God

Finding the Courage to LEAD! (Sermon Audio)
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Finding the Courage to LEAD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 26, 2022 sermon, “Finding the Courage to LEAD”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  Joshua 1:6-11

Are you a leader?  Are you sure?  It has been said that one of the best ways to know if you are a leader is to look around and see if anyone is following.  Whether the followers are plentiful or few, we each lead in some way so the question we ought to ask is, “How do I live with the courage to lead God’s way?”.  We do so when we find the courage to  . . .

  • Listen.  Joshua 1:6-7
    • Leading God’s way requires that we find the courage to listen.  Listening helps us to understand what people are going through.  However, we must be careful that our primary listening is to God and the truth contained in His Word.  It was following the majority rule and listening to people that kept the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years.  We ought to spend so much time with God through prayer and His Word that we recognize the voice of our shepherd and follow Him in all we do.
  • Examine.  Joshua 1:8
    • Leading God’s way requires that we find the courage to examine.  It is important that we examine our motives and actions to see how they align with God’s Word.  It is through the process of examining scripture daily that we can learn what direction is from God and what is simply from our own flesh.
  • Accept.  Joshua 1:9
    • Leading God’s way requires that we find the courage to accept.  The foundation of this principle is that we accept God’s Word as the authority we live by.  It also involves learning to accept others in the same way Christ accepted us.  This is not in any way an acceptance of sinful activity, but rather an acceptance of people where they are so that God’s love can transform them just as He transforms us.
  • Direct.  Joshua 1:10-11
    • Leading God’s way requires that we find the courage to direct.  Many times when we think of leading, we want to jump directly to this and skip everything else that ought to be involved.  But God’s desire is that we would direct people toward Him and in His ways rather than seeing leadership as a means to get others to do what I want.  The direction we each receive from God, as the leader we ought to be following, is for us to make disciples everywhere we go.

How will you LEAD today?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Godly Example of Integrity! (06/24/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Godly Example of Integrity! (06/24/22)

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This is the audio from the June 24, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (NIV)

Throughout scripture we are told to view various things as examples of God’s mercy, His judgment, His patience, His love, and the list goes on.  This week our focus will be on praying about the examples we learn from and the example we ought to be.  As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is important to realize we have a perfect loving Father to follow regardless of our relationship with our own father.  Not only does God set the example through His nature and the life of His Son, He gives us godly examples throughout His Word for us to follow and learn from.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity.”
Titus 2:7 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn from the examples found in scripture.  Pray that you would learn to live a life that is above reproach.  Pray that your teaching would always have a consistency that is in agreement with God’s Word.  Pray about how God would use your example to help others see the value of doing everything with integrity.

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: A Godly Example of Mercy and Patience! (06/23/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Godly Example of Mercy and Patience! (06/23/22)

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This is the audio from the June 23, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (NIV)

Throughout scripture we are told to view various things as examples of God’s mercy, His judgment, His patience, His love, and the list goes on.  This week our focus will be on praying about the examples we learn from and the example we ought to be.  As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is important to realize we have a perfect loving Father to follow regardless of our relationship with our own father.  Not only does God set the example through His nature and the life of His Son, He gives us godly examples throughout His Word for us to follow and learn from.

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn from the examples found in scripture.  Pray that you would take courage from the examples of God’s mercy that you see.  Pray that your life would be an expression to others of God’s 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: A Godly Example of Diligent Work! (06/22/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Godly Example of Diligent Work! (06/22/22)

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This is the audio from the June 22, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (NIV)

Throughout scripture we are told to view various things as examples of God’s mercy, His judgment, His patience, His love, and the list goes on.  This week our focus will be on praying about the examples we learn from and the example we ought to be.  As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is important to realize we have a perfect loving Father to follow regardless of our relationship with our own father.  Not only does God set the example through His nature and the life of His Son, He gives us godly examples throughout His Word for us to follow and learn from.

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:7 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn from the examples found in scripture.  Pray that you would follow godly examples of those who work faithfully for the cause of Christ.  Pray that your example as a worker would help others see Christ more clearly.  Pray that your diligent work would serve as an example to others in providing for yourself and for those in need.

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: A Godly Example to Follow Jesus! (06/21/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Godly Example to Follow Jesus! (06/21/22)

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This is the audio from the June 21, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (NIV)

Throughout scripture we are told to view various things as examples of God’s mercy, His judgment, His patience, His love, and the list goes on.  This week our focus will be on praying about the examples we learn from and the example we ought to be.  As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is important to realize we have a perfect loving Father to follow regardless of our relationship with our own father.  Not only does God set the example through His nature and the life of His Son, He gives us godly examples throughout His Word for us to follow and learn from.

