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This is the audio from the February 8, 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 two 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.
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.’“
Luke 17:5-6 (NIV)
When you think of faith-filled people, who first comes to mind? Why? Do people consider you a trusting person or more of a skeptical person? What part of serving seems to require the most faith for you? Why? Have you ever not served in a specific way because you didn’t trust God to work — either through you or in the one you needed to serve? Do you ever ask God to increase your faith?
Many times we are like the father in scripture who exclaims to Jesus, “I believe, help my unbelief!” We have faith but we’ve not yet excelled in faith. When serving others we begin to doubt if we could ever make a difference. Or we doubt if the person we are serving will ever change. At the heart of either type of doubt is a lack of faith that God will come through with the power, ability, and/or desire to make a difference. We believe but at times our unbelief is stronger.
As you pray, ask God to help your unbelief and increase your faith in Him. Pray that you would be filled with a willingness to serve however and whoever He says, as you trust Him for the results. Pray that your practice of belief would make you one that is known for excelling in faith.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 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 one 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.
“But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
Hebrews 3:4-6 (NIV)
What things are you good at doing? Are you usually more excited about doing things that you already excel at or doing things that take effort to be good at? Are there areas of serving that you are okay with just getting by in? Should there be? How would the way you serve change if you were determined to do everything you could to excel in all things? What is one area of excellence that you need to work on today?
It can be very tempting to let our excellence in some areas of life keep us from pursuing excellence in all things. Other times we equate excellence with perfection and conclude that since perfection isn’t possible then excellence can’t be either. It is when we approach every task we face with an attitude that we are doing it for the Lord, we begin to pursue excellence in all things. God desires excellence from us in all things not because He is keeping score, but because He deserves our best.
As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to serve Him through whatever task is before you. Pray that you would seek to honor God by giving your best as you serve.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 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 seven in the fourth 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.
“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.“
Hebrews 3:4-6 (NIV)
What is the purpose of the place you serve at? How well is that communicated? How faithful do you think you are to that purpose as you serve? Would those you serve under agree? How often are you tempted to do things your own way and with your own benefit in mind? Why does that seem to be so enticing to so many? How about when you consider the bigger picture of serving God? How are you doing at having the courage to be faithful to the things of God?
There is a series of social media memes going around that seemed designed to point out the failures of people who “had one job”. Each one illustrates what happens when you lose sight of the purpose behind what you do. When serving people, it is often very easy to get so caught up in the work involved that we lose sight of the bigger picture of serving for the sake of God’s kingdom. It takes great courage to faithfully serve Christ as we serve others because it requires that we trust God to care for us.
As you pray, ask God to help you be faithful to His calling in your life. Pray that you would have the courage to be faithful in the way you serve Him, and others.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 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 six in the fourth 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 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.“
Philippians 1:12-14 (NIV)
What are some situations when you are afraid to speak up? Are there times you should be afraid to speak? As you serve, are there times when you have not spoken truth because you were afraid of how it would be received? Are there places or situations where you are afraid of being ridiculed if you talk about God’s Word? Does it keep you from speaking as you serve in such places?
Saying the right thing at the right time is hard. Saying it in the right way is even more difficult. As we serve, it is important that we have the courage to speak not only the right things but to do so in the right way. It is often said that truth hurts and sometimes we use that as an excuse to say things in a hurtful way and sometimes we use it to excuse saying untrue things that eventually hurt even more than truth. Serving well requires that we have the courage to speak the truth of God’s Word in love to those we serve.
As you pray, ask God to help you learn when to speak and to teach you how to speak with courage and love. Pray that your word choices would be made with the true benefit of those you serve in mind.
In prayer,
Tom
Tom's Treasure 