goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Take the High Road

By Linda Tancs

There’s an old Scottish song about Loch Lomond, the largest lake. It features the lyrics, “You take the high road and I’ll take the low road.” That’s a geographic reference, of course. But, in life, we’re challenged with choosing between the high road or the low road, whether it be in thought, word or deed. That’s because there’s always a person, or circumstance, that will test your resolve to love like God loves. When others go low, take the high road. It’s the only one that leads to a life of peace, joy, love and self-control (Matthew 7:13-14). The low road only leads to destruction, ruin, regret, pain, brokenness and emptiness.

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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

People Pleasers

By Linda Tancs

A 2022 YouGov survey found that 49% of American adults identify as people-pleasers, commonly defined as one who places the needs of others above one’s own, often to one’s detriment and out of fear of rejection or disapproval. Can you relate? Be a God pleaser, instead. He’s the One who matters. Your time spent here with other people is but a vapor (James 4:14). Your time with God, whose opinion matters most, is without end.

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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

The Golden Years

By Linda Tancs

Writer C.S. Lewis once observed, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Even in the Bible, the concept of retirement is mentioned only once (Numbers 8:23-26). Levite priests retired at the age of 50, at which time they entered service as mentors of sorts to younger priests. Even then they did not retire in our modern sense of the word; they transitioned to other roles instead. Moses remained fruitful right up to the end of his life at age 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7). So did Job (Job 42:16-17). God desires that you continue to bear fruit in your old age (Psalm 92:14). History provides plenty of examples: Benjamin Franklin was 70 when he signed the Declaration of Independence; Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 69; Leonid Hurwicz received the Nobel Prize in Economics at age 90; and Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa at age 75. You get the point. The older you are, the more you have to share with others. Don’t hide your light (Matthew 5:15). Be a beacon.

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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

Tomorrowland

By Linda Tancs

Tomorrowland is a Disney-themed attraction. Although the attraction may be fun, in real life “tomorrowland” is a place we might park. We dream about tomorrow; we put off for tomorrow what we can do today (James 4:13-14). Like the Disney attraction, tomorrowland is a fantasy. Be present. Stay in the present. Enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going.

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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

Treat Your Bible Like Your Phone

By Linda Tancs

Statistics about phone usage indicate that people check their phones about 60 times per day. Nearly 40 percent say they can’t go a day without their phone. Almost a majority believe that they are addicted to their phones. Can you relate? What if you treated your Bible like your phone? Take it everywhere you go. Check it for messages all day long. Spend hours a day in it. Allow the Word of God to live in you and have a home in your heart and mind (Colossians 3:16).

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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

Procrastination or Preparation

By Linda Tancs

Novelist Charles Dickens once said that procrastination is the thief of time. We should generally avoid procrastination (Proverbs 21:25). Sometimes, though, there’s a fine line between procrastination and preparation. Another way of looking at it is to consider whether there’s such a thing as productive or positive procrastination. For example, experts identify this as waiting to study for a test if waiting until the final hours will result in retention of the necessary information. That kind of waiting can also be productive if the student does something else before studying, like other homework. Consider your motives for procrastinating and discern whether any real benefit results from it.

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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

The Meaning of Work

By Linda Tancs

Man versus machine is an age-old debate. It reminds me of the remark by theologian Andrew Murray that a machine can do work but only life can bear fruit. Machines are guided by humans who alone can create and invent new things, even new ways of working. Today’s technological advances can make it difficult to define what “work” is. Don’t sacrifice the beauty of creating work by relying on technological shortcuts. Exercise dominion over machines as over other things (Genesis 1:26).

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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

Ablaze With the Holy Spirit

By Linda Tancs

The apostle Paul exhorted the Romans to be ablaze with the Spirit (Romans 12:11). The Bible often describes God’s presence as a fire, and the Holy Spirit is like a fire that burns within believers. The principle is also expressed in the Old Testament, wherein it is commanded that the fire on the altar be kept burning (Leviticus 6:12-13). How do we keep the fire ablaze? One way is through good works that evidence the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Another way is to follow the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance (Galatians 5:25) rather than quench it (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Would you describe yourself as ablaze with the Holy Spirit?

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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

Friends or Enemies

By Linda Tancs

We’re taught to not only to do good to those who are good to us but also to do good to those who are disdainful toward us, discontented with us, hostile to our plans or who insult us (Luke 6:27-31). This is how we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). There’s an additional benefit to this; namely, those who hurt us become, in a sense, our allies because the more we endeavor to be good to them, the less we suffer from self-pity, which is sinful (Romans 12:3). In the end, the good we show our adversaries provides an opportunity to increase our heavenly reward (Galatians 6:9), so they’re a better friend to us than we might otherwise think. 

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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

His Way

By Linda Tancs

“My way or the highway” is an expression people use to express a desire to do things their way. That was certainly the attitude of Naaman, who we read about in the Old Testament. A commander of the Syrian army, he was certainly accustomed to having things done his way. On receiving God’s instruction through the prophet Elisha to wash himself in the Jordan so his leprosy would be healed, he was indignant. He had his own expectations for how his need ought to be addressed, believing his opinion was superior to God’s command. His servants, however, convinced him to listen to Elisha’s words. As a result, Naaman was healed (2 Kings 5:1-15). Naaman’s story illustrates the benefit of doing things God’s way. Work with Him, not against Him, for peace and fulfillment in all that you do.

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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.