God

Encouragement and Prayer: Tested By Opposition! (1/13/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Tested By Opposition! (1/13/25)

~

This is the audio from the January 13, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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 focus on being ready to face, and overcome, the temptations which come our way.  Temptations, when handled poorly, will often lead us to sin.  When handled correctly, however, those same temptations can serve as a test which illuminates our growth in Christ.  As Jesus was led into the desert to face temptation, He dis 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 served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.”
Acts 20:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be ready for every test you will face.  Pray that your response to those who oppose the message of Christ would always be based out of humility.  Pray that you would learn to serve with greater humility even as your faith is tested by those who disagree with 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

Following Jesus – Ready For the TEST! (Sermon Audio)
by

Following Jesus – Ready For the TEST! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the January 12, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Ready For the TEST!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 4:1-11

“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)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live life following Jesus.  As Jesus prepared to begin His public teaching and ministry, He shows us what it looks like to be ready for the . . .

  • Treat:  Matthew 4:1-4

    • As we live as those ready for the test, we learn from Jesus about being ready for what appears to be a treat.  After forty days of prayer and fasting, and tempting, the devil offers Jesus the one thing that would make the most sense — food!  The response of Jesus, as with all of the devil’s temptations, is to apply God’s Word to His current situation.  We must be very careful when we are offered that which caters to the desires of our flesh rather than the desire of the Spirit who lives within us.  We prepare ourselves to be ready for the treats of this world when we set our eyes upon the ultimate reward of life forever with Jesus.  

  • Excuses:  Matthew 4:5-7

    • Being ready for the test comes when we learn from Jesus how to overcome the excuses of the enemy designed to lead to our disobedience.  The devil tried to use scripture as an excuse for Jesus to throw Himself off the high point of the temple.  It is a similar technique he used in twisting God’s Word in asking Adam and Eve if God really said they could not touch the tree in the garden.  We are surrounded by the work of the devil in filling our minds with excuses which attempt to justify sinful behavior.  We prepare ourselves to be ready for the excuses of this world when we fill our minds daily with the truth of God’s Word.

  • Success:  Matthew 4:8-10

    • Being ready for the test requires that we are prepared with a godly response to the allure of success.  The devil offered to give Jesus the kingdoms of this world in exchange for a moment of worship.  The lie woven within this offer of success is that the kingdoms of this world are only temporarily under the rule of the devil . . . Jesus was, is, and will be Lord of all.  We can easily desire success to such an extent that we give in to the temptations of shortcuts and settling for less than God’s best.  We prepare ourselves to be ready for success when we measure true success by our faithfulness to God and His faithfulness to us.

  • Time:  Matthew 4:11

    • Being ready for the test comes with an understanding to be ready for the time at hand.  As I understand the accounts of this wilderness time in the life of Jesus, He was being tempted by the devil not just these three times at the end, but throughout the forty days of prayer and fasting.  But it didn’t end there.  Luke tells us that after these three specific temptations, the devil left Him for “a more opportune time”.  The forth temptation in this series is the temptation that we have somehow overcome to the extent that there is no more temptation to come.  We must always be on guard and prepared for the many temptations of the evil one at times when we expect it and and times we least expect it.  We prepare ourselves to be ready for time when we daily put on the full armor of God so that we can stand, and after all is done, we stand.

Today, how will you be ready for the TEST?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Path Prepared For Light! (1/10/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: A Path Prepared For Light! (1/10/25)

~

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

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'”  
Matthew 3:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will be to pray about the prepared path that Jesus walked, and that He calls you to walk as you follow Him.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a path, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  The path we choose to travel each day reflects where we are headed and helps others to see the goodness of God as we follow His path.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the path of the righteous.  Pray about how your choices in life reflect the path you are traveling on.  Pray that God would help you avoid the distractions and detours the enemy uses in an attempt to get you off the path that is right.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would follow it as they observe your life in Christ.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would use God’s Word to illuminate the path you walk each day.  Pray that you would shine the light of God’s Word on the path that those around you walk.  Pray for the wisdom and desire to shine the light of God’s Word upon the path you travel so that your way would be clear.

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 Path Prepared For Freedom! (1/9/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: A Path Prepared For Freedom! (1/9/25)

~

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

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'”  
Matthew 3:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will be to pray about the prepared path that Jesus walked, and that He calls you to walk as you follow Him.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a path, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  The path we choose to travel each day reflects where we are headed and helps others to see the goodness of God as we follow His path.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the path of the righteous.  Pray about how your choices in life reflect the path you are traveling on.  Pray that God would help you avoid the distractions and detours the enemy uses in an attempt to get you off the path that is right.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would follow it as they observe your life in Christ.

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”
Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would daily experience the freedom of walking in the path of God’s commands.  Pray that the people around you would see a heart set free in Christ.  Pray that you would learn to run free from bondage as you travel in the path of God’s commands.

