The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#266: Making the Most of Your Influence May 04, 2021

Show notes

I remember a story I heard years ago about an elderly woman who was a widow. She lived alone in her home which was only a few blocks away from a major university. When she was a young woman she had felt the call of God to be a missionary to China. At the time she had fallen in love with a young man. It wasn’t long before they were married. Her husband didn’t feel called to go to China, so they never went.

Throughout her life, she felt that she had missed her calling and her purpose. But one day she was looking out her living room window and noticed a Chinese student walking on the side walk. At that moment, she heard God’s voice telling her to invite the student into her home for cookies and tea. For a moment she hesitate, but then stepped out in faith to obey God.

The Chinese man was an international student at the university near her home. The elderly woman welcomed the student with cookies, tea, conversation, and grandmotherly hospitality. She asked the student if he would like to come back again, and he did. He began to bring other Chinese students. They too, were warmed by her hospitality.

It wasn’t long before the woman invited her new friends to participate in a Bible study in her home. Over the next few years, she led 75 Chinese students to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

This story reminds me about the influence God gives us. Everyone has influence, even an elderly widow. You have influence and so do I.

The question is: What will we do with the influence God has given us? God expect you to make the most of what He has given you.

The Word for this in the Bible is “stewardship.” Sometimes people think stewardship means money. It does not. Stewardship is an old English word for “management.” We are managers of the resources God has given us. What resources? Your life, your physical body, your time, your finances, your gifts/talents/skill, your opportunities, and your influence.

Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

You and I are in a position to have incredible influence on our world. God wants to use us! He wants our lives to make a difference in this world.

“Let your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven!” Jesus is saying “Don’t waste your influence. You don’t buy a lamp and then hide it. Use the influence God has given you.

Everyone has influence. You are far more influential than you think. You just don’t realize it. You are probably thinking, “Who do I influence?” Everyone you come in contact with: Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, people you go to school with, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, children, little league team, PTA.

Anyone you come in contact with during the day, you have a potential influence on their life. You can make or break a store clerk’s day; waiter, by how you treat them. You can influence sales people, gardeners, mail carriers, people at the hair salon, bank attendant…everyone you come in contact with.

Today’s Challenge: There’s no limit to the impact you can make on the lives of others. But there is a key. The key – You have to be intentional. Let’s determine to influence people for Jesus today.

#265: Honoring God With Our Thoughts May 03, 2021

Show notes

Often as I start my day, I’ll pray a prayer and ask God to help me to honor him today. I’ll ask God to help me to honor him with my day, my words, my attitude, my choices and decisions…and even my thought. Yes, my thoughts.

I know there are people who believe our thoughts don’t really matter. I’ve heard people say, “My thoughts are personal. They are private. My thoughts aren’t hurting anyone.”

My response to that is…yes, but God knows your thoughts.

Psalm 139:2 – “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.”

The Bible actually has a lot to say about our thoughts. The reason our thoughts matter is because our thoughts impact our emotions and our emotions influence our actions.

If you ever responded to someone in an angry way, your response originated in your thoughts. If you ever made a bad decision, your choice originated in your thinking. Yes, your thoughts to matter.

If you have made Jesus the Lord of your life, your desire will be to honor him with every part of your life, even your thoughts.

Our minds are very often disobedient to God. All of the sudden you will catch yourself. Why am I so worried? Why am I so afraid? You didn’t wake up and consciously decide to feel resentful and bitter? What happened? Your thoughts went that way and you entertained them. Ever notice that your thoughts are rebellious? When you start to pray, your thoughts drift away.

You may have heard this quote:

“Watch your thoughts, they become words;

watch your words, they become actions;

watch your actions, they become habits;

watch your habits, they become character;

watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

We need the help of the Holy Spirit. We can’t change our thoughts on our own. It begins with asking God to help us pay attention to what we are thinking. Am I thinking healthy thoughts, hurtful thoughts, uplifting thoughts, or destructive thoughts.

This is important because we don’t always notice what is going on in our minds. There are people who every day, all day long, have habitual patterns of bitter thoughts, or anxious thoughts, or selfish thoughts, or lustful thoughts, or greedy thoughts, and they couldn’t even tell you what is going on in their minds.

