bible – Page 23

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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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.

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.

December 12, 2021November 3, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Just One Person

By Linda Tancs

I’m just one person. What can I do to make a difference? Do you ever feel this way? Sometimes, all it takes is one person to change things. The Bible is full of examples. Abraham founded a nation. Noah built the ark that saved mankind. Gideon assembled an army of just 300 men and won a war. Esther saved the Jews in Persia from annihilation. Each of them is a forerunner of the ultimate change-maker, Jesus Christ. Don’t underestimate the value of your contribution (Numbers 13:30).

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December 5, 2021November 2, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Small But Mighty

By Linda Tancs

Jesus’s parable concerning the mustard seed (see, e.g., Matthew 13:31–32) explores the theme of growth from small beginnings. Indeed, the choice of a mustard seed is instructive, not necessarily because of its smallness but rather because it results in a tree that reaches a height (and even width) of 20 feet or more. The key to its growth, though, is attention and cultivation. God gives the seed to the sower and expects it to be cultivated. Good things often start small and grow over time, so maintain confidence in His plan for you (Zechariah 4:10). He’s planting seeds of greatness that you may cultivate months, even years, from now.

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November 28, 2021October 24, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Above the Kármán Line

By Linda Tancs

The Kármán line is the boundary between Earth and outer space. It was developed by Hungarian physicist Theodore von Kármán, who determined that the boundary is roughly 60 miles up. That’s a long way up, but not nearly as high as Heaven. So where is Heaven? Above the Kármán line, to be sure. It’s the highest heaven (Deuteronomy 10:14). The apostle Paul referred to it as the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2). Using that description, our immediate atmosphere is the first heaven, and outer space is the second heaven. Jesus’s description is the best of all: paradise (Luke 23:43).

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November 21, 2021October 17, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Don’t Sit This One Out

By Linda Tancs

We’ll all familiar with sitting things out. It might be on the dance floor. Or the sports field. In one way or another, we opt out of something, or some things, in life. There’s a faith-filled song called “I Hope You Dance” that exhorts us not to sit it out but to dance. As physicist Sir Isaac Newton said, an object in motion stays in motion. Press on and persevere (Philippians 3:14) and God will meet you there (Proverbs 13:4).

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November 14, 2021October 7, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

God’s Goodness

By Linda Tancs

There’s a type of atheist that I view as a “situational atheist.” Maybe you know the type: someone who grew up in the church but decided that God does not exist in response to a traumatic life event. This turn to atheism is often motivated by anger, not intellectualism. It stems from a misunderstanding about the nature of God. God is good, all the time, even when things go terribly wrong. God’s goodness is not dependent on your circumstances; he doesn’t have a “dark side.” (1 John 1:5). David extolled the goodness of God no matter what was happening to him (Psalm 106:1). It’s the key to trusting that, whatever happens, in the end it will all work together for good (Romans 8:28) because when you follow in His light you see light ahead (Psalm 36:9).

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November 7, 2021October 5, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Failing Forward

By Linda Tancs

John Calvin Maxwell is an American author and pastor who has written many books on leadership. He exhorts his readers to “fail forward.” Failing forward means, in essence, to learn from your mistakes. Do you learn from your failings or define yourself by them? Do you break down or break through? (See, e.g., James 1:2-4; Psalm 145:14). How you react to failure is like the difference between being “thrown under the bus” and driving the bus.

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October 31, 2021September 29, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Biggest Loser

By Linda Tancs

The Biggest Loser was a popular reality show, tracking people as they lost enormous amounts of weight until one of them became “the biggest loser.” Unlike the positive outcome of that show, the devil would have you believe that you’re the biggest loser. He’d also like you to think of yourself as the weakest link, the title of another popular game show. The biggest loser. The weakest link. We all have our own version of negative self-talk. But it’s nothing but a lie from the pit of Hell, instigated by the father of lies (John 8:44). The devil comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Don’t take the bait. Focus on the positives (Philip 4:8). You’re more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37) and stronger than you know (Philippians 4:13).

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October 24, 2021September 6, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

You’re Not Taking Up Space

By Linda Tancs

Have you ever felt like you’re just on planet Earth taking up space? It’s easy to succumb to that kind of thinking when you’re feeling powerless, defeated, despondent. Maybe you feel like you haven’t lived up to your expectations or those of others. Consider Jesus’s Parable of the Talents (see, e.g., Matthew 25:14). In that parable, a master puts his servants in charge of his goods while he is away on a trip and, upon his return, he assesses their stewardship. Every servant has a role to play; no one is excluded. In the same way that the master put his servants in charge of his goods, God has entrusted His life to you. In other words, He’s placed His gifts and talents on the inside of you. With such a priceless conveyance, you could never be here just taking up space. You have a mission, a destiny (Jeremiah 29:11). There’s no room for doubt, but there’s plenty of room for you.

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