Ministry

Encouragement and Prayer: Be Ready For Jesus! (7/22/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Be Ready For Jesus! (7/22/24)

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This is the audio from the July 22, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Luke 12:39-40 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be ready.  Have you ever missed out on something because you were not ready?  It could just be me, but I’m guessing we’ve all “been there and (not) done that.”  Sometimes we’re not ready simply because we didn’t want to be.  Perhaps we actually wanted to miss whatever it was, and the easiest way to do that was to not be ready for it.  Many times we miss out by not being ready because we thought we had more time.  We either miscalculated how much work would be required to get ready or what we were getting ready for happened sooner, or at a different time, than we had anticipated.  Pray that your life in Christ would make you ready today for all that He desires in you.  Pray that your readiness would result in a life which represents Jesus well.

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Matthew 24:44 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only be being ready for the return of Christ, but also to help you live life ready for the moment.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus would grow in such a way that you are ready for His return at any time.  Pray that you would know the urgency of sharing about Jesus with others so they will be ready.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Chosen To Be . . . READY! (Sermon Audio)
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Chosen To Be . . . READY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 21, 2024 sermon, “Chosen To Be READY!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 1 Peter 3

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series through 1 & 2 Peter with a theme of “Chosen To Be . . . “.  As God works the miracle of revival in our life, we discover He does so as the God who chooses us!  This is an important message to all who feel distant from God for whatever reason.  To those believers who are scattered around the known world, God communicates a message that they are known by Him, loved by Him, and chosen by Him.  As we gaze into God’s Word and examine what it means to be chosen by God, we find that we have been chosen to be . . .

  • Respectful:  1 Peter 3:1-7

    • One of the things that often gets lost when people look at the first part of 1 Peter 3 is the context of submitting to one another so that we are ready to give an answer for the hope which lies within us.  God’s desire is that our attitude toward one another would be respectful so that unbelievers would desire to know the Savior we know.  When our submission is a reflection of our reverence for Christ, we find that it has purpose and brings fulfillment to us and to others.

  • Encouraging:  1 Peter 3:8-9

    • The world is filled with so many discouraging things which weigh us down and attempt to keep us from being ready to share the good news of Jesus and His return.  The way in which we encourage one another goes a long way in not only helping others remain faithful, but i helping us be ready to share about the hope Jesus gives us.  The Bible says we ought to be actively involved in meeting together for the purpose of encouragement, and to be doing so more and more as we see the day of Christ’s return approaching.  When we are encouraged, and encouraging, we prepare ourselves to be ready.

  • Active:  1 Peter 3:10-14

    • Being ready is not something that passively occurs simply because we want it to happen.  God’s Word instructs us to be active in our participation even as God’s Spirit does the work of conviction and transformation.  Refraining from evil and doing good requires an active desire on our part to know that which is God’s good and perfect will, and then set about with the fruit of God’s Spirit to help us live according to that will.  We find ourselves ready when we are active in our repentance and obedience to all God’s instructions.

  • Direct:  1 Peter 3:15-17

    • Many of us like to be liked, so it often becomes difficult to be as direct as we ought to be.  When asked about the hope that lies within us, we beat around the bush so badly that the truth of Jesus being that hope never gets heard.  The necessary balance to being direct is to do so with gentleness and respect.  Helping a fellow believer notice a sin in their life which they may be blinded to, must be done with love, compassion, and care.  Our answer about what God has done in our life should be as clear as possible so that others would know the hope they desire is attainable.

  • Yielded:  1 Peter 3:18-22

    • Being ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us begins by first setting apart Christ as Lord in our life.   We live a life yielded to Him and a life that continues to yield to Him.  Being immersed into Christ often makes no logical sense other than it is an act of obedience which identifies us with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  It is God choosing to work in us a resurrection from the deadness of sin which had laid claim to our soul.  If the heart of being ready involves submission to one another, the foundation on which we build is a life fully yielded to God.

