Category: Passion

Passion Required to Teach God's Word (Insights in Law)

9/30/2012

"There is neither encouragement nor room in Bible religion for feeble desires, listless efforts, lazy attitudes; all must be strenuous, urgent, ardent. Inflamed desires, impassioned, unwearied insistence delight heaven. God would have His children incorrigibly in earnest and persistently bold in their efforts. Heaven is too busy to listen to half-hearted prayers or to respond to pop-calls. Our whole being must be in our praying" (E.M. Bounds).

For parents to teach God's word to their children, they must be passionate and prayerful. To be equipped for this task, seek God first; value God's glory and greatness; love God with all your heart, soul and might; received God's provision; fear God and do not follow the world's philosophy.

Learn and follow God’s decrees. He made a covenant and spoke face to face with those alive today out of the fire on the mountain. God spoke these words to Moses: I am the Lord who brought you out Egypt from the house of slavery. Have no other gods before Me. Do not worship an idol for the Lord is a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Him. Do not misuse the Lord’s name. Labor for six days and rest on the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Remember your slavery in Egypt and how the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand. Therefore the Lord commanded you to observe the Sabbath. Honor your father and mother so you may live long and things may go well with you in the land the Lord is giving you. Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, give false witness and covet anything that belongs to your neighbor (Deut. 5:1-21). Seek God first to spiritually protect future generations, honor your family and do not take advantage of others.

The Lord proclaimed these words in a loud voice to the assembly. Then He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to Moses. The Lord showed His glory and greatness to the heads of tribes and elders. Speak what the Lord says so your children can listen, obey and not die. Oh that people had a heart to fear God and keep all His commands so that it would go well with them and their children forever. Stand by God to get all the commandments, statutes and judgments to teach your children to follow in the land. Be careful to walk in the way God commanded to live and prosper in the land you will possess (Deut. 5:22-33). Value God's glory and greatness, ask Him to give your children a heart to fear and obey Him, and teach His commandments so they live a prosperous life.

Teach God’s commandments so your children and grandchild fear and obey the Lord, enjoy long life and multiply in a land flowing with milk and honey. Because the Lord is one, love Him with all your heart, soul and might. Impress and talk about the words on your heart with your children when you sit at home, walk along the road, lie down and get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and frontals on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and gates (Deut. 6:1-9). Love God with all your heart so you can diligently teach your children and grandchildren to fear and obey His commands, enjoy life and have multiplied kingdom impact.

You should eat and be satisfied when the Lord gives you great cities in the land you did not build, houses full of good things you did not fill and vineyards you did not plant. Watch and do not forget the Lord who brought you out of Egypt from the house of slavery (Deut. 6:10-12). God provides beyond your accomplishments and what you deserve.

Fear and worship the Lord only. Do not follow the gods of people who surround you because God is jealous. Do not test God like you did at Massah. Diligently keep His commandments and testimonies, do what is right and good so it goes well with you. Then you can enter and possess the good land by driving out all your enemies (Deut. 6:13-19). Fear God and do not follow the world's philosophy so you accomplish His kingdom purposes.

When your son asks for the meaning of God’s laws, tell him that you were slaves of Pharaoh but the Lord brought us from Egypt with a mighty hand. He showed great and distressing signs and wonders to give us the land he promised to our forefathers. God commanded us to obey these decrees and fear Him so we would always prosper and enjoy life to be righteousness for us (Deut. 6:20-25). Grasp every opportunity to teach God’s word in a compelling and impactful way to your children.

Ask God to increase passion for prayer and teaching God's word while finding creative ways to bring greater meaning in your relationship with God.

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Risk Believing God (Insights in Law)

8/16/2012

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Maintaining the status quo and not believing God to defeat “giants” in the land lead to dying in the wilderness without experiencing His mission in the world. God chooses a particular mission for every believer in the world. He desires every person walk in that mission. Fathers and leaders have responsibility to equip their physical and spiritual offspring so they can discover their mission in the world. Identifying the world’s lies and deceptions that compromise families is a vital first step. To experience God’s peace and well-being, spend sufficient time with God in vital spiritual disciplines. Numbers 25-30 provide a blueprint in believing God.

