The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,277: Keeping Your Focus on Jesus Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

What wind and waves have caught your attention? What storm has caused you to look away from Jesus? Let’s learn what Peter learned. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. As the howl of the wind gets louder, we’ll be tempted to become distracted. As the waves crash higher, we’ll be enticed to look away.

Main Points:
1. Jesus is teaching us here that we are to keep our eyes on Him. No matter how big the storm is, Jesus is sufficient to see us through. The storm did not overwhelm Peter and his fellow disciples. Why? Because Jesus was with them.

2. Let’s hear the words of our savior. “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” In our humanity, we experience doubt when our problems become bigger to us than God. We battle doubt because we don’t always know what God will do. We don’t know how we will face this storm.

3. Don’t forget, you are not facing this storm alone. The one who is greater than the storm is with you. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. He will get you out of the storm or he will get you through the storm. Either way, Jesus will be with you.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 14:26-33 - “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 - “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”

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#1,276: The Power of God Cannot be Purchased Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

The Spirit of God is not for sale. It is not a commodity that can be bought or sold. The power of God can only be received. It is to be used only for kingdom purposes. God, who knows our hearts, will never give us His anointing and power if He knows we have improper motives.

Main Points:
1. It’s not wrong to want to be used by God. In fact, it’s a wonderful desire. It’s a holy desire. But an important question is: “Why do you want to be used by God? Why do you want His power in your life?”

2. If our ambition is to build our own kingdom, set up our own platform, and receive our own recognition, we will never be given the power of God.

3. I believe today God freely gives His Holy Spirit to those with pure hearts and those who sincerely desire for God to use their lives for His glory.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 8:20-24 - “But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin. “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

Jeremiah 17:10 - “I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

Psalm 115:1 - “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory…”

Revelation 4:11 - “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

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#1,275: Learning to Live by Faith Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

It was your faith that brought you into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith was your response to the grace of God. The Bible says we are saved by our faith in Jesus. Yet, God is not just asking us for faith that leads to salvation. He’s asking for daily faith.

Main Points:
1. Everyday, you and I live by faith. Every day we must trust God. We trust him for our spiritual growth. We place our faith in him to lead and guide our steps and our future. We live by faith as we put our families, their health, and safety in His hands.

2. Our knowledge is limited. We don’t know what a day will bring. We certainly don’t know what tomorrow holds for us. So, we live by faith. Daily, we choose to trust our lives to the hands of God.

3. I know sometimes I’m like Peter. I take my eyes off of Jesus and I begin to look at the wind and the waves. I’ve noticed that what I focus on gets bigger in my life. If I focus on life’s circumstances and the uncertainties of tomorrow, they get larger in my mind. But if I intentionally focus on Jesus, He is magnified.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 14:29 - “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

Matthew 14:30-31 - “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Galatians 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

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#1,274: Why Won't we Surrender to God? Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

As I think about surrender, I’m reminded of how much of a struggle it can be for us. After all, surrender feels like losing. No one wants to raise the white flag of surrender.

Main Points:
1. We must see that everything we need is on the other side of surrendering our life to Jesus. As long as we are resistant and focused on ourselves, we’ll miss out on what God could have done in and through our lives.

2. In prayer, let’s search our hearts today and listen for the Holy Spirit to address those areas of our own lives that we may not have surrendered to God.

3. Let’s experience the joy of a life fully surrendered to God. May we be able to truly say, “All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.”

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 10:17-22 - “As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

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#1,273: Why Pride is Dangerous Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

The Bible reveals that 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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#1,272: Using Your Spiritual Gifts Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Isn’t it incredible to think that before you and I were born, God already had a plan and a purpose for our lives? One of the ways God prepared us in advance is that He has given us spiritual gifts.

Main Points:
1. The Bible has a lot to say about spiritual gifts. There are at least 20 of them listed in the Bible. We don’t have time to define them all today, but you can read about them in these passages of Scripture: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. Generally speaking, there are two categories: speaking gifts and serving gifts.

