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Building For Revival: Giving HELP! (Sermon Audio)
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Building For Revival: Giving HELP! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 12, 2024 sermon, “Building For Revival: Giving HELP!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Nehemiah 5

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series from the book of Nehemiah about Building For Revival.  As with any construction project, building for revival takes a lot of work.  A few weeks ago, we considered the need to ask for help.  One of the major purposes behind God helping us when we ask is that we would be able to give help to others in their times of need.  When we choose to participate in the revival God wants us to experience, we discover it is time for giving . . .

  • Hope: — Nehemiah 5:1-5, Romans 15:4, 1 Peter 3:15

    • In a world filled with hopelessness and despair, we give help when we choose to give hope.  This giving of hope takes place when we choose to live and share God’s Word in ways that are real and noticeable.  When God tells us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope we have, there is an assumption that our life is being lived in such a way that people are asking the questions about the way we live.  We are helped greatly by the hope we have in Christ, and that same hope helps others when we are willing to share.

  • Enough: — Nehemiah 5:6-11, 2 Corinthians 12:9, James 2:14-17

    • When scarcity is more common than plenty, we give help when we choose to give enough.  One of the great difficulties we experience when convicted of our need to give, is our desire to determine on our own just what constitutes enough in the current situation.  We learn from the example of Jesus that the “enough” that He expects is the giving of everything to Him.  Our willingness to spend time with God and people for the purpose of growing in understanding of what is truly helpful will prepare us to more accurately give enough.

  • Love: — Nehemiah 5:12-13, Matthew 5:43-44, 1 John 4:10-11

    • When suspicion and division run free, we give help when we choose to give love.  Most people do pretty well in learning to love those who love them.  It is when conflict arises and we are at odds with others that we tend to become rather stingy with our love.  Jesus wants us to consider His teaching and example as we learn to not only love those who love us, but to love our enemies and pray for those who seek our harm.  The point behind praying for all people  is not so much that God would change them, but that God would change us so that we would love like He loves.

  • Powerfully: — Nehemiah 5:14-19, Acts 4:7-10, 2 Timothy 1:7-8

    • In the midst of weakness and fear, we give help when we choose to give powerfully.  While many would say they don’t have what it takes to give powerfully, the good news is that the power to really give comes from God and not from our self.  Sometimes the most powerful give we can give others is to practice contentment in our own life so that we don’t create a hardship in theirs.  We give powerfully when we give according to the power of God’s Spirit within us who knows how to use in the best possible way each gift He has given to us.

 

Today, how will you give HELP?

Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Temptation! (5/10/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Temptation! (5/10/24)

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This is the audio from the May 10, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about our need to keep watch as we build for revival!  Much of the watching that most people do tends to be very passive.  We go through our daily life casually observing our surroundings, but rarely paying enough attention to list at the end of the day all that we have seen.  When God calls us to watch and pray, He has something much more deliberate in mind.  He wants our watchfulness to be very active as we pay attention to the troubles and temptations the enemy surrounds us with in an attempt to make us choose anything other than God.  Much of what we’ll pray about this week are things that easily sneak into our lives if we are not watching out for them.  Pray that you would watch out for the opportunities God brings your way.  Pray that you would watch out for the many things that the enemy is trying to use to derail you from a fruitful walk with God.  Pray that you would watch out for the people around you, just as you watch out for your own interests.

“If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you pay attention to how you watch.  Pray that you would be aware of the things which are enticing temptations to you so that you don’t get caught up in them.  Pray that you would watch out for how the sins of others can be contagious.

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: Watch Out For Destructive Behavior! (5/9/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Destructive Behavior! (5/9/24)

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This is the audio from the May 9, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about our need to keep watch as we build for revival!  Much of the watching that most people do tends to be very passive.  We go through our daily life casually observing our surroundings, but rarely paying enough attention to list at the end of the day all that we have seen.  When God calls us to watch and pray, He has something much more deliberate in mind.  He wants our watchfulness to be very active as we pay attention to the troubles and temptations the enemy surrounds us with in an attempt to make us choose anything other than God.  Much of what we’ll pray about this week are things that easily sneak into our lives if we are not watching out for them.  Pray that you would watch out for the opportunities God brings your way.  Pray that you would watch out for the many things that the enemy is trying to use to derail you from a fruitful walk with God.  Pray that you would watch out for the people around you, just as you watch out for your own interests.

