God’s Word

Encouragement and Prayer: Scripture From God! (2/19/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Scripture From God! (2/19/24)

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This is the audio from the February 19, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about the usefulness of God’s Word in our life.  As we pray about experiencing immeasurably more scripture, it isn’t about finding additional scripture that has not yet been revealed rather it is about growing daily in our application of God’s Word to everyday life.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we have a list of some of the things that God says Scripture is useful for if we were to value it and apply it to everything we do.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to draw near to God and be transformed.  Pray that your love for God’s Word would grow as your understanding of its usefulness grows.  Pray that your life would be guided in every way by the truth of God’s Word.  Pray that the usefulness of God’s Word in your life would cause you to share it at every opportunity.

“For prophecy [God’s Word] never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:21 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you accurately evaluate how much time you spend reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.  Pray that you would have a proper view of Scripture as coming from God and not from man.  Pray that God’s Spirit would give you insight into what He has spoken through His Word.

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: Thankful For One Another! (2/16/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Thankful For One Another! (2/16/24)

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This is the audio from the February 16, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on growing in gratitude as we learn to give thanks to God in all circumstances.  Our level of thankfulness will say a lot to the people around us who need to know of the hope that is found in Jesus.  And I might add, the genuineness or lack thereof of our thankfulness will be noticed by many who are watching.  We all go through struggles that test our faith, and we may endure things that no one would be thankful for, but it can be in those times that finding ways to give thanks anyway can speak volumes to others.  Pray that you would always look for reasons to give thanks and that you would learn to give thanks even when the reasons seem hidden.  Pray that your faith would grow as you daily practice an attitude of gratitude in your relationships with one another and with God.  Pray that you would find ways to express your thanks in meaningful ways to those who need to hear it.

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine your current level of thankfulness.  Pray that you would learn to be thankful for the people God brings into your life.  Pray that your thankfulness for one another would lead you to always remember them in prayer.

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: Thankfulness Which Glorifies God! (2/15/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Thankfulness Which Glorifies God! (2/15/23)

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This is the audio from the February 15, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on growing in gratitude as we learn to give thanks to God in all circumstances.  Our level of thankfulness will say a lot to the people around us who need to know of the hope that is found in Jesus.  And I might add, the genuineness or lack thereof of our thankfulness will be noticed by many who are watching.  We all go through struggles that test our faith, and we may endure things that no one would be thankful for, but it can be in those times that finding ways to give thanks anyway can speak volumes to others.  Pray that you would always look for reasons to give thanks and that you would learn to give thanks even when the reasons seem hidden.  Pray that your faith would grow as you daily practice an attitude of gratitude in your relationships with one another and with God.  Pray that you would find ways to express your thanks in meaningful ways to those who need to hear it.

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine your current level of thankfulness.  Pray that you would live in such a way that your life would lead to an overflowing of thanksgiving which brings glory to God.  Pray that you would know God’s grace and willingly share it with others so that they too would have a reason to be thankful.

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: Thankful For What God Has Done! (2/14/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Thankful For What God Has Done! (2/14/23)

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This is the audio from the February 14, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on growing in gratitude as we learn to give thanks to God in all circumstances.  Our level of thankfulness will say a lot to the people around us who need to know of the hope that is found in Jesus.  And I might add, the genuineness or lack thereof of our thankfulness will be noticed by many who are watching.  We all go through struggles that test our faith, and we may endure things that no one would be thankful for, but it can be in those times that finding ways to give thanks anyway can speak volumes to others.  Pray that you would always look for reasons to give thanks and that you would learn to give thanks even when the reasons seem hidden.  Pray that your faith would grow as you daily practice an attitude of gratitude in your relationships with one another and with God.  Pray that you would find ways to express your thanks in meaningful ways to those who need to hear it.

“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”
Psalm 105:1 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine your current level of thankfulness.  Pray that you would pay attention to what God has done in your life so that you would give Him thanks for doing so.  Pray that you would use every opportunity you have to thank the Lord “among the nations” so that the people around you would know of His great work.

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: Thankful In Song! (2/13/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Thankful In Song! (2/13/23)

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This is the audio from the February 13, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on growing in gratitude as we learn to give thanks to God in all circumstances.  Our level of thankfulness will say a lot to the people around us who need to know of the hope that is found in Jesus.  And I might add, the genuineness or lack thereof of our thankfulness will be noticed by many who are watching.  We all go through struggles that test our faith, and we may endure things that no one would be thankful for, but it can be in those times that finding ways to give thanks anyway can speak volumes to others.  Pray that you would always look for reasons to give thanks and that you would learn to give thanks even when the reasons seem hidden.  Pray that your faith would grow as you daily practice an attitude of gratitude in your relationships with one another and with God.  Pray that you would find ways to express your thanks in meaningful ways to those who need to hear it.

