The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#694: God-Given Opportunities Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Today God will give you an opportunity. I believe it happens every day. God gives you and me opportunities to serve Him through our witness, acts of kindness, words of encouragement, and steps of faith.

Main Points:

1. So often we miss these opportunities to serve God because they are small. We don’t recognize them as a chance to be a blessing to someone because, after all, it’s such a small thing. Instead, we are looking at the big things. We are looking for open doors that are larger, more influential, and more notable. Yet, the great things done for God are really small things done with faithfulness.
2. According to Jesus, God’s definition of greatness is found in being faithful in small opportunities. Sometimes we think these small opportunities are not worth our time, they are insignificant, and they don’t matter, but they really do.
3. Imagine a lifetime of being faithful to serve others, to encourage the discouraged, to pray for someone in need, to courageously share your faith, to feed the hungry, and to reach out to someone who is lonely. The cumulative impact of consistent small opportunities is staggering.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 5:15-16 - “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”

Matthew 20:26-28 - “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 16:10 - “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

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#693: The Glory of God Displayed in Creation Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

God has given everyone a general revelation of himself by displaying the beauty and power of creation. Though some reject this truth, it is obvious in the heart and mind of man that there is a God.

Main Points:

1. As we look around at our world, we see the clues God has left. When you stand at the Grand Canyon, you can’t help but be overwhelmed at the mighty power of God to create such magnificence. When you see the vast Pacific Ocean, the power of Niagara Falls, the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, you know there must be a creator.
2. I believe King Solomon was right when he said in Ecclesiastes, “God has put eternity on our hearts.” The longing we feel, the cravings we experience, and the unfulfilled desires all leads us to the one who can meet every need and satisfy our every desire. His name is Jesus. He is the Son of God, our Savior, and our Lord.
3. Seasons come and seasons go, but nothing in this life is completely satisfying. Solomon said, “it’s all vanity.” But through it all, we have a glimpse of something more. We recognize this world is not our home. Creation points to a God who is in control and one who has given us a Savior.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 1:20 - “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11 states God has “set eternity in the human heart.”
Psalm 19:1 - “The Heavens declare the glory of God.”

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#692: Standing on Holy Ground Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

Do you recognize the presence of God in your life? In one sense God is always with us, but I believe if we seek him, God will show up in manifest presence and power. Let’s ask God to give us a greater desire and awareness of His presence.

Main Points:

1. Imagine how incredible this moment was for Moses. He was in the very presence of God himself. There was a work God wanted to do in him and through him. God had a task and a purpose for Moses’ life, but it would require the presence of God.
2. The same is true for your life. God has a task and a purpose for you, but it too will require the presence of God. It will also require the removal of sin and things that are impure.
3. Moses recognized the sustaining power of God’s presence was essential in his life and in the life of the Israelites. We must come to this recognition as well.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Exodus 3:2-6 - “Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up. When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.”

Exodus 33:15-16 - “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

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#691: When Jesus Moved into the Neighborhood Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

Jesus leaves the glory and majesty of Heaven and takes on flesh and blood. He becomes one of us. He doesn’t leave his deity behind, but he takes on humanity. He is fully God and fully human at the same time. Yes, it is miraculous.

Main Points:

1. Not only does Jesus take on humanity. He moves into our world, our neighborhood, our very lives. He experienced what we experience. He knew joy, happiness, friendship, love, temptation, sadness, frustration, and sorrow. He even experienced suffering and death on our behalf.
2. This is what Jesus has done for you and for me. He moved into our lives. He moved into our families. He moved into our neighborhood.
3. We have a Savior who knows, who understands, and who cares. On His own initiative, Jesus came to earth to live as we live, to serve, and give his life as a ransom for our sins. What an incredible thought. Jesus moved into the neighborhood.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 1:1-5 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:14 - “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 MSG - “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”
Hebrews 4:15 - “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

1 Peter 5:7 - “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

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#690: A New Command Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

The identifying mark of Christ's followers is not in how we vote, what we wear, or the causes we embrace. Scripture may inform God’s desires in all of those things, but the according to Jesus, the identifying mark of His followers is to love them with the same love we have received from God.

Main Points:

1. In the New Testament, as Jesus is preparing His disciples for his departure and their ministry that would follow, he gave them something new. A new idea. A new concept. A new way of living.
2. They weren’t to just love others, as they so determined. You see, we can be very selective in our love for others. We love some a lot, we love others a little, and with some, we might just go through the motions.
3. Jesus said, “Love as I loved you.” These disciples would think back over the three years they had spent with Jesus. They experienced love, acceptance, kindness, mercy, and forgiveness. This love they had received, they were to emulate. They were to give it to others.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

John 13:34-35 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

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#689: The Power of Earnest Prayer Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

Let us remember that nothing is a substitute for earnest prayer. Nothing can take its place. Today’s church does many important things, but we must make prayer a priority.

