Life Lessons

Encouragement and Prayer: Go With Authority! (4/24/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Go With Authority! (4/24/23)

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This is the audio from the April 24, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“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 continue a focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  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 is in taking the good news of Jesus to others everywhere we go.  As you pray, ask God to 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.

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

Pray that God’s authority would be taken seriously by all believers — especially in regards to fulfilling His commands.  Pray that you would be obedient to the authority of Jesus in all things.  Pray for the confidence to share the good news of Jesus with the backing of His authority.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

A Time to GO! (Sermon Audio)
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A Time to GO! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 23, 2023 sermon, “A Time to Go”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 28:16-20

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  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 28:16-20 (NIV)

Today I continued a series, or added a postscript to the previous series, as we looked at life after the resurrection.  When it comes to the events following the resurrection of Jesus, Matthew is much more concise than what we have looked at from Luke and John.  In fact, Matthew tells of the resurrection and the attempt by the religious leaders to hide the fact that Jesus resurrected from the dead, then finishes out his writing with what we refer to as the Great Commission being the sum total of his post resurrection account.  In it we find a very direct description of what the disciples did after the resurrection and what we ought to be doing.  When we live as those resurrected by the power of Jesus, we discover it is time to . . .

  • Glorify:  —  Matthew 28:16-17

    • After knowing the power of the resurrection, we should be filled with a growing desire to glorify God.  Our life as those resurrected from the dead is a testimony to God’s power and even in our moments of doubt, worship of God should be our lifestyle.  When we live as those who share Jesus everywhere we go, we not only worship God but we also help others see who He is..

  • Obey:  —  Matthew 28:18-20

    • The power of the resurrection at work in our life ought to result in a growing obedience to all that we learn from God’s Word.  For us to take the command of Jesus seriously to go and make disciples, we must be one who is a disciple.  God’s desire is that our time with Jesus in observation and learning will teach us not only how to live for Him, but also how to instruct others in the ways of obedience.  .

Today, when will you GO and where will you GO?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Encourage! (4/21/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Encourage! (4/21/23)

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This is the audio from the April 21, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ”
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray that your life would be an encouragement to others as you meet together on a regular basis.  Pray that you would value the opportunities which exist for fellowship.  Pray that you would share the encouragement you receive from Christ.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Visit! (4/20/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Visit! (4/20/23)

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This is the audio from the April 20, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ”
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.

“When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”
Matthew 25:38-39 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray that you would notice the stranger, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned and visit them as if you are visiting Christ.  Pray that you would value time spent with others who may be different than you.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Rebuke and Repent! (4/19/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Rebuke and Repent! (4/19/23)

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This is the audio from the April 19, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ”
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.

“So watch yourselves.  ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.’”
Luke 17:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray for the wisdom and grace to rebuke others in love and to repent when you are rebuked.  Pray that you would be filled with humility when it is necessary to correct others.  Pray that the same humility would fill you when you need to repent.  Pray for a spirit of forgiveness.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Equip! (4/18/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Equip! (4/18/23)

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This is the audio from the April 18, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ”
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.

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

As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so that you would be equipped, and be able to equip others, for every good work.  Pray that you would come together with God’s people in ways that equip each member of the body.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Share! (4/17/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Time to Share! (4/17/23)

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This is the audio from the April 17, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ”
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on our responsibility after the resurrection.  We live a resurrected life as we join with Christ in the power of His resurrection.  The result should be a transformation that changes us in such a way that what we do is different whether when we are alone or together with  others.  The very heart of a time to gather is a time to serve one another.  As you pray this week, ask God help you to renew your commitment to serving Him as you serve others.  Pray that you would know how He is equipping you to serve within the church body and within your community.  Pray for the courage to serve in ways that may stretch your comfort zone . . . or take you completely out of it.  Pray that God would direct your obedience to Him in the ways you gather with others.  Pray that you would be an active part of encouraging others when you come together as part of the body of Christ.

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with those in need.  Pray for wisdom to know how to share well and discernment in understanding needs.  Pray that your sharing would be done not just with your stuff, but also with your time and abilities within the body of Christ.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

A Time to Gather! (Sermon Audio)
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A Time to Gather! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 16, 2023 sermon, “A Time to Gather: A Place to HEAL”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: John 21

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ”
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Today I began a new series, or added a postscript to the previous series, as we looked at life after the resurrection.  Even though Jesus had spent His ministry years preparing the disciples to take the gospel into the world, He knew that they would not quite be ready after the resurrection.  In fact, He had told them prior to the cross that He would die, be buried, and rise again and that they should wait for Him.  I believe this gathering after the resurrection was necessary for a variety of reasons, with one of those primary reasons being that they had all deserted Jesus in His time of trial and each of them would be experiencing some level of brokenness and guilt.  They needed the restoration and healing that only Jesus could bring and they needed to know it was for all of them.  As we gather each week as those resurrected by the power of Jesus Christ, we do so as those who have our own brokenness and guilt so we come together in a place to . . .

  • Hear:  —  John 21:1-9

    • Our time to gather is a place to hear the good news of Jesus and experience the power of listening to God and to one another.  Even as Jesus called out to the disciples and gave them instructions on where to find fish, they did not immediately realize it was Him.  They needed a place to truly hear so they would recognize Jesus in their midst.  When we gather with others, we need to be mindful that the distractions of this life are numerous and present in the most unexpected places.  Our brokenness has a way of dulling our hearing so that we begin to believe the lies of our enemy.  When we deliberately listen to God and to one another, we find a place to gather where each one of us can find the healing we need.

  • Eat:  —  John 21:10-14

    • I suspect that talking about our time to gather being a place to eat might seem a bit strange at first.  Yet it shouldn’t take long to realize the hunger that is created by our brokenness.  When we gather as those resurrected by the power of Jesus Christ, we find fulfillment as we feast on God’s Word and as we share in the elements of communion.  Even though the text says that Jesus had a fire going with fish being prepared, He asked the disciples to bring some of the fish they had caught to Him.  While Jesus has all that we need, He also calls for us to contribute as we each bring value to the gathering through what He has provided in our life.  But it’s not just spiritual food that we share, we grow together when we join in sharing fellowship around meals that sustain us physically as well that which strengthens the connectedness of the body.

  • Adjust — John 21:15-19

    • We don’t like to admit it, but we’re not always right.  In fact, the only one who is always right is God.  Sometimes it is the recognition of how we have failed ourselves, others, and/or God that causes a brokenness . . . at least in our mind.  The disciples, and perhaps especially Peter, needed a place to adjust before they would be open vessels suitable for God’s work of changing the world.  God’s desire is that we would live in fellowship with one another in such a way that we remind others, and are reminded our self, of the great task which is ours through Jesus Christ.  Loving God and living a resurrected life isn’t as much about being right as it is about taking care of people.  When we allow God to administer an attitude adjustment in our life, we find a place to gather where we willingly adjust our attitudes and actions to serve others according to their need.

  • Love — John 21:20-25

    • I don’t know too many people that like to be singled out in ways that make their brokenness apparent or their task seem unfair in comparison to others . . . in fact, I don’t know anyone that likes that!  Peter’s response to Jesus revealing the hardships he would face was the age-old deflection of “What about him?”.  It is in this context that John reveals himself to be the one he refers to as “the disciple whom Jesus loves”.  God’s Word tells us that “love covers a multitude of sin”.  When we gather as those resurrected by the power of Jesus Christ, we should find ourselves in a place of love . . . not that we’re so good at it, but because we have experienced being the disciple that Jesus loves.

Today, how will you make the times you gather with others be a place to HEAL?