Prayer

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rescue
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rescue

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 twenty-two 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.

Almost Heaven:
A Home Of Rescue

“The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia — your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.“
1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 (NIV)

Have you ever been stranded and have to call someone to come rescue you?  How did you feel?  How much time did you spend trying to figure your own way out of it before calling for help?  How difficult was it to admit you needed help?  How did you feel about being rescued?  Was the relief of being rescued greater than the embarrassment of being stuck and in need of help?  Does the attitude of the one rescuing you influence how you feel about needing rescued?

After spending a weekend teaching at a church, I headed home late at night only to have my car break down an hour into my six hour drive home.  I popped the hood and fiddled around for a while before finally deciding it was hopeless and I needed rescued.  I made a phone call to the family I knew in the town where I had been staying and was greatly relieved when they said they were on their way and even more relieved when their car pulled up behind me some time later.  As you pray, ask God to help you comprehend your need to be rescued by Him.  Pray that you would know the home you’re headed to as one that has rescued you. 

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/27/20)

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This is the audio from the December 27, 2020 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

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rejoicing
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Rejoicing

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 twenty-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.

Almost Heaven:
A Home Of Rejoicing

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.“
Luke 15:7 (NIV)

What has been the biggest celebration that you have been a part of?  What was the cause for the rejoicing?  How containable was the event?  How happy are you when something good happens to a close friend or family member?  Does their level of happiness influence how you respond?  How difficult is it to put into practice God’s command to rejoice always?  Why?  How does knowing that heaven is a home of rejoicing help you to rejoice on your journey?

A home of rejoicing has a tendency to attract people to it.  In the midst of celebrating success and accomplishments, we want to share our joy with the people around us.  Joy and laughter are contagious and especially so when we all have a reason to rejoice.  There can be no greater reason for rejoicing and celebration than to finally arrive home to an eternity with God.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with a spirit of joy as you journey toward His home filled with rejoicing.  Pray that you would learn to rejoice always as you consider the home that awaits you.  Pray that your home on earth would be filled with rejoicing because of your relationship with Christ.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/26/20)

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This is the audio from the December 26, 2020 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

Almost Heaven: A Home With Permanence
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Almost Heaven: A Home With Permanence

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 twenty 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.

Almost Heaven:
A Home With Permanence

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.“
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

What things have impressed you the most by how long they have lasted?  What things have been the greatest disappointment by not lasting as you thought they should have?  Have you ever headed somewhere with eager anticipation only to find out at your destination that the place no longer exists?  How did you feel?  How important is a sense of permanence in making you feel like you belong somewhere?

As a child, I never once worried about going home from school and not having a home to go to.  While I realize now that the possibility existed for something to happen to it, I grew up with the security of having a home I believed to be permanent.  Because of God’s nature, I am assured that the heavenly home I am headed towards has a permanence that nothing can destroy.  The hope I have on my journey to that home cannot be tarnished or diminished because I am confident my home will always be there.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the confidence of having a home that cannot be shaken.  Pray that you would live life boldly, knowing that you are headed to a home of permanence.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/25/20)

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This is the audio from the December 25, 2020 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

Almost Heaven: A Home Of Peace
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Almost Heaven: A Home Of Peace

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 nineteen 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.

Almost Heaven:
A Home Of Peace

“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’“
Luke 19:37-38 (NIV)

How peaceful was the home you grew up in?  How much peace exists in your current home?  How would you rate the level of peace in the world?  Why do you think that the level of peace is where it is?  How important is peace to you?  Would your activity as a peacemaker agree with your answer?  What would it take to have greater peace in your life?  In your home?  Do you feel that you are at peace with God?  Do you believe that He is at peace with you?

It seems that nearly everyone would like to have greater peace, but very few are willing to quit fighting in order to obtain it.  Jesus taught that He did not come to earth to wield a sword, but to bring peace.  He accomplished this through His death, burial and resurrection.  In paying the penalty for our sin through His death, He made a way for there to be peace between us and God.  In rising from the dead and defeating death, He made a way for that peace to be the core of our eternal home.  As you pray, ask God to help you be a peacemaker.  Pray that you would know the peace that comes down from heaven as you journey toward that eternal home.

In prayer,

Tom

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Encouragement and Prayer (12/24/20)

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This is the audio from the December 24, 2020 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