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Encouragement and Prayer: Clothed With Humility! (08/18/21)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Clothed With Humility! (08/18/21)

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This is the audio from the August 18, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

This week our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis will focus on some characteristics that God says we should clothe ourselves with.  Like it or not, people often make assumptions about us based on what they see us wearing.  As a Christian, what are you wearing that would help people see Jesus?

As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one chosen by God, holy and dearly loved!  Pray that the example of Jesus would help you to live with humility in growing measure.  Pray that you would see the value and importance of others as being greater than your own.  Pray that God would work in your life to remove all traces of selfishness.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Clothed With Kindness! (08/17/21)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Clothed With Kindness! (08/17/21)

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This is the audio from the August 17, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.”
Acts 28:2 (NIV)

This week our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis will focus on some characteristics that God says we should clothe ourselves with.  Like it or not, people often make assumptions about us based on what they see us wearing.  As a Christian, what are you wearing that would help people see Jesus?

As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one chosen by God, holy and dearly loved!  Pray for courage to show kindness to others in ways that reflect the unusual kindness of God which He extends to you as one He has chosen.  Pray that you would be observant to the needs of others so that you would show meaningful kindness.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: Clothed With Compassion! (08/16/21)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Clothed With Compassion! (08/16/21)

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This is the audio from the August 16, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

This week our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis will focus on some characteristics that God says we should clothe ourselves with.  As students begin returning to school over the next few weeks, it would be good to pray about how they are clothed.  In fact, MCA (Michiana Christian Academy) will be using the above passage throughout the year to teach and encourage the students here to live as those clothed with Christ.  Like it or not, people often make assumptions about us based on what they see us wearing.  As a Christian, what are you wearing that would help people see Jesus?

As you pray this week, ask God to help you live as one chosen by God, holy and dearly loved!  Pray that you would be clothed with Christ in such a way that you represent Jesus well in everything you do.  Pray that your life would be an encouragement to others in the way they let Christ be seen through them.

Clothed With Compassion

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
Psalm 103:13-14  (NIV)

Pray for a growing awareness of God’s compassion on you as one who is dearly loved.  Pray that your understanding of your own weaknesses would fill you with a compassion for others.

Pray for all students, teachers, and school staff as schools begin a new year.

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

In prayer,
Tom

A Dash of SALT (Sermon Audio)
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A Dash of SALT (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio and outline from the August 15, 2021 sermon, “A Dash of SALT”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Goshen Christian Church.

Text:  Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50

What does the world need?  I would guess most Christians would answer that the world needs Jesus.  If we bring it closer to home and ask what does your community, your workplace, your home need, I suspect we would have a similar response.  But how about if we ask what each of those needs from you?  Since they need Jesus and Jesus has called each of us as His followers to be the salt of the earth, perhaps what they need from you is a dash of:

  • Service.  Galatians 6:9-10
    • Looking to Jesus as our example, we discover that His life was about serving His Father and serving people.  We add the flavor of Jesus to the lives of others when we serve them in the name of Jesus.  This dash of service needs to become natural for us regardless of what we perceive the immediate outcome to be.  Simple acts of kindness and service go a long way toward helping others get a taste of Jesus that keeps them looking for more.
  • Acceptance.  Romans 15:7
    • Giving a dash of acceptance to the people around you is a very Jesus-like trait, but one that often becomes complicated in our mind.  Jesus was a master at accepting the person while calling for a transformation that involved a turning away from sin.  God calls each of us to accept one another just as we have been accepted by Him.  God’s love was extended to us even in the midst of our sin and transgressions with the call to be washed and purified by the blood of His Son through the wonder of grace.  We flavor our community with Jesus when we learn to accept people and call them to become a work in progress in the hands of the Master.
  • Listening.  James 1:19-20
    • In a world that is increasingly divided in every way imaginable, a dash of listening can go a long ways toward making Jesus known.  In a world filled with people so quick to become angry at every social media post and news media report that they disagree with, we would do well to heed the words of James to be “quick to listen”.  Often when we are willing to listen, we discover that our differences are not as great as they might first appear.  In a culture filled with people crying out to be heard, we can add Christ-like flavor when we choose to practice the art of listening.
  • Truth.  Ephesians 4:15, John 17:17
    • Service, acceptance, and listening are all great things but they only bring hope for eternal change when accompanied by truth.  In the midst of division and conflict, we must choose to submit to Christ as head of all things and the One who is truth.  Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify His followers by truth and declared that the source of that truth was God’s Word.  Yes, the salt of truth may sting a bit in a world filled with open wounds but when the truth is delivered in a loving atmosphere of service, acceptance, and listening, healing can take place that makes the good news of Jesus truly be seen as good news.

Today, how will you be the SALT of the earth God has called you to be?

Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Generosity! (08/13/21)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Generosity! (08/13/21)

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This is the audio from the August 13, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:13 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about growing in the kind of love that God says is sincere.  If God’s love abides in us, it is supposed to show in our words and actions so that others will see Jesus through us.  How we live life doesn’t earn us favor with God, but it does reveal our love for God.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in the way your love for Him is expressed.  Pray for eyes that see the needs of others and for a loving heart that overflows with generosity.  Pray for a sincere awareness of all that God has given you for the purpose of sharing with others.  Pray for God’s help in overcoming all of your excuses that keep you from being hospitable.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Attitude! (08/12/21)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Attitude! (08/12/21)

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This is the audio from the August 12, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about growing in the kind of love that God says is sincere.  If God’s love abides in us, it is supposed to show in our words and actions so that others will see Jesus through us.  How we live life doesn’t earn us favor with God, but it does reveal our love for God.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in the way your love for Him is expressed.

Pray for a prayerful attitude that helps you to be joyful and patient even when circumstances are less than ideal.  Pray that God would fill you with hope that is seen and shared by the joy others see in you.  Pray for the ability to live with patient endurance as you experience the many afflictions this life brings with it.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Eagerness! (08/11/21)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Eagerness! (08/11/21)

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This is the audio from the August 11, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about growing in the kind of love that God says is sincere.  If God’s love abides in us, it is supposed to show in our words and actions so that others will see Jesus through us.  How we live life doesn’t earn us favor with God, but it does reveal our love for God.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in the way your love for Him is expressed. Pray for a freshness of spirit that results in an ever-increasing desire to serve God.  Pray that you would be eager to serve, knowing that it is the Lord you are serving.  Pray for a refreshing from God that overcomes the weariness of your flesh when you serve.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Devotion! (08/10/21)
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Encouragement and Prayer: A Loving Devotion! (08/10/21)

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This is the audio from the August 10, 2021 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus will be about growing in the kind of love that God says is sincere.  If God’s love abides in us, it is supposed to show in our words and actions so that others will see Jesus through us.  How we live life doesn’t earn us favor with God, but it does reveal our love for God.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you grow in the way your love for Him is expressed.  Pray that you would grow in the way you care about and honor others.  Pray for a love that results in a devotion to others that would put their needs above your own.  Pray for a willingness and practice of honoring others in ways that lift them above yourself.

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

In prayer,
Tom