goforwardinfaith

April 28, 2024January 21, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Waiting on the Wind

By Linda Tancs

The idiom “nothing ventured nothing gained” is said to date back to the English author Geoffrey Chaucer. It’s the gist behind Ecclesiastes 11:4, which reminds us that one who observes the wind will not sow, and one who regards the clouds will not reap. In other words, if you wait for conditions to be perfect, then you won’t get anything done. Cloud and wind conditions have their place, like for airline flights. As for you, don’t wait on the wind or the clouds before you take action. You need to step out to find out.

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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.

April 21, 2024January 16, 2024 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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April 14, 2024January 13, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover

By Linda Tancs

The expression “don’t judge a book by its cover” means one should not judge the worth or value of something or someone by outward appearance alone. It’s a proclivity as ancient as time itself. Who thought that King David as a youth, the proverbial “runt of the litter,” could slay a giant and ultimately rule a nation? Even his own father doubted his anointing. We may all focus on the outer person from time to time, but God knows what’s on the inside (1 Samuel 16:7). The next time you’re tempted to judge a book by its cover (looks, strength, talent, ability or some other attribute), look a little deeper.

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April 7, 2024January 7, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

A Beautiful Mind

By Linda Tancs

A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 American biographical film about the mathematician John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. Mathematical brilliance may be beautiful, but the Bible gives us better examples of beautiful thinking (Philip 4:8). Don’t let a skillful mind dazzle you; as the old expression goes, it’s the thought that counts.

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March 31, 2024January 7, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Right King

By Linda Tancs

Anti-monarchist groups in Britain hold signs saying “Not My King.” That protest is truer than they know or probably even intended. There is only one King (Isaiah 45:5). Jesus came as a King to lead us from suffering and death into life eternal. Now that’s the kind of king that we all want.

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March 24, 2024January 7, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

A New Thing

By Linda Tancs

Baseball great Yogi Berra quipped, “It ain’t over til it’s over.” His point was to keep moving forward; don’t quit. You can’t start over the beginning but you can begin to start over. God is doing a new thing in you and through you (Isaiah 43:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Give thanks and praise Him for that.

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March 17, 2024January 7, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Nothing is Wasted

By Linda Tancs

As a child you may have been admonished not to leave any food on your plate; let nothing be wasted at the table. That was hardly a concern in the first century, when food was more scarce and the options limited. In the Gospel of John, we’re reminded of the time when Jesus took just five loaves of bread and two fish and fed at least 5,000 people (John 6:5-14). After that miracle of multiplication, he told his disciples to gather the leftovers. Nothing would be wasted. It isn’t just bread that God won’t let go to waste. He won’t let your lost opportunity, life experience, dreams or hurts go to waste. Like the feeding miracle, He’ll use it all for your greater good. Whatever you left at His table, He’ll find a way to use it.

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March 10, 2024January 13, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

God’s Glory

By Linda Tancs

It’s a pleasure to see a famous person who wins a major award give God the glory. We should indeed be thankful to God for the successes in life, but God’s glory is much more evident in the least expected wins. His glory really shines when we bring fruit out of dead places. Consider the story of Gideon. He defeated 135,000 Midianites with 300 men (Judges 7) after a much bigger troop was trimmed by God. The trimming was necessary so that the Israelites would not think they won because of their great abilities or strategy. You may very well have skills, strengths or talents you don’t even see yet, and when they bloom, God will get the glory.

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March 3, 2024January 7, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Start Your Engine

By Linda Tancs

If you’re familiar with professional auto racing, then you know that popular refrain, “Drivers, start your engines.” If you’re a driver on that track, then you know you better be ready when the call comes. It’s a lot like that for all of us, actually, professional driver or not. Only God is the announcer (John 15:16). And you don’t have to worry about losing the race. When you follow His call, you’re always a winner (Philippians 3:14).

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February 25, 2024January 7, 2024 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Do You Think You Can?

By Linda Tancs

The signature line in the classic story The Little Engine That Could is “I think I can.” Thinking is good, but knowing is better. Someone once said that miracles come in cans. Dreams do, too. Believe that you can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).

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