The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#1,007: What is Humility? May 29, 2024

Show notes

Humility is an accurate estimation of our self-importance in relation to God and others. Here’s another definition I like… “Having a right view of yourself because you have a right view of God.”

Main Points:
1. It’s always better to listen to the caution of the Holy Spirit and to guard our hearts against pride. If we do not live in humility before the Lord. God himself will humble us, and it will not be pleasant.

2. Humility is not thinking too highly of yourself. It’s also not thinking too low of yourself. It’s having an accurate estimation of our self-importance in relation to God and others.

3. So, how do we humble ourselves? We focus on the greatness of God. In my life, I cannot be prideful and God be great. It can’t happen at the same time. Either I think God is great or I think I am great. It’s having the right view of yourself because you have the right view of God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 4:10 - “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Luke 14:11 - “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3)

James 4:6 - God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

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#1,006: When we Struggle to Believe May 27, 2024

Show notes

Do you ever struggle to keep the faith? We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Those days, weeks, and months where it seems like we are hanging onto the rope of faith and we are at the last knot? Haven’t you been there? I know I have.

Main Points:
1. It’s in those moments that I have to go back to God’s Word. This is where my faith is strengthened. I have to be reminded often of who God is, what he has already done, and what he has promised to do.

2. We can identify with the father in this story. We want to believe, but sometimes faith is a struggle. When you have been through so much, when you are weary, and when it seems like options are few, it can be hard to believe.

3. f you are struggling to believe, cry out to Jesus… “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” Once again trust our great God to meet you in your time of difficulty and to give you the faith you need.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 10:17 - “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Mark 9:22-27 - “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.”

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#1,005: God Sees Everything May 24, 2024

Show notes

Think about this truth: God knows absolutely everything about you and he loves you. You are fully and completely known, and yet you are loved.

Main Points:
1. Our relationship with God is like no other. In our relationships with people, there may be a thousand things they don’t know about you, especially as it is related to the heart. Your friend doesn’t know your thoughts, your desires, your motives, and your feelings, but God does.

2. How does this knowledge make you feel? If we are not in a right relationship with God, it might make us feel afraid. But for those walking daily with Jesus, the thought of an all-seeing and all-knowing God gives us peace and assurance. There is nothing I am facing that God is unaware of. What a blessing that is to our lives!

3. Because God knows everything about us, he can guide and direct our steps. In life, we are often confused and disoriented. We don’t know the best way forward. We don’t know which steps to take, but since God already knows, he can carefully guide us to the right decisions.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 15:3 - “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

Hebrews 4:13 - “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Jeremiah 23:24 - “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”

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#1,004: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? May 23, 2024

Show notes

If you fully understand the gospel and what Jesus has done for us, you comprehend that He was not just executed 2,000 years ago by the Romans. You recognize that He willingly laid down his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus died for us. He took our place. With his death on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins, so we would not have to.

Main Points:
1. If God were not just, there would be no demand for his Son to suffer and die. And if God were not loving, there would be no willingness for his Son to suffer and die. But God is both just and loving. His love is willing to meet the demands of his justice.
2. There are no small sins. Here’s why: because God is not small. The seriousness of the insult rises with the dignity of the one insulted. The Creator of the universe is infinitely worthy of respect, admiration, and loyalty.
3. Since God is just, he does not sweep these sins under the rug of the universe. He feels a holy wrath against them. They deserve to be punished, and he has made this clear: “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). To not punish us would be unjust. But here’s what is truly amazing…Jesus accepts God’s wrath on our behalf. Jesus doesn’t cancel God’s wrath, he absorbs it. He diverts it from us to himself.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 5:6-8 - “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 - “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

1 Peter 2:24 - “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

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#1,003: Pursuing Holiness May 22, 2024

Show notes

What is holiness? To be holy is to be consecrated, set apart, and dedicated to God. For some, this seems daunting. We can be intimidated by the word holy or the knowledge that God wants us to be holy. After all, we know our failings and shortcomings all too well.

Main Points:
1. But we must see that holiness is a good thing. Everything God calls us to pursue is for our own good. Holiness is not outward actions and behaviors achieved in our own strength. Becoming holy is a pursuit entered through the grace of God and developed with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, you cannot become holy apart from God’s help. He does not call us to become something without enabling us to do it.

2. How can we get back on the track of pursuing holiness? To pursue holiness we actively seek and strive for a life that is set apart for God. It’s a lifestyle characterized by moral purity, righteousness, and devotion to Him. It involves aligning our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and lifestyle with the principles and teachings of God's Word.

3. Pursuing holiness involves separating ourselves from sinful behaviors, attitudes, and influences. It means turning away from anything that contradicts God's character and choosing to live a life that honors Him.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 12:14 - “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 7:1 - “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
1 Peter 1:14-15 - “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

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#1,002: The Kindness of God May 21, 2024

Show notes

Many attempts have been made to define the grace of God. One definition, using an acronym says “Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” Perhaps the most common definition of grace is “unmerited favor.” Another says that grace is “God’s favor toward the unworthy.” All of these definitions are helpful as we consider this incredible attribute of God. I suppose my favorite definition is that grace is “God’s undeserved kindness.”