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 69:30 (NIV)

 As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine your current level of thankfulness.  Pray that you would learn to express your thanks to God through the songs you sing, whether sung privately or publicly.  Pray that God’s name would be lifted up through the music you listen to as well as through the music you share with 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: Thankful With Sacrificial Offerings! (2/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Thankful With Sacrificial Offerings! (2/12/23)

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This is the audio from the February 12, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on growing in gratitude as we learn to give thanks to God in all circumstances.  Our level of thankfulness will say a lot to the people around us who need to know of the hope that is found in Jesus.  And I might add, the genuineness or lack thereof of our thankfulness will be noticed by many who are watching.  We all go through struggles that test our faith, and we may endure things that no one would be thankful for, but it can be in those times that finding ways to give thanks anyway can speak volumes to others.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine your current level of thankfulness.  Pray that you would always look for reasons to give thanks and that you would learn to give thanks even when the reasons seem hidden.  Pray that your faith would grow as you daily practice an attitude of gratitude in your relationships with one another and with God.  Pray that you would find ways to express your thanks in meaningful ways to those who need to hear it.

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High.”
Psalm 50:14 (NIV)

Pray that the offering of yourself and your possessions to God would be done with a thankful heart.  Pray that God would direct all of your giving so that it is done with thankfulness.  Pray that your promises to God would be fulfilled as you give sacrificially as an avenue of thankfulness.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Immeasurably More Gratitude: GIVE Thanks! (Sermon Audio)
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Immeasurably More Gratitude: GIVE Thanks! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the February 11, 2024 sermon, “Immeasurably More Gratitude: GIVE Thanks!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Colossians 3:12-17

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a sermon series designed to help us look at some of the immeasurably more God desires to do in us, through us, and for us.  Often when we think about immeasurably more, it focuses on what we want to receive.  God, on the other hand, is more concerned about what He will do to make the good news of the kingdom grow.  So far we have looked at the immeasurably more that God wants to do in our prayer life, in the way we love, in our serving, in our giving, and in compassion.  Today we gazed into God’s Word to consider the immeasurably more gratitude that ought to be present in our life because of Jesus.  Being a more thankful person in a world filled with disappointments and discouragement can be difficult.  It is only through God’s Spirit that we find the ability to give thanks when our natural response to a situation may not be thankful at all.  As we choose to grow with immeasurably more gratitude, we do so with . . .

  • Generous Thanks: — Colossians 3:12, Colossians 2:7, 2 Corinthians 4:15

    • As Paul gives instructions about being more thankful, He does so in the context of God’s generous nature toward each one of us.  When we clothe ourselves with the things of God’s Spirit, we are able to see others as the valuable creation of God which they are.  Being generous with out thanks comes from an attitude which looks for the good of Christ in others.  We grow in gratitude when we learn to be generous with the thanks we offer to God and to one another.

  • Intentional Thanks: — Colossians 3:13-14, 1 Timothy 2:1, Ephesians 5:20

    • Because we live in a world of imperfect people, ourselves included, we must learn to be intentional about living with gratitude.  Our need to forgive and be forgiven can become a hindrance to being thankful unless we are willing to acknowledge just how much God has forgiven us so that we would be deliberate in looking for ways to thank others.  We grow in gratitude when we learn to be intentional with the thanks we offer to God and to one another.

  • Vertical Thanks: — Colossians 3:15, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 9:15

    • The strength or weakness of our relationship with God will have a lot to do with how we interact with others.  When we first give ourselves fully to God, we find that His Spirit leads us to value the things He values.  When we teach and admonish one another, and sing praises to God, we find a gratitude that is growing in us through His Spirit.  We grow in gratitude when we learn to put God first in our vertical thanks to Him.

  • Expressive Thanks: — Colossians 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 9:12

    • Just as we tend to give and receive expressions of love in a variety of ways, our expressions of thanks ought to be offered in ways which benefit the one we are thanking.  When it comes to thanking God, scripture tells us that everything we do ought to be done with an attitude of gratitude.  The same is true at a different level in how we thank one another.  Our many expressions of thanks ought to done in a way that builds up the body of Christ and makes Him known.  We grow in gratitude when we learn to be expressive with our thanks in whatever we do.

Today, how will you GIVE thanks?

Encouragement and Prayer: More Compassion For the Harassed and Helpless! (2/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: More Compassion For the Harassed and Helpless! (2/9/23)

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This is the audio from the February 9, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”
Jonah 4:2 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about living with compassion.  Many times we try to substitute pity, instruction, warnings, judgment, or even good deeds for true compassion because we want to help but we don’t want to suffer.  Yet godly compassion means to suffer with those who are suffering so that they may receive the same comfort from us that we have received from God.  There is no greater example of compassion than Jesus coming to earth and suffering alongside mankind so that we may be comforted with the same comfort He received from His Father.  Living with compassion means that we will not only take notice of the suffering that takes place in our world, our neighborhoods, our churches, and our homes; we will join in suffering with those who hurt so that together we can find the comfort God desires for us.  We can learn a lot about the compassion we ought to  have by looking at the compassion God has for us.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to open your eyes to the sufferings of others.  Pray that you would pay attention to the “crowds” and notice when their actions are the result of being harassed and helpless.  Pray that your compassion would cause you to suffer together with those being harassed as you help them find the Good Shepherd.

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

In prayer,
Tom