Motivation for Believing God
Israel indulged in sexual immorality with Moabite women and worshiped their gods including the Baal of Peor. The Lord told Moses to kill the leaders of the people in broad daylight to turn away God’s anger. Phinehas, son of Aaron, pierced an Israelite man and a Midianite woman through the body to stop the plague after 24,000 died while Moses and the congregation wept at the tent of meeting. The Lord told Moses that Phinehas' zealousness for God's honor turned away His wrath so He did not destroy Israel. He made God’s covenant of peace a lasting priesthood and atonement for the Israelites. The Lord said to kill the Midianites whose hostility and deception concerning Peor caused the plague (Num. 25:1-18). Zealousness for God’s glory motivates prayer to defeat the evil one’s lies and deceptions so you embrace the truth of God's word.

Environment for Believing God
God spoke to Moses and Eleazar to take a census of those 20 years and older in Israel by their fathers’ households who could go out to war. The earth swallowed up Dathan and Abiram and devoured 250 men by fire who followed Korah when they rebelled against Moses and Aaron as a warning. The sons of families numbered according to the 12 tribes totaled 601,730. They divided the land as an inheritance in proportion to the number of names according to lot between the larger and smaller groups. Aaron’s sons died when they offered strange fire before the Lord. Only Joshua and Caleb survived in the wilderness (Num. 26:1-65). Obedient families create the environment for children to implement God's mission in the world.

Passion for Believing God
The daughters of Zelophehad stood before Moses, Eleazar and the leaders of Israel at the tent of meeting saying their father died for his own sin in the desert and was not among Korah’s followers who disobeyed the Lord. They asked why their father’s name was withdrawn because he had no son. After they asked for property among their father’s relatives, Moses brought the daughters’ case before God. The Lord told Moses that it was legal to give them property and turn their father’s inheritance over to them as his nearest relative (Num. 27:1-11). God exalts those who passionately seek Him in doing His mission.

Accountability for Believing God
The Lord said for Moses to go up the mountain and see the land He had given Israel since he would die like Aaron. The Lord reminded Moses that he rebelled against God by not treating Him holy before Israel at the waters of Meribah in of Kadesh. Moses asked the Lord to appoint a man to lead Israel so they would not be like sheep without a shepherd. God instructed Moses to lay his hand on Joshua, commission and put some of his authority on him so the congregation would obey him. Joshua would stand before Eleazar who asked for the judgment of Urim before the Lord. At his command they would go out and come in (Num. 27:12-23). God appoints leaders who prayerfully lead the flock so every sheep has a shepherd.

Means for Believing God
The Lord through Moses commanded Israel to present two one-year-old male lambs without defect as a continual burnt offering daily in the morning and at twilight along with a grain offering mixed with oil. At the beginning of each month, present burnt and grain offering mixed with oil to the Lord. Present one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement. On the 14th day of the first mouth they observed the Lord’s Passover with unleavened bread eaten for seven days beginning the following day. On the first and seventh day, they did not work (Num. 28:1-31). God requires daily spiritual disciplines of surrender, confess sins, read His word and prayer to live out His will.

Commitment for Believing God
In the seventh month of the first day, have a holy convocation to do no work. Offer burnt offerings as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, grain offering mixed with oil and a sin offering to make atonement as an offering by fire to the Lord. On tenth day of the seventh month, have a holy convocation to humble yourselves and not do any work. Present a continual burnt, grain and sin offering. On the 15th day of the seventh month, have a holy convocation to do no work. Observe a feast to the Lord for seven days and present a continual burnt offering, grain offering mixed with oil and sin offering. On the eighth day, have a solemn assembly to do no work. Present these offerings to the Lord at the appointed times in the tabernacle where God reveals His will besides the vow, freewill, burnt, grain and peace offerings. Moses spoke to Israel what the Lord commanded (Num. 29:1-40). Spend sufficient time with the Lord daily so you discern His will and become a pleasing aroma to Him and others.

Integrity for Believing God
Moses told the heads of Israel's tribes to not break their word when they make a vow. A woman has a binding obligation when she makes a vow while living in her father's house. The Lord releases her from a vow when her father or husband nullifies the vow. If a husband nullifies them later after hearing about them, he is responsible for her guilt (Num. 30:1-16). Fulfill promises you make to God and others.

