The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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Listener Favorite: Peace in the Midst of the Storm Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

As I record this podcast episode, I know that many of you find yourselves in the midst of a storm. Some of you are facing storms in your relationships. Some are facing heath storms or financial storms. Others are facing storms in your work or even your ministry.

Main Points:

1. Remember this, we serve a God who can bring peace in the midst of the fiercest storm. He’s never faced a storm he couldn’t calm. With just a word, Jesus can calm your storm. All we have to do is be like the disciples and turn to him. Cry out to him today. He will either calm the storm in our outward circumstances, or he will calm the storm inside you. Either way, there is peace in the midst of the storm.
2. Instead of focusing on the size of your storm, focus on the size of your God. He is fully capable of handling anything you are facing. You are not alone in your storm. He is in your boat. Look to him today for the peace you need.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 4:38-41 - “The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

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Listener Favorite: The Cure for Anxiety Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

Anxiety is something we all face. It’s likely that this week you have been anxious about something. Maybe it’s your health, your family, your finances, or your job, but anxiety is something we are all familiar with.

Main Points:

1. Present your request to God through prayer. God is inviting us to bring our needs to him. He says in every situation, prayer is the answer. This is something all of us can do. It’s not complicated. There are no correct words. If you can talk you can pray. Tell God about it.
2. It’s very hard to be anxious while you are praising and worshipping God. As you remember his past faithfulness, your heart becomes calm. What once caused anxiety no longer caused you to fear.
3. As anxious feelings come over you, follow the biblical pattern Paul offers us. Bring your needs to God in prayer, but don’t forget the thanksgiving part. It’s a critical step. I believe you’ll experience this supernatural peace God offers.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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#644: Is Money a Spiritual Issue? Jun 18, 2022

Show notes

According to Jesus, money is a spiritual issue. Loving money is a root cause for many kinds of sin. Greed and materialism can consume our hearts. The ambition and drive for more and more and more can turn into idolatry and can lead us away from the Lord. Jesus is not saying wealth is bad in and of itself. There were many wealthy people in the Bible. He is not pushing poverty as a way to godliness. But he does want us to consider where we are investing our treasure.

Main Points:

1. When we begin to lay up treasures in heaven, we gain an eternal perspective. Our heart changes, what we love changes, and our passions change.
2. When we invest our finances in the Kingdom of God, and when we give to the work of the Lord, it keeps our heart and our priorities focused on God. Everything in this life is temporary and will pass away, but the Kingdom of God is eternal. When we give financially to God’s Work it has an eternal impact.
3. This is a question every Christ-follower must ask: Where am I investing the finances God has given me?

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:21 - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-20 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

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#643: How We Develop Character Jun 17, 2022

Show notes

Character is never built in a classroom. Character is built in the circumstances of life. God builds character in our lives by allowing us to experience situations where we are tempted to do the exact opposite of the character quality. Character development always involves a choice. When we make the right choice, our character grows more like Christ.

Main Points:

1. We don’t know why tragic circumstances happen in our lives. We don’t know why accidents happen. We don’t know why people receive bad news from the doctor. Life and its difficulties comes to us all. Live long enough and you will experience suffering.
2. God will use every circumstance of our lives to help us be more like Jesus. If you think back over your life you’ll realize that you have grown through the things you suffered.
3. Christ-like character is the goal of the Christian life. To settle for anything less is to miss the point of spiritual growth.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 43:2 - “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

Hebrews 5:8 - “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:29 - “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

Ephesians 4:13 - We are to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

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#642: An All-Seeing and All-Knowing God Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

Our relationship with God is like no other. In our relationships with people, there may be a thousand things they don’t know about you, especially as it is related to the heart. Your friend doesn’t know your thoughts, your desires, your motives, and your feelings, but God does.

Main Points:

1. Think about this truth: God knows absolutely everything about you and he loves you. You are fully and completely known, and yet you are loved.
2. Because God know everything about us, he can guide and direct our steps. In life, we are often confused and disoriented. We don’t know the best way forward. We don’t know which steps to take, but since God already knows, he can carefully guide us to the right decisions.
3. The truth that God sees and knows everything reminds us to live in a way that honors the Lord. If we can be conscious to the reality that God is always watching, we will want to be careful with our thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions because we know God has called us to be holy like our Savior.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

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

Hebrews 4:13 - “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Jeremiah 23:24 - “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”

Matthew 6:8, Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

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#641: Trusting God's Plan Jun 15, 2022

Show notes

Do you ever wonder what God is up to? When there is a path forward that seems to be logical, rational, and reasonable, yet God takes another path? What is God’ doing? Where is He taking us? These are questions we all ask. But here is a better question for us to consider: Will we trust God’s plan? Will we trust our lives to a sovereign God who sees and knows all things?

