The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,317: God Is For You Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

There is no truth more fundamental in all of God’s Word than this truth. God is for us. God is not against us. God is not neutral towards us. Because of Jesus Christ, once and for all, the question is settled. God is for us.

Main Points:

1. Paul’s question is, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” In other words, who can really fight against us, who can defeat us, if God is on our side?

2. Name the enemies of the people of God. Can the devil stand against us? No, because he has been defeated. Can the world stand against us? No, because Jesus has overcome the world. Can the flesh destroy us? No, because in Jesus Christ we overcome the temptations of the flesh. So, today, let’s be secure in our victory! Who dares to stand against us if God is for us?

3. No matter what Satan, our accuser, says, no matter the circumstances we face, nothing can come against the love God has for us and win. We may be mocked, beaten, bruised, or even killed for our faith in Jesus. Even if we face the worst of circumstances, we are loved and accepted by our Heavenly Father because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 8:31 - “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Psalm 23:4 - “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Matthew 28:20 - “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”.

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#1,316: A Desire to Be Like Jesus Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

We should desire to be like Jesus in our values, beliefs, character, and behavior. The only way we can be imitators of God is that we would follow him. We must come to know Him. We must learn from Him, and it’s only then that we will know what to imitate.

Main Points:

1. In some ways, we cannot be like God. You and I will never be all-knowing or all-powerful. We will never be omnipresent. We cannot be unchangeable like God. But there are characteristics of God that we can emulate.

2. We can imitate His characteristics like love, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, patience, grace, and mercy. We can be like God by living in purity, righteousness, and holiness.

3. To imitate God means that we follow his example, and we should follow it closely. When we were born again, we entered into his family. We belong to God, and we bear his name.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 5:1 - “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.”

Romans 12:2 NLT - "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Ephesians 4:13 - "...“become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”

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#1,315: Do you Have Any Holy Habits? Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

When we come to Jesus and make Him our Savior and Lord, he begins to work in our lives and strips away old ways of living that conflict with scripture and dishonor the Lord. Through the Word of God, He teaches us a new way of living. As we break with the old sinful patterns and habits, we form new ones that please God, but also give joy.

Main Points:

1. It’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can break the patterns of the world that we have lived by for so long. Now, through Jesus, we can be transformed, and this transformation takes place by a renewal in our minds.

2. In today’s culture, we sometimes talk about habits in their negative connotation. We’ll say, I’m struggling to break some bad habits.” But what if you could form some new habits? What if you and I developed some holy habits? What if we created some habits that helped us grow spiritually?

3. Remember, there is a difference between behaviors and habits. Anyone is capable of a particular behavior from time to time, but a habit is done instinctively and consistently. How do we develop a habit? Through regular repetition. As we do so consistently, the behavior becomes a regular and almost involuntary part of our lives.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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#1,314: Remembering What God Has Done Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

It’s so important to remember the Lord’s faithfulness. In our times of anxiety, fear, and discouragement, the remembrance of what God has done brings peace to our souls.

Main Points:

1. When it comes to what the Lord has done for us, we cannot forget. Repeatedly throughout scripture, we are called to remember what the Lord has done.

2. Decides to remember God. A strategy for fighting discouragement and doubt, and darkness is remembering, pondering, and meditating on the deeds, wonders, and works of God.

3. If you are struggling with discouragement, grab a sheet of paper and a pen and begin to write down what God has done for you. Remember his blessings. Remember his faithfulness. Remembering will bring hope into your soul.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 - “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.”

Psalm 77:7-9 - “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
Psalm 77:10-12 - "Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

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#1,313: An Appetite for the Word of God Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

We must have a desire for the Scripture. It’s through the pages of the Bible that we come to know the author. My prayer is that we would develop a hunger for the Word of God, because we have a hunger to know God personally.

Main Points:

1. If it’s true that the majority of Christians are not reading and learning from the Word of God regularly, there must be a deficiency in our discipleship. Our spiritual growth is stunted. We are not being changed into Christ-likeness. We are not growing as God would intend.

2. If today, you find yourself with little desire for the Word of God, there are some things you can do. First, you can pray. Admit to God what’s in your heart. Begin to ask God every day to give you a hunger and delight for Scripture.

3. I believe God will develop in us a hunger for His Word. We’ll begin to experience a taste and a craving for the Scripture because our time with God is satisfying and nourishing.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Peter 2:1-3 - “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Psalm 119:97 - “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”

Psalm 119:18 - “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

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#1,312: The Significance of the Blood of Jesus Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

What a powerful promise! The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin. It’s not a partial cleaning, no, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Isn’t this amazing? We can be fully forgiven and completely cleansed of our sin, because of Jesus’ death and his blood shed for us. The blood of Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all our sins – past, present, and future.

