knowledge

Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Certainty! (4/12/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Certainty! (4/12/23)

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This is the audio from the April 12, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.

“If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”
Romans 6:5 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that your confidence in the power of the resurrection would never waiver.  Pray that your obedience to being united with Christ in His death would give you a certainty in being united with Him in His resurrection.  Pray that your certainty of the resurrection would encourage 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: Resurrection Testimony! (4/11/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Testimony! (4/11/23)

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This is the audio from the April 11, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”
Acts 4:33 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray for the courage to testify of the resurrection of Jesus.  Pray that you would live life in such a way that you are a testimony of the transformational power of the resurrection.  Pray that your testimony of the resurrection would result in much grace.

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: Resurrection Source! (4/10/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Resurrection Source! (4/10/23)

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This is the audio from the April 10, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on knowing and living by the power of the resurrection.  As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the magnificence of the event and what it accomplished can often overshadow how it was accomplished.  Paul understood that it was in the fellowship with the sufferings of Christ that he would know more of the power of the resurrection.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the power of the resurrection in a way that gives you the courage to grow through the fellowship of suffering.  Pray that we would pay attention and learn the lessons that He continually teaches through the sufferings of life.  Pray for a view of life that can see beyond the grave and into an eternity in God’s presence.  Pray for a growing love for one another that will find ways to help them accept and live by the power of the resurrection.  Pray that the resurrection power in your life would produce a contentment of such magnitude that it could only come from God.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.’”
John 11:25 (NIV)

Pray that you would know Jesus as the only source of eternal life.  Pray that your belief in Jesus would give you the confidence of knowing your life will not end at the grave.  Pray that the resurrection of Jesus would be the source of comfort you offer to those who suffer.

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

In prayer,
Tom

A Road of Victory! (Sermon Audio)
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A Road of Victory! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 9, 2023 sermon, “A Road of Victory: A Time to WIN”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 24:1-49

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Today I concluded a sermon series with a focus on The Road to Resurrection.  Each week of this series considered a different glimpse of the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection.  The road to resurrection teaches us many things about God’s love for us and the love we ought to have for others.  While the road for Jesus was not an easy one, nor is it easy for us, the destination is a place of victory.  When we walk with Jesus and live a resurrected life, we discover a time to . . .

  • Worship:  —  Luke 24:1-8

    • The road of victory is a time to worship.  The women approached the tomb of Jesus early in the morning for the purpose of finishing the burial procedures and honor the One they had loved.  Their plan of worship was focused on the memories of what had been rather than on the reality of what was.  When we come face to face with the truth of the resurrection of Jesus, and of our own resurrected life by the power of Jesus, we learn to worship more than just the stories of Jesus, but the real presence of God with us.

  • Invite:  —  Luke 24:9-12

    • The road to victory is a time to invite all to come taste of the goodness of God.  Even with the confusion of an empty tomb and a lack of understanding, there was a consistent desire to invite others to come and see whatever it was they had discovered.  Those who have put their faith in God today, do so because someone invited them to “taste and see that the Lord is good”.  When we experience the victory of the resurrection, it is our responsibility and privilege to invite others to know a true victory that is found in Christ.

  • Nurture — Luke 24:25-27, 45-49

    • The road to victory is a time to be nurtured and to nurture others.  As Jesus begins to make Himself known to His followers, He addresses their doubts and sets about to restore their shaky faith.  When we are involved in making Jesus known to others, we not only plant the seeds through invitations but we also care for others in ways that help them to grow.  Jesus knew just how to use the right combination of correction and encouragement to prepare His followers for their role in turning the world upside down as they took the good news of Jesus everywhere they went.  When we experience the victory of the resurrection, it is our task to take the comfort we receive from Christ and use it to nurture the faith of others.

Today, how will you live a resurrected life that helps others know a time to WIN?

A Road of Death! (Good Friday Sermon Audio)
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A Road of Death! (Good Friday Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the April 7, 2023 Good Friday sermon, “A Road of Death; A Time to DIE”, shared by Tom Lemler at the West Side Church of Christ.

Text: Luke 23:26-49

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
John 12:24 (NIV)

As I had opportunity to preach at a Good Friday service, tonight I continued a sermon series with a focus on The Road to Resurrection.  Each week of this series has considered a different glimpse of the life of Jesus during His final week leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection. As Jesus continued with a steadfast commitment to this road of resurrection, He approached the cross with an attitude that displayed an awareness that a road of death was a necessary part of reaching the road of life. As we gaze upon the cross, we find Jesus calling each one of us to take up our cross in this time to . . .

  • Decide:  —  Luke 23:26-35

    • As we face the cross we are faced with a decision.  Do we turn away and serve self or do we decide to take up the cross and die to self?  .

  • Invest:  —  Luke 23:36-43

    • As we face the cross we find a God who chose to invest in us.  Our response to the cross ought to be a willingness to invest in people in a kingdom way.

  • Exclaim — Luke 23:44-49

    • As we face the cross we find the exclamation of Jesus that He had finished His life and was committing His spirit to God.  Our response ought to be a life that leads others to see Jesus in a way that they echo the centurion in declaring the righteousness of God.

Today, what will you do with the invitation of Jesus to take up your cross and DIE?

Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With a Clear Mind! (4/7/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray With a Clear Mind! (4/7/23)

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This is the audio from the April 7, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:32 (NIV)

I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you overcome distractions that keep you from praying as you ought.  Pray that you would recognize in the brevity of life the importance of praying with a clear mind and with self control.

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: Pray When In Trouble! (4/6/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray When In Trouble! (4/6/23)

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This is the audio from the April 6, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:32 (NIV)

I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
James 5:13 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you look to him in times of trouble — whether it is trouble you face or trouble those around you experience.  Pray that you would know the praise of peace that comes to those who seek God in times of trouble.  Pray for the courage to have others pray for you during times of trouble.

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: Pray for Restoration! (4/5/23)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Pray for Restoration! (4/5/23)

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This is the audio from the April 5, 2023 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:32 (NIV)

I suppose it may seem a bit strange at first to pray about praying, but if prayer is as central in our life as it ought to be then we ought to be talking with God and seeking His help in this area.  I suspect one of the big reasons we need to seek God’s help in our prayer life is the command to “devote yourselves to prayer”.  If God had said to simply pray when you feel like it or when it’s convenient, most of us could handle that.  But devoting ourselves to prayer is an entirely different task.  When we go to God about our prayer life, we open our self up to His instruction and guidance in the way we relate to Him.

“I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.”
Hebrews 13:19 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you examine just how devoted to prayer you are.  Ask God to help you notice those who are distant and need to be restored.  Pray that you would not only be restored to God, but that you would seek God’s help in seeing people restored to one another.  Pray about specific individuals and situations in which you need to be restored.

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

In prayer,
Tom