Life Lessons

WORK, For the Night is Coming! (Sermon Audio)
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WORK, For the Night is Coming! (Sermon Audio)

This is the audio from the September 6, 2020 sermon, “WORK, For the Night is Coming”, shared by Tom Lemler at the North Wayne Mennonite Church.

Text: John 9:1-12, 35-41

Jesus teaches that we must work while it is still day, for a time is coming when night falls and our work will be over.

As the night approaches, how will you:

  • Witness:
    • John 9:1-5, Acts 1:8 — We are called to be God’s witnesses wherever we are.  Even when things happen which are beyond our understanding, God can use the circumstances to bear testimony to His great name.
  • Obey: 
    • John 9:6-12, John 14:15 — The work of obedience doesn’t earn our salvation, but it does show our allegiance to the One who saved us. Obedience is where we put our faith into practice.
  • Repent:
    • John 9:39-41, Revelation 2 & 3 — When we claim to be without sin, the truth is not in us.  God calls each of us to admit our blindness and turn from it to seek Him fully.
  • Know:
    • John 9:35-38, Luke 1:1-4 — God has given us His Word and the examples of faithful Christians so that we may know Him.  Knowing Jesus ought to fill us with a desire to help others know Him more fully.

As you celebrate Labor Day, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus with an awareness that night may be closer than you realize.  As you live each day, be sure to Witness, Obey, Repent, and Know for the night really is coming! 

In prayer,
Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (9/6/20)

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This is the audio from the September 6, 2020 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Watch Your Mouth: Choose Assuring Words
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Watch Your Mouth: Choose Assuring Words

Every day you and I give people an impression of who Jesus is by the words we use.  Are they hearing, or reading, words from you which would draw them to Christ or push them away?  Are you using words which draw you into greater relationship with God or words which create distance?  Over the next 31 days I will be sharing from the devotional journal, “Watch Your Mouth”, with the prayer that it helps you discover some of what God has to say about choosing words which honor Him.

Here is day one with an important reminder that watching our mouth will lead you to use assuring words.

Choose Assuring Words

“And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes — words of goodwill and assurance — to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation.”
Esther 9:30-31 (NIV)

What things tend to make you anxious and fearful?  Have you ever had someone try to assure you that things would be okay at a time when you had lost all hope?  What does it take to help you have a more positive view of circumstances which look bleak?  Are there specific words or phrases that help assure you when you are doubtful about a situation?  How is God’s Word useful in giving you assurance?  How can you use God’s Word to assure others?  How often would your friends say you use words which bring assurance to them in times of their fears?

As the Jewish nation celebrated God’s rescue of them through the courage of Esther, the queen and Mordecai wrote assuring words to all the people.  These words were an assurance that this occasion would be remembered throughout time as a reminder of God’s ability to rescue.  As you pray, ask God to  help you know the assurance He gives regarding His ability to rescue you.  Pray that you would use words which assure others of God’s desire and ability to be with them in the times of their greatest need.

In prayer,

Tom  

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Encouragement and Prayer (9/5/20)

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This is the audio from the September 5, 2020 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Walk This Way: Walk a Path With God
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Walk This Way: Walk a Path With God

Every day you and I face a variety of choices regarding the path we take.  Many things influence our decisions for both good and bad, yet God wants us to choose daily to walk according to His ways.  Today concludes sharing from the devotional journal, “Walk This Way”, with the prayer that it helps you to grow in your walk with God as you pursue a greater understanding of the path He calls you to.

Here is day thirty-two with an important reminder that walking God’s way will lead you on a path with Him.

Walk a Path With God

“What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.  Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.  I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’”
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (NIV)

As you consider the previous thirty-one topics we have looked at, what have been your favorite walk this way topics?  Why were they your favorite?  How do you feel now about walking a path with God?  Does following God’s way in your walk seem appealing to you?  Have you ever wanted to spend time with someone but were hesitant because you were unsure if they wanted to be with you?  Does knowing that God wants to walk with you give you confidence in pursuing a walk with God?

God has said throughout scripture that His desire is to call a people to Himself to be His people and that He will be their God and walk among them.  He has reached out to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and calls us to leave behind the way of the world in order to walk in holiness with Him.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His desire for you to walk with Him.  Pray that you would always be mindful of God’s presence as you walk a path with Him each day.  Pray that the people around you would hear from you of God’s desire to walk with them also.  Pray that they too would seek to walk with God.

In prayer,

Tom  

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Encouragement and Prayer (9/4/20)

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This is the audio from the September 4, 2020 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Walk This Way: Walk a Path of Wisdom
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Walk This Way: Walk a Path of Wisdom

Every day you and I face a variety of choices regarding the path we take.  Many things influence our decisions for both good and bad, yet God wants us to choose daily to walk according to His ways.  Over the past 30 days, with one more to go, I have been sharing from the devotional journal, “Walk This Way”, with the prayer that it helps you to grow in your walk with God as you pursue a greater understanding of the path He calls you to.

Here is day thirty-one with an important reminder that walking God’s way will lead you on a path of wisdom.

Walk a Path of Wisdom

“Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.”
Proverbs 23:19 (NIV)

Who is the wisest person you know?  In your opinion, what makes them so wise?  How much value do you place on wisdom?  How much effort do you put forth in obtaining wisdom?  What are some of the benefits of having wisdom?  Are there things about wisdom that you would consider to not be a benefit?  Why?  What is the ultimate source of wisdom?  How intent are you in obtaining it?

The Bible tells us that Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived and that his wisdom was granted to him because he requested it from God.  James also tells us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God who will give it generously without finding fault.  As you pray, ask God to help you see how much you attempt to rely on your own wisdom and how much you look to Him for true wisdom.  Pray that God would also give you the courage to use the wisdom that He supplies.  Pray that your use of godly wisdom would always keep you on the right path.  Pray that you would allow God to direct your path according to His wisdom.  Pray that you would have a reputation as one filled with God’s wisdom.

In prayer,

Tom  

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Encouragement and Prayer (9/3/20)

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This is the audio from the September 3, 2020 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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

In prayer,
Tom