~
This is the audio from the February 14, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day one in the sixth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.“
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Are there things that you believe just because the right person says so? Are there people who believe things just because you say they are true? How does that make you feel? How do you feel when you are not trusted? How do you think others feel when you don’t trust them? How about God, how much do you trust Him? Do you ever give much thought to your faith in Him actually pleasing Him? Does that motivate you to a greater faith?
Trust, or faith in a person, is something most of us want but we have a difficult time giving it. Many people go to great lengths in their efforts to please God yet fail to realize the key ingredient in doing so is faith. When we seek to serve in a way that pleases God, faith must be at the core of our service. We serve well when our faith believes God will work through our acts of service to benefit those we serve. It is our knowledge that God has changed us that allows us to believe He can change others.
As you pray, ask God to increase your faith in Him and in His ability to use your works of service. Pray that He would surround you with people who help you to grow in faith.
In prayer,
Tom
~
This is the audio from the February 13, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day seven in the fifth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.“
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Do you like to give? Do you ever get tired of giving? How do you decide when to give and when not to? Have you ever received something as a result of your giving? What was it? How did it happen? How willing are you to share what you know God has given you? What do you have that has not come from God? Do you want to excel in giving? What keeps you from doing so?
After my first book was published, I had dreams of the royalty checks arriving on a regular basis with larger and larger numbers on them each time. As God gave me more writing assignments, He also put within me a conviction that I was to freely share what He had given. So, while one or two copies of my books sell on Amazon every month, I have now given away thousands of copies to people who will use them to grow in their relationship with God. As I give, He continues to provide additional writing assignments as well as financial partners that allow books to continue to be given away.
As you pray, ask God to help you see what you are grasping that may keep you from serving through giving. Pray that you would give just as freely as you have received from God.
In prayer,
Tom
~
This is the audio from the February 12, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day six in the fifth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.“
1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (NIV)
Why do you serve? Do you love what you do? Do you love who you serve? Would the people around you say you excel in love for them? For one another? Does your love for Christ motivate you to serve Him willingly? Would the level of love you express to those you serve be different if you were to consciously recognize you are serving Christ as you serve them? What specific things can you do today that would help you excel in love? Will you do them?
There are few things, if any, that people excel at with little or no effort. Often times we want a short-cut. We want to be the best without putting forth best quality effort. When it comes to excelling in love, we have the best possible example when we look to Jesus. He said, “greater love has no one than to give his life for his friend.” The example of Jesus was to literally give His life but He also left the example of the “full extent of His love” in teaching us to serve.
As you pray, ask God to give you a desire to excel in love. Pray that you would serve well because of the love you have for God and the love He gives you for others. Pray that you would see love as the motivation behind your service.
In prayer,
Tom
~
This is the audio from the February 11, 2021 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
It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others. There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others. Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season. I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.
This is day five in the fifth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”. This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others. Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.“
Hebrews 11:5-6 (NIV)
How serious are you about the things you do? The things you say? The life you live? The way you serve? As you evaluate your life and goals, how determined are you? Would the people closest to you describe you as determined? What are your motives for serving? Are you easily distracted from doing the works of service you are called to do? How would the service you are doing now be different if you were excelling in earnestness?
JK . . . lol . . . nm . . . Seriously? We use initials, words, and catch phrases all the time to add a disclaimer to what we do. Just kidding, laugh out loud, and never mind are poor substitutes for saying what we mean and meaning what we say. God wants us to excel in earnestness so that our “yes” is yes and our “no” is no. Earnestness is important when we serve because people can typically see through the disclaimers we use and into the heart of the matter — our heart for them.
As you pray, pray that your earnestness in seeking God would transform the way you serve. Pray that the people you serve would see you as completely genuine in your walk with Christ and in your service to them.
In prayer,
Tom
Tom's Treasure 