Life Lessons

Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Greed! (5/6/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Greed! (5/6/24)

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This is the audio from the May 6, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about our need to keep watch as we build for revival!  Much of the watching that most people do tends to be very passive.  We go through our daily life casually observing our surroundings, but rarely paying enough attention to list at the end of the day all that we have seen.  When God calls us to watch and pray, He has something much more deliberate in mind.  He wants our watchfulness to be very active as we pay attention to the troubles and temptations the enemy surrounds us with in an attempt to make us choose anything other than God.  Much of what we’ll pray about this week are things that easily sneak into our lives if we are not watching out for them.  Pray that you would watch out for the opportunities God brings your way.  Pray that you would watch out for the many things that the enemy is trying to use to derail you from a fruitful walk with God.  Pray that you would watch out for the people around you, just as you watch out for your own interests.

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”
Luke 12:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you pay attention to how you watch.  Pray that you would be on guard against all kinds of greed that seeks to destroy you.  Pray that you would always watch out so that your possessions do not possess you.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Building For Revival: Watch OUT! (Sermon Audio)
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Building For Revival: Watch OUT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 5, 2024 sermon, “Building For Revival: Watch OUT!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Nehemiah 4

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series from the book of Nehemiah about Building For Revival.  As with any construction project, building for revival takes a lot of work.  As God began to prepare His people for revival, a man named Nehemiah sat with God for the purpose of knowing, and getting on board with, God’s plan.  So much work, in fact, that we can’t do it alone so Nehemiah first asked for help from God and then from the King before making it clear that there was a task for everyone.  As we build for revival, the enemy will do everything he can to stir up opposition, unrest, and trouble.  The good news is that the One who is for us is greater than the one who is against us and He combats the enemy with opportunity, understanding, and trust.  When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we are able to God at work as we watch . . .

  • Opposition versus Opportunity: — Nehemiah 4:1-3 & 4-6

    • Experiencing revival in our personal life, the life of a church congregation, and within a nation will always face opposition from the one who seeks to “kill, steal, and destroy”.  It is important that we watch opposition in order to be aware and not caught off guard.  Knowing how the enemy attacks us personally can help us be prepared for his deception.  Rather than focusing solely on the opposition, it is also important that we watch for opportunity.  The greater the darkness, the more brightly even the smallest amount of light will shine.  We live as those building for revival when we watch our opposition and find the opportunity to make Jesus known.

  • Unrest versus Understanding: — Nehemiah 4:7-12 & 13-15

    • When blatant opposition fails to derail the work of revival God is doing, the enemy will often engage in creating unrest.  Unrest has the ability to creep in and destroy relationships and spiritual growth as it plants the seeds of doubt everywhere it goes.  Excitement and dissatisfaction are both contagious and whichever one you choose to feed will soon choke out the other.  The Spirit combats unrest in our life by helping our understanding of God and of one another to grow.  When we learn to listen to others, we often discover that the barriers which were constructed between us soon give way through genuine understanding.  We live as those building for revival when we keep watch on the source of unrest so that we would pursue a heart of understanding.

  • Trouble versus Trust: — Nehemiah 4:16-19 & 20-23

    • Sometimes it’s difficult to identify any specific opposition or unrest, yet we find ourselves face to face with trouble.  While this has a tendency to catch us off guard, Jesus made it clear that we should expect trouble in this world because it is certain to come our way.  Trouble can show when we least expect it and will often tempt us to give up.  It can be difficult to identify a solution because we’re not really sure what the problem is, we just know there is trouble.  It is in these times that watching trouble ought to lead us to a greater trust as we experience a God who calls us to a faithfulness through the midst of the trouble.  When we lift our eyes from the troubles of this world and fix them firmly on Jesus, we find the One we can trust regardless of the nature of our current difficulty.  We live as those building for revival when we watch the trouble of this world and learn to trust God in greater ways..

Today, how will you watch OUT in ways that help you overcome?

Encouragement and Prayer: Leading! (5/3/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Leading! (5/3/24)

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

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on talking with God about the individual work He calls each person to, and ask for His help in finding our own task even as we value the unique tasks of others.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it also involves each person doing the task God calls them to.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  Pray that you would seek to accomplish your tasks by the power of God’s Spirit rather than in your own strength.  Pray that God would help you value the work He does through others, whether that work is similar to what you do or vastly different.

“Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  Ask God to help you recognize that the task of leading involves both a willingness to follow Christ and a humility to lead in the appropriate times, places, and ways.  Pray that all areas that you would lead in would be lead from the very heart of God.

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: Giving! (5/2/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Giving! (5/2/24)

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This is the audio from the May 2, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on talking with God about the individual work He calls each person to, and ask for His help in finding our own task even as we value the unique tasks of others.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it also involves each person doing the task God calls them to.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  Pray that you would seek to accomplish your tasks by the power of God’s Spirit rather than in your own strength.  Pray that God would help you value the work He does through others, whether that work is similar to what you do or vastly different.

“Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  Ask God to help you grow in your understanding and practice of all aspects of the task of giving.  Pray that your giving of time, money, and ability would be done cheerfully and in response to God’s great gift of everything through His Son.

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: Encouraging! (5/1/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Encouraging! (5/1/24)

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This is the audio from the May 1, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on talking with God about the individual work He calls each person to, and ask for His help in finding our own task even as we value the unique tasks of others.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it also involves each person doing the task God calls them to.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  Pray that you would seek to accomplish your tasks by the power of God’s Spirit rather than in your own strength.  Pray that God would help you value the work He does through others, whether that work is similar to what you do or vastly different.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  Ask God to help you know how your current actions encourage others and how to continually be involved in the task of encouraging people regardless of how well you know them.  Pray that your attitude, words, and actions would be an encouragement to the people around 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: Teaching! (4/30/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teaching! (4/30/24)

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

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on talking with God about the individual work He calls each person to, and ask for His help in finding our own task even as we value the unique tasks of others.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it also involves each person doing the task God calls them to.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  Pray that you would seek to accomplish your tasks by the power of God’s Spirit rather than in your own strength.  Pray that God would help you value the work He does through others, whether that work is similar to what you do or vastly different.

“. . . 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 28:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  Ask God to help you take on the task of teaching the truth of God’s Word with both your words and your actions.  Pray that you would recognize your responsibility from the Great Commission to teach the things 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

Encouragement and Prayer: Serving! (4/29/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Serving! (4/29/24)

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

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on talking with God about the individual work He calls each person to, and ask for His help in finding our own task even as we value the unique tasks of others.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it also involves each person doing the task God calls them to.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  Pray that you would seek to accomplish your tasks by the power of God’s Spirit rather than in your own strength.  Pray that God would help you value the work He does through others, whether that work is similar to what you do or vastly different.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  Ask God to help you understand your task when it comes to serving Him in the way you serve others.  Pray that God would help you see, and do, your part in serving the physical needs of the church property and of one another.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Building For Revival: A TASK For Everyone! (Sermon Audio)
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Building For Revival: A TASK For Everyone! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 28, 2024 sermon, “Building For Revival: A TASK For Everyone!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Nehemiah 3

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series from the book of Nehemiah about Building For Revival.  As with any construction project, building for revival takes a lot of work.  As God began to prepare His people for revival, a man named Nehemiah sat with God for the purpose of knowing, and getting on board with, God’s plan.  So much work, in fact, that we can’t do it alone so Nehemiah first asked for help from God and then from the King.  As Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and began to prepare the city and the people for revival, it was obvious that accomplishing God’s plan would require participation from everyone.  In this message, we see the preparation for revival taking place as Nehemiah sets forth a . . .

  • Territory for everyone: — Nehemiah 3, 2 Corinthians 10:16

    • The work of revival within our own life, and within the life of a church family, requires that we recognize the importance of where we are.  As we look through the third chapter of Nehemiah, the same story is told over an over again as people understood the territory they were responsible for and went to work in that place.  As each of us go about life, we have a territory which is ours to live in, to work in, and to share Jesus in.  Some aspects of our territory may be unique to us so it is important that we are found faithful in that territory so the work of revival can be complete.

  • Activity for everyone: — Nehemiah 3, 2 Corinthians 10:15

    • The work of revival within our own life, and within the life of a church family, requires that we recognize the importance of each person doing something.  As with the territory, we see each individual and family in this chapter of Nehemiah busy with activity which is both similar and unique in comparison to the activity of others.  The activity is based on what needs done and on how God wants the finished result to appear.  Our activity towards revival will always lead us to a position of bearing fruit rather than a position of just being busy.  As we learn from God what needs done in the place where we are, we connect with an activity which helps build for revival.

  • Service for everyone: — Nehemiah 3, 2 Corinthians 10:17

    • The work of revival within our own life, and within the life of a church family, requires that we recognize the importance of serving others with our activity where we are.  The very nature of the repairs being made by the people was for the good of the entire city.  While the people worked within a specific territory, their work wasn’t solely for their own benefit but rather it was done to provide protection and unity to everyone.  When we take on the nature of Jesus and seek to become servant of all rather than be served, we grow an atmosphere for revival in our own life and in the life our our church family.

  • Kingdom for everyone: — Nehemiah 3, 2 Corinthians 10:18

    • The work of revival within our own life, and within the life of a church family, requires that we approach all that we do with a mindset that God’s kingdom is for everyone.  This kingdom is for all who would call upon the name of the Lord.  This calling upon the name of the Lord is more than a verbal agreement that God exists, rather it is an acknowledgement that He is King of our life.  While it is possible for people to reject God’s kingdom, and many do, He does not exclude any who would come to Him in faith as they repent of sin and choose to live a cleansed life through the blood of Jesus.

Today, how will you participate in your part of the TASK for everyone?