Encouragement and Prayer: On Track With Life! (5/12/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: On Track With Life! (5/12/25)

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

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will be to pray about being on the right track as you travel in life.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a way, a track, that leads to life eternal and one that leads to destruction.  The track we choose to travel each day reflects where we are headed and helps others to see the goodness of God as we follow His path.  Pray that you would always look for, and stay on, the track of the righteous.  Pray about how your choices in life reflect the track you are traveling on.  Pray that God would help you avoid the distractions and detours the enemy uses in an attempt to get you derailed off the track which is right.  Pray that the people around you would know of the good path and that they would stay on track as they observe your life in Christ.

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you stay on track with the path that grows brighter each day.  Pray that you would be filled with joy as you walk the path of life.  Pray that your joy would lead others to seek the path of life through Jesus.  Pray that the path you travel would seek pleasures that last through eternity.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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 – The Right TRACK! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – The Right TRACK! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 11, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: The Right TRACK!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 16

 

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
Proverbs 4:18 (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 we make it to chapter 16, we find Jesus leading us to the right . . .

  • Teaching:  Matthew 16:1-7

    • Jesus often found the need to correct the teaching of the religious leaders of His day.  Instead of following the teachings of God’s Word and acknowledging the arrival of Jesus as the Messiah, the leaders often tried to use their understanding of scripture to test Jesus.  Unfortunately, it isn’t just the people in the days of Jesus who fall into the trap of making up teachings which they agree with.  We are surrounded by people who teach a variety of things of their own making, and some who do so claiming they represent Jesus.  When we choose to follow Jesus on the right track, we must gaze fully into His Word to follow the right teaching. 

  • Report:  Matthew 16:8-14

    • As news of Jesus spread, many had their own idea of who He was.  In fact, when asked who the crowds said Jesus was, the disciples had a variety of answers based on the reports they had encountered.  We also will encounter people with all kinds of claims about who God is, and even reports of some who claim to be the returning Messiah.  Rather than be derailed by false reports, when we choose to follow Jesus we evaluate the source of every report and only accept as truth that which comes from God.

  • Answer:  Matthew 16:15-20

    • One of the things which people often came to Jesus about was a desire to have an answer which would fulfill their greatest questions.  The difficulty came as people settled for their own answers rather than turning to Jesus for the right answer.  Peter gives the classic answer of who he believes Jesus is and we’re told that this answer was not of his own doing but came from God Himself.  When we choose to follow Jesus we must be careful to both give and receive the right answers . . . answers which come from the truth of God’s Word.

  • Christ:  Matthew 16:21-23

    • The Bible makes it clear that there were many, and will be many, who claim to be the Christ.  Some of these individuals can be quite persuasive and they lead many people astray.  As Jesus declares Himself to be the Son of God, He defines the Christ in a way which is exclusive and as God providing the way for us to be right with Him.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we do so with Him as the fulfillment of all prophecies concerning the coming of the Christ to save His people from their sin.

  • Kingdom:  Matthew 16:24-28

    • As Jesus lived and taught, He told of the coming of a kingdom like no other.  This was a kingdom that required repentance in order for people to be prepared for it.  The right kingdom is the kingdom where God is King and we are His subjects.  It is through our willingness to take up our cross daily that we identify with this spiritual kingdom where Jesus is Lord, not just of the kingdom but of us.

Today, how will you follow the right TRACK?

Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Communicated Faith! (5/9/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Communicated Faith! (5/9/25)

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This is the audio from the May 9, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

This week we will pray about living with faith.  Each day our prayer time will focus on an aspect of our faith and how critical it is to our relationship with Jesus . . . and to our relationship with others.  Since faith is required to please God, it is vital that we hold on to the seeds of faith which have been planted in us and nurture them so they grow into an ever-increasing active faith.  Pray that your faith would guide how you do every aspect of life.  Pray that a growing faith would increase your trust of God regardless of the circumstances which surround you.  Pray that you would be wise in living life by faith and not use faith as an excuse for foolish decisions.  Pray that your life of active faith would be centered in a relationship with God as you seek to represent Jesus well to those around you.  Pray that choosing to live by faith would make your witness for Jesus more visible to others.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your faith.  Pray that you would grow in faith through the hearing of God’s Word.  Pray that the people around you today would be open to hearing God’s Word so faith can grow in their life.  Pray that you would be active in communicating your faith.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Living With a Uniting Faith! (5/8/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Uniting Faith! (5/8/25)

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This is the audio from the May 8, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

This week we will pray about living with faith.  Each day our prayer time will focus on an aspect of our faith and how critical it is to our relationship with Jesus . . . and to our relationship with others.  Since faith is required to please God, it is vital that we hold on to the seeds of faith which have been planted in us and nurture them so they grow into an ever-increasing active faith.  Pray that your faith would guide how you do every aspect of life.  Pray that a growing faith would increase your trust of God regardless of the circumstances which surround you.  Pray that you would be wise in living life by faith and not use faith as an excuse for foolish decisions.  Pray that your life of active faith would be centered in a relationship with God as you seek to represent Jesus well to those around you.  Pray that choosing to live by faith would make your witness for Jesus more visible to others.

