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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.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

One of the greatest challenges we face emotionally is how we 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.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

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.” Quick Links: Subscribe to The 5 Minute Discipleship NewsletterDonate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

We have a Father who is always there. Night or day, whenever the going gets tough, we can trust that He will never abandon us. He has promised to care for us, and He knows better than we do what we need. Main Points: 1. God knows. He knows what I need. He knows what I am going through. He knows what I am facing right now. My heavenly Father knows. How comforting this is to an anxious heart. 2. We don’t pray to tell God things that He didn’t know before we told Him. We pray to spend time with and bring our requests to a loving God who wants us to bring every need and worry before His throne. 3. Like a good earthly Father, our Heavenly Father loves to spend time with His children. He is not annoyed by our presence. We are not a bother to Him. He gives us access to ask anything of Him. Today’s Scripture Verses: Matthew 6:25-31 - ““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:8 - “…your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” 1 John 5:14-15 - “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

God has given us to power to overcome our fears. We don’t have a spirit of fear, we possess the Holy Spirit, which enables us to face life with the confidence that the Lord is with us in every situation.  Main Points: 1. Fear goes by many names. Perhaps in your life fear manifests itself as worry, anxiety, dread, concern, apprehension, nervousness, panic, or timidity. Regardless of the label we give the emotion, its root is deep in fear. 2. The first step in overcoming fear is to recognize that it is not from God. God does not want us to be afraid. Rather, God has given us three gifts: power, love, and a sound mind.  3. Bible scholars tell us that over 300 times the Word of God commands us to not be afraid. It’s the most repeated command in scripture. I think the frequency of this command is telling us something. God knows our predominant negative emotion would be fear and this fear would keep us from being who He created us to be.  Today’s Scripture Verses: 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Isaiah 41:10 - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Our minds are not renewed automatically when we come to Christ. There are still old patterns of thinking that do not please God. But every day we have the choice to set our minds on things above. Will we allow the world to conform our minds, or will we invite God to transform our minds?  Main Points: 1. How do we do that? How do we set our minds on things above? Does that mean we go outside and look up at the sky? No, we must deliberately fill our minds with the things of God. We do this primarily by reading, listening, and meditating on the Word of God. 2. As we read, hear, and think about the Scripture, our way of thinking is being transformed. We are being changed inwardly. This inner transformation leads to a change in our exterior behavior. 3. The Holy Spirit is actively working in your life to make you more like Jesus. Be intentional about renewing your mind with the Word of God and your actions will be renewed as well. Today’s Scripture Verses: Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Ephesians 4:21-23 - “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Colossians 3:2 - “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

It is not the will of God that we be alone or that we go through life isolated from others. He has created the church to be our spiritual family. It’s here that we find fellowship, encouragement, support, and accountability. It’s also here that we are able to offer these same gifts to others. Main Points: 1. Sometimes the reason for such isolation is the pain we have experienced in the church. Maybe we felt ignored, neglected, or forgotten. Perhaps someone made a mistake and said something that was hurtful. Rather than experience this pain again, we put up barriers and choose to not engage with others. 2. But I want you to see this is exactly what Satan wants. He wants you to be isolated from others because if you do, you’ll also miss the blessings that come from being in community with others. You’ll miss the encouragement and the support. You’ll miss the fulfillment that comes with deep friendships. Others will miss the investment you could have made in their lives. 3. If you want to be blessed you have to step out of your comfort zone. To experience the richness of friendship and support, you have to show up. To be a blessing to others you have to engage, take initiative, and be committed. Today’s Scripture Verses: Genesis 2:18 - “The Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone…” John 8:44 - “…for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Philippians 2:4 -  “Look out for one another’s interests not just your own.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Prayer is an adventure in trust. We put our needs into the hands of an almighty God, who has the power to meet our needs according to His will. What will God do? We don’t know, but we do know that what God does is right. His answer and His actions may not make sense to our finite minds and limited understanding, but the will and purpose of God are always correct. Main Points: 1. When we have a need, it’s normal to be anxious, to worry, and to wonder what will happen. This is our human response to uncertainty. Yet, when we pray we choose to trust. When we pray we choose to believe God.  2. What an adventure it is to wait on God and see what He will do. The waiting is not always pleasant, but the longer we serve Jesus, the more confidence we have in the waiting. We know God is up to something. We don’t see it yet, but we are confident testimony of His faithfulness is coming soon. 3. Faith in God is a choice. It’s a decision to believe and to trust that He is working all things for your good, according to His purpose. Today’s Scripture Verses: 2 Corinthians 4:18 - “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”  Hebrews 11:1 - “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Mark 9:21-24 - “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Proverbs 3:5 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”  Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Citizens not only have rights and privileges, but they also have responsibilities. The same is true for us as citizens of Heaven. Let’s not only experience the blessings of our new citizenship but let’s conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Main Points: 1. You may not have thought about this, Heaven is not just a place you are waiting to see, but it’s a place of which you are already a citizen. You have a legal right to belong in Heaven because the blood of Jesus has paid for your entry.  2. As citizens of Heaven, the Word of God calls for us to live as citizens of Heaven. We are not yet in Heaven, but we are to live with the values of our new home. 3. Paul says we can live as citizens of Heaven by conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. In other words, if you are saved, live as someone who is saved. If Christ has come into your life, it should be noticeable in how you live. We are not worthy of what Christ has done for us, but we should do our best to live as though we were. Today’s Scripture Verses: Ephesians 2:19 - “You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Philippians 1:27 - “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

