The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#286: Happiness Vs. Joy May 24, 2021

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Episode 286 - Show Notes:

If you put your trust in happiness, then you’re going to be a victim of circumstances, because your happenstance will change.
Joy in the Biblical context, is not an emotion. Joy is an attitude of the heart. It is not necessarily based on something positive happening.
Joy is given by God. It is a gift. A benefit of our salvation. A fruit of the Holy Spirit. Evidence that the Holy Spirit is in your life.
If your goal is happiness, you’ll often be disappointed, but if you determine to live in the joy God provides you’ll discover that it never runs out.

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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#285: External Pressure, Internal Peace May 23, 2021

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Episode 285 - Show Notes:

I don’t have to let the storm around me become a storm inside me.
The God who has the power to calm the storm on the Sea of Galilee has the power to calm the storm in your life, but even if he doesn’t, he can give you a peace that’s so calming that you’ll be able to sleep right through it.
Anxiety is a natural response when I feel out of control. But the truth is, I’m never really in control. Only God is in control.
After we pray, we trust. We don’t fear. We don’t despair. We don’t worry. We trust.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

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#284: God's Will During Life's Transitions May 22, 2021

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Episode 284 - Show Notes:

Life’s transitions are inevitable. It’s not a question of if you will face life’s changes and transitions, it’s a question of when.
In life, we rarely see the big picture in advance. When God calls, he doesn’t always explain himself. He always tells you just enough to get you moving in the right direction.
During our times of transition, we should expect to hear the voice of God.

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.”

Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord.”

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#283: Your Life Can Make A Difference May 21, 2021

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Episode 283 Show Notes:

What you have to offer God matters
God is not looking for ability, He's looking for availability.
If God only used perfect people, nothing would ever get done.
God is not limited by your limitations.
We make a difference by being faithful in the small things.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
(1 Peter 4:10-11)
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6)
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#282: The Mighty Power of God May 20, 2021

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Episode 282 Show Notes:

God has unlimited power
God has creative power
God's power is purposeful

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” (Isaiah 40:28)
“God calls into being that which does not exist.” (Romans 4:17)
“My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” (Isaiah 46:10)
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#281: Is God a Jealous God? May 19, 2021

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A friend of mine recently asked me: Is God a jealous God? Isn’t jealousy a sin? If we are not supposed to be jealous of one another, what does the Bible mean when it says God is jealous?

I thought, “Wow! This is a challenging question, isn’t it? But it is a very good question.

Several times in the Old Testament the Bible says God is a jealous God. Consider these verses.

Deuteronomy 4:24 - “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

Exodus 20:5 - “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God”

Exodus 34:14 - “for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

So, this is a bit confusing, right? What does all of this mean?

When we think of the sin of jealousy we define it as resentment at what some one else has. When we want what someone else has we might covet, be envious, and be jealous in a desire to have what they have. Instead of being grateful for what God has given us, we want what someone else has whether that be their house, their car, their vacation time, or whatever.

Sinful human jealousy has been the cause of countless difficulties and heartache in human relationships.

But this is not the jealousy God experiences. God is not jealous or envious of anything we possess.

The jealousy of God is seen when someone gives to another something that rightly belongs to Him.

When God tells the Israelites in Exodus to not worship other gods because He is a jealous God, He is saying do not give the the worship and allegiance that belongs solely to Him to false idols.

He is saying that it is sin to worship or to serve anything or anyone else but God. Worship, praise, honor, and adoration belong to God alone, for only He is truly worthy of it.

Pastor John Piper explains it this way… “God is not jealous like an insecure employer who fears that his employees might get lured away by a better salary elsewhere. God's jealousy is not the reflex of weakness or fear.

Instead God is jealous like a powerful and merciful king who takes a peasant girl from a life of shame, forgives her, marries her, and gives her not the chores of a slave, but the privileges of a wife—a queen. His jealousy does not rise from fear or weakness but from a holy indignation at having his honor and power and mercy scorned by the faithlessness of a fickle spouse.”

Because of His love for us, God is not content to allow us to worship and serve false gods, whether they be other religions, materialism, or even ourselves. If he does not care when we love idols more than him, he would allow himself to be dishonored and let us settle for so much less than he intends us to have from life.

God is a jealous God meaning that we belong to Him. He has a rightful claim to the highest level of our love, attention, affection, and especially our worship.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”

Today’s Challenge: Let’s make time to today to give God the glory, honor, and praise that belongs to Him. Let’s give him our allegiance and make him the Lord of our lives.

