Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

There are two large groups of people in America today. They are the winners and the losers. The happy and the sad. The glad and the mad. The hopeful and the fearful. Which one are you on this morning (week) after an American election? What does the state of your heart reveal about your faith? Regardless of our camp, there is probably work to do in our hearts. For the victorious, the temptation is smugness and high-fives that looks down on the losers. For the losers, the temptation could be despair and anger. The election is the heat in our lives that reveals the pre-existing condition of our hearts. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/assessing-my-heart-the-morning-after-an-american-election/ Will you help us to continue providing free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – If a person in your church lives a sinful lifestyle and is a leader, how should I respond to that person? Should I sit under their teaching and leadership? Should I separate from sinners in the church? A lady asked, “I know I am to engage sinners for redemptive purposes because that is what Christ did to me. I don’t want to separate from them but influence them with the gospel. But what about the ongoing sinfulness of someone in your church?” Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/separate-sinful-people-church/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

One of the problems with some marriages is a lack of respect from the wife for the husband. A proper probing question follows: what does that mean? Is her lack of respect the entire problem in the marriage, or are other complexities that might contribute to her lack of respect? There are always complexities in relational conflict, but why do some folks focus only on a lack of respect in situations like this? It appears they are extracting Paul’s words about respecting the husband and missing the context. What if we take a look at the context and content of this pivotal passage about marriage? Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/wife-respect-unkind-husband/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – “I’m thinking of a person who is not concerned with the kingdom of God and is more concerned with a kingdom of self, especially a person who does not have a gospel-centered motive. They have a lot of pride and are not easy to teach. They want a certain way and do not consider God’s will. How do you counsel a self-righteous person?” – Doug Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/counsel-self-righteous-person/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Boys and girls are different. You cannot say that aloud or the culture will cancel you. But it’s true, and when it comes to the act of love in reciprocal relationships, the different ways they respond to each other are fully displayed. God made Adam a unique male and Eve a unique female. This news is not new for the believer. However, knowing these differences is vital, especially when a boy meets a girl. Understanding how the genders react to love provides wisdom while potentially saving a couple from much disappointment. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/a-girl-kissing-a-boy-is-different-than-a-boy-kissing-a-girl/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Being reproved or rebuked is tough stuff. Nobody enjoys it. I don't! When someone comes along pointing out a flaw in your life, it's typically a tense moment because it cuts against the grain of our Adamic hearts. To be willing to have others speak into your life is one of the high marks of Christian maturity, making it a great time to ask a few tough questions to examine our Christian maturity. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/six-tough-questions-that-examine-your-christian-maturity/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – Just curious if you might flesh out the differences between capacity versus character issues. I assume we would expect a response to God’s truth in whatever capacity someone could respond. I wonder what you think about a person unable to process truth because of diminished soul issues; thus, their behaviors reflect those compromised soul issues. It would help me understand this problem a bit better. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/respond-people-different-character-capacity-issues/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

As we head into the holidays, this is the most mission-critical season of the year, and we ask the Father to provide our financial needs for the proceeding year, 2023. Thankfully, a donor has stepped up, saying they will give us $50K if one, two, or more folks do similarly. I shared this news with our supporting community, and several have committed to praying and fasting during this vital season. Will you pray about this fantastic opportunity? For those who cannot donate at that level, will you give what you believe the Lord wants you to give? The majority of our finances come in during this season. I'm asking God to move many hearts, and I'd love for you to join our community and me as we petition the Father. You may donate here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Did you know God puts you in spots where He expects you to fail? This perspective might sound harsher than it is at first glance. But what if God could use your sins, mistakes, shortcomings, and weaknesses for your good and His glory? Have you ever considered how your disappointments and discouragements could provide the backdrop for the Lord to demonstrate His power and goodness through your inabilities and missteps? It’s true. God’s strength coming through our weakness is just one of the many ways He proves His love to us. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-you-are-beyond-your-ability-god-has-you-right-where-he-wants-you-2/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Did you know that the rearing of the Millennial and Gen-Z cultures differs from the rest of us? Newsflash: It's true! The "moral lines" were more straightforward for you and me: sin was a sin, and it was evident most anyone. Regrettably, the culture and media have bombarded the last two generations with an "acceptance message" that embraces a "to each his own" worldview, so what is obvious to you, as clearly taught from the Bible, is questioned by the current generation. The abnormal is normal, which is why you need to know it's "okay" to be gay, a new message from our deteriorated culture. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/okay-gay-need-know/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

