Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Nation! (7/18/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Nation! (7/18/24)

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This is the audio from the July 18, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’”
John 18:36 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that your life would become a praise offering to God as you choose to be a kingdom citizen.  Ask God to help you know you belong to a holy nation that exceeds any nation of this world.

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: A Living Occupant! (7/17/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Occupant! (7/17/24)

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This is the audio from the July 17, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.”
John 17:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that you would be one who lives life in such a way that people notice Jesus in you.  Pray that the people around you would know you as a good neighbor because of Jesus in you.  Ask God to help you live as one who obeys His Word.

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: A Living Testimony! (7/16/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Testimony! (7/16/24)

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This is the audio from the July 16, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’”
John 4:39 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray that your encounter with Jesus would create a testimony that reveals a living God.  Pray that you would become comfortable in sharing your testimony of how God has used the good, the bad, and the ugly of your life to reveal Himself.

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: A Living Sacrifice! (7/15/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Living Sacrifice! (7/15/24)

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This is the audio from the July 15, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be a living stone in the likeness of Jesus.  When we build with the materials of this world, even our best efforts are only temporary.  To build something which lasts for eternity, we must build not only on the foundation of Jesus but also with the building blocks of one whom He lives in.  When we become the living temple of God, He not only dwells within us but He uses us to grow a living kingdom.  Pray that you would choose to be a stone useful to the Master Builder.  Pray about how God uses your acceptance of Him to build you into a spiritual house where He can dwell.  Pray about how your life can be lived as a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God.  Pray that you would build well with others as you allow God to place His living stones where they are needed within His kingdom.

“Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Romans 12:1 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the eternal nature of being a living stone.  Pray for a correct view of how much you need God’s mercy.  Pray that your response to God’s mercy would lead you to fully offer yourself to Him.  Pray that your worship of God would include a sacrifice of yourself to Him.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Chosen To Be . . . A Living STONE! (Sermon Audio)
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Chosen To Be . . . A Living STONE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 14, 2024 sermon, “Chosen To Be A Living STONE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 1 Peter 2

“As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series through 1 & 2 Peter with a theme of “Chosen To Be . . . “.  As God works the miracle of revival in our life, we discover He does so as the God who chooses us!  This is an important message to all who feel distant from God for whatever reason.  To those believers who are scattered around the known world, God communicates a message that they are known by Him, loved, by Him, and chosen by Him.  As we gaze into God’s Word and examine what it means to be chosen by God, we find that we have been chosen to be a living . . .

  • Sacrifice:  1 Peter 2:1-5

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living sacrifice.  God calls us to live a life that is first given to Him so that our giving to others is meaningful.  It is when we offer our self as a living sacrifice that we engage in the worship of God which is both reasonable and spiritual.  As building blocks for a living kingdom, we must willingly sacrifice our desires to the will of the Builder.

  • Testimony:  1 Peter 2:9-10

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living testimony.  Every person has a story to tell and our story is the opportunity to testify to the goodness and power of God.  As God shapes us and forms us into the living stones of His kingdom, our testimony can help others seek and experience the power of God working in them.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we give testimony when we tell our story and give God the credit.

  • Occupant:  1 Peter 2:11-12

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living occupant.  While we do live on this earth as kingdom citizens, we still live as occupants of this world.  We must continually draw on the help of God’s Spirit to know how to effectively live in the world but not of it.  God has us each occupying a unique combination of home, school, workplace, recreation areas, and so many other places so that together the light of Jesus shines in ways it never could if it depended on any of us individually.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we are His living occupant wherever we are.

  • Nation:  1 Peter 2:13-17

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living nation.  We have been called out of darkness into the light of Christ so that we have a new citizenship that is not of this world.  While I don’t take lightly the benefits and privileges of living in the great nation I call home here on this earth, I must constantly be mindful of the living nation of God’s kingdom to which I belong.  When I live as a foreigner, I respect the ways of my temporary home while not losing sight of my true citizenship.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we are a living nation as His holy people.

