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Encouragement and Prayer: The Gift of Rest! (12/18/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The Gift of Rest! (12/18/24)

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

“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will wrap around some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you give and receive this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  You’re ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as you share the real gift of Christmas with others.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray that you would always look to Jesus as the One who desires to give you real rest.  Pray for the  humility needed to approach Jesus in the midst of your weariness.  Pray for wisdom in helping others to always go to Jesus with their burdens as they seek to find rest.

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: The Gift of Understanding! (12/17/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The Gift of Understanding! (12/17/24)

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

“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will wrap around some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you give and receive this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  You’re ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as you share the real gift of Christmas with others.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.”
1 John 5:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray that God would open the gift of understanding in your life as you seek Jesus with a whole heart.  Pray for a growing understanding of Jesus as the One who is true.  Pray that you would accurately represent the truth of 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: The Gift of Self! (12/16/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The Gift of Self! (12/16/24)

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

“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will wrap around some of the real gifts of Christmas — gifts we have been given through Jesus Christ.  As you consider the gifts you give and receive this Christmas season, my prayer is that each of us would recognize God as the source of all good gifts.  You’re ability to fully give to others will increase as you accept and share that which has been given by God.  Pray each day that these gifts will grow in your life even as you learn to share them with others.  Pray about how your gifts to others will reflect the gift of Jesus.  Pray for courage and humility as you share the real gift of Christmas with others.  Pray for a spirit of unity among brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow in our love for one another.  Pray each day for the individuals of your church congregation as well as the body of Christ as a whole.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”
Luke 22:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your awareness of the gifts you have been given through Jesus.  Pray about how your life reflects an acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins.  Pray that your remembrance of the gift of Jesus would help you to consistently help others to accept the gift of Jesus for themselves.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Following Jesus – He Is HERE! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – He Is HERE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 15, 2024 sermon, “Following Jesus: He Is HERE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 1:23-25, Philippians 2:5-11

“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live life following Jesus.  While the world at large saw nothing remarkable about another baby being born, Mary and Joseph had to be looking forward with a mix of fear and anticipation to the birth of Jesus.  Imagine that moment when He arrives and they can proclaim He is . . .

  • Humble:  Philippians 2:8

    • Living with an awareness and reflection that Jesus is here should draw us to an attitude of humility.  When Paul writes to the Philippians, and to us, he states that we should take on the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus — an attitude and practice of being humble.  We show the world that He is indeed here when we choose to be humble.  

  • Exalted:  Philippians 2:9

    • Living with an awareness and reflection that Jesus is here will lead us to exalt Him above all.  While being humble and being exalted sound like contradictory traits, it is God Himself who exalts Jesus above all other names.  We show the world that Jesus is indeed here when we choose to exalt Him above everything else which exists.  

  • Recognized:  Philippians 2:10

    • Living with an awareness and reflection that Jesus is here ought to result in Him being recognized in us by the way we live.  In fact, a day will come when everyone recognizes Jesus on the day of His return when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He indeed is Lord.  We show the world that Jesus is indeed here when we live a life which daily recognizes His presence and authority.

  • Eternal:  Philippians 2:11

    • Living with an awareness and reflection that Jesus is here acknowledges that He is indeed eternal.  The existence of Jesus with God and as God before His birth as a baby, during His life on earth, and after His resurrection back into heaven gives us the picture of Him being honored and praised throughout eternity.  We show the world that Jesus is indeed here when we live our life in Christ preparing for eternity.

Today, how will you proclaim He is HERE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus! (12/13/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus! (12/13/24)

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This is the audio from the December 13, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“’She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ — which means, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-22 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be wrapped around the present that was given to us — the promised child, Jesus!  Each day we will focus our prayer time on a different name, title, or description that was given to the Son of God as He came to earth as the One promised from God.  The promise of Jesus began in the garden of Eden in response to the sin of mankind.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus as the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise to crush the head of Satan.  Pray that each aspect of who Jesus is would impact your life in such a way that you experience Him more fully each day.  Pray that you would live with a greater appreciation of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.”
1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you consider not only what child is this that we worship, but how you will worship Him throughout your life.  Pray that you completely experience the cleansing power of the name of Jesus who came to save His people from their sins.  Pray about how you can make the name of Jesus known.  Pray that the people around you would call on the One who saves.

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: Prince of Peace! (12/12/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Prince of Peace! (12/12/24)

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

“’She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ — which means, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-22 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be wrapped around the present that was given to us — the promised child, Jesus!  Each day we will focus our prayer time on a different name, title, or description that was given to the Son of God as He came to earth as the One promised from God.  The promise of Jesus began in the garden of Eden in response to the sin of mankind.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus as the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise to crush the head of Satan.  Pray that each aspect of who Jesus is would impact your life in such a way that you experience Him more fully each day.  Pray that you would live with a greater appreciation of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you consider not only what child is this that we worship, but how you will worship Him throughout your life.  Pray that you would seek peace with God who desires to bring all people to peace with Him through Jesus.  Pray that the “Prince of Peace” would reign in your life as you find in Him a peace that surpasses all understanding.  Pray that the people around you would see God’s peace evident in your life.

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: Everlasting Father! (12/11/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Everlasting Father! (12/11/24)

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

“’She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ — which means, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-22 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be wrapped around the present that was given to us — the promised child, Jesus!  Each day we will focus our prayer time on a different name, title, or description that was given to the Son of God as He came to earth as the One promised from God.  The promise of Jesus began in the garden of Eden in response to the sin of mankind.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus as the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise to crush the head of Satan.  Pray that each aspect of who Jesus is would impact your life in such a way that you experience Him more fully each day.  Pray that you would live with a greater appreciation of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.

“’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”
John 8:58 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you consider not only what child is this that we worship, but how you will worship Him throughout your life.  Pray that your life shows a trust in an eternal Father and Savior.  Pray that the eternal nature of Jesus would help you look to the future with confidence.  Pray that the people around you would know true eternal hope because of an everlasting Father.

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: Mighty God! (12/10/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Mighty God! (12/10/24)

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

“’She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ — which means, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-22 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be wrapped around the present that was given to us — the promised child, Jesus!  Each day we will focus our prayer time on a different name, title, or description that was given to the Son of God as He came to earth as the One promised from God.  The promise of Jesus began in the garden of Eden in response to the sin of mankind.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus as the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise to crush the head of Satan.  Pray that each aspect of who Jesus is would impact your life in such a way that you experience Him more fully each day.  Pray that you would live with a greater appreciation of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.

“But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”
Luke 22:69 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you consider not only what child is this that we worship, but how you will worship Him throughout your life.  Pray that your life submits fully to the authority and might of God.  Pray that all people would experience salvation which comes through the might of God working in Jesus.  Pray that your life would show to others that you believe in a mighty God.

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

In prayer,
Tom