God

Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Helps the Weak! (6/25/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Helps the Weak! (6/25/25)

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

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that God would purify your motives in the work you do.  Pray that you would follow the examples of those who work hard to help others.

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: Work That Is Shared! (6/24/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Is Shared! (6/24/25)

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

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that you would look for opportunities to share in the work God is doing through others.  Pray for wisdom in partnering with people who will increase the effectiveness of the work you do for the Lord.  Pray for humility which allows you to ask for help in the work you do.

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: Work That Is Established! (6/23/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Is Established! (6/23/25)

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

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that you would seek the favor of God in all of the work He sets before you.  Pray that your work would be established by God as you choose to do the very work He has created in advance to be done through 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 – Working For the KING! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Working For the KING! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 22, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Working For the KING!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 20

 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  
Colossians 3:23-24 (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 began to prepare His disciples, and the crowds, in earnest for what was to come, we find teaching about what it is like to work for the . . .

  • Kingdom:  Matthew 20:1-5

    • While it looks like it should be obvious, working for the King requires that you work for the kingdom.  If the owner of a business hires you, it is generally expected that you work for the benefit of the business he owns.  If you are constantly talking badly about the place and people you work for, the logical question to me would be why do you still work there.  When people want a relationship with God through Jesus yet the works of their hands and their lips are not building up the kingdom of God, I have to wonder how much are you really working for the King.  Our life ought to be about making Christ and His kingdom known by the way we work at all things. 

  • Invitation:  Matthew 20:6-16

    • As Jesus tells the parable of a landowner hiring workers, he encounters individuals who have been standing around all day without working simply because no one had invited them.  I remember hearing at times the question, “what are you waiting for, an invitation?”, when there was obvious work which needed done and I was not involved in it.  Yes, it is nice to be asked, but our response to Jesus being King ought to lead us to recognize His invitation to be involved in kingdom work at all times.  Loving my neighbor, being a neighbor, serving people, making phone calls and visits are all things that shouldn’t require an invitation beyond the one already issued in God’s Word to all believers.

  • Need:  Matthew 20:17-19

    • Working for the King will always surround a meeting of the real need people have . . . the need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Jesus made it clear that He came to seek and save the lost.  He communicated very directly to His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem and be crucified only to rise from the dead on the third day.  His work was about meeting the need each one of us have in paying the debt of sin that we can’t afford.  When we work for the King we become messengers of good news to all people that their ultimate need can be met in Jesus.

  • Greatest:  Matthew 20:20-34

    • I am the greatest of all time is a claim many try to make but it really only fits One, and that is Jesus.  When approached by the mother of James and John about positions next to Jesus in His kingdom, Jesus replies that they don’t really know what they are asking for and it is not His place to give those.  He goes on to reemphasize the kingdom truth that the way to greatness is through surrender and serving.  In fact, the one who wants to be greatest will end up so by the willingness to become servant of all.  Jesus did this as He let loose His grip on the things of heaven to take on the form of a human becoming obedient even to death.  It is in His choosing to serve all mankind rather than be served by mankind that we find working for the  King really is working for the greatest!  

Today, how will you work for the KING?

Encouragement and Prayer: Tested To Serve! (6/20/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Tested To Serve! (6/20/25)

This is the audio from the June 20, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will return to a topic we looked at earlier this year concerning the various tests we face in life.  Testing, when handled poorly, will often lead us to sin.  When handled correctly, however, those same tests can serve to illuminate our growth in Christ.  As Jesus was led into the desert to face temptation, He did so as one prepared for the test through prayer, fasting, and the Word of God.  Pray that you live life preparing yourself to be ready for the temptations which are common to mankind.  Pray that the testing of your faith would always produce a confidence in the faithfulness of God.  Pray that God would fill you with wisdom to know when to stand against temptation and when to follow the way out which God provides.

“They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”
1 Timothy 3:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be ready for every test you will face.  Pray that you would prove your faithfulness in the small things on your way to doing greater things for Christ.  Pray that you would use every opportunity to learn and prepare for whatever God would lead you to next.  Pray that you would be faithful in a growing responsibility of service.

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: Tested As Individuals! (6/19/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Tested As Individuals! (6/19/25)

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

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“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will return to a topic we looked at earlier this year concerning the various tests we face in life.  Testing, when handled poorly, will often lead us to sin.  When handled correctly, however, those same tests can serve to illuminate our growth in Christ.  As Jesus was led into the desert to face temptation, He did so as one prepared for the test through prayer, fasting, and the Word of God.  Pray that you live life preparing yourself to be ready for the temptations which are common to mankind.  Pray that the testing of your faith would always produce a confidence in the faithfulness of God.  Pray that God would fill you with wisdom to know when to stand against temptation and when to follow the way out which God provides.

“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.”
Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be ready for every test you will face.  Pray for clarity in testing your own actions by the standard of God’s presence in your life.  Pray that you would live with confidence in the way you offer the best of yourself to God.  Pray that you would avoid the trap of individual comparisons.

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: Tested In Sincerity! (6/18/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Tested In Sincerity! (6/18/25)

This is the audio from the June 18, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will return to a topic we looked at earlier this year concerning the various tests we face in life.  Testing, when handled poorly, will often lead us to sin.  When handled correctly, however, those same tests can serve to illuminate our growth in Christ.  As Jesus was led into the desert to face temptation, He did so as one prepared for the test through prayer, fasting, and the Word of God.  Pray that you live life preparing yourself to be ready for the temptations which are common to mankind.  Pray that the testing of your faith would always produce a confidence in the faithfulness of God.  Pray that God would fill you with wisdom to know when to stand against temptation and when to follow the way out which God provides.

“I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.”
2 Corinthians 8:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be ready for every test you will face.  Pray that your response to the needs of others would reflect the sincerity of your love for people.  Pray for an awareness of how your good works done for God are tested not by a comparison of size, but rather by a comparison of desire.

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: Tested For Obedience! (6/17/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Tested For Obedience! (6/17/25)

This is the audio from the June 17, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will return to a topic we looked at earlier this year concerning the various tests we face in life.  Testing, when handled poorly, will often lead us to sin.  When handled correctly, however, those same tests can serve to illuminate our growth in Christ.  As Jesus was led into the desert to face temptation, He did so as one prepared for the test through prayer, fasting, and the Word of God.  Pray that you live life preparing yourself to be ready for the temptations which are common to mankind.  Pray that the testing of your faith would always produce a confidence in the faithfulness of God.  Pray that God would fill you with wisdom to know when to stand against temptation and when to follow the way out which God provides.

“The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.”
2 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be ready for every test you will face.  Pray that you would learn godly obedience when faced with testing of any kind.  Pray that you learn God’s Word for the purpose of knowing how He wants you to live.  Pray that your life of obedience to Christ would be an example 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