Ministry

Almost Heaven: A Home With God
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Almost Heaven: A Home With God

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 ten 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 God

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.“
Acts 17:24-25 (NIV)

Who seemed to be the central presence in the home you grew up in.  Who would you say is the central presence where you live now?  If others live there as well, who would they say is central in the home?  What would a home look like where God is present?  What would the home’s atmosphere feel like?  Who would be central in that home?  Is it possible for a person to be in charge of a home in a way that makes it known to others that God is present?  How do you feel about a home with God even as you continue your journey?

I grew up in a home where my dad was very quiet but I always understood that he was in charge of the family and God was in charge of all of us.  When I think of God and the various descriptions in the Bible of His dwelling, I am constantly in awe of the magnificence of being allowed in His presence for eternity.  Not only that, but I can have a home with God even now as He makes His presence dwell within this jar of clay.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to be at home with Him — not only when you finish this journey on earth but that each day of your life would be lived in His presence.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/15/20)

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This is the audio from the December 15, 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 Gifts
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Almost Heaven: A Home With Gifts

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 nine 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 Gifts

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  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)

“To this John replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.’“
John 3:27 (NIV)

What are some of the greatest gifts you have ever received?  Who gave them to you?  For what occasion?  What do you feel are some of the greatest gifts you have ever given?  Who did you give them to?  Why?  What made you believe they were so special?  Which has greater meaning to you, a gift or the person who gives you that gift?  What do you first think of when you consider a home with gifts?  Are there other gifts that a home might have beyond the ones that first come to mind?  What are they?

I still remember parts of my childhood and at that time of my life, a home with gifts meant Christmas or birthday.  I still remember some of those gifts that I longed for, but I no longer have many of those gifts that seemed so important at the time.  I do, however, still have the gifts of love, forgiveness, acceptance, and so many others that were given not only during my childhood but throughout my life.  As you pray, ask God to help you recognize Him as the giver of all good gifts.  Pray that  you would place greater value on the gifts that He gives from His home than on the stuff that will perish.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/14/20)

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This is the audio from the December 14, 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 Forgiveness
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Forgiveness

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 eight 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 Forgiveness

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.“
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NIV)

Have you ever been wronged?  Have you ever wronged someone else?  How easy is it for you to forgive others?  To forgive yourself?  To seek forgiveness from others?  How important is repentance to the topic of forgiveness?  Is it possible to forgive someone who refuses to repent of their wrong?  Is it possible to be forgiven if you refuse to repent of your wrong?  What is the difference between those two situations?  How would/does living in a home of forgiveness make you feel.

When I first got my driver’s license, my parents said they would take my keys if I got into an accident.  It wasn’t long until I put my car in the ditch and needed towed out.  When I got home, I handed my keys to my parents and went to bed.  In the morning, when explanations could be given and lessons learned shared, my keys were returned to me and I experienced the joy of forgiveness.  That wasn’t the first, or last, time for the experience as I grew up in a home of forgiveness.  As you pray, ask God to help you be a person who both gives and receives forgiveness.  Pray that you would live as one prepared for a home of forgiveness. 

In prayer,

Tom

The Gift of LIFE (Sermon Audio)
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The Gift of LIFE (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 13, 2020 sermon, “The Gift of LIFE”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  John 10:10, John 1:1-14

When we read the declaration of Jesus that He came to give us life, and life abundantly, many of us tend to subconsciously insert the word good into the description of the life we expect.  Yet it is often in the hard times of life that we most easily recognize the gift of life we have in Jesus . . . and it is in those difficult times that we find the people around us are more eager to listen and receive that gift of life for themselves.  This message looks at John’s description of  Jesus coming into the world, and how believing that message gives life for us to receive and life for us to give.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is up to us to celebrate and share the gift of . . . 

  • Light: John 1:4-9, Matthew 5:14 — Jesus came as a gift of light to a very dark world.  The Bible tells us that it was in the fullness of time, or when the time was just right, God sent Jesus to give light to the world.  Even as Jesus came to be the light of the world, He gives us the responsibility of being the reflection of His light to the world.  When the world is the darkest, our light shines the brightest.  Every one of us can give the gift of light simply by letting the light of Jesus shine through us.  We give the gift of life as we accept God’s light and share it with everyone we meet.
  • Inclusion:  John 1:10-13, Acts 2:38-39 — Jesus came as a gift of inclusion that offers salvation to all who would call upon His name.  There is so much good news in that simple statement, beginning with the good news that you are included!  Even among those who reject God’s calling, God’s love continues to include all who would change their heart and mind as they turn toward Him.  Peter’s instructions on the day of Pentecost for people to repent and be baptized was not only for those present that day, but was a promise of inclusion for all who would come . . . even to those, like us, who were far off.  When we receive the gift of inclusion, it is God’s call to us to offer that same gift to others.  The boundaries, barriers, and burdens which we use to create division must all melt away as the gift of life leads us to include everyone we meet.
  • Flesh:  John 1:14, Hebrews 4:15-16 — The gift of Jesus coming as a baby was the simple act of God taking on flesh.  When the Word became flesh, it was able to dwell among us and experience all that we experience here on earth — in the same manner in which we experience it, only without sin.  This gift of flesh says that we have a God that understands our weaknesses and can intercede on our behalf as one who has walked many a mile in our shoes.  It is only fitting that when we have accepted the gift of Jesus coming in the flesh, that we would give that same gift by being physically present in the lives of others.
  • Eternity:  John 1:1-3, John 11:25-26 — While it is somewhat easy to think of eternity as the “forever” time which is to come, God’s gift of life to us is based on an eternity that includes a “forever” time that has already happened.  The timeless nature of God reminds us that the One present at the creation of the world will be present both now and forever more.  It is this part of the gift of life that ought to fill us with great hope when we consider the temporary nature of our time here on earth.  The gift of eternity ought to shape the way we live in the present as we acknowledge the presence of God before our time, during our time, and after our time here on earth.  It is through the sharing of the good news of Jesus that we can point people to the only way which leads to eternal life.

So, as we consider the gift of life which has been offered to us, the question to consider is what are you going to do with that gift?  If you’ve not chosen to receive the gift, that is the place to begin.  If you have chosen to receive the gift of life, then who are you sharing that great gift with? 

In prayer,
Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/13/20)

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This is the audio from the December 13, 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 Feasting
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Almost Heaven: A Home With Feasting

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 seven 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 Feasting

“I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.“
Matthew 8:11 (NIV)

What is your favorite food?  What does the word feasting mean to you?  What is the longest that you have intentionally gone without food?  Have you ever gone without food simply because there wasn’t any to be had?  What role does food have in most celebrations you attend?  Do you enjoy entertaining guests?  How likely are you to ensure there will be plenty to eat when you invite people over?  How would you describe the most fabulous feast you have ever been to? 

It is difficult to imagine a wedding, graduation, or other significant celebration without an abundance of food.  If you’ve ever had to go without simply because there wasn’t any food or any money to obtain a meal, knowing that you are headed to a home with great feasting should be a great encouragement.  God describes our eternal home as a celebration which includes feasting.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with anticipation of what’s to come.  Pray that you would live life in a way that allows the people around you to have a glimpse of the feast God is preparing for those who complete the journey home.

In prayer,

Tom