Main Points:

1. It might seem strange to someone who is not a Christian that we as believers talk about, and even sing about, the blood of Jesus. After all, blood is often considered an uncomfortable subject.

2. But the reason we are grateful for the blood of Jesus is because of its power. Yes, there is power in the blood of Jesus. It has the power to cleanse us from our sins.

3. God wouldn’t be just if he winked at our sin, or swept it under the rug. No, justice had to be met. Compelled by his great love for us, Jesus steps in and pays the awful penalty for us. He gave his life for us. He shed his blood for us.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 1:7 - “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

1 John 1:7 - “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

John 1:29 - “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

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#1,311: Rest is God's Gift to Us Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt like you were on an emotional treadmill? Our lives are going faster and faster, and we don’t know how to slow them down. I meet people who say to me, “Pastor Loren, I am running on fumes. I’m on empty. I can’t go much further.” Life has a way of draining us. If you don’t stay closely connected to Jesus, our source of life, you will eventually find yourself empty.

Main Points:

1. If today your tank is on empty, if you find yourself depleted, just like Elijah, the Lord wants you to rest. Physical rest is essential, but so is spiritual and emotional rest.

2. There is a refreshing that can come from the Lord. Make time to worship, to listen for His still, small voice, and be encouraged by his faithful presence.

3. If you are spiritually and emotionally in a wilderness place, remember you are not alone. God is right there with you. Ask him to restore you, refill you, and replenish your soul. He is not done with you yet.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Kings 19:4 - “He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

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#1,310: You Will Receive Power Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Whether it’s your coffee pot, your phone, your computer, or your car, power is necessary for each of these essentials to operate. It’s the same in the Christian life. You need power. God does not intend for us to live powerless Christian lives. In fact, He promised to provide the power we need to live victorious over sin and to be effective in our calling and purpose.

Main Points:
1. After Jesus’ resurrection, He spent 40 days with His disciples. It was during these conversations that he gave them their marching orders. It was His instructions for their lives, after He would ascend back to the Father. These instructions are found in Matthew 28:19-20, and we call them “The Great Commission.”

But before getting started, these Christ-followers would need power. The task God had for their lives was too large. In and of themselves, they would be incapable of obeying the command of Jesus to make disciples of all nations.
2. As much as they had already been prepared for their mission, there was still something missing. They needed God’s power. So do I. So do you.

3. Thankfully, God has promised to give us the Holy Spirit. This power of the Holy Spirit is not just for some Christians. It’s for every Christian, and it’s been promised. Our God is a promise-keeper.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 1:8 - “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”

Luke 24:49 - “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Acts 1:4-5 - “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

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#1,309: We Must Bring People to Jesus Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Nothing we can do for people is more important than leading them to the Savior who can forgive their sins. We must do whatever it takes to bring our family and friends to Jesus.

Main Points:
1. One thing that is constant in all of our stories is that someone brought us to Jesus. We were brought through a personal witness, a sermon, a gospel tract, or a video, but God used a person to bring us to Jesus.

2. There are people in your sphere of influence that you can bring to Jesus. There are people who listen to you and who respect you. Bring them to Jesus.

3. Which friends, family members, neighbors, or co-workers can you bring to Jesus?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 2:4 - “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.”

Mark 2:5 - “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

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#1,308: Our Heavenly Father's Love Aug 20, 2025

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What an amazing truth this is! Our Heavenly Father has lavished his love on us. The word “lavished” refers to something generous or extravagant. God has been extremely generous in His love for us. So much so that He has adopted us into His family and He now calls us His children. We are the children of God.

Main Points:
1. Because of our past sins, failures, and mistakes, we may feel as if we are unloveable and unworthy of God’s love. In and of ourselves, we are unworthy of his love. We can’t earn, merit, or ever deserve the love of God. You might even think, “Why would God love someone like me.”

2. Here is the good news: Jesus makes us worthy. It is Jesus who gives us access to the Father’s love. In fact, there is no other way. Jesus opens the door to a relationship with the Father. It is here that we become the children of God.

3. Let this truth fill your heart and mind today: You are loved deeply by your Heavenly Father.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 John 3:1 - “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

John 1:12 - “To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

1 John 4:19 - “We love because He first loved us.”

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