Shepherd Thoughts Podcast

Perhaps we underestimate the potential for a child’s walk with God. A child can develop a vibrant relationship with God, read, learn from and obey the Bible, worship God, pray and receive answers, know the will of God and do it, and he can serve others. But how can we encourage our children to pursue a walk with God? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider six key ways to encourage our children to walk with God.

It is very appropriate for children to participate in the worship service of a church, singing the songs, hearing the preaching and responding to God with the rest of us. Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider what the Bible teaches about this important topic.

Since every Christian is a teacher, every Christian should learn to teach Bible truth effectively (Matt. 28:19-20). And since Jesus was a teacher from God (John 3:2), we should give serious attention to His teaching methods, as well as His message. We find a good example of this in John 3:1-21, when Jesus taught Nicodemus. Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to learn how Jesus taught others, and how you can teach others as well.

Should you kneel when you pray? Can you stand? Can you sit? Have you ever wondered what the Bible teaches about posture in prayer? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider what the Bible does and doesn't teach about posture in prayer.

If you were mentoring a man to be a pastor, giving him advice for church leadership priorities, what would you tell him to focus on “first of all”? Is preaching the most important thing for a church? What deserves the primary attention? Thankfully, we have an answer. Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to learn what 2 Timothy 2:1 teaches is the most important priority for a church.

Here's a quick thought from my personal Bible study, and if you want to be an effective teacher that God can use, you really need to hear this. Join me in looking quickly at Proverbs 30:2 to learn a life-changing truth.

Do you know what it means to "lay up treasure in heaven"? Do you know what the Bible teaches about crowns and how this may affect your future service for God? And did you know that you can lose your eternal reward, even though your salvation in Christ will never change? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to learn what the Bible teaches about these important questions.

Do you fight big battles and seem to win, but fail in the little things? That’s what Bobby Leach did as a stuntman. Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller in remembering this ironic and tragic story, and consider how we can learn a biblical insight that can prevent big problems in your future.

Are you deeply thankful when another person corrects you or points out a potential problem in your life? Or do you respond the opposite way? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to learn the right way to respond to correction.

Are you easily offended? Thin-skinned? Hypersensitive? Touchy? Do you lose spiritual focus when a stranger slings a rude comment your way? A friend misses a planned appointment? A preacher mentions your pet sin? Relatives forget your birthday? A church member asks why you were absent from a service? Your spouse asks you about anything? If any of this is true about you, I won't tell anyone. And guess what, you’re not alone. Many Christians share your struggle, but they don’t have to! Join me in looking at a very special and helpful thought from Psalm 119:165 that will show you how to never be offended.

Should a Christian seek out opportunities for community service, apart from family and church venues and apart from job responsibilities? Every Christian should seek out opportunities for service. It is the Christian thing to do (Mark 10:44-45). But what service and in what venues? Opportunities to serve blanket the world as trees in a jungle. What should you do? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider helpful Bible principles to evaluate service opportunities as a Christian.

American society uses words like “family,” “family planning” and “family values” loosely. The plain fact is that unless God’s values constitute your family values, your family values are worthless and futile. Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider some important thoughts about family values from Psalm 127.

Why do true, Bible churches continues to exist and thrive since the first century? What are the "gates of hell" and how can they affect the church today? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider some very encouraging thoughts from Matthew 16:18 regarding what God is doing in our world today.

We are facing a modern worship epidemic. Do you know what it is? We're distracted, and that's a serious problem. Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider thoughts from John 2 that will challenge your approach to God in times of worship, and consider whether you are giving God your undistracted, wholehearted devotion.

Much is made of Nicodemus "coming to Jesus by night" in John 3:2. But why did Nicodemus do this? Was it really because he was afraid of what his Jewish peers would think of him? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider several possible reasons for why Nicodemus met with Jesus at night, what you can know for sure and why it is important.  

Why did the magi approach King Herod? After all, doing so provoked him to slaughter the boys in Bethlehem, 2 yrs. and younger. If they hadn't gone to Herod, wouldn't that have prevented this unnecessary carnage? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to learn what the Bible teaches about the wise men who followed a star to worship Jesus. You will learn some surprising lessons!

Do you know what the New Testament is talking about when it mentions "the last days"? Are we living in "the last days"? If we are living in "the last days," then is it possible to believe God for more seasons of spiritual awakening in your church, in your nation and in the world? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to consider these very important questions that affect your faith!

Do you ever find yourself arguing with people you love? Do you know why this happens? Do you know how to resolve this? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to learn the biblical solution to interpersonal conflict.

Are you going backward or forward in your walk with God? What does it mean to go backward, and where does the Bible talk about this? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to discover how to move forward in your walk with God.

Do children and grandchildren inherit specific sinful tendencies and habits from their parents and grandparents? Does God punish children for the sins of their parents? Can you overcome the sinful behavior that seems to mark your grandparents and parents, as well as you? Join Pastor Thomas Overmiller to get some biblical answers to these important questions.