God

Encouragement and Prayer: A Changed Earnestness! (7/14/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Changed Earnestness! (7/14/25)

This is the audio from the July 14, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.”
2 Corinthians 7:11 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will focus on some of the things produced in our life by the woe we experience.  I suspect that most of us are much more aware of the sorrow we experience than the sorrow we cause.  As I read scripture, it appears that both the woe we experience and the woe we cause can be either godly sorrow or worldly sorrow.  One of the clearest ways to determine the true source of the woe is to examine just what it produces.  Pray that you would be a truthful messenger of God so that any sorrow you produce in others would be of the godly kind.  Pray for a growing desire to endure whatever it takes to bring about a maturity in your thoughts and actions.  Pray that God would use the sorrow you experience in order to help shape you more and more into the image of Christ.  Pray that God would use you to make Jesus known to those who are filled with great woe.

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Luke 22:44 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see how a godly sorrow produces in you a variety of necessary things.  Pray that your godly sorrow would produce an earnestness in your communication with God.  Pray for the humility to be earnest with those who have added to your sorrow and with those whose sorrow has been increased by you.

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

Following Jesus – A Message of WOE! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – A Message of WOE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 13, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Message of WOE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 23

 

“See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.” 
2 Corinthians 7:11 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  As Jesus continues teaching on His way to the cross, He gives a message of . . .

  • Warning:  Matthew 23:1-12

    • As Jesus speaks to the crowd and His disciples, He gives a multi-part message of warning.  The first part of the warning is for all of us to pay attention to the authority of God’s Word and to do what it says.  The second part of the warning is to not be led astray by the actions of those who should know the right thing to do and yet fails in doing so.  Our obedience and allegiance is to God.  It is the responsibility of every believer to not only know and do the will of God, but to live with an integrity which doesn’t lead others astray when they follow our actions.  The message of woe that we hear from Jesus should be a message of warning so that we would not wander from the truth. 

  • Observation:  Matthew 23:13-36

    • Jesus follows up the message of warning with examples from His observation of the religious leaders of His day.  The religious leaders had become very good at creating loopholes for themselves to justify their disobedience to God’s Word.  It is through this message of observation that we learn that Jesus is aware of all our thoughts and all of our action, as well as to the motives behind each.  We may fool others, and we may even fool ourselves, but we will never fool God.  God’s observation of us  is an involved observation that is not done to try and catch us doing something wrong in order to condemn us, but rather it is an observation being made in order to correct us so that we would return to the right path.

  • Embrace:  Matthew 23:37-39

    • The real purpose behind this message of woe is to communicate just how much God longs to embrace every individual.  Even when proclaiming extreme sorrow and distress upon the religious leaders based on the accurate observation of their lives, Jesus makes it clear that it was always His desire that they would draw near to Him and encounter His embrace . . . but they were unwilling.  Whether the woe we experience is of our own doing or has been caused by the sinfulness present in the world we live in, God wants that experience to turn our hearts toward Him in order to receive the embrace He desires to give.

Today, how will you heed the message of WOE?

Encouragement and Prayer: The I Am To Judge! (7/11/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The I Am To Judge! (7/11/25)

This is the audio from the July 11, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’  When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:21-22 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What does it mean to know Jesus as the “I AM”?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your response to the invitation and mandate of Jesus would reflect a godly response to His authority.  Pray that you would know God as revealed to us through His Son, Jesus.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”
John 5:27 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would have no reason to fear the authority of Jesus to judge.  Pray that you would leave the eternal judgment of people to the One who has the authority to do so.  Pray that the people around you would understand His authority to judge all things.

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: The I Am Over Evil Spirits! (7/10/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The I Am Over Evil Spirits! (7/10/25)

This is the audio from the July 10, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’  When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:21-22 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What does it mean to know Jesus as the “I AM”?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your response to the invitation and mandate of Jesus would reflect a godly response to His authority.  Pray that you would know God as revealed to us through His Son, Jesus.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!’”
Luke 4:36 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would look to Jesus as the One with authority over evil spirits and over the attacks of Satan in your life and in the lives of others.  Pray that you would submit to the authority of Jesus in a way that leaves no room for evil of any kind.

