Encouragement and Prayer: Origin of God’s Word! (9/29/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Origin of God’s Word! (9/29/25)

This is the audio from the September 29, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about knowing, and using, the Bible as the Word of God.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to make use of it and apply it to everything we do.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to draw near to God and be transformed.  Pray that God would help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God so that you would know how to Grow in His Word.  Pray that your love for God’s Word would grow as your understanding of its usefulness grows.  Pray that the usefulness of  God’s Word in your life would cause you to share it at every opportunity.

“For prophecy [God’s Word] never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:21 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the Bible as His Word.  Pray that you would have a proper view of Scripture as the Word which came from God and not from man.  Pray that God’s Spirit would give you insight into what He has spoken through His Word.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Knowing the BASICS – Knowing the Bible: God’s Word! (Sermon Audio)

Knowing the BASICS – Knowing the Bible: God’s Word! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 28, 2025 sermon, “Knowing the Bible: God’s Word!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Today we began a sermon series about Knowing the BASICS!  This will be a six-part series looking at the basics of what we believe as the Deer Run Church of Christ, which corresponds with what I believe as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus.  Foundational to our beliefs about God is a belief that the Bible is the true and accurate Word of God filled with the content He desires for us to know and follow.  As we embark on this journey of understanding, we begin with knowing the Bible as God’s  . . .

  • Wisdom2 Timothy 3:15, Psalm 19:7

    • The Bible contains the wisdom of God which when applied can make us wise unto salvation through Jesus Christ.  It is a wisdom which rises above all other knowledge because it is designed by God to transform us through its application in our life.  It is a wisdom that fills us and overflows beyond us as we simply cannot contain the whole of who God is.  I believe the Bible is the slice of God’s wisdom that He has allocated to us according to our ability to understand. 
  • Oracle:  2 Timothy 3:16a, 2 Peter 1:20-21

    • In many ancient cultures, an oracle was one who spoke to the people on behalf of whatever god, or gods, they claimed to represent.  From a Biblical viewpoint, God’s people of old had prophets who were chosen by God to fulfill that role yet even they pointed to a time when the people would be taught by God Himself.  God declares that all scripture has been breathed out by Him, spoken by His Spirit to individuals that wrote it down to be delivered to us as the very Word of God.
  • Revelation:  2 Timothy 3:16b, Romans 16:25-16

    • While we have a book of the Bible that we call “Revelation”, we must never forget that the entire Bible is the revelation by God of Himself to mankind.  The Bible is useful for all good things because it reveals God to us in a way which should transform us more and more into the image of Christ.  From beginning to end, we find God revealing His love for mankind and continually drawing us into relationship with Himself even when we rebel and reject Him.  God’s Word reveals a just and loving God who gave His one and only Son so that we might be saved.
  • Direction:  2 Timothy 3:17, Psalm 119:105

    • The Bible is God’s direction for our life.  Found within our reading, studying, learning, and applying it to our everyday life, is direction which equips us for every good work God desires for us to do.  When His Word illuminates our feet and our path, we walk without being overcome by danger in the path we ought to go.  It is through the verses of scripture, read and understood in the context of the entire Word of God, that we grow in our understanding and practice of the will of God.

 

Today, how will you live as one who knows God’s WORD?

Encouragement and Prayer: Building Through Encouragement! (9/26/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Building Through Encouragement! (9/26/25)

This is the audio from the September 26, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the responsibility each Christian has in doing their part to build up the family of God.  While each of us have different gifting and abilities, we each have an obligation to use them to help the entire family grow.  God doesn’t expect your part from me or my part from you, but he does expect that we will each do our part to build up one another.  Pray that you would pay attention to the part that you ought to be doing, rather than concerning yourself with what someone else should do.  Pray for a healthy and mature body of Christ as each member submits to the Head.  Pray for wisdom in being a family builder in your own home and in the way you help others.  Pray that your efforts in loving people would help them grow in being part of God’s family.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate the condition of the spiritual family that you are part of so that you can more accurately see the work that needs done.  Pray that your interactions with people would be an encouragement that builds them up. Pray that God would surround you with people who encourage you in your walk with Him. Pray that the gathering of God’s family would be an encouragement to all.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Building With Speech! (9/25/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Building With Speech! (9/25/25)

