goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Law of the Gift

By Linda Tancs

Pope St. John Paul II referred to a principle called the law of the gift—namely, that one’s being increases in the measure that one gives oneself away. That principle encapsulates the life of John the Baptist, who declared that he must decrease so that Jesus may increase (John 3:30). In the natural, that meant stepping aside to give place to the One greater than he. In doing so, John fulfilled his life’s purpose, a ministry dedicated to magnifying Christ. Whatever we praise, we raise in our life.

***************

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

Saving the Best for Last

By Linda Tancs

In the Amidah, a Hebrew prayer, the patriarchs and matriarchs are recited: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah. Rachel and Leah were Jacob’s wives; he married Leah first, but she’s mentioned last. The reason given for this is because Rachel was Jacob’s favorite wife. She’s mentioned first, but arguably the best was saved for last. After all, Leah gave birth to Judah, who is in Jesus’s line of ancestry. Like this ancient prayer, we often assign value to things in order of importance to us. But we don’t have the final say. Sometimes what’s last will be first and what’s first will be last (Matthew 20:16).

***************

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 Eye of the Storm

By Linda Tancs

The eye of a storm is a circular area of calm, surrounded by high winds. So it is with you. The center of your being is calmness if you keep your mind stayed on Christ (Isaiah 26:3). Just as the eye doesn’t give way to the storm around it, don’t let your peace give way to your circumstances (Matthew 8:26).

***************

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

Not As Bad As You Think

By Linda Tancs

How many times has something—a task, a problem, a challenge—loomed so large in your mind that you were afraid to tackle it? That’s certainly how Jacob felt when he decided to confront his brother Esau. The problem started when Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright and then deceived his father into giving him the firstborn blessing that should have gone to Esau. When Esau found out, he was so angry that Jacob had to flee for his life. When Jacob decided to face the problem he created, he was understandably apprehensive. But Esau met him, embraced him and kissed him (Genesis 33). Can you relate? Oftentimes, the result isn’t as bad as you thought—the task wasn’t that onerous, the apology wasn’t that hard, and so on. Don’t imagine the worst; just do your best.

***************

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

Signs and Wonders

By Linda Tancs

The phrase “signs and wonders” appears over 30 times in the Bible. In the Old Testament, those events include the burning bush through which God spoke to Moses (Exodus 3) and a donkey that spoke to convict its master of his sin (Numbers 22:21-29). In the New Testament, Joseph receives several instructions in his dreams from an angel, beginning with the exhortation to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:18-25). In today’s environment, God has ample ways to communicate. It might be through a store sign, a newspaper article, a video or some form of social media. Make it a point in this new year to be watchful and attentive to all the ways God is trying to communicate with you.

***************

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

Property Management

By Linda Tancs

Regardless of your job title or duties, you can add property manager to your list. Why? Because we all have the same property—a mind. How well do you manage it? What’s playing in your mind? You may have thoughts that require eviction, like thoughts of failure, neglect, hopelessness, despair or discouragement. None of those thoughts come from God; don’t give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Instead, manage your property like God would, leaving it in broom-clean condition (Philippians 4:8).

***************

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

Comfort Zones

By Linda Tancs

A comfort zone is a psychological state wherein one generally feels comfortable or secure because outcomes can be controlled. Of course, comfort zones aren’t always comfortable, or even safe. Whether the environment is professional or personal, the desire to remain in what one thinks of as a “comfort zone” may prolong outcomes that are far from desirable. In short, comfort zones preserve the status quo and inhibit growth. But God designed us to live an adventurous life. Consider Abram (Abraham), who left his comfort zone to venture to a land that God would show him; he didn’t even know where he was headed (Genesis 12:1)! Pursue an adventurous spirit that trusts God and His divine guidance. Then you can embrace challenges and opportunities with confidence and determination.

***************

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

Take a Break

By Linda Tancs

There’s no shortage of research indicating that rest breaks are beneficial for one’s well-being and productivity. Even our most ancient texts, like the Bible, advocate rest. In the Old Testament, the fourth commandment tells people to keep the Sabbath day holy to God and to rest from labor on the seventh day (Exodus 20:8). The book also prescribes that in the seventh year the land should observe a Sabbath of rest to the Lord, and Jews are forbidden to work it (Leviticus 25:3-4). This is known as the Sabbatical Year, which is observed in many work circles, allowing a worker to pursue professional or personal goals away from the office. In the New Testament, we’re encouraged to make every effort to enter a Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9-11). Clearly, rest is important not just for its physical benefits but also for spiritual renewal, so give yourself a break.

***************

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 Red Sea Moment

By Linda Tancs

There are times in life when you can’t go forward and you can’t go backward. Maybe you left a career that was bad for you. You know you can never go back but you don’t have the skill set, or maybe even the connections, that you need to move forward on the new thing. You’re having a Red Sea moment. Like the Israelites fleeing the Egyptians, you’re hemmed in. But Moses reminded the Israelites to stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord (Exodus 14). They did, and so should you. Embrace your Red Sea moment, whatever it is, and await God’s glory (Isaiah 60:1).

***************

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 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.

***************

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.