Teaching Podcasts

Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Eternal Glory! (6/22/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Eternal Glory! (6/22/23)

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This is the audio from the June 22, 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.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that you would be able to see beyond the temporary nature of this life in order to know the eternal glory you have been called to.  Pray for the endurance to live up to the calling that leads to eternal glory.

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: Called Out of Darkness! (6/21/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called Out of Darkness! (6/21/23)

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This is the audio from the June 21, 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.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray for an understanding of what you’ve been called out of in order for you to belong to God.  Pray that you would give praise to God for bringing you into His light and out of the world’s darkness by His calling.

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: Called To Peace! (6/20/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Peace! (6/20/23)

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This is the audio from the June 20, 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.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that God would help you to see how His calling has made you part of one body — His body.  Pray that the unity of being one body would lead you to a thankful pursuit of the peace you have been called to.

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: Called To Serve! (6/19/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Serve! (6/19/23)

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This is the audio from the June 19, 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.  As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that you would listen to Him as you seek to discover the things He has called you to do.  Pray for the humility to understand the calling is by God’s grace and is not just for you but for all who would respond to His call.  Pray that you would always seek to do your part as God works His calling out in your life.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Pray that you would experience the freedom that comes as a result of being called by God.  Pray that you would not only know your calling, but that you would understand its purpose in serving others.

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: Dare To Be . . . Amos? (Sermon Audio)
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Called By God: Dare To Be . . . Amos? (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 18, 2023 sermon, “Called By God: Dare To Be . . . Amos?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Amos 1:1, 7:14-15

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.  But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7:14-15 (NIV)

Today I began a sermon series which will be 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)

This introductory message deals with the appropriate response when God calls us as His children and as His servants.  God has a tendency to use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things and Amos is an excellent example for us to see how that works.  In fact, when we consider some of the characteristics present in the life of Amos, we would do well to put those principles into action and dare to be . . . .

  • Available:  —

    • Amos makes it clear that the work he was called by God to do was not according to his custom, practice, or way of life.  In fact, God called him away from what he was accustomed to doing in order to use him as a messenger of truth.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who are available to God for His purposes and will.

  • Motivated: —

    • Delivering a message of truth is often met with opposition and that was certainly the case for Amos.  When those with authority and power tried to send him away and discredit his message, Amos stayed true to delivering what God was giving him to say.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who are motivated by the truth of God’s Word in all we say and do.

  • Obedient: —

    • It is one thing to be available and motivated when the task at hand is something we want to do.  It is an entirely different thing when we’re facing a task that is in conflict with our own comfort and security.  Amos took God’s message to the people of Israel not because it was easy or comfortable, but because God called him to it and he obeyed.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who are obedient to God no matter what.

  • Serving:  —

    • When Amos put his availability, motivation, and obedience into action he was in the perfect position to serve God and serve people.  He did what he did and said what not because it was beneficial to him or self-serving in any way, but because he chose to live as a servant of God.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who serve Him and serve one another in love.

Today, will you dare to be AMOS?  What will that look like in your life?

This Means WAR! (Sermon Audio)
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This Means WAR! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 28, 2023 sermon, “Finding Help For Your Battles: This Means WAR!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 2 Kings 6:12-23, Ephesians 6:10-18

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

Today I concluded a sermon series about finding help in our times of need.

Living life is a battle.  While the battles we face as individuals may come in different forms, we know from God’s Word that the sources of these battles are often spiritual in nature.  The good news for us in the midst of our battles is that God has given us what we need to be victorious when we choose His side of the battle.  When we find ourselves in the midst of battle and cry out for help, we find God telling us that this means . . .

  • Wisdom Is Wanted:  —

    • Victory in battle generally relies on reliable information.  One of the greatest pieces of wisdom God gives us when it comes to the battles we face is that they are not against flesh and blood but rather they are spiritual battles..

  • Armor Is Available: —

    • Knowing the nature of the battles we face will help us realize the importance of putting on the full armor of God.  This armor is available to us by God, but requires that we daily choose to put it on and use it.

  • Repentance Is Required:  —

    • We fail in our thoughts and attitudes more often than we like to admit, even if we manage to keep our actions in line with what God desires.  The spiritual battles we face will require that we become familiar and comfortable with repentance as we not only look at our battles differently, but we consider people from a new point of view..

Today, when you face battles of various kinds, how will you engage in the WAR?

Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Results In Action! (5/26/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Results In Action! (5/26/23)

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

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
 Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about seeking God’s help when we experience doubt.  Because believing God, and believing in God, is based on faith, it is not unusual to experience times of uncertainty that can grow into doubt.  Even when we say we believe, an honest examination of that belief will often reveal a need for help to grow in our practice of that belief.  It has been said that we can tell what a person really believes by closely observing what they do.  While our words may say what we want to believe, our actions tend to reflect our true beliefs.

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.”
James 2:18-19 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you refine and solidify what you know and believe about Him.  Pray that your belief of what God says would be seen by others through the things you do.  Pray for a growing faith that puts your belief of God into action.

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: Belief That Obeys! (5/25/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Obeys! (5/25/23)

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This is the audio from the May 25, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
 Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about seeking God’s help when we experience doubt.  Because believing God, and believing in God, is based on faith, it is not unusual to experience times of uncertainty that can grow into doubt.  Even when we say we believe, an honest examination of that belief will often reveal a need for help to grow in our practice of that belief.  It has been said that we can tell what a person really believes by closely observing what they do.  While our words may say what we want to believe, our actions tend to reflect our true beliefs.

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
Acts 8:12 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you refine and solidify what you know and believe about Him.  Pray that your response to belief about the good news of God’s kingdom would always lead to obedience.  Pray for the courage to obey God’s Word simply because you believe Him.

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

In prayer,
Tom