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This is the audio from the February 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 five 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.
“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.“
Ezra 10:4 (NIV)
When your particular area of service does not allow for others to be serving directly with you, how can you overcome feelings of isolation? How can you encourage those that serve in areas where they work alone? How important is communication among a group or staff that serve with the same overall purpose but with different responsibilities? How does knowing that someone in a different “department” believes in what you are doing give you greater courage to serve well?
When our area of responsibility seems different from all others, it is easy for feelings of isolation to set in and cause us to question the value of our serving. Even when we work alone, knowing that we have the full support of others should give us the courage to serve while keeping the greater perspective in mind. While we each may have a different gifting and task to do, supporting each other with the greater purpose in mind helps everyone to serve with courage.
As you pray, ask God to help you find ways to support and encourage those who do a task that is different than yours. Pray that your task would always be seen in light of the greater purpose.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 2, 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 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.
“David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.’“
1 Chronicles 28:20-21 (NIV)
Has fear ever kept you from finishing something? From starting something? How often are you afraid you won’t be able to finish what you start? Are there times that the needs of those you serve seem so large that you shrink back from serving? How much do you rely on those you serve with to help you? Is it easier to imagine the necessary work getting accomplished when you know you will have help?
Just as “every journey begins with a single step”, every accomplished task begins with the courage to do the work at hand. Every task of serving requires both courage and work. Many people fail to serve because they lack courage or the desire to work — or both. Sometimes we lack courage to do the work of serving because we have incorrectly defined what successful serving looks like. If so, we need to go back to the first day’s devotion of this week. When we trust God for His work to be completed, we can have courage to do our work.
As you pray, ask God to help you see clearly the work of service He has for you to do. Pray that you would have the courage to do the work He created in advance for you to do. Pray that your work would help people see God’s work in you.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the February 1, 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 three 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.
“You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. O LORD, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.“
1 Chronicles 17:25-27 (NIV)
Are there people that you have a hard time talking to? Why? How about if you need to ask for something? Does that increase or decrease the difficulty of communication? Are there things that you don’t pray about, or have never even considered praying about? Have you ever thought about needing courage in order to pray effectively? Would having courage to pray in all circumstances change the way you serve people? How do you need to pray today for those you serve?
The fear that I have of people is not limited to strangers. It is a difficult fear to explain because I’m not afraid of them harming me, I’m just afraid of any type of potential interaction. Even as a child I would be too afraid to ask my parents for things I wanted or needed. Too afraid to ask teachers for permission to use the restroom. Too afraid to ask for help when needed from people who would have been very willing to help. Sometimes I think many people have that same level of fear when it comes to interacting with God. We don’t know why, we just lack the courage to pray as we ought.
Ask God to give you the courage to go to Him about everything. Use that courage to pray for those you serve.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the January 31, 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 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.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.“
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Does having someone with you give you courage when facing the unknown? Why? How does that change if you know they’ve already been through what you face? What parts of serving others requires courage for you? Are there times fear has kept you from serving in a particular way? Would having confidence in God’s presence being with you have helped? Is there anything you will be asked to do in serving others that you think would surprise God?
There are a variety of things that I am afraid of. There are also a few fears that I have overcome with the help of God and friends who have been through what I feared. Knowing I’m not alone helps me to have courage in serving because I am confident someone has my back. When I think of the fears that have kept me from serving, daily acknowledging God’s presence helps me to know He can empower me to do what fear has kept me from trying.
As you pray, ask God to fill you with a knowledge of His presence. Pray that He would specifically make that presence known to you when fear tempts you to not serve. Pray that the people around you would see God’s presence in you.
In prayer,
Tom
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