Main Points:

1.Our decision to trust God comes down to our belief in his goodness. If you truly believe God is good, that his is loving, and that what he does is always right, you are more likely to trust him.
2. The longer you serve God, the more you realize that God’s ways don’t always make sense to us. He knows and sees what what we do not. If you are waiting for God to make sense to you, it’s not likely you will trust Him. This is a faith journey. Will you believe? Will you put your complete trust in him?
3. Whatever you are facing today remember that God knows and that He has a plan. Decide to trust Him. Let His plan for your life unfold.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 4:37-38 - “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

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#640: God Will Provide Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Be assured of this truth: Whatever you need, God can supply. He never runs out of provision. He never runs out of anything. Today you can ask him for more wisdom, strength, peace, comfort, guidance, protection, financial provision, spiritual power, and more.

Main Points:

1. Since there is no lack in God’s riches in glory, we should anticipate that there would be no lack in God’s supply.
2. God has not promised to provide for all of our wants, but he has promised to meet all of our needs. Like any good parent, God would never give us what He knows would harm us. His intent is to help us develop Christlikeness. Some of the things we want are not good for us. They may not be God’s will for us. So, out of his infinite knowledge, God knows what to provide and what not to provide.
3. There are at least 169 verses in the Bible that refer to the ways God provides for us. These verses give us great confidence that God will meet our need. But there is one more truth that gives us complete assurance of God’s provision. Our Heavenly Father has held nothing back, He has even given us his son, Jesus.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Philippians 4:19 - “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 37:25 - “Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”

Romans 8:32 - “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

Psalm 34:10 - “…those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

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#639: Being Prepared to Give an Answer Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

When we live out our faith in public, it naturally produces questions in the minds of unbelievers. We’ll likely hear questions such as: Why are you a Christian? What do you believe about God? Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God? Why did Jesus die on the cross? Where is God in this messed up world? Why do you go to church on Sundays?

Main Points:

1. We need to reject the cultural pressure to keep our beliefs to ourselves. This is the strategy of Satan, to intimidate believers into keeping their mouths shut and not speaking up for our savior. Remember, we have good news! Good news is to be shared with others.
2. Over the years, I’ve heard Christian say they don’t share their faith because they don’t feel prepared to answer these questions. This is exactly why the Apostle Peter says we are to “get ready.” We can prepare ourselves by thinking though how we would share our testimony. Write down why you believe in Jesus. Discuss with a friend or family member how you would answer basic questions.
3. We must pray and ask God to use us. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and mind with the words to say. Trust that He will enable you to speak beyond your natural ability. Believe that God will use your words to speak to the hearts of the listener.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 3:15 - "“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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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#638: Remembering the Persecuted Church Jun 11, 2022

Show notes

For those of us in the West, suffering, and persecution for our faith are minimal. It might be easy to forget that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are suffering greatly as a result of the gospel. May we “remember their chains.” May we not forget them and may we pray for God’s strength, comfort, and help in their time of need.

Main Points:

1. There are thousands of suffering believers around the world who could say what Paul said, “Remember my chains.” Don’t forget about us. Remember us in prayer. Lift us up before the Lord.
2. We can pray that persecuted Christians will experience the peace of God in the midst of their suffering. We can only imagine the stress, fear, and anxiety that must accompany such distress.
3. We can pray that persecuted Christians remain strong in their faith in Jesus. Let’s ask the Lord to enable their faith to grow and that it won’t be weakened.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Colossians 4:18 - “ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”

Ephesians 6:18-20 - “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

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#637: The Only Prayer Request Jesus Gave Jun 10, 2022

Show notes

As we read the four Gospels, we see Jesus modeling prayer and teaching His disciples to pray, but did you know that Jesus gave us only one prayer request? Yes, Jesus himself asks us to pray for something.

Main Points:

1. As Jesus speaks about the lost, those who have not put their faith in God, he uses the metaphor of a field of crops that are ripe and ready to be harvested. He said the harvest is plentiful. There are many who would come into the kingdom of God, yet there is one obstacle. The workers are few. Jesus warned us that opportunities to meet human need and bring people into His kingdom may be wasted because of a shortage of laborers.
2. It’s here that Jesus gives us his prayer request. Since the harvest belongs to the Lord, we are to pray to Him and ask him to send more workers into his harvest field.
3. There is an urgency in the heart of Jesus. As he sees the need, he knows that time is of the essence. A harvest will not always be ready. Eventually, a missed harvest will spoil, its fruit will rot. There is a need for laborers and the need is now.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 9:37-38 - “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

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