~
This is the audio from the March 6, 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 eighth 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.
“The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.“
Psalm 119:110-112 (NIV)
What first comes to mind when you hear the word obey? Have you ever been accused of doing something wrong when you were just doing what you were told to do? How does it feel to be able to pass the accusations on to a higher authority to deal with? In what ways can obedience protect you as you serve? How does disobedience put you and those you serve at risk? How does obedience to God help you serve with confidence? How will guarding your heart with obedience help you to serve today?
One of our enemy’s primary weapons that he uses against us is accusation. He is the great accuser but we have a greater weapon in this battle — obedience to the truth of God’s Word. When we live a life of obedience, God’s authority can be used to refute the accusations that are hurled our way. When our heart is protected by obedience, we are free to serve without fear. Our obedience to God, and to those He puts in authority over us, helps us to serve Him, and others, fully.
As you pray, ask God to help you serve with the humility of obedience. Pray that you would be able to live free from accusations that stick because of your obedience.
In prayer,
Tom
~
This is the audio from the March 5, 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 eighth 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 me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.“
Psalm 119:34 (NIV)
How well do you understand the purposes behind the rules and policies where you serve? How well do you understand God’s purpose for giving us His instructions for living? Do you find it easier to do something when you understand the reason behind doing so? Have you ever said, or done, something in response to a person that you later regretted when you more fully understood what they were going through? How will guarding your heart with an understanding of God’s Word help you serve more effectively today?
Years ago I served as a cabin dad and team leader at MCSC for the very first time and had a group of boys that were, well, less than cooperative. Before the very first night was over, my heart had become angry with one boy in particular and I was ready to call it quits and go home. The leader of the camp week could see that I was frustrated with the boy, and with him, so he pulled me aside and provided information that increased my understanding about what was going on. That bit of understanding guarded my heart throughout the week and helped me to serve this boy, and the entire team, well.
Pray that God would guard your heart with understanding.
In prayer,
Tom
~
This is the audio from the March 4, 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 eighth 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.
“Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.“
Psalm 112:6-7 (NIV)
Who do you trust? Why? How does trust, or a lack of it, influence the way you serve? How likely is bad news to keep you from serving as you should? Has fear ever made you hesitant to serve — or even kept you from serving — when you knew God wanted you to serve? Did the real problem lie with your level of trust of those you were supposed to serve or with your trust of God? How does guarding your heart with trust help you to overcome the fear that keeps you from serving? How will trust in God help you serve more effectively today.
Sometimes we learn things as we serve that are difficult to understand. It is during those times that our trust in God is often tested. Most of us want to erase bad news, or at least change it to something that doesn’t negatively impact our life. It is our trust in God that guards our heart as we serve so that fear doesn’t have to lead us into wrong actions. When your heart is guarded by trust, you are able to serve without fear.
As you pray, ask God to help your trust in Him to grow daily. Pray that you would turn to God for wisdom in serving through the midst of any bad news that comes your way.
In prayer,
Tom
~
This is the audio from the March 3, 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 four in the eighth 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.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.“
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
How steady would you describe your spirit? How easily are you driven up and down, back and forth by ever-changing emotions? How often do the circumstances of serving make you feel like giving up? How would a focus on purity be related to having a steadfast spirit. Do you ever become weary in serving? How often do you turn to God to renew your spirit when you become weary? How does having a steadfast spirit guard your heart while you serve?
Serving people can be a messy business. Without a guarded heart it can be far too easy to let our spirit be tossed to and fro. Yet it is a spirit that is steadfast on the things of God that helps to guard our heart. Serving with a steadfast spirit keeps us from allowing an unguarded heart to lead us into unproductive actions and relationships. When God is the source of our steadfast spirit, we are able to say no to temptation and yes to serving with purity.
As you pray, ask God to keep your spirit focused on Him. Pray that He would guard your heart by the power of His steadfast Spirit within you. Pray that you would serve with pure motives and actions through a steadfast spirit.
In prayer,
Tom
Tom's Treasure 