bible – Page 8

August 18, 2024April 21, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Christian Response to Bullying

By Linda Tancs

Bullying is defined as a repeated aggressive behavior where one person (or group of people) in a position of power deliberately intimidates, abuses or coerces an individual with the intention to hurt that person physically or emotionally. Bullying comes in many forms, and it’s not reserved for school-age children. Maybe you’ve experienced workplace bullying or unpleasant behavior while volunteering somewhere. Or maybe you’ve been bullied since childhood. Whatever the case, bullying is isolating, agonizing and unfair. The Bible doesn’t specifically address bullying, but it does tell us not to mistreat those who hurt us (Matthew 5:44-46). Bring love to the presence of hate (Romans 12:21). Lead by example; it might change a heart.

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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.

August 11, 2024April 21, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

One Direction

By Linda Tancs

The popular idiom “two steps forward, one step back” is a reminder of times when you make progress but then experience an event that causes you to be further behind than you were when you made progress. For example, maybe you took a “better” job only to be fired months later. It’s frustrating when life seems to be going backwards. But God, the author of life, only operates in one direction: forward (Jeremiah 29:11). Remember that the next time life throws you a curveball.

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August 4, 2024April 21, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

For Whom the Bell Tolls

By Linda Tancs

I can’t hear funeral bells without thinking of that beautiful line from the poem of poet and clergyman John Donne: “Do not send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” Throughout history bells have been symbolic. Depending on the culture or the circumstance, they can signify beginnings or endings, a call to order or even a command or a warning. As Donne observed, we are all connected; one person’s death diminishes all of us. Theologically, we are one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The next time you hear bells, think of the work you’re called to do in the Kingdom of God.

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July 28, 2024March 29, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Wherever You Go

By Linda Tancs

We can’t run from ourselves. That’s the premise behind the expression, wherever you go, there you are. However, it’s also important to remember that wherever you are, God is there with you. He’s with you at your highest peak and at your lowest depth (Psalm 139:7-12). Here, there and everywhere. Thank Him for that.

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July 21, 2024March 29, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The School of Life

By Linda Tancs

The “school of hard knocks” is an expression referring to the education one gets from life’s usually negative experiences. We’ve all been in that school. After all, disappointment and failure are a part of life. But failing at something does not mean that you are a failure. The inventor Thomas Edison put it best when he said that he hadn’t failed; he’d just found 10,000 ways that something won’t work. The apostle Peter failed miserably when he refused to acknowledge Jesus after his arrest (Luke 22:54-62), yet he was not a failure. Indeed, Jesus had restored Peter to fellowship after his denials and commissioned him to pastor his people (John 21:15-17). For us, too, our failures are foundations for the greater work that He seeks to achieve in and through us. In life you may feel like you’ve failed the test but, in God’s school, you get to keep taking the test until you pass. Now that’s a school worth attending.

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July 14, 2024March 18, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Faith-Based Business, Religion, Theology

The Multitasking Minister

By Linda Tancs

Multitasking is the performance of more than one task at the same time, involving the interruption of one thing to begin another. Once heralded as a prized skill, recent studies suggest that multitasking causes us to make more mistakes and retain less information, resulting in less workplace efficiency. However, consider the benefits of multitasking in ministry, specifically when an interruption in your coveted to-do list can benefit others. Jesus had no problem pivoting to meet the needs of others. In Mark’s gospel the story is relayed about a man named Jairus interrupting Jesus’s planned journey to a crowd to ask for his daughter’s healing (Mark 5:21-23). On the way to Jairus’s house, a woman with a blood disorder interrupted that unplanned journey to ask for her own healing (Mark 5:25-34). Don’t be so married to your agenda that you fail to see an opportunity to bless others. Sometimes, a little multitasking is a big deal.

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July 7, 2024March 10, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Carrying the Word

By Linda Tancs

The Ark of the Covenant Passes Over the Jordan is a painting by French artist James Tissot. It commemorates the miracle performed by God when the Israelites led by Joshua were to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. When the priests carrying the ark put their feet in the water overflowing the banks of the Jordan, the water stopped flowing and the people crossed over it on dry land (Joshua 3:14-17). Many times a curator in an art museum will ask visitors what they see when they look at a particular work of art. Find an image of Tissot’s work and ask yourself what you see. Maybe it evokes the belief that if you walk in the Word, then there’s no limit to what God can do (Psalm 37:4-5).

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June 30, 2024March 10, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Plus One

By Linda Tancs

A person who accompanies an invited person to an event is commonly called a “plus-one.” Of course, not every event planner allows for a plus-one, and some people just don’t have a plus-one in their life. But there’s no need to feel lonely because you’re never alone. Believers are sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. You are God’s temple because His Spirit dwells in you (1 Corinthians 6:19). You’ll always have a plus-one.

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June 23, 2024March 10, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Waiting

By Linda Tancs

The late singer/songwriter Tom Petty wrote a song called “The Waiting.” The premise is that waiting is the hardest part. He goes on to say that you take it on faith. That’s where God comes in. God reminded the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk that the answer will come at the appointed time. God is never late (Habakkuk 2:3). What are you waiting on? A new home? A different career? Improved family life? A change in finances? Waiting is hard. Can you learn to wait, in faith, like Habakkuk?

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June 16, 2024March 1, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Keep Moving Forward

By Linda Tancs

Known as the “apostle of California,” Junípero Serra was a Spanish Franciscan priest, explorer, and founder of the California missions. His motto was “siempre adelante,” or keep moving forward. It was a testament to his energetic nature, a characteristic that kept alive his fervor for the Gospel. We all have ways to experience the joy of the Gospel. For some it may be a daily practice of reading the Bible. For others it may be acts of charity or starting a Bible study group. Whatever you do, keep moving forward in pursuit of your passion. Be zealous to the end (Titus 2:14).

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