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This is the audio from the January 9, 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 first 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.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)
What do the people around you need? What resources have you been given? How will sharing what you have benefit the people around you? Why are some things often more difficult to share than others? Are there things that you have held onto that God would want you to share this week?
God gives each of us a variety of gifts in both resources and abilities with the expectation that we will share for the benefit of others. My first writing assignment from God was a poem. Partly because it came out of my prayer time, I realized rather quickly that it didn’t have its origins in my wisdom. As I shared it, the poems kept coming and as I compiled the collected poems into a book to share with people, God began to give me other writing assignments as well. I believe there are times we don’t seem to receive from God because we have not yet shared what He has already given.
As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to share. Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with those in need. Pray for wisdom to know how to do that well.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the January 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 one in the first 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 brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”‘
Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV)
Why are you here? Not just why are you here on earth, though that is part of the question, but why are you here at this particular time and place? What do you hope to get out of the position you have? What do you expect to give? How will you use the freedom you have in Christ? Have you ever thought about being free to serve?
It is important to always remember that, as Christians, each one of us has been called by God to serve others. Knowing and remembering this should help us keep our minds focused on Jesus in all we do. Serving usually isn’t glamorous. And done well it doesn’t often gain the attention of others. Knowing that we are called by God to serve should help keep our jealousy at bay when others serve in more noticeable and enjoyable ways.
As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with the attitude of Jesus who humbled Himself and became a servant of all. Pray that you would have a greater understanding of what you are doing to serve and who you are serving. Pray that each member of your team would better grasp the necessity of serving as a way of life.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the January 7, 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
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 the final day 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.
“When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’“
Acts 7:54-56 (NIV)
Have you ever experienced a time when it seemed to you like an individual’s presence completely filled a room? How did it make you feel? What do you think of when you consider God’s glory? How overwhelming would a home with God’s glory be? How comforting would it be? What would cause it to be more one than the other? How do the traits we’ve considered in the previous 31 days fit into a home with God’s glory? How can your home today better reflect the glory of God in the home you are headed toward?
When I think of the glory of God, I first think about the description of God as being an all-consuming fire. Many times we connect that element of God with His judgment and wrath. While I think that is true, I also believe it describes the all-consuming nature of His glory. Heaven is a home where His presence cannot be hidden or ignored. His glory fills every part of this eternal home and of each person who dwells there. As you pray, ask God to so fill you with His glory that nothing could distract you from His presence. Pray that your journey home would be lived in pursuit of the glory of God filling you.
In prayer,
Tom
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This is the audio from the January 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
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 thirty-one 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.
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
What first comes to mind when you read the word, “worship”? Why? Would that first thought be accurate? Would it be complete? How often is the worship of God on your mind? Why? Is it possible to worship God without singing? Is it possible to sing worship songs without worshipping? What is required for worship to take place? Are you sure? What would a home of worship look and sound like to you? How can you make your current home be one of greater worship?
I’m not trying to reignite any old “worship wars” here, because frankly none of the ones I am familiar with really had much to do with worship. Our worship of God is our expression to Him of His worth. This ought to take place through every activity we are involved in and with every fiber of our being. God says that His Son was given a name above all others so that the very name of Jesus would receive worship in heaven, on earth, and even under the earth. As you pray, ask God to fill you with expressions of worship as you consider His Son, Jesus. Pray that you would not confine worship to any one place or activity but that your life would be worship.
In prayer,
Tom
Tom's Treasure 