god’s love – Page 5

January 16, 2022December 28, 2021 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.

December 26, 2021December 8, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

I’ve Got Good News

By Linda Tancs

There have no doubt been times in your life when you’ve thought, “I could use some good news.” Maybe you’ve suffered from a physical malady or a dry spell at work or some other life circumstance has you seeking more positivity. We all yearn for a good report. Proverbs, too, reminds us that good news is like cold water to a weary soul (Proverbs 25:25). And, of course, this time of year we rejoice in the proclamation of the angel Gabriel to the shepherds of good tidings of great joy on the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:10). He is the ultimate Good News, both the bearer of the message and the message Himself!

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November 14, 2021October 7, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

God’s Goodness

By Linda Tancs

There’s a type of atheist that I view as a “situational atheist.” Maybe you know the type: someone who grew up in the church but decided that God does not exist in response to a traumatic life event. This turn to atheism is often motivated by anger, not intellectualism. It stems from a misunderstanding about the nature of God. God is good, all the time, even when things go terribly wrong. God’s goodness is not dependent on your circumstances; he doesn’t have a “dark side.” (1 John 1:5). David extolled the goodness of God no matter what was happening to him (Psalm 106:1). It’s the key to trusting that, whatever happens, in the end it will all work together for good (Romans 8:28) because when you follow in His light you see light ahead (Psalm 36:9).

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August 29, 2021July 21, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

There He Is

By Linda Tancs

You’ve probably heard the expression, “No matter where you go, there you are.” In other words, you can’t escape yourself. That might not be comforting to some. But one thing that should be comforting to all is this: No matter where you go, there He is (Deuteronomy 31:6). He’ll even pursue us to the remotest part of the sea (Psalm 139:9). What a great peace to know that He is a constant presence in your life and nothing escapes His notice.

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July 25, 2021June 19, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

What’s in a Name

By Linda Tancs

What’s in a Name

There are plenty of sites dispensing information on the meaning of names and their origins. There are powerful names evoking warriors and protectors, like Alexander (Greek for “protector of mankind”). Or how about Lucy, a name derived from the Latin word for “light.” And then there’s the Name above every other name. Actually, God has many names, each signifying a different aspect of his character. He is Abba, or Father (Mark 14:36); the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13); El Roi, or “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13); El Shaddai, or God Almighty (Exodus 6:3). The list goes on. How many names can you find for God in the Bible? Try praying through them.

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April 4, 2021February 9, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Brothers and Sisters

By Linda Tancs

National Siblings Day is April 10, a day that celebrates sibling relationships. It’s an especially good day to remember that brothers and sisters are a gift from God. And God commands sibling love (1 John 2:9). In fact, God feels so strongly about it that He reminds us that you cannot claim to love God if you don’t love your own brother or sister (1 John 4:20). God is love. You are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Love who God loves.

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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.

March 21, 2021February 1, 2021 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Good Life

By Linda Tancs

How often do you think of the good life as one marked by things like a nice house, fancy car or expensive vacations? It’s arguably not as often that the “good life” is thought of as one well lived, marked by kindness toward others, charity and community service. But how you live is just as important as what you achieve—even more so, in fact.

Is your life grounded in the things of this world or in God (Joshua 24:15)? The good life is even better than you think when you center it around God.

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February 7, 2021December 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

On Equal Footing

By Linda Tancs

Do you ever feel like someone has a “closer” relationship with God than you do? Do you think a pastor’s prayers have more “weight” than yours? The truth is that we’re all on equal footing in God’s eyes (Romans 12:5). He doesn’t play favorites (Romans 2:11). Neither should you (Galatians 3:28).

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December 13, 2020October 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Guiding Light

By Linda Tancs

I love lighthouses. I love everything about them—their history, form, function, even romanticism. Although they don’t serve the same navigational function in maritime safety today as in previous centuries, many of those lights still sparkle for seafarers. Lighthouses remind me of Jesus. After all, He did say that He is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the ultimate lightkeeper.

When we look to Jesus for salvation and follow His teaching, we’re restored in relationship with God, and He gives us new power and purpose. His transforming life and love—“the light of all mankind” (John 1:4)—shines in us and through us and out to a dark and sometimes dangerous world.

As believers in Jesus, we become “keepers of the light.” May others see His light shine from us and discover the life and hope He alone can give!

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October 11, 2020September 25, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The One and Only You

By Linda Tancs

No two people have been found to have the same fingerprints—they are totally unique. Fingerprints are even more unique than DNA, the genetic material in each of our cells. Think about how unique you are; of all the billions of people who have lived or will live on this earth, there is only one you. Indeed, God intended each of us to be unique and extraordinary. He knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). He fashioned us, individually, in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14).

So don’t ever think, or say, that you’re nothing special. You may be only one, but you are a unique and precious one to God. He created you for Himself!

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