Encouragement and Prayer: Repent of Wickedness! (10/19/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Repent of Wickedness! (10/19/23)

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This is the audio from the October 19, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we recognize our own sin and turn around . . . in other words, repent.  The Bible says all have sinned but the unfortunate truth is that we not only have sinned, we still sin even after coming to Christ.  Therefore, repentance is not only for the unsaved, but perhaps more importantly, it is for those of us who seek to walk with Christ daily.  Repentance is more than a change of action, although the Bible is clear that it must be visible in our actions.  It is a complete change of heart — a change of thinking about that which we are repenting of.

“Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”
Acts 8:22 (NIV)

As you pray this week, pray that you would see the need for repentance in your life and that you would learn to see the things you are repenting of from God’s perspective.  Pray that  you would turn to God and repent of all aspects of wickedness — even wickedness that currently only resides in your thoughts.  Pray for a gentleness of spirit that helps you find forgiveness when you turn from all wickedness.

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: Repent of Pride! (10/18/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Repent of Pride! (10/18/23)

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

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we recognize our own sin and turn around . . . in other words, repent.  The Bible says all have sinned but the unfortunate truth is that we not only have sinned, we still sin even after coming to Christ.  Therefore, repentance is not only for the unsaved, but perhaps more importantly, it is for those of us who seek to walk with Christ daily.  Repentance is more than a change of action, although the Bible is clear that it must be visible in our actions.  It is a complete change of heart — a change of thinking about that which we are repenting of.

“Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD’s wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.”
2 Chronicles 32:26 (NIV)

As you pray this week, pray that you would see the need for repentance in your life and that you would learn to see the things you are repenting of from God’s perspective.  Pray that God would help you to identify and repent of all traces of sinful pride in your life.  Pray that you would have the courage to lead others through humility rather than pride.

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: Repent In Obedience! (10/17/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Repent In Obedience! (10/17/23)

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This is the audio from the October 17, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we recognize our own sin and turn around . . . in other words, repent.  The Bible says all have sinned but the unfortunate truth is that we not only have sinned, we still sin even after coming to Christ.  Therefore, repentance is not only for the unsaved, but perhaps more importantly, it is for those of us who seek to walk with Christ daily.  Repentance is more than a change of action, although the Bible is clear that it must be visible in our actions.  It is a complete change of heart — a change of thinking about that which we are repenting of.

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
Acts 17:30 (NIV)

As you pray this week, pray that you would see the need for repentance in your life and that you would learn to see the things you are repenting of from God’s perspective.  Pray that you would be obedient to God’s command to repent even of acts done in ignorance.  Pray that your life would be an example to others regarding the importance of repenting.  Pray for a spirit of repentance to spread everywhere.

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: Repent In Godly Sorrow! (10/16/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Repent In Godly Sorrow! (10/16/23)

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This is the audio from the October 16, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on God’s desire that we recognize our own sin and turn around . . . in other words, repent.  The Bible says all have sinned but the unfortunate truth is that we not only have sinned, we still sin even after coming to Christ.  Therefore, repentance is not only for the unsaved, but perhaps more importantly, it is for those of us who seek to walk with Christ daily.  Repentance is more than a change of action, although the Bible is clear that it must be visible in our actions.  It is a complete change of heart — a change of thinking about that which we are repenting of.  As you pray this week, pray that you would see the need for repentance in your life and that you would learn to see the things you are repenting of from God’s perspective.  Pray that you would also learn patience with others, just as God is patient with you and them.  Pray for an attitude of compassion that desires people to avoid condemnation as they turn to Jesus.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Pray that the sorrow you experience when doing wrong would be godly sorrow that leads you to repentance.  Pray that the transformation you receive through Christ would lead you to a life lived to the full.  Pray that God would help you live with no regret.

