God’s Word

Encouragement and Prayer: Enough Trouble! (9/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Enough Trouble! (9/12/23)

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

“But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’”
Luke 8:46 (NIV)

When it comes to our interactions with people and the judgments we are tempted to pass upon them, God wants to remind us of both the sufficiency and source of what we have.  God says that “every good and perfect gift comes from above.”  The best and most perfect gift that there is, is our relationship with God.  While there is work that we need to do to maintain that relationship and help it to grow, being in relationship with God is His gift to us.  When we understand the sufficiency of what God has given us through Jesus Christ, we ought to be more willing and eager to share it with others knowing there will always be enough for everyone who would call upon the name of the Lord.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see Him as the source of every good thing in your life.  Pray that God would help you to overcome all the temptations of worry.  Pray that you would not only recognize each day’s trouble as being enough, but that you would look to God to be enough for each day.

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: Touched By the Master’s HAND! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: Touched By the Master’s HAND! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 10, 2023 sermon, “Good News: Touched By the Master’s HAND”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 8:40-56

“But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’”
Luke 8:46 (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 we continue our Good News From the Doctor series, we find that as Jesus walked this earth He encountered many people who longed for His touch.  In today’s text, as Jesus was on His way to touch a family, a woman believed that her touching Jesus would accomplish the same result as being touched by the Master’s . . .

  • Healing: (Luke 8:43-44)

    • As news of Jesus spread, people came to Him for healing which had been unavailable from any other source.  Whether it was the woman touching Jesus and being healed or the daughter of Jairus being touched by Jesus and being brought to life, Jesus consistently showed that the power of God was mighty to do what others couldn’t.  While physical healing is a great thing, our spiritual healing is of even greater importance and can only happen because of the work done by Jesus.  As we reach out to Jesus and experience His presence in our life, we discover a touch of the Master’s healing that only He can give.

  • Authority: — (Luke 8:46-48)

    • The reason Jesus had the power to heal was because of the authority He had as God.  It was a confident faith in Jesus and His authority which brought people to Him to receive what only He could give.  As the One who spoke the world and all it contains into existence, many people recognized the authority He had to speak into the impossible and make it possible.  As we reach out to Jesus and experience His presence in our life, we discover a touch of the Master’s authority which calls us to complete obedience.

  • Nurturing: — (8:49-51)

    • Because of our experiences with people who at times wield authority in abusive ways, it is important to take note of how Jesus combines His authority with a nurturing presence.  As Jairus and his wife receive news of great loss, Jesus draws them away from the crowds where they can receive the comfort and encouragement they need.  Jesus used His authority to help people and glorify His Father rather than to seek personal gain.  As we reach out to Jesus and experience His presence in our life, we discover a touch of the Master’s nurturing as He helps us to grow.

  • Design: — (Luke 8:52-56)

    • We live in world filled with chaos and life experiences which make no sense to us.  Many times we try to understand things based on the very limited perspective that we have as humans.  We like to have someone or something to blame when things are not what we think they should be. Sometimes the problem isn’t in the circumstances but rather in our lack of understanding of God’s design.  Whether we experience the good things of life or the unpleasant things of life, God’s design is to use all of it for His glory in our life.  As we reach out to Jesus and experience His presence in our life, we discover a touch of the Master’s design as He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Today, how will you experience the Master’s HAND?

Encouragement and Prayer: Enough Trust! (9/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Enough Trust! (9/11/23)

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

“But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’”
Luke 8:46 (NIV)

When it comes to our interactions with people and the judgments we are tempted to pass upon them, God wants to remind us of both the sufficiency and source of what we have.  God says that “every good and perfect gift comes from above.”  The best and most perfect gift that there is, is our relationship with God.  While there is work that we need to do to maintain that relationship and help it to grow, being in relationship with God is His gift to us.  When we understand the sufficiency of what God has given us through Jesus Christ, we ought to be more willing and eager to share it with others knowing there will always be enough for everyone who would call upon the name of the Lord.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you see Him as the source of every good thing in your life.  Pray that you would look to Him to be the source of all that seems to be missing from your life.  Pray that God would convict you in regard to how you use what He has given.  Pray that your “enough” would overflow with generosity into the lives of people who are in need.

“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.’”
Numbers 20:12 (NIV)

Pray that you would recognize, and learn from, the times when a lack of trust in God prevented you from accomplishing what you had hoped.  Pray that your trust would be enough to honor God in the sight of the people around 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: Full of Listening! (9/8/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Full of Listening! (9/8/23)

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This is the audio from the September 8, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is on having a great full life . . . and a grateful life.  In fact, it is our grateful life that leads us to a recognition of the great full life God has called us to.  God’s desire is that through His Spirit we would overcome the schemes of the devil so that we have life to the full.  In God’s family, a full life isn’t always one that goes like we want in the moment . . . but it is one that leads to eternal fellowship with God.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding of what a full life looks like from His perspective.  Pray that you would be a great listener as you gaze into God’s Word and as you talk with others.  Pray that the essence of your conversations would be centered in how you listen to God.  Pray that the people around you would feel valued as you listen to them.

