Teaching Podcasts

Encouragement and Prayer: Obey Parents! (7/20/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Obey Parents! (7/20/23)

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This is the audio from the July 20, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

Most adults seem to like the command where God says children are to obey their parents.  We like it because we tend to unconsciously add two small words to it.  We tend to read it, “[Little] Children obey your [good] parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Yes, there are limits when it comes to obeying people — “We must obey God rather than men” — but obedience is a trait that God expects all of His children to exhibit.  This week we will be praying about following the example of Jesus, who “became obedient to death — even death on a cross.”

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Colossians 3:20 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you examine your current level of obedience and reveal how you need to grow to become more like Christ.  Pray that you would be faithful in honoring and obeying your parents — regardless of your age or theirs.  Pray that the people around you would understand how much it pleases God for them to be obedient to their parents.  Pray for a godly life that helps obedience to be easier.

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: Obedience and the Holy Spirit! (7/19/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Obedience and the Holy Spirit! (7/19/23)

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This is the audio from the July 19, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

Most adults seem to like the command where God says children are to obey their parents.  We like it because we tend to unconsciously add two small words to it.  We tend to read it, “[Little] Children obey your [good] parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Yes, there are limits when it comes to obeying people — “We must obey God rather than men” — but obedience is a trait that God expects all of His children to exhibit.  This week we will be praying about following the example of Jesus, who “became obedient to death — even death on a cross.”

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Acts 5:32 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you examine your current level of obedience and reveal how you need to grow to become more like Christ.  Pray that you would recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life through your obedience to God.  Pray that God’s Spirit would help you be a witness to the things of God.  Pray that the people around you would know God’s presence in them through their obedience.

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: Blessed By Obedience! (7/18/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed By Obedience! (7/18/23)

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This is the audio from the July 18, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

Most adults seem to like the command where God says children are to obey their parents.  We like it because we tend to unconsciously add two small words to it.  We tend to read it, “[Little] Children obey your [good] parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Yes, there are limits when it comes to obeying people — “We must obey God rather than men” — but obedience is a trait that God expects all of His children to exhibit.  This week we will be praying about following the example of Jesus, who “became obedient to death — even death on a cross.”

“He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”
Luke 11:28 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you examine your current level of obedience and reveal how you need to grow to become more like Christ.  Pray that you would always listen to the word of God with a desire to obey what He says.  Pray for the courage to obey God as He reveals Himself through His Word.  Pray that you would be a blessing to others because of your obedience to the word of God.

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: Teach Obedience! (7/17/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Teach Obedience! (7/17/23)

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

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

Most adults seem to like the command where God says children are to obey their parents.  We like it because we tend to unconsciously add two small words to it.  We tend to read it, “[Little] Children obey your [good] parents in the Lord, for this is right.”  Yes, there are limits when it comes to obeying people — “We must obey God rather than men” — but obedience is a trait that God expects all of His children to exhibit.  This week we will be praying about following the example of Jesus, who “became obedient to death — even death on a cross.”  As you pray, ask God to help you examine your current level of obedience and reveal how you need to grow to become more like Christ.  Pray that you would value the choice of obedience in your life and in the lives of others.  Pray that the results of your obedience would help the people around you see Jesus more clearly.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Pray that you would be a faithful disciple of Jesus in the way you teach others to obey all He commanded.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Called By God: The Need to OBEY! (Sermon Audio)
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Called By God: The Need to OBEY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 16, 2023 sermon, “Called By God: The Need to Obey”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Amos 7

“But Samuel replied:  ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV)

Today I continued a sermon series which is based from the Old Testament book of Amos.  If you’re wondering how applicable the message from this book of the Bible can be today, consider the following description of the world in the days of Amos.  See if this sounds familiar at all to the world we currently live in.

“A spirit of self-sufficiency and smug complacency thrived on material prosperity.  The rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer.  Idolatry, hypocrisy, moral corruption, and social injustices were everywhere.  The nation was truly on the brink of disaster.”  (Irving Jensen)

God’s desire for each one of us is that we would grow in relationship with Him.  As God calls us to not only accept Him but to grow in this relationship, our response is often put to the test.  God’s plan for us has always been to use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.  That only happens when we understand the need to . . .

