god’s love

October 19, 2025June 19, 2025 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Footprints

By Linda Tancs

Footprints in the Sand is a popular poem about walking with God. Symbolized by footprints in the sand, the poem highlights the idea that during difficult times, when only one set of footprints is visible, it’s because God is carrying the person, not abandoning them. It evokes Psalm 55. In verse 22, we’re reminded to cast our cares. One theologian remarked that when we cast our cares, He lifts us up, burdens and all. Just like one set of footprints in the sand. Think about that the next time you see prints on a sandy beach.

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

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.

September 7, 2025February 15, 2025 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Mercy

By Linda Tancs

In West Virginia, the jury must decide in the sentencing phase of a first-degree murder trial whether the defendant should be accorded “mercy,” which changes the sentence from life without parole to eligibility for parole. So, in some cases, a defendant will receive “life with mercy” and, in other cases, no mercy. Imagine a defendant receiving the edict that he or she will “receive no mercy.” In our economy, a defendant can earn mercy. In God’s economy, mercy is a part of His nature and cannot be earned by us. His mercies never come to an end (Lamentations 3:22-23). Be thankful for that.

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

July 27, 2025January 14, 2025 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Walk It Out

By Linda Tancs

We often hear advice to “walk it out.” It’s often used prescriptively as an exhortation to process one’s emotions.

Walking is a common theme in the Bible, designed to illustrate and encourage a relationship with God. For example, in the story of Enoch we’re introduced to a man who walked faithfully with God for 300 years (Genesis 5:22). In Genesis 17, God invited Abram to “walk before” Him (Genesis 17:1). Also, when the patriarch Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph, he recounted his ancestors who had walked faithfully before God (Genesis 48:15-16). And in the New Testament, Paul instructs us to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). Walking is a healthy activity. When you add God to the equation, you get an unbeatable benefit.

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

July 20, 2025December 31, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The God Who Sees

By Linda Tancs

El Roi is a name for God in the Old Testament that is usually translated as “the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13). His eyes are always on you, which is boasted of by natural parents as having “eyes in the back of their head.” Nothing escapes a parent’s attention, or God’s. That doesn’t mean you never feel invisible or perhaps have indeed been forsaken. When others can’t, don’t or won’t see you as you need to be seen, just remember that God always sees you.

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

July 6, 2025December 18, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Take the High Road

By Linda Tancs

There’s an old Scottish song about Loch Lomond, the largest lake. It features the lyrics, “You take the high road and I’ll take the low road.” That’s a geographic reference, of course. But, in life, we’re challenged with choosing between the high road or the low road, whether it be in thought, word or deed. That’s because there’s always a person, or circumstance, that will test your resolve to love like God loves. When others go low, take the high road. It’s the only one that leads to a life of peace, joy, love and self-control (Matthew 7:13-14). The low road only leads to destruction, ruin, regret, pain, brokenness and emptiness.

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

February 16, 2025August 22, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Hiding or Hidden

By Linda Tancs

Hiding is self-centered. The prophet Ezekiel hid in caves to avoid the wrath of Jezebel. He was in the shadow of a cave rather than in the shadow of the Almighty. To be hidden in God is God-centered (Psalm 91:1). God wanted Ezekiel to be hidden in Him. That’s why He sent an angel to minister to him. Are you hiding from something? Maybe it’s fear, insecurity, anger, disappointment. Stop hiding. Instead, choose to be hidden with Christ, safe and secure.

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

February 2, 2025August 18, 2024 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.

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

October 20, 2024June 5, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

What is Love?

By Linda Tancs

It’s always interesting to discover the story behind a song, like the hit I Want To Know What Love Is by the band Foreigner. The writer believes that the song, an expression of turmoil over his love life, was divinely inspired. That inspiration led to the addition of a gospel choir to the piece, and the resulting song affected millions of listeners worldwide, who found comfort in it during times of sadness and suffering. In the song, the writer asks to be shown what love is. For believers, all we need to do is look to Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love for us (John 14:8-10). He showed us that love is more than something you feel; it’s something you do. Love as He loved, and you’ll know what love is.

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

September 29, 2024June 5, 2024 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).

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

September 8, 2024May 29, 2024 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).

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