CWOC the Blog

Romans 1:17 states, “For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, ‘The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith’” (Amplified Version). I love the way this translation reads in this phrase (and it is worth repeating): “…disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith….” Here is this snippet one more time: “…faith that arouses to more faith….” If I may break it down, “FAITH SHOULD BE INCREASING – AROUSING MORE FAITH; thereby, giving the believer a perpetual source of greater faith.” Several of the early church fathers commented on this phrase as thus (and I tend to agree): “From one degree of faith to another-from a weaker to a stronger-from a lower to a higher.”

     For several weeks, I have been feeling God convict me of my personal faith level as well as that of CWOC. Yes, I used the word “conviction.” That’s usually what He does when something isn’t where it needs to be. So, I attest, there are dimensions of my life that God is definitely working on and stretching.

     What about your life? Where is your faith? If we could hook a meter up to your faith would you produce a healthy “FAITH CHECK”? Has your faith increased or diminished? Sorry, it doesn’t stay the same.

Faith that is exercised and fed is an ABOUNDING faith (Colossians 2:7).
Faith that is not fed becomes an ANEMIC faith; weakened and faint.
Faith that is not exercised becomes an ATROPHIC faith (displaced from the lack of use).

Have you been feeding your faith? Have you been exercising your faith? Is your faith ABOUNDING???

A lot can be said as to what RELIGION dictates us to do and not to do. Religion is a list of man-made hoops and expectations that people feel they have to jump through in order to please God and get ‘points’ with Him. In the end, RELIGION leads to frustration because we can’t jump through these hoops all the time. It tends to lead to a relentless cycle of despair. Religion is sterile.

The truth of the matter is Jesus Christ is not about religion; He is all about RELATIONSHIP. Note this passage in Colossians 1:19,20 – “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross – through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” The word for ‘reconcile’ here in the original language means “the restoration of a relationship that has been disturbed.” From the second Adam sinned and brought sin into all mankind, God ached for the day that He could restore that relationship with mankind. LIFE, abundant life, comes out of relationship with God.

Christianity is very simple. God doesn’t throw out a big list of does and don’ts. He simply wants our HEART. Note the words of the Psalmist: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming’” (Psalms 27:8, NLT).

I want that in my life. I want to hear His voice and I want my heart to passionately respond to Him. When I aim to please His heart, I don’t need a does and don’ts list. I know what makes His heart smile. His goodness, grace, mercy, and love makes mine smile.

If you didn’t know this yet, let me tell you an eternal fact: GOD LOVES YOU – WELL HE’S CRAZY ABOUT YOU!!!!!

Prayer: Lord God, today, I give my heart to You anew. Thank You for loving me and, quite frankly, for putting up with me. You really have to love me – so much more than I could ever imagine. And Lord, I love You too. Grant me the pleasured treasure of knowing You more as You walk with me through life. May my heart be pure and sensitive to Your desires in my life. I hope today that I make Your heart SMILE.

Hey:

Hope you are having a great day. I wanted to take a second to invite you to
our 2nd ANNUAL FRAN DAY!

Yes, we are having our Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbor’s Day
coming up Sunday, June 6th at 10:00am.

We’re going to have a dynamic service together and then have a tremendous
meal prepared. We’re BBQ two hogs. More food than you could imagine.

What’s more important is we will be celebrating one another and the great
goodness of God upon our lives.

Hope to see you there.

Demonstrating the Passion of Christ,

Tim Hodge

Senior Pastor

Crossroads World Outreach Center

www.cwoconline.org

I had a very sobering/enlightening moment just a few days ago. My youngest son, Jordan, is 10 years-old. He did something very simple that convicted me to my core. I’ll give you a little background before I hit the matter.

Kim and I had gotten our 13 year-old, Josiah, a little cell phone deal a couple of years back where you add minutes to it as needed. For Christmas, he wanted a “regular” phone on our plan so he could text and talk unlimited. So, we did that. He gave his little old phone to his younger brother. Jordan was stoked. He used his own money to add some minutes. He thought he was a “big dog” calling and texting.

So, last week he comes bounding in my office – grinning like someone who had just gotten word they had won a million dollars. I was standing behind my desk working on some paperwork as he ran across the room, behind the desk and gave me a big hug (I call him ‘Snuggy-bug’ because he loves hugs from his mommy and daddy – I know that won’t last much longer so mom and I enjoy them while we can <grin>).

Then the convicting moment happened. He pointed down to his side and said, “Look what I found. I’m just like you!” His big blue eyes were dancing with excitement. On his side was a little leather phone holder and in it was his little cell phone – just like his daddy wearing his blackberry.

For days now, those words he said have been ringing over and over in my head and I keep hearing my son’s voice say: “I’m just like you.” Wow. Is he just like me? What am I – WHO am I besides the daddy that wears a cell phone? What else is he seeing? What else will he be “just like me” at?

Question: Who is watching you? I guarantee someone is. Let us live our lives with a holy transparency. We very well may one day stand before God and someone turn, look at us and say: “I was just like you.” Access granted or access denied may be because of the example we lived.