goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Always on Your Mind

By Linda Tancs

In the song Always on My Mind, singer Willie Nelson laments not treating the woman he loved in the way she deserved. For someone with a focus on oneself, the song could be titled “Always on Your Mind.” It manifests in many ways, like self-pity, arrogance and pride. All are forms of selfishness, which is against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17-21). It leads to disorder (James 3:16), hinders prayer (James 4:3) and ruins friendships (Proverbs 18:1). Get yourself off your mind and tend to others instead (Matthew 6:33).

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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

Priorities

By Linda Tancs

A study once concluded that the average person will spend four times more of life getting dressed than communing with God. We commune with God through prayer, bible study and worship. How much time do you spend with God? Do you let other “priorities” get in the way? Spending time with God is not just a matter of desire but of obedience (Matthew 22:37). When you put God first, it doesn’t go unnoticed (Matthew 6:33). Don’t try to fit God into your schedule; fit your schedule around God.

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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

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

By Linda Tancs

One of the rules of the road that every new driver learns is to keep your eyes on the road. Don’t get distracted. We’ve become accustomed to the sad statistics related to distracted driving. Even the Bible talks about “road rules.” Jeremiah 31 tell us to set our heart to the highway, to set up road signs and guideposts. Of course, the prophet isn’t talking about traffic rules. He’s warning against backsliding in your relationship with God. For Christians, the highway is salvation. Keep your eyes on that. Don’t be distracted by the things of this world (Matthew 6:19-21). Keep God first (Matthew 6:33). A popular hymn is titled, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” Do that, and you’ll never be distracted.

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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

It’s Lonely at the Top

By Linda Tancs

Stories abound about bears and other animals stuck in trees. We watch news reports with rapt attention as rescuers go about the job of extraction. Clearly, the poor animal didn’t realize what it was in for when it started the climb.

You could say the same about humans. In the climb for success (however one defines it), it often becomes apparent what’s meant by the expression “it’s lonely at the top.” That’s typically because in getting there one has adopted the saying, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” Instead of lifting others up during our march for the brass ring, we take them down. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious unless it’s selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3-4). In other words, the Bible exhorts us to please (and be pleasing to) God, not man (Galatians 1:10). To honor God and to honor the quest for power, success, honor, wealth and fame are mutually exclusive endeavors. You cannot serve both (Matthew 6:24). Jesus reminds us to seek first the Kingdom, and then our needs will be met (Matthew 6:33). To be first in the Kingdom is to be a servant (Matthew 20:26-28). So be good to those you meet on your journey because, as another expression teaches, you’ll meet the same people on the way down as you met on your way up.