goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Ripple Effect

By Linda Tancs

What kind of spiritual legacy do you want to leave for others? After all, your faith journey isn’t just for you. Think of the ripple effect that your witness can have on others. When the apostle Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy, he remarked on the faith that had been passed on to Timothy by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy became not only one of Paul’s most beloved and trusted associates but also the first Christian bishop of Ephesus.

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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

Rename It

By Linda Tancs

In ancient biblical times, it was common to adopt a name based on a condition or circumstance. In the Book of Chronicles, we learn of Jabez, so named because it resembles the Hebrew word for “pain.” Jabez’s mother gave him the name because he had caused her pain in childbirth (1 Chronicles 4:9). In the Book of Ruth, we learn that Naomi (meaning “pleasant”) attempted to change her name to Mara, which means bitter. Naomi was suffering from the loss of her husband and two sons (Ruth 1:19-20). In modern times, a name change is legally available in many cases, but why not let God rename the situation instead? Jabez prayed that God be with him and keep him from being a source of pain to others, and God granted his request. Naomi ultimately trusted in God’s provision, which led to a kinsman redeemer for her widowed daughter-in-law, who bore a son (Obed) named as one of Jesus’s ancestors in the genealogies recorded in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. Her life was pleasant, indeed. Whatever name you’ve given yourself or your pain, let God rename 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

Just the Facts

By Linda Tancs

When captured, the presentation of name, rank and serial number is a requirement of the Geneva Convention. It is the only information a prisoner of war is obligated to give. In daily life, sometimes we stick to the facts, exchanging pleasantries or basic information with others. We never get beneath the surface. Popular culture talks about “emotional availability,” the ability of two people to share a healthy emotional connection. It is, indeed, an important element in bonding with others. Emotionally available people are present, open to understanding and empathizing with others and can reciprocate their emotions. Those are the characteristics that enable one to establish friendships, to be the one who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). That’s who Jesus is to us, and that’s who we should be to others.

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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 Privilege and the Power

By Linda Tancs

You have the privilege and the power of praying in Jesus’s name. After all, Jesus gave you the right to use His name when you go to God in prayer (John 16:23-24). Think about how powerful that is—when we pray in Jesus’s name, it’s as if He is making the supplication Himself. Unlike earthly privileges (like driving a car), you don’t need to worry about losing it. Enjoy this great privilege!

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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

Whatever It Costs

By Linda Tancs

In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) we learn that a Samaritan transported an injured man found on the roadside to an innkeeper and paid for his care with the promise to reimburse the innkeeper for any extra expense when the Samaritan returned. Notably, there was no limit on the expense he would pay; the Samaritan was willing to pay the innkeeper whatever it cost to care for the man. That’s a challenging standard to live up to. We often place limits on our charitable behavior, whether it be time, talent or treasure. It’s scary to write a “blank check.” Ultimately, God provided for all of us, no matter the cost, when He surrendered His only Son (John 3:16). He asks us to do likewise for others and trust Him for the rest (Luke 6:38).

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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

A Living Hope

By Linda Tancs

In Peter’s epistle he speaks of a “living hope” through Jesus’s resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). Compare that with the way we tend to sterilize hope into a wish, a thought, an idea, a concept or even just a feeling. We have something better: a hope that is alive and breathing, like oxygen, assuring us of a life to come in eternity. We overflow with this living hope through the Holy Spirit, the indwelling God of hope (Romans 15:13). Don’t settle for wishful thinking.

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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

What is Love?

By Linda Tancs

It’s always interesting to discover the story behind a song, like the hit I Want To Know What Love Is by the band Foreigner. The writer believes that the song, an expression of turmoil over his love life, was divinely inspired. That inspiration led to the addition of a gospel choir to the piece, and the resulting song affected millions of listeners worldwide, who found comfort in it during times of sadness and suffering. In the song, the writer asks to be shown what love is. For believers, all we need to do is look to Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love for us (John 14:8-10). He showed us that love is more than something you feel; it’s something you do. Love as He loved, and you’ll know what love is.

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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 Heart of the Problem

By Linda Tancs

Sometimes the heart of the problem is a problem with the heart. If a heart is full of evil, then evil will be spoken; out of an abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45). A hard heart dulls the mind (Mark 6:52), and a troubled heart has no peace (John 14:27). Do you have a “heart problem”? Let God be the strength of your heart (Psalm 73:26) and create it anew (Psalm 51:10).

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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, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

Green Means Go

By Linda Tancs

Traffic lights are universal. Red means stop. Green means go. When the light turns green, how quickly do you move? When God “green-lights” a plan for you, don’t delay. Get moving. God won’t drive a parked car (Hebrews 10:36).

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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 Opposite of Love

By Linda Tancs

What is the opposite of love? You might be surprised at the number of responses if you’ve ever queried anyone. Many will likely say that hate is the opposite of love. Others may say it’s abandonment, sadness, fear or indifference. It doesn’t really matter what you consider to be the opposite of love because anything that opposes love is its opposite. So remember to put on love (Colossians 3:14).

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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.