goals

Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Growing Faith! (5/5/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Living With a Growing Faith! (5/5/25)

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

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

This week we will pray about living with faith.  Each day our prayer time will focus on an aspect of our faith and how critical it is to our relationship with Jesus . . . and to our relationship with others.  Since faith is required to please God, it is vital that we hold on to the seeds of faith which have been planted in us and nurture them so they grow into an ever-increasing active faith.  Pray that your faith would guide how you do every aspect of life.  Pray that a growing faith would increase your trust of God regardless of the circumstances which surround you.  Pray that you would be wise in living life by faith and not use faith as an excuse for foolish decisions.  Pray that your life of active faith would be centered in a relationship with God as you seek to represent Jesus well to those around you.  Pray that choosing to live by faith would make your witness for Jesus more visible to others.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!'”
Luke 17:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to increase your faith.  Pray that you would want your faith to grow regardless of how big or small it may seem to you today.  Pray that your faith in God’s ability would be seen as great from His perspective.  Pray that the people around you today would be impacted in a positive way because of your growing faith.

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 – Living With FAITH! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Living With FAITH! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 4, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: Living With FAITH!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 15

 

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  
Hebrews 11:6 (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 make it to chapter 15, we find Jesus preparing people to live with . . .

  • Focus:  Matthew 15:1-3

    • Living with faith requires that we live with an accurate focus on the actual things of God rather than our tendency to be sidetracked by making our likes and dislikes the things of our life’s focus.  We must keep our eyes on Jesus because He is the beginning of our faith and the completion of our faith.  Even our traditions must be evaluated by how they serve God’s purpose in bringing people to a growing faith.  When we live with faith, we understand the need to live with a focus on God. 

  • Acceptance:  Matthew 15:4-9

    • Living with faith requires that we have a complete acceptance of Jesus being Lord, therefore He is in charge of all things.  Far too often we can become guilting of having ears which do not hear and eyes which do not see, simply because we don’t want to hear and see truth.  This is not an acceptance of all things being equal, or of any way being as good as any other.  No, it is the acceptance of the teaching of Jesus being that with all authority.  When we live with faith, we live with an acceptance of Jesus being King and Lord of our life.

  • Instruction:  Matthew 15:10-20

    • Living with faith requires that we live with, and according to, the instructions of God’s Word.  as Jesus prepared to ascend back into heaven, He left us with the command to make disciples.  This process involves us going, it involves people being immersed into Christ, and it involves teaching everything Jesus commanded.  Faith should always lead us to do what God says even when, and especially when, we don’t fully understand.  When we live with faith, we live according to the instruction of Jesus.

  • Trust:  Matthew 15:21-28

    • Living with faith requires that we live with complete trust of the One we place our faith in.  In this section of Matthew 15 (which I did not actually read during the sermon) we find a Gentile woman whose faith led her to trust Jesus could heal the sick . . . even a sick Gentile.  While all the reasons were stacked  against her, and even Jesus seemed reluctant to help her, it was her faith that drew the attention which not only gained the healing needed, but it resulted in a commendation from Jesus regarding her great faith.  When we live with faith, we live with a trust in a God who can, even when it seems impossible.

  • Hope:  Matthew 15:29-39

    • Living with faith results in a life of hope which surpasses all the world’s reasons not to hope.  As Jesus cares for people and ministers to their needs, He once again is filled with compassion for their physical needs as they had been with Him for three days with nothing to eat.  It was hope for real help that sustained the people even more than a hope for temporary help ever could.  As Jesus takes a few loaves and fish to once again feed a multitude, it was the power of God evident in His compassion which filled the people with great hope.  When we live with faith, we live with a hope which the world cannot take away because this hope is placed in, and fulfilled by, Jesus.

Today, how will you live with FAITH?

Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus In Your Restoration of Sight! (5/2/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus In Your Restoration of Sight! (5/2/25)

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This is the audio from the May 2, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on living life with Jesus in our boat.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk toward Jesus, we tend to miss that Jesus not only lifted Peter from sinking but He then got in the boat with all the disciples to calm the sea.  Imagine living life with an awareness of Jesus in your boat . . . or in your car, or home, or workplace, or anywhere else.  Pray that the storms of life would be calmed by the presence of Jesus with you.  Pray that God’s Spirit in you would be the calming presence of Jesus to the people you encounter everywhere you go.  Pray that you would be actively involved in doing the things Jesus came to earth to accomplish on His way to the cross.

“Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’”
John 9:39 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider some of the work Jesus did when He came to earth — work which Isaiah prophesied about and work we ought to be doing as His representatives!  Pray that your eyes would be opened fully to the work of God in your life so that you would help others see the truth of Jesus.  Pray that you would understand rightly the judgments of Jesus.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would help you to see.

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: Jesus In Your Message of Freedom! (5/1/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus In Your Message of Freedom! (5/1/25)

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This is the audio from the May 1, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on living life with Jesus in our boat.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk toward Jesus, we tend to miss that Jesus not only lifted Peter from sinking but He then got in the boat with all the disciples to calm the sea.  Imagine living life with an awareness of Jesus in your boat . . . or in your car, or home, or workplace, or anywhere else.  Pray that the storms of life would be calmed by the presence of Jesus with you.  Pray that God’s Spirit in you would be the calming presence of Jesus to the people you encounter everywhere you go.  Pray that you would be actively involved in doing the things Jesus came to earth to accomplish on His way to the cross.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider some of the work Jesus did when He came to earth — work which Isaiah prophesied about and work we ought to be doing as His representatives!  Pray that you would live as one who is free and actively proclaim that freedom to all who live in bondage.  Pray that you would walk by the Spirit in such a way that people can see a way to freedom.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would announce freedom.

