Lessons From the Road: A Road of CHANGE! (Sermon Audio)
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Lessons From the Road: A Road of CHANGE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 19, 2026 sermon, “Lessons From the Road: A Road of CHANGE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Acts 9:1-31

 

“And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

As we join others in walking the road with Jesus, He guides us on a road of . . .

  • Conviction:  Acts 9:1-6

    • The road of change generally begins with a conviction that change is necessary.  Even when you are convinced you are doing everything right, God may not agree with your conclusion.  When God’s Spirit and His Word convict us of “sin, righteousness, and the judgment”, we can either choose the road of change or continue in a path which leads to destruction.  Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus and brought about a conviction that change was necessary. 

  • Humility:  Acts 9:7-16

    • The road of change is continued on when we choose to respond to godly conviction with humility.  Needing to change and having the humility necessary to admit we need to change are two different things.  Not only is humility needed by us when we need to change, it is also needed by us when God is calling others to change.  Saul being struck blind on the road led to a somewhat forced humility as others led him to where he needed to be.  Ananias knew of Saul’s reputation and had a well-founded fear, yet at God’s request humbled himself to be obedient to what God wanted.

  • Action:  Acts 9:17-19

    • The road of change needs conviction and humility, but it really begins to take shape when it becomes a road of action.  Change begins in our mind, it’s why the Bible tells us we must be transformed by a renewing of our mind, but the change takes on flesh when we put it into action.  Ananias went to where God told him to go.  Saul got up and was immersed into Christ.  Knowing what we ought to do becomes godly change when we begin to do it.

  • Notice:  Acts 9:20-25

    • The road of change will result in others noticing something is different.  The difference may be small or it may be large, but it will be noticeable.  While many were likely skeptical, the Christians noticed Saul who was preaching Jesus was the same Saul who had been persecuting them days earlier.  When we allow the transforming power of the blood of Jesus to work in our life, we notice a difference.  As we live out that difference, others notice that we too have been with Jesus.

  • Gentleness:  Acts 9:26-27

    • The road of change is best responded to with gentleness.  We learn gentleness in the midst of change through God’s gentleness with us.  When we do experience this transforming change, we must be careful in how we treat others who may also need to change.  It is in gentleness that Barnabas became a mediator between Saul and the disciples in Jerusalem who had plenty of reasons to be afraid.  

  • Encouragement:  Acts 9:28-31

    • The road of change is a path which brings encouragement to us and from us.  It is important to live with an awareness of how God changes us so that we can encourage others who may be ready to give up hope that things will ever change.  While we often want things to change such as the circumstances of life, God is more concerned about us changing.  It is this road of change that we continually walk upon which brings us more and more into the image of Christ each day that we live.  As we become more like Christ, we find great encouragement in being united with Him and with one another.

 

Today, how will you walk with Jesus on this road of CHANGE?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Witness! (4/17/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Witness! (4/17/26)

This is the audio from the April 17, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some simple ways that we can be a witness for Christ.  While most people reading this prayer guide would readily agree that the instruction from Jesus about being His witness wherever we go is for all believers, many of us struggle with what that actually looks like in everyday life.  Pray that you would understand and overcome the difficulty in doing the simple things which lead to being a faithful witness.  Pray for a refining of your thoughts, words, and actions so that your witness for Christ would be pure and clear.  Pray for the courage to live out your faith in a way that helps others have a greater desire to be in fellowship with Jesus so they can experience the transforming power of His love.

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:44 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you keep it simple when it comes to being His witness.  Pray that your witness for Jesus would always make known His love for you and for those who you interact with.  Pray that you would grow in your love for people who live as enemies of Christ as your love becomes a witness to them of His love.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Prayerful Witness! (4/16/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Prayerful Witness! (4/16/26)

This is the audio from the April 16, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some simple ways that we can be a witness for Christ.  While most people reading this prayer guide would readily agree that the instruction from Jesus about being His witness wherever we go is for all believers, many of us struggle with what that actually looks like in everyday life.  Pray that you would understand and overcome the difficulty in doing the simple things which lead to being a faithful witness.  Pray for a refining of your thoughts, words, and actions so that your witness for Christ would be pure and clear.  Pray for the courage to live out your faith in a way that helps others have a greater desire to be in fellowship with Jesus so they can experience the transforming power of His love.

