Author: Tom

Stories of the Heart: Blown Away! (3/23/22)
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Stories of the Heart: Blown Away! (3/23/22)

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If you have looked for the weekday morning devotions this week and haven’t found them, it’s because I’m back in the Bowling Green, Kentucky area volunteering with IDES in the rebuild/repair phase of the disaster response following last December’s tornado outbreak.  This trip is a bit different from the immediate cleanup response as it looks like we’ll be serving one family the entire week instead of the 5 or 6 a day in the cleanup phase.  Anyhow, here’s another “Story of the Heart” from my serving.

Blown Away!

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The above photo is a home site that has not yet been cleaned up.  While it may appear that the damaged home and debris have been removed by people following the tornado, this is actually all that was left on the site once the tornado blew its way through the area.  The homeowner that was inside at the time blew away with his home and was blown out of his home where he clung to a tree as the tornado went on its way.  He had a stick driven into his leg, missing the main artery, that required surgery to remove the stick and work on his injuries.  This is a family that needed help and is receiving help from a variety of sources, including IDES and their partnership with the Bowling Green Christian Church.

Over the past weeks, a new home has been rising across the drive from where the concrete blocks from the previous home still lie scattered about.  A family is being cared for and are experiencing the love of Jesus in a very practical way.  While disaster itself has a way of blowing away the things we value, it also can lead to people being blown away by the kindness of strangers doing good in the name of Jesus.  It has been sobering at times, and fun at other times, listening to the stories of each type of being blown away.  This week it is a family being blown away by nearly 200 sheets of drywall being hung by volunteers in a house that is being prepared for them.  It makes me think about how God’s love ought to blow us away as Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.

I think the big question most of us ought to ask our self is, “How can I serve people in such a way that they are blown away by God’s love through me?”  Whether we ever travel to a disaster area or not, we have the calling of God to be the light of the world in such a way that people see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.  People all around us are blown away by the circumstances of life all the time and the opportunity exists to love and serve and help people in the name of Jesus.  IDES will be in Kentucky for a while yet, blowing people away with the love of Jesus, and the opportunity exists for you to help do just that.  You can find out more information by visiting their website at www.ides.org.  If you’re not able to come to Kentucky, look around wherever you are and choose to serve people with the love of Jesus in such a way that you have ample opportunity to share with them the reason for the hope that is within you.

In prayer,
Tom

A Valuable Jar of CLAY! (Sermon Audio)
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A Valuable Jar of CLAY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 20, 2022 sermon, “A Valuable Jar of CLAY”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  2 Corinthians 4

In the times when you feel plain and useless, it is important to realize you have great value because you are made by God, you are filled by God, and you are completed by God.  Regardless of how ordinary you feel you are, you have great value when you live as a jar of . . .

  • Compassion.
    • When we begin to realize God’s mercy sustains everything we do, it should become apparent just how much compassion He has shown to each one of us.  When our jar of clay is filled with compassion, the people around us can begin to know just how valuable they are to God.
  • Light.
    • When we live with the light of Jesus shining through everything we do, He ends up being the one who is seen.  In a world filled with darkness, God’s light in us becomes valuable not only to us but to all who see Him in us.
  • Ability/Availability.
    • It is far too easy to evaluate our abilities based on comparisons to someone else, and in so doing we often feel we fall short.  The good news is that God has uniquely gifted each one of us for specific work within the body of Christ.  Many times the ability God has filled our jar of clay with isn’t noticeable until we choose to make our self fully available to God.
  • Yeast.
    • Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like yeast that is mixed into the dough until it spreads and influences all of it.  You are a valuable jar of clay because you are part of that yeast that spreads the good news of the kingdom to everyone.  .

Today, how will you live as a valuable jar of CLAY?

Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Foundation! (03/18/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Foundation! (03/18/22)

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This is the audio from the March 18, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that every aspect of your life would be built on one foundation, the foundation of Jesus Christ.  Pray that the way you live would clearly show those around you exactly who your life is built upon.  Pray for a growing unity with those who are also building upon this undivided foundation.

