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[Psalms 100:2 KJV] ‘Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing”.
Motivation
We began this year with a desire to serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing; but it is possible that as the days go by some may be losing fire.
Discussion
Many people begin things, ministry, marriage, and visions with joy, but with time and changing scenes and circumstances they lose their drive. We want to learn about how to maintain the fire and passion to serve the Lord, by learning about things that kill a believer’s fire, love, and passion.
These six things can kill your passion and love in marriage and ministry. You must strive to maintain the fire and passion.
1. Iniquity:
Nothing kills love and passion and fire than to suffer iniquity from the people you love and care about. When people stab you in the back, and betray you, it is difficult to love and care about them. The Bible teaches us that “in the last days because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold”. (Matthew 24:12 KJV)
Even prophets like Habakkuk, almost lost their love and passion because of the multitudes of inquiry and violence. His soul was vexed because of the extensive violence around him;
[Habakkuk 1:1-5 KJV] “The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. [2] O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! [3] Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. [4] Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. [5] Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you”.
2. Offences:
The Bible tells us that it is impossible to totally avoid offences, but blessed is the man who is not offended in Christ. He is our peace, He has broken down every wall. Be careful not to be offended in Christ.
“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me”. (Luke 7:23 KJV)
3. Hope deferred:
Many have lost their love because their hope was deferred. We all get disappointed when people don’t keep their word. We all feel betrayed when our hopes are deferred.
“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12 KJV)
4. Lack of Fellowship:
The Bible teaches us that it is impossible to produce fire or heat without fellowship. Indeed it takes fellowship to keep the fire burning. It is always true that cold hearts have been treated with coldness for a long time.
“Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?”
(Ecclesiastes 4:11 KJV)
5. Love of the World and materialism:
The scriptures warn us to beware of the love of the world and materialism.
[1 John 2:15-17 KJV] “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”.
Many mighty men of faith have grown cold because they loved the world. Demas forsook the apostle Paul because, he loved the world.
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia”. (2 Timothy 4:10 KJV)
6. Persecution:
Many believers have lost their joy because of persecution and Affliction.
[Mark 4:16-17 KJV] “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; [17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended”.
I pray that you will regain your lost passion and fire. You will not miss it. We shall serve the Lord with gladness and we shall be glad we did.
Stay blessed; I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako
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