Life Lessons

Encouragement and Prayer: Return With a Whole Heart! (9/5/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Return With a Whole Heart! (9/5/24)

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This is the audio from the September 5, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we, and those around us, would return to Him whenever we stray.  One of the greatest promises of God is that there is always a way home from wherever we are.  Foundational to the vision God desires each of us to live with is an awareness we can always come home.  Pray for those you know, perhaps even yourself, who are distant from God and need to know they can return.  Pray that your life would reflect the openness of God to those who are looking for a way home.  Pray that you would know how to return to God so that you would be able to help lead others back to Him also.  Pray for a  heart of compassion that accepts those returning to God with the same joy that He has.

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”
Jeremiah 24:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider if there are areas of your life in which you need to return to God.  Pray that you would accurately examine how much of your heart you have surrendered to God.  Pray that you would realize the heart God has given you is one that was created to seek after Him with a whole heart.

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: Return With Joy! (9/4/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Return With Joy! (9/4/24)

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This is the audio from the September 4, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we, and those around us, would return to Him whenever we stray.  One of the greatest promises of God is that there is always a way home from wherever we are.  Foundational to the vision God desires each of us to live with is an awareness we can always come home.  Pray for those you know, perhaps even yourself, who are distant from God and need to know they can return.  Pray that your life would reflect the openness of God to those who are looking for a way home.  Pray that you would know how to return to God so that you would be able to help lead others back to Him also.  Pray for a  heart of compassion that accepts those returning to God with the same joy that He has.

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”
Psalm 126:5-6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider if there are areas of your life in which you need to return to God.  Pray that God would give you a glimpse beyond your current sorrow to see the joy that comes in His harvest.  Pray for a heart that goes out to people as you plant the seeds of the gospel through all that you say and do.

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: Return To Find Compassion! (9/3/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Return To Find Compassion! (9/3/24)

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This is the audio from the September 3, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we, and those around us, would return to Him whenever we stray.  One of the greatest promises of God is that there is always a way home from wherever we are.  Foundational to the vision God desires each of us to live with is an awareness we can always come home.  Pray for those you know, perhaps even yourself, who are distant from God and need to know they can return.  Pray that your life would reflect the openness of God to those who are looking for a way home.  Pray that you would know how to return to God so that you would be able to help lead others back to Him also.  Pray for a  heart of compassion that accepts those returning to God with the same joy that He has.

“If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate.”
2 Chronicles 30:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider if there are areas of your life in which you need to return to God.  Pray that God’s compassion would be evident to others in the way He treats you.  Pray that you would have compassion for others because of the compassion God has for you.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Godly Vision – A Welcome HOME! (Sermon Audio)
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Godly Vision – A Welcome HOME! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 1, 2024 sermon, “Vision To Return: A Welcome HOME!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 1

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we begin a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision began with A Vision of Return!  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find A Welcome . . .

  • Humility:  Zechariah 1:1-3

    • A vision of return begins with a welcome humility which acknowledges the Lord Almighty.  Three times in one short verse we find God referred to as the Lord Almighty.  I believe that should get our attention about who we are compared to who God is.  It is when we come home with humility that we find ourselves prepared to not only be humble before God, but to be humble in our dealings with others as we share God’s invitation to return home.

  • Obedience:  Zechariah 1:4-6

    • A vision of return also leads us to an obedience to the One in charge.  Humbling ourselves before the Lord Almighty, by nature should indicate our willingness to obey.  But this isn’t an obedience born out of compulsion, rather it is a welcome obedience as our way of expressing the love and honor due to the One who has called us to return home.  It is in this obedience that we share with others God’s desire that they also return and find a welcome home.  

  • Mercy:  Zechariah 1:12-16

    • A vision of return will lead us to find a very needed mercy.  God’s Word makes it clear that our rebellion against Him has earned us a penalty of death.  There is no amount of goodness on our part which can overcome the debt we have accumulated.  In fact, even the invitation to return to God is offered out of God’s immense mercy toward us.  But it’s not just us that God is merciful towards.  He says His mercy endures forever and extends to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.  The message of return ought to not just be experienced, it ought to be shared with others as we extend the same mercy which we ourselves need from God.

