Encouragement and Prayer:  An Undivided Growth! (03/15/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Growth! (03/15/22)

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This is the audio from the March 15, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”
1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that you would be faithful in doing your part in a way that avoids division as God makes your work grow.  Pray that you would learn the value of each person and each part of the process as God brings undivided growth to His body.  Pray for humility that will see the work of God at the core of all growth.

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:  An Undivided Belief! (03/14/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: An Undivided Belief! (03/14/22)

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This is the audio from the March 14, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“ I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.  You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”
1 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on being one who pursues an undivided witness as the body of Christ.  God’s desire is that we all grow into a maturity that values each person for who they are in Christ.  While God’s standards of right and wrong are the same for each person, it is far too easy to find ourselves caught up in quarrels and jealousy based on our own standards of importance.  God wants to use our differences, not to divide us, but to help the world see the power of God in an undivided way.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you see the value you have to Him just the way He has gifted you.  Pray that you would see others with that same sense of being made by God in a way that is just right.  Pray that the things you build your life on would always be centered on the unchanging Word of God.  Pray for a growing unity in Christ that helps the world to see Him in us.

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task.”
1 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV)

Pray that you would live with an undivided belief which is based on God’s Word.  Pray that your sharing the good news of Jesus would lead others to an undivided belief that is centered on Jesus rather than on the messenger.

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

In prayer,
Tom

A Firm PLAN In an Uncertain World! (Sermon Audio)

A Firm PLAN In an Uncertain World! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the March 13, 2022 sermon, “A Firm PLAN In an Uncertain World”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  2 Corinthians 1:12-24

When life appears to be messed up with nothing going according to your own plans, it is time to turn to God and consider living life with a firm . . .

  • Preparation.  2 Corinthians 1:12
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw from a depth of preparation.  We prepare for the uncertainties of this world by being students of God’s Word and finding it to be useful in every situation we face.  When we live as one prepared by the Word of God, we find that no matter what happens we can truly be “workmen who need not be ashamed”.
  • Love.  2 Corinthians 1:13-16
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw from a depth of love.  When we grow in loving like Jesus loves, we look for His work in the lives of others and we lift them up because we are one in Christ.  While the world, and the prince of this age, tries to divide us in every way imaginable, God calls us to a firm love that cares for others even more than we care for our self.
  • Attitude.  2 Corinthians 1:17-19
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw from an attitude that is the same as that of Christ Jesus.  This is an attitude that sought to do the will of His Father no matter what.  We must continually remind ourselves that God is in charge and we are not.  This is an attitude of flexibility when it comes to our schedule and plans so we do not become tied to what we want when God has something different for us to do.  It is a firm attitude that chooses to make all of our plans in submission to God so that His will is what matters most.
  • Nature.  2 Corinthians 1:20-22
    • When life doesn’t go according to your plan, it is time to draw on a nature that is fed by the Spirit rather than by the flesh.  We all have things that we are naturally good at . . . things that come easy to us and have been improved through practice and training.  Sometimes we may struggle to know what that is, but God has not left anyone out in regard to being useful in the body of Christ.  How we react in a world of uncertainty is largely dependent on what comes naturally to us.  And what comes naturally to us is dependent on what seeds we continually plant in our life.  God says that we will not only reap what we sow, but we will reap more than we sow.  When we sow to the sinful nature, we reap sinful results in even greater measure.  As discouraging as that may sound, the good news is that when we sow to the spiritual nature, we reap a spiritual harvest that far exceeds what we planted.

As you consider the uncertainties of this world, and of your own life, how will you choose today to live with a firm PLAN in everything you do?

Encouragement and Prayer:  A Wisdom Of the Spirit! (03/11/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: A Wisdom Of the Spirit! (03/11/22)

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This is the audio from the March 11, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:10 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing a wisdom that is powerful because it comes from God.  If you have ever been talked into something that you later regretted, you should have great appreciation for the message of the gospel which relies on the power of God at work in those who hear.  Because the power of God does not reside in the wisdom of man, our actions and words speak with power when they rely on His Word rather than our desires.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate whose version of power you live by.  Pray for a willingness to be still and know the presence of God’s Spirit within you.  Pray for a desire to understand the things revealed by God’s Spirit to those who are His children.  Pray that you would seek a wisdom that could only come from God’s Spirit as you share the good news of Jesus 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

Encouragement and Prayer:  A Wisdom Of God’s Word! (03/10/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: A Wisdom Of God’s Word! (03/10/22)

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This is the audio from the March 10, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing a wisdom that is powerful because it comes from God.  If you have ever been talked into something that you later regretted, you should have great appreciation for the message of the gospel which relies on the power of God at work in those who hear.  Because the power of God does not reside in the wisdom of man, our actions and words speak with power when they rely on His Word rather than our desires.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate whose version of power you live by.  Pray that you would know the “hidden wisdom” that has been made known in God’s Word.  Pray that you would live in the midst of God’s great love as He prepares for you things which are indescribable.

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:  A Wisdom Of Understanding! (03/09/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: A Wisdom Of Understanding! (03/09/22)

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This is the audio from the March 9, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
1 Corinthians 2:8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing a wisdom that is powerful because it comes from God.  If you have ever been talked into something that you later regretted, you should have great appreciation for the message of the gospel which relies on the power of God at work in those who hear.  Because the power of God does not reside in the wisdom of man, our actions and words speak with power when they rely on His Word rather than our desires.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate whose version of power you live by.  Pray that the power of God’s wisdom would fill you with an understanding that only He can give.  Pray that God’s wisdom living in you would transform you from being an enemy of Christ to a child 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:  A Wisdom Of Glory! (03/08/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: A Wisdom Of Glory! (03/08/22)

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This is the audio from the March 8, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”
1 Corinthians 2:7 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing a wisdom that is powerful because it comes from God.  If you have ever been talked into something that you later regretted, you should have great appreciation for the message of the gospel which relies on the power of God at work in those who hear.  Because the power of God does not reside in the wisdom of man, our actions and words speak with power when they rely on His Word rather than our desires.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate whose version of power you live by.  Pray that you would seek out a wisdom that has been hidden from those claiming to be wise — a wisdom that results in God’s glory being reflected in you.  Pray that you would share with others about a wisdom that endures all time.

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:  A Wisdom Of Maturity! (03/07/22)

Encouragement and Prayer: A Wisdom Of Maturity! (03/07/22)

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This is the audio from the March 7, 2022 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing a wisdom that is powerful because it comes from God.  If you have ever been talked into something that you later regretted, you should have great appreciation for the message of the gospel which relies on the power of God at work in those who hear.  Because the power of God does not reside in the wisdom of man, our actions and words speak with power when they rely on His Word rather than our desires.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you evaluate whose version of power you live by.  Pray that you would choose to live by a faith which grows from the power of God’s Word.  Pray for the humility which chooses not to complicate the message of the gospel.  Pray for the patience needed to allow God’s Spirit to do the work of conviction and transformation needed in your life and the lives of others.  Pray that your life would be a demonstration to others of the power of God’s Spirit.

“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.”
1 Corinthians 2:6 (NIV)

Pray that you would grow in a maturity which understands the wisdom of God’s Word.  Pray that your sharing about Jesus would always choose the path of God’s wisdom rather than the wisdom of this world.

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

In prayer,
Tom