Ask for the power of the Holy Spirit as you risk believing God using the following blueprint:
1. Motivation: Zealousness for God’s glory motivates prayer to defeat the evil one’s lies and deceptions so you embrace the truth of God's word.
2. Environment: Obedient families create the environment for children to implement God's mission in the world.
3. Passion: God exalts those who passionately seek Him in doing His mission.
4. Accountability: God appoints leaders who prayerfully lead the flock so every sheep has a shepherd.
5. Means: God requires daily spiritual disciplines of surrender, confess sins, read His word and prayer to live out His will.
6. Commitment: Spend sufficient time with the Lord daily so you discern His will and become a pleasing aroma to Him and others.
7. Integrity: Fulfill promises you make to God and others.

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What Passionate Love for Christ Produces (Insights in Law)

7/23/2012

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I want passionate feelings to characterize my relationship with the Lord Jesus. Of course, I want to be perfectly obedient to the Lord, but I want the obedience to spring out of a passionate love for him. I want to obey Jesus not simply out of discipline of duty, or because of some reward or fear of punishment. I want to serve Him simply for the joy of being able to please the one I love so much. If discipline is what ultimately drives us in our pursuit of Jesus, eventually we will give up that pursuit. But a man in love, or a woman in love will never quit.... I want my life to be characterized by an unrestrained affection for the Son of God (Jack Deere).

In Numbers 17-19, as people respond in passionate love for God, they follow His leading into their callings, give generously and confess sin, which results in a transformed community as individuals walk in holiness.

God spoke to Moses to get a rod for each father’s household from all twelve leaders, wrote name on each rod and deposited them in the tent of meeting in front of testimony for Moses to meet with God. The rod of man whom He chose would sprout to lessen from Himself the grumblings of Israel. The rod of Aaron from the house of Levi sprouted buds, produced blossoms and bore ripe almonds. Aaron’s rod before the testimony was kept as a sign against the rebels to put an end to grumblings against God so they would not die (Num. 17:1-13). God calls approved workers by showing signs of fruitfulness to end death and warn grumblers.

The tribe of Levi would be joined with Aaron to bear responsibility for the offenses against the sanctuary and the priesthood. If fellow Levites came near the furnishings of the sanctuary and altar, they would die and bring wrath on Israel. Aaron and his sons served in the priesthood for everything concerning the altar and inside the veil as a gift, but the stranger would die if he came near (Num. 18:1-7). God enables workers to follow His leadership into their unique callings so they do not experience His wrath.

The Lord spoke to Aaron saying He gave him a charge of His offerings as a portion and to his sons as a perpetual allotment as holy gifts, including the first fruits of oil, wine and grain given to the Lord. Every devoted thing in Israel, including the first-born of man or animal would be theirs. The tithe would be given to the Levites as an inheritance and compensation for serving at the tent of meeting. They gave a tithe of the tithe to Aaron the priest so they would not profane the sacred gifts of Israel and die (Num. 18:8-32). God gives people the opportunity to give financially to His work in response to His love for them.

The Lord said to Moses to bring an unblemished red heifer without defect and no yoke. It was brought to Eleazar the priest and slaughtered outside the camp. He took blood and sprinkled some of it toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. The heifer would be burned in his sight, the priest washed his clothes, bathed his body in water and was unclean until evening. The cleansed man deposited the ashes outside the camp as purification from sin for Israel and the alien as a lasting ordinance (Num. 19:1-10). Spend regular time in confession of sin to remove spiritual impurity.

One who touched a corpse would be unclean for seven days. He purified himself from uncleanness with water on the third and seventh day to be clean. If he did not purify himself, he defiled the tabernacle of the Lord, cut off from the community and was unclean. A man ceremonially clean would take hyssop, dip in water and sprinkle the tent, furnishings and people who were there. Anything that an unclean person touched became unclean (Num. 19:11-22). The spiritual climate of a community changes for the good when God’s people live in holiness because of their passionate love for Him.

