goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Glass is Half-Full

By Linda Tancs

Do you see the proverbial glass as half-empty or half-full? Psychologists use simple tests like this to determine whether a person tends to be an optimist or a pessimist. Optimists will usually say the glass is half-full, whereas pessimists will usually state that it’s half-empty. In a word, it’s about hope, which anchors the soul (Hebrews 6:19). Without it, you’re like a wandering nomad in ancient Israel. Pour hope into your life by trusting in God and, soon, the glass will be more than half-full (Romans 15:13).

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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. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Safety of the Ark

By Linda Tancs

In Noah’s day, God commanded him to build an ark to save himself and his family from God’s destruction of the world due to its sinfulness (Genesis 6:9–9:19). The bosom of the ark served as God’s bosom. Today we don’t need a wooden ark to serve as a bosom. Jesus is our ark. He delivers us from judgment, just as the ark did for Noah’s clan (John 3:16). Do you have the same faith in Christ that Noah had in the ark? Let your hope in Him anchor your soul (Hebrews 6:19).

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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

What Kind of Tree Are You?

By Linda Tancs

Journalist Barbara Walters once asked actress Katharine Hepburn what kind of tree she would be. Hepburn likened herself to an oak tree. Not a bad choice. After all, the oak tree is a symbol of power and strength. And the Bible says that we should be like a tree firmly planted (Psalm 1:3).

Like an oak, a firmly planted tree is stable. So what does stability look like? For starters, it’s properly managing the past, present and future. Leave the past behind (Philippians 3:13). Be confident in God’s promise to provide in your current circumstances (Malachi 3:10). Remain hopeful for the future (Hebrews 6:19; Jeremiah 29:11).

So, what kind of tree are you?

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Cast Your Anchor

By Linda Tancs

“Can there be a more fitting pursuit in youth or a more valuable possession in old age than a knowledge of Holy Scripture? In the midst of storms it will preserve you from the dangers of shipwreck and guide you to the shore of an enchanting paradise and the ever-lasting bliss of the angels.”— St. Boniface

A vessel is secured in place by casting anchor. How anchored are you? Are you like a tree firmly planted (Psalm 1:3) notwithstanding conditions around you or do you define yourself as “a victim of circumstance”?

The Bible uses an anchor metaphor to describe the confident assurance we gain as Christians. As Hebrews 6:19 puts it, hope anchors the soul. Many people claim to be hopeful, but only an unfailing hope will guard and protect your soul during turbulent times.

What’s the best way to acquire this kind of hope? According to Zechariah 9:12, it’s by becoming a prisoner of hope, a hope so compelling that you can’t escape it. That kind of hope is filled with a confident expectation that God is always working in your best interest and that you’ll see the result in due time.

Don’t run aground over worldly concerns and the storms of life. Be grounded in hope and you’ll rise above your circumstances rather than be dictated by them.