goals

Encouragement and Prayer: Why Have You Forsaken Me?! (4/17/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Why Have You Forsaken Me?! (4/17/25)

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This is the audio from the April 17, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’–which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”
Matthew 27:46 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray for the courage to cry out to God whenever you feel discouraged.  Pray for those who feel forsaken by God; that you would represent Jesus well to them.  Pray for the humility to love and serve those who feel abandoned.

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: Behold, Your Son! (4/16/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Behold, Your Son! (4/16/25)

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This is the audio from the April 16, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
John 19:26-27 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray about how God would have you respond to those with no family.  Pray that you would know of God’s care for you when you feel alone.  Pray that you would live as God’s family with those who have no other family.

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: You Will Be With Me! (4/15/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: You Will Be With Me! (4/15/25)

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This is the audio from the April 15, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
Luke 23:43 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray that you would live each day with a knowledge of God’s presence with you through His Spirit.  Pray that your life and words would be an invitation for others to live in the presence of Jesus.  Pray that the people you interact with today would have a desire to know, and be known, by Jesus.

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: Father, Forgive Them! (4/14/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Father, Forgive Them! (4/14/25)

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This is the audio from the April 14, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Our “Lifestyle of Prayer” emphasis this week will return to a focus on the words of Jesus from the cross.  As we spend the week preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is fitting to not only consider the sacrifice Jesus made, but to apply His very words to how we pray.  Pray for a greater awareness of the things Jesus went through to bring salvation to you.  Pray about how the words of Jesus will help you know the fullness of His love for you.  Pray that you would realize how you are part of the joy that was set before Jesus as He endured the cross.  Pray that your life would reflect the message of the cross to the people around you.

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Luke 23:34 (NIV)

As you pray this week, use the topics to help you pray through difficulties, through weakness, through loneliness, through concern for others, and most importantly through the eyes of Jesus.  Pray for a growing awareness of the fullness of God’s forgiveness extended toward you.  Pray that you would learn to forgive others, just as in Christ you are forgiven.  Pray that the people you see today would realize and accept the Father’s forgiveness.

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 – A Time To SHOUT! (Sermon Audio)
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Following Jesus – A Time To SHOUT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 13, 2025 sermon, “Following Jesus: A Time To SHOUT!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Matthew 21:1-17

 

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!'”
Matthew 21:9 (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.  A life in Christ and with Christ is possible when we welcome Him with a triumphal entry into our life.  As we jump ahead in our journey through the Gospel of Matthew to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, we rejoice in His arrival with a time to . . .

  • Seek:  Matthew 21:1-3

    • Jesus sent two of the disciples out to seek something He knew they would find.  When the Bible tells us to seek the Lord while He may be found, it is doing so with the understanding that Jesus will make a triumphal entry into any life which earnestly seeks Him with a whole heart.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when we learn to seek Him from wherever we are. 

  • Honor:  Matthew 21:4-5

    • As Jesus made His way into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, He did so as One who was well received and honored.  While He was not riding a horse of battle or victory, He did come in a way which fulfilled prophesy about the Messiah who would come and save His people.  Even when understanding was incomplete, the people honored the arrival of this King of Peace.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when we choose to honor Him with our life.

  • Obey:  Matthew 21:6-11

    • The honor given to Jesus was made known not only by words, but by an obedience to doing what He asked.  The disciples who were sent to seek the donkey and its colt did so regardless of how they felt about the likelihood of success.  We shout the arrival of Jesus in our life when we choose to obey all that He has taught and commanded.

  • Undo:  Matthew 21:12-13

    • As Jesus made His way into the temple courts He encountered life choices which people needed to undo in order to be right with Him.  People had turned what should have been a house of prayer into a “den of robbers”.  When we welcome Jesus into our life, we become His dwelling as His Spirit lives within us.  When we live as the temple of God, we must learn to undo the deeds of the flesh so that we would live by the Spirit and become the house of prayer we are called to be.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when we undo our “den of robbers” through our repentance.

  • Tell:  Matthew 21:14-17

    • As Jesus encountered criticism for not silencing the children who were shouting His praises, He makes it clear that they were designed to tell about Him.  As Jesus enters our life, it ought to be a normal and natural thing to tell people about all that He is doing in our life.  We tell by the words we use and we tell by the life we live.  We shout the arrival of Jesus when “we cannot help but to tell all we have seen and heard” about Jesus.  

Today, how will you SHOUT?

Encouragement and Prayer: Sow To Please the Spirit! (4/11/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Sow To Please the Spirit! (4/11/25)

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This is the audio from the April 11, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live. Pray that you would be careful with what you allow to be sown in your life and with what you are sowing that eventually produce a harvest.  Pray that you would keep your eyes focused on Jesus to the extent that everything you sow with your words and actions would point others to Him.  Pray that the good seed of God’s Word would find good soil in your life and in the lives of those around you.

“The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Galatians 6:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would be ever mindful of God’s Spirit within you as you choose what to sow in this life. Pray that your desire would always be to sow the things which please the Spirit as you look toward the harvest of eternal 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

Encouragement and Prayer: Sow What You Want To Harvest! (4/10/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Sow What You Want To Harvest! (4/10/25)

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This is the audio from the April 10, 2025 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live. Pray that you would be careful with what you allow to be sown in your life and with what you are sowing that eventually produce a harvest.  Pray that you would keep your eyes focused on Jesus to the extent that everything you sow with your words and actions would point others to Him.  Pray that the good seed of God’s Word would find good soil in your life and in the lives of those around you.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would consider the outcome God desires for you in this life so that you would sow accordingly.  Pray that God would help you accurately evaluate what you are currently reaping in order to consider if you need to change what you are sowing.

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: Lord of All Peace! (4/4/25)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Lord of All Peace! (4/4/25)

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

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2:36 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will consider the position of Jesus as Lord of all.  It has been said that every one of us make the choice each day as to whether Jesus is Lord of all or not Lord at all.  This is a choice we make with our life more than our words, because sometimes our words aren’t as accurate as they ought to be.  While the word or title of lord is used in many contexts throughout Scripture and in the world today, most English translations of the Bible use the word LORD to signify the personal name of God.  It is in this context of Jesus being God that He is indeed Lord of all.  Pray that your life would show a submission to the Lordship of Jesus in all things.  Pray for a consistency in your actions that would match your words proclaiming Jesus as Lord.  Pray that you would know the righteousness and compassion of the One who is Lord of all.  Pray that you would live in such a way that the people around you would learn to call upon the Lord and be saved.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to strengthen your conviction regarding Jesus being both Lord and Christ.  Pray that you would know Jesus as the One who brings peace that surpasses understanding.  Pray that you would rejoice in God’s ability to bring peace in the way that is just right for every circumstance for you and for the people around you.

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