You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/four-sequential-steps-to-change-your-life/

The way to change your life is not mysterious or elusive. Paul gave Timothy a practical and replicate-able plan that can be implemented in any person's life. If you learn and practices these four sequential steps your life will change too.

Life plan for Christian maturity

Because repentance is not native to us, God is patient as He comes alongside us to teach us how to change. After Adam first sinned, he decided not to repent, choosing rather to place his problems on someone else (Genesis 3:12). Ever tried that?

As sons and daughters of Adam, blaming, rationalizing, and justifying our problems away are the things that tempt us as we adjust on our fig leaves (Genesis 3:7). Mercifully God perseveres with us by not allowing us to stay entangled in our sinful tendencies (Galatians 6:1).

One of the primary means of grace He uses to help us change is His Word. For example, when Paul was teaching the young pastor Timothy, he highlighted how God uses His Word to change us. Notice what He said:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/forcing-others-to-change-will-blow-up-your-relationship-with-them/

Test yourself before you read this piece by thinking about how you think about those you would like to see change. The areas to reflect on are your motives and practices. If they are wrong, then the change you hope for probably will not happen.

Two self-assessment questions to start:

1. Are you generally impatient toward the person you want to see changed?

2. Are you easily frustrated, critical, unforgiving, bitter, or fearful toward the person you would like to see changed?

There are more questions, but these attitudes are enough to help you assess your heart about those you care about and want to serve.

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/people-missing-point-about-donald-trump/

What people don’t understand about Donald Trump is that he has not only embraced the medium, but he has changed it. He has taken what Kennedy did to a new level.

Find all Pertaining to Life podcasts here: http://rickthomas.net/series/pertaining-to-life/

You can find the show notes for this podcast here: http://rickthomas.net/five-things-consider-asks-god-let-baby-die/

And submit your question here: http://rickthomas.net/contact/ Let me know you are asking a Podcast Question.

How do you answer a friend who is not a Christian but searching when she asks the question: Why did God let my baby die? This was one of the many questions asked during the biblical counseling conference I recently led in Soldotna, Alaska.

As an extension of that conference I have been putting together a series of podcasts to work through the questions that could not be taken care of while we were together.

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/a-time-to-forgive-a-time-you-cant-forgive/

Forgiveness is the exclusive domain and the divinely given privilege of the redeemed. It is the only way any of us can be released from what we have done wrong. Forgiveness is the means of grace that allows us to have relationships the way God intended. How often do you use this means of grace?

Find all Pertaining to Life podcasts here: http://rickthomas.net/series/pertaining-to-life/

And submit your question here: http://rickthomas.net/contact/ Let me know you are asking a Podcast Question.

How do you respond to unkind Christians who are mean-spirited toward others by being harsh and unkind toward them based their past experiences or choices?

It is impossible to fail our program. There is not an A to F grading system because the Christian training worldview is counter-intuitive to secular systems (1 Corinthians 1:25). I supervise the work, but I do not put any student in an A or F category..

Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/passing-failing-program/

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Find all Pertaining to Life podcasts here: http://rickthomas.net/series/pertaining-to-life/

And submit your question here: http://rickthomas.net/contact/ Let me know you are asking a Podcast Question.

When a spouse leaves the marriage for another person, it is one of the most traumatic things a person can go through. Listen to eight guidelines to apply to your life when in this kind of situation.

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/should-i-keep-my-friends-sin-secret/

Your friend comes to you with a secret sin. How will you respond to him? You are his accountability partner, and he asks you to keep his sin confidential. Is it good to pledge confidentiality or have an expectation of it? Does confidentiality have value in the context of confession?

Are there instances where we should tell others about a transgression, even if the guilty party is against it? What biblical principles guide us when it comes to secrets and secret keeping?

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/the-power-of-unforgiveness-when-used-as-a-weapon/

Sometimes unforgiveness can be used as a tool for protection or a weapon for destruction in a relationship. It usually happens after a person has been hurting for a while, or has been significantly frustrated and disappointed with someone. When forgiveness is an option, the hurt person chooses to hold on to their weapon, which can serve a dual role:

“I will not let you close to hurt me again.”

“I will not let you be free from what you did.”

This strategy offers a false measure of security, which appears to protect the hurt person from future suffering. Unfortunately, this perceived means of self-protection will not work.

The person holding on to the anger and hurt cannot see (or is unwilling to see) how unforgiveness is a form of self-prescribed cancer; it will eat away at the unforgiving soul. No one should strive to hold on to any sin–which unforgiveness is–no matter how justified or insecure they may feel in the moment.