Encouragement and Prayer: Songs of Obedience! (12/20/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Songs of Obedience! (12/20/23)

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This is the audio from the December 20, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the songs that fill our heart as well as those that come from our mouth.  The Christmas story itself is filled with songs of praise to God from people who are transformed by the events taking place.  The songs that fill our soul, and are expressed in a variety of ways, reflect off the waters that run deep within us.  I believe we ought to carefully guard the songs we allow into our heart and mind as they greatly influence the song we sing to our God.  Throughout scripture God talks about us singing a new song.  I think His call for us to sing a new song is because just as His mercies are new every day, our expressions of appreciation and worship should be new every day.

“Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.  In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law.”
Psalm 119:54-55 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you evaluate the songs of your life.  Pray that the songs you allow to fill your heart and mind would be reminders of God’s decrees.  Pray that you would live obediently to the laws of God as you keep them on your lips

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: Songs of Wonder! (12/19/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Songs of Wonder! (12/19/23)

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This is the audio from the December 19, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the songs that fill our heart as well as those that come from our mouth.  The Christmas story itself is filled with songs of praise to God from people who are transformed by the events taking place.  The songs that fill our soul, and are expressed in a variety of ways, reflect off the waters that run deep within us.  I believe we ought to carefully guard the songs we allow into our heart and mind as they greatly influence the song we sing to our God.  Throughout scripture God talks about us singing a new song.  I think His call for us to sing a new song is because just as His mercies are new every day, our expressions of appreciation and worship should be new every day.

“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”
Psalm 98:1 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you evaluate the songs of your life.  Pray that eyes and ears would be open to see and hear the wonders of God.  Pray that you would consistently express to others the marvelous work God has done in bringing salvation to 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: Songs of Praise! (12/18/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Songs of Praise! (12/18/23)

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This is the audio from the December 18, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the songs that fill our heart as well as those that come from our mouth.  The Christmas story itself is filled with songs of praise to God from people who are transformed by the events taking place.  The songs that fill our soul, and are expressed in a variety of ways, reflect off the waters that run deep within us.  I believe we ought to carefully guard the songs we allow into our heart and mind as they greatly influence the song we sing to our God.  Throughout scripture God talks about us singing a new song.  I think His call for us to sing a new song is because just as His mercies are new every day, our expressions of appreciation and worship should be new every day.  As you pray, ask God to help you evaluate the songs of your life.  Pray that you would not just sing, but live your life as a new song to God.  Pray that the song of your life would be acceptable worship to God in every circumstance.  Pray for a greater understanding and expression of the new song God desires to put in your mouth.

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.  This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.”
Psalm 69:30-31 (NIV)

Pray that your life would be a song of praise to God.  Pray that your praise would be more about offering your life to God than giving any other sacrifice.

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 of Christmas: SONG! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News of Christmas: SONG! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 17, 2023 sermon, “Good News of Christmas: SONG”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 1:46-80

“Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

Today I continued a series from the gospel of Luke as we gaze deeply into God’s Word to find the good news of Jesus shared with us by Luke the physician.  Throughout the month of December we will continue our Good News series with a look at The Good News of Christmas as found in the first two chapters of Luke.  The Christmas story contains several instances of people, and some angels, breaking out in song as they express praise to God.  As we look specifically at the songs of Mary and of Zechariah found in Luke 1, we see God using these songs not only to give praise to Him but to benefit those who would hear — including us!  As we experience the work of God in our lives, we too should respond with a good news . . .

  • Story: — 

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each told a story of how God had worked in their life to accomplish more than what was thought possible.  But it was not just their story — their praise of God told the story of His working among His people throughout history to bring about the personal events that would take place in their own lives.  We too can sing a good news song when we discover we have a good news story to tell with our words, our life, and our music.

  • Object: —

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each focused on the object of God’s love and the work that would be accomplished through the coming of Jesus to earth.  The stories were not just stories, they were object lessons designed to teach us how to respond to the coming King.  While wonderful things were happening through them, both Mary and Zechariah made sure that God was the object of their song of praise.  We too can sing a good news song when we keep Jesus as the main object of our words, our life, and our music.

  • Notice: —

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each focused on giving notice to all who would listen — notice of the work of God being accomplished within their lifetime.  The stories, and the object of their stories, were not a recognition of a theoretical god out there somewhere, but rather the songs gave notice that this God of Israel was alive and well as He worked in the present time to accomplish the fulfillment of His promises.  We too can sing a good news song when we choose to give notice with our words, our life, and our music that now is the day of salvation.

  • Goal: —

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each focused on sharing the goal of people knowing a God who loves them enough to be involved in their lives.  While the primary goals of each of these songs seems to be expressing praise to God, they are given in the context of making known to the world a God who loves all people.  We too can sing a good news song when we choose to live with the goal of making Christ known through our words, our life, and our music.

Today, what will by your good news SONG?

Encouragement and Prayer: Joy From Faith In Christ! (12/15/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy From Faith In Christ! (12/15/23)

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This is the audio from the December 15, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that your faith in Christ would produce joy that is beyond words.  Pray that your love of Jesus would be expressed with such joy that others would seek Him.

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: Joy In the Midst of Trials! (12/14/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy In the Midst of Trials! (12/14/23)

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This is the audio from the December 14, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
James 1:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that you would look beyond the hardships of various trials and be able to see the joy God wants you to have.  Pray that your joy would grow as you see how God uses trials in your life to increase your faith.  Pray about how God would have you represent Him with joy.

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: Joy That Is Complete! (12/13/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy That Is Complete! (12/13/23)

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This is the audio from the December 13, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
Philippians 2:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that you would know a joy that is made complete by being united with others in Christ.  Pray that God would help you to live with the attitude of Christ in order to have a joy that is complete.

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: Joy That Comes From God’s Spirit! (12/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy That Comes From God’s Spirit! (12/12/23)

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This is the audio from the December 12, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that you would allow God’s Spirit to produce a joy in you such that nothing could stand against it.  Pray that your joy would be expressed to others in ways that reveal God’s Spirit in you.

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

In prayer,
Tom