#280: Yes, Jesus Will Return May 18, 2021

Show notes

When I was a senior in High School, in 1988, a retired NASA engineer Edgar C. Whisenant wrote a book called 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. The book, which he self-published, placed the expected date of the Rapture between September 11 and September 13 of 1988, and became a massive bestseller. By the time the end of the year was reached, more than 4.5 million copies had been sold. Whisenant was certain he had the date right. He said, “Only if the Bible is in error am I wrong; and I say that to every preacher in town. I would stake my life on it.

As we know, Jesus did not return in 1998. But that didn’t stop the author. Whisenant’s later books predicting the Rapture in 1989, 1993, and 1994. Undertandably, they did not sell nearly as well as the first one—but he kept right on making those predictions despite the clear teaching of Scripture that we are not meant to know the date and time of Christ’s return.

Here’s what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 24 - “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” He went on to say “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Scripture tells us we do not know when Jesus is returning, but it is very clear that Jesus will return. In fact, it’s a promise.

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. It is the promise of Christ’s return.

The disciples of Jesus in the NT were absolutely convinced that Jesus would return. His resurrection was proof. His ascension was proof.

After the resurrection of Christ, as the disciples stood watching, Jesus ascended into the sky and returned to the Father. Listen to Acts 1:9-11 - “as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

I was talking with a friend this week about the return of Jesus. There are two extremes. The first is living with no thought to the coming of Christ. The second is becoming so obsessed with the signs of Christ’s coming that we forget what He has called the church to do.

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.

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.

The last words of Jesus in the Bible are found in the book of Revelation chapter 22 verse 20. He says, “Surely, I am coming soon.”

Today’s Challenge: Jesus has promised his return. Will you dare to believe his promise? Will you live your life believing and expecting his return at any moment?

#279: Why Should We Pray Everyday? May 17, 2021

Show notes

I read about a village in Africa where the Christians were very diligent about praying. In fact, the believers each had their own special places of prayer outside the village where they went to pray in solitude. The villagers reached their own prayer spot by using their own private footpaths through the bush. Because they walked everyday to their place of prayer, eventually a path was worn down through the grass.

When grass began to grow over one of these trails, it was evident that the person to whom it belonged was not praying very much. Because these new Christians were concerned for each other’s spiritual welfare, a unique custom sprang up. When ever anyone noticed an overgrown “Prayer path,” he or she would go to the person and lovingly warn, “Friend, there’s grass on your path!”

Most Christians know there is power in having a consistent prayer life, but maybe you are wondering, “Why is it important that we pray every day?” In fact, one person told me, “The Bible says God knows our needs before we ask, so there is no need me in telling him about them.” Another person told me, “I don’t ask God for anything. This way I’m never disappointed when he doesn’t answer.”

Prayer is the means by which we develop our relationship with God. We come to God because He alone can meet our needs. He is the one who give strength. He is the one that breaks the power of sin. He is the one who can turn our darkness into light. We need a relationship with God more than we need anything else.

Consistent prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. Prayer is to the believer like oxygen to a deep sea diver. We cannot survive without it. It must and should be our first impulse, not our last resort! I like the quote that says, "Prayer is like the mortar that holds the bricks together, or the quiet pauses in a symphony. Without the mortar everything falls apart; without the quiet between the notes, no music. And without daily private prayer, Christians cannot be strong.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Never stop praying.” Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourself to prayer.”

We see the story of Daniel in the book of Daniel chapter six that he prayed three times each day. He is an example of someone who was faithful in daily prayer.

There are many reasons why prayer is something we do everyday, but the most important is because God desires us to do so. Yes, God knows all of our needs, but prayer is far more than asking God to do stuff. Prayer is about spending time with God. He has created us for relationship. As we pray we grow in close, intimate relationship with God. What a blessing it is that God can be known in a personal way.

In the book of James the Bible says that when we draw near to God, He draws near to us. God rewards our seeking with more of himself.

In our daily times of prayer we have the opportunity to worship, to express gratitude, to seek for God’s will and his guidance, to present our needs to him, and to listen for his voice.

We must see that there is no substitute for daily prayer. Nothing else will provide the spiritual strength we so desperately need.

As we become consistent in our prayer life, we will begin to see consistent answers to prayer. James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask God.” If you are not praying, it’s likely that you are not receiving.

Jeremiah 33:3 says “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” God wants us to call on Him so that He can answer our prayers. He also wants to share with us incredible blessings that we might otherwise have missed had we not reached out to Him through prayer.

