Teaching Podcasts

Encouragement and Prayer: Return In Obedience! (7/3/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Return In Obedience! (7/3/23)

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This is the audio from the July 3, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live.
Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.”
Amos 5:14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we, and those around us, would return to Him whenever we stray.  One of the greatest promises of God is that there is always a way home from wherever we are.  As you pray this week, consider if there are areas of your life in which you need to return to God.  Pray for those you know, perhaps even yourself, who are distant from God and need to know they can return.  Pray that your life would reflect the openness of God to those who are looking for a way home.  Pray that you would know how to return to God so that you would be able to help lead others back to Him also.  Pray for a  heart of compassion that accepts those returning to God with the same joy that He has.  Pray for a growing unity among believers as we each pursue greater obedience to God and love for one another.

“When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.”
Deuteronomy 4:30 (NIV)

Pray for the humility needed to repent of any disobedience as you return to God fully.  Pray for discernment to know a way home when the troubles you face are the result of straying away from 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: Plant To Please the Spirit! (6/30/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant To Please the Spirit! (6/30/23)

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This is the audio from the June 30, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.

“The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Galatians 6:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would be ever mindful of God’s Spirit within you as you choose what to sow in this life.  Pray that your desire would always be to sow the things that please the Spirit as you look toward the harvest of eternal 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: Plant What You Want to Harvest! (6/29/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant What You Want to Harvest! (6/29/23)

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This is the audio from the June 29, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would consider the outcome God desires for you in this life so that you would sow accordingly.  Pray that God would help you accurately evaluate what you are currently reaping in order to consider if you need to change what you are sowing.

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: Plant What Is Supplied! (6/28/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant What Is Supplied! (6/28/23)

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This is the audio from the June 28, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”
2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would always look to God as the One who supplies, and increases, the seed which you sow.  Pray that you would be faithful in using what God has supplied as He multiplies His righteousness in your life for your benefit and for the benefit of 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: Plant Generously! (6/27/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant Generously! (6/27/23)

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This is the audio from the June 27, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would learn to sow according to the expectation you have for the harvest.  Pray that your generosity with God and with others would produce an abundance for all.  Pray that God’s generosity towards you would be reflected in the way you deal with others in their times of need.

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: Plant Righteousness! (6/26/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant Righteousness! (6/26/23)

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This is the audio from the June 26, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would be careful with what you allow to be sown in your life and with what you are sowing that eventually produce a harvest.  Pray that you would keep your eyes focused on Jesus to the extent that everything you sow with your words and actions would point others to Him.  Pray that the good seed of God’s Word would find good soil in your life and in the lives of those around you.

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.”
Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

Pray that you would seek the Lord in all things as you sow righteousness that produces a harvest of love.  Pray for a softened and prepared life that would allow the seeds of righteousness to grow and flourish in you and around you.

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: Sin Is Always Over-Priced! (Sermon Audio)
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Called By God: Sin Is Always Over-Priced! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 25, 2023 sermon, “Called By God: SIN Is Always Over-Priced”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Amos 1 – 4, Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (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)

Sin. It’s a topic we don’t like to talk about and when we do it is generally focused on the bad things others do rather than on an examination of how our own life stacks up according to God’s standard. God’s message to mankind has always been that it doesn’t matter if the sin is acceptable or unacceptable by our standards, it is always over-priced and must be rejected by God’s children.

  • Selfishness Is Always Over-Priced:  —  Amos 2:6-8, James 4:1-3

    • While at first glance selfishness may appear to get us what we want, it never accomplishes what is promised.  God’s message to Israel through the prophet Amos was in part a message that they would soon pay for their selfish behavior and it would be a cost far greater than they imagined.  God tells us through James that our selfishness can cost us the response from God that we truly need and desire.  When we consider the sin of selfishness, we would do well to remember that selfishness is always over-priced.

  • Idolatry Is Always Over-Priced: —  Amos 4:4-5, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

    • Idolatry is the practice of putting anything in place of God or above God.  While we often think of idols being physical things or even people, the nation of Israel had made their religious practices into idols which they worshiped and honored more than God.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians, and to us, about the need to resist temptation and look to God for deliverance from it.  It is within this context that he says to flee from idolatry.  When we choose to worship anything but God, we have diminished our connection with the One who can help us overcome.  When we consider the sin of idolatry, we would do well to remember that idolatry is always over-priced.

  • Neglect Is Always Over-Priced: —  Amos 3:1-8, Luke 11:42-44

    • I suspect that we all have things that we mean to do but we just don’t get around to it.  While that may be a natural part of the human life, when we begin to neglect our relationship with God and the building up of our self and others that He want to accomplish, we pay a price far greater than we imagine.  While the people of Israel claimed to be God’s people, God delivers a message that points out their neglect in maintaining that relationship which God had called them to.  They were not much different from the religious leaders Jesus addressed about how they focused on doing religious activity while neglecting the greater tasks of justice and love.  When we consider the sin of neglect, we would do well to remember that neglect is always over-priced.

Today, will you seek God’s help to overcome SIN which is always over-priced?

Encouragement and Prayer: Called By God’s Goodness! (6/23/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called By God’s Goodness! (6/23/23)

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This is the audio from the June 23, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that your knowledge of God would fill you with all that you truly need for life.  Pray that you would live with the assurance of being called by God’s goodness rather than by your own merit.

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

In prayer,
Tom