Jesus

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

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Pure Religion

The world is all grumpy
      and people act mean.
It’s all about “my rights”,
      or so it would seem.
We look at each other,
      instead of within.
Yes, I have a problem,
      it’s caused by my sin.

God gives us an answer,
     I believe this is true.
He sent us a Savior
      to make me brand new.
When I live for Jesus,
      He calls me to care,
for widows and orphans
      and people out there.

To examine my own self
      to see what is wrong.
Then allow Him to change it
      while I praise Him in song.
My faith is not visible
      by what I might say,
so I must act different
      and reject my own way!

This little writing
       is really quite plain,
I live for Jesus
      and He keeps me sane.
The life that He gives me,
      I pray for you.
That the glory of Jesus
      is all that shines through!

I pray that you find some joy and encouragement through these words.  I’ve been preaching a sermon series through the book of James and as I spent time preparing to wrap up that series, these lines just flowed from my mind.  I figure that God put them there and He brought them out, so He has a purpose to use them in someone’s life.  I pray that someone is you!  🙂

In prayer,

Tom Lemler

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Elementary Christmas

‘Twas the week before Christmas
      and all through the schools,
Not a student was listening
       nor following the rules.
Their minds were all elsewhere
      and thinking with joy,
That Christmas might bring them
       the latest new toy.

Then quite unexpected
       and out of the blue,
the meaning of Christmas
      came shining right through!
They sang of sweet Jesus
      and remembered His birth,
that very first Christmas
      when God came to earth.

It was quite a lesson
      I pray we did learn,
The real gift of Christmas
      was given, not earned.
These lines are over,
      the rhyming is done.
My prayer for each person,
      that we’d follow the Son!

I pray that you find some joy and encouragement through these words.  I’ve not even made an attempt at writing a poem since high school English when I was required to.  Yet as I considered the school and preschool children that are in the building every day as I work, these lines just flowed from my mind.  I figure that God put them there and He brought them out, so He has a purpose to use them in someone’s life.  I pray that someone is you!  🙂

Merry Christmas!

In prayer,

Tom Lemler

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The Art Of Re-GIFTing — Part 4: Tell

This is the fourth and final installment in the series of posts on re-gifting: Jesus style!  Together we’ve looked at the Grace that is needed, the Inventory that is necessary, and the Faith that must grow.  All of these are important and vital components, but the GIFT of  Jesus to others isn’t complete until we Tell!

Much speculation has gone on regarding the friendships, or lack thereof, of the Samaritan woman from John 4.  The fact that she is out at an “odd” time of day and by herself would seem to indicate that no one was willing to be with her.  And yet here she is with amazing news: “This man I’ve been talking to claims to be the Messiah!”

Did you get that?  Jesus sets the example for us in the gifting of Himself to others by not only living out the Grace, Inventory, and Faith components we have looked at — He also lives out the Telling of who He is.  The rest of the story has great insight and meaning, but it is the statement of Jesus, “I who speak to you am He.”, that unlocks the GIFT of Jesus in the life of this woman.  Transformation begins to take place based on Jesus revealing Himself to her.

It doesn’t stop there!  This woman is a quick learner and rushes back to the village to tell everyone who will listen about the true GIFT of Jesus.  She has experienced Grace, Inventory, and Faith through her encounter with Jesus and now she feels compelled to pass it on.  The results are astounding!  The entire village turns out to see Jesus and hear for themselves the message the woman is sharing.  The story ends with people believing in the GIFT of Jesus — some believing because of the “telling” by the woman, and others believing because the “telling” made them curious enough to go see for themselves.

If you have grasped hold of the GIFT of Jesus, how are you doing at telling others about what you have found?  When you experience the Grace of Jesus, it is for you — but it is not for you alone!  You must be busy telling others about the Grace that exists in your life.  When you go through the inventory times of life when you discover just how empty you are and just how much Jesus has to offer, there is an obligation to tell others about the One who has everything you need.  When your Faith grows in your life and calls you to take a stand for your beliefs, you must be ready to tell others just Who it is that you believe in.

I pray that you are growing in your practice of telling others about Jesus.  If you have received and experienced the GIFT of Jesus, then I pray that you complete that GIFT by practicing the Tell part on a regular basis.  To modify the old saying, “Tell at all times, if necessary use words!”  If you don’t know the GIFT of Jesus, then I pray that you will listen openly when someone tells you about the best GIFT of their life.