The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

Which physical posture of prayer is the right one for you?  I would say, none of them! Rather than the external posture, the Bible emphasizes the posture of the heart. Whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down, the important thing is that your heart is bowed in submission to the lordship of Christ.  Main Points: 1. True prayer is characterized by the posture of the heart, not the physical p...

Some of the basic questions of life are what is right, and what is wrong? What is good? And what is bad? What is morality, and do you, as a person, have morals?”  Is there a code of ethics for everyone to ascribe to? Morality in its simplest definition is “the distinction between right and wrong, but should we all define what is moral the same way?  Main Points: 1. Throughout history people, socie...

The children of God are peacemakers.  A peacemaker is someone who intentionally works to help people reconcile with God and others.  Anyone who does the hard work of peacemaking will be blessed by God. Main Points: 1. The word “peace” in Matthew 5:9 combines two Greek words.  Together they mean to bring about wholeness, to bring all the essential parts together in wholeness. 2. Peace-making requir...

We are not God. We are not little gods, but we were created to be like God in character and lifestyle. Our life should reflect the glory of God to others. When we do this, we are healthy and whole. The Bible describes this as holiness. Main Points: 1. Our sin has distorted the image of God within us, and now we can’t see ourselves as God sees us. We ascribe to labels the world places on us. We str...

As Christians, we must see that the grace that offers us God’s forgiveness, enables us to forgive others when they sin against us. Main Points: 1. Our forgiveness of others is a response to the forgiveness we have received. If God can forgive me, he can enable me to forgive others. 2. Christianity is a religion of forgiveness and healing. It is about God’s forgiveness of us, and our forgiveness of...

The Big Idea:  Fear of the Lord is deep respect, awe, and reverence for God.  We give God the glory, honor, reverence, gratitude, and praise, he deserves.  God holds this preeminent position in our hearts and lives.  We regard his desires over and above our own. Main Points: 1. We should fear or respect the Lord as one who has authority over us. It is a recognition that we are accountable to Him. ...

The Big Idea:  As Christians, our convictions are shaped by biblical principles. Since we believe the Bible is God’s Word and that its truth lasts forever, our beliefs and convictions cannot change regardless of the changes in our society. Main Points: 1. What are your core convictions? Have you ever made a list? A conviction is a firmly held belief. It is part of who you are as a person. It shape...

The Big Idea:  Joy in the Biblical context is not an emotion.  Joy is an attitude of the heart.  It is not necessarily based on something positive happening.  Joy is something that lasts; happiness is something that is temporary.  When happiness fades away, joy remains.  Joy is something God deposits into us through the Holy Spirit.   Main Points: 1. In these verses, Jesus actually gives us the ke...

The Big Idea:  If you fully understand the gospel and what Jesus has done for us, you comprehend that was not just executed 2,000 years ago by the Romans. You recognize that He willingly laid down his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus died for us. He took our place. With his death on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins, so we would not have to. Main Points: 1. Since God is just, he d...

The Big Idea:  When we come to God in prayer, our confidence is not found in ourselves, our ability to pray good prayers or even the amount of our faith. Our confidence rests solely in God. We are confident in His love, His character, and his power. We are confident in His promises and that He always fulfills his Word. Main Points: 1. It’s possible to bring a lack of confidence into our prayer liv...

The Big Idea:  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. Main Points: 1. God is never early, never late, but he’s always on time. Our timing isn't God'...

The Big Idea:  From scripture, we come to see that love is more than words, feelings, and emotions. Love is action. True love calls for us to do something, and also to refrain from some things.  Main Points: 1. Love, when truly demonstrated, is not just an emotion expressed to family and close friends. Love is seen the clearest when it is given to those we think don’t deserve it and those who don’...

The Big Idea:  Think about this truth for a moment: The God we serve has no limits. There is no limit to his power, his ability, his creativity, or even his love. God is not limited in the ways he can meet your needs. He has infinite possibilities. Main Points: 1. Sometimes I cry out to God to meet a need. I’m trying to bring my faith to believe God can meet it. But lately, I hear God’s voice chal...

We should desire to be like Jesus in our values, beliefs, character, and behavior. The only way we can be imitators of God is that we would follow him. We must come to know Him. We must learn from Him, and it’s only then that we will know what to imitate. Main Points: 1. In some ways, we cannot be like God. You and I will never be all-knowing or all-powerful. We will never be omnipresent. We canno...

Through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us we can be watchful, alert, and on guard against Satan’s attacks. We can recognize spiritual warfare when it comes. We don’t have to be caught unaware. We can resist, and with God’s strength, stand against our enemy’s attacks. Main Points: 1. I have noticed that quite often the scripture calls for us as believers to be alert, vigilant, sober...

I’m convinced you have potential you cannot see. God has placed within you the potential to make a difference, to be a blessing, and to do great things for His Kingdom. Quite often, we cannot see our potential. We downplay our gifts and talents. We think others are more capable and more qualified. We hesitate to step out in faith and let God use our gifts. In doing so, both ourselves and those we...

As I prayed about today's podcast episode, I sensed God saying to me that there would be people listening today who are ready for their lives to change. They would be desperate to change.  Main Points: 1. Some of you here today need to hear a word from God.  And what he wants to tell you is that he wants to change you.  The Christian life is fundamentally a changed life.  His change is not so...

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 throu...

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 bec...

In the greatest demonstration of love the world has ever seen, Jesus, the Son of God, willingly lays down His life as a sacrifice for sinners. Christ died for us so that we won’t have to die. Motivated by love, Jesus takes our place on the cross. He becomes our substitute. He satisfied the justices of a holy God, by taking our penalty.  Main Points: 1. This love is not conditional—it is rooted in...

God invites us into this intimacy. He calls for us to be close to Him. This is what differentiates Christianity from any other religion in the world. God is not cold and distant. He welcomes closeness with himself. He calls and invites us to seek Him and pursue Him. Main Points: 1. Can you hear His voice? In your loneliness, in your anxiety, in your frustration, and in your desperation, God is cal...

To fulfill God’s plan for your life, it will take courage. Your next step will require courage. But here’s what’s encouraging, you don’t have to exhibit a lot of courage, just a small amount will do. Imagine what God can do with a small amount of courage! Main Points: 1. We all admire people with great faith. You know, those who do big things for God. But can I remind you that every great thing do...

Today you and I will face things that will threaten our faith, especially our faith in God’s protection. You might be worried about your marriage, the decisions your children are making, the future of your career, the economy, or even your physical safety. You might be worried about your retirement account, the increase in crime in your neighborhood, or an upcoming medical test. There are so many...

Faith and obedience go hand in hand.  What leads us to obey God is the fact that we trust Him.  If you don’t trust him, you won’t obey Him.  Faith is a choice.  Obedience is a choice.  Every time we do something just because God “said so” we are acting in faith.   Main Points: 1. By faith we believe in the Word of God. This faith leads us to submit ourselves in obedience to our Savior. We obey bec...

It’s always better to listen to the caution of the Holy Spirit and to guard our hearts against pride. If we do not live in humility before the Lord. God himself will humble us, and it is not pleasant. Main Points: 1. What is Humility?  Humility is an accurate estimation of our self-importance in relation to God and others.  Humility is having a right view of yourself because you have a right view...