bible – Page 27

March 21, 2021February 1, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Good Life

By Linda Tancs

How often do you think of the good life as one marked by things like a nice house, fancy car or expensive vacations? It’s arguably not as often that the “good life” is thought of as one well lived, marked by kindness toward others, charity and community service. But how you live is just as important as what you achieve—even more so, in fact.

Is your life grounded in the things of this world or in God (Joshua 24:15)? The good life is even better than you think when you center it around God.

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

March 14, 2021February 1, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Take Courage

By Linda Tancs

Of all the Bible passages speaking of courage, I like the ones that explicitly admonish us, in translation, to “take” courage (See, e.g., 2 Chronicles 15:7 ESV). What does it mean to “take” courage? Take is an action verb. It requires you to do something to get something. It is not passive. You can’t just sit around and expect courage to overtake you. God has blessed you with the ability to be courageous. You don’t have to ask for the blessing; you already have it. So take it.

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March 7, 2021January 24, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Joyful Noise

By Linda Tancs

Victor Hugo, the author of the classic novel Les Miserables, once said, “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” The psalmists would undoubtedly agree. After all, music is an expression of praise and worship to God (Psalm 147:7). You don’t have to be a professional musician to make music pleasing to God, though. Any joyful noise will do (Psalm 100:1-5).

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February 28, 2021February 1, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Proving Ground

By Linda Tancs

In baking, proofing (also called proving) is a step in the preparation of yeast bread and other baked goods where the dough is allowed to rest and rise a final time before baking, usually in a “proving drawer.” Sometimes your life might feel like a proving drawer. Maybe things haven’t come to fruition; your activities are not yielding the results you want. That’s when it’s most important to keep your mind set on Christ (Colossians 3:1-2). You’ve reached the proving ground. Stay the course, and keep your mind set for victory.

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February 21, 2021February 1, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

It’s Not in the Stars

By Linda Tancs

In Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Cassius tells his friend Brutus, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves….” Biblically speaking, it reminds me of the command not to rely on the stars or divinations, or blame them for that matter, concerning our welfare (Leviticus 19:31; Isaiah 47:13; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). Do you trust the predictions of a daily horoscope more than you trust in God? Or do you trust in the Lord with all your heart and place your hope in His unfailing love and promised provision? As they say in the newspaper business, check your sources.

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February 14, 2021January 24, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

What is Love?

By Linda Tancs

St. Augustine wrote: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” What does love look like for you? Are you helpful to others, even those you may not particularly like? Do you volunteer your skills or donate money to worthy causes? Are you a good listener? Find ways to be loving, and keep at it. Loving others is, after all, the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).

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February 7, 2021December 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

On Equal Footing

By Linda Tancs

Do you ever feel like someone has a “closer” relationship with God than you do? Do you think a pastor’s prayers have more “weight” than yours? The truth is that we’re all on equal footing in God’s eyes (Romans 12:5). He doesn’t play favorites (Romans 2:11). Neither should you (Galatians 3:28).

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January 31, 2021January 4, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Treated Like Dirt

By Linda Tancs

Dirt gets a bad rap. We often refer to it in negative terms, like talking about being treated like dirt or getting the dirt on someone. In biblical terms, though, dirt is a great resource. After all, God formed man out of dirt (Genesis 2:7). Our natural environment, too, is borne out of the earth. Consider the beauty and wonder of the canyons in Arizona or the red rocks in Australia. Dirt isn’t such a bad thing, after all.

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January 24, 2021January 4, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Priorities

By Linda Tancs

A study once concluded that the average person will spend four times more of life getting dressed than communing with God. We commune with God through prayer, bible study and worship. How much time do you spend with God? Do you let other “priorities” get in the way? Spending time with God is not just a matter of desire but of obedience (Matthew 22:37). When you put God first, it doesn’t go unnoticed (Matthew 6:33). Don’t try to fit God into your schedule; fit your schedule around God.

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January 17, 2021December 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Members Only

By Linda Tancs

Remember the popularity of Members Only® clothing in the 80s? It isn’t hard to imagine why. After all, who doesn’t like membership? Folks flock to membership in country clubs, interest groups and social media organizations. But belonging has its setbacks, especially when it’s used as a means to exclude others. Even the apostles fell prey to a “members only” mentality. In Mark’s gospel, he relates their disapproval of someone who is not a part of Jesus’s inner circle doing wonderful deeds in His name. But Jesus applauds the effort, showing an attitude of inclusion (Mark 9:38-40).

In Christ, “members only” takes on a different meaning. We are all members of His body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). It’s the same membership, the same calling. No one member is greater than the others (Matthew 20:26). And the primary purpose of the membership is to serve Him by reaching out to others in love (Galatians 5:13). That’s a club worth joining.

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