The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,257: The Priority of Prayer Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Can we just take a moment for an honest evaluation? Among many churches, prayer is given very little emphasis. Church calendars are filled with ministry and activities, but often no prayer meeting is scheduled. In churches that do have a consistent prayer meeting, attendance is often very low.

Main Points:
1. We must ask, “Why has corporate prayer become such a low priority? Isn’t prayer the engine of the church? Doesn’t prayer and faith move the hand of God? Shouldn’t prayer be our first response and not our last resort?

2. Prayer is no small thing. Prayer is a mighty thing. Imagine if the church returned to prayer. Imagine if once again we began to see the value and importance of the prayer meeting. Don’t you agree that a return to prayer would result in the power of God among us?

3. Prayer is not merely an activity to check off our spiritual to-do list. It is the heartbeat of our relationship with God. It is the lifeline that sustains our spiritual passion. Prayer aligns our hearts with the will of God, empowers our ministries, and transforms us from the inside out.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 21:13 - “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Isaiah 56:7 - “…these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

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#1,256: Why We Struggle With Generosity Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

I remember my Dad saying, “If God can get it through you, God will get it to you.” If God knows you and I can be trusted to be His channel of blessing through generosity, He will continue to provide the resources to do so. In other words, you cannot outgive God.

Main Points:
1. When it comes to generosity, I don’t believe the struggle for most people is greed. I think the bigger struggle is fear. We want to be generous. We know God is calling us as His children to live with generosity. But we battle with fear thinking that if we are generous, we won’t have enough for ourselves.

2. God is the owner of everything. We are just the managers of His resources. If He put it in our hands, or our bank account, it means He trusts us. I suppose a question to wrestle with is: Are we being trustworthy?

3. Are you living with the fear that if you are generous, you won’t have enough for yourself? Trust the promise of God that He will provide bread for food and seed for sowing.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 24:1 - “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 - “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Proverbs 11:25 - “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

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#1,255: When we Doubt the Goodness of God Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

I’m convinced that one of Satan’s strategies is to cause us to get stuck in the “why” question. As humans, we want to understand. We want everything to be logical and rational. When life is hard we don’t want to lean on faith, we want to stand on reason.

Main Points:
1. The Christian life is a journey of faith. Our knowledge is limited. I can’t see and know everything about God and His ways. This present life won’t always make sense to me. Neither will God and His plans. But I get to choose whether I will trust Him or not.

2. But there is a better question than “why”. Instead of asking why, we must move on to the question of “what now?” I like asking, “God, what do you want me to learn from this experience? What do I need to do to experience a greater measure of your peace and comfort? How can my faith be stronger? In which ways can I grow in my faith? How can I use this experience to help others?

3. When you are going through a difficult season, it’s easy to experience a bit of spiritual amnesia. As we focus on the present difficulty, it’s common to forget all the things God has already done for us. But I’m confident that if you begin to reflect on your life, you’ll see evidence of the goodness of God. Make a list and write down the many ways God has blessed your life.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Genesis 3:5 - “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Psalm 145:9 - “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 31:19 - “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”

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#1,254: Throw Off the Things that are Hindering You Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Pray and ask God to search your heart. As the Lord reveals things that are hindering your spiritual growth, be willing to throw them off so that nothing slows you down.

Main Points:
1. I must ask the Lord to show me if there is anything in my life that is hindering my relationship with Christ. Is there anything that is hindering me? Is there anything slowing me down and impeding my spiritual growth?

2. What burdens are you carrying today? Is there anything slowing you down? I think of doubts, fears, worries, sins, and distractions that hinder our progress. These hinderances could be people in our lives that not influencing us towards godliness. It could be good things like work, hobbies, or things we enjoy that are not sinful, yet they have become distractions that keep us from growing in Christ.

3. Paul said that we are to put off the old self and put on the new self. We are letting go of old sins, attitudes, habits, and sinful patterns of living. In Christ, we are putting on the new self that exemplifies righteousness and holiness. As we pursue godliness, this is a work of the Spirit and a process that will continue in our lives until we meet Jesus face to face.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Psalm 139:23-24 - “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Ephesians 4:22-25 - “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

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#1,253: Saying Yes to God Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Unequivocally, I can say that God is looking for us to say “yes” to Him. Have you given God your yes? Have you surrendered your will and your life to God? Have you said “God, I’m yours. Take my life and use it for your glory?” Have you said, “God, I’ll say what you want me to say, go where you want me to go, and do what you want me to do?”