  • Observe: (Amos 7:1, 4, & 7)

    • When called by God, Amos learned to observe the things that God intended for him to see.  We also have been called by God and He expects us to pay attention and observe His nature and His work as we spend time in His Word and in prayer.  Being able to gaze into scripture and notice the laws and instructions of God ought to put us into a position of listening.  Because we are called by God, we must understand the need to observe all that He has commanded.

  • Believe: — (Amos 7:2 & 5)

    • Observing the nature and character of God is one thing, but the true test comes in what we choose to do about what God has revealed.  When Amos observed the judgement that God revealed was to come upon Israel, he cried out to God for mercy because he believed God would do what He said.  Observing the truth of God’s Word and the promise of the return of Jesus ought to compel us to have great concern for ourselves and for everyone around us.  Sometimes we fail to be all that concerned for others because we may be harboring doubt about what God has shown us in His Word.  Because we are called by God, we must believe in a way that compels us to action.

  • Examine: — (Amos 7:8)

    • Observing and believing are great places to start, but it is not enough to just do anything that comes to mind.  As God set forth a plumb line for Amos to observe, He was calling Amos to examine the standard by which God calls people to Himself.  Our enemy is a master at deception and does everything he can to distort God’ Word in order to confuse our actions.  We must be careful to use the straight edge of the Word of God as the standard by which we live and act.  Because we are called by God, we must consistently examine what is before us so that our response to God and to those around us would always be right.

  • Yield: — (Amos 7:14-16)

    • As Christians we tend to accept the need to observe, believe, and examine.  The difficulty often comes when we attempt to put those elements into action and are required to fully yield to God.  God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things because that is really all that any of us are.  Amos was an ordinary farmer who was called by God to deliver an unwanted message and even when the message and messenger was rejected, Amos yielded to God as he continue to do the work God had called him to.  Because we are called by God, we must learn to continually grow in the ways we yield to God in all things.

Today, how will you OBEY?

Encouragement and Prayer: Guarded With Understanding! (7/14/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Guarded With Understanding! (7/14/23)

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

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on our need to guard our heart!  The Bible makes it clear that our actions are a reflection of our heart, so it becomes vital that we pay attention to what our heart contains.  Jesus taught that the command to not commit adultery was more about a heart problem than it was a physical problem.  God’s desire is that we would learn to guard our heart and mind from the temptations that want to take root and destroy us.  It is much easier to blame someone else when we give in to temptation than admit we have failed to guard our heart in Christ Jesus.

“Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”
Psalm 119:34 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only guard your heart and mind, but that you would not be a stumbling block in another person’s efforts to guard their heart.  Pray that  you would have an understanding of God’s laws and their purpose in protecting you from sin.  Pray that an understanding of consequences would protect your heart from wrongful pursuits.

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: Guarded With Trust! (7/13/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Guarded With Trust! (7/13/23)

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This is the audio from the July 13, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on our need to guard our heart!  The Bible makes it clear that our actions are a reflection of our heart, so it becomes vital that we pay attention to what our heart contains.  Jesus taught that the command to not commit adultery was more about a heart problem than it was a physical problem.  God’s desire is that we would learn to guard our heart and mind from the temptations that want to take root and destroy us.  It is much easier to blame someone else when we give in to temptation than admit we have failed to guard our heart in Christ Jesus.

“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”
Psalm 112:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only guard your heart and mind, but that you would not be a stumbling block in another person’s efforts to guard their heart.  Pray that  you would learn to trust God completely even in the midst of bad news.  Pray that your trust of God would protect your heart from pursuing wrong actions.  Pray that your heart would not fail as you grow through the troubles of life.

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: Guarded With a Steadfast Spirit! (7/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Guarded With a Steadfast Spirit! (7/12/23)

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This is the audio from the July 12, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on our need to guard our heart!  The Bible makes it clear that our actions are a reflection of our heart, so it becomes vital that we pay attention to what our heart contains.  Jesus taught that the command to not commit adultery was more about a heart problem than it was a physical problem.  God’s desire is that we would learn to guard our heart and mind from the temptations that want to take root and destroy us.  It is much easier to blame someone else when we give in to temptation than admit we have failed to guard our heart in Christ Jesus.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only guard your heart and mind, but that you would not be a stumbling block in another person’s efforts to guard their heart.  Pray that you would not become weary in doing good but that God would put a steadfast spirit within you.  Pray that your heart would be protected by an unrelenting commitment to pursue God.  Pray that you would grow in purity through the steadfast nature of God’s Spirit.

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

In prayer,
Tom