“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your faith.  Pray that your faith would be both the bridge and glue that unites you with other believers.  Pray that the people around you today would see a greater unity among Christians because of their faith.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Living With a Powerful Faith! (5/7/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Powerful Faith! (5/7/25)

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This is the audio from the May 7, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

This week we will pray about living with faith.  Each day our prayer time will focus on an aspect of our faith and how critical it is to our relationship with Jesus . . . and to our relationship with others.  Since faith is required to please God, it is vital that we hold on to the seeds of faith which have been planted in us and nurture them so they grow into an ever-increasing active faith.  Pray that your faith would guide how you do every aspect of life.  Pray that a growing faith would increase your trust of God regardless of the circumstances which surround you.  Pray that you would be wise in living life by faith and not use faith as an excuse for foolish decisions.  Pray that your life of active faith would be centered in a relationship with God as you seek to represent Jesus well to those around you.  Pray that choosing to live by faith would make your witness for Jesus more visible to others.

“Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,  quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.”
Hebrews 11:33-34 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your faith.  Pray that you would see how your faith in God has equipped you to powerfully do His will.  Pray that the people around you today would experience the power of God at work in their life.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Living With a Saving Faith! (5/6/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Saving Faith! (5/6/25)

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This is the audio from the May 6, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

This week we will pray about living with faith.  Each day our prayer time will focus on an aspect of our faith and how critical it is to our relationship with Jesus . . . and to our relationship with others.  Since faith is required to please God, it is vital that we hold on to the seeds of faith which have been planted in us and nurture them so they grow into an ever-increasing active faith.  Pray that your faith would guide how you do every aspect of life.  Pray that a growing faith would increase your trust of God regardless of the circumstances which surround you.  Pray that you would be wise in living life by faith and not use faith as an excuse for foolish decisions.  Pray that your life of active faith would be centered in a relationship with God as you seek to represent Jesus well to those around you.  Pray that choosing to live by faith would make your witness for Jesus more visible to others.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your faith.  Pray that you would always live by faith in a God who saves.  Pray that you would have a greater practice of a faith that saves you.  Pray that the people around you today would experience a faith in  Christ that saves them.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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: Living With a Growing Faith! (5/5/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Growing Faith! (5/5/25)

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This is the audio from the May 5, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

This week we will pray about living with faith.  Each day our prayer time will focus on an aspect of our faith and how critical it is to our relationship with Jesus . . . and to our relationship with others.  Since faith is required to please God, it is vital that we hold on to the seeds of faith which have been planted in us and nurture them so they grow into an ever-increasing active faith.  Pray that your faith would guide how you do every aspect of life.  Pray that a growing faith would increase your trust of God regardless of the circumstances which surround you.  Pray that you would be wise in living life by faith and not use faith as an excuse for foolish decisions.  Pray that your life of active faith would be centered in a relationship with God as you seek to represent Jesus well to those around you.  Pray that choosing to live by faith would make your witness for Jesus more visible to others.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!'”
Luke 17:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your faith.  Pray that you would want your faith to grow regardless of how big or small it may seem to you today.  Pray that your faith in God’s ability would be seen as great from His perspective.  Pray that the people around you today would be impacted in a positive way because of your growing faith.

You can find the live video feeds of these 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 – Living With FAITH! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Living With FAITH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 4, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Living With FAITH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 15

 

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (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 we make it to chapter 15, we find Jesus preparing people to live with . . .

  • Focus:  Matthew 15:1-3

    • Living with faith requires that we live with an accurate focus on the actual things of God rather than our tendency to be sidetracked by making our likes and dislikes the things of our life’s focus.  We must keep our eyes on Jesus because He is the beginning of our faith and the completion of our faith.  Even our traditions must be evaluated by how they serve God’s purpose in bringing people to a growing faith.  When we live with faith, we understand the need to live with a focus on God. 

  • Acceptance:  Matthew 15:4-9

    • Living with faith requires that we have a complete acceptance of Jesus being Lord, therefore He is in charge of all things.  Far too often we can become guilting of having ears which do not hear and eyes which do not see, simply because we don’t want to hear and see truth.  This is not an acceptance of all things being equal, or of any way being as good as any other.  No, it is the acceptance of the teaching of Jesus being that with all authority.  When we live with faith, we live with an acceptance of Jesus being King and Lord of our life.

  • Instruction:  Matthew 15:10-20

    • Living with faith requires that we live with, and according to, the instructions of God’s Word.  as Jesus prepared to ascend back into heaven, He left us with the command to make disciples.  This process involves us going, it involves people being immersed into Christ, and it involves teaching everything Jesus commanded.  Faith should always lead us to do what God says even when, and especially when, we don’t fully understand.  When we live with faith, we live according to the instruction of Jesus.

  • Trust:  Matthew 15:21-28

    • Living with faith requires that we live with complete trust of the One we place our faith in.  In this section of Matthew 15 (which I did not actually read during the sermon) we find a Gentile woman whose faith led her to trust Jesus could heal the sick . . . even a sick Gentile.  While all the reasons were stacked  against her, and even Jesus seemed reluctant to help her, it was her faith that drew the attention which not only gained the healing needed, but it resulted in a commendation from Jesus regarding her great faith.  When we live with faith, we live with a trust in a God who can, even when it seems impossible.

  • Hope:  Matthew 15:29-39

    • Living with faith results in a life of hope which surpasses all the world’s reasons not to hope.  As Jesus cares for people and ministers to their needs, He once again is filled with compassion for their physical needs as they had been with Him for three days with nothing to eat.  It was hope for real help that sustained the people even more than a hope for temporary help ever could.  As Jesus takes a few loaves and fish to once again feed a multitude, it was the power of God evident in His compassion which filled the people with great hope.  When we live with faith, we live with a hope which the world cannot take away because this hope is placed in, and fulfilled by, Jesus.

Today, how will you live with FAITH?