goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Ablaze With the Holy Spirit

By Linda Tancs

The apostle Paul exhorted the Romans to be ablaze with the Spirit (Romans 12:11). The Bible often describes God’s presence as a fire, and the Holy Spirit is like a fire that burns within believers. The principle is also expressed in the Old Testament, wherein it is commanded that the fire on the altar be kept burning (Leviticus 6:12-13). How do we keep the fire ablaze? One way is through good works that evidence the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Another way is to follow the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance (Galatians 5:25) rather than quench it (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Would you describe yourself as ablaze with the Holy Spirit?

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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

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

His Way

By Linda Tancs

“My way or the highway” is an expression people use to express a desire to do things their way. That was certainly the attitude of Naaman, who we read about in the Old Testament. A commander of the Syrian army, he was certainly accustomed to having things done his way. On receiving God’s instruction through the prophet Elisha to wash himself in the Jordan so his leprosy would be healed, he was indignant. He had his own expectations for how his need ought to be addressed, believing his opinion was superior to God’s command. His servants, however, convinced him to listen to Elisha’s words. As a result, Naaman was healed (2 Kings 5:1-15). Naaman’s story illustrates the benefit of doing things God’s way. Work with Him, not against Him, for peace and fulfillment in all that you do.

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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

The Elements of Surrender

By Linda Tancs

“I Surrender All” is a popular Christian hymn. As the title implies, you surrender all. But do you? God has a plan for our lives, and surrendering to Him means we set aside our own plans in favor of His—the better plan (Jeremiah 29:11). Think about what you can surrender: your physical well-being, emotional well-being, mental well-being, spiritual well-being, your marriage, your friendships, your family relationships, your retirement plans, your finances, your career goals and ambitions. Are you giving it your all?

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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

The Hope of Easter

By Linda Tancs

In this challenging world, Easter gives us hope and encouragement. After all, if Jesus had not been raised from the dead, Christianity never would’ve survived, particularly considering three centuries of persecution of the early church. Our belief in the Risen Jesus gives meaning to our lives as well as our personal and common prayers. Our trust in Him gives us strength to fight against temptations and to resist worry and fear. May you rest in that truth today and every day, and have a Blessed Easter.

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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

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

The Ways of the World

By Linda Tancs

The ways of the world is an expression commonly defined as the way people typically behave or the way things usually happen. The apostle John described the ways of the world as wanting to please ourselves, wanting sinful things and being proud of what we have (1 John 2:16). His observation reminds us that it’s the people comprising the world who make it what it is; don’t blame “the world.” Change begins with each of us.

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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

The Farmer and the Ant

By Linda Tancs

What do a farmer and an ant have in common? Diligence. Proverbs teaches us that the ant gathers its provisions in summer so that it will have enough to survive on in winter (Proverbs 6:6-9). Similarly, farmers look to their harvest in due season (James 5:7). No thing, whether man or even insect, will reap what it does not sow. Be faithful and diligent in your work, and you will reap a harvest.

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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

A Bumpy Ride

By Linda Tancs

“Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride” is a popular misquote from the 1950 film All About Eve. The line actually referred to a “bumpy night” rather than a ride, but the gist of it is that turbulent times were coming. We all know what it’s like to fasten our seatbelts, so to speak. The apostle James reminds us that in our trouble we should be joyful because it tries our faith and builds patience (James 1:2-4). When the way gets bumpy, strap on the seatbelt of endurance and enjoy the ride, knowing that God will deliver you from your trials.

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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.