God’s Word

Encouragement and Prayer: Hope That Is Visible! (8/4/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Hope That Is Visible! (8/4/23)

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This is the audio from the August 4, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would always be aware of the reason for the hope within you.  Pray that you would always be ready to share that reason in appropriate ways.

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: Prepared With Hope! (8/3/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Prepared With Hope! (8/3/23)

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This is the audio from the August 3, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.

“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 this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that hope would always be part of your preparation for the actions God is calling  you to take.  Pray that hope would prepare you fully for the grace to be given when Christ is fully revealed.

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: Steadfast Hope! (8/2/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Steadfast Hope! (8/2/23)

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This is the audio from the August 2, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

As you pray this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that God’s faithfulness would cause your hope to remain steady through all things.  Pray that you would hold onto the promises of God as you refuse to waiver in proclaiming your hope in Him.  Pray that you would know the faithfulness of God even when your hope is shaken.

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: Hope That Inspires! (8/1/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Hope That Inspires! (8/1/23)

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This is the audio from the August 1, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.

“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that your hope in Christ would inspire you to endure all things as you live a life in Christ.  Pray that this hope would be an inspiration to others as they see your hope put into action.

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: The Hope of Glory! (7/31/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: The Hope of Glory! (7/31/23)

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

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will have us praying about the element of hope within the body of Christ — the home God has called us to.  As we are welcomed home into God’s family, and welcome others to join us, we find a hope that doesn’t fail.  A Christian’s hope is all about a confident expectation that God has, does, and always will keep His promises.  In the above passage, God says that hope is one of the things Christians have in common that should unite us.  As you pray this week, spend time reflecting on true hope — the hope that is found through Jesus Christ.  Pray that you would seek greater unity with fellow believers because of your common hope.  Pray that you would have such confidence through your hope in Christ that it would fill you with the courage to share that hope with others.  Pray that your hope would be based on the things God has done as you look forward to the things He will do.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

Pray that Christ’s presence in you would fill you with the hope of glory.  Pray that you would be involved in making others aware of the glorious riches that are a mystery to those without Christ.  Pray that you would welcome people home to the revealed glory of Christ.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Called By God: A Home of HOPE! (Sermon Audio)
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Called By God: A Home of HOPE! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the July 30, 2023 sermon, “Called By God: A Home of Hope”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Amos 9:11-15

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

Today I concluded a sermon series which is based from the Old Testament book of Amos.  If you’re wondering how applicable the message from this book of the Bible can be today, consider the following description of the world in the days of Amos.  See if this sounds familiar at all to the world we currently live in.

“A spirit of self-sufficiency and smug complacency thrived on material prosperity.  The rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer.  Idolatry, hypocrisy, moral corruption, and social injustices were everywhere.  The nation was truly on the brink of disaster.”  (Irving Jensen)

While the book of Amos is filled with warnings and proclamations of the dire consequences of sin, it really is a message of hope.  God makes it clear through the message delivered by Amos that disobedience has consequences, but God will always shine a light on the way home.  No matter how near or far we are, when we turn toward God we find He illuminates a path to a home of . . .

  • Help: (Amos 9:11-12)

    • When the consequences of sin creates a separation from God, it shouldn’t take long to realize we need help.  When it comes to being part of God’s family, He not only provides help, He does what we could never do — He does the restoring and rebuilding of all we have destroyed.  When we as individuals, and as the church, seek to reflect the image of God, we live with the help of God’s Spirit to become a home of hope as we learn to help one another within the body of Christ.

  • Opportunity: — (Amos 9:13)

    • When we respond to God’s call to be in relationship with Him we find a home of opportunity.  God tells the people in the days of Amos that a time was coming when the harvest would be so plentiful that they would still be harvesting when the plowmen came to prepare the fields for the next planting.  We live in that time now and the harvest that is plentiful is a harvest of people for the kingdom of God.  When we follow God’s calling to be a home of hope, we find it when we experience and extend a home of opportunity to one another.

  • Protection: — (Amos 9:14)

    • One of the great difficulties experienced by the people of God when they would stray away from Him is that they became vulnerable to raiders and bandits who would steal and destroy everything they could.  God speaks through Amos to proclaim a time when the people would be safe in their homes without worrying about their vineyards and gardens.  Unfortunately for those that think this would mean a protection from all physical harm or difficulty, that simply doesn’t align with the teachings of God’s Word.  The protection God offers within His home of hope is a spiritual protection through our willingness to put on the full armor of God.  When we follow God’s calling to be a home of hope, we find a home of protection from the many schemes of the devil.

  • Eternity: — (Amos 9:15)

    • One of the great thieves of hope is our limited view of time.  We tend to lose hope because the thing we have hoped for doesn’t happen in the time frame that we had pre-determined.  When God speaks through the prophet Amos, He declares a home of hope in which they would never be removed.  That same promise was echoed by Jesus as He prayed for His disciples, and for us, that we would one day be where He is.  When we follow God’s calling to be a home of hope, we discover a home of eternity that can never be taken from us.

Today, will you pursue a home of HOPE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Ever-Present As You Were Formed! (7/28/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Ever-Present As You Were Formed! (7/28/23)

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This is the audio from the July 28, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.”
Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis brings back a previous prayer guide about God’s presence being everywhere — even in those places we go to try to hide from Him.  While God promises to be “an ever-present help in time of need”, there are times we either try to run from God or feel we have somehow escaped His notice and are no longer able to be helped.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with a greater awareness of His presence — both in the times you want to be in His presence and in the times you think you are hidden.  Pray that you would always know the great value you have as one knit together by God.  Pray that you would value life because of God’s presence in its creation.  Pray about how God would have you live in ways that acknowledge His presence as you were being formed.

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: Ever-Present In Darkness and Light! (7/27/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Ever-Present In Darkness and Light! (7/27/23)

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This is the audio from the July 27, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.”
Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis brings back a previous prayer guide about God’s presence being everywhere — even in those places we go to try to hide from Him.  While God promises to be “an ever-present help in time of need”, there are times we either try to run from God or feel we have somehow escaped His notice and are no longer able to be helped.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
Psalm 139:11-12 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you live with a greater awareness of His presence — both in the times you want to be in His presence and in the times you think you are hidden.  Pray that the light of God’s presence would illuminate your path in the darkness of this world.  Pray that your life would be a light to others because of God’s presence 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