This is the audio from the May 30, 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
While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”! Over the next 4 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself. Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.
Here is day twenty-eight with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God through the gospel message to Himself.
“He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.“
2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 (NIV)
How often do you read the Bible? Do you view it as just a book, or as words written to you? Why? How good is the news that the world publishes each day? Why? What would happen if you looked for, and shared, good news instead of the usual fare that gets talked about in most social circles? How does the good news of the Bible call you, and others, to a changed life? How does being called by God through the gospel influence the way you relate to God and the way you share that gospel with others?
In a world in which everything has been brought into existence by the word of God, the power of the gospel ought to be obvious. While some view the Bible as just a book, or a collection of old words, God says it is “the power of God which leads to salvation.” Just as God called the elements of creation into existence by His Word, He calls each one of us to salvation through the good news of the gospel. Words are very powerful things and can be used to lift up or tear down. When we are confident of our calling through the gospel of Jesus, our words to others ought to be good news that shares that same gospel with them.
As you pray about being called through the gospel, ask God to help you trust Him as the true source of good news. Pray that you would hold fast to God’s Word as the powerful force that it is. Pray that your time spent reading the Bible would encourage you as you allow its Author to speak His words to you. Pray that God’s calling through His gospel would fill you with light in the midst of darkness. Pray that you would share the good news of Jesus with everyone you can.
In prayer,
Tom
This is the audio from the May 29, 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
While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”! Over the next 5 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself. Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.
Here is day twenty-seven with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be an example in the way you suffer.
“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.“
2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV)
Are there things you are certain about? What? Have you ever been sure about something only to find out later you were wrong? Why? How much power does doubt have in your life? Why? What things tend to feed your doubt? Have you ever been sure of something only to have it not come to pass? Why? What does that do to your sense of certainty about other things? How reliable do you believe God to be? Does His faithfulness give you greater confidence in the things He has called you to? Should it?
Living with certainty in a very uncertain world can be a rather elusive thing. Fortunately, the certainty that you and I are called to in Christ is not based on our ability but rather on His faithfulness. While our calling by God is sure because of His faithfulness, it is our daily walk by faith that helps to erase whatever doubts the enemy may attempt to plant in our mind. The doubts will come and go because we have a tendency to stumble throughout our walk. When we hold fast to God’s calling to be sure, we find that nothing can make us fall. Living with certainty in our calling from God ought to equip us to walk by faith no matter what.
As you pray about being called to be sure, ask God to help you be fully aware of His faithfulness throughout all generations. Pray that you would look to Him for a certainty that overcomes your doubts. Pray for an increased faith that gives you a confidence in God’s ability to pick you up when you stumble. Pray that the people around you would see your unfailing confidence in God even when you have doubts in yourself. Pray that your faith would grow beyond the doubts of the world.
In prayer,
Tom
This is the audio from the May 28, 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
While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”! Over the next 6 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself. Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.
Here is day twenty-six with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be an example in the way you suffer.
“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “
1 Peter 2:20-21 (NIV)
How often do you experience difficult times and think that it just shouldn’t be this way? Why? Have you ever learned valuable lessons in the midst of suffering? What? Could they have been learned without the suffering? Why? What does suffering as a result of poor choices teach you? Is that different from what you learn as a result of suffering for doing right? Explain. How is Christ represented in your attitude when you suffer because of what someone else has said or done? Who does your response change the most, you or them?
Suffering seems to be an unavoidable part of life and how we handle it can say a lot to a suffering world that needs to know the peace that only Jesus can bring in the midst of their hurt. When we live with the hope that only Jesus can offer, we find the pain of suffering can be a powerful reminder of how valuable we are to Him. It is in suffering for doing right that the world can see proof of what we believe. Whether the pain is physical, emotional, spiritual, or some combination of all three, learning to endure with patience in the midst of suffering is only possible when our eyes are fixed on the hope that lies ahead.
As you pray about being called to suffer, ask God to fill you with a greater hope in the things yet to come. Pray that you would make wise choices that would keep you from suffering for doing wrong. Pray that your suffering would make you more aware of the price Jesus paid for the hope that now dwells within you. Pray that others would know more of your love, and of God’s love, as you patiently endure suffering that comes from doing life God’s way.
In prayer,
Tom
This is the audio from the May 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
While we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe we have a great opportunity to represent Jesus well as we respond to God’s calling with a hearty, “Here Am I”! Over the next 7 days I will continue sharing the devotions from my “Here Am I” book to help each of us pray about our response to God as He calls us to Himself. Through time in prayer, this devotional journal was written to help you see and respond to God’s calling as you see Him working in your “everyday” life.
Here is day twenty-five with an important reminder that you, and those around you, have been called by God to be a saint.
“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.“
Mark 10:42-44 (NIV)
What does it mean to serve someone? In what ways do others serve you? In what ways do you serve others? Which do you prefer? Why? How does attitude influence the quality of serving you, or someone else, might do? Are there times, or people, you are more willing to serve than others? Why? What makes the difference? What limits did God put on who you should serve? What about on how you should serve? Explain. Does knowing God has called you to serve change your attitude about serving? Why?
Most Christians can quote the words of Jesus when He says, “whoever wants to become great must become servant to all.” The problem, however, is that quoting it and living it are two very different things. How we treat others from any walk of life says a lot about how much we’ve allowed Jesus to have control of our life. Serving others isn’t just about doing things for them; it begins with our attitude about them. When we allow Jesus to transform our heart, we learn to willingly serve others because we genuinely care about them. In fact, God says that it is in our serving of others that we actually serve Him.
As you pray about being called to serve, ask God to help you grow in your desire to serve all people. Pray that you would learn to love people just as God loves them so you would want the very best for them. Pray that you would serve with a transformed heart that helps those you serve to see Jesus. Pray that you would look for opportunities to serve even those whose job it is to serve you. Pray that you would find pleasure in serving God through your service to others.
In prayer,
Tom
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