God’s Word

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Godliness and Holiness! (1/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Godliness and Holiness! (1/12/23)

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

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you exhibit more of His qualities in the way you live each day.  Pray that you would know the value of preparing to live a life of godliness and holiness.

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: Pray For a Peaceful and Quiet Life! (1/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For a Peaceful and Quiet Life! (1/11/23)

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This is the audio from the January 11, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you be a peacemaker.  Pray that you would seek to live at peace with all people in a way that helps them to see the peace of God dwelling within you.

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: Pray For All In Authority! (1/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For All In Authority! (1/10/23)

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This is the audio from the January 10, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you know how to pray for those in authority on this earth.  Pray that you would learn to submit to all authority — especially His authority.

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: Pray For Everyone! (1/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray For Everyone! (1/9/23)

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

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.  Ask God to help you have compassion for everyone as you pray for both friends and enemies.  Pray that your love for God would be seen in the way you demonstrate His love toward both those you agree with and those you disagree with.

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: Pray In All Ways! (1/8/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray In All Ways! (1/8/23)

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This is the audio from the January 8, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

As we consider the immeasurably more that God wants to do in us and through us, prayer seems to be one of the foundational pieces in experiencing God.  We live in the midst of a world that is filled with very angry people.  Rarely does a day go by without the anger of someone else spilling into your life.  But if you examine closely, how often does your anger spill out into the lives of others?  God commands us to pray — not so we can get our way or establish our opinion as the law of the land, but so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives.  This week our prayer focus will be wrapped around the prayer instruction that God has given us through Paul’s letter to Timothy.  As you pray, ask God to change your heart concerning those around you.  Pray that you would live with the same desire as God — that all people would be saved through a knowledge and acceptance of the truth.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.”
1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)

Ask God to help your prayer life to grow as you go to Him with your requests and prayers for yourself and on behalf of others.  Pray that God would help you to be thankful in all of your communication with Him.

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: Pray FIRST! (Sermon Audio)
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Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 7, 2024 sermon, “Immeasurably More: Pray FIRST”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-5

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Today I began 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.  As we begin to consider what it looks like to experience the immeasurably more that God desires to do in the lives of His children, we begin with immeasurably more prayer.  This isn’t as much about praying more as it is about seeing God do immeasurably more through our prayers.  We put ourselves into a position for God to work through our prayers when we learn to pray . . .

  • Faithfully: — 1 Timothy 2:1

    • We pray first when we choose to pray faithfully in all circumstances.  I suspect there are things in life that most people try to work out on their own without ever considering talking with God about it . . . at least not until we’ve exhausted all other options.  When we grow as one who is faithful in prayer, we realize God has something to say about every detail of what we experience in life.  Rather than live by a “when all else fails, read the instructions”, we find God doing immeasurably more through our prayer life when we live with a faithful commitment to talk with God first about everything.

  • Intentionally: —  1 Timothy 2:2

    • We pray first when we pray intentionally for those in authority, but not necessarily seeking the selfish results we often want.  No, the intention of our prayers ought to be the seeking of a peaceful and quiet life that exhibits godliness and holiness in all things.  Particularly here in America, it becomes far too easy to get caught up in politics that often do nothing but cause division and hatred.  Rather than praying for the outcome God desires (peaceful and quiet lives), we pray for an agenda that fits what we think is right.  Because we serve a God who is holy and godly by His very nature, we find Him doing immeasurably more through our prayer life when we pray intentionally for the ability to lead a peaceful and quiet life that represents Jesus.

  • Respectfully: — 1 Timothy 2:3

    • We pray first when we pray respectfully in a way that pleases God.  The faithfulness of our prayers and the intentions of our prayers both reflect a respect, or lack thereof, for the One we are praying to.  The outcomes we desire from our prayers ought to be things which please God.  This doesn’t mean we erase our emotions from our conversations with God, rather it is a respect that can both praise and object in manners that recognizes God’s final authority.  There will be times we cry out in joy and times we cry out in anger but our respect will always listen for God’s answer.  We are able to see God do immeasurably more through our prayer life when we seek to please Him in all the ways we receive His responses with respect.

  • Submissively: — 1 Timothy 2:4

    • We pray first when we pray submissively to the will of God in all things.  While it is easy to get caught up in debates about what exactly is the will of God in any given situation, a primary will of God stated throughout scripture is that all people would come to know Him through a repentant life submitted to Jesus.  While few would care to admit it out loud, there are people that many would not consider to be wanted by God.  At times we fail to pray that all people be saved because we’ve already decided certain people shouldn’t be, or at least can’t be.  We can see God do immeasurably more in our prayer life when we pray submissively to His will that all be saved and we live as an example of the saving power of God.

