God

Encouragement and Prayer: A Life of Faith! (3/28/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Life of Faith! (3/28/25)

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This is the audio from the March 28, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about what is being said through the various areas of our life so that no one would have legitimate reasons to look down on us.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who really wants to be looked down upon, but I have encountered many that seemed to do little to keep that from happening — in fact, there are times I’m sure I’ve been one of those.  God says that a good way to keep people from looking down on us for superficial reasons is to build a life of godly character.  Pray that you would have the courage to live above reproach in every area of your life.  Pray for wisdom in applying God’s Word in ways that make you an example without being pretentious.  Pray for the humility needed to help others grow even as you work on your own example.   Pray that Jesus would always be visible through the way you live.

“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”
James 2:22 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you to accurately examine what is being said by your life.  Pray that you would live with a faith that can be seen in what you do.  Pray that the things you do each day would be consistent with your expressed faith.  Pray that others would see your faith active within your deeds so that they would be encouraged in their faith.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: A Life of Love! (3/27/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Life of Love! (3/27/25)

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This is the audio from the March 27, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about what is being said through the various areas of our life so that no one would have legitimate reasons to look down on us.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who really wants to be looked down upon, but I have encountered many that seemed to do little to keep that from happening — in fact, there are times I’m sure I’ve been one of those.  God says that a good way to keep people from looking down on us for superficial reasons is to build a life of godly character.  Pray that you would have the courage to live above reproach in every area of your life.  Pray for wisdom in applying God’s Word in ways that make you an example without being pretentious.  Pray for the humility needed to help others grow even as you work on your own example.   Pray that Jesus would always be visible through the way you live.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
1 John 3:16 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you to accurately examine what is being said by your life.  Pray that you would know the fullness of God’s love expressed through Jesus Christ so that you would love others with the same fullness.  Pray that you would continually grow in the way you express love, using the sacrificial love of Jesus as your example.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: A Life of Wisdom! (3/26/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Life of Wisdom! (3/26/25)

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

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about what is being said through the various areas of our life so that no one would have legitimate reasons to look down on us.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who really wants to be looked down upon, but I have encountered many that seemed to do little to keep that from happening — in fact, there are times I’m sure I’ve been one of those.  God says that a good way to keep people from looking down on us for superficial reasons is to build a life of godly character.  Pray that you would have the courage to live above reproach in every area of your life.  Pray for wisdom in applying God’s Word in ways that make you an example without being pretentious.  Pray for the humility needed to help others grow even as you work on your own example.   Pray that Jesus would always be visible through the way you live.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
James 3:13 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you to accurately examine what is being said by your life.  Pray that your life would reveal to others a wisdom and understanding that can only come from God.  Pray that you would live with humility in such a way that people would see the hand of God present in the way you live life.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: A Life of Speech! (3/25/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Life of Speech! (3/25/25)

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

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about what is being said through the various areas of our life so that no one would have legitimate reasons to look down on us.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who really wants to be looked down upon, but I have encountered many that seemed to do little to keep that from happening — in fact, there are times I’m sure I’ve been one of those.  God says that a good way to keep people from looking down on us for superficial reasons is to build a life of godly character.  Pray that you would have the courage to live above reproach in every area of your life.  Pray for wisdom in applying God’s Word in ways that make you an example without being pretentious.  Pray for the humility needed to help others grow even as you work on your own example.   Pray that Jesus would always be visible through the way you live.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you to accurately examine what is being said by your life.  Pray that the graciousness of your speech would rise above what people might expect.  Pray for the wisdom to see how the words you use are heard by people — both people who are similar to you and people who may be very different from you.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: A Life Beyond Appearances! (3/24/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Life Beyond Appearances! (3/24/25)

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

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is about what is being said through the various areas of our life so that no one would have legitimate reasons to look down on us.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who really wants to be looked down upon, but I have encountered many that seemed to do little to keep that from happening — in fact, there are times I’m sure I’ve been one of those.  God says that a good way to keep people from looking down on us for superficial reasons is to build a life of godly character.  Pray that you would have the courage to live above reproach in every area of your life.  Pray for wisdom in applying God’s Word in ways that make you an example without being pretentious.  Pray for the humility needed to help others grow even as you work on your own example.   Pray that Jesus would always be visible through the way you live.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13 (NIV)

As  you pray this week, ask God to help you to accurately examine what is being said by your life.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would be the most noticeable thing about you.  Pray for the courage and humility needed to let Jesus shine through your human weaknesses.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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 – What Was TOLD! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – What Was TOLD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 23, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: What Was TOLD!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 11


“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’  Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see.’”  
Matthew 11:2-4 (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 Matthew continues to unveil the life of Jesus through his gospel, we find John being in prison and wanting to confirm that Jesus was indeed the One who was to come.  John sent some of his followers to Jesus in an attempt to confirm what he had been . . .

