W312

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CITY HAVEST CHURCH [CHC]
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 7:35 AM

Do you have the passion?

Passion –noun

1. Strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.

2. Strong sexual desire; lust.

3. Strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything.

4. The object of such fondness or desire.

5. State of being acted upon or affected by something external.

6. The sufferings of Christ on the cross and/or His sufferings subsequent to the Last Supper.

Above are some of the definition of passion. What to you is the suitable one? Do you have a thing or someone that you have passion for? For me, my passion is handball. Handball is a sport whereby I can vent my anger and frustration on physically. If you all didn't know, I recently took part in the selections for YOG National Youth Squad. I trained really hard for it just to get into the team. But on that very tuesday night, I receive the letter saying I am not selected into the team. I was upset of course. I was disappointed that after all I've been training for, thats what I got. What made things worst was that instead of encouraging me, my dad was demoralizing me saying things like "its good that you fail", "you this kind of people, sure wont make it" it really tore me, I couldn't care much about the results of the selection and instead its how my dad perceive me as that crushed me. But friends have been encouraging me not to give up and continue striving for it since its my passion! I shouldn't just stop halfway just because I met up with a few obstacles in my life.

And that reminded me of how we have a passion for Christ, our journey with God. We cannot give up our walk with God or stop halfway just because devil tried to stop us or even do things that make us feel anger towards God. But instead we should put that all aside and cast out the evil or bad thoughts caused by the devil. And continue burning the fire for God because our God is a good God! How can we proclaim that we have the passion for God unless the passion consumes us? For example, how can I say I have the passion for handball if I don't even attend the regular training? Its the same for us Christians. How can we have the passion for God if we don't even go to church, if we don't give our tithes or offerings? A passion for God can only occur when our heart is purely devoted to God and Jesus's purposes. James 4:8 (NIV)- "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your heart, you double minded" We cannot have a passion for God if on one hand we are paying our tithes and going to church, but on the other hand lusting for sexual immoralities, having anger towards other fellow brothers and sisters? That isn't what God wants us to do, or want us to behave like. Like what Jo shared for CG on 21 August, we have to keep that in mind and be more like God.

So friends, if you feel that the passion that you have with God is burning out, its fading slowly. Do open up to anyone of the cg members and we will be more than happy to pray for you :D

xoxox; Shan :]