Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Righteousness! (1/15/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Righteousness! (1/15/23)

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

“Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” 
Romans 12:9-14 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, we discover in God a love that is immeasurably more than the love this world offers.  If God’s love abides in us, it is supposed to show in our words and actions so that others will see Jesus through us.  How we live life doesn’t earn us favor with God, but it does reveal our love for God.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in the way your love for Him is expressed.  Pray for the wisdom to make loving choices in all of your interactions with people.  Pray for the humility needed to see others as God sees them.  Pray for the courage to value people simply because they have been created in the image of God.  Pray for a total transformation of your heart and mind in order to love others like Jesus loves you.  Pray for a covering of grace for yourself, and others, when the love expressed needs improvement.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Romans 12:9 (NIV)

Pray that you would grow in a righteousness that can distinguish between good and evil.  Pray for a sincerity in hating evil in your own life as much as you hate it in the lives of others.  Pray for eyes that see and cling to the good that God produces in your life and in the lives of those around you.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Immeasurably More: A Love That Is REAL! (Sermon Audio)
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Immeasurably More: A Love That Is REAL! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 14, 2024 sermon, “Immeasurably More: A Love That Is REAL”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Romans 12:9-21

”This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.“
1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭9 (NIV)

This morning’s message was shared from my office as our in person worship gathering was cancelled due to the extreme weather and cold temperature, so it was a bit different for me.  Today I continued a sermon series designed to help us look at some of the immeasurably more God desires to do in us, through us, and for us.  Often when we think about immeasurably more, it focuses on what we want to receive.  God, on the other hand, is more concerned about what He will do to make the good news of the kingdom grow.  When we consider the immeasurably more God desires to do in us and through us, we discover the basis for this desire is His love.  As we examine the nature of God’s love and how He wants His love to grow through us, we find a love that is . . .

  • Righteous/Repentant: — Romans 12:9

    • As Paul writes to the Romans about the love they ought to experience and share, he addresses the need for it to be right — to be sincere as it rejects evil and clings to good.  The only way for any of us to be right is through repentance as we allow God to change our way.  It is the righteousness of God in us that teaches us to love like we ought to love.  When we pursue a love that is real, we must examine our self with the help of God’s Word and His Spirit so that we can be made righteous through the blood of Jesus.

  • Expressive: —  Romans 12:10-12

    • A love the is kept inside a person may be good and comforting to them but it does no good to others until it is expressed in appropriate ways.  The Bible says that God “demonstrated (expressed) His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  It is through the expression of God’s love that we know how to express love to other.  When we pursue a love that is real, we must learn to value the needs of others above our own so that true love is expressed.

  • Absolute: — Romans 12:13-16

    • It’s likely no secret that some people are easier to love than others.  My guess is that nearly every one of us are considered easier to love by some and more difficult to love by others.  The absolute nature of God’s love says that His desire is the same for all of mankind regardless of any details that people might say make a person unlovable.  While the expressions of our love may look different from person to person based on the need of the moment, the love we have for people ought to be absolute.  When we pursue a love that is real, we must love our enemies, as well as our friends, with the absolute love of God.

  • Learning — Romans 12:17-21

    • If you’re still living on this earth, and I doubt is anyone is reading this who is not living on earth, your love is not complete.  When we think about the people we love the most, it should be obvious that our love for them continues to be a learning process.  Even our love for God is something that should be growing each day as we learn more of His love for us.  Because the righteous, expressive, absolute love that God desires for us to have is not natural, we must learn to know it and express it as we spend time with God.  When we pursue a love that is real, we must do so with a willingness to learn, and to put into practice, the things which represent the love of God.

Today, how will you have a love that is REAL?

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Godliness and Holiness! (1/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Godliness and Holiness! (1/12/23)

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

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you exhibit more of His qualities in the way you live each day.  Pray that you would know the value of preparing to live a life of godliness and holiness.

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: Pray For a Peaceful and Quiet Life! (1/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For a Peaceful and Quiet Life! (1/11/23)

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

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you be a peacemaker.  Pray that you would seek to live at peace with all people in a way that helps them to see the peace of God dwelling within 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: Pray For All In Authority! (1/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For All In Authority! (1/10/23)

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

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you know how to pray for those in authority on this earth.  Pray that you would learn to submit to all authority — especially His authority.

