.
You and I will be people of faith. We will step out in courage to do the will of God. We will listen for God’s voice and then we will obey. We will embrace uncertainty in this life because we serve a God who is certain. We put our faith, trust, and confidence in a God who has our lives mapped out.
We will not miss out on our opportunities. We will not forgo the spiritual growth that is ahead. We will not miss the abounding joy that comes from living a faith filled adventure for God.
Don’t miss your next season because you are comfortable or afraid. Embrace the truth that there is more God has planned for your life. He wants to use you for his purpose. Following his lead, step out in faith and walk into your next season.

John 16:7 - “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

Psalm 33:11 says, “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

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#380: Mercy Triumphs Over Law Aug 26, 2021

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Episode 380 - Show Notes:

Today I have been thinking about how amazing God’s mercy is. The truth is we are all condemned. We have broken God’s laws. We have gone our own way. We are sinners. But God stepped into our mess and offered us mercy. We can’t earn it and we certainly don’t deserve it, but he gives mercy freely as a gift. It’s truly amazing.
Though the Bible mentions mercy hundreds of times, and clearly is 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.
Mercy is a big deal. It’s because of God’s mercy that He provided a way for you and I to be forgiven of our sins. He does not hold our sins against us. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He has forgiven us and the record of our offenses has been destroyed. We have been acquitted.
How do we respond to God’s mercy? I can think of three things. God is worthy of our worship. He is worthy of our surrender. He is worthy that we would tell others of his great mercy.

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

1 Peter 1:3 says, “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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#379: Things that Hinder our Prayers Aug 25, 2021

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Episode 379 - Show Notes:

First, our prayers can be hindered when we pray with the wrong motive. Why would God answer our prayer is we were asking for the wrong reason. Sometimes our prayers can be self-centered. Instead of asking for God’s will to be done, we are asking for our will.

James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

Second, our prayers can be hindered when we are living in willful sin. When we refuse to surrender to God, when we refuse to confess and repent of our sin, we might not receive an answer to our prayer.

Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

Third, our prayers can be hindered when we have unbelief. The Bible teaches us there is a vital connection between prayer and faith. God wants us to come to him with faith and believe that he will answer. Listen to the caution from James 1:6-7.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

Finally, our prayers can be hindered if we have an unforgiving spirit towards others. Bitterness and resentment are some of the most common hindrances to answered prayer.

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.”
These powerful verses lead us to a place of examination before the Lord. The Holy Spirit is so faithful to speak to our hearts and to reveal is there is anything in our lives that doesn’t please the Lord.

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#378 - Peace in the Midst of the Storm Aug 24, 2021

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Episode 378 - Show Notes:

As I record this podcast episode, I know that many of you find yourself in the midst of a storm. Some of you are facing storms in your relationships. Some are facing heath storms or financial storms. Others are facing storms in your work or even your ministry.
Remember this, we serve a God who can bring peace in the midst of the fiercest storm. He’s never faced a storm he couldn’t calm. With just a word, Jesus can calm your storm. All we have to do is be like the disciples and turn to him. Cry out to him today. He will either calm the storm in our outward circumstances, or he will calm the storm inside you. Either way, there is peace in the midst of the storm.
Instead of focusing on the size of your storm, focus on the size of your God. He is fully capable of handling anything you are facing. You are not alone in your storm. He is in your boat. Look to him today for the peace you need.

Mark 4:38-41 - “The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

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#377: God's Grace to Restore Aug 23, 2021

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Episode 377 - Show Notes:

I know people who once walked closely with Christ. They served the Lord. The loved Jesus, but over time something happened. They became distracted by the world. They walked away from their relationship with God. Today they wonder if God would receive them back. Would God restore the relationship they once had?
Your relationship with Jesus Christ is like any other relationship. It has to be maintained. No relationship ever stays the same. You are either growing closer to the Lord or you are drifting away. You never just stand still. You don’t just become a Christian and that’s it.
The good news is that God offers to us restoring grace. When we have blown it, when we walk away, when we stumble and fall. The grace of God is available to restore us and to bring us back to where we need to be in God.
Restore - to bring back, to reinstate, to return, and to re-establish. If you come back to God this is exactly what he will do. He will restore you! It’s important to know that being restored by grace requires a change of heart.
Restoration requires a change of heart, a change of mind, and a change of direction. Do you know what all of this adds up to? Repentance. When we fail, we need to repent. When we do our God is faithful to restore. No one is too far gone that they cannot be restored by God.

Lamentations 5:21 – “Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old.”

Romans 5:20 – “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”

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