“How good is good enough?”  Here’s the short answer. We could never be good enough to go to Heaven. It’s simply not possible for humans to satisfy the justice of God with our efforts at being good.  The Bible teaches us that being a good person could never save us. Instead, salvation is based on the goodness of Jesus, on our behalf. Main Points: 1. Jesus, in kindness and love, took our sins upon himself and once and for all died in our place. This is the definition of goodness. God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, satisfying the justice of a righteous and holy God. 2. Forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life is received as a gift from God. We receive this gift as we confess Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We place our faith in his death and resurrection for our sins, instead of placing our faith in our good works. 3. Refuse to buy into the deception that you could be good enough to go to Heaven. Put your faith in Jesus, who was good on our behalf. Today’s Scripture Verses: Judges 21:25 - “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Proverbs 14:12 - “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Isaiah 64:6 - “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.” Titus 3:4-5 - “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

We stand on Jesus’ promise that the gospel will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. As we see this being fulfilled, we know the end is near and Jesus’ return is soon. Main Points: 1. There are still locations in our world where the gospel message is not being preached. There are places where there are no churches, no missionaries, no translations of the Bible in local languages, and no access to the salvation message. 2. With the use of the ever-increasing tools of technology the message of Christ is spreading faster than ever before. My prayer is that a new generation of missionaries will hear the call of God and will take the gospel to people still waiting to hear. 3. The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. We cannot be silent. We cannot keep such good news to ourselves. We must tell others. We must let people know that Jesus saves. Let’s determine that we will be a part of preaching the gospel locally and globally as a testimony to all. Today’s Scripture Verses: Matthew 24:14 - “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 - “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.”  Matthew 28:19 - “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Do you need a guide? Are you in need of guidance and direction? God has given you two sources, His Word and His Spirit. Main Points: 1. Where does this guidance come from? How does God become our guide? He guides us in two ways. He guides us by His Word and by the Holy Spirit. 2. Psalm 119 says God’s Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path, meaning, it illuminates the steps we are to take. God’s Word makes it clear what the next step should be.  As wonderful as this is, it is only half the answer. You’ll make many decisions in life that are not identified or prescribed in the Bible. 3. In the absence of clear guidance from the Word of God, we rely on the direction of the Holy Spirit. This is why Paul said in Romans 8:14 - “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Not only do we need daily guidance from Scripture, but we also need daily direction from the Holy Spirit. The Word and the Spirit together are the leadership that we need. Today’s Scripture Verses: James 1:5 - "Whoever among you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” Psalm  32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go and I will counsel you and watch over you.   Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

That is what we live for: to experience the glory of God, to reflect it, to bring it to the world around us, not for our own sake but for the praise of His glory and honor. Main Points: 1. The glory of God refers to his beauty, majesty, purity, and power. It speaks of the greatness and wonder of God.  2. In His love for us, God created us to experience himself. He created us to experience his glory. We get to experience God’s beauty, power, love, and mercy. 3. Not only do we experience His glory, but we were also created to reflect it. Like the moon reflects the light and radiance of the son, we are to reflect the glory of God to others around us. People should see and notice there is something different about our lives. Today’s Scripture Verses: Isaiah 43:7 - “Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 - “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:8-9 - “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Matthew 5:16 - “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Every day, you make decisions about whether you will stand for Christ or not. In how we live our lives, the choices we make, the attitudes we portray, and the words we say, we are telling others that we stand for Christ, or we are communicating that we do not stand with him. Main Points: 1. Jesus knew we would face a strong temptation to hide our light. When we are open and public about our testimony for Christ, it draws attention to us. We face potential rejection, scorn, and persecution. No one wants to experience such things. It’s so much easier to keep our faith and our testimony hidden. After all, isn’t faith in God supposed to be a personal, private matter? 2. Unfortunately, this is a lie we have come to believe. Satan wants your voice to be silenced. If you can be intimated to keep your witness for Christ quiet, then that is the temptation you will face.  3. Today you’ll have an opportunity to stand for God. In a conversation, at your office, with your family, or on social media, there will be a moment of decision. Choose to speak up. Choose to be identified with Christ. Don’t hide your witness. You can stand for Christ, but do it in a way that is gentle and respectful. Today’s Scripture Verses: Isaiah 7:9 - “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Matthew 5:15 - “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Romans 1:16 - “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

We have a temptation to think that if we are living in God’s will that we won’t suffer, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, God, in His sovereignty, allows us to go through hardship as a part of his greater purpose.  Main Points: 1. Sometimes hardship is part of the growth and development of our faith and spiritual growth. Other times hardship is a part of the testimony and ministry God wants to give us. 2. God calls us to endure difficulties for his name's sake, knowing that His grace is sufficient and that he will be with us and sustain us through it all. 3. Ask God for the strength to endure whatever hardship you are facing so that your testimony for Christ will be evident to others. Today’s Scripture Verses: 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 - “have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, and I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 2 Timothy 2:3 - “You, therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 12:2 - “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 2 Timothy 2:10 - “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” Quick Links: Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on Social Join The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group