We also need God’s help to learn to focus our thoughts. Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Not only is it important to monitor your thought, but with God’s help you can also, focus your thoughts. You can give direction to your thoughts. I can begin to tell my mind where I want it to go.

It’s amazing how many people think they are victims of whatever is running through their minds. You have in your possession, the remote control to your thoughts. But some people act as if they have no control. They say, “I can’t stop. I can’t stop thinking about food. I can’t stop thinking about sex. I can’t stop worrying about my kids.

Again, we can pray and ask God to give us strength here. “Lord, here is what’s on my mind right now. Right now I’m angry. Right now I’m bitter. Right now I’m afraid. Right now I’m tempted. Would you help me with this? Will you guide me? Will you give me strength to focus my mind on helpful, productive thoughts? Give me pure thoughts? Give me thoughts that honor you?

Today’s Challenge: Pray about two things today. Ask God to help you take inventory of your thoughts. Are they honoring God? Second, ask Him to help you to focus your thoughts on things that are healthy on Christ honoring.

#264: God Allows Us To Be Tempted May 02, 2021

Show notes

A single mother with five children, was on her way to the pawn shop, where she was hoping to get a loan of $60 for her TV set. Then something bizarre happened. As an armored truck filled with sacks of money drove past her, its rear door flew open, and a bag dropped out. The young mother stopped and picked up the sack. When she counted the cash, she found that it totaled $160,000.

A battle raged in her soul. That money would pay all her bills and provide for the needs of her children. But it wasn’t hers to keep.

After a fierce 4-hour struggle with her moral convictions, She called the police and turned in the money. Her sense of doing the right thing won a victory over the temptation to keep what wasn’t hers to keep.

When I read this story I thought what an interesting temptation. Imagine finding a bag with $160,000! But most of our temptations are not this large. They are small, they are often subtle, and they are frequent.

What is temptation? Temptation generally means a desire/urge to do or have something that we know we should not do or have.

Scripture teaches us we are tempted by the devil, but we also tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

Today I was struck by the reality that God allows us to be tempted. James chapter one tells us that God himself tempts no one to sin, so we know the temptation doesn’t come from God.

But we do know from scripture that God allows us to be tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” So, we see that God allows us to be tempted, but they are not beyond our ability to resist.

The obvious question here is why. Why would God allow us to be tempted. The answer is so that we can grow. God is interested in your spiritual growth. Spiritual maturity is his will for your life.

Listen to James 1:2-4… "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

God wants us to grow mature by learning how to make the right decisions, no matter what we face. Only when we are able to discern between right and wrong can we be able who God desires us to be.

In allowing us to be tempted, God has no desire for us to be trapped or to cause us to fall into sin. In fact, 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that with every temptation God provides a way of escape. Because of this truth, no one can say they are powerless in their temptation. God provides the escape path and the power to choose what is right.

Every time we refuse to yield to temptation we get stronger. When we refuse to yield to our temptations and instead choose to honor God we living in the freedom Jesus provides. Freedom is not doing what we want to do. Freedom is being able to say no to our impulses.

So we see that temptation allows us to prove our character, to reveal the depth and integrity of our faith in God. Like flexing the muscle in order to strengthen it, every temptation can be an opportunity to help us grow in our spiritual lives and enhance our spiritual health. In the process of struggling with temptation, we become more mature

Today’s Challenge: When you are tempted today, remember God provides a way of escape. Rely on God’s strength. Stand strong. Allow this temptation to be the proving ground for a stronger and more mature faith in Christ.

#263: Everyday Faith May 01, 2021

Show notes

#262: Valuing the Presence of God Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

I knew an elderly man one time who had stopped attending church when he was a young man. Something happened in the church and he became offended. As a result, he left the church and did not return until he was an old man. As he came back to church I remember him saying, “I wish I could feel the presence of God one more time.

Do you know what I say that you can “feel the presence of God?” I can’t describe it. I can’t see it, but I know God’s presence can be felt.

It’s so important that we value the presence of God because it is one of the most important blessings we experience as Christians. Yet, it seems few Christians live in the fullness of God’s presence. We need a renewed awareness that God is with us. It’s in the closeness of His presence that we find the power and strength necessary for spiritual living.

