Discipleship

In Christ: I Have God’s Spirit
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In Christ: I Have God’s Spirit

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 28 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day five with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can have the Spirit of God to guide each aspect of life.

I Have Wisdom From God

“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)

Do you struggle to understand the things of God and His Word?  Do you ever wish there was someone always available to help you understand the gifting of God in your life?  Do you have times when you feel lost in the ways of the world?  How can you change when the ways of the world seem more natural to you than the ways of God?  How often do you hear God’s still small voice nudging you into the way you ought to go?  More importantly, how often do you listen to that voice?

Most of us are bombarded daily with competing voices clamoring for us to do their will.  We often struggle with clearly distinguishing God’s voice from the voice of the enemy, and even from our own voice.  As you pray today, ask God to make you more aware of His Spirit that lives within you.  Pray that your life would be lived differently from those of the world because you have the Spirit of Christ in you.  Pray for the eyes to see and ears to hear the things the Spirit says to you each day.  Pray that the people around you would see the Spirit of God living in you.

In prayer,

Tom  

FIX Your Mind! (Sermon Audio)
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FIX Your Mind! (Sermon Audio)

 

This is the audio from the June 7, 2020 sermon, “When You Don’t Know What To Do:  FIX Your Mind”, shared by Tom Lemler at the North Wayne Mennonite Church.

Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-19

What do you do when you look around and you just don’t know what to do?  When the struggles of life seem overwhelming and the opposition just too large?  When the problems have no logical solution, it is time to fix your mind on things above rather than on the things of this earth.

So, let’s take a look at what we need to FIX when we don’t know what to do:

  • Focus your eyes:
    • 2 Chronicles 20:12 — When life seems too confusing to figure out, it is time to focus your eyes on the One who sees everything clearly.  When Jehoshaphat could see no way of success or victory, he knew his only good option was to focus his gaze upon God and trust in Him.  When we don’t know what to do, we focus our eyes on God and trust Him.
  • Instruct your mind: 
    • 2 Chronicles 20:15 — When life is full of conflicting information and requests, it is time to instruct your mind with the truth of God.  Even with a focus on God and a trust in Him, there is a need to instruct our minds and do the things of God.  When we don’t know what to do, we look to God and His Word for instruction and direction. 
  • eXpress your worship:
    • 2 Chronicles 20:18-19 — When life presents you with too many options to know what is best, it s time to express your worship of God to Him.  Jehoshaphat and the people chose to worship God even before they discovered the results of God’s victory.  When we don’t know what to do, we continue to worship God for what He has done and for what He will do.

When you FIX your mind on things above, it should change the way you do life here on earth! 

In prayer,
Tom

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Encouragement & Prayer (6/7/20)

 

This is the audio from the June 7, 2020 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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

In prayer,
Tom

In Christ: I Have Wisdom From God
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In Christ: I Have Wisdom From God

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 29 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day four with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, can have wisdom from God.

I Have Wisdom From God

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’“
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NIV)

Have you ever done something only to realize afterwards that it was not a wise thing to do?  Have you ever wrestled with how to have the wisdom to not do those things that are unwise?  How would knowledge of both the source and result of wisdom help you make better decisions?  What does having wisdom from God say about who you are?  What does wisdom have to do with righteousness, holiness, and redemption?

God says that if we lack wisdom we should ask Him who gives freely.  In Christ we have wisdom from God — Jesus Himself!  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the presence of His wisdom in all areas of your life.  Pray that you would use the wisdom that comes from God as He offers to give it freely to all who ask.  Pray that you would understand more fully that the most true and important wisdom is found in the righteousness, holiness, and redemption that you have in Christ.  Pray that the people around you would come to know Christ as the source of the only wisdom that is necessary for life.

In prayer,

Tom  

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Encouragement & Prayer (6/6/20)

 

This is the audio from the June 6, 2020 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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

In prayer,
Tom

In Christ: I Have No Condemnation
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In Christ: I Have No Condemnation

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 30 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day three with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, have no condemnation.

I Have No Condemnation

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.“
Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

What do you do when you feel the finger of condemnation pointed at you?  How does condemnation make you feel when you can think of nothing you have done wrong?  How about when you know you have been wrong?  How quick are you to condemn others for actions that you find repulsive?  How about for actions that you struggle with in your own life?

God says, and experience agrees, that every one of us have sinned.  When we are caught in our sin it often produces shame because of the condemnation we know we deserve.  In Christ, the penalty of sin has been paid so we are free from the condemnation that we deserve.  As you pray, ask God to free you from all traces of condemnation that the enemy tries to put on you.  Pray that you would live as one free from condemnation because of Jesus.  Pray that the freedom from condemnation that you have in Christ would free you from having a condemning spirit toward others.  Pray for humility in living as one not condemned.

In prayer,

Tom  

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Encouragement & Prayer (6/5/20)

 

This is the audio from the June 5, 2020 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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

In prayer,
Tom

In Christ: I Am Dead To Sin
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In Christ: I Am Dead To Sin

It is always good to be reminded of who we are in Christ, especially when we find ourselves living in a world filled with chaos and confusion.  Over the next 31 days I will be sharing the devotions from my book, “In Christ Alone”.  Each devotion is designed to help us look to Christ for our identity in the midst of a myriad of sources trying to define who we are.

Here is day two with an important reminder that in Christ you, and those around you, have died to sin.

I Am Dead To Sin

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?“
Romans 6:1-3 (NIV)

What temptation is your greatest struggle?  Is there any element of sin in your life that you have accepted as normal — something you can’t win against?  Why do you think it still has some form of control over you?  How would seeing yourself dead to that particular sin help you in your struggle to overcome it?  What power does sin have over someone who is dead?

God says that all who have been immersed into Christ have been immersed into His death!  Through Christ we have become dead to sin so that it no longer has power, or authority, over us.  As you consider your identity in Christ, pray that you would overcome temptation through a recognition that you are dead to sin.  Pray that you would be free from the grip of sin and its desire to lay hold of your life.  Pray that you would continue to grow in a life that is dead to sin.  Pray that the people around you would recognize you as one not controlled by sin.  Pray that others would know a life that is dead to sin.

In prayer,

Tom