God’s Word

Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful Origin of God’s Word! (8/14/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Powerful Origin of God’s Word! (8/14/23)

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This is the audio from the August 14, 2023 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 power of God’s Word in our 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 make use of it and apply it to everything we do.  The reason God’s Word is useful is because of the power it has which is seen through the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  Sadly, many have come to view Scripture as more inspirational than transformational.  In reality, it is only truly inspirational if it inspires us to experience the power of God and be transformed.  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 your love for God’s Word would grow as your understanding of its usefulness grows.  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)

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.  Pray that the power of God’s Word would be seen in its source.

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 Powerful WORD! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: The Powerful WORD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 13, 2023 sermon, “Good News: The Powerful Word”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 4:1-21

“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)

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 the good news of Jesus as the powerful Word.  When we consider the example of Jesus in the way He handled temptation from the devil and public scrutiny from the crowds, we learn how to hold fast to the powerful . . .

  • Writing: (Luke 4:4,8, & 12; Romans 15:4)

    • Jesus not only understood the writings of scripture, He used them to stand firm and resist temptation.  When we dismiss parts of God’s Word as being irrelevant or unimportant to today’s culture, we end up dismissing the power of the writing as the power then belongs with us rather than with God.  When tempted by the devil, Jesus responded with what was written because He not only knew the power of the word, He was the power of the Word!  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find within scripture the power of the writing.

  • Opportunity: — (Luke 4:13, Colossians 4:5-6)

    • Sometimes when we read the story of the devil tempting Jesus it is easy to think it was a quick victory for Jesus and after that He was left alone.  What we find in the text, however, is that the 40 days and nights Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness was filled with temptation and after this time the devil left “for a more opportune time”.  The good news is that while the devil looks for an opportune time to defeat us, today is always a powerful opportunity for victory.  The powerful Word which has been given to us is filled with opportunities to know God and live a life which honors Him.  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find that each day gives us a powerful opportunity to know God and represent Jesus.

  • Reading: — (Luke 4:18-19, 1 Timothy 4:13)

    • Jesus understood that the powerful word not only was a powerful writing and a powerful opportunity, it is unleashed through a powerful reading of what it says.  When we read scripture, we expose ourselves to the mind of God as all scripture came about not by man’s wisdom or intent, but by the moving of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus knew the power of reading scripture whether confronting the devil or standing up to opposition from what should have been a friendly crowd.  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find there is power in reading the Word of God to ourselves and to those around us.

  • Declaration: — (Luke 4:20-21, 1 Peter 2:9-10)

    • We can know the powerful writing, opportunity, and reading but the question we must consider is what will we do with it.  Jesus used the powerful word to declare who He is and we ought to be using God’s Word to declare Jesus to the world around us.  When we speak the truth of God’s Word, we declare to our co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends that we know Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to proclaim good news to the poor, captive, overwhelmed, and everyone who lives.  When we need good news in the face of temptation and opposition, we find a powerful declaration that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Today, what will you do with the powerful WORD?

Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Action! (8/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Action! (8/11/23)

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

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would be prepared to act on the things God calls you to do today and throughout each day He gives you.  Pray that you would be prepared by the grace of God to realize, and share, His grace which has been given to 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: Preparing At All Times! (8/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing At All Times! (8/10/23)

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This is the audio from the August 10, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.”
2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would always be prepared to share the Word of God with those who need to hear it.  Pray that your times of preparation would include both “great patience and careful instruction” for yourself and for 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: Preparing For Good Work! (8/9/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Good Work! (8/9/23)

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This is the audio from the August 9, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
2 Timothy 2:21 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would use the current times to not only be prepared, but to do good work.  Pray that you would allow God’s cleansing to prepare you for the good work He has for you now and into the future.

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: Preparing For Glory! (8/8/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For Glory! (8/8/23)

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

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.

“What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory — even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?”
Romans 9:23-24 (NIV)

As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray that you would continually see the riches of God’s glory on display.  Pray that you would know the preparation God has already done in order for you to receive 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: Preparing For An Inheritance! (8/7/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Preparing For An Inheritance! (8/7/23)

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

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”
Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about our role in preparing the way for the work of the Lord!  A long time ago I had a mentor tell me that everything I was currently going through should be used as preparation for whatever God would lead me to next.  God’s desire is that we would not only be prepared for an eternity with Him, but that we would also be prepared for our journey of life through this world we live in.  When we are prepared with an open heart that honors God, we are more likely to see the salvation He offers.  As you pray, ask God to help you do the things necessary for you to be prepared for the salvation which comes from Him.  Pray for wisdom in living today as preparation for tomorrow.  Pray that you would not be so anxious for whatever is next that you miss the preparation necessary.  Pray for the endurance necessary to put in the preparation work that is needed in your life.  Pray that you would do the things God has prepared for you.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’”
Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

Pray that you would use this time in history to prepare yourself, and others, for a kingdom inheritance.  Pray that you would know the blessings of God as you seek first His kingdom and share that good news 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

Good News: Preparing the WAY! (Sermon Audio)
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Good News: Preparing the WAY! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the August 6, 2023 sermon, “Good News: Preparing the Way”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 3:1-18, Isaiah 40

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Luke 3:4 (NIV)

Today I began 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 arrives on the scene “in the fullness of time”, John fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah as the “voice of one calling in the wilderness”.  When we think of Jesus coming to earth, it is easy to think of John preparing the way or even Jesus Himself being the One to prepare the way.  However, when we look at the actual wording of the quote from Isaiah that Luke uses, we find that John is the one calling in the wilderness and it was those who heard his words that were to be involved in preparing the . . .

  • Warning: (Luke 3:1-9, Isaiah 40:6-8)

    • John’s role in calling people to prepare the way for the coming of God included a warning as to the dangers of not being prepared.  When God called Isaiah to speak to His people, the message was to be one of comfort.  Yet, even with a call to comfort the people God begins by telling him to cry out a warning about the brevity of life.  John’s warning was similar in that the time was near for the judgment of God to fall upon those who failed to produce good fruit.  When we heed God’s call to be involved in preparing the way for others to know Jesus, we do so with a warning that nothing is more important than being right with God.

  • Answer: — (Luke 3:10-14, Isaiah 40:9-11)

    • God’s Word tells us that we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us and to do so with gentleness and respect.  As John taught people what it looked like to prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus, he was prepared with answers to the questions that arose from people paying attention to the warnings.  These answers were the practical application of how to treat one another with love and respect.  Isaiah gave a similar answer in describing the response to the warning being an acknowledgement of a good shepherd who cared for his flock with gentleness and concern.  When we heed God’s call to be involved in preparing the way for others to know Jesus, we do so with the answer of God’s goodness seen through our life.

  • Y: — (Luke 3:15-18, Isaiah 40:28-21)

    • I know, Y is a letter and not a word but in this case it represents the why of preparing the way.  The why has a lot to do with both the warning and the answer.  While the why given by Luke describes the gathering of those who belong to God, it also describes the eternal destruction of those who rejected God.  Luke said that all of this, along with many other words, was proclaiming good news to those who would hear.  Isaiah tells a similar story when chapter 40 concludes with the statement that all people grow weary but those who wait, or put their hope, on the Lord will have renewed strength and rise as on wings of eagles.  When we heed God’s call to be involved in preparing the way for others to know Jesus, we do so with the purpose of seeing others come to know the good news of Jesus.

Today, how will you be involved in preparing the WAY?