One of the most difficult challenges prohibiting a person from actively engaging and completing our Mastermind Program is procrastination. Because this struggle is a “common to man problem,” it is one of our most common questions. In this episode, I will answer this question fully, provide advice for a path forward, while offering a few other tips for your consideration if you’re looking for world-class training in all things discipleship—our Mastermind Program. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/can-procrastinator-un-disciplined-person-program/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Have you ever wondered what happens to a person who exchanges the truth of God for a lie? Perhaps you know someone who has made this troubling exchange. They were once walking in the truth of God’s Word, but now they have created a new reality—their truth, which conflicts with God’s truth, placing the “exchanger” in the unenviable position of going to war with God. Paul talked about such a person in Romans 1:21-25. Let me share with you what happens to such a person. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mind-person-exchanges-the-truth-of-god-for-a-lie/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea: If you want a persevering relationship with someone, having the proper aim is vital. As you think about your most significant relationship, what is the singular secret to making it last with joy and fulfillment? In this episode, I want to share with you the secret to having a great marriage that lasts. You may apply this essential tip to any vital relationship you want to endure. Learn the secret and the process of building a relationship that lasts. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/secret-great-marriage-lasts/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Have you ever been alone? I’m speaking of the worst kind of loneliness, not your run-of-the-mill loneliness. It’s a sting that penetrates the depths of a person’s soul. This peculiar kind of isolation is different from being by yourself, as though hanging with someone will solve this problem. I’m talking about a type of loneliness that isolates you even in a crowd. You know you’re in a bad spot when living in community with others cannot satisfy the pain of loneliness; it has penetrated to the point of feeling it. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-god-is-not-with-me-3/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

“He was nothing like this when we were dating. He would send me little notes, hold the car door open, and be thoughtful about almost everything. I’m not sure I exist in his world, except when he wants sex. I seem not to matter anymore. He is not the man I married. Are you saying that dating and marriage are different realities? What I thought I was getting, but what I got are two different people. What’s the point of dating? How can we fix our marriage?” Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/dating-the-artificial-season-that-doesnt-count/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – A supporter asked how best to describe our journey with Christ. He wanted to know the best label to describe the Christian experience? He added, “Some folks hold to a more rule-based lifestyle, called legalism. Others like to call themselves grace-centered. Where does gospel-centered fit with these terms?” If these are only three terms we have to choose, I would call myself a gospel-centered person. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-431-why-gospel-centered-is-better-than-grace-centered-and-legalism/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

The litmus test for a mature Christian leader is their ability to replicate themselves into someone else. If a leader does not copy himself into another person, the Christian mission stops—at least in that Christian’s immediate sphere of influence. A Christian leader is always thinking about how to export his Christ-life to another individual so that person can be Christlike to others. Though we are different in how we accomplish these things, we have the same call: go and make disciples. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/what-is-the-litmus-test-for-a-leader-and-are-you-one/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

What does your pastor think about when he thinks about you? Does that question sound strange to you? Perhaps you belong to a larger church where your pastor does not know you. Okay. But there is a leader at your church who does know you. What does that person think about when he thinks about you? My question is similar to what goes through your mind when you think about a special person in your life, perhaps a child. What I want to know is whether you are a joy to your pastor, a great, soul-searching query. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/dear-pastor-do-you-groan-when-you-think-of-me/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – Someone asked about separating from sinners. His concern was about the tension and confusion that comes with associating with those who reject Christ, attending their events, or what other Christians think about some of his worldly associations. Because the culture is becoming darker and darker, it is harder and harder to see where to draw the lines of separation today. Thus, the question is should we separate from sinners? What do you think? Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-430-should-christians-separate-from-sinners/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Paul told us husbands to nourish and cherish our wives. It's stunning when you realize how much unfolds from these two words. Did you know if we understand and practice them correctly in our marriages, the benefit for us and our wives is invaluable, including the impact the marriage would have on our children? So, what does it mean to nourish and cherish your wife? How about if you buckle up and let's go for a ride as we discover the practical responsibility and opportunity in this aspect of the art of husbandry? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/what-does-it-mean-to-nourish-and-cherish-your-wife/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/