goals

Encouragement and Prayer: Beyond Selfishness! (2/5/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Beyond Selfishness! (2/5/25)

~

This is the audio from the February 5, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on gazing into God’s Word to discover how His heart ought to define the way we apply that which we have heard.  God’s desire is that we know Him in a way that surpasses the legalistic righteousness of those who know the letter of the law without understanding its intent.  Applying that which you have heard is only useful if you understand what the One speaking meant.  Pray that you would grow in knowing how God’s laws are meant to help us know Him.  Pray for a compassionate response to people as they learn to apply God’s Word in their life.  Pray for wisdom in overcoming the entanglements of sin before they grow into an overwhelming destructive force in your life.

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’“
Matthew 5:31 (NIV)

As you pray this week, pray not only for ears which hear the Word of God, but also for a heart which seeks His help in understanding and doing His will.  Pray that you would see beyond the rejection of marriage vows to see how selfishness leads to the breakdown of many relationships.  Pray that you would protect the relationships of others.  Pray that you would have the courage to work at maintaining and growing godly relationships.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Beyond Adultery! (2/4/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Beyond Adultery! (2/4/25)

~

This is the audio from the February 4, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on gazing into God’s Word to discover how His heart ought to define the way we apply that which we have heard.  God’s desire is that we know Him in a way that surpasses the legalistic righteousness of those who know the letter of the law without understanding its intent.  Applying that which you have heard is only useful if you understand what the One speaking meant.  Pray that you would grow in knowing how God’s laws are meant to help us know Him.  Pray for a compassionate response to people as they learn to apply God’s Word in their life.  Pray for wisdom in overcoming the entanglements of sin before they grow into an overwhelming destructive force in your life.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’“
Matthew 5:27 (NIV)

As you pray this week, pray not only for ears which hear the Word of God, but also for a heart which seeks His help in understanding and doing His will.  Pray that you would see beyond the unfaithfulness of adultery to know how lust creates a destructive unfaithfulness also.  Pray for a purity of sight and actions which would keep your desires from leading you into sin.  Pray for a growing faithfulness to God in all things.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Beyond Murder! (2/3/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Beyond Murder! (2/3/25)

~

This is the audio from the February 3, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20 (NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on gazing into God’s Word to discover how His heart ought to define the way we apply that which we have heard.  God’s desire is that we know Him in a way that surpasses the legalistic righteousness of those who know the letter of the law without understanding its intent.  Applying that which you have heard is only useful if you understand what the One speaking meant.  Pray that you would grow in knowing how God’s laws are meant to help us know Him.  Pray for a compassionate response to people as they learn to apply God’s Word in their life.  Pray for wisdom in overcoming the entanglements of sin before they grow into an overwhelming destructive force in your life.

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder’.”
Matthew 5:21 (NIV)

As you pray this week, pray not only for ears which hear the Word of God, but also for a heart which seeks His help in understanding and doing His will.  Pray that you would see beyond the act of murder to know how the harboring of anger also destroys lives.  Pray for the courage and humility to settle differences and forgive those you may be angry with.  Pray for God’s help in learning how to deal with anger in ways that don’t lead to sin.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Following Jesus – Overcoming What You’ve HEARD! (Sermon Audio)
by

Following Jesus – Overcoming What You’ve HEARD! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the February 2, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Overcoming What You’ve HEARD!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 5:17-48

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20 (NIV)

As one called by Jesus to “Come, follow me”, Matthew gives us great teaching on what it looks like to live a life which follows Jesus.  As we continue into the Sermon On the Mount, we find Jesus helping us understand the heart of God which will help us overcome what we’ve . . .

  • Harbored:  Matthew 5:21-26

    • “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'”  Matthew 5:21
      To overcome what you have heard about murder, Jesus wants you to examine your heart to see the anger which is often harbored.  Rarely, if ever, does murder just happen.  It is generally born out of the things which are harbored in the heart and allowed to grow.  It is not just the murder of a physical body which God is concerned about when it comes to our actions.  His commands teach us to look beyond what we thing we’ve heard and see the great damage caused by the murder of a person’s reputation, image, position, or any damage caused to their social, emotional, physical, or spiritual well-being.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we choose God’s help in removing all the harmful things which we tend to harbor. 

