Life Lessons

Encouragement and Prayer: Shine In Faith! (12/12/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Shine In Faith! (12/12/25)

This is the audio from the December 12, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

~

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is on letting the joy of Christmas shine through you by the way you live.  In letting our joy shine, we will look at how Paul instructed Timothy to live so he didn’t give people an excuse for looking down upon him.  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  you would shine in such a way that people glorify God because of His work in you.  Pray that the exceedingly great joy of Christmas would be evident in your life all year.

“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 how your joy shines by the way you live.  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 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: Shine In Love! (12/11/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Shine In Love! (12/11/25)

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

~

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is on letting the joy of Christmas shine through you by the way you live.  In letting our joy shine, we will look at how Paul instructed Timothy to live so he didn’t give people an excuse for looking down upon him.  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  you would shine in such a way that people glorify God because of His work in you.  Pray that the exceedingly great joy of Christmas would be evident in your life all year.

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 how your joy shines by the way you live.  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 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: Shine In Life! (12/10/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Shine In Life! (12/10/25)

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

~

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is on letting the joy of Christmas shine through you by the way you live.  In letting our joy shine, we will look at how Paul instructed Timothy to live so he didn’t give people an excuse for looking down upon him.  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  you would shine in such a way that people glorify God because of His work in you.  Pray that the exceedingly great joy of Christmas would be evident in your life all year.

“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 how your joy shines by the way you live.  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 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: Shine In Speech! (12/9/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Shine In Speech! (12/9/25)

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

~

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is on letting the joy of Christmas shine through you by the way you live.  In letting our joy shine, we will look at how Paul instructed Timothy to live so he didn’t give people an excuse for looking down upon him.  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  you would shine in such a way that people glorify God because of His work in you.  Pray that the exceedingly great joy of Christmas would be evident in your life all year.

“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 how your joy shines by the way you live.  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 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: Shine Beyond Appearances! (12/8/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Shine Beyond Appearances! (12/8/25)

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

~

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Our prayer focus this week is on letting the joy of Christmas shine through you by the way you live.  In letting our joy shine, we will look at how Paul instructed Timothy to live so he didn’t give people an excuse for looking down upon him.  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  you would shine in such a way that people glorify God because of His work in you.  Pray that the exceedingly great joy of Christmas would be evident in your life all year.

“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 how your joy shines by the way you live.  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 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

Exceedingly Great Joy: Let It SHINE! (Sermon Audio)
by

Exceedingly Great Joy: Let It SHINE! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the December 7, 2025 sermon, “Exceedingly Great Joy: Let It SHINE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Philippians 2:12-30

 

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Today, we continue a sermon series through Philippians about Exceedingly Great Joy and we consider how to live with an enduring joy!  Even as a prisoner himself, Paul knew the secret to the exceedingly great joy expressed by the Magi and he sought to instruct the Philippians, and us, about how to live with a joy that endures all things through a prayerful and humble spirit.  When we live with the joy of knowing Jesus, we must let that joy . . .

  • Submit:  Philippians 2:12-13

    • Making your joy shine will require a submission to God that acknowledges His will and ways as being supreme.  It is in our submission to God that we discover true joy that is not dependent on temporary circumstances.   It is this level of submission that will develop a joy that can shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God. 

  • Honor:  Philippians 2:14-17

    • Making your joy shine will come from a willingness to honor those to whom honor is due.  Honoring others is an effective solution to overcoming a spirit of arguing and complaining.  When we choose to honor God in a way which gives value to people, we display a joy which will shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

  • Invite:  Philippians 2:18

    • Making your joy shine will lead you to invite others into the growing level of joy that you have discovered.  A humble joy is nearly irresistible as it draws us into something we all desire.  While temporary happiness can be pleasing while it lasts, experiencing true joy in the midst of life’s struggles is something that makes an invitation worth accepting.  When we choose to invite people to experience the joy of Jesus, we shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

  • Notice:  Philippians 2:19-24

    • Making your joy shine will cause you to notice people in ways that you may have often overlooked.  It is in the joy of knowing Jesus that we are able to notice the sufferings of others as well as the value they have as one created in God’s image.  When we choose to notice people in ways which seek what is best for them, we shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

  • Encourage:  Philippians 2:25-30

    • Making your joy shine will result in being an encouragement to the people you encounter.  It is through the joy found in Christ that the desire to see others encouraged begins to exceed our own desire to be comfortable.  When we choose to encourage others, we shine before people in a way that leads them to glorify God.

Today, how will you let your joy SHINE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Humility That Comes From Wisdom! (12/5/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Humility That Comes From Wisdom! (12/5/25)

This is the audio from the December 5, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

~

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands.  Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.”  
Zephaniah 2:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus in on the humility that God calls us to have as His children.  Throughout scripture, God calls us to humble ourselves and to live in humility with one another.  When we voluntarily humble ourselves, God promises to lift us up in ways that we could never do on our own.  True humility is not thinking less of ourselves than we ought to, but it is thinking of ourselves according to our relationship with God.  When we have an accurate view of God and how we relate to Him as His children, we can then have an accurate view of ourselves and of others.  Pray that you would daily humble yourself as you ought to and allow God to lift you up to the position He has created for you.  Pray that you would know the joy which comes to those who redirect their attention from selfish desires to generous humility.  Pray that you would know the protection of almighty God as you humble yourself in obedience to His commands.

“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 remove all traces of pride from your life so that you can live in complete humility.  Pray that godly wisdom would lead you to doing good deeds in humility.  Pray that others would see godly wisdom in your life by the way you live with humility.

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: Humility That Brings Wisdom! (12/4/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Humility That Brings Wisdom! (12/4/25)

This is the audio from the December 4, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

~

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands.  Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.”  
Zephaniah 2:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus in on the humility that God calls us to have as His children.  Throughout scripture, God calls us to humble ourselves and to live in humility with one another.  When we voluntarily humble ourselves, God promises to lift us up in ways that we could never do on our own.  True humility is not thinking less of ourselves than we ought to, but it is thinking of ourselves according to our relationship with God.  When we have an accurate view of God and how we relate to Him as His children, we can then have an accurate view of ourselves and of others.  Pray that you would daily humble yourself as you ought to and allow God to lift you up to the position He has created for you.  Pray that you would know the joy which comes to those who redirect their attention from selfish desires to generous humility.  Pray that you would know the protection of almighty God as you humble yourself in obedience to His commands.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help remove all traces of pride from your life so that you can live in complete humility.  Pray that you would seek to live with a humility that brings wisdom.  Pray that God would fill you with the desire to reject all forms of pride as you live a life of humility.  Pray for a humble spirit which avoids the disgrace of pride.

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