goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Life Happens

By Linda Tancs

A popular expression reminds us that life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Who knew that better than Simon of Cyrene? He was the man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to His crucifixion (Luke 23:26). Regardless of his reason for being in town that day, it was hardly the kind of thing he would’ve had on his to-do list. It was a sudden, random event for Simon. Not so for us because we’re commissioned to pick up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). That’s when life really happens.

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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 Heart of the Matter

By Linda Tancs

It’s fair to say that the Bible gets to the heart of the matter–that is, matters of the heart. We’re told that out of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). That’s one reason why we should guard our heart (Proverbs 4:23). We should be cheerful (Proverbs 17:22) and pure hearted (Matthew 5:8). Above all, take heart in Jesus (John 16:33). No doubt you can come up with many illustrations showing how the heart is at the essence of everything we do, say, think or feel. It’s the foundation for our spiritual and temporal well-being.

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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

Long Enough

By Linda Tancs

You might enjoy camping for a week, but you wouldn’t want to stay there. So imagine what it was like for the Israelites, camped out for 40 years in the desert. God finally told them that they’d stayed long enough on the mountain. It was time to move toward the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:6-8). Have you dwelt long enough in something? It might not be your living conditions but maybe it’s in a mountain of debt, or pain or rejection or illness. It’s time to move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

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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

Peanut Butter and Jelly

By Linda Tancs

There are some things in life that, arguably, are inextricably linked, like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Like Frank Sinatra sang, you can’t have one without the other. Contentment and gratitude are like that. Just try to experience one without the other (Philippians 4:11). Contentment fosters gratitude; gratitude brings on contentment, or at least soothes discontent. Think of that the next time you see a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

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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

A Street With No Name

By Linda Tancs

Imagine a GPS that couldn’t give you the name of a single street along the route. You’d be pretty confused, wouldn’t you? In the spiritual realm, that’s the place we’re in regularly, and it’s easy to feel confused (Romans 11:33). That’s why it’s so important to place our trust in God. When we do, then He’ll make straight and plain our paths (Proverbs 3:6). We only need to follow the road; street names are unnecessary.

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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

Your Best Self

By Linda Tancs

There’s no shortage of advice on becoming what pop culture refers to as your “best self.” It means different things to different people: taking control of your life, maximizing your strengths, living in alignment with your values. No matter how you define it, the goal is ultimately the same: to acquire a positive mindset. It’s pursued in a myriad of ways: losing weight, changing careers, starting a business, you name it. Spiritually, there’s only one way to become your best self, and that is to imitate Christ (Romans 8:29). And that’s the best way to maintain a positive outlook on life.

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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

Starry Nights

By Linda Tancs

God created the stars and, as a popular song says, He knows them by name. He knows the lifespan of every star in the sky and guides each of them to its expected end. So as God so guides the stars, surely it’s a comfort to know that He’ll chart a course for you as well (Luke 12:7). Remember that the next time you’re enjoying a starry night.

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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

Come As You Are

By Linda Tancs

One of the most liberating phrases is “come as you are.” Don’t worry about getting all dressed up for the dinner party; come as you are. No need to wear a three-piece suit to work every day; come as you are. Jesus says the same thing to those who would follow Him; no need to have your act all cleaned up first; just come as you are. That’s what the blind man did (Mark 10:46-52), and the leper (Matthew 8:1-4), and the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43). Just come as you are.

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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

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

By Linda Tancs

Jesus wasn’t shy about making himself a house guest. After all, he told the tax collector Zacchaeus that He would be staying at his house. (Luke 19:1-10). To associate with a sinner (a wealthy and detested tax collector) was unthinkable to his cohorts. But Jesus didn’t think like others think because He loved unlike others loved. The core of love is acceptance; the fruit of acceptance is redemption. Zacchaeus was a redeemed man thanks to his encounter with Jesus. What a dinner party that must have been!

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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

Closer Than You Think

By Linda Tancs

The etching in a passenger side-view mirror reads something like “objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” The reason objects are closer than they appear is because the mirror is slightly curved. The driver-side mirror, on the other hand, is not shaped the same way. Look at these mirrors through the eyes of faith. The driver is God; we are passengers. He knows where the breakthrough is; His mirror doesn’t need a warning. Maybe you think your victory in life, whatever it may be, is far away. But, just like that passenger mirror, it is likely closer than you think (1 Corinthians 15:57).

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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.