goals

Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Serve! (6/19/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Serve! (6/19/23)

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

“And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.  As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that you would listen to Him as you seek to discover the things He has called you to do.  Pray for the humility to understand the calling is by God’s grace and is not just for you but for all who would respond to His call.  Pray that you would always seek to do your part as God works His calling out in your life.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Pray that you would experience the freedom that comes as a result of being called by God.  Pray that you would not only know your calling, but that you would understand its purpose in serving others.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Called By God: Dare To Be . . . Amos? (Sermon Audio)
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Called By God: Dare To Be . . . Amos? (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 18, 2023 sermon, “Called By God: Dare To Be . . . Amos?”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Amos 1:1, 7:14-15

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.  But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7:14-15 (NIV)

Today I began a sermon series which will be based from the Old Testament book of Amos.  If you’re wondering how applicable the message from this book of the Bible can be today, consider the following description of the world in the days of Amos.  See if this sounds familiar at all to the world we currently live in.

“A spirit of self-sufficiency and smug complacency thrived on material prosperity.  The rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer.  Idolatry, hypocrisy, moral corruption, and social injustices were everywhere.  The nation was truly on the brink of disaster.”  (Irving Jensen)

This introductory message deals with the appropriate response when God calls us as His children and as His servants.  God has a tendency to use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things and Amos is an excellent example for us to see how that works.  In fact, when we consider some of the characteristics present in the life of Amos, we would do well to put those principles into action and dare to be . . . .

  • Available:  —

    • Amos makes it clear that the work he was called by God to do was not according to his custom, practice, or way of life.  In fact, God called him away from what he was accustomed to doing in order to use him as a messenger of truth.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who are available to God for His purposes and will.

  • Motivated: —

    • Delivering a message of truth is often met with opposition and that was certainly the case for Amos.  When those with authority and power tried to send him away and discredit his message, Amos stayed true to delivering what God was giving him to say.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who are motivated by the truth of God’s Word in all we say and do.

  • Obedient: —

    • It is one thing to be available and motivated when the task at hand is something we want to do.  It is an entirely different thing when we’re facing a task that is in conflict with our own comfort and security.  Amos took God’s message to the people of Israel not because it was easy or comfortable, but because God called him to it and he obeyed.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who are obedient to God no matter what.

  • Serving:  —

    • When Amos put his availability, motivation, and obedience into action he was in the perfect position to serve God and serve people.  He did what he did and said what not because it was beneficial to him or self-serving in any way, but because he chose to live as a servant of God.  When we live as those called by God we must live as those who serve Him and serve one another in love.

Today, will you dare to be AMOS?  What will that look like in your life?

This Means WAR! (Sermon Audio)
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This Means WAR! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 28, 2023 sermon, “Finding Help For Your Battles: This Means WAR!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 2 Kings 6:12-23, Ephesians 6:10-18

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

Today I concluded a sermon series about finding help in our times of need.

Living life is a battle.  While the battles we face as individuals may come in different forms, we know from God’s Word that the sources of these battles are often spiritual in nature.  The good news for us in the midst of our battles is that God has given us what we need to be victorious when we choose His side of the battle.  When we find ourselves in the midst of battle and cry out for help, we find God telling us that this means . . .

  • Wisdom Is Wanted:  —

    • Victory in battle generally relies on reliable information.  One of the greatest pieces of wisdom God gives us when it comes to the battles we face is that they are not against flesh and blood but rather they are spiritual battles..

  • Armor Is Available: —

    • Knowing the nature of the battles we face will help us realize the importance of putting on the full armor of God.  This armor is available to us by God, but requires that we daily choose to put it on and use it.

  • Repentance Is Required:  —

    • We fail in our thoughts and attitudes more often than we like to admit, even if we manage to keep our actions in line with what God desires.  The spiritual battles we face will require that we become familiar and comfortable with repentance as we not only look at our battles differently, but we consider people from a new point of view..

Today, when you face battles of various kinds, how will you engage in the WAR?

Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Results In Action! (5/26/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Results In Action! (5/26/23)

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This is the audio from the May 26, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
 Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about seeking God’s help when we experience doubt.  Because believing God, and believing in God, is based on faith, it is not unusual to experience times of uncertainty that can grow into doubt.  Even when we say we believe, an honest examination of that belief will often reveal a need for help to grow in our practice of that belief.  It has been said that we can tell what a person really believes by closely observing what they do.  While our words may say what we want to believe, our actions tend to reflect our true beliefs.

