The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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Listener Favorite: "Praying for Patience" Mar 14, 2023

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This week we are sharing episodes that have become listener favorites. We hope you enjoy this episode.
Episode 636 - "Praying for Patience."
Patience is the ability to accept delay or disappointment graciously. Our default reaction to delay and disappointment is often to respond with frustration and anger. Patience is the ability to allow God’s grace to control our personality so we can respond like God.

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#793: Giving Up Our Right to Seek Revenge Mar 09, 2023

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Have you ever felt the temptation to take revenge? Your work colleague takes the credit for a project you have worked so hard on. Your so-called friend betrays your confidence and spreads lies about you. Your spouse has been unfaithful. Someone has attacked you, mistreated you, ignored you, or socially rejected you.

Main Points:
1. Revenge is the desire or urge to get even with somebody. To punish or cause harm as an act of retaliation.
2. The idea of revenge is only an illusion. You can never “get even” with anyone. It is impossible to balance the scales of hurt. The only possible way to come out on top is to respond to hurt with a godly attitude and trust that God will settle the account.
3. The people of God do not retaliate. The people of God do not seek vengeance. We do not take revenge into our own hands.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 5:44 – “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Romans 12:19-21 - “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

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#792: What God Desires Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

If you and I had been asked what God desires most from our lives, we might have been tempted to say worship. And while God is worthy and deserving of our worship, it’s obedience God desires most.

Main Points:
1. We cannot rationalize our acts of obedience to God. Our obedience to God and His Word is not something we do if it seems logical.
2. God desires obedience. When we surrender our lives in complete obedience we honor God for who He truly is. We also put ourselves in a place where we can receive the blessings of God. The obedient life is the blessed life.
3. Search your heart. Are you offering God partial obedience? Let’s fully surrender our lives to God’s authority.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Samuel 15:9 - “But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good.”
1 Samuel 15:14 - “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”
1 Samuel 15:22 - “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice.”

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#791: Songs in the Night Mar 07, 2023

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In the night hours, when you can’t sleep, instead of dwelling on problems, uncertainties, and anxieties, turn your mind back to a song. A song of worship and a song of praise. If you are married, you might not want to sing aloud and wake your spouse, but in your heart you rehearse the words of praise to God.

Main Points:
1. It’s at night, in the quiet that our fears often increase their volume. Our minds ask, “What if this happens? What if the medical test turns out positive? What if I don’t have enough money? What if my kids make wrong decisions? What if my elderly parents can’t take care of themselves? There seems to be no end to the what if questions.
2. But a song in the night moves us from uncertainty to certainty. We are uncertain about a lot of things in this life, but we are absolutely certain about God. We are certain that nothing will separate us from His love. We are certain he has been faithful in our past and will be faithful in our future. We are certain that He will never leave us or forsake us.
3. Choose your song. Pick a song that exalts Jesus and reminds you of His faithfulness. When all is dark, let it be your song in the night.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 42;8 - "By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.”
Psalm 77:6 - “I remembered my songs in the night.”
Acts 16:25 - “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

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#790: You Must Be Born Again Mar 06, 2023

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 isn’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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#789: The Two People You Need In Your Life Mar 01, 2023

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Every Christian needs two people in their lives. We need someone we are learn from and someone we are discipling. We need someone in our lives that is helping us grow spiritually, and someone we are helping grow.

Main Points:
1. There is much emphasis today on our “personal relationship with Christ.” But sometimes because it’s personal, we forget our responsibility to share it with others.
2. The Scripture informs us that the older women should teach the younger women. The older men should teach the younger men. This may not always refer to age because we know that just because a person is older it does not mean they are mature in the faith. I believe Paul is instructing us to find someone who is new in the faith so we can teach them how to follow Christ. This is discipleship.
3. In discipleship, we model and teach toward a deeper love for and obedience to Christ. The goal of all discipleship is that we would be like Christ in our actions and character.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 28:19-20 - “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you…”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Hebrews 10:24 - “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…”

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#788: Bold as a Lion Feb 28, 2023

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What does it mean to be bold? The dictionary defines the word bold as “a characteristic of confidence and courage.” I believe God is calling for you and me to live our faith out loud with confidence and courage. How else will the world around us know the difference Jesus has made in our lives?

Main Points:
1. Pastor and Author Craig Groeschel wrote, “Sometimes we function as ‘Christian Atheists.’ We believe in God, we just live as though he does not exist.”
2. We’ve been told by our culture that faith is a private matter, it’s in appropriate and rude to share it with anyone else. This, of course, is Satan’s strategy to intimidate believers into silence and ineffectiveness for Christ. If our enemy can cause us to be afraid of what others will think of us, we’ll keep our voices quiet and our influence will be minimized.
3. We cannot be ashamed, timid, or afraid. The gospel is the “good news” of Jesus Christ. God intends for us to live out our faith in a public way. We can do this in kind, gentle, and respectful ways and still have a bold testimony for Christ.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 28:1 - “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Romans 1:16 - “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”

Luke 9:26 - “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

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#787: Generosity is a Key to Spiritual Growth Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

I believe God calls Christians to be generous because generosity is a key component of our spiritual growth. It’s our normal human instinct to be stingy, to think of our own needs, and to be concerned with our own comfort and happiness. Yet, when we break out of that mold and be generous, we are becoming like Christ. One of the greatest characteristics of Jesus is that He was and is generous. If you want to be like Jesus, become a generous person.

Main Points:
1. Why does our level of giving matter to God? Because it reveals our heart. Generosity is an outward demonstration of what we love and what we hold most dear.
2. So, what is it that keeps us from becoming more generous? It’s a great question because most people I know truly want to become more generous. So, why aren’t we. Often times, it comes down to fear. We are afraid that if we are generous, we won’t have enough to meet our own needs.
3. Generosity is a key to spiritual growth because it is a selfless characteristic. As we grow spiritually the things that matter to God become increasingly more important to us.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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

2 Corinthians 8:7 - “See that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

Matthew 6:21 - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 - “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

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#786: Searching for Contentment Feb 23, 2023

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No matter what we have, we want more. I think you would agree, contentment is hard to find. Have you ever said, “I’ll be happy when… I’ll be content when…” Contentment is elusive. The more we have the more we want. We have an idea that when we arrive at a certain place, we’ll finally be content, only to arrive and to still want more.

Main Points:
1. Today, you and I think of contentment as comfort, happiness, and satisfaction, but all of these things are based on our circumstances. Sometimes the circumstances of life don’t leave us comfortable, happy, or satisfied.
2. I love this definition. Contentment is realizing God has given you in your present circumstances everything you need to endure, grow closer to Him, and remain victorious in your relationship with Christ. It is the ability to live steadily above changing circumstances through the power of Christ within you.
3. The key to contentment is realizing that God has already given you, in your present circumstances, everything you need to have joy and fulfillment.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 4:11-13 - “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Luke 12:15 - “A man’s life does not consist of the abundance of things he has.”
Matthew 6:33 – “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

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#785: Why God Makes Us Wait Feb 22, 2023

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 dependance 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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