  • Taught:  Matthew 11:1-3

    • John’s life was the result of God’s miraculous work in the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth and he had likely been taught all his life about the calling on his life to prepare the way for the anointed One.  As John taught in the desert about the need to repent in preparation for the kingdom of God, Jesus shows up and is proclaimed by John to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  When we consider what was told to us about Jesus, and what we tell others about Jesus, we begin with an understanding of what was taught to us and what is taught by us. 

  • Observed:  Matthew 11:4-10

    • In response to John’s question, Jesus in essence simply says, “look around and observe what is happening!”.  There is a call to consider the miraculous works being accomplished by Jesus as well as the welcoming nature of the gospel to the poor.  But it wasn’t just a call to observe what Jesus has been doing, it was also a reminder for each person to consider what it was that they were looking for when they went out to the desert to see John.  When we consider what was told to us about Jesus, and what we tell others about Jesus, it is important that we pay attention and not only observe the mighty work He does in our life, but we also live in a way that others may observe that work in us.

  • Learned:  Matthew 11:11-19

    • At the heart of being taught and observing is the need to use those things for learning.  I can be taught and observe a lot of things but if they don’t change my thinking and/or my actions I haven’t really learned anything.  As Jesus taught and did life in public, His goal was that people would learn how to live in a way which pleases and honors God.  When we consider what was told to us about Jesus, and what we tell others about Jesus, we become more effective representatives when we can share what was learned.

  • Done:  Matthew 11:20-30

    • The true measure of our acceptance of what was told involves a visible response made known by what was done.  Learning through what is taught and observed is only true learning if it leads to something being done . . . even if that something is to be still and wait.  When we put God’s Word into practice, we become those who build our lives on the solid foundation which is Jesus.  When we consider what was told to us about Jesus, and what we tell others about Jesus, the question we must consistently ask is, “what have I done with Jesus?”.  

Today, how will you respond to what’s been TOLD?

Encouragement and Prayer: Sent By God! (3/21/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Sent By God! (3/21/25)

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This is the audio from the March 21, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”  
Luke 10:2 (NIV)

As we continue our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis, this week’s focus is to pray not only for those who are sent, but also praying about how you can be both a sender and one who is sent.  When Jesus asks His disciples to pray for workers to be sent out into the harvest field, the answer to their prayers was that He sent them!  As we prayed last week about being on mission with God, we are reminded that some people are sent to foreign lands and others are sent into the everyday workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods which are common parts of life.  Pray that you would understand the circumstances of where you are so that you would accomplish the purpose God has for sending you there.  Pray for the wisdom and courage to be both one who sends and one who is sent.  Pray for humility to recognize the whose harvest field you have been sent to and who the harvest belongs to.

“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.”
2 Corinthians 2:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be obedient in sharing Jesus everywhere you are sent.  Pray that your words and actions would carry a sincerity which comes from God.  Pray that God would purify you from all selfishness so that your words to others would always be representative of one being sent by God.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Sent To Share Good News! (3/20/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Sent To Share Good News! (3/20/25)

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

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”  
Luke 10:2 (NIV)

As we continue our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis, this week’s focus is to pray not only for those who are sent, but also praying about how you can be both a sender and one who is sent.  When Jesus asks His disciples to pray for workers to be sent out into the harvest field, the answer to their prayers was that He sent them!  As we prayed last week about being on mission with God, we are reminded that some people are sent to foreign lands and others are sent into the everyday workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods which are common parts of life.  Pray that you would understand the circumstances of where you are so that you would accomplish the purpose God has for sending you there.  Pray for the wisdom and courage to be both one who sends and one who is sent.  Pray for humility to recognize the whose harvest field you have been sent to and who the harvest belongs to.

“And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be obedient in sharing Jesus everywhere you are sent.  Pray that you would live as one sent to proclaim the good news of Jesus through both your actions and your words.  Pray that you would be involved in sending others to proclaim Jesus in places you can’t be.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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