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn from the examples found in scripture.  Pray that God would surround you with people who are faithfully following Jesus.  Pray that you would learn to be a godly example as you grow in following the example of Christ.  Pray that your life would be a consistent example.  Pray that Jesus would be seen clearly in the way you live.

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: A Godly Example to Serve Others! (06/20/22)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Godly Example to Serve Others! (06/20/22)

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This is the audio from the June 20, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (NIV)

Throughout scripture we are told to view various things as examples of God’s mercy, His judgment, His patience, His love, and the list goes on.  This week our focus will be on praying about the examples we learn from and the example we ought to be.  As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is important to realize we have a perfect loving Father to follow regardless of our relationship with our own father.  Not only does God set the example through His nature and the life of His Son, He gives us godly examples throughout His Word for us to follow and learn from.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn from the examples found in scripture.  Pray that you would always have people in your life that serve as spiritual fathers and mentors.  Pray that you would live in such a way that you are a godly example to others.

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:14-15 (NIV)

Pray that you would have eyes that notice the needs of others and have a willingness to serve them.  Pray that you would be a godly example to  others as you serve in every way possible.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Training a Courageous SON (Or Daughter)! (Sermon Audio)
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Training a Courageous SON (Or Daughter)! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 19, 2022 sermon, “Training a Courageous SON (Or Daughter)”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  Deuteronomy 31:7-8, Judges 2:7

As we prepare for a journey through the book of Joshua, it is important to consider who Joshua is and why he chose to act with courage.  I believe the obvious answer is God, but I also believe that in many ways he was trained by Moses as a man would train a son.  When we look at Moses as a spiritual father to Joshua there are lessons each of us can learn, regardless of whether we are a son or daughter, father or mother, or simply a person investing in the lives of others.  When applied universally, we learn to train a courageous . . .

  • Servant.  Exodus 33:11, Deuteronomy 3:28, Exodus 24:13, Joshua 24:15
    • We train a courageous son or daughter when we train a courageous servant.  Joshua spent time not only with Moses as his “young aide”, he also spent time with God.  He learned to serve and he learned the value of choosing to serve.  A courageous servant is one who discovers what God wants and then follows through with doing it regardless of who else might stand with him or against him.
  • Observer.  Deuteronomy 3:21, Exodus 17:14, Numbers 13:16, Numbers 14:5
    • We train a courageous son or daughter when we train a courageous observer.  Not only was Joshua good at learning what he was taught, he was good at learning through what he observed.  Even when he saw the same things that everyone else saw, he saw them in a different way as he looked through the lens of God’s will.  A courageous observer is one who not only notices the things around him, he acts on them according to God’s Word.
  • Nature.  Numbers 27:18, Numbers 32:12, Deuteronomy 34:9
    • We train a courageous son or daughter when we train a courageous nature.  Courage and obedience to God are not natural products of our flesh, but they are the supernatural product of God’s Spirit within us.  Joshua was known as one who had a different spirit and understanding because his nature had been trained to pursue God in all things.  A courageous nature will lead us to not only imitate Christ in everything, but to be aware of how that represents Jesus in all we do

Who is training you?  Who are you training?

Prayer Lessons from Nehemiah (SCC Prayer Seminar)
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Prayer Lessons from Nehemiah (SCC Prayer Seminar)

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This is the audio and outline from session two with the leaders during a June 2022 prayer seminar held at the Spencer Christian Church in Taylorsville, Kentucky.

Text:  Nehemiah 1 & 2

Before Nehemiah led the people of Israel in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, he was serving as a cup-bearer to a foreign king.  As the book that bears his name opens, I find some incredible lessons about prayer as he sought to both know and do God’s will.

  1. Seek accurate evaluations.
  2. Seek God’s perspective.
  3. Talk to God honestly about who He is and who you are.
  4. Remember God’s promises.
  5. Request mercy and favor.
  6. Be honest and courageous in your reporting.
  7. Talk to God before you answer others.
  8. Give God’s answers, not your own.
  9. Count the costs; do your homework.
  10. Trust God for His answer.

Who’s in charge of your prayer life?
Who gets the credit when God works in your life and in your church?

“When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”
Nehemiah 6:16 (NIV)