I believe there is a manifest presence of God. Yes, he is always with us. But when we seek him, when we draw closer to him, when we pursue him, when we desire him above all things, he rewards that seeking with a greater revelation of himself and the closeness of his presence. He reveals himself in ways we may not have ever experienced. He provides of himself whatever we need in that moment: strength, encouragement, joy, peace, and reassurance, whatever!

Let me explain it this way – A man could say, I feel my son is getting closer to me as he gets older. And yet, his son has always lived in his home. He’s never been away from his father. So what is the Dad saying? He’s talking about the relationship. There is closer intimacy and deeper understanding between the father and son. I think we all understand this is what we are talking about when we say we want to be closer to Jesus.

Jesus came and laid down his life for us so we could know God in a personal way. Sin separated us from God and kept us at a distance. But with Jesus death on the cross we now have the opportunity to receive forgiveness, and with that forgiveness comes access.

That’s right. You have access to God. Jesus did not come simply to give us stuff. He came to give us himself. He came to be with us, to live with us, to walk through life with us.

Isn’t it amazing that we have access to God. He is always available. You don’t have to make an appointment. He is never sick. He is never busy. He is never out of town. He is never in a meeting. Oh, how we need a great awareness of his presence. You are not alone. You have never once been alone. The reason you feel alone is that you are not aware of his presence.

Matthew 1:23 - “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).”

We live in a time when we desperately need rest. Anyone need some rest? Stress levels are at all-time highs. We live with frustration. We live with fear and uncertainty. We battle discouragement. But the cure for all of this is the presence of God.

When I am in God’s presence – everything melts away – depression, disappointment, discouragement, frustration, pain, loss, hurt feelings and emotions, anger. His presence is enough to heal our broken hearts and to give us peace. We need his presence!

No matter what enemies or trials you face, you’ll always be able to find a quiet rest in God’s presence. If you have Jesus’ presence in your life, you will experience God’s divine order. You will live at rest knowing God has everything under control.

Psalm 16:11 – “In his presence is fullness of joy” (NKJV)

Today’s Challenge: Ask God to give you a greater awareness of God presence. Seek daily to experience the presence and power of God in your life.

#261: When God Chooses a Leader Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

#260: God has not Forgotten Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

One summer, a college student named Johnny was ministering among the poor on a six-week urban project with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles. Part of his assignment was to spend time in a convalescent home in the central part of the city.

This convalescent home smelled bad, was understaffed and was poorly kept. Few residents had visitors. For a new guest arriving to serve the residents, it was very awkward. Some residents were mentally ill; some were not responsive at all. Others were even hostile. Members of Johnny’s team were struggling in the first few days with why they had been called to serve there. “Why are we here?” “This is depressing.” “We can’t do anything to help.” Such remarks began to be made openly.

One day, after Johnny had been there for about a week, an elderly woman slowly walked up to him in the hallway where he was standing. She drew close and pointed a finger at him. “I know why you’re here,” she said in an accusatory tone. She paused and stared at him for a moment. Johnny didn’t know what to say. Findally, she went on. “I know why you’re here,” she said again. “You’re here because God wants us to know he hasn’t forgotten about us.

The woman turned and shuffled away. Johnny was stunned. With the words of this frail elderly woman, God revealed his purpose for this team. They were simply to remind people God had not forgotten about them.

Deuteronomy 31:8 - “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Isaiah 44:21 - “I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you.”

I believe some of you need to hear this powerful reminder. God has not forgotten you.

The assurance that God is with us is the most precious gift we have. As Christian we know God is omnipresent. He is always with us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. But if you are like me, sometimes I forget. Sometimes life is so busy, stressful, and difficult that we fail to be aware of God’s presence.

In the Old Testament we see that even King David faced times when it felt as if God had forgotten him.

He wrote in Psalm 13:1 - “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”

It is when we go through those places of deep darkness, we think that God has completely abandoned us. But He hasn’t. In the midst of unspeakable sorrow, God is with you. Even if you do not feel Him near, God is there.