  • Thankfully: — 1 Timothy 2:5

    • We pray first when we pray thankfully in all situations.  When we start talking about peaceful and quiet lives, about godliness and holiness, about respect, about submission, and about God wanting everyone to be saved, we ought to be led to an attitude of thankfulness to a God who makes all of that possible.  Knowing that Jesus is the mediator between God and mankind ought to fill our prayer life with thanksgiving because we know Him as a loving and fair mediator, full of all wisdom and grace.  Seeing God at work in our own life and in the lives of others ought to produce within us a thankfulness that is in itself proof that God is doing immeasurably more through our life of prayer.

Today, how will you see God do immeasurably more as you learn to pray FIRST?

Encouragement and Prayer: Grow Submissively! (12/31/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Grow Submissively! (12/31/23)

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This is the audio from the December 31, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about some important elements that exist in increasing measure as the good news of Jesus grows in us.  We can be strong in the Lord because of the power of God at work through our weaknesses.  But that doesn’t mean that we can sit back and take a passive role in growing strong.  No, God has work for us to do as we grow in the characteristics that His Spirit produces in our life.  We grow strong when we put on the full armor of God so that we are equipped to stand against the schemes of the devil.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see strength from His perspective.  Pray that you would not only put on the full armor of God, but that you would check it each day to make sure you are still using it.  Pray that you would pursue the things of God that make you strong — not necessarily strong by the world’s standards, but strong according to God.  Pray for the wisdom to live with the strength only God can give.

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
Romans 15:1 (NIV)

Pray that you would have the strength to submit not only to Christ, but also to the needs of others.  Pray that your strength will allow you to submit even when others fail due to weakness.  Pray that your desire to please God would continually grow.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Good News of Christmas: Good News Must GROW! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News of Christmas: Good News Must GROW! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 31, 2023 sermon, “Good News of Christmas: Good News Must GROW”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 2:21-52

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Luke 2:52 (NIV)

Today I concluded a Christmas series from the gospel of Luke as we continued to gaze deeply into God’s Word to find the good news of Jesus shared with us by Luke the physician.  Throughout the month of December we have looked at The Good News of Christmas as found in the first two chapters of Luke.  After taking time last week to examine the good news born to all mankind, this week we considered what took place after the birth of Jesus.  When the good news of Christ is born to us, there is an expectation that we accept it and that it would grow in us.  As the good news grows, we find it is time for us to . . .

  • Give: — Luke 2:22-24

    • The good news of Jesus grew as those who had experienced it began to give it to others.  The example of giving began with God in the giving of His Son to be Emanuel, God with us.  Mary and Joseph continued the giving as they gave to God that which was required by the law.  As we experience Jesus being born in us, we have the responsibility to give that good news to others.  Our giving must first be of our self and then our treasure, talents, and time will follow.

  • Receive: —  Luke 2:33-35

    • The good news of Jesus grew as those who had experienced realized it was not something they had earned or accumulated of their own power, but rather it was something they had received.  The Bible asks the somewhat rhetorical question, “what do you have that you have not received, and if you have received it why do you act like you haven’t?”.  Mary and Joseph received blessings from God and from those God prompted to acknowledge the birth of Jesus.  As we experience Jesus being born in us, we must do so knowing that it is a gift of God for us and for all who would believe.  Our receiving from God must be done with open hands that willingly share because we understand who owns what we have received.

  • Obey: — Luke 2:39-40, 50-51

    • The good news of Jesus grew as those who had experienced it understood the obedience that was required by God.  The entire Christmas story from Jesus, to Mary & Joseph, to the shepherds, to the wise men, and to you & I is all about obedience to the will of the Father.  As Mary and Joseph went through the process of being parents to the Son of God, they did so with full obedience to the Word of God.  Even Jesus as He grew understood the need to obey Mary and Joseph as His parents here on earth.  As we experience Jesus being born in us, we find a clear call from God to obey all that He has commanded.

  • Worship: — Luke 2:29-32, 36-38

    • The good news of Jesus grew as those who had experienced it chose to worship God in every way possible.  Those who were surprised by the coming of Jesus, like the shepherds, chose to worship Him.  Those who had been anticipating and longing for the birth of Jesus, like Simeon and Anna, chose to worship Him.  It is the offering of ourselves as living sacrifices that God deems a reasonable, or acceptable, act of worship on our part.  As we experience Jesus being born in us, our response every day ought to be a response of worship.

Today, how will the good news of Jesus help you GROW?