The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#815: Trusting God's Timing May 09, 2023

Show notes

If you have know the Lord for a while, you understand that God’s time is usually not our time. We want God to move much faster than he does. Yet, we must see that God is not slow. God is deliberate. He moves and works within his sovereign time frame. God’s timing is always right.

Main Points:
1. God is never early, never late, but he’s always on time. Our timing isn't God's timing. For us, God's timing often feels like a long, desperate delay. God's perfect timing does two things: It causes our faith to grow as we wait and trust in God and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory from our lives.
2. The Holy Spirit is alive and active in the life of the believer. One of his purposes is to bring guidance and direction to our lives. He is faithful to lead us to God’s plan, but He can also be trusted to guide us to God’s timing.
3. Trust today that your steps are being established by the Lord. When it’s time to take the next step, God will it clear. As you wait, believe that even though the waiting may not make sense, God’s will is being performed in your life. His will, His plan, and His timing is perfect.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 31:15 - "My times are in Your hands ..."

Ecclesiastes 3:11 the Bible says "He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Proverbs 16:9 - “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

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#814: Changing Your Habits May 05, 2023

Show notes

It’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to break the patterns of the world that we have lived by for so long. Now, through Jesus, we can be transformed, and this transformation takes place by a renewal in our minds. As a result, we begin to live by new patterns. Holy patterns. Holy habits.

Main Points:
1. In today’s culture we sometimes talk about habits in their negative connotation. We’ll say, I’m struggling to break some bad habits.” But what if you could form some new habits. What if you and I developed some holy habits? What if we created some habits that helped us grow spiritually?
2. In addition to the habit of prayer, what if we developed the habit of reading God’s Word each day? What if we made time to worship each day? What could happen in our lives if we reconnected with being a part of a church each weekend? There are many wonderful habits you could create that would deepen your walk with God and enable you to be a blessing to others.
3. Imagine starting the habit to encouraging someone every day? Or, creating the habit of regularly using your gifts, talents, and time in a ministry? You could develop the habit of tithing to support your church, or even giving above the tithe to support missionaries who are sharing the gospel message.

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. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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#813: Being Full of God's Joy May 04, 2023

Show notes

One of the needs many people possess is joy. While joy is a fruit of the spirit and a benefit to the lives of believers, it seems to be lacking in our lives. As I look around I see so many who are discouraged. They feel beaten down by the pressures of life. Some Christians have fallen into a place of negativity and criticism toward others. Their general disposition is not one that radiates with God’s joy.

Main Points:
1. The scripture is saying not only can we have joy, but we can also be full of joy. Imagine that! Imagine your life being full of joy. Imagine people noticing how joyful you are. Imagine how blessed you would be and how much your joy would encourage and uplift others.
2. This joy is received only received one way. We must be in God’s presence. Could this be the reason many Christians have no joy? Is it because they do not spend time in God’s presence? It is because they are not going to the source of joy, God himself?
3. In God’s presence, the things that would steal our joy seem to fade way. There is a fullness and completeness we receive by being in God’s presence. There is satisfaction and contentment that is obtained when we spend time with God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 16:11 - “…In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Nehemiah 8:10 - “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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#812: How To Respond When You Don't Understand May 03, 2023

Show notes

Of all the questions in life that go unanswered, it’s often the question of why. Everyone listening to this podcast episode has asked this question. Why? Why did this happen? Why am I going through this? Since this is a universal question, it brings up another great question: As Christians, how do we respond when we don’t understand?

Main Points:
1. Through the strength God provides us, let’s maintain our faith. Let’s hold onto His promises. May we have the courage to bless God on our difficult days. Let’s worship, not only in the good times but also in the bad. Regardless of our circumstances, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
2. May we not forget, our sovereign God has a plan and a purpose that we don’t always see at the moment. Trust in His character that He is a good and loving Heavenly Father. His plan, His purpose, and His path for our lives are right.
3. I know for many of you, these are potentially difficult words to hear. Your circumstances may be painful to endure. They were for Job too. Yet, in the times we cannot understand God’s plan, let’s trust a God who has our lives and our future in His hands.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Job 1:20-22 - “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”

Job 2:9 - His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

Job 2:10 - “He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”

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#811: Got Faith? May 02, 2023

Show notes

Today, everyone has natural faith. You step onto an elevator without any thought of its breaking system. You fly on an airplane and you sit in a chair, both require natural faith. But in order to be born again you must have saving faith. To be forgiven of your sins and to be in a right relationship with God, you must have saving faith.

Main Points:
1. Hebrews 11:6 tells us faith is an essential component of our relationship with God. Without faith, we cannot please God, and we cannot experience the fullness of His blessings in our lives.
2. So, what exactly is faith? The Bible defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for will actually happen, even though we cannot see it with our physical eyes.
3. Having faith requires us to believe in God's existence, His love for us, and His ability to do what He has promised. It means trusting in His character and His word, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It means putting our full confidence in Him and His plan for our lives.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 11:6 - “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Ephesians 2:8 - “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 - “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

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#810: God Hears Your Cry May 01, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever felt like no one was listening to you? It can be hurtful when we feel that those around us are not listening to us. Everyone wants to be heard, but what about those times when it feels that God is not listening? Have you ever cried out to God and it seemed he wasn’t there? Did it feel as if God wasn’t listening? Maybe you wondered God where are you?

