Theology – Page 21

February 20, 2022January 17, 2022 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

When Looks are Deceiving

By Linda Tancs

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that causes serious damage including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and dieback in trees, vines, crops and many other types of plants. Arguably, it’s a very attractive insect, which is why it’s so disheartening that something so pretty could be such a destructive nuisance. Looks are, indeed, sometimes deceiving. Insects like the lanternfly remind me of the Bible’s warnings against deception. We’re warned, for instance, that it’s foolhardy to think that bad company doesn’t rub off on us (1 Corinthians 15:33) or to think that we won’t reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7) or that empty words will yield fruit (Ephesians 5:6). The key to avoiding deception is discernment (John 7:24).

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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.

February 13, 2022January 12, 2022 goforwardinfaith Religion, Theology

In the Same Boat

By Linda Tancs

The expression “to be in the same boat” typically alludes to people sharing in challenging or problematic situations. In the spiritual realm, however, it takes on a better meaning. We’re all in the same boat with Simon and Andrew, James and John. That is, we’re called to have a relationship with Jesus in the same way they were called—not in a grand gesture but instead with a personal invitation to follow Him (Matthew 4:18-22). Like the apostles, it comes at a time and a place when you’d probably least expect it. What’s your story?

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

February 6, 2022January 10, 2022 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Just the Facts

By Linda Tancs

The Book of Lamentations is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, a collection of reflections on the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. It’s a gut-wrenching account of the fall of God’s people Israel. Yet in chapter 3 Jeremiah declares that, ultimately, God does not fail (Lamentations 3:21-23). That reflection is a good reminder to focus on facts, not feelings. Feelings are unpredictable, and they lie. Don’t be guided by your feelings. All of God’s promises are facts. When life disappoints, focus on the facts.

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January 30, 2022December 30, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Original Wireless Connection

By Linda Tancs

As of January 2021, nearly 60 percent of the global population were active internet users. Of this total, over 92 percent accessed the internet via mobile devices that are heavily dependent on Wi-Fi. Another statistic shows that a person averages nearly eight hours per day on devices. Can you survive without a Wi-Fi connection? You might think you can’t, at least technologically speaking. But the original wireless connection is God. The connection is always stable, safe, secure—and free! And, no device is necessary. Now there’s a connection worth using.

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January 23, 2022December 29, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Covering and Atoning

By Linda Tancs

When we read the Bible’s exhortation that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), we often think of it in terms of forgiving others for their transgressions. But the “cover” has another implication that frequently is overlooked. When we love, we atone for our own sins, our own shortcomings. Jesus reminded us, after all, that love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). Whoever does not love does not know God (1 John 4:8).

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January 16, 2022December 28, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Fear and Courage

By Linda Tancs

Our common sense is apt to think of courage as the opposite of fear. But, spiritually speaking, the opposite of fear is love. As evangelist F.B. Meyer put it, “God incarnate is the end of fear.” In the apostle John’s epistle, he wrote that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). The perfect love of God casts out all fear and assures us of everlasting life through belief in Jesus Christ.

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January 9, 2022December 27, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Give It a Year

By Linda Tancs

Jesus told his followers a parable about a fig tree that hadn’t yielded any fruit for years. The owner of the garden wanted the tree cut down, but the gardener asked for one more year to make it fruitful (Luke 13:6-9). How many times have you given a situation one year to change? It’s a popular marker. An aspiring entertainer gives his or her career one year to show promise. A worker gives a new job one year before evaluating the situation. Someone may move to a new locale and not like it right away but wait one year before deciding whether to move on. What are you willing to do while you “give it a year”?

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January 2, 2022December 14, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Out With the Old

By Linda Tancs

Remember the old expression, “Out with the old, in with the new.” We’re used to shedding old things. We give old clothes away to make room for new ones. We shed old habits and (hopefully) develop new, better ones. We buy newer cars. The same concept applies in the spiritual realm. As Jesus said, you don’t pour new wine into old wineskins (Mark 2:22). Indeed, there is nothing in our old nature worth salvaging once we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Use the advent of a new year to renew yourself!

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December 26, 2021December 8, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

I’ve Got Good News

By Linda Tancs

There have no doubt been times in your life when you’ve thought, “I could use some good news.” Maybe you’ve suffered from a physical malady or a dry spell at work or some other life circumstance has you seeking more positivity. We all yearn for a good report. Proverbs, too, reminds us that good news is like cold water to a weary soul (Proverbs 25:25). And, of course, this time of year we rejoice in the proclamation of the angel Gabriel to the shepherds of good tidings of great joy on the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:10). He is the ultimate Good News, both the bearer of the message and the message Himself!

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December 19, 2021November 15, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The End of Times

By Linda Tancs

In times of great distress—like wars and pandemics—people often wonder if we’re in the end times. The fact is that, since Jesus ascended to Heaven, we’ve been in the end times. The real question is whether we’re at the end of the end times. The timing of the end isn’t what’s most important, though. What matters is that you’re ready. Don’t waste time getting ready. Do you find yourself saying (or thinking), “Time got away from me”? Redeem the hours. Otherwise, you might end up knocking at a closed door (Matthew 25:1-13).

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