Rick Thomas | Your Daily Drive

God makes children in His image, but parents have a way of reshaping that image by how they treat them. This sad letter from a wayward teenager to her daddy reflects the devastating power in parenting. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/dear-daddy-im-not-your-little-girl-anymore/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickth...

God’s mercy comes to us without conditions but does not proceed without our cooperation. So too our aid must begin freely, regardless of the recipient’s merits. But our mercy must increasingly demand change, or it is not really love. – Timothy J. Keller Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/knowing-what-to-do-but-not-doing-it-is-a-problem/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to...

Have you ever been discouraged? Silly question, I know. You are human, and you have battled discouragement. Finite people living in an uncontrollable, infinite world creates a formula that leads to discouragement. Throw sin into the mix, and discouragement is a guarantee. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-you-are-discouraged-you-need-your-soul-restored/ Will you help us so we can continue to...

All people have a desire for approval and acceptance. When God made us in His image, He also gave us a natural yearning to be part of a community (Genesis 2:18). The problem arises when we try to satisfy our longing for others outside of God’s perspective and intention. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/what-you-believe-you-need-will-control-you/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free...

Is it possible to get to the point in your spiritual life where external things do not control you internally? The Bible says it is possible, but only through the portal of adversity. This truth is what Paul was hoping the Philippians would learn. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/adversity-is-the-condition-that-teaches-you-contentment/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content t...

Every relationship will be a disappointing one to some degree. This truth is unavoidable. The key to living well with others begins by having an attitude of forgiveness toward offenders. You develop this mindset by realizing how God extended His mercy to you when you did not deserve it. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/what-to-do-when-your-spouse-disappoints-you/ Will you help us so we can contin...

A husband and wife are not just two people within the marriage. Yes, they have independent relationships with the Lord and with other people, but they are also one-flesh. Like our blessed Trinity, there is perfect oneness that unites the three Persons. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/does-your-marriage-look-like-this-2/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? Yo...

When the weight of your sin weighs you down, you must make sure that you understand which sin you have in view. I’m speaking of the most significant problem. Typically, people struggle more with what they can see but don’t discern how the hidden motives of the heart blind them to the primary issue. This result causes them to be “blind to their blindness.” Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-the...

How much power should a para-Church organization have over a local church? Should a local church submit to a para-Church organization? When your para-Church ministry is interfering with a local church, where will you stand—with your ministry or the church? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-a-para-church-ministry-tries-to-run-the-church/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free cont...

Mailbag – I was wondering if God treats His people the same way regarding giving “blessing for obedience” in the new covenant. It seems all over the Old Testament—if God’s people obey, they receive a blessing; if they don’t obey, they receive discipline. Does God still treat us this way after Christ came? Is there still a blessing for obedience? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/why-and-how-does-g...

Suffering is the expected, ordinary life for Christians living as aliens in a fallen world. God knew this, which is why He equipped us to live as victors when engaging the realities of fallenness. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-you-mix-suffering-and-sovereignty-into-your-life/ Will you help us...

You were in a horrible pit of sin. The Lord passed by, saw you, and lifted you out of your hopelessness. He left you better off than when He found you. His actions toward you gave you a goal in life: to imitate His gospel activity by helping, serving, encouraging, and challenging others. You want to leave them better off after they encounter you—a beautiful picture of the gospel. Read Here: https:...

Generally speaking, there are two types of dads. One sees his job in a 9 to 5 construct. The other father sees himself as a full-time, 24/7 dad, who provides spiritually and physically for his wife and children. Are you a part-time dad or a full-time one? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/biblical-dads-continue-working-after-coming-home-from-work/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide fre...

The fact any person would listen to me boggles my mind. I am a nobody who struggles like everybody, and when anybody pays attention to what I say, it is sobering and I am cautious. There is a profound responsibility for all of us to disciple well. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/dont-tell-folks-what-to-do-because-they-may-do-it/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the...

There are at least two parts to every crisis: what is happening to you in real-time and space; what is spiritually happening to you as the Father matures you through the trial. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/what-you-communicate-in-crisis-communicate-a-lot-about-you/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/...

To fear God is not to be afraid of Him, but to be drawn into ever-growing awe, amazement, and wonder as you think about and relate to Him. The love of our heavenly Father is extraordinary, though it’s not always a child’s first experience with a father. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/being-afraid-of-your-daddy-may-make-you-afraid-of-god/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free conte...

Who are your friends? How do they help you mature in Christ? What contexts have you created that help you pursue Christ together? Take a look at this verse about the importance of companions. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-do-your-friends-help-you-mature-in-christ/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.ne...

What if your husband was awesome? What if your wife was awesome? How do you help your children to live in awesomeness? These are important questions and, fortunately, the Bible does not leave us in the dark when it comes to being remarkable individuals. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-be-awesome-in-three-easy-steps/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world?...

Travel Update – On June 1, 2019, our family set out for a 60-day trip through Florida. The purpose of this travel season was to speak, counsel, consult, and connect with churches, key ministry leaders, and donors who support this work. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/impacting-lives-near-far-time/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporti...

Show me a person’s friends and the content that he consumes, and I will tell you what kind of man he is. The quickest and most straightforward way to know a person is by assessing their relationships and the things that they put into their minds. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/a-quick-and-simple-way-to-know-a-person/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You...

Some conflict does not end with an agreement. There are times when the best you can do is "agree to disagree." As you think about this popular cliche, it's vital to start with your heart motivations rather than the thing that is dividing you. In this podcast, I'm going to show you how to assess yourself biblically. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-agree-to-disagree-and-still-enjoy-each-oth...

The Father regenerated me when I was 25-years old. My parents did not rear me in a Christian home, and you could describe my childhood years as dysfunctional. My parents could not have done a more mediocre job, but the Lord chose to save me anyway. Some parents need to hear how God can save in spite of their mistakes. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/seven-tips-for-the-parent-who-blew-it-with-the...

When a problem happens or someone does something to hurt you, where do you begin working through this relational problem? What is your starting point? May I make a suggestion to help you work through hurts, whether they are of your making or what someone did to you? Read Here: rickthomas.net/start-here-when-w…ur-personal-hurt/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the worl...

Nobody loved people more than Jesus. Nobody was less controlled by people than Jesus. He found and lived in the perfect relational sweet spot of, “I love you, but you will not control me.” How about you? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-keep-from-being-overwhelmed-by-people-problems/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting membe...

If God is good, why is evil in the world? How can these two things—good and suffering—exist at the same time, especially if there is a loving and omnipotent God? A glance around the Internet says evil is in our world that is increasing and the Lord has had several millennia to solve this problem, but He has not done so. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/ill-do-my-own-thing-since-god-does-not-have-...