Courageous Purity! (Sermon Audio)

Courageous Purity! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 17, 2022 sermon, “R & R: The Fruit of Courageous Purity”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  Joshua 5:1-12, Colossians 2:9-15

Before the battles begin, God calls us to be purified and set apart for His exclusive use.  We grow in courage when we allow the purifying work of God to cut away our sinful nature when we are buried with Christ in baptism.  The fruit of this circumcision of the heart should result in the same type of fruit the Israelites experienced following their obedience to God in circumcision.  While most of us appreciate the common R & R of rest and relaxation, this morning I want us to consider three R & R events experienced by the Israelites, and by us, when God is allowed to do His work of purification.

As we grow in courageous and obedient purity, we find our. . .

  • Reproach Removed.  Joshua 5:9, Colossians 2:13-15
    • The enemy does a pretty good job of accusing, blaming, and making us feel unworthy and unfit for God’s love.  When we allow God to do the work of purifying us, we find the reproach of the enemy removed.  While it takes courage to live in obedient purity, the freedom from reproach makes every effort of obedience worth it.
  • Rescue Remembered.  Joshua 5:10, Colossians 2:11-12
    • As forgetful people, it is often easy to start thinking we’ve always been where we are in our relationship with God.  Not only did God remove the reproach from the Israelites, and from us, He calls us to remember how He is the One who rescued us.  While it takes courage to remember where we were before becoming obedient to Christ, the result of remembering will help us believe God can rescue those around us.
  • Resources Restored.  Joshua 5:11-12, Colossians 2:9-10
    • Sin has a way of devouring all that is good and wholesome in our life.  When God’s people responded to His instructions with a courageous and obedient purity, He restored their resources and brought them fully into the land He had promised.  While it can be much easier for us to focus on what we have lost, or don’t have in comparison to others, God want us to live as those who have the fullness of Christ and all of His resources dwelling within us.

How much courage will it take today for you to experience God’s R & R through a commitment to purity?

Encouragement and Prayer: Faith That Protects! (07/15/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: Faith That Protects! (07/15/22)

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This is the audio from the July 15, 2022 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 focus our prayer time on living with a courageous faith.  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.  Faith includes a huge element of belief, but it also is made up of confidence and trust which should lead us to do something about what we believe.

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to increase your belief in a way that gives you confidence to do the things of God.  Pray that you would put your faith into action in such a way that it protects you from the attacks of the enemy.  Pray that you would be aware of the temptations of the evil one, and in faith resist and overcome them.  Pray that your faith in Jesus would help stop the spread of evil.

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: Faith That Is Tested! (07/14/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: Faith That Is Tested! (07/14/22)

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This is the audio from the July 14, 2022 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 focus our prayer time on living with a courageous faith.  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.  Faith includes a huge element of belief, but it also is made up of confidence and trust which should lead us to do something about what we believe.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to increase your belief in a way that gives you confidence to do the things of God.  Pray that you would be strong in faith as you experience times when it is tested.  Pray that you would accurately examine your faith as you consider the fruit it is producing.  Ask God to fill you with a faith that will pass every test it is put through.  Pray that your life would help others see the value of faith during the struggles of 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: Faith That Encourages Others! (07/13/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: Faith That Encourages Others! (07/13/22)

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This is the audio from the July 13, 2022 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 focus our prayer time on living with a courageous faith.  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.  Faith includes a huge element of belief, but it also is made up of confidence and trust which should lead us to do something about what we believe.

“I long to see you so that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
Romans 1:11-12 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to increase your belief in a way that gives you confidence to do the things of God.  Pray that your faith would be practiced in such a way that others are encouraged by it.  Pray that you would know the encouragement that comes from being with people of faith.  Ask God to help you grow through a shared faith.

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: Faith That Is Growing! (07/12/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: Faith That Is Growing! (07/12/22)

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This is the audio from the July 12, 2022 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 focus our prayer time on living with a courageous faith.  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.  Faith includes a huge element of belief, but it also is made up of confidence and trust which should lead us to do something about what we believe.

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

As you pray, ask God to increase your belief in a way that gives you confidence to do the things of God.  Pray that you would understand the need to constantly grow in your faith.  Pray that you would always go to God as both the source of your faith and the source of its growth.  Ask God to increase your faith.  Pray that your growing faith would help others grow in their desire to know God.

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: Faith That Is Visible! (07/11/22) (Updated Audio)

Encouragement and Prayer: Faith That Is Visible! (07/11/22) (Updated Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 11, 2022 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 focus our prayer time on living with a courageous faith.  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.  Faith includes a huge element of belief, but it also is made up of confidence and trust which should lead us to do something about what we believe.  As you pray, ask God to increase your belief in a way that gives you confidence to do the things of God.  Pray that you would rightly examine what your faith is currently leading you to do.  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 the people around you would be more aware of Jesus because of your faith.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
Mark 2:5 (NIV)

Pray that you would live with a faith that can be seen.  Pray that your faith would be put into action in ways that are not only noticed, but in ways that help others.  Pray for a visible faith that pleases God by the way you use it to care for others.

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: Faith That Is Visible! (07/11/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: Faith That Is Visible! (07/11/22)

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This is the audio from the July 11, 2022 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 focus our prayer time on living with a courageous faith.  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.  Faith includes a huge element of belief, but it also is made up of confidence and trust which should lead us to do something about what we believe.  As you pray, ask God to increase your belief in a way that gives you confidence to do the things of God.  Pray that you would rightly examine what your faith is currently leading you to do.  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 the people around you would be more aware of Jesus because of your faith.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
Mark 2:5 (NIV)

Pray that you would live with a faith that can be seen.  Pray that your faith would be put into action in ways that are not only noticed, but in ways that help others.  Pray for a visible faith that pleases God by the way you use it to care for others.

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: Choose To Be a Spirit-Filled Worker! (07/08/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: Choose To Be a Spirit-Filled Worker! (07/08/22)

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This is the audio from the July 8, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15
(NIV)

This week we will focus our prayer time on seeking God’s help in making courageous choices!  Regardless of our circumstances, or even our own role in being where we are, we have the opportunity to make choices that determine, or show, who we really serve.  Our prayer life should help us to be in line with God’s will so our choices will honor Him.

“Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.”
Acts 6:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see accurately where you are at in relationship with Him.  Pray that you would choose to value God’s presence in the lives of people.  Pray that you would choose to be one who is full of the Spirit and wisdom.  Pray that the people around you would know you as one who is full of the Spirit.

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

In prayer,
Tom