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.”
James 2:18-19 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you refine and solidify what you know and believe about Him.  Pray that your belief of what God says would be seen by others through the things you do.  Pray for a growing faith that puts your belief of God into action.

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: Belief That Obeys! (5/25/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Obeys! (5/25/23)

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This is the audio from the May 25, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
 Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about seeking God’s help when we experience doubt.  Because believing God, and believing in God, is based on faith, it is not unusual to experience times of uncertainty that can grow into doubt.  Even when we say we believe, an honest examination of that belief will often reveal a need for help to grow in our practice of that belief.  It has been said that we can tell what a person really believes by closely observing what they do.  While our words may say what we want to believe, our actions tend to reflect our true beliefs.

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
Acts 8:12 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you refine and solidify what you know and believe about Him.  Pray that your response to belief about the good news of God’s kingdom would always lead to obedience.  Pray for the courage to obey God’s Word simply because you believe 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: Belief That Worships! (5/24/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Worships! (5/24/23)

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This is the audio from the May 24, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
 Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about seeking God’s help when we experience doubt.  Because believing God, and believing in God, is based on faith, it is not unusual to experience times of uncertainty that can grow into doubt.  Even when we say we believe, an honest examination of that belief will often reveal a need for help to grow in our practice of that belief.  It has been said that we can tell what a person really believes by closely observing what they do.  While our words may say what we want to believe, our actions tend to reflect our true beliefs.

“Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.”
John 9:38 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you refine and solidify what you know and believe about Him.  Pray that the things you know and believe about God would always lead you to an attitude of worship.  Pray that others would know about your belief in God by the way you live a life that worships Him.  Pray for the courage to worship God at all times no matter where you are.

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: Belief That Can Grow! (5/23/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Belief That Can Grow! (5/23/23)

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This is the audio from the May 23, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
 Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about seeking God’s help when we experience doubt.  Because believing God, and believing in God, is based on faith, it is not unusual to experience times of uncertainty that can grow into doubt.  Even when we say we believe, an honest examination of that belief will often reveal a need for help to grow in our practice of that belief.  It has been said that we can tell what a person really believes by closely observing what they do.  While our words may say what we want to believe, our actions tend to reflect our true beliefs.

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”
Mark 9:24 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you refine and solidify what you know and believe about Him.  Pray that you would be aware of both your strengths and weaknesses in the area of believing God.  Pray that your desire to believe would not keep you from admitting times of unbelief.  Pray that you would always call out to God for help in growing through any areas of unbelief.

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

In prayer,
Tom

A Time To ASK! (Sermon Audio)
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A Time To ASK! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 21, 2023 sermon, “Finding Help When You Doubt: A Time To ASK!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Judges 6:13-40, Mark 9:19-29

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
 Genesis 15:6 (NIV)

Today I continued a sermon series about finding help in our times of need.  Today we focused on finding help when we doubt.  Doubt is such a natural part of the human experience that we often fail to realize just how much of it has crept into our life.  Even when we want to believe God, the seeds of doubt try to take root and grow.  The good news is that our doubt doesn’t take God by surprise.  When we find ourselves in the midst of doubt, we should turn to God and discover a time to . . .

  • Admit Weakness:  —

    • Neither the father whose son had an evil spirit nor Gideon had the power to do what they wanted.  Their doubt required them to admit they were week and needed God’s help.  Even when we have a growing level of belief, in order to find the help we need we must admit to God, and to our self, that we have doubt.  When God called Gideon to be His instrument of saving the Israelites from their enemies, Gideon had some serious doubt about whether he was the right person for the job.  He was willing to admit his weakness and acknowledge a need for help.  When we look for help in our times of doubt, we must begin by admitting we need God’s help to believe as we ought.

  • Seek help: —

    • While the first step of receiving help may well be in admitting we need it, the importance of seeking that help must not be overlooked.  The boy’s father in the Mark text knew there were doubts in the belief he had so he asked Jesus to help his unbelief in addition to helping his son.  The task Gideon was being asked by God to be involved in was so large that Gideon not only sought God’s help, but he repeatedly sought confirmation that God was indeed with Him.  When we look for help in our times of doubt, we would do well to seek out the One who can help.

  • Know Results:  —

    • Both of the main characters in our texts for today received the help they needed when they were willing to admit they needed help and sought God to provide that help.  We too can know the results of finding help when we doubt when we go to God and ask for His help.  The father had his son restored to him and the nation of Israel was delivered from their enemy as a result of finding help in the midst of doubt.  When we look to God for help in our times of doubt, we can be sure that our continued trust in Him will produce the results that are best from His perspective.

Today, when you doubt, how will you ASK?