goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Friends or Enemies

By Linda Tancs

We’re taught to not only to do good to those who are good to us but also to do good to those who are disdainful toward us, discontented with us, hostile to our plans or who insult us (Luke 6:27-31). This is how we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). There’s an additional benefit to this; namely, those who hurt us become, in a sense, our allies because the more we endeavor to be good to them, the less we suffer from self-pity, which is sinful (Romans 12:3). In the end, the good we show our adversaries provides an opportunity to increase our heavenly reward (Galatians 6:9), so they’re a better friend to us than we might otherwise think. 

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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

Spiritual Aikido

By Linda Tancs

Aikido is a form of martial arts, the goal of which is to diffuse the aggressive energy of your opponent to bring a peaceful resolution to conflict. It’s fair to say that Jesus was a master of aikido, spiritually speaking. Take the Sermon on the Plain as recounted in Luke’s gospel, for instance (Luke 6:27-36). In that discourse, Jesus outlines his strategy of nonviolence and love of the enemy. For example, when someone insults you or conspires against you, don’t remit evil for evil. When you love people in response to their hatred, you confuse and confound them, taking away the very energy that feeds their hatred. Then you’re a master of aikido.

*************** 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 Way of Love

By Linda Tancs

There’s a song entitled “Love Will Find a Way.” That premise is the embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13, perhaps the most romantic verse in the Bible. In that passage, we learn that love finds a way to be kind, humble, patient and forgiving. It protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. It is the greatest commandment so be sure to pursue the way of love.

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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

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

By Linda Tancs

Jesus wasn’t shy about making himself a house guest. After all, he told the tax collector Zacchaeus that He would be staying at his house. (Luke 19:1-10). To associate with a sinner (a wealthy and detested tax collector) was unthinkable to his cohorts. But Jesus didn’t think like others think because He loved unlike others loved. The core of love is acceptance; the fruit of acceptance is redemption. Zacchaeus was a redeemed man thanks to his encounter with Jesus. What a dinner party that must have been!

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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 and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Do Not Disturb

By Linda Tancs

Sometimes it feels like everyone is walking around with a “Do Not Disturb” sign around their neck. Maybe you’re walking around with one, too. There’s a story in Luke’s gospel that captures the essence of it, wherein one neighbor tells another one knocking on his door late at night not to bother him (Luke 11:11-7). But Jesus makes the clear and strong point that we need to open ourselves to others and their needs: provide food for the hungry, clothes for the poor, companionship for the lonely (Matthew 25:40-45). Loving and caring for others (even late at night) is second only to loving God (Matthew 22:37-39). It’s not a question of when; it’s a matter of how.

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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 and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Love Thy Neighbor

By Linda Tancs

Love is the greatest commandment, love of God being first and foremost, followed by love of neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). Indeed, to love others is to love God because God is love (1 John 4:16). In its grandest sense, love of neighbor means to love everyone. Admittedly, though, it’s challenging to conjure affection for everyone, everywhere. A good first step is to recognize the connection with all of them as brothers and sisters in Christ. You can foster a connection locally through participation in community outreach and internationally through world missions. Whatever you do, it puts “love thy neighbor” within reach.

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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

Covering and Atoning

By Linda Tancs

When we read the Bible’s exhortation that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), we often think of it in terms of forgiving others for their transgressions. But the “cover” has another implication that frequently is overlooked. When we love, we atone for our own sins, our own shortcomings. Jesus reminded us, after all, that love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). Whoever does not love does not know God (1 John 4:8).

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Lightness of Being

By Linda Tancs

English writer and theologian G.K. Chesterton once remarked, “A characteristic of the great saints is their power of levity. Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly.” When we take ourselves lightly—in other words, throw off worldly concerns and the heaviness of the ego—then we, too, can experience a lightness of being. Empty yourself of self-regard and pour yourself into others: love, serve, comfort, counsel (Acts 9:36). Heavy is the soul that focuses on itself. Opt for levity instead.

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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.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

At Your Service

By Linda Tancs

As Christians we’re on call for God’s service on a full-time basis, regardless of what you call your “day job.” God is not a pastime nor is He just an encounter at church. There’s a call on your life—you were saved to serve (Matthew 4:19). How will you be of service?

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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 is Love?

By Linda Tancs

St. Augustine wrote: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” What does love look like for you? Are you helpful to others, even those you may not particularly like? Do you volunteer your skills or donate money to worthy causes? Are you a good listener? Find ways to be loving, and keep at it. Loving others is, after all, the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).

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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.