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 Path Prepared For God’s Way! (1/8/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: A Path Prepared For God’s Way! (1/8/25)

~

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

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'”  
Matthew 3:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will be to pray about the prepared path that Jesus walked, and that He calls you to walk as you follow Him.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a path, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  The path we choose to travel each day reflects where we are headed and helps others to see the goodness of God as we follow His path.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the path of the righteous.  Pray about how your choices in life reflect the path you are traveling on.  Pray that God would help you avoid the distractions and detours the enemy uses in an attempt to get you off the path that is right.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would follow it as they observe your life in Christ.

“Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.”
Psalm 27:11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s way so that your path would not be disrupted by the enemy.  Pray that you would teach others the way of God.  Pray that those who stand against you would actually help you travel in a way that pleases 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: A Path Prepared For Protection! (1/7/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: A Path Prepared For Protection! (1/7/25)

~

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

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'”  
Matthew 3:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will be to pray about the prepared path that Jesus walked, and that He calls you to walk as you follow Him.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a path, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  The path we choose to travel each day reflects where we are headed and helps others to see the goodness of God as we follow His path.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the path of the righteous.  Pray about how your choices in life reflect the path you are traveling on.  Pray that God would help you avoid the distractions and detours the enemy uses in an attempt to get you off the path that is right.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would follow it as they observe your life in Christ.

“You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”
Psalm 18:36 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would follow God’s path and trust Him to broaden it beneath your feet so that your walk is steady.  Pray that those around you would not stumble on the path they are choosing to travel.  Pray for God’s protection from both physical and spiritual dangers that exist as you travel through 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 Path Prepared For Life! (1/6/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: A Path Prepared For Life! (1/6/25)

~

This is the audio from the January  6, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'”  
Matthew 3:3 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will be to pray about the prepared path that Jesus walked, and that He calls you to walk as you follow Him.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a path, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  The path we choose to travel each day reflects where we are headed and helps others to see the goodness of God as we follow His path.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the path of the righteous.  Pray about how your choices in life reflect the path you are traveling on.  Pray that God would help you avoid the distractions and detours the enemy uses in an attempt to get you off the path that is right.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would follow it as they observe your life in Christ.

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would be filled with joy as you walk the path of life.  Pray that your joy would lead others to seek the path of life through Jesus.  Pray that the path you travel would seek pleasures that last through eternity.

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 – A Prepared PATH! (Sermon Audio)
by

Following Jesus – A Prepared PATH! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the January 5, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Prepared Path!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 3

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'”  
Matthew 3:3 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live life following Jesus.  Before Jesus called for people to follow Him, God worked at just the right time to provide a prepared . . .

  • Person:  Matthew 3:1-4

    • Following Jesus began in earnest with John being a prepared person who was called to make the way ready for the arrival of the Messiah.  His preparation came through his obedience to God’s call to preach a message of repentance.  This prepared person made the path straight for Jesus to be the One prepared as the sacrificial Lamb who could take away our sin.  Our obedience to what became known at “The Way” is possible because a prepared person shared the good news of Jesus with us.  We too can be a prepared person as we learn from God’s Word and share the good news of Jesus with others.  

  • Attitude:  Matthew 3:5-6

    • Following Jesus always comes from a prepared attitude.  While we will talk a bit later about humility, John’s attitude was one that acknowledge a need for change.  The path John was preparing for Jesus was a path marked by repentant people who were tired of a sinful way of life.  This attitude of repentance would lead to a willingness to follow Jesus because He taught not as the teachers of the law, but rather as One with authority.  In fact, this prepared attitude is one which we’re commanded to take as our own if we indeed have any good which comes from our relationship with Christ.  We too can live with a prepared attitude when we are willing to be honest with God and our self about the sins which grab hold of us.

  • Teaching:  Matthew 3:7-12

    • Following Jesus flows from our acceptance, and obedience to a prepared teaching.  This teaching which has been prepared for us does not come from worldly wisdom but rather from the wisdom of God.  John’s teaching was shocking to the religious leaders of the day because it not only called for the people to be sorry for their sins, it called for the people to produce fruits of repentance as they changed their life.  Even Jesus said He did not do, or teach, anything on His own but it all came from the prepared teaching of His Father.  We too can live with prepared teaching when we allow the Word of God to be the authority in what we believe and in what we share.

  • Humility:  Matthew 3:13-16

    • Following Jesus is only possible when we choose to live with a prepared humility.  While a false humility may lead us to decline doing what God would calls us to because we’re “not worthy”, this prepared humility brings about an obedience because God is worthy.  John’s hesitation in baptizing Jesus shows a humility which knows Jesus is much greater, but it is also the humility within him which follows through with the baptism of Jesus because it is the type of humility which leads to obedience.  It is a humility that may well say to Jesus, “I’m tired, I’m not qualified, and I don’t want to but I’ll do it anyway simply because you say so.”  We too can live with a prepared humility when we set apart Christ as Lord in our heart.

Today, how will you follow the prepared PATH?