Today, how will you live as one chosen to be READY?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Example! (7/19/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Example! (7/19/24)

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This is the audio from the July 19, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that you would continually grow in your knowledge and understanding of the example of Jesus.  Pray that your life would reflect Jesus in increasing ways each day.  Pray that you would be a godly example in all circumstances.  Pray that your example would be one that is lived and not just said.

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: A Living Nation! (7/18/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Nation! (7/18/24)

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This is the audio from the July 18, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’”
John 18:36 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that your life would become a praise offering to God as you choose to be a kingdom citizen.  Ask God to help you know you belong to a holy nation that exceeds any nation of this world.

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: A Living Occupant! (7/17/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Occupant! (7/17/24)

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This is the audio from the July 17, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.”
John 17:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that you would be one who lives life in such a way that people notice Jesus in you.  Pray that the people around you would know you as a good neighbor because of Jesus in you.  Ask God to help you live as one who obeys His Word.

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: A Living Testimony! (7/16/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Testimony! (7/16/24)

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This is the audio from the July 16, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’”
John 4:39 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that your encounter with Jesus would create a testimony that reveals a living God.  Pray that you would become comfortable in sharing your testimony of how God has used the good, the bad, and the ugly of your life to reveal Himself.

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: A Living Sacrifice! (7/15/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Sacrifice! (7/15/24)

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This is the audio from the July 15, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Romans 12:1 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray for a correct view of how much you need God’s mercy.  Pray that your response to God’s mercy would lead you to fully offer yourself to Him.  Pray that your worship of God would include a sacrifice of yourself to Him.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Chosen To Be . . . A Living STONE! (Sermon Audio)
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Chosen To Be . . . A Living STONE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 14, 2024 sermon, “Chosen To Be A Living STONE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 1 Peter 2

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series through 1 & 2 Peter with a theme of “Chosen To Be . . . “.  As God works the miracle of revival in our life, we discover He does so as the God who chooses us!  This is an important message to all who feel distant from God for whatever reason.  To those believers who are scattered around the known world, God communicates a message that they are known by Him, loved, by Him, and chosen by Him.  As we gaze into God’s Word and examine what it means to be chosen by God, we find that we have been chosen to be a living . . .

  • Sacrifice:  1 Peter 2:1-5

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living sacrifice.  God calls us to live a life that is first given to Him so that our giving to others is meaningful.  It is when we offer our self as a living sacrifice that we engage in the worship of God which is both reasonable and spiritual.  As building blocks for a living kingdom, we must willingly sacrifice our desires to the will of the Builder.

  • Testimony:  1 Peter 2:9-10

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living testimony.  Every person has a story to tell and our story is the opportunity to testify to the goodness and power of God.  As God shapes us and forms us into the living stones of His kingdom, our testimony can help others seek and experience the power of God working in them.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we give testimony when we tell our story and give God the credit.

  • Occupant:  1 Peter 2:11-12

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living occupant.  While we do live on this earth as kingdom citizens, we still live as occupants of this world.  We must continually draw on the help of God’s Spirit to know how to effectively live in the world but not of it.  God has us each occupying a unique combination of home, school, workplace, recreation areas, and so many other places so that together the light of Jesus shines in ways it never could if it depended on any of us individually.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we are His living occupant wherever we are.

  • Nation:  1 Peter 2:13-17

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living nation.  We have been called out of darkness into the light of Christ so that we have a new citizenship that is not of this world.  While I don’t take lightly the benefits and privileges of living in the great nation I call home here on this earth, I must constantly be mindful of the living nation of God’s kingdom to which I belong.  When I live as a foreigner, I respect the ways of my temporary home while not losing sight of my true citizenship.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we are a living nation as His holy people.

  • Example:  1 Peter 2:23-25

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living example.  There is an old phrase that says, “you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?”.  It is important that we rid our lives of all things which are sinful and that set a bad example for those who observe us.  People tend to watch what we do long before they seriously listen to what we say.  Our lives ought to be lived as such an example that people will not only “see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”, but they would also see those works and have reason to “ask about the hope which lies within you”.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we are to be a living example to everyone around us.

Today, how will you live as one chosen to be a living STONE?