Main Points:
1. Some of our greatest internal battles are with God. There is an internal wrestle over whether we will say yes to God or not. Will we obey His Word? Will we submit to God’s authority? Will we let the Bible guide and direct our lives?

2. This simple response, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," is a profound declaration of openness and obedience to God's will. We see Samuel's readiness to hear and obey whatever God may command. And it is through this willingness to say yes to God that Samuel's life is forever changed.

3. Without hesitation, let’s be quick and ready to give God our yes.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Samuel 3:4 - ““Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

1 Samuel 3:10 - "The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

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#1,252: How are you using your influence? Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

How are you using your influence? Now, you might think you are not very influential because you define influence as position, fame, prominence, or name recognition. But listen to this definition of influence. Influence is the effect of something on a person; the power that somebody has to affect other people's lives, beliefs, thinking, and actions.

Main Points:
1. Everyone listening to this podcast episode has influence. You have people who like you and look up to you. There are people to come to you for your opinion, advice, or wisdom. You have acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who respect you. People are watching your life and being influenced by it, without you even knowing it. Everyone has a circle of influence.

2. Our influence is not to be egotistical. It is not for our benefit. It is for Christ’s sake. The reason you let your light shine, the reason you are the salt of the earth, is for God. We are an influence so we can bring more people to Jesus.

3. Let’s use the influence God has given us for God’s glory and to point others to the Savior.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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.”

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#1,251: Renewing Your Mind With the Word of God May 30, 2025

Show notes

Our minds are not renewed automatically when we come to Christ. There are still old patterns of thinking that do not please God. But every day we have the choice to set our minds on things above. Will we allow the world to conform our minds, or will we invite God to transform our minds?

Main Points:
1. How do we do that? How do we set our minds on things above? Does that mean we go outside and look up at the sky? No, we must deliberately fill our minds with the things of God. We do this primarily by reading, listening, and meditating on the Word of God.

2. As we read, hear, and think about the Scripture, our way of thinking is being transformed. We are being changed inwardly. This inner transformation leads to a change in our exterior behavior.

3. The Holy Spirit is actively working in your life to make you more like Jesus. Be intentional about renewing your mind with the Word of God and your actions will be renewed as well.

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.”

Ephesians 4:21-23 - “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”

Colossians 3:2 - “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

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#1,250: God Welcomes Lost Sons and Daughters May 29, 2025

Show notes

No matter where you are or how far away from God you have run, you can always come home. Our loving Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms. He is calling once again for you to come home.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Luke 15:20 - “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” “…Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. (Vs 24)

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#1,249: Do Good People Go To Heaven? May 28, 2025

Show notes

“How good is good enough?” Here’s the short answer. We could never be good enough to go to Heaven. It’s simply not possible for humans to satisfy the justice of God with our efforts at being good. The Bible teaches us that being a good person could never save us. Instead, salvation is based on the goodness of Jesus, on our behalf.

Main Points:

1. Jesus, in kindness and love, took our sins upon himself and once and for all died in our place. This is the definition of goodness. God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, satisfying the justice of a righteous and holy God.

2. Forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life is received as a gift from God. We receive this gift as we confess Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We place our faith in his death and resurrection for our sins, instead of placing our faith in our good works.

3. Refuse to buy into the deception that you could be good enough to go to Heaven. Put your faith in Jesus, who was good on our behalf.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Judges 21:25 - “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

Proverbs 14:12 - “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Isaiah 64:6 - “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.”

Titus 3:4-5 - “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”

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#1,248: What Is God Calling You To Do? May 27, 2025

Show notes

Do you have a dream? Do you have a God-given dream? Is there something God has put into your heart to do, accomplish, and fulfill? Does the dream stay with you and never seem to leave? Is there something God is calling you to do?

Main Points:

1. Maybe you need a little encouragement. What God has called you to do, you need to do it. Do it now. Don’t put it off. Don’t say someday. Someday may not come, but you do have today. What action step can you take today?

2. We take time for granted. We live as if our time is unlimited, but we know deep down inside that is not true. We only have a limited amount of time and we don’t know how much.

3. We always have plenty of time to do everything we need to do. This means that all of my time belongs to God, and therefore how I spend my days is a sacred issue. Someday I will answer for what I did today.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 -
"There is a time for everything,
And a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance."
Proverbs 27:1 - “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

James 4:13-15 - “ Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”

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