God

Encouragement and Prayer: An Enriched Way! (1/16/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: An Enriched Way! (1/16/23)

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This is the audio from the January 16, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”
Romans 7:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who follow a new way in Christ.  In fact, the first century Christians were so focused on following Jesus as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, that they were simply known to their opposition as followers of “The Way”.  When we experience a new birth in Christ, we find that we have been called into a new way of thinking, seeing, and doing.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one who has been called into a new way.  Pray that you would have the courage to leave the ways of the world in order to live in the way of the Spirit.  Pray that all of your ways would acknowledge God so that your walk would always be directed by Him.  Pray that humility would guide you not only in how you live in this new way, but also in how you represent that way to others.  Pray for God’s presence to be visible as you walk in this new way.

“For in him you have been enriched in every way — in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”
1 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV)

Pray that you would notice, and make use of, the enrichment that God brings into all of your ways.  Pray that you would speak with confidence about your faith because of the way God enriches your knowledge about who He is.

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

In prayer,
Tom

A New WAY! (Sermon Audio)
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A New WAY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 15, 2023 sermon, “A New WAY!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Hebrews 10:19-29

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’“
Jeremiah 6:16

Today continued a sermon series with a focus on being Made New In Christ. Being made new in Christ will call us to live in way that is new only because we are not accustomed to living that way.  In fact, this “new way” is a return to the ancient way . . . the way of God defined from creation forward.  When we know Jesus as “the Way”, we find He  is the One that gives us a new . . .

  • Washing.  Hebrews 10:19-22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
    • When we are made new in Christ, we are washed in a new way.  This isn’t a “good enough” wash or even a “that will do” wash but rather it is a full and complete cleansing of every part of our being.  To be washed in a way that is complete will require us to reject a “you tell them” attitude when the Bible talks about sin and instead take the message to heart and be cleansed.
  • Assembly.  Hebrews 10:23-25, 1 Corinthians 11:33
    • When we are made new in Christ, we are called to a new assembly.  When we are put together and assembled by God into an organism that is His body, we discover the importance of one another.  The new way that is to be lived by those who are in Christ is not the “everyone for themselves” mentality of the world but rather an everyone for one another mindset that creates an eagerness to come together for fellowship, encouragement, and worship of God.
  • Yielding.  Hebrews 10:26-29, Philippians 2:3-4
    • When we are made new in Christ, we experience a new yielding.  While our flesh often leads us along a path of least resistance and easy pleasure, God’s calling is for us to reject the allure of sin through a full submission to Christ.  The good news is that God can see and know the details of our heart in a way that realizes whether our sin is a continual practice or a stumbling of temptation.  When we yield fully to God, we no longer have a desire to practice sin even if that sin finds ways to creep in and tug at our life.  This new way of life is one that says God is in charge of everything and I willingly submit to Him and to one another.

Today, how will you be made new in your WAY?

Encouragement and Prayer: Born To Protection! (1/13/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Born To Protection! (1/13/23)

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This is the audio from the January 13, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
John 3:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who have experienced a new birth in Christ.  Just as a natural birth is expected to result in growth and maturity, a spiritual birth is the beginning of a new life in Christ.  God’s desire is that those who are born of the Spirit would live by the Spirit.  When we live as those who are born again, we do so in a way that reflects the very nature of the One who has given us birth.

“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.”
1 John 5:18 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one who is new.  Pray that you would live with the protection of God in a world filled with sin.  Pray that your pursuit of protection would always be mindful of how God has provided spiritual armor for your use.  Pray that your spiritual protection would be of even more importance than a physical protection.

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: Born To Overcome! (1/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Born To Overcome! (1/12/23)

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This is the audio from the January 12, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
John 3:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who have experienced a new birth in Christ.  Just as a natural birth is expected to result in growth and maturity, a spiritual birth is the beginning of a new life in Christ.  God’s desire is that those who are born of the Spirit would live by the Spirit.  When we live as those who are born again, we do so in a way that reflects the very nature of the One who has given us birth.

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
1 John 5:4 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one who is new.  Pray for a patient endurance that helps you to see how you can be an overcomer in Christ.  Pray for a confidence in Christ that helps you to see beyond the daily struggles of life.  Pray that your faith in Jesus would help you to live in the victory that is found in Christ.