Main Points:
1. Today, I’m going to ask you to grab ahold of the promise of God that He does hear our prayers. Our God is listening. Even if it feels as if God doesn’t hear, we can be assured that our great God hears every prayer.
2. Sometimes the cry of our heart is not verbal, it’s an inner cry. Many times we carry this burden and this heaviness with us all the time. Others see us with a smile, not knowing the cry that is on our hearts. But God hears the silent cry. God hears the cry no one else hears.
3. Our God is not indifferent and uncaring. Bring your needs to Him. He loves us and listens to the cry of our hearts.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Genesis 21:15-19 - “When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”
Psalm 18:6 - ”In my distress, I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."

Psalm 116:1-2 - ”I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."

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#809: You Have a Story to Tell Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

In fact, your story is one of your greatest ministry tools. I meet people who feel they have nothing to offer the Lord. In their minds, they feel incapable of serving in some ministry. Yet, every one of us has a story. It’s a God story. It’s a story of how we met Jesus, the circumstances of your salvation, and how Jesus has changed your life.

Main Points:
1. If you have never sat down and written out your spiritual testimony in chronological order when you do, you’ll be amazed at how God has been working in your life. No testimony is boring. Your story is unique and fascinating, and whenever you tell it, it will be relevant, and potentially life-changing for the listener.
2. Your story is simply an account of how God has changed your life. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then surely He has done miraculous things for you. People are looking for evidence that God exists and that He is personally involved in people’s lives. You can’t make God appear on the spot to prove His existence, but you can certainly point straight to Him by talking about how He has worked in your life.
3. It’s true the Holy Spirit moves us and leads us in our conversations about Christ. But it’s our responsibility to use what the Lord gives us in the best possible way. We prepare for important meetings – we need to prepare to give an account of our faith as well.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

“And with great power, the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33 ESV)

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#808: Everything We Need Follows Surrender Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Years ago, I heard a life-changing quote that has stayed with me for years. It said, “Everything you need is on the other side of surrounding your life to God.” I believe this statement is absolutely true. Everything we need God can provide. I pray you take that truth to heart. Everything you need God can provide. Yet, often the provision doesn’t come until we surrender to God.

Main Points:
1. As long as we think we can do it without God, he’ll let us try. When we come up empty, it’s then that we realize surrender is a good idea. God wants us to love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we put God first in our lives, when we give him control, we’ll experience the joy of God’s provision in every area of life.
2. God’s plan is not about depriving us of good things. He delights to give his children good gifts. He also desires, above all else, for us to follow him and delight in him. Sometimes God will make us sacrifice something we want, to secure our heart for the greatest good: himself.
3. Is there an area of your life in which God is calling you to surrender? Have you been holding on tightly out of fear and uncertainty for the future? Take a step of faith and let go. Surrender. Trust our loving Father with everything that is important to you. He won’t fail.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 26:39 - “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

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#807: The Blessing is in the Giving Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Remember this truth today: We have been blessed to be a blessing. What are we to do with our blessings? We are to bless others. Proverbs teaches that those who hoard their blessings will no longer be blessed. The blessing is found in the giving.

Main Points:
1. Continually, the scripture speaks to the heart and motive behind our actions. The Bible teaches us that if we give to be seen by others, well, then we have our reward. If our motive in giving is to receive something back, we give with the wrong motive.
2. Jesus is teaching us that the blessing is found in the giving. The blessing is found in the serving. The blessing is found in ministering to the needs of others.
3. Sometimes, God, in his goodness, rewards us here and now, and even openly for our generosity. But the Bible teaches us there are greater blessings coming in the Kingdom of God when we lay up treasures in Heaven.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 20:35 - “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Proverbs 11:25 - “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

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#806: What is Cheap Grace? Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

As followers of Jesus, you and I know that God’s grace is not cheap. It was costly and expensive. It cost Jesus his very life. A great price was paid for you and I to receive and experience the wonderful grace of God.

Main Points:
1. Receiving God’s grace is the entry point into the Kingdom of God. It’s the starting line of our salvation. No one is forgiven of their sins without receiving the grace of God. But many have wondered, what comes next? What comes after our salvation? What does God want to do in our lives after we have been born again?
2. According to scripture, God's grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions. It teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives as we wait for the return of Christ.
3. We see that recipients of God’s grace cannot live as if they have not experienced His grace. No, grace will change us. Grace leads us to repentance. Grace calls us to obedience. Grace asks us to lay down the old life and pick up a new one. Grace instructs us to walk in holiness and righteousness.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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

Titus 2:11-13 - "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”
Matthew 16:24 - “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

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