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: Pray For Everyone! (1/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Everyone! (1/9/23)

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This is the audio from the January 9, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you have compassion for everyone as you pray for both friends and enemies.  Pray that your love for God would be seen in the way you demonstrate His love toward both those you agree with and those you disagree with.

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: Pray In All Ways! (1/8/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray In All Ways! (1/8/23)

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This is the audio from the January 8, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.  As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.”
1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)

Ask God to help your prayer life to grow as you go to Him with your requests and prayers for yourself and on behalf of others.  Pray that God would help you to be thankful in all of your communication with Him.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST! (Sermon Audio)
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Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 7, 2024 sermon, “Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-5

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Today I began a sermon series designed to help us look at some of the immeasurably more God desires to do in us, through us, and for us.  Often when we think about immeasurably more, it focuses on what we want to receive.  God, on the other hand, is more concerned about what He will do to make the good news of the kingdom grow.  As we begin to consider what it looks like to experience the immeasurably more that God desires to do in the lives of His children, we begin with immeasurably more prayer.  This isn’t as much about praying more as it is about seeing God do immeasurably more through our prayers.  We put ourselves into a position for God to work through our prayers when we learn to pray . . .

  • Faithfully: — 1 Timothy 2:1

    • We pray first when we choose to pray faithfully in all circumstances.  I suspect there are things in life that most people try to work out on their own without ever considering talking with God about it . . . at least not until we’ve exhausted all other options.  When we grow as one who is faithful in prayer, we realize God has something to say about every detail of what we experience in life.  Rather than live by a “when all else fails, read the instructions”, we find God doing immeasurably more through our prayer life when we live with a faithful commitment to talk with God first about everything.

  • Intentionally: —  1 Timothy 2:2

    • We pray first when we pray intentionally for those in authority, but not necessarily seeking the selfish results we often want.  No, the intention of our prayers ought to be the seeking of a peaceful and quiet life that exhibits godliness and holiness in all things.  Particularly here in America, it becomes far too easy to get caught up in politics that often do nothing but cause division and hatred.  Rather than praying for the outcome God desires (peaceful and quiet lives), we pray for an agenda that fits what we think is right.  Because we serve a God who is holy and godly by His very nature, we find Him doing immeasurably more through our prayer life when we pray intentionally for the ability to lead a peaceful and quiet life that represents Jesus.

  • Respectfully: — 1 Timothy 2:3

    • We pray first when we pray respectfully in a way that pleases God.  The faithfulness of our prayers and the intentions of our prayers both reflect a respect, or lack thereof, for the One we are praying to.  The outcomes we desire from our prayers ought to be things which please God.  This doesn’t mean we erase our emotions from our conversations with God, rather it is a respect that can both praise and object in manners that recognizes God’s final authority.  There will be times we cry out in joy and times we cry out in anger but our respect will always listen for God’s answer.  We are able to see God do immeasurably more through our prayer life when we seek to please Him in all the ways we receive His responses with respect.

  • Submissively: — 1 Timothy 2:4

    • We pray first when we pray submissively to the will of God in all things.  While it is easy to get caught up in debates about what exactly is the will of God in any given situation, a primary will of God stated throughout scripture is that all people would come to know Him through a repentant life submitted to Jesus.  While few would care to admit it out loud, there are people that many would not consider to be wanted by God.  At times we fail to pray that all people be saved because we’ve already decided certain people shouldn’t be, or at least can’t be.  We can see God do immeasurably more in our prayer life when we pray submissively to His will that all be saved and we live as an example of the saving power of God.

  • Thankfully: — 1 Timothy 2:5

    • We pray first when we pray thankfully in all situations.  When we start talking about peaceful and quiet lives, about godliness and holiness, about respect, about submission, and about God wanting everyone to be saved, we ought to be led to an attitude of thankfulness to a God who makes all of that possible.  Knowing that Jesus is the mediator between God and mankind ought to fill our prayer life with thanksgiving because we know Him as a loving and fair mediator, full of all wisdom and grace.  Seeing God at work in our own life and in the lives of others ought to produce within us a thankfulness that is in itself proof that God is doing immeasurably more through our life of prayer.

Today, how will you see God do immeasurably more as you learn to pray FIRST?