Encouragement and Prayer: Obedience That Is Steadfast! (6/30/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Obedience That Is Steadfast! (6/30/25)

This is the audio from the June 30, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’“
Matthew 21:28 (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, as we pray about what we ought to do, 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 your decisions would be godly so that your obedience would follow.  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.

“Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!”
Psalm 119:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow through your obedience in what you do.  Pray that God would help you maintain a steadfast obedience to the decrees of God.  Pray that your times of doubt would be replaced by a steadfast commitment to obeying the laws of God.

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 – What Will You DO? (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – What Will You DO? (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 29, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: What Will You DO?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 21:18-46

 

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’“
Matthew 21:28 (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.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we must answer His question of what will you . . .

  • Discuss/Decide:  Matthew 21:18-27

    • When people encountered Jesus there was often a discussion, sometimes out loud and sometimes internally, about who He was and what He was teaching, and how He did the things He did.  It is out of those discussions we have in whatever form, that we eventually decide what we’ll do with Jesus.  Even when the discussions of the day would lead the religious leaders to consider the truth about Jesus, they often led fear lead as they held on to their own beliefs and traditions rather than embracing the person of Jesus being God with them.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we must gaze intently into God’s Word and allow the discussions we have to lead us to a point of decision. 

  • Obey:  Matthew 21:28-46

    • One of the great difficulties of humanity is overcoming the fear which often keeps us from moving off a point of decision and into the action of obedience.  Jesus made it clear in His teaching that if you truly love Him, you will obey His commands.  Real love, especially real godly love, chooses to do what’s best for the one we love even when we don’t feel like it.  Obviously our human desires are not always pure, so there are times when seeking the best for the one we love is different from what they want, but God’s love and desire are pure, and our obedience becomes a reflection of our growing love for Him.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we choose a life of obedience even when our initial reaction is one that says, “I don’t want to!”.

 

Today, what will you DO?

Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Is Remembered! (6/27/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Is Remembered! (6/27/25)

This is the audio from the June 27, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that you would not become weary in helping others through the work you do.  Pray that you would be encouraged by knowing God will always remember your work done in love.

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: Work That Bears Fruit! (6/26/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Bears Fruit! (6/26/25)

This is the audio from the June 26, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that your work would please the Lord as it bears fruit to His glory.  Pray that you would be an example to others as you live a life God would call worthy.

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: Work That Helps the Weak! (6/25/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Helps the Weak! (6/25/25)

This is the audio from the June 25, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that God would purify your motives in the work you do.  Pray that you would follow the examples of those who work hard to help 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

Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Is Shared! (6/24/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Is Shared! (6/24/25)

This is the audio from the June 24, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that you would look for opportunities to share in the work God is doing through others.  Pray for wisdom in partnering with people who will increase the effectiveness of the work you do for the Lord.  Pray for humility which allows you to ask for help in the work you do.

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: Work That Is Established! (6/23/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Work That Is Established! (6/23/25)

This is the audio from the June 23, 2025 social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Working for the King is not as much about the specific tasks that we do as it is about the attitude that we do them with.  Living as a kingdom worker recognizes both our need to rest and our need to be productive.  The American mindset often portrays the hours we spend at a paid job as belonging to our employer while the rest of the hours belong to us.  When you live and work as a kingdom citizen, however, all of the hours belong to the King.  Pray that you would find a balance of rest and work that is pleasing to God.  Pray about how God would want you to honor Him in your work.  Pray for the courage to work for the Lord in whatever you do — paid work, volunteer work, home work.  Pray for faithfulness and endurance as you work with an eternal inheritance set before you as your reward.  Pray for wisdom in knowing the difference between the good works God has created you to do and the busy work that man may want you to do.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the attitudes you approach work with.  Pray that you would seek the favor of God in all of the work He sets before you.  Pray that your work would be established by God as you choose to do the very work He has created in advance to be done through 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

Following Jesus – Working For the KING! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Working For the KING! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 22, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Working For the KING!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 20

 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  
Colossians 3:23-24 (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 began to prepare His disciples, and the crowds, in earnest for what was to come, we find teaching about what it is like to work for the . . .

  • Kingdom:  Matthew 20:1-5

    • While it looks like it should be obvious, working for the King requires that you work for the kingdom.  If the owner of a business hires you, it is generally expected that you work for the benefit of the business he owns.  If you are constantly talking badly about the place and people you work for, the logical question to me would be why do you still work there.  When people want a relationship with God through Jesus yet the works of their hands and their lips are not building up the kingdom of God, I have to wonder how much are you really working for the King.  Our life ought to be about making Christ and His kingdom known by the way we work at all things. 

  • Invitation:  Matthew 20:6-16

    • As Jesus tells the parable of a landowner hiring workers, he encounters individuals who have been standing around all day without working simply because no one had invited them.  I remember hearing at times the question, “what are you waiting for, an invitation?”, when there was obvious work which needed done and I was not involved in it.  Yes, it is nice to be asked, but our response to Jesus being King ought to lead us to recognize His invitation to be involved in kingdom work at all times.  Loving my neighbor, being a neighbor, serving people, making phone calls and visits are all things that shouldn’t require an invitation beyond the one already issued in God’s Word to all believers.

  • Need:  Matthew 20:17-19

    • Working for the King will always surround a meeting of the real need people have . . . the need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Jesus made it clear that He came to seek and save the lost.  He communicated very directly to His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem and be crucified only to rise from the dead on the third day.  His work was about meeting the need each one of us have in paying the debt of sin that we can’t afford.  When we work for the King we become messengers of good news to all people that their ultimate need can be met in Jesus.

  • Greatest:  Matthew 20:20-34

    • I am the greatest of all time is a claim many try to make but it really only fits One, and that is Jesus.  When approached by the mother of James and John about positions next to Jesus in His kingdom, Jesus replies that they don’t really know what they are asking for and it is not His place to give those.  He goes on to reemphasize the kingdom truth that the way to greatness is through surrender and serving.  In fact, the one who wants to be greatest will end up so by the willingness to become servant of all.  Jesus did this as He let loose His grip on the things of heaven to take on the form of a human becoming obedient even to death.  It is in His choosing to serve all mankind rather than be served by mankind that we find working for the  King really is working for the greatest!  

Today, how will you work for the KING?