God’s Word

Encouragement and Prayer: Songs of Praise! (12/18/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Songs of Praise! (12/18/23)

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This is the audio from the December 18, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is on the songs that fill our heart as well as those that come from our mouth.  The Christmas story itself is filled with songs of praise to God from people who are transformed by the events taking place.  The songs that fill our soul, and are expressed in a variety of ways, reflect off the waters that run deep within us.  I believe we ought to carefully guard the songs we allow into our heart and mind as they greatly influence the song we sing to our God.  Throughout scripture God talks about us singing a new song.  I think His call for us to sing a new song is because just as His mercies are new every day, our expressions of appreciation and worship should be new every day.  As you pray, ask God to help you evaluate the songs of your life.  Pray that you would not just sing, but live your life as a new song to God.  Pray that the song of your life would be acceptable worship to God in every circumstance.  Pray for a greater understanding and expression of the new song God desires to put in your mouth.

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.  This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.”
Psalm 69:30-31 (NIV)

Pray that your life would be a song of praise to God.  Pray that your praise would be more about offering your life to God than giving any other sacrifice.

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: SONG! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News of Christmas: SONG! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 17, 2023 sermon, “Good News of Christmas: SONG”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 1:46-80

“Praise the LORD.  Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the saints.”
Psalm 149:1 (NIV)

Today I continued a series from the gospel of Luke as we 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 will continue our Good News series with a look at The Good News of Christmas as found in the first two chapters of Luke.  The Christmas story contains several instances of people, and some angels, breaking out in song as they express praise to God.  As we look specifically at the songs of Mary and of Zechariah found in Luke 1, we see God using these songs not only to give praise to Him but to benefit those who would hear — including us!  As we experience the work of God in our lives, we too should respond with a good news . . .

  • Story: — 

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each told a story of how God had worked in their life to accomplish more than what was thought possible.  But it was not just their story — their praise of God told the story of His working among His people throughout history to bring about the personal events that would take place in their own lives.  We too can sing a good news song when we discover we have a good news story to tell with our words, our life, and our music.

  • Object: —

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each focused on the object of God’s love and the work that would be accomplished through the coming of Jesus to earth.  The stories were not just stories, they were object lessons designed to teach us how to respond to the coming King.  While wonderful things were happening through them, both Mary and Zechariah made sure that God was the object of their song of praise.  We too can sing a good news song when we keep Jesus as the main object of our words, our life, and our music.

  • Notice: —

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each focused on giving notice to all who would listen — notice of the work of God being accomplished within their lifetime.  The stories, and the object of their stories, were not a recognition of a theoretical god out there somewhere, but rather the songs gave notice that this God of Israel was alive and well as He worked in the present time to accomplish the fulfillment of His promises.  We too can sing a good news song when we choose to give notice with our words, our life, and our music that now is the day of salvation.

  • Goal: —

    • The songs of Mary and of Zechariah each focused on sharing the goal of people knowing a God who loves them enough to be involved in their lives.  While the primary goals of each of these songs seems to be expressing praise to God, they are given in the context of making known to the world a God who loves all people.  We too can sing a good news song when we choose to live with the goal of making Christ known through our words, our life, and our music.

Today, what will by your good news SONG?

Encouragement and Prayer: Joy From Faith In Christ! (12/15/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy From Faith In Christ! (12/15/23)

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This is the audio from the December 15, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that your faith in Christ would produce joy that is beyond words.  Pray that your love of Jesus would be expressed with such joy that others would seek 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: Joy In the Midst of Trials! (12/14/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy In the Midst of Trials! (12/14/23)

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This is the audio from the December 14, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
James 1:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that you would look beyond the hardships of various trials and be able to see the joy God wants you to have.  Pray that your joy would grow as you see how God uses trials in your life to increase your faith.  Pray about how God would have you represent Him with joy.

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: Joy That Is Complete! (12/13/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy That Is Complete! (12/13/23)

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This is the audio from the December 13, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
Philippians 2:2 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that you would know a joy that is made complete by being united with others in Christ.  Pray that God would help you to live with the attitude of Christ in order to have a joy that is complete.