This is the audio from the September 25, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the responsibility each Christian has in doing their part to build up the family of God.  While each of us have different gifting and abilities, we each have an obligation to use them to help the entire family grow.  God doesn’t expect your part from me or my part from you, but he does expect that we will each do our part to build up one another.  Pray that you would pay attention to the part that you ought to be doing, rather than concerning yourself with what someone else should do.  Pray for a healthy and mature body of Christ as each member submits to the Head.  Pray for wisdom in being a family builder in your own home and in the way you help others.  Pray that your efforts in loving people would help them grow in being part of God’s family.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate the condition of the spiritual family that you are part of so that you can more accurately see the work that needs done.  Pray that you would set a guard on your mouth so that your speech would build up those who listen. Pray that you would filter what comes into your ears so that the speech of others would build you up.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Building Up the Church! (9/24/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Building Up the Church! (9/24/25)

This is the audio from the September 24, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the responsibility each Christian has in doing their part to build up the family of God.  While each of us have different gifting and abilities, we each have an obligation to use them to help the entire family grow.  God doesn’t expect your part from me or my part from you, but he does expect that we will each do our part to build up one another.  Pray that you would pay attention to the part that you ought to be doing, rather than concerning yourself with what someone else should do.  Pray for a healthy and mature body of Christ as each member submits to the Head.  Pray for wisdom in being a family builder in your own home and in the way you help others.  Pray that your efforts in loving people would help them grow in being part of God’s family.

“So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:12 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate the condition of the spiritual family that you are part of so that you can more accurately see the work that needs done.  Pray that you would use, and grow, in the gifts God has given you and that your use of them would build up the church. Pray for an atmosphere that would encourage people to excel in the gifts that build up the body. Pray that the family of God would grow in every way as it is built up by God’s gifting.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Building Up Your Neighbor! (9/23/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Building Up Your Neighbor! (9/23/25)

This is the audio from the September 23, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the responsibility each Christian has in doing their part to build up the family of God.  While each of us have different gifting and abilities, we each have an obligation to use them to help the entire family grow.  God doesn’t expect your part from me or my part from you, but he does expect that we will each do our part to build up one another.  Pray that you would pay attention to the part that you ought to be doing, rather than concerning yourself with what someone else should do.  Pray for a healthy and mature body of Christ as each member submits to the Head.  Pray for wisdom in being a family builder in your own home and in the way you help others.  Pray that your efforts in loving people would help them grow in being part of God’s family.

“Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
Romans 15:2 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate the condition of the spiritual family that you are part of so that you can more accurately see the work that needs done.  Pray that you would serve your neighbors in the name of Jesus so that they would be built up according to their need. Pray that you would trust God to use your neighbor in Christ to build you up according to your need. Pray that you would be a neighbor to everyone you encounter.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Building With Grace! (9/22/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Building With Grace! (9/22/25)

This is the audio from the September 22, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the responsibility each Christian has in doing their part to build up the family of God.  While each of us have different gifting and abilities, we each have an obligation to use them to help the entire family grow.  God doesn’t expect your part from me or my part from you, but he does expect that we will each do our part to build up one another.  Pray that you would pay attention to the part that you ought to be doing, rather than concerning yourself with what someone else should do.  Pray for a healthy and mature body of Christ as each member submits to the Head.  Pray for wisdom in being a family builder in your own home and in the way you help others.  Pray that your efforts in loving people would help them grow in being part of God’s family.

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
Acts 20:32 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate the condition of the spiritual family that you are part of so that you can more accurately see the work that needs done.  Pray that you would recognize the power of God’s grace to continually build you up for the inheritance that is yours. Pray that you would be active in sharing God’s grace in a way that builds up His family.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Go In Help! (9/19/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Go In Help! (9/19/25)

This is the audio from the September 19, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living in faith so that we would participate in the Great Commission everywhere we go.  When we choose to follow Jesus, the result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that we are obedient in doing everything Christ commanded.  Part of that obedience involves a steadfast faith which leads us in taking the good news of Jesus to others everywhere we go.  Pray that God would help you know and follow His commands in a way that shares them with others.  Pray that you would consider how your obedience helps to spread the gospel to everyone you meet.  Pray that you would be involved in teaching others the very things you have learned through your relationship with Jesus.  Pray that God would empower you with the courage that comes from His presence with you always.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you walk by faith in your witness for Him.  Pray that you would recognize the constant presence of God as your help in time of need.  Pray that your daily walk with God would help others know His nearness and availability.  Pray that God’s help would fill you with great contentment.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom