The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,167: Taking a Stand for Christ Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

Every day, you make decisions about whether you will stand for Christ or not. In how we live our lives, the choices we make, the attitudes we portray, and the words we say, we are telling others that we stand for Christ, or we are communicating that we do not stand with him.

Main Points:

1. Jesus knew we would face a strong temptation to hide our light. When we are open and public about our testimony for Christ, it draws attention to us. We face potential rejection, scorn, and persecution. No one wants to experience such things. It’s so much easier to keep our faith and our testimony hidden. After all, isn’t faith in God supposed to be a personal, private matter?
2. Unfortunately, this is a lie we have come to believe. Satan wants your voice to be silenced. If you can be intimated to keep your witness for Christ quiet, then that is the temptation you will face.
3. Today you’ll have an opportunity to stand for God. In a conversation, at your office, with your family, or on social media, there will be a moment of decision. Choose to speak up. Choose to be identified with Christ. Don’t hide your witness. You can stand for Christ, but do it in a way that is gentle and respectful.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 7:9 - “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

Matthew 5:15 - “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Romans 1:16 - “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”

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#1,166: Why did Jesus come into the World? Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

The most important question you will ever answer for yourself is: “Who is Jesus?” The question swirled on the streets of Galilee and Jerusalem. In the marketplace, in neighborhoods, and out in the fields, people were talking about Jesus. Who is this man and why has he come? After 2,000 years, the questions are still being asked.

Main Points:

1. Once we understand who Jesus is, we begin to understand why He came.
2. He didn’t come to be a great humanitarian, teacher, rabbi, philosopher, miracle worker, or revolutionary. He didn’t come to start an earthly kingdom or to overthrow the rule of the Roman Empire.
3. Jesus came to save sinners. This is good news for you and me because we are sinners in need of a savior.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 16:13-16 - “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

1 Timothy 1:15 - “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”

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

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#1,165: The Source of our Temptations Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

We learn from James chapter one that we cannot blame God for our temptations. So, where do they come from? He answers that question. We are tempted by our evil desires. We are tempted to sin because we have a sinful nature.

Main Points:

1. All of us face temptations. There has never been a person alive who didn’t face temptation. The Bible says, even Jesus was tempted but was without sin. This brings up a good question, where do our temptations come from? Is the devil tempting me, is God tempting me?
2. We cannot blame God for our temptations. God cannot be tempted, and he doesn't tempt anyone else. God is holy, and he doesn't want us to fail or fall. The truth of it is that temptation resides deep in who we are.
3. While we recognize that we have a sinful nature, we are not powerless in our temptations. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist temptation and live in a way that honors God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:13-15 - "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after sin has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Psalm 51:5 - “For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.”

Romans 5:12 - “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 - “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

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#1,164: We Must Keep Growing Spiritually Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

There is no place to stop, plateau, or think we have arrived in our spiritual lives. We are to never stop growing. There is always more we can learn, more we can experience, more steps of faith to take, and more character to be developed.

Main Points:

1. Like an adopted child learns the behaviors and expectations of their new family. We are to learn the values, behavior, and lifestyle of the family of God. Let’s commit, as did the Apostle Paul, to keep pressing forward in our goal of being like Jesus.
2. Even the great Apostle Paul realized that he needed to keep growing in his faith and his relationship with God.
3. By placing our faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for us, we have been adopted by the Holy Spirit into the family of God. It is a gift we receive. We did not have to work to earn the right to become a part of God’s family. But now that we are sons and daughters, God asks us to live like children of God. The Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit inform our new behavior and our new lifestyle.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 3:12 - “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Philippians 3:13-14 - “…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

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#1,163: What are Your Convictions? Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

As we grow in our faith, we aspire to be Christians who know what we believe. Our beliefs have stood the test of time. These truths have become deep convictions in our hearts. We know them to be true because God has revealed them to us in His Word and by His Spirit. Others may choose to believe other things, but we live with the deep assurance of the truths of God.

Main Points:

1. Let me ask you, “Do you have a deep conviction about the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you thoroughly convinced the Word of God is true? Are you letting the scripture not only inform your life but also change your life?”
2. Our faith is anchored in the steadfast character of God. He does not change. His Word is forever true. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Generations come and go. Seasons come and go, but the Word of God is the same forever.
3. You might be thinking, “Loren, why is it essential that we have a deep conviction about the Word of God?” It’s so common today for people to express the idea that they are open-minded. As if this is a virtue. They don’t want to seem dogmatic. They don’t want to appear rigid in their thinking and beliefs. But this is exactly what our enemy wants. Without conviction, we are prey to false teaching, idolatry, and falling away.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Thessalonians 1:5 - “our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.”

Romans 14:5 - “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”
Romans 4:21 - “…fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

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#1,162: You Emotional Health Matters to God Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

I hope you’ll see this truth today. God cares about your emotional state. We’ve often been taught to hide our emotions. I know that I struggle to express my emotions in public. We’ve been taught to stifle them. Be strong. Don’t let anyone see what is going on inside. But God cares about our emotions.

