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This is the audio from the February 1, 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 three 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.
“You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. O LORD, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.“
1 Chronicles 17:25-27 (NIV)
Are there people that you have a hard time talking to? Why? How about if you need to ask for something? Does that increase or decrease the difficulty of communication? Are there things that you don’t pray about, or have never even considered praying about? Have you ever thought about needing courage in order to pray effectively? Would having courage to pray in all circumstances change the way you serve people? How do you need to pray today for those you serve?
The fear that I have of people is not limited to strangers. It is a difficult fear to explain because I’m not afraid of them harming me, I’m just afraid of any type of potential interaction. Even as a child I would be too afraid to ask my parents for things I wanted or needed. Too afraid to ask teachers for permission to use the restroom. Too afraid to ask for help when needed from people who would have been very willing to help. Sometimes I think many people have that same level of fear when it comes to interacting with God. We don’t know why, we just lack the courage to pray as we ought.
Ask God to give you the courage to go to Him about everything. Use that courage to pray for those you serve.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the January 31, 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 two 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.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.“
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Does having someone with you give you courage when facing the unknown? Why? How does that change if you know they’ve already been through what you face? What parts of serving others requires courage for you? Are there times fear has kept you from serving in a particular way? Would having confidence in God’s presence being with you have helped? Is there anything you will be asked to do in serving others that you think would surprise God?
There are a variety of things that I am afraid of. There are also a few fears that I have overcome with the help of God and friends who have been through what I feared. Knowing I’m not alone helps me to have courage in serving because I am confident someone has my back. When I think of the fears that have kept me from serving, daily acknowledging God’s presence helps me to know He can empower me to do what fear has kept me from trying.
As you pray, ask God to fill you with a knowledge of His presence. Pray that He would specifically make that presence known to you when fear tempts you to not serve. Pray that the people around you would see God’s presence in you.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the January 30, 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 one 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.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.“
Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV)
What makes a person successful? Does your answer change based on what particular area of success we are talking about? Should it? Do you think it is easier for most people to succeed or to fail? Why? Is it possible to “cheat” your way to success? Explain. How would your view of success change if you were to see it as doing the right things in the right way no matter what? What role does courage have in viewing success in such a way?
In a culture that often views success as reaching the top by some standard of numerical measurement, there is often little emphasis put on how we get there. In a dog eat dog world, it seems that anything goes in our attempts to be seen and known as the best. When God instructs Joshua, He makes it clear that it is through courageously doing the right things in the right way, success will be found wherever he goes.
As you pray, ask God to fill you with the courage necessary to do the right things in the right way no matter what. Pray that you would see success as being faithful in your service to others and allow God to be in charge of the outcome. Pray that you would serve with courage when fear wants to lead.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the January 29, 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 third 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.
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.“
2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
Do you deserve everything that you have? What would you have left if you were to return to others, and to God, everything that you don’t deserve? How thankful are you for God’s grace? Why do you think that grace seems to be so desired, yet so difficult for us to give to others? Are there people you have a hard time serving because you don’t think they deserve it? How does being strong in grace help you serve?
Years ago I had a brand new truck. Not a “new to me” truck, but an actual brand new truck! Soon after I got this truck, I came home one day to find my sister very apologetic because while she was mowing the mower had thrown a rock and dented the beautiful chrome trim panel on the truck’s tailgate. I had a decision to make that after the fact sounds easier than what it was. Do I extend grace or condemnation to my sister? Grace was my choice, not because I’m that good but because God is that good.
As you pray, ask God to fill you with a greater understanding and appreciation for His grace extended to you. Pray that you would extend that level of grace to those you serve.
In prayer,
Tom
Tom's Treasure 