Encouragement and Prayer: Comforted In Suffering! (3/28/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Comforted In Suffering! (3/28/24)

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This is the audio from the March 28, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our identification with the suffering of Christ.  Jesus stated that we would have trouble in this world but we should not be overwhelmed, rather we should take heart, because He has overcome the world.  As we consider the death of Jesus on the cross, we understand that His time to die was actually good news for all who sin . . . which is everyone.  When Christ calls all who would follow Him to take up our cross daily, He does it with an awareness that we must die to self in order to be raised to new life.  In our prayer time we will seek to learn how to rejoice in the suffering we experience because of our relationship with Christ.  Pray that you would experience the goodness of God in the midst of your suffering.  Pray the glory of God is revealed in you as you die to self and live for Christ.

“And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”
2 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk to God not only about your suffering but about how you can help and encourage others who suffer.  Pray that you would be comforted in your suffering and that you would be a comfort to others in their suffering.  Pray that you would be filled with, and share, a great hope as you know the comfort of God which surpasses your suffering.

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: Share In Suffering! (3/27/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Share In Suffering! (3/27/24)

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This is the audio from the March 27, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our identification with the suffering of Christ.  Jesus stated that we would have trouble in this world but we should not be overwhelmed, rather we should take heart, because He has overcome the world.  As we consider the death of Jesus on the cross, we understand that His time to die was actually good news for all who sin . . . which is everyone.  When Christ calls all who would follow Him to take up our cross daily, He does it with an awareness that we must die to self in order to be raised to new life.  In our prayer time we will seek to learn how to rejoice in the suffering we experience because of our relationship with Christ.  Pray that you would experience the goodness of God in the midst of your suffering.  Pray the glory of God is revealed in you as you die to self and live for Christ.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Romans 8:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk to God not only about your suffering but about how you can help and encourage others who suffer.  Pray that your suffering for the sake of Christ would help you realize that you will also share in His glory.  Pray that you would always desire an inheritance with Christ more than the rewards 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: Rejoice In Suffering! (3/26/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Rejoice In Suffering! (3/26/24)

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This is the audio from the March 26, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our identification with the suffering of Christ.  Jesus stated that we would have trouble in this world but we should not be overwhelmed, rather we should take heart, because He has overcome the world.  As we consider the death of Jesus on the cross, we understand that His time to die was actually good news for all who sin . . . which is everyone.  When Christ calls all who would follow Him to take up our cross daily, He does it with an awareness that we must die to self in order to be raised to new life.  In our prayer time we will seek to learn how to rejoice in the suffering we experience because of our relationship with Christ.  Pray that you would experience the goodness of God in the midst of your suffering.  Pray the glory of God is revealed in you as you die to self and live for Christ.

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”
Romans 5:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk to God not only about your suffering but about how you can help and encourage others who suffer.  Pray that you would rejoice as you trust God to produce good things in you through your suffering.  Pray that you would persevere when you suffer for doing right.  Pray that your identification with Jesus would lead you to a steadfast endurance.

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: Worthy To Suffer! (3/25/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Worthy To Suffer! (3/25/24)

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This is the audio from the March 25, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our identification with the suffering of Christ.  Jesus stated that we would have trouble in this world but we should not be overwhelmed, rather we should take heart, because He has overcome the world.  As we consider the death of Jesus on the cross, we understand that His time to die was actually good news for all who sin . . . which is everyone.  When Christ calls all who would follow Him to take up our cross daily, He does it with an awareness that we must die to self in order to be raised to new life.  In our prayer time we will seek to learn how to rejoice in the suffering we experience because of our relationship with Christ.  Pray that you would experience the goodness of God in the midst of your suffering.  Pray the glory of God is revealed in you as you die to self and live for Christ.

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
Acts 5:41 (NIV)

As you pray this week, talk to God not only about your suffering but about how you can help and encourage others who suffer.  Pray that you would not be ashamed of living with the name “Christian”.  Pray that your relationship with Jesus will always be worth more to you than avoiding suffering.  Pray for a growing recognition of the honor it is to be identified with Christ.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Good News: A Time To DIE! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: A Time To DIE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 24, 2024 sermon, “Good News: A Time To DIE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 23:20-49

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
John 12:24-25 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued our Good News series from the gospel of Luke. This section of the series will take us to Resurrection Sunday as we gaze into the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to, and through, His resurrection.  In what may be the most difficult message in our Good News series at Deer Run, this week we gazed into God’s Word to consider the good news contained within the time for Jesus to die. Difficult not simply because of the seeming conflict between “good news” and “die”, not simply because of the nature of the death of Jesus, not even simply because of our sin which made His death necessary, but also because of our need to consider our own time to die.  As Jesus continued with a steadfast commitment to this road of resurrection, He approached the cross with an attitude that displayed an awareness that a road of death was a necessary part of reaching the road of life.  As we gaze upon the cross, we find Jesus calling each one of us to take up our cross in a time to . . .