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: The I Am Who Forgives Sin! (7/9/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The I Am Who Forgives Sin! (7/9/25)

This is the audio from the July 9, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’  When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:21-22 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What does it mean to know Jesus as the “I AM”?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your response to the invitation and mandate of Jesus would reflect a godly response to His authority.  Pray that you would know God as revealed to us through His Son, Jesus.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….”
Mark 2:10 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would live with confidence because of the authority of Jesus to forgive sins.  Pray for a willingness to identify your own sins in order to submit them to the authority of Jesus.  Pray that you would help others to know the authority of Jesus over sin.

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: The I Am In Teaching! (7/8/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The I Am In Teaching! (7/8/25)

This is the audio from the July 8, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’  When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:21-22 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What does it mean to know Jesus as the “I AM”?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your response to the invitation and mandate of Jesus would reflect a godly response to His authority.  Pray that you would know God as revealed to us through His Son, Jesus.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”
Mark 1:22 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.  Pray that you would accept the teachings of Jesus as having authority in your life.  Pray that you would let God’s authority be present when you share scripture.  Pray that you would greatly value the teachings of Jesus as you recognize the authority in them.

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: I Am In Heaven and On Earth! (7/7/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: I Am In Heaven and On Earth! (7/7/25)

This is the audio from the July 7, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’  When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:21-22 (NIV)

Who’s in charge?  How much authority has Jesus been given by His Father?  What does it mean to know Jesus as the “I AM”?  What do you and I do about the authority of Jesus?  How does it apply to us?  This week  in our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis we will look at some scriptures about the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your obedience would grow in a way that represents Jesus well to all you meet.  Pray for a greater understanding of the eternal nature of God’s authority and how that authority has been revealed in Jesus.  Pray that your response to the invitation and mandate of Jesus would reflect a godly response to His authority.  Pray that you would know God as revealed to us through His Son, Jesus.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”
Matthew 28:18  (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you be submissive to the authority of Christ in all things.   Pray that you would open every aspect of your life to the authority of Jesus.  Pray that your life would be lived under the authority of Jesus.  Pray for a submissive spirit that finds contentment and joy in your obedience to Christ.

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

Following Jesus – Knowing the Great I AM! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Knowing the Great I AM! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 6, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Knowing the Great I AM!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 22

 

“Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’  When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:21-22 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  As we look at the teaching, instruction, and life of Jesus we come to know Him as the great . . .

  • Invitation:  Matthew 22:1-14

    • Jesus tells several parable which compare the kingdom of heaven to a banquet of some variety.  In Matthew 22, He talks about a wedding feast in which the invited guests have no interest in attending.  When the invited guests not only refuse the invitation to the wedding of the King’s son, but they also mistreat and kill those extending the invitation, the King sends servants out to invite everyone they could find . . . both good and bad.  While the invitation is extended to all, not everyone comes dressed for the wedding and the king deals with that.  When we know Jesus as the Great I AM, we both experience and extend His great invitation for all who are weary to find rest, for all who are thirsty to be satisfied, for all who are hungry to be filled.  It is through our obedient response to the great invitation that we are clothed with Christ and found ready for the great wedding feast of the Lamb. 

 

  • Authority:  Matthew 22:15-33

    • As we read the gospels, we find Jesus constantly being tested by the various groups of religious leaders . . . sometimes they seem to be working together and sometimes they appear to be taking turns.  In today’s text, both the Pharisees and Sadducees come up with their own tests in attempts to trap Jesus.  The Pharisees raise a question about paying taxes and the Sadducees raise a question about the nature of the resurrection of people from the dead.  The answers Jesus gives each of them avoid falling into their traps and give Jesus the opportunity to declare authority and understanding of scripture which exceeds that of the religious leaders.  When Jesus tells the Pharisees to “give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s”, He subtly reminds those who are the teachers of the Law that mankind was created in the image of God and thus we must give to Him that which bears His image.  When we know Jesus as the Great I AM, we discover Him to be the great authority over life and death.  We belong to Him now, and we belong to Him throughout eternity.

  • Mandate:  Matthew 22:34-46

    • When the first two traps of Matthew 22 didn’t work, the Pharisees thought they would give it another chance by asking Jesus about what commandment was greatest.  In doing so, Jesus defines the mandate by which we must live in order to please Him.  This mandate is a command to love like Jesus loves.  While on the surface, the command to love does not appear to be new, Jesus makes it new by defining the love we must have for Him and for one another to be expressed in the way that He loves us.  When we know Jesus as the Great I AM, we find a great mandate to love God and love people.  In so doing, we discover a way of life which fulfills all the commands God has for us.

Today, how will you know the Great I AM?