Ministry

Encouragement and Prayer: Giving Thanks! (1/12/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Giving Thanks! (1/12/26)

This is the audio from the January 12, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35 (NIV)

This week’s lifestyle of prayer emphasis will focus on unwrapping the gift of giving.  Just as the Bible teaches that we know love because God first loved us, we can learn to give because God first gave to us.  Too often we don’t give — not because the need isn’t present, and not even because we don’t have the resources — but simply because we haven’t learned to give.  God’s desire is that we learn to give with the purpose of blessing others and in so doing we discover we too are blessed.  When we follow the example of Jesus we learn to give what we know, we learn to give what we have, and we learn to give what God provides.  Pray that your practice of giving would be a blessing to you, and to others, as you reflect Christ in your giving habits.  Pray that your recognition of God as the provider of all good things would help you learn to give more freely.

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”
Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you be a learner when it comes to giving.  Pray that your awareness of God’s righteousness would teach you to give thanks.  Pray that God’s work in your life would teach you a lifestyle of gratitude.  Ask God to help you grow in your giving of yourself as you give thanks in all circumstances.

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

Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of Giving – GIVE! (Sermon Audio)
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Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of Giving – GIVE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 1, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of Giving – Give!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

 

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  As we continue on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given, we consider the gift of giving with a heart of . . .

  • Generosity:  2 Corinthians 8:1-5

    • As we unwrap the gift of giving, we see a core of generosity as we gaze upon God’s giving toward us.  It is within the generous nature of God to give to us more than we deserve and even more than we can imagine.  While not always what we want, and perhaps quite often not even what we think we need, God’s generosity is always according to His knowledge and goodness.  As the gift of giving grows within us, we grow in our generosity towards God and towards others. 

  • Intention:  2 Corinthians 8:6-9

    • As we unwrap the gift of giving, we see the intention of God to give us something that benefits others without drawing attention to our self.  It can be tempting to give to others with the intention of being recognized and applauded.  God makes it clear that if that is our intention, then the recognition and applause will take the place of any real blessing that could have been ours.  Not only does God examine our heart, He knows the purpose behind all of the gifts He gives to each of His children.  As the gift of giving grows within us, we must examine ourselves and give with pure intentions to bring glory and honor to God.

  • Value:  2 Corinthians 8:10-12

    • As we unwrap the gift of giving, we see the value that God places on our willingness to give according to what we have received from Him.  The standard is faithfulness over quantity.  In our human nature we tend to value quantity over faithfulness, and even over proportion.  Because we all have been given different gifts and gifts in differing amounts, the value God places on our gift to Him is not based on size but rather on a complete offering of all of us.  As the gift of giving grows within us, we must learn to value a surrendered life as the thing God most wants from us . . . when we are fully surrendered, our giving will reflect that.

  • Enough:  2 Corinthians 8:13-15

    • As we unwrap the gift of giving, we find that not only is God enough for us, we are enough for Him.  The goal of us receiving and using the gift of giving in our life is not so that some would have more and others would have less . . . that’s the natural way of life.  No, it is so we would discover in Christ that we have enough for ourselves and others in their time of need and that they have enough for themselves and us in our time of need.  As the gift of giving grows within us, we draw near to God and find that He is enough.

Today, how will you live with a heart of GIVE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Gift of Strength! (1/9/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Gift of Strength! (1/9/26)

This is the audio from the January 9, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you have given and received this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  Your ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as unwrap God’s gifting in your life.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.”
1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray that God would help you to use the strength that is found in Jesus.  Pray for courage in doing the things God desires from you.  Pray that your service to others in the name of Jesus would be done in the strength which God provides.

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: Gift of Peace! (1/8/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Gift of Peace! (1/8/26)

This is the audio from the January 8, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you have given and received this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  Your ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as unwrap God’s gifting in your life.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray that you would know Jesus as the prince of peace.  Pray about how peace will look in your interactions with others.  Pray that the peace you experience in life would reflect the peace that Jesus brings between you and God.

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: Gift of Rest! (1/7/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Gift of Rest! (1/7/26)

This is the audio from the January 7, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you have given and received this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  Your ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as unwrap God’s gifting in your life.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray that you would always look to Jesus as the One who desires to give you real rest.  Pray for the  humility needed to approach Jesus in the midst of your weariness.  Pray for wisdom in helping others to always go to Jesus with their burdens as they seek to find rest.

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: Gift of Understanding! (1/6/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Gift of Understanding! (1/6/26)

This is the audio from the January 6, 2026 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you have given and received this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  Your ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as unwrap God’s gifting in your life.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.”
1 John 5:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray that God would open the gift of understanding in your life as you seek Jesus with a whole heart.  Pray for a growing understanding of Jesus as the One who is true.  Pray that you would accurately represent the truth of Jesus.

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: Gift of Self! (1/5/26)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Gift of Self! (1/5/26)

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

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“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you have given and received this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  Your ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as unwrap God’s gifting in your life.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”
Luke 22:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray about how your life reflects an acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins.  Pray that your remembrance of the gift of Jesus would help you to consistently help others to accept the gift of Jesus for themselves.

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

Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of GOD! (Sermon Audio)
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Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of GOD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 4, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of God!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Ephesians 2

 

“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  As we embark on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given, we begin with the gift of . . .

  • Grace:  Ephesians 2:1-10

    • The Bible makes it clear that every person has sinned and the result of sin is that we became objects of God’s wrath as sin ruled our thoughts, desires and actions.  But.  But . . . God loved the people of the world so much that He chose the gift of grace to give of Himself to us.  The grace of God is an undeserved gift in every way imaginable.  Our forgiveness, our cleansing, our salvation is all wrapped up in the grace extended by God through the work He did.  It is not that salvation was free and required no work . . . it is only that price was paid and the work was done by Him!  When we receive the gift of God, we receive the gift of grace that calls us to do our good works to fulfill an appropriate response to God’s love and grace. 

  • Opportunity:  Ephesians 2:11-18

    • While we have been saved by God’s grace to do the works created in advance for us to accomplish, we have that privilege because of the gift of opportunity.  While the promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to call a nation to Himself through their descendants was the foundation of the nation of Israel, the promise also included God blessing the nations through His people.  It is in Jesus that the opportunity to draw near to God became readily available to all people regardless of ancestry or nationality.  The gift of God to all mankind through Jesus threw open the door, and literally tore the temple veil in two, so that all who would call upon the name of the Lord might be saved.  When we receive the gift of God, we receive the gift of opportunity to be included in God’s family and to invite all others to say yes to God.

  • Design:  Ephesians 2:19-22

    • There is something special about a thing functioning according to its design.  In fact, when something fails to work as it is supposed to, we often call a repairman or replace it as defective.  God makes it clear that nothing in creation is by accident and that you are part of His design for a functioning and healthy body of Christ.  God designed you, the Bible says He knit you together in your mother’s womb.  You are not an accident.  You have great value as one designed by the Master Himself.  When we receive the gift of God, we receive the gift of design that makes us useful to the Master for the specific purposes He created in advance for us.

 

Today, how will you live with, and share, the gift of GOD?