  • Decide: — Luke 23:20-25

    • The good news about our joining in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is that it is possible because of His decision of obedience to His Father.  The whole process leading to the cross was filled with opportunities for all involved to decide to do what was right.  It was Jesus who decided we were more valuable than His own life.  Joining Him in His death requires that we decide He is more valuable to us than our own life.  As He calls us to take up our cross daily and follow Him, what will we decide to do in response?

  • Invite: — Luke 23:35-43

    • The good news about our joining in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is that we are invited and are given the responsibility of inviting others.  As the crowds and one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus choose to mock Him, the other criminal invites himself into the presence of Jesus.  At the man’s request, Jesus proclaims an invitation for this man to be with Him in paradise.  When we choose to die to self, we invite Jesus to be in charge of our life so that we can join in His resurrection.  As He calls us to make disciples as we go into all the world, how will we respond to His invitation and who will we invite to join us?

  • Exclaim: — Luke 23:44-49

    • The good news about our joining in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is that we have a victory to exclaim to the world.  As Jesus hung on the cross with a knowledge that death was upon Him, He was able to exclaim that His work was finished.  As the centurion observed the death of Jesus, He exclaimed that this was indeed a righteous man.  When we decide to die to self and invite Jesus to be in charge of our life, we exclaim that He is indeed Lord.  As He calls each of us to endure hardship as a faithful servant, who will exclaim the goodness of God because they have seen it in us?

As you receive the good news of Jesus, how will you prepare for a time to DIE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Remember the Mistreated! (3/22/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Remember the Mistreated! (3/22/24)

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This is the audio from the March 22, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about some things God wants us to remember.  When Jesus ate with His disciples the night before His arrest and crucifixion, He did so in remembrance of the angel of death passing over the children of Israel who had followed God’s instructions.  He took that moment of remembrance and used it to ask His followers to remember His sacrifice which has the power to free us from the penalty of death.  As we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we will also spend time praying about remembering some things that God doesn’t want us to forget.  Things that we know, or have known, but would be good for us to remember . . . again.  Pray that you would remember the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf.  Pray that you would remember the way of life God calls you to live.  Pray that you would remember to put into practice the things God wants you to never forget.

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you remember.  Pray that you would be filled with compassion as you remember those who are in prison — whether in a literal or figurative prison.  Pray that you would share in the sufferings of those who are imprisoned and/or are being mistreated.

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: Remember Your Victories! (3/21/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Remember Your Victories! (3/21/24)

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This is the audio from the March 21, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about some things God wants us to remember.  When Jesus ate with His disciples the night before His arrest and crucifixion, He did so in remembrance of the angel of death passing over the children of Israel who had followed God’s instructions.  He took that moment of remembrance and used it to ask His followers to remember His sacrifice which has the power to free us from the penalty of death.  As we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we will also spend time praying about remembering some things that God doesn’t want us to forget.  Things that we know, or have known, but would be good for us to remember . . . again.  Pray that you would remember the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf.  Pray that you would remember the way of life God calls you to live.  Pray that you would remember to put into practice the things God wants you to never forget.

“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.”
Hebrews 10:32 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you remember.  Pray that you would remember the victory obtained when God’s light first came upon you.  Pray that you would be able to stand firm as you remember the victories God has given you.

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: Remember to Pray! (3/20/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Remember to Pray! (3/20/24)

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This is the audio from the March 20, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

 “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about some things God wants us to remember.  When Jesus ate with His disciples the night before His arrest and crucifixion, He did so in remembrance of the angel of death passing over the children of Israel who had followed God’s instructions.  He took that moment of remembrance and used it to ask His followers to remember His sacrifice which has the power to free us from the penalty of death.  As we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we will also spend time praying about remembering some things that God doesn’t want us to forget.  Things that we know, or have known, but would be good for us to remember . . . again.  Pray that you would remember the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf.  Pray that you would remember the way of life God calls you to live.  Pray that you would remember to put into practice the things God wants you to never forget.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Ephesians 1:16 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you remember.  Ask God to help you remember to pray for the people He has placed in your life.  Pray that your prayers would be filled with thankfulness as you remember others.  Pray that God would help you be an example to others as you grow in a life of prayer.

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

In prayer,
Tom