The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

Loren Hicks
  • 4.9 (175)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Daily

Daily episodes are hosted by Pastor Loren Hicks. This podcast will challenge you to go deeper into your Christian faith. The goal is to inspire you to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Episodes have been downloaded over 750,000 times.

  1. 2d ago

    #1,584: Wisdom Comes from the Lord

    Wisdom is something we all need, but we might underestimate just how much we need it. You and I need wisdom in our thinking, our words, our actions, and our future. We need wisdom in our work, our ministries, and in our leadership. Is there an area of your life in which you do not need God’s wisdom? I don’t think so. Main Points: 1. To receive God’s wisdom, we first have to recognize that we need it. We sometimes live self-sufficient lives and act as if we do not need God's wisdom. This is a critical mistake.  2. God wants to be right in the middle of our choices and decisions. He wants to lead, guide, and direct our steps. He has given us His Word, the Bible, to be a daily resource that provides His wisdom. 3. Let’s see the value of Godly wisdom. The world, our culture, and our society offer their version of wisdom that most often conflicts with God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to seek God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to value God’s point of view over our own. Today’s Scripture Verses: James 1:5 - “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” Proverbs 8:11 – “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 2:1-6 – “If you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom.”  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

  2. 3d ago

    #1,583: A Firm Foundation

    We are all aware of the spiritual battle that rages. We do have an adversary. We do have opposition. We are in a fight, but find encouragement in these verses. Christ Jesus will place us on a firm foundation. He is our firm foundation. He is the rock we have built our lives upon, and He cannot be moved. Main Points: 1. No matter how fierce the fight, no matter how difficult the battle, our firm foundation is not shaken. Yes, we have to stand firm. Yes, we must be strong in the faith. But all the while, we remember that our suffering is not forever. The promise from these verses is that we will share in God’s eternal glory.  2. In this life, we are constantly reminded of the spiritual battle that rages around us. Like a prowling lion, our adversary seeks to devour us, to tear down our faith, and to rob us of our hope. Yet, in the midst of this struggle, we find reassurance and strength in the unshakeable foundation of Christ. 3. Peter's words speak to us today, urging us to be alert and sober-minded. We cannot afford to be complacent or unaware of the dangers that surround us. The enemy's attacks may come in various forms – doubts, temptations, trials, and tribulations – but we are called to stand firm in the faith. Today’s Scripture Verses: 1 Peter 5:8-11 - “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.  In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.” Isaiah 33:6 - “In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.” 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

  3. 4d ago

    #1,582: Don't Let Your Fire Go Out

    How many people are there, who once burned hot for God, but now no longer serve Him? How many who were on fire for God, but now have no spiritual passion at all? The sober reality is that this could happen to any of us. Main Points: 1. Why did God repeatedly tell the Israelites not to let the fire burn out? Why did the instruction need to be repeated? The answer is because there was a real possibility that keeping the fire burning hot could lose its importance to the people.  2. It is critical that you and I tend to our spiritual fire. We must keep our fire for God burning. We cannot let this fire go out. We cannot let our spiritual passion diminish. We must daily do what is necessary to keep our hearts and minds focused on a growing relationship with Christ. 3. Today, you must put another log on the fire. Reignite the flame. Reignite your spiritual passion for Jesus. How do we do this? We reignite the flame by giving attention to it. A fire left untended burns out. Turn your attention once again to Christ. Rediscover the spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, scripture reading, and church attendance. Join a life group at your church. Begin to serve and use your gifts.  Today’s Scripture Verses: Leviticus 6:13 - “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.” Matthew 3:11 - “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Acts 2:3 - “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” 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

  4. 5d ago

    #1,581: God Has the Resources to Meet Your Need

    I’m convinced that, as long as we trust in our own resources, we’ll see very little of God’s power in our lives. Why would God intervene if we leave Him out? Why would God do miraculous things if we act as if we don’t need Him? Main Points: 1. Victory does not depend on the size of our resources, but on the power and sovereignty of God. 2. In our lives, we often face challenges that seem insurmountable. We may feel inadequate, outnumbered, or overwhelmed. Yet, the story of Gideon reminds us that God specializes in using small numbers to accomplish His purposes. He delights in taking the weak and the insignificant and using them to display His power and glory. 3. Whatever battles you are facing today, remember that victory is not contingent upon your own strength or resources. Place your trust in the God who can do great things with small numbers. Allow Him to work through you, and watch as He accomplishes the extraordinary. Today’s Scripture Verses: Psalm 20:7 - “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Judges 7:2 - "The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’” 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

