Passion

In the Webster’s Dictionary passion is defined as “an emotion;” “an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction;” “an ardent affection;” “a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.” 

 

My deepest passion is Jesus Christ and carrying His name out in this world every day of my life. I have been convicted, broken, strengthened, and my heart has been captivated and again overflows with His unimaginable love.

 

My life changed forever over a short weekend, but I pray that what I experienced will live on in my heart till I am face to face with My Creator. The mission of Passion Conferences is to carry on the name of Jesus wherever life takes you. In Isaiah 28:6 it says “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” What a way to declare what this life is all about. We wait for Him and we desire Him with our whole hearts.

I came into the weekend alive in Christ, but I was being bogged down by so many things that my passion for Him had dwindled. I desperately needed His Spirit to take me over, take away some fears and doubts that began to creep in again, and a desire to be more active in my pursuit of Him. I was ready for Him to do something in my heart, but I didn’t expect the magnitude of what He would do. Here is a glimpse of what He taught and stirred in me.

Friday Night- Louie Giglio:

Phil 1:1 We are servants of Christ Jesus, but many times we serve so many other things instead of Jesus. In order to be His servant, we must not just know about Jesus, but we must truly know Him and have an encounter with Him.
Acts 9:4 God spoke directly to Saul. Every time we open the Bible, God wants to speak directly to us. We have to allow Him to speak to our heart and not get in the way of His voice.
Verse 8 Saul had such an eye opening encounter with God that he needed others to lead him around. We should live fully expecting such encounters from Him.
Phil 1:21 Every day I live, everyone around me gets more Jesus. The day I die will be the best day of my life because I get Jesus for eternity.

Saturday Morning Community Group:

Phil 2:3-11 As Christians, we need to be focused and united in Him.
In verses 6-8, we see how Christ first had to come down to the level of a servant, made Himself nothing and in human likeness, and was humble and obedient even while taking on a criminals death.
In verses 9-11, we see how God exalts His Son to the highest place where everyone on earth and in heaven proclaims that He is Lord.
We must walk in humility in order to make His name famous. We must submit to His Lordship in all aspects of our lives.

Saturday Morning- Francis Chan:

Eph 3:16-19 People can tell us about Jesus and set us up to have a relationship with Him, but it is all on you to let it happen No one can make you fall in love with someone else. You can’t just know about Jesus, but you have to fall in love with the person, Jesus!
Phil 1:27-28 Live in a manner worthy of The Gospel. Know the Bible and stand firm in His teachings. Does our life add up to, or equal, the weight of The Gospel? Do we live in a way that reflects The Bible?

Saturday Afternoon- Louie Giglio:

“I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!”
We are part of a story taking Jesus to the whole world.
Heb 13:15-16 Worship is more than the songs we sing, Worship is a lifestyle. Worship through giving and sharing Christ with the world…… our neighborhood, our city, our state, our country, our continent, our hemisphere, our world.

Saturday Night- John Piper:

Where does our joy come from? Do we make much of God or make much of ourselves? God’s joy should be at the very bottom of what everything springs from. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit kills our bottom joy and replaces it with God’s joy.

Saturday Night Community Group:

Ps 16:11 God is most satisfying above anyone or anything else. Believe it!
Our day should be so filled with God that we have to make time for other things.

Sunday Morning Community Group:

Throughout history, there are many things or marks that have distinguished us as Christians
Phil 2:1-2 Our most important distinguishing mark is unity.
We are united together in love. We must love one another. John 13:34
How do we create unity? Phil 2:3-4 Do not be selfish. Do not serve to promote yourself. Do not have conceit- empty glory. Look out for other peoples’ needs.
Love each other before you know each other.
V.12-16 We must work out our salvation through fear and trembling because He is working in us. He will give us the desires and He will let us shine like the stars without complaining! Hold fast to the word of life.
Harden our resolve to fight sin and be gentler on ourselves when we fail.

Sunday Morning- Louie Giglio:
Acts 9:10 God called Ananias by name to go meet Saul. Our name could be written down in red in the Bible because God has called us by name.
We are anxious for other people to speak our name but the Son of God has already spoken my name.
Ananias responds with “Here I am, Lord.” He doesn’t say “who is this” or “who are you talking to.” He knew that the Lord was speaking to him and he answered “YES” to Him.
Isaiah 26:8 We need to live in a way that we say “YES” to Him every day. I want to be a part of a generation that builds on the name of Jesus. We have building potential.
Acts 9:15 He was God’s chosen instrument to carry His name. “I am a restorer.” God has spoken my name and chosen me to be an instrument to carry His name! Every bit of Hell is against His name. We are born name carriers and are surrounded by them daily.
What names do I carry into the world? I first and foremost want to carry the name of JESUS!

My Prayer:
I will live radically for You. Nothing in this world can stop me from pursuing You and for You to use me as Your name carrier. You are my Savior, Love, Friend, the One I follow, my everything! I want to fall in love with You all over again and continue falling in love with You every day of my life. I submit to Your Lordship in all areas of my life especially my relationships. I will pour more into each of my relationships building stronger fellowship through encouragement and prayer. My life will be lived worthy of The Gospel. I will live boldly and with intensity proclaiming Your name. My worship will be my whole lifestyle. I will travel the world to share Your love. You are the joy that everything in this life springs from. I live to glorify You and only You. I will grow in Your character and wisdom. I will fear nothing. I will earnestly seek You and study Your Word. I will say “Yes, Lord” whenever You call my name. I will carry Your name. In Jesus name, amen!