Jesus

Encouragement and Prayer: Righteous Judgment! (10/1/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Righteous Judgment! (10/1/24)

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This is the audio from the October 1, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
1 Peter 4:17 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some of what the Bible says about judgment.  The Bible has a lot to say about the judgments that God makes as well as the judgments that we ought to make.  Because the Bible says, “judge not lest you be judged”, there are many who think it is unfair to make any kind of determination as to right and wrong.  Yes, not only is there a judgment to come, God equips us with His Word and His Spirit to make judgments every day so that we would grow in our alignment with Him.  Pray that you would be involved in making godly judgments and that you would be ready for God’s judgment.  Pray that the people around you would realize that God has made a way for there to be no condemnation in judgment for those who are found in Christ.

“Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”
Psalm 94:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to understand the topic of judgment from His perspective.  Pray that you would look to God for the foundation of righteous judgment.  Pray that you would follow His judgments wholeheartedly.  Pray that the judgments you must make each day would be according to the righteousness 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: Impartial Judgment! (9/30/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Impartial Judgment! (9/30/24)

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This is the audio from the September 30, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
1 Peter 4:17 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on some of what the Bible says about judgment.  The Bible has a lot to say about the judgments that God makes as well as the judgments that we ought to make.  Because the Bible says, “judge not lest you be judged”, there are many who think it is unfair to make any kind of determination as to right and wrong.  Yes, not only is there a judgment to come, God equips us with His Word and His Spirit to make judgments every day so that we would grow in our alignment with Him.  Pray that you would be involved in making godly judgments and that you would be ready for God’s judgment.  Pray that the people around you would realize that God has made a way for there to be no condemnation in judgment for those who are found in Christ.

“Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”
Deuteronomy 1:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to understand the topic of judgment from His perspective.  Pray that you would seek to hear the whole story before making judgments in matters brought before you.  Pray for wisdom to know the difference between decisions which are yours and those which belong to 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: Serve Faithfully! (9/27/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Serve Faithfully! (9/27/24)

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This is the audio from the September 27, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.  . . . So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.’”
Zechariah 4:6 & 14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living with a vision to serve.  God makes it clear in His Word that we serve Him when we serve people.  While the world often defines greatness based on power and who you have serving you, God says that to be great you must become servant of all.  Pray for a spirit of humility to guide you as you serve people wherever you are.  Pray that God’s love would be seen and felt through you as you serve.  Pray that your commitment to serving would be an example for others.  Pray about how God would use your service to teach and train others to join in a lifestyle that serves.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only see opportunities to serve, but to give you the courage to actually serve.  Pray that you would be faithful in using God’s gifting in your life to serve others.  Pray that your faithfulness in serving would be based on God’s faithfulness to you.  Pray that God would help you to know His grace more fully.

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: Serve Wholeheartedly! (9/26/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Serve Wholeheartedly! (9/26/24)

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This is the audio from the September 26, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.  . . . So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.’”
Zechariah 4:6 & 14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living with a vision to serve.  God makes it clear in His Word that we serve Him when we serve people.  While the world often defines greatness based on power and who you have serving you, God says that to be great you must become servant of all.  Pray for a spirit of humility to guide you as you serve people wherever you are.  Pray that God’s love would be seen and felt through you as you serve.  Pray that your commitment to serving would be an example for others.  Pray about how God would use your service to teach and train others to join in a lifestyle that serves.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.”
Ephesians 6:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only see opportunities to serve, but to give you the courage to actually serve.  Pray that you would serve others with a whole heart, just as you would if it were Jesus being served.  Pray that you would keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you serve.  Pray that you would know the joy and contentment that comes from serving wholeheartedly.

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: Serve One Another! (9/25/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Serve One Another! (9/25/24)

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This is the audio from the September 25, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.  . . . So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.’”
Zechariah 4:6 & 14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living with a vision to serve.  God makes it clear in His Word that we serve Him when we serve people.  While the world often defines greatness based on power and who you have serving you, God says that to be great you must become servant of all.  Pray for a spirit of humility to guide you as you serve people wherever you are.  Pray that God’s love would be seen and felt through you as you serve.  Pray that your commitment to serving would be an example for others.  Pray about how God would use your service to teach and train others to join in a lifestyle that serves.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only see opportunities to serve, but to give you the courage to actually serve.  Pray that you would look for opportunities to use you freedom to serve others rather than yourself.  Pray for the compassion needed to serve one another even when you think you are free not to.