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: Jesus In Your Dealing With the Brokenhearted! (4/30/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus In Your Dealing With the Brokenhearted! (4/30/25)

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

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on living life with Jesus in our boat.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk toward Jesus, we tend to miss that Jesus not only lifted Peter from sinking but He then got in the boat with all the disciples to calm the sea.  Imagine living life with an awareness of Jesus in your boat . . . or in your car, or home, or workplace, or anywhere else.  Pray that the storms of life would be calmed by the presence of Jesus with you.  Pray that God’s Spirit in you would be the calming presence of Jesus to the people you encounter everywhere you go.  Pray that you would be actively involved in doing the things Jesus came to earth to accomplish on His way to the cross.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider some of the work Jesus did when He came to earth — work which Isaiah prophesied about and work we ought to be doing as His representatives!  Pray that you would be an encourager to the weary as you help the brokenhearted find healing within a relationship with Jesus.  Pray that you would know the healing of Jesus in your brokenness.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would open your eyes to the broken.

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: Jesus In Your Treatment of the Poor! (4/29/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus In Your Treatment of the Poor! (4/29/25)

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

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on living life with Jesus in our boat.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk toward Jesus, we tend to miss that Jesus not only lifted Peter from sinking but He then got in the boat with all the disciples to calm the sea.  Imagine living life with an awareness of Jesus in your boat . . . or in your car, or home, or workplace, or anywhere else.  Pray that the storms of life would be calmed by the presence of Jesus with you.  Pray that God’s Spirit in you would be the calming presence of Jesus to the people you encounter everywhere you go.  Pray that you would be actively involved in doing the things Jesus came to earth to accomplish on His way to the cross.

“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”
Galatians 2:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider some of the work Jesus did when He came to earth — work which Isaiah prophesied about and work we ought to be doing as His representatives!  Pray that you would be eager to share the good news in all ways possible to the poor.  Pray that you would notice the different ways of being poor.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would change how you treat the poor.

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: Jesus In Your Anointing! (4/28/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Jesus In Your Anointing! (4/28/25)

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

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (NIV)

Our prayer emphasis this week will focus on living life with Jesus in our boat.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk toward Jesus, we tend to miss that Jesus not only lifted Peter from sinking but He then got in the boat with all the disciples to calm the sea.  Imagine living life with an awareness of Jesus in your boat . . . or in your car, or home, or workplace, or anywhere else.  Pray that the storms of life would be calmed by the presence of Jesus with you.  Pray that God’s Spirit in you would be the calming presence of Jesus to the people you encounter everywhere you go.  Pray that you would be actively involved in doing the things Jesus came to earth to accomplish on His way to the cross.

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.”
1 John 2:20 (NIV)

As you pray this week, consider some of the work Jesus did when He came to earth — work which Isaiah prophesied about and work we ought to be doing as His representatives!  Pray that your life would always reflect the anointing of God’s Spirit that is given to all Christians.  Pray that the divine blessing of God’s Spirit would always fill you with truth which comes from God.  Pray that bringing Jesus into your “boat” would produce the evidence of His Spirit in your life.

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 – Jesus In Your BOAT! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – Jesus In Your BOAT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 27, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Time For LIFE!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 14

 

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Matthew 14:32-33 (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.  While we often focus on Peter getting out of the boat to walk to Jesus, we also see the disciples making room for Jesus in a greater way.  In the midst of life, we must be deliberate about living with Jesus in our . . .

  • Beliefs:  Matthew 14:13-16, 25-26

    • When faced with situations which seemed impossible, such as feeding large crowd or seeing someone walk across a lake toward you, the disciples were often challenged by a common belief that they couldn’t accomplish what needed done.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to invite Jesus into our beliefs so that we consider what He can do rather than what we can do. 

  • Observations:  Matthew 14:17-19, 27-28

    • What the disciples believed was often influenced by what they were able to physically observe.  In Matthew 14, the disciples observed a lot of hungry people and very little food.  Then they observed the figure of a man walking across the water and in both cases their observations led a an incorrect conclusion.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to invite Jesus into our observations so we would see what He can do rather than what we cannot.

  • Actions:  Matthew 14:20, 29-30

    • By the time it comes to action in the stories from today’s text, we find the disciples finally listening more fully to Jesus in obedience to what He asks.  After inviting Jesus into their beliefs and observations, they were willing to distribute food to all and Peter was even willing to step out of the boat onto the storm-tossed waves.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to invite Jesus into our actions so that He would do more in us and through us than would ever be possible on our own.

  • Touch:  Matthew 14:21, 31-36

    • One of the defining characteristics in the life of Jesus on earth was His willingness, and even desire, to touch those He encountered.  It was the touch of Jesus on the bread and loaves which multiplied them to feed a multitude.  It was the touch of Jesus to lift Peter from his doubts which carried them both back to the boat where the storm was to be calmed.  When our boat of life is tossed about in the storms which come, we would do well to not only live as those touched by Jesus but to extend His touch to all we encounter.

Today, how will you live with Jesus in your BOAT?