  • Encouragement:  Zechariah 1:17

    • A vision of return will lead to a welcome encouragement.  It ought to encourage us beyond measure to know that we who were not a people of God are now God’s children.  No matter how much, or how little, we believe we have strayed from God, the Bible says we all like sheep have gone astray.  We are encouraged with the knowledge that God has seen us at our worst and still loves us and wants us.  We encourage others to return home when we choose to live with the same humility, obedience, mercy, and encouragement toward them that we ourselves need from God.

Today, how will you pursue a return of HOME?

Encouragement and Prayer: Patient To Receive What Is Promised! (8/30/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Patient To Receive What Is Promised! (8/30/24)

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This is the audio from the August 30, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

You’ve likely been warned about praying for patience but I want to remind you that living with patience is not only instructed by God but it is also part of His gift to us.  This week we will be praying about some qualities that God wants to grow within us as we live with patience.  We will also spend time praying about how God has equipped us to live with patience.  Part of the beauty that is present in all of God’s instructions, including living with patience, is that the ability to follow His instructions comes from Him.  While commanding us to be patient may seem like an impossible instruction to obey, He gives us everything we need to walk in complete obedience.  Pray that you would allow the gifting of His Spirit to work within your life to produce a patience that doesn’t come naturally.  Pray that you would live with patience in such a way that others can imitate your obedience to God.

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”
Hebrews 6:12 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of waiting patiently on Him each day.  Pray that you would know the difference between patience and laziness — and choose patience.  Pray that your active waiting would prepare you to receive what God has promised to those who live by faith.

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: Patient With Everyone! (8/29/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Patient With Everyone! (8/29/24)

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This is the audio from the August 29, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

You’ve likely been warned about praying for patience but I want to remind you that living with patience is not only instructed by God but it is also part of His gift to us.  This week we will be praying about some qualities that God wants to grow within us as we live with patience.  We will also spend time praying about how God has equipped us to live with patience.  Part of the beauty that is present in all of God’s instructions, including living with patience, is that the ability to follow His instructions comes from Him.  While commanding us to be patient may seem like an impossible instruction to obey, He gives us everything we need to walk in complete obedience.  Pray that you would allow the gifting of His Spirit to work within your life to produce a patience that doesn’t come naturally.  Pray that you would live with patience in such a way that others can imitate your obedience to God.

“And we urge you, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of waiting patiently on Him each day.  Pray that you would live with patience in every manner of interaction with others.  Pray that your patience with others would allow you to warn, encourage, and help them in appropriate ways according to their need.

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: Patient Through God’s Spirit! (8/28/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Patient Through God’s Spirit! (8/28/24)

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This is the audio from the August 28, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

You’ve likely been warned about praying for patience but I want to remind you that living with patience is not only instructed by God but it is also part of His gift to us.  This week we will be praying about some qualities that God wants to grow within us as we live with patience.  We will also spend time praying about how God has equipped us to live with patience.  Part of the beauty that is present in all of God’s instructions, including living with patience, is that the ability to follow His instructions comes from Him.  While commanding us to be patient may seem like an impossible instruction to obey, He gives us everything we need to walk in complete obedience.  Pray that you would allow the gifting of His Spirit to work within your life to produce a patience that doesn’t come naturally.  Pray that you would live with patience in such a way that others can imitate your obedience to God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of waiting patiently on Him each day.  Pray that you would know God’s presence as you live with patience.  Pray that a growing patience in your life would be the result of God’s Spirit living within 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: Patient In the Midst of Suffering! (8/27/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Patient In the Midst of Suffering! (8/27/24)

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This is the audio from the August 27, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 8:24-25 (NIV)

You’ve likely been warned about praying for patience but I want to remind you that living with patience is not only instructed by God but it is also part of His gift to us.  This week we will be praying about some qualities that God wants to grow within us as we live with patience.  We will also spend time praying about how God has equipped us to live with patience.  Part of the beauty that is present in all of God’s instructions, including living with patience, is that the ability to follow His instructions comes from Him.  While commanding us to be patient may seem like an impossible instruction to obey, He gives us everything we need to walk in complete obedience.  Pray that you would allow the gifting of His Spirit to work within your life to produce a patience that doesn’t come naturally.  Pray that you would live with patience in such a way that others can imitate your obedience to God.

“If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.”
2 Corinthians 1:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value of waiting patiently on Him each day.  Pray that you would learn patient endurance through the example of others being comforted in their distress.  Pray that you would live as an example to others as you live with patience in the midst of suffering.

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

In prayer,
Tom