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: Full of Understanding! (9/7/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Full of Understanding! (9/7/23)

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This is the audio from the September 7, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is on having a great full life . . . and a grateful life.  In fact, it is our grateful life that leads us to a recognition of the great full life God has called us to.  God’s desire is that through His Spirit we would overcome the schemes of the devil so that we have life to the full.  In God’s family, a full life isn’t always one that goes like we want in the moment . . . but it is one that leads to eternal fellowship with God.

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding of what a full life looks like from His perspective.  Pray that you would have great understanding which grows as you share your faith.  Pray that your life in Christ would recognize Him as the source all good things.  Pray that the people around you would understand the goodness of 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: Full of Faith! (9/6/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Full of Faith! (9/6/23)

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This is the audio from the September 6, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is on having a great full life . . . and a grateful life.  In fact, it is our grateful life that leads us to a recognition of the great full life God has called us to.  God’s desire is that through His Spirit we would overcome the schemes of the devil so that we have life to the full.  In God’s family, a full life isn’t always one that goes like we want in the moment . . . but it is one that leads to eternal fellowship with God.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst.”
1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding of what a full life looks like from His perspective.  Pray that you would  have great faith in the work of Jesus to bring about your salvation.  Pray that your faith in the completed work of Christ would grow and be shared with others.  Pray that you and the people around you would accept the work of God for all people.

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: Full of Joy! (9/5/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Full of Joy! (9/5/23)

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This is the audio from the September 5, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis is on having a great full life . . . and a grateful life.  In fact, it is our grateful life that leads us to a recognition of the great full life God has called us to.  God’s desire is that through His Spirit we would overcome the schemes of the devil so that we have life to the full.  In God’s family, a full life isn’t always one that goes like we want in the moment . . . but it is one that leads to eternal fellowship with God.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in understanding of what a full life looks like from His perspective.  Pray that He would help you to recognize the work of the enemy which is trying to destroy you.  Pray for the courage to pursue life in Christ that endures beyond the temporary nature of this world.  Pray that your grateful, and great full, life would be an example for others to grow in faith and relationship with Jesus.  Pray for humility as you share the abundance of God with people.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”
John 17:13 (NIV)

Pray that you would know the great joy of being prayed for by Jesus.  Pray that your pursuit of God would fill you with joy as you look forward to eternity with Him.  Pray that the people around you would see the joy of the Lord in 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

Good News: A Great FULL Life! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: A Great FULL Life! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the September 3, 2023 sermon, “Good News: A Great FULL Life”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 7

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (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 we continue our Good News From the Doctor series, we find Jesus encountered many people who looked to Him for an understanding of both God and life.  When we look at Jesus we see the fullness of God dwelling among us so that we can experience a full life.  Our response is one that ought to be of great . . .

  • Faith: (Luke 7:1-10)

    • The story of a Roman centurion coming to Jesus and being declared to have great faith is powerful!  This man not only believed in the ability of Jesus to do what was being asked, he was willing to accept the word of Jesus as proof enough that his request would be granted.  The good news of Jesus calls us to live with a great faith that learns to trust God simply because we believe His Word is His authority.  When we seek to live a great full life, we learn to trust all the promises of God as we take Him at His Word and live with great faith.

  • Understanding: — (Luke 7:11-17)

    • Bad things happen to people regardless of whether the person is good or bad in our eyes, or even in their own eyes.  The religious leaders in the days of Jesus had many debates with Jesus over the cause of a person’s trouble as they were convinced that most physical sickness, disease, or disability was some form of judgment for sin.  In fact, if you followed the logic of the religious leaders far enough, it would be easy to assume that God was against the people.  As Jesus lived on earth doing good as He loved and served people, there arose a great understanding that God had come to help His people.  When we seek to live a great full life, we take on a great understanding that God has not only come to help us, He has come to help us help others.

  • Light: — (Luke 7:18-18-35, Matthew 4:16)

    • As Jesus went about the land teaching the good news of His kingdom, his cousin, John, had been imprisoned and he began to wonder if Jesus was indeed the Messiah which had been promised.  In response to John’s question, Jesus sent word back that really only answered the question if one were to know and believe the prophecies from Isaiah about the Messiah.  Things were happening that were not business as usual kind of things and they lined up with what Isaiah said would be a great light shining on those who lived in darkness.  Not only were the miraculous deeds of healings taking place, but this light was shining on all people as the good news was being preached to the poor.  When we seek to live a great full life, we do so as a great light to the world as the light of Jesus shines through us.

  • Love: — (Luke 7:36-50)

    • I’ve not done any research in the matter but I suspect that there may be more songs written about love than any other topic.  We try to explain, understand, and define love but always come up short in doing so if Jesus is not at the center.  In our text from Luke 7, we find a woman who seems to be an uninvited guest making a spectacle of herself as she weeps, washes the feet of Jesus with her tears, and anoints them with perfume.  Her reputation was less than stellar as pointed out by the Pharisee who was hosting the party thinking to himself that Jesus could not be a prophet because if he was he would never allow such a woman to touch Him.  The response of Jesus, to the man’s thoughts, was a question of the connection between forgiveness and love.  The man understood that the forgiveness of financial debt would likely result in love proportional to the debt forgiven.  In a similar way, Jesus said that the one who understood the greatness of their sin, and the forgiveness being offered, would love much.  When we seek to live a great full live, we must have great love, for our self and for others, which reflects the greatness of God’s forgiveness.

Today, how will you live a great FULL life?