Passion

Passion

MY QUESTION for GOD

I used to be on fire for God. Why can’t I seem to keep that passion?

A MOMENT with GOD

King Solomon loved many foreign women. . . . The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. . . . And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.

1 Kings 11:1-3

When sin gets a foothold in your life, it always leads you away from God. It squelches your passion and produces an apathetic attitude toward God. Satan will use all his power to keep you from getting excited about following God.

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

Genesis 3:6

Temptation takes your focus off God and makes something else seem more exciting. Perhaps you do not make a conscious decision to move away from God, but something else suddenly gets your attention. If what you become excited about is not what God wants you to do, your passion for God will quickly die.

They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” . . . He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed. . . . Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Mark 14:32, 35-38

Sometimes you’re just too tired or unaware to see the significance of what is going on around you. You must be passionate about looking for God in every circumstance.

You must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

Colossians 1:23

We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:1

I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!

Revelation 2:4

Like all relationships, your relationship with God takes effort and energy. God is always fully committed to you. For your relationship with God to be exciting, you must be fully committed to him. Be diligent in your efforts to get to know him better. Here are three strategies for doing that: Consistently study God’s Word, cultivate a thankful heart, and engage in acts of service to others. This will help fight off feelings of apathy toward God and renew your passion for the purpose he has for your life. You will again be excited about the blessings he has given you and has promised you in the future.

DIVINE PROMISE

I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart.

Ezekiel 11:19