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This is the audio from the February 5, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day seven in the fourth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.“
Hebrews 3:4-6 (NIV)
What is the purpose of the place you serve at? How well is that communicated? How faithful do you think you are to that purpose as you serve? Would those you serve under agree? How often are you tempted to do things your own way and with your own benefit in mind? Why does that seem to be so enticing to so many? How about when you consider the bigger picture of serving God? How are you doing at having the courage to be faithful to the things of God?
There is a series of social media memes going around that seemed designed to point out the failures of people who “had one job”. Each one illustrates what happens when you lose sight of the purpose behind what you do. When serving people, it is often very easy to get so caught up in the work involved that we lose sight of the bigger picture of serving for the sake of God’s kingdom. It takes great courage to faithfully serve Christ as we serve others because it requires that we trust God to care for us.
As you pray, ask God to help you be faithful to His calling in your life. Pray that you would have the courage to be faithful in the way you serve Him, and others.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 4, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day six in the fourth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.“
Philippians 1:12-14 (NIV)
What are some situations when you are afraid to speak up? Are there times you should be afraid to speak? As you serve, are there times when you have not spoken truth because you were afraid of how it would be received? Are there places or situations where you are afraid of being ridiculed if you talk about God’s Word? Does it keep you from speaking as you serve in such places?
Saying the right thing at the right time is hard. Saying it in the right way is even more difficult. As we serve, it is important that we have the courage to speak not only the right things but to do so in the right way. It is often said that truth hurts and sometimes we use that as an excuse to say things in a hurtful way and sometimes we use it to excuse saying untrue things that eventually hurt even more than truth. Serving well requires that we have the courage to speak the truth of God’s Word in love to those we serve.
As you pray, ask God to help you learn when to speak and to teach you how to speak with courage and love. Pray that your word choices would be made with the true benefit of those you serve in mind.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 3, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day five in the fourth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.“
Ezra 10:4 (NIV)
When your particular area of service does not allow for others to be serving directly with you, how can you overcome feelings of isolation? How can you encourage those that serve in areas where they work alone? How important is communication among a group or staff that serve with the same overall purpose but with different responsibilities? How does knowing that someone in a different “department” believes in what you are doing give you greater courage to serve well?
When our area of responsibility seems different from all others, it is easy for feelings of isolation to set in and cause us to question the value of our serving. Even when we work alone, knowing that we have the full support of others should give us the courage to serve while keeping the greater perspective in mind. While we each may have a different gifting and task to do, supporting each other with the greater purpose in mind helps everyone to serve with courage.
As you pray, ask God to help you find ways to support and encourage those who do a task that is different than yours. Pray that your task would always be seen in light of the greater purpose.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 2, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day four in the fourth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.’“
1 Chronicles 28:20-21 (NIV)
Has fear ever kept you from finishing something? From starting something? How often are you afraid you won’t be able to finish what you start? Are there times that the needs of those you serve seem so large that you shrink back from serving? How much do you rely on those you serve with to help you? Is it easier to imagine the necessary work getting accomplished when you know you will have help?
Just as “every journey begins with a single step”, every accomplished task begins with the courage to do the work at hand. Every task of serving requires both courage and work. Many people fail to serve because they lack courage or the desire to work — or both. Sometimes we lack courage to do the work of serving because we have incorrectly defined what successful serving looks like. If so, we need to go back to the first day’s devotion of this week. When we trust God for His work to be completed, we can have courage to do our work.
As you pray, ask God to help you see clearly the work of service He has for you to do. Pray that you would have the courage to do the work He created in advance for you to do. Pray that your work would help people see God’s work in you.
In prayer,
Tom
Tom's Treasure 