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: Born To Believe! (1/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Born To Believe! (1/11/23)

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This is the audio from the January 11, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
John 3:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who have experienced a new birth in Christ.  Just as a natural birth is expected to result in growth and maturity, a spiritual birth is the beginning of a new life in Christ.  God’s desire is that those who are born of the Spirit would live by the Spirit.  When we live as those who are born again, we do so in a way that reflects the very nature of the One who has given us birth.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.”
1 John 5:1 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one who is new.  Pray that your faith in Jesus would be evident through the new birth you have in Christ.  Pray that you would be involved in sharing the good news of this new birth to everyone.  Pray about how God would have you to live and share your belief in 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: Born To Love! (1/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Born To Love! (1/10/23)

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

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
John 3:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who have experienced a new birth in Christ.  Just as a natural birth is expected to result in growth and maturity, a spiritual birth is the beginning of a new life in Christ.  God’s desire is that those who are born of the Spirit would live by the Spirit.  When we live as those who are born again, we do so in a way that reflects the very nature of the One who has given us birth.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
1 John 4:7 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one who is new. Pray that you would live as one who has been born of God to love.  Pray that your love of God would be evident to all.  Pray that your love of one another would help others to see your love of God and God’s love of them.

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: Born To Reject Sin! (1/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Born To Reject Sin! (1/9/23)

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

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’”
John 3:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about living as those who have experienced a new birth in Christ.  Just as a natural birth is expected to result in growth and maturity, a spiritual birth is the beginning of a new life in Christ.  God’s desire is that those who are born of the Spirit would live by the Spirit.  When we live as those who are born again, we do so in a way that reflects the very nature of the One who has given us birth.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one who is new.  Pray that your birth in Christ would always be seen by you as a starting point in the growth of your faith and spiritual life.  Pray that you would allow others the opportunity to grow and mature, just as you have need for that same opportunity.  Pray for the courage required to die to self in order to experience the fullness of life gained through a new birth.  Pray that being made new would be reflected not only in the way you live, but also in the way you represent Jesus to others.

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
1 John 3:9 (NIV)

Pray for the courage to agree with God about sin in order to reject every trace of it from your life.  Pray that being born of God would be evident in your rejection of sin.  Pray that others would see God’s purity in you.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Made New In BIRTH! (Sermon Audio)
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Made New In BIRTH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 8, 2023 sermon, “Made New In BIRTH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: John 3:1-21

Today continued a sermon series with a focus on being Made New In Christ.  In John chapter 3, we find the account of an interaction between Nicodemus and Jesus which results in some teaching that includes one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible.  Being made new in Christ includes a response to the call of Jesus that we must be born again.  When we follow Jesus fully, we find that we are made new in . . .

  • Belief.  John 3:1-3
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new belief that is more than just a verbal parroting of what seems to be expected.  While Nicodemus begins the conversation with a statement that would indicate some degree of belief, there is also the issue of approaching Jesus under the cover of darkness while very few of the encounters Jesus had with the Pharisees were positive.  The first response of Jesus to Nicodemus in this encounter was that something more was needed — the belief that Jesus had come from God needed to bear the fruit of a new belief that comes from a new birth.
  • Inclusion.  John 3:4-9
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new inclusion that gives a place of belonging to all who are born both of water and Spirit.  This isn’t a universal inclusion that says anything and everything is just as good as anything else, but rather an inclusion that says in Christ you belong.  All who are born of the water and the Spirit are included in God’s family because of the new birth the experience.  I don’t set the criteria and no human institution can set that criteria to either include or exclude someone, that is done solely by God.
  • Relationship.  John 3:10-15
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new relationship with God and with one another.  When we are born in the flesh, we are related to both those who gave us birth and to those they are already related to.  Being born by the Spirit brings us into relationship with God, with all those who are already in relationship with Him, and with all who will still come into the family.
  • Truth.  John 3:16-18
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in us having a new understanding of the truth of God’s love.  While John 3:16 tends to be quoted often to describe the incredible love of God and His desire that none would perish, in context the truth expressed in this passage requires an active belief in God to escape the condemnation that we have brought upon ourselves.  It is by living in the truth of God’s Word and His love that we not only experience eternal life, but we have the tools available to share the good news of this new birth with others.
  • Hope.  John 3:19-21
    • Experiencing a new birth in Christ will result in a new hope that endures all things.  It doesn’t take very long to realize the truth of the world living in darkness.  It is fascinating to me that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and then Jesus concludes this conversation with a statement that those who practice evil love darkness and those who live by truth will come into the light.  When you live with the light of Jesus in you, you have all that is needed to find hope in the midst of the darkness of this world.  While the darkness is plentiful, it is not powerful enough to overcome the true light of Jesus.

Today, how will you live as one who has been made new in BIRTH?