Passion

Passion

My Question for God

Why can’t I always be on fire for God?

A Moment with God

Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, [King Solomon] married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. 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 and produces an apathetic attitude towards him. 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 it more exciting to think about something else. When this happens, it’s not that you really want to move away from God, but something else has suddenly got your attention! If what you’re excited about is not what God wants you to do, your passion for God will quickly die.

[Jesus said,] “Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 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 14:32-38

Sometimes you’re just too tired, or you just don’t see the significance of what is going on around you. Peter thought this was just another night out. If he’d had his spiritual antenna up, he might have sensed how significant this night was going to be. We 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

[The Lord said,] “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 continues to be fully committed to you. In order for your relationship to continue to be exciting, you must be fully committed to him—diligent in your efforts to know him better. Three things can really make a difference: consistent study of God’s Word, a thankful heart, and acts of service toward others. These will fight off feelings of apathy toward God and will reignite your passion for him and his purpose for you.

Divine Promise

[God said,] “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