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: The GIFT of Repentance! (Sermon Audio)

Good News: The GIFT of Repentance! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the October 15, 2023 sermon, “Good News: The GIFT of Repentance”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 13

“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 13:5 (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.  As Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of God, we find Him giving us a closer view of repentance.  I suspect that gift is not the first word that comes to mind for most of us when we think of repentance.  When we know God’s desire and patience that wants all people to repent, we begin to understand just how much of a gift repentance is to all who would turn to God.  In turning to God with a desire to change, we find the . . .

  • Goal of repentance: — (Luke 13:1-5, 2 Peter 3:9)

    • When we read the answer of Jesus to members of the crowd who were talking about individuals who had been killed by Pilate, it appears that perhaps there was a thought that these people somehow deserved it.  Jesus uses this opportunity to address the true goal of repentance — that without it we all perish.  The will of God is that no one would perish but that all would come to repentance as the way to avoid perishing.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we come face to face with the goal of eternal life.
  • Integrity of repentance: — (Luke 13:14-16, Isaiah 26:2-3)

    • With the goal of repentance being eternal life, it is important that we apply this gift with integrity.  Jesus had a practice of healing those who would come to Him in faith, regardless of whether the religious leaders thought it was an appropriate time or place.  God’s Word tells us that when our mind is fixed on God and our trust is placed in Him, we can experience perfect peace.  It is a peace that comes when we understand the results of our repentance has more to do with God’s integrity than ours.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find an honesty before God that lifts us to a place of peace.
  • Freedom of repentance: — (Luke 13:18-20, Psalm 119:30-32)

    • As Jesus tells parables to describe the kingdom of God, He makes it known that there is growth and room for all who would come to Him.  The kingdom of God begins as a seed of truth planted in the hearts and minds of people and it grows into something that has room for all who would seek rest.  God’s Word provides that boundaries that allow us to run in freedom according to His commands of truth.  We don’t get to set the requirements or expectations of what repentance ought to look like . . . that is God’s job.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find freedom to live for God and the wisdom to help others know that same freedom.
  • Transformation of repentance: — (Luke 13:24-30, Colossians 1:21-23)

    • Jesus makes it clear that there are many who will try to enter the kingdom of God and not be able to enter it because they never changed.  It is not enough to go to church, sing the songs, listen to the sermons, and even give time and money.  Jesus makes it clear that when we experience the gift of repentance we will be transformed by His power.  We are presented blameless before God, not because we have become perfect through our efforts but because we have been transformed through an acknowledgement that we needed God’s help in living in a new direction.  When we embrace the gift of repentance, we find the will and power to live a transformed life.

Today, what will you do with the GIFT of repentance?

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Good Deeds! (10/13/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Good Deeds! (10/13/23)

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

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray that you would not allow money to define how rich you are toward others.  Pray that you would be rich in good deeds as you share of yourself in ways that benefit the needs of others.  Pray that an awareness of God’s goodness toward you would help you be rich in good deeds toward 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: Rich In Mercy! (10/12/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Mercy! (10/12/23)

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

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.”
Ephesians 2:4 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray that you would know true life because of the richness of God’s mercy.  Pray that the life you have in Christ would lead you to be rich in mercy toward others.  Pray that God’s love would be the basis for how you receive and extend His mercy.

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: Rich In Generosity! (10/11/23)

Encouragement and Prayer: Rich In Generosity! (10/11/23)

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

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

What kind of things, or riches, do you find yourself running after each day?  Are they “kingdom of God” things or are they things of the world?  Because we live in the world, there are things that we need but even in our need God wants us to pay close attention to what kind of riches we are seeking.  If we allow Him, God has a way of transforming us through a renewing of our mind so that the things we seek are the things of His kingdom and righteousness.

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

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine the value you place on the riches of this world compared to the value you place on the things of God.  Pray that you would trust God in a way that allows you to be rich in generosity even when your circumstances make generosity difficult.  Pray that your generosity would flow from the joy that God brings to your life.

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

In prayer,
Tom