Saturday, April 20, 2024.HOW PASSIONATE ARE YOU?
Scripture for Today: Matthew 20:17-19 (KJV) 17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.Word for TodayA young disciple went to a reverend and requested to know how to serve God. He expected the reverend to answer him with words. Rather, the reverend took him to a river and both of them continued walking until they came to the deep part. Surprisingly, the reverend held his head and pushed him into the water and held him for a while. The young disciple thought that the reverend wanted to kill him and struggled for his life. When he recovered his breath, he furiously protested against the action of the reverend. Then with a smile the reverend told him ‘If you seek to know and serve God with all your life and strength, exactly the way you struggled to avoid drowning, you’ll find God and know Him’. This story illustrates the passion with which you should live, walk and serve God. Child of God, how passionate are you in your relationship and service to God? What is it costing you to walk in Christ and serve God? Are you running the Christian race like your Saviour, Jesus and the early disciples with zeal and a consuming passion? Are you consciously, intentionally and willingly carrying out the will of God, taking up challenges and facing ungodly and satanic opposition? Dictionary defines passion as a strong powerful emotion and boundless enthusiasm. It should be noted that as a teenager, our Lord Jesus showed strong passion for God’s house and kingdom. He was passionate in preaching the gospel of the kingdom, healing the sick and delivering the possessed and oppressed. A life without passion is spiritually lifeless. Christianity without a holy passion is nothing but a cold religion. A believer without passion for God’s kingdom is a person without compassion for those who are suffering. At the temple of Jerusalem, although He knew they were planning to kill Him, Jesus still manifested zeal when the temple was turned into a market place, contrary to the will of God. It was His zeal and passion that drove Him to the Cross. But God has exalted and honoured Him with the highest glory. God shall also honour you for your the zeal and passion if you follow the Lord’s example. Hebrews chapter 12:1-3 states as follows: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the Cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. Decision: I repent of lack of passion and zeal for God’s kingdom. Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, clothe me with passion and zeal for God’s kingdom service. Declaration: Receive the compelling passion and zeal to fulfil God’s purpose. God bless you.Pastor Alex Obioha.