“If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
Galatians 5:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you pay attention to how you watch.  Pray that you would pay attention to how you treat others.  Pray that you would watch out for the destruction caused by internal bickering and conflict.  Pray that you would be deliberate about building other up rather than tearing them down.

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: Watch Out For Division! (5/8/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Division! (5/8/24)

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This is the audio from the May 8, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about our need to keep watch as we build for revival!  Much of the watching that most people do tends to be very passive.  We go through our daily life casually observing our surroundings, but rarely paying enough attention to list at the end of the day all that we have seen.  When God calls us to watch and pray, He has something much more deliberate in mind.  He wants our watchfulness to be very active as we pay attention to the troubles and temptations the enemy surrounds us with in an attempt to make us choose anything other than God.  Much of what we’ll pray about this week are things that easily sneak into our lives if we are not watching out for them.  Pray that you would watch out for the opportunities God brings your way.  Pray that you would watch out for the many things that the enemy is trying to use to derail you from a fruitful walk with God.  Pray that you would watch out for the people around you, just as you watch out for your own interests.

“I urge you to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
Romans 16:17 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you pay attention to how you watch.  Pray that you would recognize the things that cause division and obstacles within the body of Christ.  Pray that you would watch out for the people whom the enemy uses to spread such divisions and obstacles.

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: Watch Out For Deception! (5/7/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Deception! (5/7/24)

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This is the audio from the May 7, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about our need to keep watch as we build for revival!  Much of the watching that most people do tends to be very passive.  We go through our daily life casually observing our surroundings, but rarely paying enough attention to list at the end of the day all that we have seen.  When God calls us to watch and pray, He has something much more deliberate in mind.  He wants our watchfulness to be very active as we pay attention to the troubles and temptations the enemy surrounds us with in an attempt to make us choose anything other than God.  Much of what we’ll pray about this week are things that easily sneak into our lives if we are not watching out for them.  Pray that you would watch out for the opportunities God brings your way.  Pray that you would watch out for the many things that the enemy is trying to use to derail you from a fruitful walk with God.  Pray that you would watch out for the people around you, just as you watch out for your own interests.

“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.”
Luke 21:8 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you pay attention to how you watch.  Pray that you would stay in relationship with Jesus so that you would not be deceived.  Pray that you would watch out for those who would claim to represent Jesus, but don’t.

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: Watch Out For Greed! (5/6/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Watch Out For Greed! (5/6/24)

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This is the audio from the May 6, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This week’s prayer focus is about our need to keep watch as we build for revival!  Much of the watching that most people do tends to be very passive.  We go through our daily life casually observing our surroundings, but rarely paying enough attention to list at the end of the day all that we have seen.  When God calls us to watch and pray, He has something much more deliberate in mind.  He wants our watchfulness to be very active as we pay attention to the troubles and temptations the enemy surrounds us with in an attempt to make us choose anything other than God.  Much of what we’ll pray about this week are things that easily sneak into our lives if we are not watching out for them.  Pray that you would watch out for the opportunities God brings your way.  Pray that you would watch out for the many things that the enemy is trying to use to derail you from a fruitful walk with God.  Pray that you would watch out for the people around you, just as you watch out for your own interests.

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”
Luke 12:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you pay attention to how you watch.  Pray that you would be on guard against all kinds of greed that seeks to destroy you.  Pray that you would always watch out so that your possessions do not possess you.

