The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,587: You Must Be Born Again Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

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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#1,586: Run from Temptation Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

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 every one 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. Sometimes 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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#1,585: We are Chosen by God Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

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 in using 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 He 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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#1,584: Wisdom Comes from the Lord Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Wisdom is something we all need, but we might underestimate just how much we need it. You and I need wisdom in our thinking, our words, our actions, and our future. We need wisdom in our work, our ministries, and in our leadership. Is there an area of your life in which you do not need God’s wisdom? I don’t think so.

Main Points:
1. To receive God’s wisdom, we first have to recognize that we need it. We sometimes live self-sufficient lives and act as if we do not need God's wisdom. This is a critical mistake.

2. God wants to be right in the middle of our choices and decisions. He wants to lead, guide, and direct our steps. He has given us His Word, the Bible, to be a daily resource that provides His wisdom.

3. Let’s see the value of Godly wisdom. The world, our culture, and our society offer their version of wisdom that most often conflicts with God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to seek God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to value God’s point of view over our own.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:5 - “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”

Proverbs 8:11 – “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Proverbs 2:1-6 – “If you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom.”

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#1,583: A Firm Foundation Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

We are all aware of the spiritual battle that rages. We do have an adversary. We do have opposition. We are in a fight, but find encouragement in these verses. Christ Jesus will place us on a firm foundation. He is our firm foundation. He is the rock we have built our lives upon, and He cannot be moved.

Main Points:
1. No matter how fierce the fight, no matter how difficult the battle, our firm foundation is not shaken. Yes, we have to stand firm. Yes, we must be strong in the faith. But all the while, we remember that our suffering is not forever. The promise from these verses is that we will share in God’s eternal glory.

2. In this life, we are constantly reminded of the spiritual battle that rages around us. Like a prowling lion, our adversary seeks to devour us, to tear down our faith, and to rob us of our hope. Yet, in the midst of this struggle, we find reassurance and strength in the unshakeable foundation of Christ.

3. Peter's words speak to us today, urging us to be alert and sober-minded. We cannot afford to be complacent or unaware of the dangers that surround us. The enemy's attacks may come in various forms – doubts, temptations, trials, and tribulations – but we are called to stand firm in the faith.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 5:8-11 - “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.”

Isaiah 33:6 - “In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.”

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#1,582: Don't Let Your Fire Go Out Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

How many people are there, who once burned hot for God, but now no longer serve Him? How many who were on fire for God, but now have no spiritual passion at all? The sober reality is that this could happen to any of us.

Main Points:
1. Why did God repeatedly tell the Israelites not to let the fire burn out? Why did the instruction need to be repeated? The answer is because there was a real possibility that keeping the fire burning hot could lose its importance to the people.

2. It is critical that you and I tend to our spiritual fire. We must keep our fire for God burning. We cannot let this fire go out. We cannot let our spiritual passion diminish. We must daily do what is necessary to keep our hearts and minds focused on a growing relationship with Christ.

3. Today, you must put another log on the fire. Reignite the flame. Reignite your spiritual passion for Jesus. How do we do this? We reignite the flame by giving attention to it. A fire left untended burns out. Turn your attention once again to Christ. Rediscover the spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, scripture reading, and church attendance. Join a life group at your church. Begin to serve and use your gifts.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Leviticus 6:13 - “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”

Matthew 3:11 - “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 2:3 - “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

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#1,581: God Has the Resources to Meet Your Need Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

I’m convinced that, as long as we trust in our own resources, we’ll see very little of God’s power in our lives. Why would God intervene if we leave Him out? Why would God do miraculous things if we act as if we don’t need Him?

Main Points:
1. Victory does not depend on the size of our resources, but on the power and sovereignty of God.

2. In our lives, we often face challenges that seem insurmountable. We may feel inadequate, outnumbered, or overwhelmed. Yet, the story of Gideon reminds us that God specializes in using small numbers to accomplish His purposes. He delights in taking the weak and the insignificant and using them to display His power and glory.

3. Whatever battles you are facing today, remember that victory is not contingent upon your own strength or resources. Place your trust in the God who can do great things with small numbers. Allow Him to work through you, and watch as He accomplishes the extraordinary.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 20:7 - “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Judges 7:2 - "The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’”

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#1,580: Whole-Hearted Devotion to God Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Let me ask you a question. Do you love God with your whole heart? It’s a powerful question, isn’t it? Perhaps you feel a bit convicted by this question. Our hearts are so easily divided between a lot of things we love and desire. We can be tempted to love God, but can do so without giving Him our whole heart.

Main Points:
1. As I think about our lives, I recognize that one of the primary obstacles to wholehearted devotion to God is simply distraction. In a world filled with noise and busyness, it's easy to allow our attention to be diverted from God. We become preoccupied with the cares of life, the pursuit of success, or the allure of entertainment.

2. Our hearts, meant to be wholly His, are divided among competing interests. As a result, our love for God can become diluted. Our love for God is downgraded to a corner of our lives, rather than occupying the central throne it deserves.

3. We also know that sin entangles us and obstructs our path to following God wholeheartedly. Whether it be overt sins or even subtle compromises, sin separates us from God and disrupts the intimacy of our relationship with Him.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 22:37-38 - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

Numbers 13:30 - “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

Numbers 14:24 - "The Lord said, “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”

Joshua 14:14 - “because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.”

Hebrews 12:2 - “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

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#1,579: Our Greatest Giants are Internal Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

The giants we struggle with the most are not sickness, finances, pain, loss, or grief. Our biggest giants are internal. The battles that take us out are personal. Struggles like lust, greed, selfishness, anger, bitterness, and fear can become giants that destroy our faith, our relationships, and our future. We must guard our hearts and develop a close relationship with Jesus to defeat these giants within.

Main Points:
1. David’s internal giant was lust. You may not battle this one, but perhaps you are fighting another internal giant, one with a different name. Maybe you are fighting the giant of discouragement, despair, fear, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, or unforgiveness.

2. Thankfully, King David was repentant, and his relationship with God was restored. It's a tragic story that didn’t have to happen, if only David would have guarded his heart. For us, the story is a cautionary tale and a reminder to run to God for help when we are fighting internal giants.

3. Bring your giants to God. With His help, every giant can be defeated.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Samuel 5:13 - “David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem…”

Proverbs 4:23 - “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

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#1,578: The Sin that is Hard to See Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

The Bible reveals one of the characteristics that is most damaging to our relationship with God and others is pride. Yet, most of us don’t readily confess pride as a struggle. Perhaps it’s because pride is subtle, and it’s difficult to see in ourselves.

Main Points:
1. Pride is often described as the silent enemy of the soul, lurking in the shadows and hindering our relationship with God. It can be challenging to recognize pride within ourselves, because it doesn’t always reveal itself in overt ways.

2. Pride blinds us to our faults and weaknesses. When pride lurks within us, we become defensive and resistant to feedback or correction. Instead of humbly acknowledging our shortcomings, we may find ourselves justifying our actions or blaming others. Pride convinces us that we are always right.

3. So how do we combat pride and cultivate humility in our lives? The answer lies in following the example of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and became obedient to the will of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 12:15 - "The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

Psalm 139:23 - “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?”
Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

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