goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Opposite of Love

By Linda Tancs

What is the opposite of love? You might be surprised at the number of responses if you’ve ever queried anyone. Many will likely say that hate is the opposite of love. Others may say it’s abandonment, sadness, fear or indifference. It doesn’t really matter what you consider to be the opposite of love because anything that opposes love is its opposite. So remember to put on love (Colossians 3:14).

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Hope is a Helmet

By Linda Tancs

The apostle Paul calls hope the helmet of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8). In a suit of armor, a helmet protects and covers the whole head and has no opening except for where the eyes look through. A helmet is such an apt metaphor for hope! Biblical hope, like a helmet, shields us against the slings and arrows of worldly things so that we can gain greater insight into the riches of our inheritance with God.

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Quit the Pretense

By Linda Tancs

In Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Brutus is reminded that the fault “is not with our stars but within ourselves….” In other words, fate is not responsible for our actions; we are. God expects us to take responsibility for our actions instead of refusing to take responsibility and blaming God (or others) for our mistakes, and He aids us in facing our transgressions (Proverbs 28:13). If it were not so, then we would not be required to give an account for our life and actions (Hebrews 4:13).

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

How a Movie Star Reminds Us About God

By Linda Tancs

There’s a story about the late film star Joan Crawford. Someone who recognized her from her glory days allegedly asked her if she “used to be” Joan Crawford. Imagine a curious onlooker asking you if you “used to be” YOU! Of course, you never stop being you. Long after the glory fades, the job ends, or you’re no longer on the letterhead, you’re still you. Similarly, you never stop being God’s child regardless how the world views your worth. In His eyes, value is not based on performance. It’s not about what you do; it’s about who you are in Him (John 1:12).

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Favoritism

By Linda Tancs

Playing favorites is a dangerous game. As the apostle James reminds us, it’s a sin (James 2:9). After all, it’s a form of discrimination, or judgment. In one way or another, it’s looking at the outer appearance, whereas, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Our goal is to love as God loves. Be merciful, as God is merciful (James 2:13).

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Night Vision

By Linda Tancs

Many animals have better night vision than humans, so we rely on night vision technologies to increase our capacity to see in low-light conditions. God, of course, needs no help seeing in the dark; even darkness is as light to Him (Psalm 139:12). That means that nothing is hidden from Him, including the darkness of sin. It’s all laid bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). You can’t keep God in the dark about anything, so don’t bother trying.

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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.

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.

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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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

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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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

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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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.