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

In prayer,
Tom

Building For Revival: Watch OUT! (Sermon Audio)
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Building For Revival: Watch OUT! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the May 5, 2024 sermon, “Building For Revival: Watch OUT!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Nehemiah 4

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

This morning’s message continued a series from the book of Nehemiah about Building For Revival.  As with any construction project, building for revival takes a lot of work.  As God began to prepare His people for revival, a man named Nehemiah sat with God for the purpose of knowing, and getting on board with, God’s plan.  So much work, in fact, that we can’t do it alone so Nehemiah first asked for help from God and then from the King before making it clear that there was a task for everyone.  As we build for revival, the enemy will do everything he can to stir up opposition, unrest, and trouble.  The good news is that the One who is for us is greater than the one who is against us and He combats the enemy with opportunity, understanding, and trust.  When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we are able to God at work as we watch . . .

  • Opposition versus Opportunity: — Nehemiah 4:1-3 & 4-6

    • Experiencing revival in our personal life, the life of a church congregation, and within a nation will always face opposition from the one who seeks to “kill, steal, and destroy”.  It is important that we watch opposition in order to be aware and not caught off guard.  Knowing how the enemy attacks us personally can help us be prepared for his deception.  Rather than focusing solely on the opposition, it is also important that we watch for opportunity.  The greater the darkness, the more brightly even the smallest amount of light will shine.  We live as those building for revival when we watch our opposition and find the opportunity to make Jesus known.

  • Unrest versus Understanding: — Nehemiah 4:7-12 & 13-15

    • When blatant opposition fails to derail the work of revival God is doing, the enemy will often engage in creating unrest.  Unrest has the ability to creep in and destroy relationships and spiritual growth as it plants the seeds of doubt everywhere it goes.  Excitement and dissatisfaction are both contagious and whichever one you choose to feed will soon choke out the other.  The Spirit combats unrest in our life by helping our understanding of God and of one another to grow.  When we learn to listen to others, we often discover that the barriers which were constructed between us soon give way through genuine understanding.  We live as those building for revival when we keep watch on the source of unrest so that we would pursue a heart of understanding.

  • Trouble versus Trust: — Nehemiah 4:16-19 & 20-23

    • Sometimes it’s difficult to identify any specific opposition or unrest, yet we find ourselves face to face with trouble.  While this has a tendency to catch us off guard, Jesus made it clear that we should expect trouble in this world because it is certain to come our way.  Trouble can show when we least expect it and will often tempt us to give up.  It can be difficult to identify a solution because we’re not really sure what the problem is, we just know there is trouble.  It is in these times that watching trouble ought to lead us to a greater trust as we experience a God who calls us to a faithfulness through the midst of the trouble.  When we lift our eyes from the troubles of this world and fix them firmly on Jesus, we find the One we can trust regardless of the nature of our current difficulty.  We live as those building for revival when we watch the trouble of this world and learn to trust God in greater ways..

Today, how will you watch OUT in ways that help you overcome?

Encouragement and Prayer: Leading! (5/3/24)
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Encouragement and Prayer: Leading! (5/3/24)

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This is the audio from the May 3, 2024 live social media broadcast of encouragement and prayer by Impact Prayer Ministry’s director, Tom Lemler.

“If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” 
Romans 12:7-8 (NIV)

This week’s prayer emphasis will focus on talking with God about the individual work He calls each person to, and ask for His help in finding our own task even as we value the unique tasks of others.  The work of revival is accomplished by the power of God through His Spirit and His Word, but it also involves each person doing the task God calls them to.  God calls all who take on the name of Christ, as Christian, to be workers in His kingdom!  For the body of Christ to function effectively, each member must do their part.  Pray that you would seek to accomplish your tasks by the power of God’s Spirit rather than in your own strength.  Pray that God would help you value the work He does through others, whether that work is similar to what you do or vastly different.

“Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah 3:15 (NIV)

As you pray this week, ask God to help you know the “good works” God created in advance for you to do.  Ask God to help you recognize that the task of leading involves both a willingness to follow Christ and a humility to lead in the appropriate times, places, and ways.  Pray that all areas that you would lead in would be lead from the very heart 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