  • Example:  1 Peter 2:23-25

    • Chosen to be a living stone involves our choosing to be a living example.  There is an old phrase that says, “you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?”.  It is important that we rid our lives of all things which are sinful and that set a bad example for those who observe us.  People tend to watch what we do long before they seriously listen to what we say.  Our lives ought to be lived as such an example that people will not only “see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”, but they would also see those works and have reason to “ask about the hope which lies within you”.  As building blocks in the kingdom of God, we are to be a living example to everyone around us.

Today, how will you live as one chosen to be a living STONE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Chosen To Holy Expectations! (7/12/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Chosen To Holy Expectations! (7/12/24)

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This is the audio from the July 12, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be holy.  Biblical holiness isn’t as much about living a perfect life as it is about living a life that is set apart for God.  The holiness God calls us to will lead us to find a way to live “in the world, but not of it.”  And for those who are thinking it is impossible to live a holy life, you are right . . . at least if you’re trying to do it on your own!  The holiness God calls us to is based on His holiness and is only possible when we live by His Spirit to be transformed into His likeness.  Pray for the courage to live a life dedicated to God, even when the world objects to what that looks like.  Pray for the humility to live a holy life in a manner that makes Jesus attractive to those watching you.  Pray that you would not be content with half-hearted holiness, but would pursue growth in your life of holiness.  Pray that you would examine each part of your life for what God would want it to look like as set apart for Him.

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.”
2 Peter 3:11 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in holiness as you represent Jesus.  Pray for the courage to do the things you know you ought to do.  Pray for a sense of urgency in living a holy life as you await the return of Jesus.  Pray that your holiness would help others seek Jesus.

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: Chosen To Holy Peace! (7/11/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Chosen To Holy Peace! (7/11/24)

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This is the audio from the July 11, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be holy.  Biblical holiness isn’t as much about living a perfect life as it is about living a life that is set apart for God.  The holiness God calls us to will lead us to find a way to live “in the world, but not of it.”  And for those who are thinking it is impossible to live a holy life, you are right . . . at least if you’re trying to do it on your own!  The holiness God calls us to is based on His holiness and is only possible when we live by His Spirit to be transformed into His likeness.  Pray for the courage to live a life dedicated to God, even when the world objects to what that looks like.  Pray for the humility to live a holy life in a manner that makes Jesus attractive to those watching you.  Pray that you would not be content with half-hearted holiness, but would pursue growth in your life of holiness.  Pray that you would examine each part of your life for what God would want it to look like as set apart for Him.

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in holiness as you represent Jesus.  Pray that you would seek peace “as far as it depends upon you.”  Pray that you would have the wisdom to pursue holiness in a way that promotes peace.  Pray that your holiness would prepare you for the ultimate peace — eternity with 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: Chosen To Holy Work! (7/10/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Chosen To Holy Work! (7/10/24)

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This is the audio from the July 10, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on being called by God to be holy.  Biblical holiness isn’t as much about living a perfect life as it is about living a life that is set apart for God.  The holiness God calls us to will lead us to find a way to live “in the world, but not of it.”  And for those who are thinking it is impossible to live a holy life, you are right . . . at least if you’re trying to do it on your own!  The holiness God calls us to is based on His holiness and is only possible when we live by His Spirit to be transformed into His likeness.  Pray for the courage to live a life dedicated to God, even when the world objects to what that looks like.  Pray for the humility to live a holy life in a manner that makes Jesus attractive to those watching you.  Pray that you would not be content with half-hearted holiness, but would pursue growth in your life of holiness.  Pray that you would examine each part of your life for what God would want it to look like as set apart for Him.

“If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in holiness as you represent Jesus.  Pray that you would be cleansed of the things that keep you from the noble purposes God has designed for you.  Pray that your pursuit of a life of holiness would prepare you for whatever good works God puts before you to do.

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

In prayer,
Tom