The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,197: A Godly Perspective Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Why is it important to have a biblical or godly perspective? Our perspective should be the same as the God we serve. We want to see and interpret things the way God does. This will only happen as we make the Bible the lens through which we see the world. You’ll never see things the way God does until you see things through the lens of scripture.

Main Points:
1. It’s common to hear people, in a moment of disagreement say, “I don’t see it that way.” As Christ-followers, we need to ask the question, “How does God see it?” We then reframe our perspective to match how God sees things.

2. Our perspective matters because it influences our beliefs, values, our lifestyle, our mindset, and our attitude.

3. Determine that the Bible will be the lens through which you see and interpret the World. As you do, you’ll begin to see things the way God does.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 - “ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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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#1,196: This Is How We Fight Our Battles Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

We can choose to respond to adversity with fear, anxiety, and worry. We can also choose to respond with praise and worship. You might say, “Yes, but Loren, praise doesn’t change my circumstances.” It might not, but it certainly will change what is happening inside of you.

Main Points:
1. As we praise, we confess what we know is true about God. We choose to trust and to believe, rather than to fear and despair.

2. Praise and worship are like nothing else. While God is the object of our praise, He, in turn, fills us with his presence. Praise and worship glorify and honor God, but it also lifts our spirits, gives us joy, and reminds us that God is present.

3. Fight your battles with praise. As you do, the presence of God will encourage and uplift your soul.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 16:22-24 - “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
Acts 16:25 - “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”
Romans 12:12 - “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

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#1,195: Jesus is Accessible Mar 11, 2025

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Jesus invites us all to come. Think of the amazing accessibility of Jesus. There has never been a higher king. No king has ever had more power and authority. Yet, this king is accessible. He is approachable. He invites us all to come. He welcomes us into his presence.

Main Points:
1. Jesus, the King of Kings invites us to come to Him. The King who has authority and power over every earthly king, does not hide in a castle or a place. He does not isolate himself behind walls and gates. He does not limit his presence to a few people of nobility, aristocracy, or upper-class status.

2. King Jesus has time for you. You don’t have to make an appointment. He is never too busy. He will never be preoccupied. Jesus is ready and available to listen, to hear your prayer, to meet with you, and to provide for your needs.

3. It’s an amazing truth, isn’t it? You have access to Jesus. You don’t have to meet certain requirements. You don’t have to get approved. You don’t have to meet a list of pre-qualifications. You just have to come by faith. We gain access to Jesus, his grace, and his salvation, through faith.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 11:28 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

John 7:37 - “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

Romans 5:1-2 - “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

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#1,194: Continue in the Truth Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

My prayer for you today is that you will let nothing move you. Remain steadfast. Stand firm in the truth. When others compromise their beliefs and when others crumble under the pressure to water down the truth, I pray you will remain strong for Christ.

Main Points:
1. “Will we stand and will we remain unmoved in our faith, our beliefs, and our biblical convictions?

2. Just continue. Continue to preach the gospel. Continue to stand for truth and righteousness. Continue to pray and seek for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Continue to believe in God to move in your generation. Just keep going in those things which you are convinced of.

3. Continue in the truth you know and hold dear. Remember, times change, but God’s Word remains the same.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Timothy 3:14 - “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it…”

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

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#1,193: The Choice to Forgive Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

One of the greatest challenges we face emotionally is how we will respond when we are hurt. With the offense, we have a choice. Will we respond with grace and forgiveness, or will we respond with harshness and cynicism? Will we be quick to overlook an offense or will we respond with the same hurt we experienced?

Main Points:
1. I’m sure you’ll agree, that it's not always easy to respond in a Christ-honoring way. We feel pain, and it seems human to respond in the same way. We tend to match emotion with emotion, anger with anger, and insult with insult.

2. You and I can refuse to allow ourselves to become bitter. I wish I could offer you an offense-free life and promise you that from now on you will no longer be hurt by others, but such promises cannot be made. I can promise you that the Holy Spirit will give you the power to forgive and move on.

3. Unforgiveness is a burden. I think we all know what it feels like. But forgiveness is freedom. Where there was once sorrow, heaviness, and bitterness, is now comfort and peace. When we forgive, we are released from bondage. Forgiveness is like God opening the prison door and allowing us to walk away and leave it all behind.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 19:11 - “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”

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#1,192: The Unity of the Church Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

When it comes to the church. I believe unity is our foundation. The whole church stands or falls on the strength of this foundation. As long as there are people, there will be a wide variety of opinions. That’s okay. It’s not essential to have a unity of opinion in every matter. What is crucial is that we have unity around mission, vision, and purpose. We must have a strong biblical and doctrinal foundation.

