God

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing At All Times! (8/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing At All Times! (8/10/23)

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This is the audio from the August 10, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.”
2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would always be prepared to share the Word of God with those who need to hear it.  Pray that your times of preparation would include both “great patience and careful instruction” for yourself and for others.

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: Preparing For Good Work! (8/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Good Work! (8/9/23)

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This is the audio from the August 9, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would use the current times to not only be prepared, but to do good work.  Pray that you would allow God’s cleansing to prepare you for the good work He has for you now and into the future.

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: Preparing For Glory! (8/8/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Glory! (8/8/23)

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This is the audio from the August 8, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory — even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?”
Romans 9:23-24 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would continually see the riches of God’s glory on display.  Pray that you would know the preparation God has already done in order for you to receive His mercy.

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: Preparing For An Inheritance! (8/7/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For An Inheritance! (8/7/23)

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This is the audio from the August 7, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.  As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray for wisdom in living today as preparation for tomorrow.  Pray that you would not be so anxious for whatever is next that you miss the preparation necessary.  Pray for the endurance necessary to put in the preparation work that is needed in your life.  Pray that you would do the things God has prepared for you.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

Pray that you would use this time in history to prepare yourself, and others, for a kingdom inheritance.  Pray that you would know the blessings of God as you seek first His kingdom and share that good news with others.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Good News: Preparing the WAY! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: Preparing the WAY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 6, 2023 sermon, “Good News: Preparing the Way”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 3:1-18, Isaiah 40

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Luke 3:4 (NIV)

Today I began a series from the gospel of Luke as we gaze deeply into God’s Word to find the good news of Jesus shared with us by Luke the physician.  As Jesus arrives on the scene “in the fullness of time”, John fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah as the “voice of one calling in the wilderness”.  When we think of Jesus coming to earth, it is easy to think of John preparing the way or even Jesus Himself being the One to prepare the way.  However, when we look at the actual wording of the quote from Isaiah that Luke uses, we find that John is the one calling in the wilderness and it was those who heard his words that were to be involved in preparing the . . .

  • Warning: (Luke 3:1-9, Isaiah 40:6-8)

    • John’s role in calling people to prepare the way for the coming of God included a warning as to the dangers of not being prepared.  When God called Isaiah to speak to His people, the message was to be one of comfort.  Yet, even with a call to comfort the people God begins by telling him to cry out a warning about the brevity of life.  John’s warning was similar in that the time was near for the judgment of God to fall upon those who failed to produce good fruit.  When we heed God’s call to be involved in preparing the way for others to know Jesus, we do so with a warning that nothing is more important than being right with God.

  • Answer: — (Luke 3:10-14, Isaiah 40:9-11)

    • God’s Word tells us that we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us and to do so with gentleness and respect.  As John taught people what it looked like to prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus, he was prepared with answers to the questions that arose from people paying attention to the warnings.  These answers were the practical application of how to treat one another with love and respect.  Isaiah gave a similar answer in describing the response to the warning being an acknowledgement of a good shepherd who cared for his flock with gentleness and concern.  When we heed God’s call to be involved in preparing the way for others to know Jesus, we do so with the answer of God’s goodness seen through our life.

  • Y: — (Luke 3:15-18, Isaiah 40:28-21)

    • I know, Y is a letter and not a word but in this case it represents the why of preparing the way.  The why has a lot to do with both the warning and the answer.  While the why given by Luke describes the gathering of those who belong to God, it also describes the eternal destruction of those who rejected God.  Luke said that all of this, along with many other words, was proclaiming good news to those who would hear.  Isaiah tells a similar story when chapter 40 concludes with the statement that all people grow weary but those who wait, or put their hope, on the Lord will have renewed strength and rise as on wings of eagles.  When we heed God’s call to be involved in preparing the way for others to know Jesus, we do so with the purpose of seeing others come to know the good news of Jesus.

Today, how will you be involved in preparing the WAY?

Encouragement and Prayer: Hope That Is Visible! (8/4/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Hope That Is Visible! (8/4/23)

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This is the audio from the August 4, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would always be aware of the reason for the hope within you.  Pray that you would always be ready to share that reason in appropriate ways.

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: Prepared With Hope! (8/3/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Prepared With Hope! (8/3/23)

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This is the audio from the August 3, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that hope would always be part of your preparation for the actions God is calling  you to take.  Pray that hope would prepare you fully for the grace to be given when Christ is fully revealed.

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: Steadfast Hope! (8/2/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Steadfast Hope! (8/2/23)

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This is the audio from the August 2, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

As you pray this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that God’s faithfulness would cause your hope to remain steady through all things.  Pray that you would hold onto the promises of God as you refuse to waiver in proclaiming your hope in Him.  Pray that you would know the faithfulness of God even when your hope is shaken.

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

In prayer,
Tom