  • Eyed:  Matthew 5:27-32

    • “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.'”  Matthew 5:27
      To overcome what you have heard about adultery, Jesus wants you to examine what you allow your eyes to linger on.  The lust in a person heart causes great damage whether that lust is focused on a person, place, or thing.  Unresolved and unrepented of, the lust of the eyes lead us to desire, touch, and take things which do not belong to us.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we pay attention to what we eye and choose to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

  • Authorized:  Matthew 5:33-37

    • “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'”  Matthew 5:33
      To overcome what you have heard about oaths and promises, Jesus wants you to pay attention to what you believe you have the right to authorize.  It is far too common to make uncommitted commitments simply to avoid saying yes or no.  When we choose to rank our promises based on who they’re made to, we show favoritism and partiality in ways which go against all that is of God.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we choose to be impartial in authorizing our yes to be yes and our no to be no every time.

  • Resisted:  Matthew 5:38-42

    • “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'”  Matthew 3:38
      To overcome what you have heard about revenge, Jesus wants you to pay attention to who your resisting is against.  Our human nature wants to resist the person we believe has wronged us while the nature of Christ within us calls us to resist the devil so that he would flee from us.  While our flesh often wants revenge, God’s Word reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we choose to resist the devil and all his temptations of revenge against others.

  • Decided:  Matthew 5:43-48

    • “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'”  Matthew 5:43
      To overcome what you have heard about love and hate, Jesus wants you to decide to love like He loves.  When we choose love and hate according to the standards of the world, we find our life filled with division and labels based on the distinctions defined more by hatred than love.  Prejudice and favoritism has no place within the kingdom of God in any way, shape, or form and definitely not in the way we love.  We overcome what we’ve heard when we decide to love all people in the way that Jesus loves them.

Today, how will you overcome what you’ve HEARD?

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are the Peacemakers! (1/31/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are the Peacemakers! (1/31/25)

~

This is the audio from the January 31, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray that you would look for ways to make peace in the situations you face.  Pray that being a child of God would lead you to being a peacemaker where you live.  Pray that your life would be an example to others as they seek peace in all of their relationships.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are the Pure In Heart! (1/30/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are the Pure In Heart! (1/30/25)

~

This is the audio from the January 30, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray that your desire to see God would lead you to a cleansing of your heart through the blood of Jesus.  Pray that your dealings with others would come from a pure heart.  Pray that God would purify the hearts of those you pray for today so that they would see God.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Merciful! (1/29/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Merciful! (1/29/25)

~

This is the audio from the January 29, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray for God’s help in being merciful as you encounter those who are in need.  Pray that God would fill you with an understanding of your need for mercy in such a way that you would show mercy to others.  Pray that God’s mercy would be received by those you pray for today.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness! (1/28/25)
by

Encouragement and Prayer: Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst For Righteousness! (1/28/25)

~

This is the audio from the January 28, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”  
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

This week we focus on part of the Beatitudes as a prayer guide!  Being blessed means a lot of different things to people based often on the things we prioritize.  When Jesus taught about the things that ought to make His children so very happy, He did so in ways that turn the worlds ideals of health, wealth, and comfort upside down.  The real blessings of life that God would have us to pursue are blessings that transcend the things of this earth.  As you pray  about each day’s topic, pray that you will see beyond the ordinary and that God will use that characteristic in your life to bring blessing to you and to others through you.  Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for your family, your neighbors, your church family, your co-workers, and anyone else God brings to your mind.  Pray also that the blessings of these qualities would be ever-increasing in your life.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to give you a greater understanding of His view of being blessed.  Pray that your hunger and thirst for the things of God would fill you with His righteousness.  Pray that your desires would always be turned to the things which are right.  Pray for opportunities to share with others from the righteousness which God has filled you with.

You can find the live video feeds of these encouragement and prayer times on Impact Prayer Ministry’s Facebook page or subscribe to the audio from the Tom’s Treasure podcast channel.

In prayer,
Tom