Main Points:
1. When we have unity, we have bought into the mission and vision of the church. We are willing to forgo some personal preferences for the greater good. We trust God has spoken to our leadership and we are willing to follow and serve.

2. When a church has strong unity, believers sincerely love one another. They protect each other and support one another.

3. We can sometimes unknowingly fall prey to the enemy’s trap to sow seeds of disunity. When we complain, gossip, and talk behind another believer’s back we can be driving a wedge in the unity of our church, without even realizing it.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 14:19 - “Let us, therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

Ephesians 4:3 - “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

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#1,191: Allowing the Lord to Guide Your Steps Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

As children of God, we desire the Lord’s hand of guidance and protection to be upon our lives. Why? Because He can see what we cannot see. He knows what we do not know. He holds our purpose and our future in His hands.

Main Points:

1. I believe each day the Holy Spirit is active in our lives too. He is speaking, leading, guiding, and directing. Are we listening? Are our ears open to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Are we sensitive to His promptings?

2. Start your day by spending time with God. Then, as you go throughout your day, watch for the direction of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to lead you. Ask Him to guide your steps. Trust that He is with you walking step by step.

3. God is not absent, uninvolved, and uninterested in your life. He is an ever-present God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 37:23-24 - “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”

Proverbs 16:9 - “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”

Proverbs 27:1 - “…you don’t know what the day will bring.”
Romans 8:14 - “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

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#1,190: The Whole Gospel for the Whole World Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

We stand on Jesus’ promise that the gospel will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. As we see this being fulfilled, we know the end is near and Jesus’ return is soon.

Main Points:

1. There are still locations in our world where the gospel message is not being preached. There are places where there are no churches, no missionaries, no translations of the Bible in local languages, and no access to the salvation message.

2. With the use of the ever-increasing tools of technology the message of Christ is spreading faster than ever before. My prayer is that a new generation of missionaries will hear the call of God and will take the gospel to people still waiting to hear.

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. We cannot be silent. We cannot keep such good news to ourselves. We must tell others. We must let people know that Jesus saves. Let’s determine that we will be a part of preaching the gospel locally and globally as a testimony to all.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 24:14 - “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

1 Thessalonians 1:8 - “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.”

Matthew 28:19 - “Go and make disciples of all nations…”

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#1,189: Managing Your Time Wisely Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Our problem is not that we don’t have enough time. The problem is that we don’t always use our time wisely. We all have the same amount of time. When it comes to time every single one of us has the exact same amount. We all get 168 hours each week. The good news is the Bible has a lot to say about how we can honor God with our time. The Bible teaches us how to manage our time in a way that pleases God.

Main Points:

1. I have learned it’s important to do a time audit. Ask yourself, “How am I spending my time? Am I being wise with the use of my time? Am I losing time somewhere? Am I wasting time? It’s good to analyze where our time is being spent.

2. Then ask yourself the question… “Is this really how I want to spend my life? Remember your time is your life.” God is only giving you so much. How are you going to use it?

3. Time is a gift. Your life is a gift. You and I are managers of the time God has given us. Will you and I choose to use the most valuable resource God has given us for his glory and his purpose?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 31:14-15 - “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand…”

Ephesians 5:15-16 - “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…”

Haggai 1:7 – “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”

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#1,188: Jesus is Building His Church Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

What is Jesus doing today? He is building His church. We hear stories about churches closing and increasing statistics of people who won’t belong to a church community, yet you and I need to be assured of one great truth: Jesus will build His church.

Main Points:
1. Recently, I’ve been hearing this phrase more and more. “I love Jesus, but I don’t love the church.” I’m also hearing a lot of people say, “You know, you don’t have to go to church to go to Heaven, you just have to believe in Jesus. If this is your sentiment, let me give you something to consider. The church has a divine creation. Some say, “The church was man’s idea.” No, that’s not biblical. The church was God’s idea.

2. Let me ask an important question. How can we love Jesus, and not love what He loves? If we have placed our faith in Jesus, how can we not be a part of what He is doing on the earth? How can we not join together with other Christ-followers to fulfill Jesus’s mission?

3. If you are a believer in Jesus, recommit to being a part of His church. Let’s love what Jesus loves and let’s be a part of the church He is building.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 16:18 - “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Ephesians 5:25 - “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

Acts 20:28 Jesus “bought the church with His own blood,”

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