Today’s Challenge: Recognize the importance of praying everyday. Decide when and where you will make this a spiritual discipline that you will practice.

#278: Becoming More Like Jesus May 16, 2021

Show notes

On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom."

Today there are no literal photographs of Jesus. The technology did not exist in the first century. But, while we don’t know what his physical appearance looked like, the likeness of Jesus can be seen in the lives of His true followers.

This is the goal of the Christian life. We are to be like Jesus. We are to live as he did in character, integrity, godliness, and mission. When people spend time with us, there should be a noticeable difference from the unbelieving world. Christians do not live by the values of the world, we live by the values of scripture.

How would it impact your life if you prayed each morning, “Jesus, help me to be more like you today?”

1 John 2:6 - “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

All of us tonight are works-in-progress. We are not finished. We are not glorified. We are not perfect. We are not completed. We are all under construction. Construction sites are noisy and messy. Is your life noisy and messy? Sometimes it’s hard to image what the final outcome will be.

We are responsible though, to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. God’s work in our lives is usually a steady, lifelong progress toward godliness. But we are responsible to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness.

1 Timothy 4:7 – “Train yourself to be godly.” It’s not just praying and asking God to change us. It’s yielding to the what the Spirit of God is saying to us. You have to participate with God. You have to work at it!

As you consider what it means to be more like Jesus, here are some things that are important to know…

•It will not happen by accident

•It does not happen overnight

•It cannot happen without us cooperating with the Holy Spirit

•It happens when we make personal commitments

•It happens with the godly encouragement of other Christians (the right friends make it easier for you to grow in the Lord and the wrong friends make it much harder)

•It happens as we become what God made us to be

Sometimes as Christians we struggle with the idea of God’s will for our lives. We ask, “How can we know God’s will?” The scripture is clear that it is God’s will for you to be like Jesus.

Romans 8:29 - “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

My wife and I recently visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. Billy and his wife Ruth are buried on the property. On Ruth Graham’s grave are etched these words: End of construction. Thank you for your patience.”

You and I will be under construction until we meet the Lord. He is patiently at work in each of our lives to make us like Jesus.

God has promised that the work he has begun in us will be completed. Let’s walk in step with Jesus everyday and become more like him.

Today’s Challenge: Let’s decide to cooperate with the Holy Spirit

#277: A Spiritual Heart Check May 15, 2021

Show notes

Some months ago, after having a routine blood test, my doctor contacted me with concerns about my cholesterol levels. We had an important conversation about lifestyle and he recommended some dietary and exercise changes in order to protect my heart.

My follow up test is coming up soon and we’ll be able to see if the changes I have made improve my results.

All of us listening today know the importance of heart health. As we get older, we need to have our heart checked to evaluate our level of heart health. This is vital because the heart affects our entire health.

Doctors and nutritionists are constantly telling us to take good care of our hearts. Eat right and exercise regularly. Whether you follow those instructions or not, you understand what is at stake – without a healthy heart, nothing in your body can really be healthy.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. We need to have a spiritual heart check.

King Solomon writes to us in Proverbs chapter 4 and instructs us to guard our hearts. He was not talking about the organ that resides in our chest; he uses the word “heart” to describe the core of our being.

In Proverbs 4:23 the Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

The condition of your heart determines the direction of your life. This is the consistent teaching of the Scriptures – as our hearts go, so do our actions. In Proverbs 17:19 we read – “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”

Jesus said it this way in the New Testament: “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45)

The condition of your spiritual heart impacts every part of your life (walk with God, faith, emotional life, relationships, ministry, career, education).

Have you ever heard someone say, “Follow your heart?” Perhaps you’ve even given that advice to someone. Typically what people mean is, “follow whatever you desire or whatever your passion may be.”

Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Knowing that our hearts can deceive us it’s critical that we pay attention to the spiritual condition of our hearts.

Today you can give yourself a heart check up. In your prayer time, these questions can help:

-Am I truly putting God first in my life?

-Am I seeking to honor God on a daily basis?

-Am I regularly pursing a closer relationship with God?

-What am I allowing myself to think about? Do I give in to angry thoughts, greedy thoughts, lustful thoughts, selfish thoughts, or bitter thoughts?

These are tough questions, but they help us evaluate the truth about where we are. This is an important part of guarding your heart.

Today’s Challenge: Pay close attention to your spiritual condition. It impacts every aspect of your life.

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