Main Points:

1. This is a remarkable story of God’s power and deliverance, but what stands out to me the most from this story is the commitment of the church to prayer. This miracle happened in the middle of the night. The church was not asleep because they knew the next day Peter would be put on trial. The church was having an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to protect Peter.
2. It was a desperate situation but I believe they remembered that Jesus told them to “ask and it will be given you.” The Greek word tells us that they were “straining in prayer”. It was not a casual prayer, “Lord, bless Peter tonight.” No, it was a desperate prayer, a fervent prayer, and an earnest prayer. They were seeking God. They were crying out to God for Peter’s deliverance. This is intercessory prayer.
3. When was the last time you gathered with other believers and prayed an earnest prayer? Let’s recommit ourselves to prayer. The God who hears will answer.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Acts 12:5-10 - “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.”
James 5:16 - “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Mark 11:17 - “My house shall be called a house of prayer.”

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#688: God Knows Your Story Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

Let this truth encourage you today. God knows you. He sees you. On this planet of almost eight billion people, God knows you. He loves you. He has a purpose for you.

Main Points:

1. While we often limit the extent of what we share with others, there is one who knows it all. God sees and knows all things. God has intimate knowledge about your life.
2. I suppose that for some this is a scary thought. “Wow! God knows everything, I mean, everything about me?” However this revelation is not to frighten us, it’s to encourage us. The God who knows more than anyone ever has or could, loves us deeply. He knows about your every struggle, weakness, temptation, and sin, and yet he has never given up on you. And He never will.
3. What a powerful thought. To be fully known and fully loved. What’s even more amazing is that this God of love is actively at work in our lives to help us fulfill His plan and purpose. You see, God’s love doesn’t just accept us as we are, it’s God’s will for us to reach our potential. This potential is to be like Jesus in our character.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 139:1-4 - “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.”

Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
2 Timothy 2:19 - “God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his.’”

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#687: What Kind of Neighbor am I? Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

What would the world be like if we viewed everyone as our neighbors? And, what if we truly loved our neighbors as we love ourselves?

Main Points:

1. Our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationships to the people in our lives. We can’t be in a love relationship with God and not act in love towards other people. This is what Jesus calls the greatest commandments: love God, and because you love God – you will love people.
2. Sometimes you may not feel like loving someone. You may not feel any sympathy or compassion. We demonstrate our love for God when we love others with our actions, regardless of our feelings. God will often provide the love we need to feel when we act before we feel. What would I do, if I did have appropriate? feelings toward them?
3. Let’s ask this important question: What kind of neighbor am I? Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and let God direct you to be a neighbor to someone in need.=

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 22:37-39 - “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 13:35 - “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

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#686: Where is Your Focus? Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

It’s so easy to become distracted and to turn our eyes to other things. Whether it’s other people, mistakes or failures, or simply the cares of life, we are tempted to look away from Jesus. We don’t usually do this intentionally, we just become distracted.

Main Points:

1. The scripture likens the Christian life to a race that is to be finished. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. It’s the only way we will finish this race. We must not become distracted and lose our focus.
2. We cannot run this race aimlessly. We cannot run in a casual, pointless way. Our Savior has marked out this race for us. We keep our eyes on Jesus and off of the world as we stay in His Word, in worship, and in prayer. We stay focused on Jesus as we seek to do His will.
3. Where is your focus today? Is it others? Is it on your problems? Is it on the cares of life? Let’s intentionally turn our eyes on Jesus, the one who can give us the strength to finish our race.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.”

Colossians 3:1 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

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#685: The Gift of the Holy Spirit Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

The God we serve is a gift-giver. He loves to give gifts to His children, but not just any gifts. He always gives good gifts. He will never give you a gift you don’t need and can’t use. In fact, he knows what we need better than we do.

Main Points:

1. In Several places in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is called a gift. To be filled with the presence and power of God is an incredible gift.
2. I’ve seen people be hesitant and even afraid of the Holy Spirit. Let’s trust the character of our good Heavenly Father. He knows what we need and has wonderful gifts to give us, including the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3. The Spirit is given to empower believers to be a witness for Christ. The task of evangelism we are called to cannot be accomplished in our strength alone. We need a power greater than our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:17 - “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Acts 2:38 - “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 10:45 - “And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.”

Joel 2:28-29 - “ I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

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