Ministry

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Opportunity
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Opportunity

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day eighteen from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home Of Opportunity

“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.’“
Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

Have you ever missed an opportunity for something because you signed up too late or waited too long?  How did you feel?  How would it feel for someone to make room for you at a sold out event?  How much potential do you think you have?  How much do others think you have?  What would God say is your potential?  Who do you most often believe?

I grew up in a home where I was given great opportunities to reach my potential.  I didn’t always make the most of those opportunities, but they were always present.  Because of that foundation, when Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven being like a mustard seed which starts out very small and grows into the largest of the garden plants, I am able to see the great opportunity that exists as a part of that kingdom.  Regardless of our size, or the size we think we are, God gives us the opportunity as a part of His kingdom to grow into something that draws people to Himself.  As you pray, ask God to help you make the most of the potential He has placed within you.  Pray that you would see the seeds of the kingdom of heaven growing into a home that has room for all who would come.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/23/20)

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This is the audio from the December 23, 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

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Obedience
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Obedience

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day seventeen from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home Of Obedience

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.“
Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

How important is obedience in your home?  In the home you grew up in?  In the home you hope to have?  How do you decide who/what to obey?  Do you belong to any groups or organizations that requires adherence to their set of standards to belong?  Why would you agree to obey their standards?  How would you feel about someone that wanted the benefits of the group without following the rules of the group?  How does a home of obedience provide a sense of belonging?

I grew up in a home where there was an expectation of obedience.  While I didn’t always obey perfectly, the expectation in place always helped me feel like I belonged.  While obedience in my earliest years had a lot to do with a desire to avoid punishment, I eventually grew to where I obeyed out of love and respect.  The home we are headed to is characterized by obedient children who love and respect their Father.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to do what He says.  Pray that you would repent of acts of disobedience and seek to make choices that honor the One you love.  Pray that your obedience today would prepare you for home.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/22/20)

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This is the audio from the December 22, 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

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Majesty
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Majesty

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day sixteen from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home Of Majesty

“The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.“
Hebrews 8:1-2 (NIV)

What image comes to your mind when you think of majesty?  What does your dream home look like?  Do you expect it will ever be a reality, or just a dream?  Why?  Is it possible to build a place with all of the best and most valuable materials, and it not be majestic?  What does it take for something, or someone, to truly have majesty?  Have you ever walked into a room or building and simply said, “Wow!” (in a good way)?  What was so impressive?

As I travel, there are times I walk into a building and am instantly impressed by the majesty that it presents.  I am often more impressed by the majesty that I find out on a hike when I am surrounded by the true majesty of God’s creation.  While mankind has been gifted by God to build things which are beautiful and majestic, they all fall short of the majesty that flows from the very presence of God.  As you pray, ask God to help you notice the glimpses of His majesty that He has surrounded you with.  Pray that you would do your best each day to reflect the majesty that God has created in you.  Pray that you would never tire of the “Wow!” factor.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/21/20)

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This is the audio from the December 21, 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

Almost Heaven: A Home With Living Bread
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Almost Heaven: A Home With Living Bread

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day fifteen from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home With Living Bread

“But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
John 6:50-51 (NIV)

What food do you find most satisfying?  Why?  How often do you eat it?  Do you think you would get tired of it if it was all you ever had?  Why/why not?  What things do you use to try to satisfy the hungers you have in life?  If you could have a single thing that would completely satisfy you, would you want it?  What would you do to obtain it?  How does knowing that Jesus is the living bread that can sustain you each day help you as you journey home?

I grew up in a home where there was little money but we always had food and plenty of homemade bread.  When Jesus began talking about being the bread of life, many began to question how Jesus could be greater than the manna Moses had given.  Jesus responded that Moses had only distributed bread which had come from God and now He was the living bread which came down from heaven.  As you pray, ask God to help you know Him as the one who sustains your very life.  Pray that you would share with everyone the living bread that God has given you in Jesus.  Pray that your home would be filled with the presence of this bread.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/20/20)

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This is the audio from the December 20, 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