Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful for Correction! (8/17/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful for Correction! (8/17/23)

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This is the audio from the August 17, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the power of God’s Word in our life.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to make use of it and apply it to everything we do.  The reason God’s Word is useful is because of the power it has which is seen through the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to experience the power of God and be transformed.

“Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”
Job 5:17 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.  Pray that you would heed the correction that God desires to give you through His Word.  Pray that God’s Word would be the basis for any correction of others that you do.  Pray that you would know the power of God’s Word to bring about correction where the ways of man cannot.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful for Rebuking! (8/16/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful for Rebuking! (8/16/23)

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This is the audio from the August 16, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the power of God’s Word in our life.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to make use of it and apply it to everything we do.  The reason God’s Word is useful is because of the power it has which is seen through the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to experience the power of God and be transformed.

“It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.”
Ecclesiastes 7:5 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.  Pray that you would listen to the wise rebuke of God’s Word in your life.  Pray that you would use God’s Word in wisely rebuking others when it is necessary.  Pray for humility when the power of God’s Word is needed for rebuke.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful for Teaching! (8/15/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful for Teaching! (8/15/23)

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This is the audio from the August 15, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the power of God’s Word in our life.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to make use of it and apply it to everything we do.  The reason God’s Word is useful is because of the power it has which is seen through the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to experience the power of God and be transformed.

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
Ezra 7:10 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.  Pray that you would hold fast to God’s Word as useful in teaching you how to live a life pleasing to God.  Pray that your devotion to the Word of God would prepare you to teach others.  Pray that your life would show the power of God’s Word.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful Origin of God’s Word! (8/14/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful Origin of God’s Word! (8/14/23)

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This is the audio from the August 14, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the power of God’s Word in our life.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to make use of it and apply it to everything we do.  The reason God’s Word is useful is because of the power it has which is seen through the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to experience the power of God and be transformed.  As you pray, ask God to help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.  Pray that your love for God’s Word would grow as your understanding of its usefulness grows.  Pray that the usefulness of  God’s Word in your life would cause you to share it at every opportunity.

“For prophecy [God’s Word] never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:21 (NIV)

Pray that you would have a proper view of Scripture as coming from God and not from man.  Pray that God’s Spirit would give you insight into what He has spoken through His Word.  Pray that the power of God’s Word would be seen in its source.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Good News: The Powerful WORD! (Sermon Audio)

Good News: The Powerful WORD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 13, 2023 sermon, “Good News: The Powerful Word”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 4:1-21

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Today I continued a series from the gospel of Luke as we gaze deeply into God’s Word to find the good news of Jesus shared with us by Luke the physician.  As we continue our Good News From the Doctor series, we find the good news of Jesus as the powerful Word.  When we consider the example of Jesus in the way He handled temptation from the devil and public scrutiny from the crowds, we learn how to hold fast to the powerful . . .

  • Writing: (Luke 4:4,8, & 12; Romans 15:4)

    • Jesus not only understood the writings of scripture, He used them to stand firm and resist temptation.  When we dismiss parts of God’s Word as being irrelevant or unimportant to today’s culture, we end up dismissing the power of the writing as the power then belongs with us rather than with God.  When tempted by the devil, Jesus responded with what was written because He not only knew the power of the word, He was the power of the Word!  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find within scripture the power of the writing.
  • Opportunity: — (Luke 4:13, Colossians 4:5-6)

    • Sometimes when we read the story of the devil tempting Jesus it is easy to think it was a quick victory for Jesus and after that He was left alone.  What we find in the text, however, is that the 40 days and nights Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness was filled with temptation and after this time the devil left “for a more opportune time”.  The good news is that while the devil looks for an opportune time to defeat us, today is always a powerful opportunity for victory.  The powerful Word which has been given to us is filled with opportunities to know God and live a life which honors Him.  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find that each day gives us a powerful opportunity to know God and represent Jesus.
  • Reading: — (Luke 4:18-19, 1 Timothy 4:13)

    • Jesus understood that the powerful word not only was a powerful writing and a powerful opportunity, it is unleashed through a powerful reading of what it says.  When we read scripture, we expose ourselves to the mind of God as all scripture came about not by man’s wisdom or intent, but by the moving of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus knew the power of reading scripture whether confronting the devil or standing up to opposition from what should have been a friendly crowd.  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find there is power in reading the Word of God to ourselves and to those around us.
  • Declaration: — (Luke 4:20-21, 1 Peter 2:9-10)

    • We can know the powerful writing, opportunity, and reading but the question we must consider is what will we do with it.  Jesus used the powerful word to declare who He is and we ought to be using God’s Word to declare Jesus to the world around us.  When we speak the truth of God’s Word, we declare to our co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends that we know Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to proclaim good news to the poor, captive, overwhelmed, and everyone who lives.  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find a powerful declaration that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Today, what will you do with the powerful WORD?

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Action! (8/11/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Action! (8/11/23)

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This is the audio from the August 11, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would be prepared to act on the things God calls you to do today and throughout each day He gives you.  Pray that you would be prepared by the grace of God to realize, and share, His grace which has been given to you.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing At All Times! (8/10/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing At All Times! (8/10/23)

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This is the audio from the August 10, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.”
2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would always be prepared to share the Word of God with those who need to hear it.  Pray that your times of preparation would include both “great patience and careful instruction” for yourself and for others.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Good Work! (8/9/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Good Work! (8/9/23)

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This is the audio from the August 9, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would use the current times to not only be prepared, but to do good work.  Pray that you would allow God’s cleansing to prepare you for the good work He has for you now and into the future.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page.

In prayer,
Tom