Encouragement and Prayer: Share With Those In Need! (8/18/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Share With Those In Need! (8/18/25)

This is the audio from the August 18, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 
1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be on God’s instruction that we share what we have been given.  Sharing is not usually an easy concept to do or to teach.  James says that it is our selfishness that often keeps us from receiving from God the things we ask for.  Many times we live by two standards.  One that sets forth what we believe God ought to share with us — everything.  And the other standard is what we feel we ought to share with others — only what we decide they deserve.  It is when we begin to see everything we have as gifts from God that we realize we are only being called to share His gifts.  My gifts and abilities are limited, so any gift that would originate with me has limits as well.  God, however, is not limited so His gifts are able to accomplish their purpose as He shares them with us and we share them with others.  Pray that your sharing would be done in ways that benefit the needs of others.

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you learn to share in the way He would desire.  Pray for wisdom in knowing how God would have you share with those in need.  Pray that you would use the things God has given you in a way that benefits others.  Pray that God would help you learn and practice hospitality as a means of sharing with others.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Following Jesus – A Shared MEAL! (Sermon Audio)

Following Jesus – A Shared MEAL! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 17, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Shared Meal!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 26:17-35

 

“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 
1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  As Jesus approached His death, burial, and resurrection, He taught His disciples with a shared . . .

  • MemoryMatthew 26:17-19

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, carries meaning as we share the memory of who Jesus is and what He has done. 
  • Examination:  Matthew 26:20-25

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, calls for us to share in the examination of ourselves to see our need for Jesus and for one another.
  • Action:  Matthew 26:26-30

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, involves a share action in which each person does the part created for them by God.
  • Loss:  Matthew 26:31-35

    • Our shared meal with one another, and with Jesus, leads us to a shared loss as we learn to deny ourselves daily and take up our cross to follow Jesus.

Today, how will you share in this MEAL?

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Deliverance! (8/15/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Deliverance! (8/15/25)

This is the audio from the August 15, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the promises of God.  As Jesus lived on earth, the religious leaders would plot against Him, somehow thinking they could get the upper hand, not realizing that their plans were not a secret to Jesus.  He not only knew the plotting that was being done, He knew how those plots would fulfill His promises.  When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort?  Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s.  Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like.  Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.”
Psalm 119:170 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises.  Pray that you would always turn to God as the one who can meet your needs “according to His riches in glory.”  Pray that you would fully consider how God has delivered you as you share His promises of deliverance to the people around you.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Comfort! (8/14/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Comfort! (8/14/25)

This is the audio from the August 14, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the promises of God.  As Jesus lived on earth, the religious leaders would plot against Him, somehow thinking they could get the upper hand, not realizing that their plans were not a secret to Jesus.  He not only knew the plotting that was being done, He knew how those plots would fulfill His promises.  When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort?  Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s.  Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like.  Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”
Psalm 119:76 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises.  Pray that a recognition of God’s unfailing love would comfort you in your times of greatest pain.  Pray that you would be obedient in comforting others with the comfort God has given you according to His promises.  Pray for an awareness of  how the enemy wants to destroy the comfort you receive from God’s promises.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Graciousness! (8/13/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Graciousness! (8/13/25)

This is the audio from the August 13, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the promises of God.  As Jesus lived on earth, the religious leaders would plot against Him, somehow thinking they could get the upper hand, not realizing that their plans were not a secret to Jesus.  He not only knew the plotting that was being done, He knew how those plots would fulfill His promises.  When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort?  Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s.  Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like.  Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.”
Psalm 119:58 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises.  Pray that you would know the graciousness of God as you seek Him with a whole heart.  Pray that you would learn to be gracious with others as you realize how much you experience the graciousness of God’s promises to you.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Salvation! (8/12/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Salvation! (8/12/25)

This is the audio from the August 12, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the promises of God.  As Jesus lived on earth, the religious leaders would plot against Him, somehow thinking they could get the upper hand, not realizing that their plans were not a secret to Jesus.  He not only knew the plotting that was being done, He knew how those plots would fulfill His promises.  When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort?  Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s.  Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like.  Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise.”
Psalm 119:41 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises.  Pray that you would know the unfailing love of God that gives the promise of salvation.  Pray that you would share with others about the salvation God has brought to you as you live for Him.  Pray that you would overcome the plots of the enemy which plant seeds of doubt.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Peace! (8/11/25)

Encouragement and Prayer: Promised Peace! (8/11/25)

This is the audio from the August 11, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some of the promises of God.  As Jesus lived on earth, the religious leaders would plot against Him, somehow thinking they could get the upper hand, not realizing that their plans were not a secret to Jesus.  He not only knew the plotting that was being done, He knew how those plots would fulfill His promises.  When God promises comfort, how often do we want it to mean we would never experience a pain that would require His comfort?  Even if we understand the nature of the promise accurately, we often expect the promise to be fulfilled in keeping with our timetable rather than God’s.  Pray that you would hold fast to His promises, especially when it takes longer for them to be fulfilled than what you would like.  Pray for the heart, mind, and eyes to see how God has not only extended His promises to you, but calls you to share in extending His promises to others.

“I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly.”
Psalm 85:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in your understanding of His “great and precious” promises.  Pray that you would listen to God and find a peace in Him that the world cannot take away.  Pray that you would share God’s peace with others as you fully reject a life built on folly.  Pray that the plots of others would not lead you to give up your peace.

You can find the live video feeds of previous encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Following Jesus – A Not So Secret PLOT! (Sermon Audio)

Following Jesus – A Not So Secret PLOT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 10, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Not So Secret Plot!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 26:1-13

 

“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,  ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’”
Matthew 26:1-2 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  While the religious leaders sought to secretly discredit Jesus, He chose to reveal a not so secret . . .

  • PromiseMatthew 26:1-5

    • While the religious leaders were plotting to kill Jesus, He makes it known that the thing they wanted to do in secret was actually a not so secret promise from His Father to mankind.  The promise given to Adam and Eve in the garden, and to God’s people throughout the Old Testament times, was one of death being turned into life.  It is in this promise that Jesus declares He is headed to Jerusalem to become the ultimate Passover Lamb who would be crucified as the sin payment for all mankind. 
  • Love:  Matthew 26:6-7

    • While the religious leaders were plotting a scheme of hatred towards Jesus, He is shown a not so secret love as a woman approaches Him to anoint Him with a very valuable perfume.  This not so secret love is not only seen in the actions of this woman, but also displayed by Jesus as He visits in the home of Simon the leper . . . one of the untouchables who had evidently been touched by the love of Jesus.  It is in the love that we find the example to love one another just as we are loved by Jesus.
  • Observation:  Matthew 26:8-10

    • While the disciples had an observation of greed and jealousy, Jesus declares a not so secret observation which revealed the hearts of all involved.  The observations we make out of our human flesh and mind will always be clouded by self while the observations God desires to lead us to will always involve an examination of the heart.
  • Truth:  Matthew 26:11-13

    • The disciples and religious leaders were influenced by a lie even as the not so secret truth stood before them.  Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified, or set apart for His use, by the truth.  As He prays to His Father, Jesus amplifies that the truth which will sanctify us is the truth of God’s Word — a truth which became flesh and dwelt among us as the Holy One of God.

 

Today, how will you share in this not so secret PLOT?