Ask God to move your community through the following progression beginning with yourself:
1. Pray for more passionate love for Christ personally and among other believers in your community
2. Follow God's leading so you embrace His calling for your life
3. Give generously to your local church and kingdom projects
4. Spend regular time in confessing sin
5. Encourage others to walk in holiness

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How To Make a Difference In Your City (Insights in Law)

1/31/2011

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A person can't predict how God might use them. Tough times may seem to disqualify you from effective service. It's those frustrating and seemly "wasted" circumstances that God redeems for ministry in your city. Joseph thought his life was over while serving prison time for a crime he didn't commit. Two years later, he unexpectedly gets a call from Pharaoh or the president of Egypt. What unexpected opportunity is God preparing for you that taps into your experiences, passion and gifts in serving your city? Learning the principles of preparation, prerequisites and product of successful city ministry will equip you in making a difference.

Preparation for Successful City Ministry
After two years, Pharaoh dreamt that seven ugly cows ate seven fat cows and seven thin ears were swallowed up by seven plump ears. No one, including all the Egyptian magicians and wise men, could interpret the dream, which troubled him (Gen. 41:1-8). Sense of need among key leaders opens doors and opportunities for city ministry.

The chief cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh that he interpreted dreams accurately. The cupbearer was restored to office and baker hanged as Joseph predicted (Gen. 41:9-13). God sovereignly uses tough experiences and your gifting to serve Him strategically in the city.

When Pharaoh told Joseph that he heard about his ability to interpret dreams, the latter answered, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." Pharaoh shared his dream with Joseph and said no one could explain it to him (Gen. 41:14-24). Listen to God and do what He says because ministry is not about you.

Prerequisites for Successful City Ministry
Joseph told Pharaoh that his two dreams revealed identical messages in emphasizing what God was about to do: seven years of great abundance in Egypt followed by seven years of famine. Repeating the dream twice meant God determined to bring about the events quickly. Joseph encouraged Pharaoh to look for a wise and discerning man to set over Egypt who could appoint overseers to exact a fifth of the land's produce during the seven abundant years to hold in reserve for the seven lean years, which would sustain people during famine (Gen. 41:25-36). God gives insights and strategies to influence leaders so they promote the welfare of the city's people.

The proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and he determined Joseph was the wise and discerning man to become secretary of agriculture or second in command in all of Egypt. Joseph was given the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife (Gen. 41:37-45). Sharing truths without drawing attention to yourself has the greatest potential to be adopted by those in authority.

The food Joseph gathered during the seven years of plenty that was stored in every city came from the surrounding fields in great abundance until he stopped measuring it (Gen. 41:46-49). Diligent preparation and executing strategy to serve local needs ensure success.

Before the year of famine, two sons were born to Joseph: Manasseh (God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household) and Ephraim (God has made me fruitful in land of my affliction) (Gen. 41:50-52). God prioritizes inner healing and spiritual character over ministry competency.

Product of Successful City Ministry
Seven years of severe famine came after seven plentiful years in all the lands, but in Egypt there was bread, which Joseph sold to the Egyptians and all the earth (Gen. 41:53-57). Obeying God in performing your ministry leads to worldwide impact in solving society's real problems.

Answer these questions:
1. What tough experiences have you gone through (character and passion development)?
2. If you could do anything in your life and not have to worry about money, what would it be (passion)?
3. What are your primary gifts?
4. Do you notice any alignment between the answers to the above three questions?
5. Prayerfully consider the preparation, prerequisites and product of successful city ministry listed above along with timing to determine when, where and how God might be leading in serving Him in your city.

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Find Your Passion As First Step to Success (Insights in Law)

12/4/2010

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About ten years into my career, it dawned on me that I was fulfilling the dreams of my father, instead of the passions God placed in me. I got a degree in Industrial Engineering and the work was not rewarding for me. I discovered my purpose in Bible studies I led for employees during the noon hour and being the designated "chaplain" at management club meetings where I gave the invocation before dinners. Through much agony, prayers and divine circumstances, God led me into full-time US missionary work, which has taken many twists and turns the past 24 years. I raise my own support and trust God to provide, but it's the best decision I ever made. An older couple was key in providing the encouragement for my wife and me to make this move. Gen. 30 shows how God led Jacob and his family in finding his passion as he walked with God.

