Posts by Thomas Overmiller
Prayer that Leads to Joy
The night before his crucifixion, Jesus prepared his disciples for the challenges they would experience when he left them (John 16:1-4, 31-33). He assured them that though he would leave them soon through death, he would return to them soon through the resurrection (John 16:19-22). By leaving them, he would make it possible for the…
Read MoreLearning to Forgive
After riding by horseback around his estate in freezing rain and snow, George Washington woke up with an inflamed throat and was unable to breathe properly. When doctors examined his condition, they prescribed a procedure called “bloodletting,” which followed the prevailing medical opinion that removing blood from the body would reduce inflammation. In this case,…
Read MoreFrom Inspiration to Translation
This study provides a biblical, historical and practical overview how God has provided his Word to us in written form. Biblical (and Early Christian) Evidence for Translation Since people no longer speak biblical Hebrew and Greek, we rely upon translations to expose people to the Word of God. Therefore, it is important to understand what…
Read MorePersonal Application for the Doctrine of the Trinity
Worship in Greater Awe The believer who begins to comprehend the incomparable nature of the triune God soon realizes his extreme unworthiness to approach the supreme majesty of God. Like Isaiah in the presence of the Godhead, he must bow down to worship in humility and awe (Isa 6:1-8). Sharing this perspective, one theologian properly…
Read MoreWhere Two or Three are Gathered
Sometimes we use phrases in ways that differ from their original meaning. For instance, you’ve heard the phrase, “Blood is thicker than water.” You probably think it means something like, “Family relationships are stronger than other relationships.” Indeed, that is how people commonly use the phrase today. You might be surprised to know that this…
Read MoreCommitted to Lord’s Day Worship
For more than two-thousand years, churches have gathered on Sunday. This happens in Russia and the US, China and Brazil, Israel and Uganda, Iceland and Australia. It happens in cities and farmlands, deserts and jungles, and mountains and valleys. It happens this way all around the world. But why? Why do Christians worship the Lord…
Read MoreGod never gives you more than you can handle — Right?
When another believer slogs through a series of difficult circumstances, do you ever try to encourage him or her by quoting 1 Corinthians 10:13, at least in part? You might say, “Don’t worry, God never gives you more than you can handle!” Before you do this again, let me encourage you to consider whether this…
Read MoreBearing Witness to the Testimony of Jesus
In the conclusion to John’s gospel, he says this, “This is the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24). In this statement, he uses the same word twice, once as a verb and once as a noun. The verb μαρτυρέω means, “To…
Read MoreIs Tent-Making the Biblical Norm?
Some well-meaning believers promote tent-making as the preferred biblical pattern for pastors today. By “tent-making,” I am referring to an approach to pastoral ministry in which a pastor works a full-time vocational job to support his family while also serving as a pastor. Thom Rainer encourages this perspective in an article entitled, “Eight Reasons Why…
Read MoreSurviving a Lion Encounter
When you encounter a lion in the wild, how should you respond? According to prevailing advice, you should stand your ground. Do not run but retreat slowly. If the lion charges at you, you should remain standing while yelling as loudly as possible and raising your hands. If the lion attacks, you should remain standing…
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