faith – Page 31

June 14, 2020May 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

A Seat at the Table

By Linda Tancs

Most everyone is undoubtedly familiar with the term “having a seat at the table.” It’s a metaphor for inclusion, particularly as it relates to the ability to exercise power and influence. As the Scriptures make clear, the Pharisees wouldn’t let just anybody have a seat at the table. Even sections of the temple precinct were off limits except for those carrying the proper “credentials.” Just like today, it was all about who you know. Then came Jesus, the master table-turner. Literally. He overthrew the tables of the money changers in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). He turned the tables around in other ways as well. He ate with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:11). He made a seat at the table for the lame, the poor, the crippled and the blind (Luke 14:12-14). He prepares a table for the faithful in the presence of their enemies (Psalm 23:5). Indeed, anyone willing to hear His voice has a seat at the table (Luke 14:23; Revelation 3:20). Like the servant in the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14:15-24), you’re commissioned to make a seat at the table available for anyone, not just those who think, act or look like you. Make room at your table.

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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.

June 7, 2020May 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

True North

By Linda Tancs

Did you know that the North Star (also known as Polaris) holds nearly still in our sky while the entire northern sky moves around it? It’s been used for centuries as a navigational tool because it marks the way true north, located nearly at the north celestial pole around which the entire northern sky turns.

We often hear about folks trying to find their “true north.” It’s popularly thought of as your own internal compass, the point around which you define yourself at your deepest level. Being unique individuals, you’re going to end up with many variants of true north. But just as there’s only one Polaris, there is only one Truth (John 14:6; Psalm 119:160). Let it be your fixed point in this spinning world.

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May 31, 2020April 27, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Nobility Obliges

By Linda Tancs

The phrase “noblesse oblige” means “nobility obliges.” It’s a principle commonly extended to those of royal and noble birth, expressing their obligation to act nobly and responsibly toward others. If you aren’t in that category, don’t count yourself out. Through baptism, we become part of God’s royal household, made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). We’re all sons and daughters of the King (2 Corinthians 6:18). That means we’re all noble in the highest sense; the principle of noblesse oblige applies to all of us, not just those with crowns, medals or tiaras.

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May 24, 2020May 19, 2020 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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May 17, 2020April 27, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Choices and Consequences

By Linda Tancs

Poet W.H. Auden said, “Choice of attention—to attend to this and ignore that—is to the inner life what choice of action is to the outer. In both cases a man is responsible for his choice and must accept the consequences.” Indeed, choices and consequences have followed us since the Fall in the Garden.

What choice are you making, inwardly or outwardly? To be needy? Greedy? Jealous? Angry? Self-centered? You’re not alone, as Paul reminded the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). God will show you how to make better choices. In fact, He’s given you a manual—the Bible—to guide you (Romans 15:4).

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May 10, 2020April 27, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Art of Conversation

By Linda Tancs

French philosopher Jean de La Bruyère observed, “The true spirit of conversation consists more in bringing out the cleverness of others than in showing a great deal of it yourself; he who goes away pleased with himself and his own wit is also greatly pleased with you.” It’s a great act of humility to let others shine, to take a back seat in the conversation (Philippians 2:3). You might even call it a challenge. After all, we live in a “selfie” culture, where everyone is obsessed with their own importance, their own light.

What kind of conversationalist are you? Do you hog the limelight? Do you need to get a word in edgewise? Try a different approach.

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May 3, 2020April 27, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Enjoy the Ride

By Linda Tancs

There’s a poster that reads “enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going.” For some, it may seem impossible to enjoy the present moment. Maybe you’re having a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual challenge that renders a sentiment like that meaningless to you. But here’s the catch: if you cry and lament your way through your present circumstances, then when you’ve “arrived” at your breakthrough you’ve really only escaped what came before and won’t truly enjoy where you ended up. It’s the patient endurance of the journey that reaps a genuine harvest (James 1:2-4). You might need a seat belt, but enjoy the ride.

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April 26, 2020April 9, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Secret Agents

By Linda Tancs

The song Secret Agent Man describes someone who is vulnerable to evil forces, always one step away from destruction. That could easily describe any of us were it not for the fact that God has given us special “secret agents,” the angels (Psalm 34:7). Although sometimes visible (e.g., Luke 1:19, 26-27) much of the time they work behind the scenes, protecting us and guiding us against the forces of evil (Psalm 91:11–12). We popularly refer to them as “guardian angels.” But their role is so much more than protection. They also worship God continually (Revelation 4:8), carry out some of His judgments (Revelation 16:1) and patrol the earth (Zechariah 1:10-11).

The Bible reminds us to extend hospitality to strangers because you might be entertaining an angel unawares (Hebrews 13:2). Maybe you’ve encountered an angel without knowing it. It could’ve been that stranger on the bus who seemed to know just the right thing to say to you. Or an airline seatmate with an uncanny understanding of your career frustration. Maybe someone on the train told you to smile. Cherish those encounters. You just never know.

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April 19, 2020April 9, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

A Quiet Mind

By Linda Tancs

Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened, but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm.” That observation speaks of serenity, which the dictionary defines as a state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled.

How quiet is your mind? Would you liken it to the hush of a library or the chaos of an avalanche? Stevenson told us what a quiet mind is, but he didn’t say how to get one. For that you should turn to Scripture. It tells us to keep our mind stayed on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3). A mind stayed on Him is faithful, and faith produces peace. Peace guards the heart and mind (Philippians 4:7), keeping them running in perfect step, just like a clock during a storm.

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April 12, 2020February 15, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

First Impressions

By Linda Tancs

American artist Andy Warhol once observed, “You can never predict what little things in the way somebody looks or talks or acts will set off peculiar emotional reactions in other people.” No doubt you can relate, whether you’ve been on the giving or receiving end. Oftentimes, love at first sight is more movie legend than practical reality. Yet Scripture reminds us not to focus on outer appearances (1 Samuel 16:6-7). Get to the heart of the matter instead. Strive for love (Colossians 3:14).

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