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: Serve With Power! (9/24/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Serve With Power! (9/24/24)

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This is the audio from the September 24, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.  . . . So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.’”
Zechariah 4:6 & 14 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on living with a vision to serve.  God makes it clear in His Word that we serve Him when we serve people.  While the world often defines greatness based on power and who you have serving you, God says that to be great you must become servant of all.  Pray for a spirit of humility to guide you as you serve people wherever you are.  Pray that God’s love would be seen and felt through you as you serve.  Pray that your commitment to serving would be an example for others.  Pray about how God would use your service to teach and train others to join in a lifestyle that serves.  Pray for discernment and wisdom to see beyond and through the divisiveness of this world so that you would love others as God loves both you and them.

“For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.”
2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to not only see opportunities to serve, but to give you the courage to actually serve.  Pray for the courage to serve in God’s power even when you feel weak.  Pray that your eyes would be opened to how God desires show His power through your weaknesses.

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

In prayer,
Tom

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Our Mission

I have a mission
      and so do you, too.
It’s a mission for all
      and not just a few.
There are so many
      who still need to know.
Jesus commanded
      to tell as we go.
To live it and teach it
      and help people see.
My life has real purpose
      with Jesus in me.

To always be ready
      to share the Good News.
To share it with all,
      not just those we choose.
But as we do share
      with people each day.
Be gentle and kind
      in the things we do say.
To set apart Christ,
      as Lord of our life.
Treat the Word carefully,
      it’s as sharp as a knife.

We want to help healing
      and not cause a mess.
There’s times I have botched it,
      of that, I confess.
God’s Word can be cutting,
      right down to the bone.
So we must be careful,
      we don’t act on our own.
God’s Spirit lives in us
      to help as we talk.
And sometimes He leads us
      to silently walk.

To speak up or show up,
      should not be our choice.
If we listen to Jesus
      and obey His voice.
Sometimes He leads us
      to sit for a while.
It could be a person
      only needs a big smile.
When words are in order,
      how careful are we?
To point to the Savior,
     instead of at “me”?

We like to have answers
      to show we are smart.
But it’s only God’s power
      that can transform a heart.
So as we consider,
      a commission so great.
We must be about it,
      lost people can’t wait.
We tell a great message
      that they can receive.
God’s goodness and mercy,
      if they would believe.

That is our mission
      that God calls us to.
To share the Good News
      that can make us all new.
We tell of Jesus,
      immersing in His name.
His blood does cleanse us
      and removes all our shame.
We teach His commandments
      as response to His love.
And He remains with us
      as He reigns from above.
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I was spending time with God this afternoon in preparation for tonight’s Bible study I will lead from 2 Kings 7.  The chapter deals with the story of some men with leprosy discovering some very good news and then having to decide what they would do with that good news.  As I reflected on that story, God put this poem in my mind dealing with the Good News that we have in Jesus and the decision we must make about what we will do with it.  I pray that this poem brings glory to God and accomplishes His purposes for it.

In prayer,
Tom

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Good Neighbor

As I sit and ponder
     the things Jesus taught.
I like to consider
     that I do what I ought.
About His commandments,
     if the point He should raise.
Would I say I have followed
     them all of my days?
To care for my neighbor
     as He says I should.
Would I ask who that is,
     thinking I’m pretty good?

Jesus tells us a story
     of a man just like me.
He lived a good life
     but he wanted to see.
So he went to ask Jesus
     and to Him he did call.
Which of the commandments
     is the greatest of all?
Jesus turned it back to him,
     the question he sought.
And the man answered rightly
     with what he’d been taught.

But the man wasn’t happy
     with the answer he got.
So he raised a new question,
     who’s a neighbor, who’s not?
Jesus tells him a story
     of a man who is hurt.
He is beat up and robbed,
     left to die in the dirt.
The “good” folks do pass him
     as they make their path wide.
Then a Samaritan helps him
     and gives him a ride.

At the end of the story,
     Jesus turns the question around.
Who was the neighbor
     to the man on the ground?
As the man answers Jesus,
     the point he does get.
The one that’s a neighbor
     made sure needs were all met.
So what will you do
     when you think you’re that good?
Will you live like a neighbor
     to all as you should?
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I’ve been praying lately about my response to situations and seeking wisdom in giving proper responses, not ones simply designed to justify myself. This poem came from a combination of those prayer times and the time I’m spending in the gospel of Luke for the sermon series I am preaching. I pray that this ministers to you and I in the way God desires for it to.

In prayer,
Tom