The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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...

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 wh...

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.’...

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 comfor...

Unless the author of the Bible is  God, the scripture is simply a collection of ancient man’s thoughts and ideas.  It might be uplifting and even inspiring, but we wouldn’t consider it authoritative. Yet, if the author is truly God Almighty, then His words are as eternal as He is. His words are relevant for every generation. His words and life-changing are transformative. Main Points: 1. There is...

In a recent meeting , our church staff discussed our value of integrity. Here’s how we state it: We require integrity to the Scripture, our families, our team members, and ourselves. What is integrity? The dictionary defines it as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It is moral uprightness. Perhaps you have heard this definition. Integrity is who you are when no one els...

While we are thankful we have received such a great salvation, we may wonder if God can truly save anyone . We know people who are far from God. They have no interest in God or the things of God. Their hearts seem hardened , and they are not open to the gospel of Christ. Can God break through their darkness? Is the gospel for everyone? Main Points: 1. Perhaps you have wondered if God could save yo...

Out of His abundance, God will supply what we are lacking, if we ask. It’s important to see that God doesn’t just bestow wisdom upon us automatically. Not every walking around today is living in the wisdom of God. Main Points: 1. It is this deep awe, reverence, and respect for God and His Word that leads us to pay attention to His Word. We begin to listen and to obey the Word. We value God’s Word...

God’s power is immeasurable. You can’t calculate or quantify the power of God. It is beyond what we can see, know, and understand. God’s power is without limit. When we pray, God can do more than we ask or imagine. Main Points: 1. Most of us, in our moments of despair, have cried out to the Lord and asked, “God, can you meet my needs? Are you able to provide what I need?” Theologically, we know Go...

God’s desire is that we love Him above all else. We are to love Him with all of our hearts, all of our souls, all of our minds, and all of our strength. Only God can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. Everything else we would turn to is an idol, something we run to instead of God. Yet, every time the idol leaves us empty. It produces regret, shame, and even fear. Main Points: 1. We seek Go...

When we surrender our lives to the lordship and leadership of Jesus, in His sovereignty, he will open doors of opportunity. Sometimes, He will close doors. Surely, you have seen both in your life. In both cases, the issue is the surrender of our will to God. Will we let the Lord direct our steps?  Main Points: 1. When it comes to allowing God to guide our lives, the struggle is often the surrender...

There are many times the Bible informs us of conditional blessings. These are places in Scripture where God says, “If you will, then I will.”  We need to pay attention to the conditional blessings listed in Scripture because there are quite a few of them. Main Points: 1. Sometimes, as a father, I bless my children simply because I love them. I do things for them, I surprise them, and I’m generous...

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 s...

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 fea...

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 prob...

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...

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...

When it comes to the church. I believe unity is our foundation. The whole church stands or falls on the strength of this foundation.  As long as there are people, there will be a wide variety of opinions. That’s okay. It’s not essential to have a unity of opinion in every matter. What is crucial is that we have unity around mission, vision, and purpose. It’s necessary that we have a strong biblica...

As Christians, we’ve been taught the importance of the Word of God. We have been instructed to read the Bible every day. We know the significance of spending time with God every day.  So, are there things we can do to develop a fresh love for the Word of God?  Main Points: 1. Start by praying a new prayer. Begin to ask God to give you a love for His Word. It’s a simple prayer you can start praying...

Our financial health is not the only thing that requires an investment ; our spiritual growth requires one too. No, not a financial investment, though God may ask that of us, an investment of time, effort, passion, and heart. God will ask for an investment of sacrifice, faithfulness, and commitment.  He will ask us to invest in the lives of others with love, support, and encouragement. God will sp...

No matter where you are or how far away from God you have run, you can always come home.  Our loving Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms. He is calling once again for you to come home. Today’s Scripture Verses: Luke 15:20 - “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms...

As children of God, we desire the Lord’s hand of guidance and protection to be upon our lives. Why? Because He can see what we cannot see. He knows what we do not know. He holds our purpose and our future in His hands. Main Points: 1. I believe each day the Holy Spirit is active in our lives, too. He is speaking, leading, guiding, and directing. Are we listening? Are our ears open to the voice of...

When you love Jesus , it makes you different. You are not the same. There will be a noticeable difference in how you live and what you live for. In Christianity, some of the words we use to describe this new life are changed, transformed, converted, and born again. Main Points: 1. We are still in the world, but we are not of the world. We live by different values. We have different ambitions. We h...

As Christians, the Bible describes us as children of God. As children, we are learning how to walk in Christ. We sometimes stumble and fall. God, with his grace and mercy, is patient and helps us get up and get going again. Yet, sometimes other believers aren’t as gracious. Main Points: 1. Sadly, sometimes the fallen are shunned, excluded, and looked down upon. Sometimes the fallen Christian is go...

I talk to a lot of Christians who are unsatisfied with their prayer life. They even feel guilty, knowing prayer should be a more consistent part of their Christian life. But sometimes, it feels difficult to get going again. It seems hard to restart your prayer life. Here are some things that will help. Main Points: 1. First, ask God to give you a renewed passion for his presence. It’s a prayer God...