2. God would not have given you a spiritual gift unless He intended for you to use it. What a blessing it is to have received a gift from God!

3. When we discover our gifts, use our gifts, and value the gifts of others, and when we connect with each other with one mind and mission, which is to glorify God and build His Kingdom, we fulfilling our life’s purpose.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Romans 12:6 - “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

1 Peter 4:10 - “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received…”

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#1,271: Searching for the Lost Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

God’s heart beats with compassion for the lost, and He passionately seeks them out. As followers of Christ, we are invited into this search. We become part of the process by sharing the message of the Gospel with those around us. What is important to God, must be important to us.

Main Points:
1. Jesus’ very purpose in coming to earth and dying for our sins was to seek and save the lost. Nothing matters more to God.

2. Let me remind you of this truth: The Gospel message is urgent. Every day people are dying and going into eternity lost in their sins. The only way of salvation is through faith in Jesus, yet many have never heard a clear and simple message of salvation.

3. We have a message far more valuable than a cure for cancer, it is a cure for our sins. Only through Jesus there is salvation and forgiveness of our sins, which not only impacts our lives here and now, but also for eternity.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Luke 15:8-10 — “what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 19:10 - “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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#1,270: How to Love God with Your Soul Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

The Bible teaches us we are to love God with our soul. This refers to the inner man. We are to love God with our emotions, feelings, intellect, and will.

Main Points:
1. To love God with all your soul is to love God with your entire inner life. This means everything your inner life experiences - everything you feel, decide, believe, think, choose, want, dwell on, turn to, and pursue – is about your soul.

2. The soul is about what makes you happy, what fills you with joy, where your sorrow and sadness is, and what gives you peace. All of these things you experience in your soul are to be related to your love for God. God wants a kind of love that “saturates” us.

3. When you love God with all of your soul, you love Him with all that you are.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 16:26 – “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Matthew 10:28 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Psalm 62:5-6 - “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 63:1 - “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

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#1,269: If God is Good, Why do we Suffer? Jun 26, 2025

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Why do we suffer? You and I have lived long enough to see and experience suffering. It comes to us all. Suffering is no respecter of persons. There is coming a day when all suffering will cease. When we are in the eternal presence of our God. He will wipe away all tears. But for now, suffering is a part of our human existence.

Main Points:
1. Suffering exists for several reasons. The first of which is that we live in a fallen world that is corrupted by sin. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, sin entered the world and that started all of the pollution, chaos, and downgrading that's been taking place ever since.

2. Sometimes suffering is caused by our own sins and mistakes. Occasionally, suffering is the work of Satan. Other times, though we don't like to admit it, suffering occurs because of the will of God.

3. We must understand that God knew the trials were coming into our lives. He allowed them for His purpose. He is using them to teach us. He is drawing us close. He is deepening our faith and character. He is preparing us for something eternal.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 5:10 - “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

1 Peter 5:8 "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him. Stand firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”
1 Peter 4:19 - “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 - “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

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#1,268: Is Jesus Coming Back Soon? Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

I believe in the imminent return of Christ, meaning I believe Jesus could come back at any time. Today could be the day of Christ’s return. Today could be the day of the rapture of the church. Are you ready for Jesus to come back? Are you living like Jesus is coming back today?

Main Points:
1. Let me remind you that Jesus is indeed coming back. Scripture foretold the birth of Jesus, and it was fulfilled. The Bible described the death and resurrection of Christ, and it happened as the prophecy foretold. Likewise, the Scripture has promised the return of Jesus. The God who has spoken will fulfill His Word.

2. So, what does it mean to live like Jesus is coming back? It means being prepared. It means living with our hearts on God and his will for our lives. It means being focused on the work He has called us to do. Living like Jesus is coming back at any time causes us to live sober lives. It calls us to live in holiness and righteousness.

3. Jesus is coming back, and He is coming back soon. Are you ready? Are you prepared? Are you busy serving Him and fulfilling His purpose for your life?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 14:2-4 - “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

Revelation 22:20 - “He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

1 Thessalonians 5:2 - “…the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.”

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