  5. 6d ago

    #1,580: Whole-Hearted Devotion to God

    Let me ask you a question. Do you love God with your whole heart? It’s a powerful question, isn’t it? Perhaps you feel a bit convicted by this question.  Our hearts are so easily divided between a lot of things we love and desire. We can be tempted to love God, but can do so without giving Him our whole heart.  Main Points: 1. As I think about our lives, I recognize that one of the primary obstacles to wholehearted devotion to God is simply distraction. In a world filled with noise and busyness, it's easy to allow our attention to be diverted from God. We become preoccupied with the cares of life, the pursuit of success, or the allure of entertainment.  2. Our hearts, meant to be wholly His, are divided among competing interests. As a result, our love for God can become diluted.  Our love for God is downgraded to a corner of our lives, rather than occupying the central throne it deserves. 3. We also know that sin entangles us and obstructs our path to following God wholeheartedly. Whether it be overt sins or even subtle compromises, sin separates us from God and disrupts the intimacy of our relationship with Him.  Today’s Scripture Verses: Matthew 22:37-38 - “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.” Numbers 13:30 - “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 14:24 - "The Lord said, “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”  Joshua 14:14 -  “because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.” Hebrews 12:2  - “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” 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

  6. Sep 4

    #1,579: Our Greatest Giants are Internal

    The giants we struggle with the most are not sickness, finances, pain, loss, or grief.  Our biggest giants are internal.  The battles that take us out are personal.  Struggles like lust, greed, selfishness, anger, bitterness, and fear can become giants that destroy our faith, our relationships, and our future.  We must guard our hearts and develop a close relationship with Jesus to defeat these giants within.  Main Points: 1. David’s internal giant was lust.    You may not battle this one, but perhaps you are fighting another internal giant, one with a different name. Maybe you are fighting the giant of discouragement, despair, fear, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, or unforgiveness. 2. Thankfully, King David was repentant, and his relationship with God was restored. It's a tragic story that didn’t have to happen, if only David would have guarded his heart. For us, the story is a cautionary tale and a reminder to run to God for help when we are fighting internal giants. 3. Bring your giants to God. With His help, every giant can be defeated. Today’s Scripture Verses: 2 Samuel 5:13 - “David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem…” Proverbs 4:23 - “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” 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

  7. Sep 3

    #1,578: The Sin that is Hard to See

    The Bible reveals one of the characteristics that is most damaging to our relationship with God and others is pride. Yet, most of us don’t readily confess pride as a struggle. Perhaps it’s because pride is subtle, and it’s difficult to see in ourselves. Main Points: 1. Pride is often described as the silent enemy of the soul, lurking in the shadows and hindering our relationship with God. It can be challenging to recognize pride within ourselves, because it doesn’t always reveal itself in overt ways. 2. Pride blinds us to our faults and weaknesses. When pride lurks within us, we become defensive and resistant to feedback or correction. Instead of humbly acknowledging our shortcomings, we may find ourselves justifying our actions or blaming others. Pride convinces us that we are always right. 3. So how do we combat pride and cultivate humility in our lives? The answer lies in following the example of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and became obedient to the will of God. Today’s Scripture Verses: Proverbs 12:15 - "The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Psalm 139:23 - “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Philippians 2:3-4 -  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."     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

  8. Sep 2

    #1,577: How Are You Using Your Influence?

    How are you using your influence? Now, you might think you are not very influential because you define influence as position, fame, prominence, or name recognition. But listen to this definition of influence. Influence is the effect of something on a person. It's the power that somebody has to affect other people's lives, beliefs, thinking, and actions. Main Points: 1. Everyone listening to this podcast episode has influence. You have people who like you and look up to you. There are people who come to you for your opinion, advice, or wisdom. You have acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who respect you. There are people watching your life and being influenced by it, without you even knowing it. Everyone has a circle of influence. 2. Our influence is not to be egotistical.  It is not for our benefit.  It is for Christ’s sake.  The reason you let your light shine, the reason you are the salt of the earth, is for the purposes of God.  We are an influence so we can bring more people to Jesus.   3. Let’s use the influence God has given us for God’s glory and to point others to the Savior. Today’s Scripture Verses: Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father 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

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Daily episodes are hosted by Pastor Loren Hicks. This podcast will challenge you to go deeper into your Christian faith. The goal is to inspire you to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Episodes have been downloaded over 750,000 times.

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