The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#975: How to Become Wise Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Let’s recognize our desperate need for God’s wisdom. Let’s ask Him for wisdom and believe His promise that He will provide.

Main Points:
1. We can live self-sufficient lives that leave God out of our decision making. This is a critical mistake. God wants to be right in the middle of our choices and decision. He wants to lead, guide, and direct our steps. He has given us His Word, the Bible to be a daily resource that provides His wisdom.

2. Let’s see the value of Godly wisdom. The world, our culture, and our society offers its version of wisdom that most often conflicts with God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to seek God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to value God’s point of view over our own.

3. It would be foolish for us to ignore and reject the wisdom God would give us. But as we know, this often happens to people. Intentionally, and often unintentionally, we pay no attention to God’s wisdom and act as if we know what we are doing.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:5 - “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”

Proverbs 8:11 – “for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Proverbs 2:1-6 – “If you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom.”

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#974: When You Don't Have The Words to Pray Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

How many times you and I have come to God in prayer over a desperate situation and we felt as if we didn’t have the words to pray? We didn’t know what to say. In that moment words seem to fail us.

Main Points:
1. What a powerful truth this is! The Spirit of God knows what our needs are and in our moments of weakness begins to intercede for us.

2. We need the Spirit’s help because we are so weak. There are moments in life when we are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. Circumstances have pushed us over the edge.

3. The Holy Spirit takes up our needs at the deepest emotional level and brings our hurts and cares to the Father’s throne, all in line with the will of God. This should encourage us to pour out our hearts before Him.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 8:26-27 - “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

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#973: Fighting Internal Giants Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

The giants we struggle with the most are not sickness, finances, pain, loss, or grief. Our biggest giants are internal. The battles that take us out are personal. Struggles like lust, greed, selfishness, anger, bitterness, and fear can become giants that destroy our faith, our relationships, and our future. We must guard our hearts and develop a close relationship with Jesus to defeat these giants within.

Main Points:
1. David’s internal giant was lust. You may not battle this one, but perhaps you are fighting another internal giant, one with a different name. Maybe you are fighting the giant of discouragement, despair, fear, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, or unforgiveness.

2. Thankfully, King David was repentant and his relationship with God was restored, but it’s a tragic story that didn’t have to happen, if only David would have guarded his heart. For us, the story is a cautionary tale and a reminder to run to God for help when we are fighting internal giants.

3. Bring your giants to God. With His help, every giant can be defeated.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Samuel 5:13 - “David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem…”

Proverbs 4:23 - “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

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#972: The Lost Discipline of Memorizing Scripture Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

It seems that memorizing scripture is a lost discipline in today’s church culture. I rarely hear anyone talking about the verse they are memorizing, nor do I hear people reciting the verses they have learned by heart.

Main Points:
1. A generation ago, scripture memorization was practiced more regularly. It was talked about in the church. At home, families memorized Bible verses together and practiced quoting them to one another. I remember as a child, my family memorizing Romans chapters six and eight. We also memorized several of the Psalms. Amazingly, many years later, I can still recite many of these Bible verses by heart.

2. When we memorize Bible verses, it allows us to internalize the Word of God. This deepens our spiritual understanding and helps us apply these the scriptures to our daily lives.

3. Putting the Word of God in our hearts and developing the ability to recite verses at any time, gives us strength to fight temptation.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 - “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Colossians 3:16 - “Let the Word of God dwell in you richly…”
Psalm 1:1-2 - “Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

Psalm 119:11 - “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 37:31 - “The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.”

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#971: The Destructive Power of Pride Mar 07, 2024

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 hinders 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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#970: Is Communion Still Necessary? Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Communion is important for us because it is about remembering. We are forgetful people. Jesus left us with a tangible, visual to help us remember the vital importance of His death and resurrection.

Main Points:
1. Holy Communion, sometimes called The Lord’s Supper, is one of the ordinances of the church and is an important part of our worship. As we eat the bread and drink the cup we are remembering the suffering of our Savior, who took our place on the cross. Communion reminds us of our sinfulness and our need for a Savior which prompts gratitude and worship.

2. Communion is about coming together to remember what Jesus has done for us on the cross. As a church, we will never let the memory of Christ’s sacrifices for our sins grow dim. We will never forget such a demonstration of God’s love.

3. Communion is personal. It is a look back, a memorial. It is a look inward, a time to search our hearts, a time of confession and repentance. It is also a time to look forward to the task God has given us, and to the return of Christ.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

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#969: Using Your Influence for God Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

How are you using your influence? Now, you might think you are 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. There are people 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 the purposes of 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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#968: No Condemnation Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

The Bible teaches us that not only does God forgive us, but he removes our condemnation. Grace brings freedom. It provide healing for the soul. Sins are not only forgiven, but God lifts our sentence of guilt. Shame is erased.

Main Points:
1. There is one universal thing every human has in common. We are all sinners. We have all made mistakes. We all have failures and shortcomings.

2. The story of the gospel is that Jesus has come to save us from our sins. Jesus died on the cross taking the penalty for our sins and satisfying the justice of a righteous and holy God. Out of His love and grace he offers us forgiveness of our sins, as we place our faith in Him and confess Him as our Lord and Savior.

3. Stop and think about these words. No condemnation. Not a hint, not a whisper, not even a shadow of it. The believer stands before the throne of God, not as a condemned criminal awaiting punishment, but as a redeemed child embraced by the loving arms of the Father.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 3:23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:11 - “…you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

John 3:17 - “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Romans 8:1 - “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

John 5:24 - “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and he will not be condemned. He has crossed over from death to life."

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#967: Wise Words Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Today, you and I will say a lot of words. We have more ways to communicate than any previous generation. We speak, write, text, email, and social media, all of which require a choice of words. Let’s slow down, think before speaking, allow the Lord to give us wisdom, and choose our words carefully.

Main Points:
1. We might be tempted to think our words don’t matter, but according to God, they really do. Jesus spoke about how our words reveal what is in our hearts.

2. Our words are like a bucket of water dipped into a well. If there is fresh water down deep, that’s what comes out. If what is below is stagnant, polluted, and diseased, that is what will come out. In other words, “If the heart is clean, the words are clean.” If the heart is contaminated, our words will expose it.

3. Because our words have such impact on others, we must ask God to give us wisdom in our daily interactions. Through our words we have the potential to bless, encourage, and inspire. We also have the potential to injure, discourage, and inflict emotional pain.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 4:29 - “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 - “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.”
Proverbs 15:7 - “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.”

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#966: Your Spiritual Gifts Matter Feb 27, 2024

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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