Bible Lessons

Summer With the Son: Being Peaceful! (Sermon Audio)
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Summer With the Son: Being Peaceful! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 19, 2026 sermon, “Summer With the Son: Being Peaceful!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Matthew 5:38-42, Romans 12:17-21

 

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ”
Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

Being Peaceful is possible when we choose to live at peace with God and with others.  To do that, we need God’s help and we need to know what is . . .

  • Possible:  Matthew 5:38, Romans 12:18

    • Being peaceful begins when we know what is possible beyond our human efforts.  When we do all that is possible in our ability to be at peace with everyone, we begin to understand  all that God has done to bring us to peace with Him.  It is possible for us to have peace with God, not because we are so good, but because God is so good.  That is the possibility God wants us to consider in the way that we are peaceful with others.

  • Evil:  Matthew 5:39, Romans 12:17,21

    • Being peaceful will require us to know the truth about evil.  The very nature of evil longs for revenge rather than peace.  It is important to know evil is often the driving force behind conflict so that we are kept from peace.  Knowing evil should always lead us to identifying it in our own life so that we can find God’s help in removing it in order to be at peace with Him and with our self.

  • Acceptable:  Matthew 5:40, Romans 12:19

    • Being peaceful will grow in our life as we learn to know what is acceptable to God.  Turning the other cheek is not a declaration by God that it is okay to mistreat anyone, rather it is instruction regarding our response to mistreatment.  What is acceptable to God is a heart of purity which in humility considers the needs of others to be more important than our own.

  • Compassionate:  Matthew 5:41, Romans 12:20

    • Being peaceful will flow from knowing, and practicing, a compassionate life.  We choose to do what is good and right in all circumstances so that others would see the goodness of God in us.  In our godly response to the mistreatment by others, we heap burning coals on their head not to destroy them, but to help them find purification from God.  While we reject the evil actions of other, and of our self, we have compassion that exemplifies God’s compassion toward us.

  • Enough:  Matthew 5:42, Romans 12:21

    • Being peaceful will lead us to know what is enough.  Doing all that is possible by us to be at peace with everyone is a very difficult task and doesn’t always bring about the peace we desire.  The good news is that God doesn’t measure the results of what others choose to do, but rather considers our faithfulness to His instructions to be enough.  We will fail.  Our efforts will fall short at times.  The great news in being peaceful and in knowing peace is knowing that God is always enough.

 

Today, how will you live with a knowledge of what is PEACE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Answers! (7/18/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Answers! (7/18/26)

 

This is the audio from the July 18, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some aspects of honesty that God expects us to have as His children.  While Jesus taught us to “let our yes be yes and our no be no”, we have become very good at justifying why our promises are not absolutes.  God’s people have often become very good at saying whatever it takes to gain support for their particular project while feeling no commitment to following through with the content of their words.  Honesty is vital, because without it we will never realize the need we have for a Savior.  It is also vital because it is the foundation for which trust is built not only among believers, but between believers and non-believers.  Pray that your honesty would not waver, especially when you find yourself in situation where honesty is not valued.  Pray that your honesty before God would be such that your words and actions match.

“An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”
Proverbs 24:26 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a desire for honesty and a conviction in the situations where you are less than honest.  Pray that you would always give honest and loving answers to the questions you are asked.  Pray for the wisdom to be able to not give an answer when no one is asking for one.  Pray for the courage to give answers that are honest even when it is awkward and uncomfortable to speak truth.

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: Honest Words! (7/17/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Words! (7/17/26)

 

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

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“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some aspects of honesty that God expects us to have as His children.  While Jesus taught us to “let our yes be yes and our no be no”, we have become very good at justifying why our promises are not absolutes.  God’s people have often become very good at saying whatever it takes to gain support for their particular project while feeling no commitment to following through with the content of their words.  Honesty is vital, because without it we will never realize the need we have for a Savior.  It is also vital because it is the foundation for which trust is built not only among believers, but between believers and non-believers.  Pray that your honesty would not waver, especially when you find yourself in situation where honesty is not valued.  Pray that your honesty before God would be such that your words and actions match.

“Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.”
Proverbs 16:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a desire for honesty and a conviction in the situations where you are less than honest.  Pray that you would be honest in the words you speak to others.  Pray that your honesty would be shared in a way that brings value to those who hear your words.  Pray that your words would be valuable to others as you speak truth.

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: Honest Testimony! (7/16/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Testimony! (7/16/26)

 

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

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“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some aspects of honesty that God expects us to have as His children.  While Jesus taught us to “let our yes be yes and our no be no”, we have become very good at justifying why our promises are not absolutes.  God’s people have often become very good at saying whatever it takes to gain support for their particular project while feeling no commitment to following through with the content of their words.  Honesty is vital, because without it we will never realize the need we have for a Savior.  It is also vital because it is the foundation for which trust is built not only among believers, but between believers and non-believers.  Pray that your honesty would not waver, especially when you find yourself in situation where honesty is not valued.  Pray that your honesty before God would be such that your words and actions match.

“A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.”
Proverbs 12:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a desire for honesty and a conviction in the situations where you are less than honest.  Pray that you would be honest in the words you speak about others.  Pray that the testimony you share about Christ in your life would be an honest portrayal of His power to transform.  Pray that there would be no falsehood in what you say about others.

