goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Seeing and Believing

By Linda Tancs

The term “doubting Thomas” refers to a skeptic, one who refuses to believe without the benefit of personal experience. It derives from the apostle John’s gospel account of the apostle Thomas, who refused to believe that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to the other disciples until he experienced it himself (John 20:24-29). In other words, seeing is believing. That’s the common refrain in the natural world but, biblically, we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). In fact, it’s appropriate that we’re likened to sheep in a scriptural context because sheep can’t see well; they’re dependent on the shepherd’s voice to lead them. Listen for His voice.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Theology

Remember Yourself Forward

By Linda Tancs

A charismatic preacher exhorted his audience to “remember yourself forward.” That’s a great way of reminding folks that they’re overcomers: you overcame before, and you’ll overcome again. Jesus is the ultimate overcomer (John 16:33). There is no struggle, adversity or hardship that you can’t overcome because you’re more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). You’ve had the victory before, and you’ll have it again (1 Corinthians 15:57). Just remember yourself forward.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

We’re In the Same Boat

By Linda Tancs

The expression “in the same boat” connotes a state of camaraderie, or commiseration. The apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John were in the same boat, fishermen called to discipleship by Jesus. Just regular folks going about their business, invited by a stranger to associate with Him and participate in His missionary work (Matthew 4:18-22). We’re all in the same boat as those first followers, just ordinary people called to do what only we can do, to be part of a plan we may never fully realize or understand. As theologian John Henry Newman put it, each of us is “a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.” We each have a mission not committed to anyone else.

Get in the boat.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

But God

By Linda Tancs

One of many phrases found consistently throughout various iterations of the Bible is “but God.” It’s a hopeful and restorative phrase (see, e.g., Psalm 49:15; Psalm 73:26; Acts 3:15). You might be more familiar, though, with “but how.” It shows up when a payment is looming, a marriage breaking, or a job ending, among other things. The next time you’re tempted to think “but how” think “but God” instead.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Beauty in the Bud

By Linda Tancs

People often talk about becoming “undone,” a phrase that usually evokes an emotional or trying circumstance. But think of the bud on a plant. What happens when the bud is undone? A flower emerges. There’s beauty in the breaking. Life is full of buds. What looks like a setback might just be a setup for something better. Focus on the break, not the bud (Isaiah 61:1-3).

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Catch More Flies

By Linda Tancs

There’s an old Italian proverb that says you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. In other words, you’ll get on better in life if you’re kind. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Popular campaigns like Random Acts of Kindness and Pay It Forward encourage us to be kind. In Ephesians 4:32, to be kind is mentioned first. Kindness benefits the one being kind (Proverbs 11:17) and honors God. So spare the vinegar and use more honey.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Forgiveness is a Gift

By Linda Tancs

You’ve no doubt heard it said that forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. It might sound like a cliché, but it’s grounded in the Bible. In fact, God Himself said that He blots out our sins for His “own sake” (Isaiah 43:25). Imagine that! Even God forgives sin for His own sake, for His own welfare. Forgive others for your own sake. If God can do it, then so can you.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

True Wealth

By Linda Tancs

How do you define wealth? The dictionary defines it as material prosperity. Are you wealthy in what matters to you? That was the condition of a rich man in a parable told by Jesus. The man was so successful that he didn’t have enough space to store his harvest. So he tore down his barns and built bigger ones, only to die that very night and bring it all to naught. The point of the story is that the man defined wealth by what mattered to him and not by what mattered to God (Luke 12:16-21). Be rich in what matters to God. The rest will wither like grass (1 Peter 1:24).

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Presence of Christmas

By Linda Tancs

Christmas is a gift-giving season, as anyone knows. But in the hustle and bustle, we often forget that it’s not about the presents–it’s about the Presence (Luke 2:1-20). The Presence gives us many presents: gifts of love, hope, peace, joy and salvation, just to name a few. Enjoy His presents this Christmas.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

God’s Work

By Linda Tancs

When someone is called to a noble or charitable task, they’re praised for “doing God’s work.” God’s work reaches beyond charitable endeavors, though. Every undertaking should reflect a dependence on God in keeping with His perspective and will as reflected in His word (Psalm 127:11). Do you work with and for God or to satisfy your own ends? Be fruitful, not fruitless.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.