“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 keep it simple when it comes to being His witness.  Pray that you, and others, would be active witnesses for Jesus as you share your faith.  Ask God to help your prayer life to be such that people would notice a witness of the goodness of God in you.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Motivating Witness! (4/15/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Motivating Witness! (4/15/26)

This is the audio from the April 15, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some simple ways that we can be a witness for Christ.  While most people reading this prayer guide would readily agree that the instruction from Jesus about being His witness wherever we go is for all believers, many of us struggle with what that actually looks like in everyday life.  Pray that you would understand and overcome the difficulty in doing the simple things which lead to being a faithful witness.  Pray for a refining of your thoughts, words, and actions so that your witness for Christ would be pure and clear.  Pray for the courage to live out your faith in a way that helps others have a greater desire to be in fellowship with Jesus so they can experience the transforming power of His love.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you keep it simple when it comes to being His witness.  Pray that your witness of Jesus would motivate others to reflect His love through the good they do.  Pray that your life would be a witness to others in a way that motivates them to pursue Him more fully.  Pray that your “spurs” would be gentle but effective.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: An Including Witness! (4/14/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: An Including Witness! (4/14/26)

This is the audio from the April 14, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some simple ways that we can be a witness for Christ.  While most people reading this prayer guide would readily agree that the instruction from Jesus about being His witness wherever we go is for all believers, many of us struggle with what that actually looks like in everyday life.  Pray that you would understand and overcome the difficulty in doing the simple things which lead to being a faithful witness.  Pray for a refining of your thoughts, words, and actions so that your witness for Christ would be pure and clear.  Pray for the courage to live out your faith in a way that helps others have a greater desire to be in fellowship with Jesus so they can experience the transforming power of His love.

“My brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”
James 2:1 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you keep it simple when it comes to being His witness.  Pray that you would be able to see people through the eyes of God’s grace.  Pray for a heart that desires to include people without showing favoritism.  Pray that your witness for Jesus would be amplified by the way you include people who are different from you.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Serving Witness! (4/13/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Serving Witness! (4/13/26)

This is the audio from the April 13, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some simple ways that we can be a witness for Christ.  While most people reading this prayer guide would readily agree that the instruction from Jesus about being His witness wherever we go is for all believers, many of us struggle with what that actually looks like in everyday life.  Pray that you would understand and overcome the difficulty in doing the simple things which lead to being a faithful witness.  Pray for a refining of your thoughts, words, and actions so that your witness for Christ would be pure and clear.  Pray for the courage to live out your faith in a way that helps others have a greater desire to be in fellowship with Jesus so they can experience the transforming power of His love.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you keep it simple when it comes to being His witness.  Pray that you would use your gifts and abilities to serve people in ways that help them see the work of God in you.  Pray that you would be a faithful witness of Jesus as you serve people according to the grace you have been given.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Hope! (4/10/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Hope! (4/10/26)

This is the audio from the April 10, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.  Pray that we would pay attention and learn the lessons that He continually teaches through the sufferings of life.  Pray for a view of life that can see beyond the grave and into an eternity in God’s presence.  Pray for a growing love for one another that will find ways to help them accept and live by the power of the resurrection.  Pray that the resurrection power in your life would produce a contentment of such magnitude that it could only come from God.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that you would live with great hope through the power of the resurrection.  Pray that your praise of God would never lose sight of the victory of the resurrection.  Pray about how you can share the hope of Jesus with those who need the new birth that is found in Christ.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Teaching! (4/9/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Teaching! (4/9/26)

This is the audio from the April 9, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.  Pray that we would pay attention and learn the lessons that He continually teaches through the sufferings of life.  Pray for a view of life that can see beyond the grave and into an eternity in God’s presence.  Pray for a growing love for one another that will find ways to help them accept and live by the power of the resurrection.  Pray that the resurrection power in your life would produce a contentment of such magnitude that it could only come from God.

“Instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”
Hebrews 6:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that the truth of the resurrection would be a part of the foundational teaching you believe about God.  Pray that you would use the foundational teachings, including that of the resurrection, to build your life upon in order to be a household of faith.  Pray that the resurrection would be part of the foundation you teach others about Jesus.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom