goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Fear and Courage

By Linda Tancs

Our common sense is apt to think of courage as the opposite of fear. But, spiritually speaking, the opposite of fear is love. As evangelist F.B. Meyer put it, “God incarnate is the end of fear.” In the apostle John’s epistle, he wrote that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). The perfect love of God casts out all fear and assures us of everlasting life through belief in Jesus Christ.

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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.

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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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Life in the Comfort Zone

By Linda Tancs

The story of the tower of Babel is found in Genesis (Genesis 11:1-9). It relates the construction of a massive tower by God’s people, designed to keep them in their comfort zone in the land of Shinar. It was easy for them to stick together; after all, they shared a common language and were not keen to disperse. As so often happens, though, God had other plans. Just like Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations, God had no interest in seeing the Israelites stay put. He wanted them to populate the whole earth (Genesis 1:28). His solution was to confuse their language so that they could not understand each other, thus thwarting the building project. In the end, they had no choice but to scatter.

In our common parlance, God was a social disruptor. He’s probably keen to disrupt you, too. Where have you gotten too comfortable? Are you safely ensconced in a way of thinking, doing, being or living? What’s going on outside your tower walls? How can you participate? There’s life outside the comfort zone.

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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.

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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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.

 

 

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Promised Land

By Linda Tancs

At the Mount Nebo Memorial in Jordan there’s a view of the Promised Land as Moses would’ve seen it. Of course, Moses never reached that land. He died on Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1-5). His successor, Joshua, ultimately led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

We all have a promised land, some purpose that God has designed us to fulfill. Maybe you’ve reached your “promised land.” Maybe you’re still in the process of doing so, or maybe you don’t know your promised land. Whatever your case, there’s a road ahead of you waiting to be navigated. Ask God for directions.

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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.

 

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Take the Wheel

By Linda Tancs

Singer Carrie Underwood recorded a song entitled “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” It’s about letting go, letting God handle the situation. During hard times we cry out to Jesus to take the wheel, steer us where He wants us to go. And sometimes, that request may be greeted with silence. Does that mean God doesn’t care? Of course not. Maybe you’re asking God to do something you could easily do yourself (Proverbs 13:4). Perhaps He wants you to take the wheel. In other words, step out and find out. Get in the driver’s seat.

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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.

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Paper Tigers

By Linda Tancs

The term “paper tiger” refers to something or someone that claims or appears to be powerful or threatening but is actually ineffectual and unable to withstand challenge. The world is a paper tiger because its temptations, troubles, opportunities and circumstances are no match for God’s influence and power. It offers no stronger foundation than a sand castle because Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). Don’t let it become like the proverbial tail wagging the dog. You are the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). You’ve been given all the power in the world to overcome paper tigers (Luke 10:19).

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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.

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Fly Like an Eagle

By Linda Tancs

Every animal has a hard-wired nature toward one thing or another. Foxes dig holes, birds fly and so on. I’m particularly enchanted watching birds soar through the air. Aside from air flight and paragliding, human flight doesn’t light a candle to bird flight. In fact, watching birds fly makes me think about how much humans “stay put.” Whether through inaction or necessity, maybe you’re staying put right now, unable to soar. That’s not your nature—nor a bird’s. You were made to mount up with wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). There’s a song entitled “Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller. It started out as a political statement, but it’s just as relevant as a personal anthem. Staying put is transient; this, too, shall pass. Fly like an eagle, and let the Spirit carry you.

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

A Time Like This

By Linda Tancs

It’s certainly no exaggeration to say that the COVID-19 pandemic is wearing on people’s nerves. Recently, a local business owner exclaimed to me, “Why do I have to live through something like this!”

The Old Testament story of Esther immediately came to mind. In that book, Esther’s cousin Mordecai persuades her to exert influence over her husband, the Persian king, to foil a plan hatched by the king’s minister Haman to annihilate the Jews throughout the empire. Although any such request could’ve resulted in her own death, Mordecai reminded Esther that, as an upright Jewish woman, perhaps she came to her position on the throne for just such a time in her people’s history (Esther 4:14).

Like Esther, we’re all enduring this trial for God’s purpose. Don’t bemoan your endurance during this historical time. Embrace it. What can you do to alleviate suffering during this time? Can you shop for someone? Make masks? Offer encouragement or prayer?

You were destined for such a time as this.

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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.

 

 

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Go With the Flow

By Linda Tancs

Do you often “go with the flow?” It’s a common expression and a common occurrence, generally related to accepting a situation. Sometimes, that’s a good thing, like forgoing your own individual interest in favor of the desires of another or of a group—for instance,  letting someone else pick the restaurant or the movie. In other scenarios, it’s not such a good thing, akin to following an angry mob. The consequences can be harsh, like ignoring the blight of social injustice or showing the kind of insensitivity that many social media posts represent.

Spiritually speaking, to go with the flow is to keep in the way and the will of God, not man. (1 John 4:4). Don’t get caught in an undertow (Ephesians 2:1-2).

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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.