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: An Undivided Work! (03/17/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Work! (03/17/22)

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This is the audio from the March 17, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that God would help you to see how the work of others is combined with your work to accomplish His plans.  Pray for God’s insight into what it looks like for you and those around you to be God’s workers, God’s field, and God’s building.  Pray for a godly focus in all that you do which helps you to interact with others in an undivided work.

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: An Undivided Purpose! (03/16/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Purpose! (03/16/22)

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This is the audio from the March 16, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.”
1 Corinthians 3:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that you would always look to God as your source of purpose.  Pray that you would grow in an understanding of how God uses each person’s unique work to accomplish an undivided purpose that is rewarded by 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: An Undivided Growth! (03/15/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Growth! (03/15/22)

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This is the audio from the March 15, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”
1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that you would be faithful in doing your part in a way that avoids division as God makes your work grow.  Pray that you would learn the value of each person and each part of the process as God brings undivided growth to His body.  Pray for humility that will see the work of God at the core of all growth.

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: An Undivided Belief! (03/14/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Belief! (03/14/22)

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This is the audio from the March 14, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“ I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.  You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”
1 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that you would see others with that same sense of being made by God in a way that is just right.  Pray that the things you build your life on would always be centered on the unchanging Word of God.  Pray for a growing unity in Christ that helps the world to see Him in us.

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task.”
1 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV)

Pray that you would live with an undivided belief which is based on God’s Word.  Pray that your sharing the good news of Jesus would lead others to an undivided belief that is centered on Jesus rather than on the messenger.

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

In prayer,
Tom

A Firm PLAN In an Uncertain World! (Sermon Audio)
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A Firm PLAN In an Uncertain World! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 13, 2022 sermon, “A Firm PLAN In an Uncertain World”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  2 Corinthians 1:12-24

When life appears to be messed up with nothing going according to your own plans, it is time to turn to God and consider living life with a firm . . .

  • Preparation.  2 Corinthians 1:12
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw from a depth of preparation.  We prepare for the uncertainties of this world by being students of God’s Word and finding it to be useful in every situation we face.  When we live as one prepared by the Word of God, we find that no matter what happens we can truly be “workmen who need not be ashamed”.
  • Love.  2 Corinthians 1:13-16
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw from a depth of love.  When we grow in loving like Jesus loves, we look for His work in the lives of others and we lift them up because we are one in Christ.  While the world, and the prince of this age, tries to divide us in every way imaginable, God calls us to a firm love that cares for others even more than we care for our self.
  • Attitude.  2 Corinthians 1:17-19
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw from an attitude that is the same as that of Christ Jesus.  This is an attitude that sought to do the will of His Father no matter what.  We must continually remind ourselves that God is in charge and we are not.  This is an attitude of flexibility when it comes to our schedule and plans so we do not become tied to what we want when God has something different for us to do.  It is a firm attitude that chooses to make all of our plans in submission to God so that His will is what matters most.
  • Nature.  2 Corinthians 1:20-22
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw on a nature that is fed by the Spirit rather than by the flesh.  We all have things that we are naturally good at . . . things that come easy to us and have been improved through practice and training.  Sometimes we may struggle to know what that is, but God has not left anyone out in regard to being useful in the body of Christ.  How we react in a world of uncertainty is largely dependent on what comes naturally to us.  And what comes naturally to us is dependent on what seeds we continually plant in our life.  God says that we will not only reap what we sow, but we will reap more than we sow.  When we sow to the sinful nature, we reap sinful results in even greater measure.  As discouraging as that may sound, the good news is that when we sow to the spiritual nature, we reap a spiritual harvest that far exceeds what we planted.

As you consider the uncertainties of this world, and of your own life, how will you choose today to live with a firm PLAN in everything you do?