Life Over Coffee

What the world, flesh, and the devil mean for evil, the Lord God Almighty intends for our good, creating a unique place where good and evil intersect to do battle in a Christian’s life. That spot is our crucible of suffering. While in it, confusion mounts, tempting us to take actions we would not take during ordinary times, but even in those moments, God is with us, always persevering for our good. As you reflect upon the most painful times of your life, haven’t you seen how the Lord sustained and cared for you?

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ever-tried-manipulative-praying/

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Silence does not have to be a bad thing, even the silence of God. Quick to listen and slow to speak is biblical, according to James. The gifts of reflection and pondering seem lost in our impulsive, ready, fire, aim culture. There are times when silence is wisdom. Have you considered the deliberateness of God? During the Lord’s quietness, He can communicate some of the most profound truths if you’re willing to listen. Whether speaking or not, we must trust the Lord’s wisdom because life does not function formulaically—a speaking God is good, but a quiet God is not.

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/the-importance-and-benefit-of-god-being-silent/

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Shows Main Idea – Spending time on social media does much harm to our lives and relationships. You can easily find 1000 studies to support this claim, and it matters not where you land on the political spectrum. We are addicted to social media because it feeds our deepest cravings, similar to any addictive behavior. The difference is how we have rationalized this addiction through our collective participation. For the courageous soul, I appeal to you to consider these five reasons to curb or get off social media.

Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-451-five-reasons-to-curb-or-get-off-social-media/

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Let’s Start Here: Are you problem-centered or God-centered? A quick way to analyze my question is by assessing your most common responses to the problems the Lord brings to your life. All things, big and small, provide the contexts for us to examine the strengths and weaknesses of our walk with God. There is nothing like heat to draw out impurities or solidify the good things we want to preserve. When trouble comes, it will tell you quickly the depth and hold your faith has on you, whether we’re talking about minor traffic inconveniences or Job-level devastation.

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/seven-step-template-for-personal-change-when-trouble-comes/

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Letting God be God is one of our greatest fears. When the circumstances are the most adverse, the temptation will be the strongest to bring God down to our level so we can argue with Him. This instinct is not unusual; we do it with folks who need a piece of our mind. To be angry at someone requires elevating yourself above them to let them have it, and it matters not if the object of our frustration is human or the Divine. The fearful, angry soul is not far from this kind of exalted arrogance when things become unmanageable. I was that arrogant soul.

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/i-brought-god-down-to-my-level-so-i-could-argue-with-him/

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What would you rather have if you only had one choice: a change of circumstances or a change of mind about your circumstances? My question is critical and ties directly to the quality of life you will experience with God and others, especially when things go badly for you. I suspect most of us would prefer a change of circumstances over a change of mind about our circumstances. I would. When disappointment comes, I usually look for the exits and go into flight mode. How fast can I get to higher ground? Our self-preservation instincts are normal but not always wise when a higher aim from a divine orchestrator may be working a superior plan.

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/the-unparalleled-benefit-of-living-in-an-unchangeable-situation/

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Shows Main Idea – It sounds odd to title this podcast episode with a plea to stop caring so much, so let me explain. One of the side effects of chronic, debilitating sickness among caring friends is unsolicited advice from folks who love you. Yes, there is a tension here: you want them to care for you, but there can be an unwitting burden attached to their advice as they suggest the latest cure or Google research.

Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/motivate-christians-stop-caring-much/

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God operates with unexpected purposes that come in unsuspecting moments. He does this because He can observe our lives from an eternal perspective as he stands outside time. His creatures have a limited field of vision that is no wider than what we can see in front of us. Indeed, we can reflect on what has happened and guess what may happen, but we only have today's fleeting moments as we subjectively anticipate our next moves. Because God operates on a different plane, there is always an other-worldly purpose behind His decisions, making it vital to discern His goals for us.

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/just-when-you-thought-things-were-going-well-the-other-foot-falls/

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Everyone knows God comes through for us when we get what we want. Did you know He comes through for us when He gives things we do not want or appreciate? What did the Lord do for you that you did not understand at the time but see His wisdom in providing that thing now? This truth troubles our souls and challenges our perspective about the Lord. Like a loving parent, the Lord knows what is best, and sometimes He makes decisions that do not appear to be for us. As the child matures, he returns home to tell the parent how he sees the benefit of the hard thing the parent did for him when he was less mature.

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-god-does-not-come-through-and-you-do-not-get-what-you-want/

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The crucible of suffering reveals our most authentic thoughts about God and others. Sometimes the Lord puts us in that crucible, even while we are doing good things for Him and others, to prove our genuine faith. Job was a man like this. Say what you want about him, but he was a good guy. He was a terrific guy who loved God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37), but his world fell apart while doing good. Let’s stroll through the first chapter of his book to learn about his genuine faith and horrific trial.

Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/blindsided-while-doing-good/

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/