If you are struggling today, remember God has not forgotten you. He has engraved you on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:15–16). He will never fail you or forsake you. He will walk with you through every dark valley. The God who has numbered every hair on your head and knows every sparrow that falls to the ground is aware of every detail of your situation.

The Bible teaches us God never sleeps. He is actively involved in our lives. No matter how many times we call on him, he never turns us away. He is a faithful God who cannot lie or change his mind. Whatever he promises, he fulfills.

If you feel overwhelmed today, don’t think God has forgotten you. He is a faithful God who loves his children.

Today’s Challenge: No matter what you are feeling today, trust the promise of God to always be with you. Regardless of your circumstances, believe God’s Word that he will never leave you or forsake you.

#259: Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

My daughter has studied quite a bit about nutrition. We know that our appetite determines our diet, our diet determines what we eat, and our intake determines our health. We know that too much of a good thing is not a good thing. We are aware that too much caffeine harms the body. Scientists tell us certain foods raise our cholesterol levels with can lead to heart disease and premature death.

We also know the opposite is true. Certain foods are good for us and lead to health and vitality.

Our appetite…or our hunger makes a big impact on our overall physical health. The same is true for our spiritual lives.

Jesus says something interesting in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:6 he says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

In this simple sentence, Jesus tells us that our hunger determines our spiritual health.

Have you ever known real hunger? Most of us have not. For us, hunger is waiting 10 minutes for those fresh baked chocolate chip cookies to come out of the oven. Very few of us have ever experienced starvation.

Because of our lack of hunger, it may be difficult for us to understand this particular beatitude. We rarely hunger and thirst after anything, so we miss the urgency of these words.

To be righteous is to be in "right standing" before God.

“I want to be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:9)

The Bible makes a clear distinction between self righteousness and God’s righteousness.

But the question Jesus asks in this beatitude is….”Do we possess a craving hunger and thirst for God’s righteous life?

And then Jesus gives us a promise? He says “They will be filled.”

If you and I want righteousness, we can have it. If you want a closer relationship with God, you can have it. Jesus provides the way. If you want to do God’s will, you can. If you want to grow spiritually, you can. You have to hunger for it.

One of the the things that gets in the way of our spiritual hunger for God is junk food. We can suffer from a kind of spiritual malnutrition. We snack on the things this world offers thinking they will satisfy, yet we are always left empty. Be alert to worldly substitutes that can never satisfy your spiritual hunger.

I’ve also noticed that appetite are often influenced by association. If you get some kids together and one of them says, “I’m hungry!” What do all the kids say? They’ll all say “I’m hungry too!”

If you hang around people who, all they care about is politics, that’s what you are going to care about. If you hang out with people who, all they interested in is sports, that’s what you’ll care about. If you hang out with people who obsessed with the stock market, then that’s what you’ll care about.

But if you hang out with people who are hungry to know God, people who spend time in His word, people who love the things of God, you’ll find that you care about those things too.

The French have a proverb, which states, “A good meal ought to begin with hunger.” It is hard to enjoy a meal when you are not yet hungry. But, when you are hungry, anything tastes good.

If we approach God with a hunger to be satisfied, we will be satisfied every time.

Today’s Challenge: Check your appetite. Are you hungry for more of God in your life? Are you thirsty for God’s righteousness? If so, keep pursuing him. He has promised that you will be filled.

#258: Living with the Fear of the Lord Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

There is a phrase that is repeated over 300 times in the Bible. If you start to watch for it you begin to notice it over and over again. It’s the phrase “the fear of the Lord.”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions you will and I experience. It has the power to motivate and the power to isolate. It can propel you forward or it can paralyze you.

While the Bible talk about the fear of the Lord 300 times, the Bible also tells us over 300 times to not be afraid. So we might wonder…is there a contradiction.

“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:17-18)

This fear of the Lord is not you and I walking around with anxiety that God might squash us like a bug at any moment. This is not the God we serve. Our God is full of compassion, He is great in mercy, great in grace. He has unending love for us.

There are two kind of fear in the Bible. First, there is the fear of the Lord, and second, there is the fear of everything else.

The second kind of fear is about our desire to control the world around us. Its the fear of losing what’s important to us, whether it is our families, our jobs, our health, our reputation, our even our lives. This kind of fear pulls us away from God. It causes us to hold tightly to the things of this world. With this fear we live as if God isn’t there or that he doesn’t care or that he’s not powerful enough to take care of us.

When it comes to this kind of fear, the Bible says we are to abandon it. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

But there is another kind of fear the Bible talks about. It’s a fear that we must have. This kind of fear is good. It stands up to all our other fears. The Bible says this fear brings wisdom, joy, rest, and life. It is a holy fear. It’s the fear of God.

Fear of the Lord defined – Deep respect, awe, and reverence for God. We give God the glory, honor, reverence, gratitude, and praise, he deserves. God holds this preeminent position in our hearts and lives. We regard his desires over and above our own.

Fearing the Lord is about deep reverence and respect. We should fear or respect the Lord as one who has authority over us. It is a recognition that we are accountable to Him.

He is so great, He is so holy, He is so righteous, how can I not humble myself before him? How could I ever think that I know better than God?

Wisdom begins and ends with the fear of the Lord. It isn’t a fear of being struck by lightning or fear of being struck dead but it’s a deep, abiding, holy reverence and respect for the Lord and for His Word.

The fear of the Lord causes us to repent of our pride and our selfishness. It brings us to a place of humility before the Lord. It is a recognition of his holiness and greatness.

So, we see that fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives.

Today’s Challenge: Let’s allow God to take his rightful place in our lives. Let’s put him first in all we do. Let’s bring him the respect, reverence, and allegiance he is worth of.

#257: Being Together Matters Apr 25, 2021

Show notes

I was talking with a friend the other day. He and his family have considered moving to another state. As we talked together about the possible transition, he said something that meant so much to me. He said, “The main thing that keeps us from moving is the thought of leaving our church community. The ministry and the relationships in the church are so valuable to us, we are finding it hard to leave it behind.

I know God moves people from place to place, and we bless anyone who is following God’s will for their lives. But my friend’s love for the church and the people of God meant so much to me.

As we read the New Testament we see that God created the church so we would all be together. We would share live together. We would share the mission of Jesus together.

At the end of Acts chapter two we see this beautiful snapshot of the early church. Verse 44 says, “All the believers were together.”

What made the early church powerful was that they had two things. They had the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and they had one another. If believers had isolated themselves, the church would have never expanded. It would have never grown to impact the world. We are powerful because we are together.

I read this week that a recent study found that 2/3 of Christians believe they can walk with God without other believers. This statistic breaks my heart because I know this is not God’s will for us.

This past year Covid restrictions forced most of our churches online. We are grateful for the tools of technology that enable us to spread the gospel further than ever before, but we must recognize that church is not a video, it’s not a broadcast, and it’s not a podcast. The church of Jesus Christ is a community.

Christian community is not something we participate in, if we can find the time. Serving Jesus together is the center of our activity. Everything else flows out of our life together in Jesus.

Romans 12 – “…so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Listen to those words… “each member belongs to all the others.” This means that church is not about me. It’s about others. As I share in the community of Christ, as I bless others, I am obeying God.

The scripture teaches us that community is not optional. You many not feel like it. You may feel like “I’m very self-sufficient. I don’t need other people in my life.” But the truth is you absolutely have to have other people in your life if you are going to be all God wants you to be.

If you read the New Testament you begin to see a phrase that is repeated over and over. It is the phrase “one another.” Here’s what God’s Word instructs us to do…

Love one another. Be devoted to one another. Encourage one another. Pray for one another. Honor one another. Serve one another. Bear with one another. Forgive one another. Submit to one another. Carry one another’s burdens….and that’s just the beginning. It goes on and on.

There is no concept of Christianity lived in isolation in the New Testament. The idea that you could be a Christian and not be connected with other believers would be foreign to the New Testament writers and it is not God’s will.

Here’s the bottom line. We need one another. I need you and you need me.

Today’s Challenge: Be a part of a community of believers. Make a commitment. No church is perfect. We are all struggling to be what God wants us to be. Plug in. Be faithful. Serve. Give. Use your gifts and talents. Be on mission for Jesus with other Christians. As you do, you honor Christ and fulfill his purpose for your life.

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