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: Joy That Comes From God’s Spirit! (12/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy That Comes From God’s Spirit! (12/12/23)

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This is the audio from the December 12, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that you would allow God’s Spirit to produce a joy in you such that nothing could stand against it.  Pray that your joy would be expressed to others in ways that reveal God’s Spirit in 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: Joy That Produces Generosity! (12/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Joy That Produces Generosity! (12/11/23)

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This is the audio from the December 11, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

As we continue in this Christmas season, I reflect on the joyous news brought to Mary by an angel — not just news of Jesus, but the proclamation that she was highly favored by God!  This week’s prayer focus will be about how we live with the presence of that great joy as we too have been favored with the great news of Jesus. Because of God’s favor, we choose to let the joy of Christ be seen in us each day that we live.  The joy that comes from a relationship with Christ should supersede the circumstances that we face each day.  In fact, one day this week we will pray specifically about considering it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds.  As you pray this week, ask God to reveal His joy in you so that you would reveal His joy to the people around you.  Pray that you would live with a joy produced by God’s Spirit that doesn’t depend on circumstances.  Pray that your joy would be made complete through your obedience to the commands of God.

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”
2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV)

Pray that you would have a joy that is not dependent on your possessions.  Pray that the joy you have in Christ would result in great generosity toward others.  Pray that God’s Spirit would fill you ways to be generous even in difficult times.

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: JOY! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News of Christmas: JOY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the December 10, 2023 sermon, “Good News of Christmas: JOY”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 1:26-56

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’”
Luke 1:28 (NIV)

Today I continued a series from the gospel of Luke as we 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 will continue our Good News series with a look at The Good News of Christmas as found in the first two chapters of Luke.  Last week we looked at God announcing the time for the Messiah was at hand as He prepared Zechariah and Elizabeth with a message of a son who would prepare the way for Jesus.  This week we considered the joy woven throughout God’s message to Mary.  After Mary’s encounter with an angel of God, she went to visit her relative, Elizabeth.  Upon Mary’s greeting, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy.  The good news of Christmas is not only about God coming at the right time, as we talked about last week, it is about God bringing joy to the world.  As we consider how Mary come to know true joy, we find that we too can bring joy to the world when we share the good news of . . .

  • Jesus: — (Luke 1:26-33)

    • While we often think of the “good tidings of great joy” being delivered to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, that message of joy first came to Mary as the angel announced to her that she would give birth to a son and give him the name Jesus!  At the heart of real joy is a foundation of Jesus.  The presence of Jesus in our life ought to not only fill us with joy, it ought to spread the light of joy into the lives of all we encounter.  When we live with the good news of joy, we live with Jesus at the center of all we think and do.

  • Overcoming: — (Luke 1:34-37)

    • Sometimes the good news of joy brought to us by God’s Word appears to be both impractical and impossible.  While evidently not filled with the same doubt Zechariah expressed in his response to the angel, Mary’s response was one that revealed an awareness that this promise would not be possible in a normal or natural way.  Living with the joy of the Lord is only possible through the overcoming power of His Spirit within us.  As we gaze into God’s Word and discover how we ought to live in ways that represent Jesus, it becomes apparent that we must overcome our own nature to be used in a way that brings joy to those around us.  When we live with the good news of joy, we live a life that overcomes by the power of the Spirit and the Word.

  • Yielding: — (Luke 1:38)

    • The response of Mary to the angel, and to God, is one of humility and a desire to yield to whatever God wants.  Even with uncertainty as to how God will overcome the impossible, she proclaims her willingness to serve Him not according to her plans or knowledge, but according to His.  It is by living this yielded life that John leaps for joy within the womb of Elizabeth because he recognizes the presence of Jesus within Mary.  When we chose to die to self and allow Christ to live within us through the power of His Spirit, the people around us ought to also be filled with joy because of Christ in us.  When we live with the good news of joy, we live a life yielded fully to the authority of God.

Today, how will you share the good news of JOY?