Encouragement and Prayer: Serving By God’s Power! (3/27/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Serving By God’s Power! (3/27/23)

I am in Mississippi this week helping with disaster response following a series of tornados that ripped through the state over the weekend.  My internet is limited so I’m not able to do live stream broadcasts or upload the audio, but here is the written part of the day’s devotion.

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about serving others.  While many people put much time and effort into climbing their version of the ladder of success, few take time to understand God’s instructions for becoming great.  Not only did Jesus serve others as He walked this earth, that was His purpose in coming.  He made it clear through His teaching and His example that true success is found by climbing down the ladder to be with those who need served rather than climbing up the ladder away from them.  Any level of greatness that we might achieve will only be found as we view ourselves accurately according to God’s perspective and serve others as Jesus did.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with the humility that sees yourself as He sees you.  Pray for the courage to serve others when your flesh desires to be served.  Pray for the wisdom to serve others according to their need.  Pray for the desire to be more Christ-like in the way you serve.  Pray that your greatness would be measured by your sacrificial acts of service to others.

“For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.”
2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Pray that your weaknesses would allow God’s power to be evident in you as you serve others.  Pray that you would not use your weakness as an excuse to not serve others.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

A Road of Serving! (Sermon Audio)
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A Road of Serving! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 26, 2023 sermon, “A Road of Serving: What Will You DO?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 22:7-30

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:26-28 (NIV)

Today I continued a sermon series with a focus on The Road to Resurrection.  Each week of this series will consider a different glimpse of the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection.  As Jesus and His disciples traveled their road to resurrection on that final week before the cross, they pause to share a special meal together — a meal designed to commemorate the salvation which was experienced as the angel of death passed over the homes of those who had applied the blood of the lamb to the door posts of the home.  This was a significant meal that not only looked back, but also looked forward to what was about to happen.  Within that context, we find Jesus both teaching and showing what it looks like to be on a road of serving.  As we look to Jesus and are reminded of what He has done, there are two questions we ought to continually ask ourselves,  what will I  . . .

  • Discover:  —  Luke 22:7-13

  • Obey:  —  Luke 22:14-30

Today, what will you choose to DO?

Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding the Source of Scripture! (3/24/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding the Source of Scripture! (3/24/23)

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This is the audio from the March 24, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do — 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.”
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be to pray about growing in our understanding — our understanding of the things of God as well as our understanding of one another.  In a nation full of division, perhaps our understanding of the times would lead us to a greater understanding of God and then to a greater understanding of people.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.”
2 Peter 1:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding.  Pray that you would always view God’s Word as sacred because you understand its real source.  Pray that your response to scripture would be based on you understanding and acceptance of the fact that it is “God-breathed”.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding the Good We Have In Christ! (3/23/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding the Good We Have In Christ! (3/23/23)

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This is the audio from the March 23, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do — 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.”
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be to pray about growing in our understanding — our understanding of the things of God as well as our understanding of one another.  In a nation full of division, perhaps our understanding of the times would lead us to a greater understanding of God and then to a greater understanding of people.

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding.  Pray for the courage to live and share you faith so that others would see and hear it.  Pray for a growing understanding of the good things  you have in Christ.  Pray that the sharing of your faith will increase your understanding of the goodness of God.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding God’s Will! (3/22/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding God’s Will! (3/22/23)

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This is the audio from the March 22, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do — 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.”
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be to pray about growing in our understanding — our understanding of the things of God as well as our understanding of one another.  In a nation full of division, perhaps our understanding of the times would lead us to a greater understanding of God and then to a greater understanding of people.

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding.  Pray that you would understand the will of God as revealed through His Word, through the example of Jesus, and through the power of His Spirit.  Pray for wisdom in understanding how God’s love and compassion shape His will for you and for everyone you meet.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding God’s Gifts! (3/21/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding God’s Gifts! (3/21/23)

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This is the audio from the March 21, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do — 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.”
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be to pray about growing in our understanding — our understanding of the things of God as well as our understanding of one another.  In a nation full of division, perhaps our understanding of the times would lead us to a greater understanding of God and then to a greater understanding of people.

“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding.  Pray for a greater understanding of the gifting that is made known through God’s Spirit.  Pray that your understanding of the grace of God would lead you to share what He has freely given to you.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding the Deity of Jesus! (3/20/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Understanding the Deity of Jesus! (3/20/23)

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This is the audio from the March 20, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do — 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.”
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be to pray about growing in our understanding — our understanding of the things of God as well as our understanding of one another.  In a nation full of division, perhaps our understanding of the times would lead us to a greater understanding of God and then to a greater understanding of people.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding.  Pray that you would seek an understanding of the things of God in order to have a greater perspective on the things of this life.  Pray that you would learn to listen for the purpose of understanding — both in your listening to God and in your listening to others.  Pray that the knowledge and wisdom that you seek would be found through a fear of the Lord and that He would increase your understanding as you learn from Him.  Pray that an understanding of the times in which we live would help you to live in such a way that your life bears much fruit for God’s kingdom.  Pray for humility so that the understanding provided by God in response to your prayers would not become a source of pride.

“But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 10:38 (NIV)

Pray that your understanding of Jesus as God would form the way you respond to His teachings and actions.  Pray that you would understand how the presence of God was made known to man through Jesus.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Sowing and Reaping in Generosity! (3/17/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Sowing and Reaping in Generosity! (3/17/23)

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This is the audio from the March 17, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about God’s desire that we live with generosity toward God and toward one another.  When we recognize God’s ownership of everything and choose to live as good stewards, generosity should flow naturally.  As Christians, we ought to be generous because it is a part of God’s nature that He has put within us.  Our generosity to others is a reflection of the generosity we receive from God — at least it ought to be.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see His generosity in all areas of your life.  Pray that you would reap an abundant harvest of God’s blessings because you have sown generously.  Pray for a spirit of generosity that sows the seeds of God’s Word everywhere you go.  Pray that the people around you would know the value of being generous.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom