God

The Courage To Claim God’s Promises! (Sermon Audio)
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The Courage To Claim God’s Promises! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 21, 2022 sermon, “The Courage To Claim God’s Promises: The Time Is NOW!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  Joshua 13 – 19, 2 Peter 1:3-8

Even when enemies are defeated through the power of Christ in us, there is still a time for us to claim the promises of God.  That time is . . .

  • Necessary.  Joshua 18:1-3, 2 Peter 1:3-4
    • Even after the enemies of Israel were defeated, there was still a need, a necessity, for the people to go out and claim the land God had promised them.  In a similar fashion, while the spiritual enemy has been defeated by Jesus, we still must claim His eternal promises as our own.  He has given us everything we need for a life of godliness through His great promises but we are still left with a choice regarding how we respond to those promises.  We live with the courage to claim God’s promises when we realize how necessary He is to all that is good in life.
  • Obedient.  Joshua 18:8-9, 2 Peter 1:5-7
    • When Joshua addresses the people of Israel after the battles had been won, it appears to me that the people were sitting back and waiting for God to simply hand them what He had promised without any effort of obedience on their part.  It is through obedience to God and the instructions He gave through Joshua that the people find there is still work to be done by them in receiving what God had promised.  When it comes to us, God says that His precious promises produce their work in us when our obedience causes the spiritual growth in increasing measure.  We live with the courage to claim God’s promises when we respond in obedience to all of His instructions.
  • Worth It.  Joshua 19:51, 2 Peter 1:8
    • After the lengthy battles and the understanding of what it looks like to claim God’s promises, the people of Israel eventually received what they had longed for and each tribe had a place of their own within the promised land.  I suspect that they, like us, had times when they wondered if all they were doing was worth it . . . and they finally received the answer that yes, it was.  When we claim the promises that are actually of God from His Word rather than the ones we make up on our own, we can be confident that the result will be worth it.  We live with the courage to claim God’s promises when we look to the future and know it is worth it.

Today, will you claim the promises of God?

Encouragement and Prayer: Victory Over Death! (08/19/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Victory Over Death! (08/19/22)

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This is the audio from the August 19, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on not just the eternal victory we have in Christ, but how we ought to live victorious lives each day.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live like victors!

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)

Pray that you would live a life that reflects your knowledge that the power of death has been defeated.  Pray that you would be able to grieve as one with great hope, knowing that the victory over death has been won by Jesus.

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: Victory For Justice! (08/18/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Victory For Justice! (08/18/22)

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

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on not just the eternal victory we have in Christ, but how we ought to live victorious lives each day.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live like victors!

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Matthew 12:20-21 (NIV)

Pray that your hope for justice that prevails would rest fully in Jesus.  Pray that your life would reflect the heart of Jesus as you seek victory for justice.  Pray for godly wisdom in doing your part to make things right when you have been wrong.

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: Victory By the Lord! (08/17/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Victory By the Lord! (08/17/22)

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

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on not just the eternal victory we have in Christ, but how we ought to live victorious lives each day.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live like victors!

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.”
Proverbs 21:31 (NIV)

Pray that you would live with an understanding of where true victory comes from.  Pray that your preparations for battle would always understand that it is the Lord who will be able to give victory.  Pray that you would help others know about the God who gives victory.

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: Victory Through Wise Counsel! (08/16/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Victory Through Wise Counsel! (08/16/22)

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

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on not just the eternal victory we have in Christ, but how we ought to live victorious lives each day.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live like victors!

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”
Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

Pray that you would live victoriously because of the quality of counsel you surround yourself with.  Pray that you would always seek advice from God first and be sure your human advisers give godly advice.  Pray that the counsel you give others would always be based on God’s Word.

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: Victory For the Faithful! (08/15/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Victory For the Faithful! (08/15/22)

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

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on not just the eternal victory we have in Christ, but how we ought to live victorious lives each day.  Yes, there are losses that may be noticeable but they don’t have to define us.  Loss of people.  Loss of influence.  Loss of finances.  Loss of freedoms.  Loss of peace.  Loss of joy.  The list could go on, but the point is that when we focus on the losses, we tend to forget that God has already declared us victorious and calls us to live like victors!  As you pray, ask God to help you always remember the victory you have in Christ.

“He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
Proverbs 2:7-8 (NIV)

Pray that you would cling to the victory that awaits those who walk in blameless ways.  Pray that God would guard your path as you walk in faithfulness to Him.

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

In prayer,
Tom

The Courage To Defeat Enemies! (Sermon Audio)
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The Courage To Defeat Enemies! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 14, 2022 sermon, “The Courage To Defeat Enemies”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  Joshua 11 & 12, 1 Peter 1:13-16

I suspect that most of us have times in life when the opposition we face seems great and it appears the enemies around us are more numerous and powerful than what we can handle.  It is in the midst of such opposition that it is far too easy to attack one another as we lose sight of the real enemy that seeks to destroy us.  When we go to God and seek the courage needed to defeat our enemies, He reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood and therefore our enemies are not the people around us.  When we look to God’s Word, we find help to defeat enemies in the following ways.

  • Courageous Preparation.  Joshua 11:6-8, 1 Peter 1:13
    • Part of the courageous preparation that helps us defeat enemies involves understanding just who the enemy really is.  When we notice the strength of the enemy, we ought to quickly realize how vital it is for us to be obedient to God’s instructions in everything.  We prepare our minds for the battle by taking every thought captive and making them obedient to Christ.  When our preparation includes an accurate understanding of what we’re up against, we should quickly realize just how much we need the power of Christ dwelling in us in order to obtain victory.  We can “attack suddenly” only when we are fully prepared.
  • Courageous Perseverance.  Joshua 11:18, 1 Peter 1:14
    • Sometimes when we read the Bible and see how God brings about victory for His people it can be easy to miss the timeline of the battle.  Victory may not be quick or easy all of the time but in Christ it can always be obtained.  The old story of the tortoise and the hare has a Biblical foundation to its meaning as God says the crown of life will be given to those who persevere.  Christ came to break us free from the power of sin and to remind us that we don’t have to live the way we once did.  Many times the enemy we face seems too big or too powerful or too appealing or knows us too well or too whatever but even when we stumble and fall, God calls us to a courageous perseverance as He picks us back up and sets our feet firmly on the path that walks with Him.
  • Courageous Protection.  Joshua 11:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16
    • Perhaps the most courageous part of protection is coming to the realization that you need it.  Many times we do battle on our own because we don’t want to admit that we can be tempted, or that we are struggling, or that we need help.  When God calls us to be holy just as He is holy, it ought to make us quickly realize we can’t live in that way without Him.  The end of Joshua 11 tells us that Joshua followed the instructions given to Moses by God and the result was that their enemies were defeated and the land had rest from war.  When we choose to daily put on the full armor of God, He tells us that doing so will help us to stand when the day of evil comes and when it is all said and done and the battle is over, to still be standing.

Will you seek God’s help today to defeat the enemies which try to destroy you?

Encouragement and Prayer: Discernment That Leads To Knowledge! (08/12/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Discernment That Leads To Knowledge! (08/12/22)

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This is the audio from the August 12, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Who is wise? He will realize these things.  Who is discerning? He will understand them.  The ways of the LORD are right;  the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”
Hosea 14:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with courageous discernment.  Not everything is always as it first appears and there are many who attempt to deliberately deceive for a variety of reasons.  Discernment is the quality necessary to live in the world between “everything is permissible” and “not everything is beneficial”.  Discernment is a gift from God that helps us to live in the freedom of doing what benefits others according to their need.

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Proverbs 18:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with a discernment that gives you a greater understanding of His righteous ways.  Pray that the discernment you seek from God would lead to actual knowledge.  Pray that you would have “wise ears” that seek out the knowledge that comes through godly discernment.  Pray that your life would share godly knowledge 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