Main Points:

1. Throughout Scripture we see men and women feeling and expressing emotion, but nowhere do we see it more than in the book of Psalms. David and the other Psalm writers openly bare their soul and their inner life. We get to see what’s happening on the inside, not just on the outside.
2. Did you know that God also feels emotion? We feel emotion because God feels emotion. Genesis tells us we were created in the image of God.
3. Not only can God bring healing to our physical bodies, but He can also bring healing to our mental and emotional state. God cares about our whole being.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 77:1-4 - “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.”

Psalm 13:1-2 - “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?”

Ephesians 3:16 - “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…”

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#1,161: Words and Thoughts that Please God Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Imagine the impact on your life if you began to make this verse your daily prayer. What if we began every morning by letting God know we desire that the words of our mouths and the thoughts in our minds be pleasing to Him?

Main Points:
1. Our choices, decisions, actions, and ultimately our lifestyle are determined by our thoughts and our words. This makes self-control so vital for us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we must control our words and thoughts.
2. All of us have said, “I shouldn’t have thought that and I wish I hadn’t said that.” I believe with this prayer David is telling us that our thoughts and words don’t have to be impetuous. You and I are not without control. The Holy Spirit resides within us to give us power for daily living.
3. As we learn to pay attention to our thoughts, we ask the question, “Does this thought please God? Does it honor the Lord? As we ask this all-important question, we can immediately take action. We can entertain the thought if it does please God, but if it doesn’t we can cast it out. We can reject the thought. We can refuse to think things that don’t please the Lord.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 19:14 - “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 - “…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
James 3:8 - “…no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
James 1:19 - “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

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#1,160: What is the Fear of the Lord? Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

The fear of the Lord is deep respect, awe, and reverence for God. We give God the glory, honor, reverence, gratitude, and praise, he deserves. God holds this preeminent position in our hearts and lives. We regard his desires over and above our own.

Main Points:
1. The Bible repeatedly tells us not to fear. It’s been said that the Bible gives us this command 365 times, one for each day of the year. This instruction refers to destructive fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” But there is another kind of fear that is good for us. In fact, it’s mentioned over 200 times in the Bible. It’s the fear of the Lord. What does it mean to fear the Lord?
2. Fearing the Lord is about deep reverence and respect. We should fear or respect the Lord as one who has authority over us. It is a recognition that we are accountable to Him.
3. Wisdom begins and ends with the fear of the Lord. It isn’t a fear of being struck by lightning or fear of being struck dead but it’s a deep, abiding, holy reverence and respect for the Lord and for His Word.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Listen to what Proverbs says about the fear of the Lord…

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

“He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge” (14:26)

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death” (14:27)

“Better a little with the fear of the Lord, than great wealth with turmoil” (15:16).

“Through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil” (16:6b).

“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth, honor and life” (22:4).

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#1,159: Religion Cannot Save Us Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

We must realize that the goal of the Christian life is not behavior modification. The goal is not to just become a better person. We must be born again. We must know God in a personal way.

Main Points:
1. Nicodemus was pursuing salvation through his own efforts. He was trying to be a good person. He was trying to do all the right things. But on this night he learns that salvation can only come when we are born again. You have been born physically, but you can have a spiritual birth when you place your faith in Jesus.
2. If you and I had lived in this time, it’s likely we would have thought Nicodemus was a godly man. We would have thought, surely, Nicodemus is going to Heaven, look how religious he is.
3. But religion and good behavior aren’t what saves us. Jesus said, “You must be born again.”

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 3:2 - “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

John 3:3 - Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

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#1,158: God Makes Us Wait...For a Reason Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Admittedly, waiting is hard for most of us. It seems that impatience is the human characteristic that identifies us all. Today, we live in a quick-response, on-demand culture. Waiting on anything is becoming increasingly difficult. But as Christians, there is one thing we will have to wait on. We will have to wait on God. I guarantee it. As a part of His plan, His purpose, and His character development in our lives, God will make us wait.

Main Points:
1. If God makes us wait, we can trust there is always a reason. It’s hard because we can’t always see the reason at first. Yet, as a good Heavenly Father, He doesn’t play games with us. He doesn’t do things without a reason. There is always a purpose to His plan. In the waiting, there is something to learn, something to gain, and something to experience. Don’t miss the blessing in the waiting just because you are impatient. It’s possible the waiting season is also God’s way of protecting you.
2. God makes us wait because it’s here we learn that life is not about us. It’s about Him. It’s about His ways, His timing, and His plans. Waiting on God increases our dependence on Him. It grows our faith and shapes our character.
3. Don’t get weary in the waiting. What God has in store for you is worth waiting on.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 37:7 - “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…”
Psalm 130:5-6 - “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning…”

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