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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant Generously! (6/27/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant Generously! (6/27/23)

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

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would learn to sow according to the expectation you have for the harvest.  Pray that your generosity with God and with others would produce an abundance for all.  Pray that God’s generosity towards you would be reflected in the way you deal with others in their times of need.

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: Plant Righteousness! (6/26/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Plant Righteousness! (6/26/23)

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This is the audio from the June 26, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on some things we ought to be sowing in our life and in the lives of others.  Growing up on a farm, I spent many winter evenings going through the various seed catalogs deciding what I would like to harvest the next summer.  Even as a child it didn’t take long to realize that if I wanted a specific harvest I would have to sow a specific seed.  Likewise, the harvest that is produced as we go through this life, and beyond, is related to what we do with the seed which has been planted within us and what kind of seeds we are sowing each day that we live.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine how the seed of His Word is growing in your life.  Pray that you would be careful with what you allow to be sown in your life and with what you are sowing that eventually produce a harvest.  Pray that you would keep your eyes focused on Jesus to the extent that everything you sow with your words and actions would point others to Him.  Pray that the good seed of God’s Word would find good soil in your life and in the lives of those around you.

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.”
Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

Pray that you would seek the Lord in all things as you sow righteousness that produces a harvest of love.  Pray for a softened and prepared life that would allow the seeds of righteousness to grow and flourish in you and around you.

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: Sin Is Always Over-Priced! (Sermon Audio)
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Called By God: Sin Is Always Over-Priced! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the June 25, 2023 sermon, “Called By God: SIN Is Always Over-Priced”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Amos 1 – 4, Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Today I continued 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)

Sin. It’s a topic we don’t like to talk about and when we do it is generally focused on the bad things others do rather than on an examination of how our own life stacks up according to God’s standard. God’s message to mankind has always been that it doesn’t matter if the sin is acceptable or unacceptable by our standards, it is always over-priced and must be rejected by God’s children.

  • Selfishness Is Always Over-Priced:  —  Amos 2:6-8, James 4:1-3

    • While at first glance selfishness may appear to get us what we want, it never accomplishes what is promised.  God’s message to Israel through the prophet Amos was in part a message that they would soon pay for their selfish behavior and it would be a cost far greater than they imagined.  God tells us through James that our selfishness can cost us the response from God that we truly need and desire.  When we consider the sin of selfishness, we would do well to remember that selfishness is always over-priced.

  • Idolatry Is Always Over-Priced: —  Amos 4:4-5, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

    • Idolatry is the practice of putting anything in place of God or above God.  While we often think of idols being physical things or even people, the nation of Israel had made their religious practices into idols which they worshiped and honored more than God.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians, and to us, about the need to resist temptation and look to God for deliverance from it.  It is within this context that he says to flee from idolatry.  When we choose to worship anything but God, we have diminished our connection with the One who can help us overcome.  When we consider the sin of idolatry, we would do well to remember that idolatry is always over-priced.

  • Neglect Is Always Over-Priced: —  Amos 3:1-8, Luke 11:42-44

    • I suspect that we all have things that we mean to do but we just don’t get around to it.  While that may be a natural part of the human life, when we begin to neglect our relationship with God and the building up of our self and others that He want to accomplish, we pay a price far greater than we imagine.  While the people of Israel claimed to be God’s people, God delivers a message that points out their neglect in maintaining that relationship which God had called them to.  They were not much different from the religious leaders Jesus addressed about how they focused on doing religious activity while neglecting the greater tasks of justice and love.  When we consider the sin of neglect, we would do well to remember that neglect is always over-priced.

Today, will you seek God’s help to overcome SIN which is always over-priced?

Encouragement and Prayer: Called By God’s Goodness! (6/23/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called By God’s Goodness! (6/23/23)

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This is the audio from the June 23, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that your knowledge of God would fill you with all that you truly need for life.  Pray that you would live with the assurance of being called by God’s goodness rather than by your own merit.

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: Called To Eternal Glory! (6/22/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Eternal Glory! (6/22/23)

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This is the audio from the June 22, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that you would be able to see beyond the temporary nature of this life in order to know the eternal glory you have been called to.  Pray for the endurance to live up to the calling that leads to eternal glory.

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: Called Out of Darkness! (6/21/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called Out of Darkness! (6/21/23)

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This is the audio from the June 21, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray for an understanding of what you’ve been called out of in order for you to belong to God.  Pray that you would give praise to God for bringing you into His light and out of the world’s darkness by His calling.

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: Called To Peace! (6/20/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Peace! (6/20/23)

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This is the audio from the June 20, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that God would help you to see how His calling has made you part of one body — His body.  Pray that the unity of being one body would lead you to a thankful pursuit of the peace you have been called 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: Called To Serve! (6/19/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Called To Serve! (6/19/23)

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This is the audio from the June 19, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“And you also are among those who are
called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:6 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will be about being called.  The Bible has much to say not only about what we are called, but also about what we are called to.  If, like me, you grew up with an elementary school environment where “team captains” chose sides for most activities, you probably remember how much you longed to hear your name called.  Being called by a team’s captain meant that we not only had a place we belonged, but we had a task to do for the good of the team.  Knowing we have been called by God ought to fill us with great joy as we seek to live according to His calling in a kingdom where we belong and where we have work to do.  As you pray this week, rejoice in the knowledge that you have been chosen according to God’s calling.  Pray that you would listen to Him as you seek to discover the things He has called you to do.  Pray for the humility to understand the calling is by God’s grace and is not just for you but for all who would respond to His call.  Pray that you would always seek to do your part as God works His calling out in your life.

“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)

Pray that you would experience the freedom that comes as a result of being called by God.  Pray that you would not only know your calling, but that you would understand its purpose in serving others.

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

In prayer,
Tom