Main Points:
1. Think about it. God has been so kind to us. Consider all God has given you and all He has done in your life. Why? Why would God be so kind? What have you done to earn the kindness of our Almighty God? What have you done to deserve such affection and goodwill? Nothing. Not a thing. Nada.

2. You and I have received God’s kindness because of His grace. Prompted by the love we can’t fully understand, God demonstrates His kindness in our lives by giving us His Son, Jesus, to be our savior. It’s because of His grace we have been forgiven. It’s through His grace we have a relationship with Him.

3. Maybe today, you need God’s grace. Perhaps you need forgiveness of sins. Reach out to God. Ask Him for His grace. He is generous to those who call on him.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Psalm 103:10 - “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
Romans 5:20 - “… But where sin increased, grace increased all the more”

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#1,001: You Are Not Alone May 20, 2024

Show notes

Receive this truth: God is standing beside you. He is there. Can you acknowledge His presence? Everything you need He will provide. Repeatedly in the Bible, He promises that He will be with us.

Main Points:
1. When everyone leaves when you feel abandoned, and when there is no one else around, God will remain present in your life. He has promised in Scripture that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

2. What I love about the Bible is the real-life stories of people who faced all kinds of difficulties and adversity. We learn of their struggles, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But we also see God at work in their lives. We learn of God’s faithfulness. We see God’s compassion, wisdom, and guidance. We discover He is a God who loves His people and who will never abandon them.

3. There is nothing you are facing that God cannot handle. There is no need in your life God cannot meet. There are no problems that God cannot solve. The eternal God is standing beside you right now.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Timothy 4:16-17 - “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”

Isaiah 41:10 - “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 - “ Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

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Most Popular Episodes: Why Forgiveness is Essential May 17, 2024

Show notes

Forgiveness is a decision you make to refuse to live in the past. It’s a conscious choice to release others from their sins against you so that you can be set free. It doesn’t deny the pain or change the past, but it does break the bitterness that holds you to the wounds of the past. Forgiveness allows you to let go and move on. You offer this forgiveness freely because God has forgiven you freely.

Main Points:
1. If there is anything that threatens to destroy our relationships, it is bitterness and unforgiveness. Wounds hurt deeply. Words spoken are impossible to forget. It seems that our natural, human tendency is to hold onto the offense. Unforgiveness isolates us from the offender and enables the relationship to fracture and break apart. This is not God’s will.

2. You and I need God’s forgiveness, yet if we withhold our forgiveness, God will not forgive us. What a sobering thought!

3. With God’s help, let today be the day you forgive. Don’t hold the offense any longer. Walk out of the prison of offense and let your heart be free.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:14-15 - “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

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Most Popular Episodes: Why You Should Read the Old Testament May 16, 2024

Show notes

Without reading the Old Testament we cannot see the full plan God has for His people. Don’t just read half of the story. Read the beginning. Discover what God has said and what He is doing in the lives of those who will trust Him.

Main Points:
1. The practice of neglecting to read the Old Testament is not unusual. Except for the books of Psalms and Proverbs, many Christians do not read much of the Old Testament.

2. We must come to realize that we cannot fully understand the New Testament without the Old Testament. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

3. When we read the stories of the men and women of Old who trusted God, who believed in His promise, and who were faithful in times of difficulty, it teaches us perseverance. When we see the faithfulness of people like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, and Daniel, we are encouraged that we too can remain faithful to God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Matthew 5:17-18 - “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”

Romans 15:4 - “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

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Most Popular Episodes: When God Interrupts Your Plans May 15, 2024

Show notes

God's interruptions remind us that our knowledge and perspective is very limited. We cannot see and know as much as God. So, we surrender to his plan, recognizing we serve a God who has all knowledge, and he knows what is best for us. So, if interruptions are God’s plan for us, we must embrace them.

Main Points:
1. So, what do we do when we are interrupted and we sense that God is at work in the interruption? First, let me encourage you to pause and take a breath. It’s so easy to become irritated and reactive when we face the frustration of an interruption.

2. Second, pray and ask God to help you be aware of what you need to see. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to his direction. Because of the interruption, there may be no clear path forward. In these instances, we have the opportunity to wait on God and seek his direction. Waiting on God is never wasted time.

3. Third, be alert to the possibility of discouragement. When our plans don’t work out, when the door is shut in front of us, and when we can’t move forward, it’s easy to be disappointed. Becoming discouraged is a choice. Don’t give it to it. Praise God anyway. Trust God is working in the interruption and that a testimony is coming soon.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 19:21 - “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 16:9 - “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

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