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: Honest Intentions! (7/15/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Intentions! (7/15/26)

 

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

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“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some aspects of honesty that God expects us to have as His children.  While Jesus taught us to “let our yes be yes and our no be no”, we have become very good at justifying why our promises are not absolutes.  God’s people have often become very good at saying whatever it takes to gain support for their particular project while feeling no commitment to following through with the content of their words.  Honesty is vital, because without it we will never realize the need we have for a Savior.  It is also vital because it is the foundation for which trust is built not only among believers, but between believers and non-believers.  Pray that your honesty would not waver, especially when you find yourself in situation where honesty is not valued.  Pray that your honesty before God would be such that your words and actions match.

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.”
1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a desire for honesty and a conviction in the situations where you are less than honest.  Pray that your honesty would be deeper than appearances as you live with honest intentions.  Pray that  you would never have a pretense of honesty simply for your own gain.

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: Honest Measurements! (7/14/26)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Measurements! (7/14/26)

 

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

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“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some aspects of honesty that God expects us to have as His children.  While Jesus taught us to “let our yes be yes and our no be no”, we have become very good at justifying why our promises are not absolutes.  God’s people have often become very good at saying whatever it takes to gain support for their particular project while feeling no commitment to following through with the content of their words.  Honesty is vital, because without it we will never realize the need we have for a Savior.  It is also vital because it is the foundation for which trust is built not only among believers, but between believers and non-believers.  Pray that your honesty would not waver, especially when you find yourself in situation where honesty is not valued.  Pray that your honesty before God would be such that your words and actions match.

“They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.”
2 Kings 12:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a desire for honesty and a conviction in the situations where you are less than honest.  Pray that you would have complete integrity as a steward of the King’s resources.  Pray that your honesty in managing finances would lead others to trust you in all things, especially in your testimony of 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

Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Measurements! (7/13/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Honest Measurements! (7/13/26)

 

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

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“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer guide will focus on some aspects of honesty that God expects us to have as His children.  While Jesus taught us to “let our yes be yes and our no be no”, we have become very good at justifying why our promises are not absolutes.  God’s people have often become very good at saying whatever it takes to gain support for their particular project while feeling no commitment to following through with the content of their words.  Honesty is vital, because without it we will never realize the need we have for a Savior.  It is also vital because it is the foundation for which trust is built not only among believers, but between believers and non-believers.  Pray that your honesty would not waver, especially when you find yourself in situation where honesty is not valued.  Pray that your honesty before God would be such that your words and actions match.

“You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 25:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a desire for honesty and a conviction in the situations where you are less than honest.  Pray that you would be honest and impartial in your dealings with others.  Pray that God would help you to see, and change, any areas where you deal differently with people because of who they are.

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

Summer With the Son: Being Honest! (Sermon Audio)
by

Summer With the Son: Being Honest! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 12, 2026 sermon, “Summer With the Son: Being Honest!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Matthew 5:33-37

 

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.  If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.  Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

Being Honest is important for many reasons, with one of those being that our honesty is a reflection of God’s character.  A true “Honest To God” life is one in which we are honest with . . .

  • Glory:  Matthew 5:33-35

    • Being honest with God will be visible when we choose to be honest with the glory we give Him.  Invoking God’s name in an attempt to give importance to our own desires and plans will lead us away from the honesty God desires from us.  Whatever good that is seen in us, heard from us, and/or practiced by us are things which flow from God and He is the One who deserves the glory for them.

  • Our Self:  Matthew 5:36

    • Being honest with God will not happen until we learn to be honest with our self.  Yes, we have ways to temporarily change the color of our hair, and many other things about our self, but God expects an honesty from us about our true inability to change how He created us.  It is in this honest with our self that we understand the need to rely fully on God as the source of all truth.

  • Decisions:  Matthew 5:37

    • Being honest with God will lead us to greater honesty with our decisions.  Giving answers that we think people, or even God, want to hear can be filled with fraud if we’re not honest in keeping to those decisions with the best of our ability.  Perhaps one of the difficulties in being honest with our decisions is that we give answers that we’ve not really prayed about or considered fully.  Our yes can be yes and our no can be no, only when we are honest about why we give the answer that we do.

 

Today, how will you be honest with GOD?

 

Here’s the text of the poem I shared to introduce this sermon:

Honest To God!

There’s something I’ve noticed
     that really seems strange.
When it comes to truth,
     we think there’s a range.
There are bold lies and white lies,
     and “honest to God”.
And all kinds of gray space
     that really seems odd.
Whatever happened
     to yes and to no?
And keeping our word
     wherever we go?

To keep to my word,
     and make sure it’s true.
Should be how I live,
     when I talk with you.
I must be careful
     to weigh every word.
So only the truth,
     is that which is heard.
To make up a story,
     so I don’t look bad.
Will only bring problems,
     the worst that I’ve had.

Image is everything,
     at least we’ve been told.
So we make up a story
     and hope that it’s sold.
Our yes isn’t yes,
     and our no isn’t no.
We consider our image
     and we answer so-so.
We hide the true facts,
     that we don’t want seen.
And tell a new version,
     where the truth is quite lean.

This doesn’t mean
     you should tell all you know.
Some things are private,
     from your mouth should not go.
But that is a story
     for another day.
About speaking the truth,
     this poem will stay.
When we cover up
     the truth with a lie.
Our reputation
     has begun to die.

We must be careful
     that we don’t deceive.
By the impression
     that we try to leave.
We should not have to
     swear this is true.
Our word should be good
     when given to you.
The things that we value
     will carry more weight.
When we are honest
     in all that we state.

So when you are thinking
    that truth can’t be found.
Open the Bible,
     take a good look around.
The truth that is Jesus,
     does show us the way.
And calls us to choose;
     in our speech, there’s no gray.
To be fully honest,
     in word and in deed.
Is a teaching of Jesus
     that we ought to heed.


© 2015  by Tom Lemler