The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#764: Keeping our Eyes on Jesus Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

What wind and waves have caught your attention? What storm has caused you to look away from Jesus? Let’s learn what Peter learned. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. As the howl of the wind gets louder, we’ll be tempted to become distracted. As the waves crash higher, we’ll be enticed to look away.

Main Points:
1. Jesus is teaching us here that we are to keep our eyes on Him. No matter how big the storm is, Jesus is sufficient to see us through. The storm did not overwhelm Peter and his fellow disciples. Why? Because Jesus was with them.
2. Let’s hear the words of our savior. “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” In our humanity, we experience doubt when our problems become bigger to us than God. We battle doubt because we don’t always know what God will do. We don’t know how we will face this storm.
3. Don’t forget, you are not facing this storm alone. The one who is greater than the storm is with you. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. He will get you out of the storm or he will get you through the storm. Either way, Jesus will be with you.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 14:26-33 - “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 - “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”

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#763: The Never-Ending Knowledge of God Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

One of the characteristics of God is that He is omniscient. This means God sees and knows all things. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Main Points:
1. The omniscience of God is not meant to cause us to fear. While the book of Hebrews lets us know that God knows even the thoughts and intents of our hearts, the omniscience of God is a good thing.
2. The knowledge of God assures us that God will meet our needs. The Bible tells us He knows our needs even before we ask Him. While God desires and delights in our prayer, His full knowledge of our lives provides him with the necessary information to meet our needs.
3. The knowledge of God provides us with confidence that our future is in God’s hands. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but God does. The God who protects us, sustains us, and guides us today, will be faithful tomorrow. I can sleep tonight in peace knowing He has tomorrow in his hands.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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

Isaiah 40:28 - “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”

Job 28:24 - “For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”

Hebrews 55:8-9 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

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#762: Fight Your Battles with Praise Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

We can choose to respond to adversity with fear, anxiety, and worry. We can also choose to respond with praise and worship. You might say, “Yes, but Loren, praise doesn’t change my circumstances.” It might not, but it certainly will change what is happening inside of you.

Main Points:
1. As we praise, we confess what we know is true about God. We choose to trust and to believe, rather than to fear and despair.
2. Praise and worship are like nothing else. While God is the object of our praise, He, in turn, fills us with his presence. Praise and worship glorify and honor God, but it also lifts our spirits, give us joy, and reminds us that God is present.
3. Fight your battles with praise. As you do, the presence of God will encourage and uplift your soul.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 16:22-24 - “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
Acts 16:25 - “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”
Romans 12:12 - “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

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#761: Putting Jesus First in our Lives Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

To love God first is to put him first in our affection, attention, and priority. If anyone or anything comes before God, it becomes an idol. We can even make ministry for him more important than a relationship with him. This too is idolatry.

Main Points:
1. Our motive for putting Jesus first in our lives cannot be the desire for blessings alone. The primary reason we put Jesus first is because He is worthy. Jesus is supreme. He is preeminent. He alone is God. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
2. What is true in our theology must be true in practice. What is true in our beliefs, must be true in our lifestyle.
3. You and I will never be fulfilled until we put God first in our lives. And we can never do that until we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ once and for all.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Revelation 2:4-5 - “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”
Colossians 1:15-16 - “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”
Colossians 1:18 - “Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.”

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#760: Salvation Through Christ Alone Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

The Bible clearly teaches salvation comes through Christ alone. There is no other path, no other way, and no other possibility. If you will be saved from your sins and forgiven by God, you will come through Christ, and Christ alone.

Main Points:
1. There are those today who don’t like the fact that the Bible proclaims faith in Jesus as the only way to salvation. The exclusivity of Christ is a problem for them. Why can’t there be many ways to be saved? Don’t all roads lead to God? Why can’t we pick and choose a path of salvation that seems to work best for us?
2. Instead of complaining about the lack of multiple ways to be saved, we should be grateful there is a way at all. If Christ had not come to be our savior, if He had not come to rescue us out of compassion and grace, we would be completely hopeless, with no way of salvation.
3. We should willingly receive the gift of salvation, provided for us by Jesus. He is offering us a way of salvation. It is the only way to salvation. It is through Christ, and Christ alone.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

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#759: The Power of God is Not for Sale Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

The Spirit of God is not for sale. It is not a commodity that can be bought or sold. The power of God can only be received. It is to be used only for kingdom purposes. God, who knows our hearts, will never give us His anointing and power if He knows we have improper motives.