When Rachel bore no children, she became jealous of her sister, Leah. She said to Jacob, “Give me children or else I die.” Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel. Bilhah, her maid, conceived a son through Jacob and Rachel said, “God has vindicated me, and has indeed heard my voice and has given me a son” (Gen. 30:1-7).

With mighty wrestlings of God, Rachel struggled with Leah and prevailed. When Leah stopped bearing children, she gave her maid, Zilpah, to Jacob and they bore two sons. Leah said, “How fortunate and 'successful' am I for women will call me happy.” Rachel told Leah that Jacob could have sex with her in return for her son’s mandrakes. God gave heed to Leah and she bore Jacob a fifth son (Gen. 30:8-17).

Leah concluded that God would provide wages because she gave her maid to Jacob. After she bore a sixth son, she said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will dwell with me.” Then God remembered Rachel and gave heed to her and opened her womb. She said, “God has taken away my reproach” (Gen. 30:18-24). Family well-being and success in life depend on your wrestling with God in the heavenlies through prayer.

Jacob wanted to leave Laban and go to his own place, but asked him to stay because the Lord had multiplied his flock. Jacob now wanted to provide for his own household (Gen. 30:25-30). God blesses work done passionately for Him.

Jacob removed every speckled and spotted sheep and every black one among the lambs, which became his wages. Jacob set the rods he had peeled in front of the flocks in the watering trough's gutters where the flocks drank and mated. The flocks brought forth striped, speckled and spotted ones. When the stronger flock mated, Jacob placed the rods in sight of the flock so they would mate by the rods. When the flock was feeble, he did not put them in so Laban's were feebler and Jacob’s stronger (Gen. 30:31-43). Diligently following the laws of nature or a business model leads to financial gain that not only benefits you, but others, if not motivated by self-interest.

Success in life involves both diligent prayer and hard work. A healthy family depends on prevailing and fervent prayer. A stable family provides the foundation for reaching your work goals. Gen. 30 makes a case for determining your passion so you can work heartily (from the soul) to not only provide for your family, but share with others. Even more importantly, you receive eternal reward from God when work originates from your heart through prayer (Col. 3:22-24). Many people should consider entrepreneurial employment since working for an organization can stifle creativity and their passion.

Recent research shows that people who wrote down their goals, shared that information with a friend, and sent weekly updates to that friend were 33% more successful in accomplishing their stated goals that those who merely formulated goals: http://bit.ly/writegoals

What is your passion? Are you fulfilling your passion in your present position? If not, ask God to reveal your passion as you evaluate your hobbies, volunteer and recreational activities that have given you greatest joy and effectiveness. Since life is short and all of us will stand before God at the judgment-seat of Christ, begin to take bold and risky steps to move in the direction of your passion. It may involve further education, a different position (in an organization or starting something new) or even attitudinal change in your present position. Share your thoughts with a trusted friend who can encourage, counsel and hold you accountable to take the necessary steps.

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Where's The Passion?

5/22/2010

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Life can beat us down! Sometimes it's three steps forward, and two steps back. My oldest son asked me to drive 90 miles to look at a truck he found on Craig's List since he lives in another state. It looked great. I drove it home to show my car mechanic. He said it had been in an accident. So the next day, I drove the truck back to where I had purchased it. Two days of work, but it helped me bond with my son and create passion in our relationship because we shared something in common.

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were bewildered about the empty tomb. While walking on the road, a strange man asked, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" (Luke 24:13-17). Jesus makes us think by asking questions. By articulating our answers, our mind starts processing key issues so we can put things together.

Christ then moves from the head to heart where passion resides. Not only were these two disciples ignorant of who Christ was, they were "slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." Christ then explained the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:25-27).

After they invited Christ to stay with them and He broke bread, their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scripture to them (Luke 24:28-32). Passion comes as we spend time with Christ.

Do you have passion in life? If not, search the Scriptures, listen to what Christ has to say and then spend time with Him!

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Passion Required to Teach God's Word (Insights in Law)

Risk Believing God (Insights in Law)

What Passionate Love for Christ Produces (Insights in Law)

How To Make a Difference In Your City (Insights in Law)

Find Your Passion As First Step to Success (Insights in Law)

Where's The Passion?

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