goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Girl Power

By Linda Tancs

The term “girl power” gained popularity in the 1990s thanks to pop groups like The Spice Girls. It encourages women and girls to believe in themselves, pursue their goals and support each other. Although it’s become trendy in modern culture, it’s as ancient as the Old Testament. Consider the case of Zelophehad, who died without sons, and according to the prevailing custom, his daughters were not entitled to inherit his land. The five sisters petitioned Moses, arguing that their father’s name should not be forgotten and that they should be entitled to an inheritance. Unsure how to proceed, Moses approached the Lord, who ruled in the daughters’ favor (Numbers 27:1-11). God is a God of justice, after all. But how courageous of the girls to come forward and challenge societal norms. Their faith in God is a testament to them, establishing a limited right of inheritance for Israelite women and influencing future legal interpretations. Is there a girl in your life in need of encouragement? How can you best empower her?

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

The Search is On

By Linda Tancs

No doubt you’ve seen an advertisement or two for a high-level leader. Maybe a new CEO or university president. When the search is on, the required qualifications can be dizzying. It isn’t often enough to have the right skills or education. The successful candidate must usually also be creative, a problem solver, a mediator, creative, adaptable, and so on. It reminds me of God’s detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary intended to house His presence among the Israelites (See Exodus 25-31 and 35-40). Imagine a search committee seeking out just the right person for that job! Thankfully, God handled the search, choosing Bezalel (Exodus 31:2-5). He’s just as capable of handling a modern-day search as well. Keep God first place in the selection process.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Danger Within

By Linda Tancs

As the expression goes, things are not always as they appear. A viral TikTok video illustrated that principle, showing a woman’s panic when she picked up a beautiful shell on the beach only to discover that it could’ve housed a highly venomous cone snail inside it. The Bible illustrates this principle in Jesus’s rebuke of the Pharisees’ outward behavior compared with their inner nature (Matthew 23:25-26). Using a cup as a metaphor, He criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on cleaning the outside of cups and platters while neglecting the inside, which was full of greed and wickedness. Transform the danger within.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Iron Sharpens Iron

By Linda Tancs

A popular Bible verse is “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). It’s generally taken to mean that no one is alone; we act upon each other. Just as two pieces of iron can sharpen each other when rubbed together, individuals can improve each other through interaction and mutual support. Think about your relationships: family, friends, colleagues, competitors. How can you challenge and learn from each other?

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Footprints

By Linda Tancs

Footprints in the Sand is a popular poem about walking with God. Symbolized by footprints in the sand, the poem highlights the idea that during difficult times, when only one set of footprints is visible, it’s because God is carrying the person, not abandoning them. It evokes Psalm 55. In verse 22, we’re reminded to cast our cares. One theologian remarked that when we cast our cares, He lifts us up, burdens and all. Just like one set of footprints in the sand. Think about that the next time you see prints on a sandy beach.

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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. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Sycamores

By Linda Tancs

The sycamore tree is mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the New Testament, the most well-known passage involving sycamore trees describes Zacchaeus, a short tax collector, who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus pass through Jericho (Luke 19:1-4). Particularly in that context, the story symbolizes a rising up beyond one’s circumstances toward something greater. In life, though, the sycamore might evoke the feeling of “sick of more.”

What are your “sycamores?” Sick of more: strife, depression, anxiety, loneliness? Rise above it. Seek higher ground, like Zacchaeus.

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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. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Clear and Present Danger

By Linda Tancs

“Clear and present danger” is a legal standard used to determine when speech or actions can be limited or restricted under the First Amendment, specifically when they pose a significant and immediate threat to public safety or national security. We should treat the devil as a clear and present danger and do everything to restrict him (James 4:7). He is a deceiver and a source of harm, both morally and physically, through temptation, sin and suffering. Pay no mind to his speech or his actions; gird yourself with Truth (Ephesians 6:11-12).

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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. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Claim the Blessing

By Linda Tancs

When you travel, would you refuse to claim your luggage? Of course not. It’s your property; it belongs to you. But so many people refuse to claim their blessing. Are you one of them? Maybe you believe that you’re not blessed but, if you’re in Christ, the blessing has been given (Ephesians 1:3). Maybe you don’t understand the scope of the blessing given to you. It helps to review what the Bible says about blessings. For instance, it says that God’s mercy is fresh every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). That’s at least one blessing that you can claim every day.

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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. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Dressed for Success

By Linda Tancs

The saying “clothes make the man” (or woman) implies that one’s appearance or attire will influence how others view you. Thankfully, God doesn’t anoint only smart dressers. Consider John the Baptist, a desert dweller dressed in camel hair eating a diet of wild locusts (Matthew 3:4). Jesus said that no greater man was born of a woman (Matthew 11:11). Inspired words come from those dressed in hoodies, jeans and sneakers just as readily as they come from those donned in dresses, ties and suits. Pay more attention to the words and less attention to the wardrobe.

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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. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Please Be Seated

By Linda Tancs

We usually hear the refrain “Are you sitting down?” when someone has something provocative to share. But being seated is more important than you think. In fact, it’s evocative of power and authority. Teachers and judges, for instance, traditionally exercised their office seated, so the chair became a symbol of authority. In the Old Testament, the Chair of Moses (mentioned in Matthew 23:2) is a symbol of teaching authority. Christians recognize the Chair of St. Peter as a symbol of the authority and primacy of the first Bishop of Rome and, for Catholics, the teaching authority of the Pope. Interestingly, the Latin word for “chair” is “cathedra.” Thus, to speak “ex cathedra” is to exercise one’s teaching authority “from the chair.” Now there’s a seat worth reserving.

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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. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.