Main Points:
1. It’s not wrong to want to be used by God. In fact, it’s a wonderful desire. It’s a holy desire. But an important question is: “Why do you want to be used by God? Why do you want His power in your life?”
2. If our ambition is to build our own kingdom, set up our own platform, and receive our own recognition, we will never be given the power of God.
3. I believe today God freely gives His Holy Spirit to those with pure hearts and those who sincerely desire for God to use their lives for His glory.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 8:20-24 - “But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin. “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

Jeremiah 17:10 - “I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

Psalm 115:1 - “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory…”

Revelation 4:11 - “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

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#758: Don't Let Your Spiritual Fire Go Out Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

When describing a Christian who is passionate about their faith in Jesus, we might say they are “on fire for God.” We are saying they are fervent and zealous about their relationship with Jesus. It’s likely you would agree that this intense and passionate pursuit of Jesus has to be maintained. We have to intentionally stoke the fire to keep it burning hot. If not, the fire will eventually burn out. A fire left alone will burn out. It’s only a matter of time.

Main Points:
1. I want to challenge you today to not let your spiritual fire go out. Be intentional about keeping the flames of your faith burning. Pay attention to your spiritual life. If you ignore it, if you neglect it, the flames will go out.
2. If there was a time in your life when your fire for God burned hotter than it does today, there is still hope. Put another log on your fire. Your fire and passion for God can be reignited.
3. This is a good day for all of us to check our spiritual thermometer. What is the temperature of our relationship with God? Are we burning hot in our passion and zeal for the Lord?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Leviticus 6:12 - “The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning…”

Romans 12:11 - “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Matthew 22:37 - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Revelation 2:5 - “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”

2 Timothy 1:6 - “I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you.”

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#757: Choosing to Forgive Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

One of the greatest challenges we face emotionally is how we will respond when we are hurt. With the offense, we have a choice. Will we respond with grace and forgiveness, or will we respond with harshness and cynicism? Will we be quick to overlook an offense or will we respond with the same hurt we experienced?

Main Points:
1. I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s not always easy to respond in a Christ-honoring way. We feel pain, and it seems human to respond in the same way. We tend to match emotion with emotion, anger with anger, and insult with insult.
2. You and I can refuse to allow ourselves to become bitter. I wish I could offer you an offense-free life and promise you that from now on you will no longer be hurt by others, but such promises cannot be made. I can promise you that the Holy Spirit will give you the power to forgive and move on.
3. Unforgiveness is a burden. I think we all know what it feels like. But forgiveness is freedom. Where there was once sorrow, heaviness, and bitterness, is now comfort and peace. When we forgive, we are released from bondage. Forgiveness is like God opening the prison door and allowing us to walk away and leave it all behind.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 19:11 - “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”

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#756: Our Motivation for Reaching the Lost Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

So, what motivates us to speak up, while the culture is trying to silence our voice? What enables us to push past our fear of offending someone to let them know what Jesus has done for us? There is only one answer: it is our love for Jesus. We speak up because we love Jesus.

Main Points:
1. It’s as simple as this: If we love Jesus, we will obey his command to make disciples. If we love Jesus, we will look for opportunities to tell others of His saving grace. We should not feel afraid or intimidated. We have been given the Holy Spirit for this very purpose, to empower us to be a witness.
2. And remember, the gospel is good news. The truth that Jesus died for our sins and rose again is good news. That God would offer us grace, mercy, and forgiveness is good news. The promise of eternal life is good news. Why would we keep this good news from anyone?
3. Our love for Jesus, must overcome our fear of offending people. Why do we assume they will be offended anyway? We don’t know, but perhaps the Holy Spirit has been working in their heart and they are perfectly ready to hear the good news about Jesus.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 10:14 - “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

John 14:23 - “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.”

1 Peter 3:15 - “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

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#755: The Joy-Filled Life Dec 26, 2022

Show notes

Through our relationship with Jesus, we possess the ability to live with joy, regardless of our circumstances. While the world around us may be falling apart, feeling defeated, and living in despair, Christians have the blessing of choosing to live with joy.

Main Points:
1. How does this happen? How can you be joyful when life isn’t going well? It’s here we often confuse joy with happiness. They are not the same thing. Happiness is the result of having a good set of circumstances. Joy is different. Joy is God-given. It’s not natural, it’s supernatural. In Galatians chapter five, we learn that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
2. We experience joy as we abide daily with Jesus. Remember, He is the source of our joy! If you want joy, spend time with him. Joy is the result of being with Jesus. As you experience the fulfillment of His presence, joy remains.
3. We experience joy when we choose to trust God. Psalm 40:4 - “Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord…” When we choose to trust the Lord, we are choosing not to worry, fret, and be anxious. As we choose to trust God, we remember He is trustworthy.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

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

1 Peter 1:8 - “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

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