PASSION
“Man is so made that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish!” (Jean de la Fontaine)

The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat. If you find yourself lacking in persistence, this weakness may be remedied by building a stronger fire under your desires.
The Apostle Paul met his defeat not at Thessalonica (where he was mobbed), nor at Philippi (where he was beaten), nor at Corinth (where he was persecuted), nor at Jerusalem (where he was torn by the mob), for he built churches in all these cities; he met his defeat at Athens, where he met only indifference. He found no faith there and consequently built no churches there.
Among the great number of books authored by C.S. Lewis is the highly provocative, “The Screwtape Letters.” In it, the profound Englishman has the devil brief his nephew, Wormwood, on the subtleties and techniques of tempting the people. The
goal, he counsels, is not wickedness, but indifference. Satan cautions the nephew to keep the prospect or patient, comfortable at all costs. If he should become concerned about anything of importance, encourage him to think about his lunch plans; not to worry, it could induce indigestion. And then, this definitive job description: “I, the devil, will always see to it that there are bad people. Your job, my dear Wormwood, is to provide me with the people who do not care.”
Tony Campolo once said, “We are caught up at a particular stage in our national ethos in which we’re not only materialistic, but worse than that – we’re becoming emotionally dead as people. We don’t sing, we don’t dance, we don’t even commit sin with much enthusiasm. Kierkegaard once said this age will die, not from sin, but from a lack of passion. There is a deadness everywhere. High School are apathetic. Colleges are apathetic. I mean, everybody’s gone to sleep!”
Jesus had a warning along that line for the church at Ephesus. While acknowledging their accomplishments, hard work, and doctrinal purity, He looked them right in the eyes and said (in effect), “You’re doing all this stuff in My name, but I don’t think you even love Me anymore” (see Revelation 2:1-6).
His prescription? Stop dead in your tracks. Set aside your pre-occupations. Turn around. Remember your first commitment to your Lord. Do the things you used to do in that first flush of wholehearted surrender and joy. And watch yourself!

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Zeal is a burning desire to please God; to do His will; to advance His glory in the world in every way possible. It is a quality that we are all to possess. In fact, it is part of the purpose of redemption that we should demonstrate zeal. Titus 2:14 says that Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
Commit yourself right now, to start a “fire” within you.

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, You have permission to reveal any apathetic spirit in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything that I need to feel as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Questions: No Somewhat Yes
Has your love grown cold for God? ( ) ( ) ( )
Do you have a burden for the unsaved? ( ) ( ) ( )
Is there great joy in serving God? ( ) ( ) ( )

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Philippians 3:7-16 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself
How To Petition God Properly
Talk to him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy will be done”

Prayer Requests

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my Obedience to God:

Passion is shown by your action. For example, it will be shown by a great desire for personal holiness. It will reflect the attitude of Matthew 5:29-30. Read that verse.
In other words, anything will be sacrificed that prevents a Christian’s growth.

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying, through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – (Titus 2:14)

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday through Friday – Below are some great verses on passion. They tell of a work that He puts within us that will make us different. Read these verses each day and ask God to do a work within you that you cannot do for yourself.
Job 38:36 Isaiah 63:1 Ezekiel 11:19
Psalm 4:7 Jeremiah 31:33 Ezekiel 36:26
Isaiah 42:1 Jeremiah 32:40 Ezekiel 36:27

God works from the inside out, not the outside in. God does a work in our hearts. He changes our thoughts and attitudes, which changes our choices, which changes our actions, which changes our very lives.
We, like Nehemiah, are to work out what God has worked in. God never asks you to do a work outwardly, unless He has first done a work inwardly. But it is our responsibility to respond. When God has worked in our lives, then we are to adjust our lives to His agenda, not ours.

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