REIGNITING YOUR PASSION FOR GOD

Title: REIGNITING YOUR PASSION FOR GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Revelation 2:4-5
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."

Supporting Texts:
Psalm 42:1-2
Matthew 22:37
Luke 10:27
Romans 12:11
Philippians 3:13-14

INTRODUCTION:
As believers, there are moments when our initial love and passion for God begin to wane, and we find ourselves in a spiritual rut. This can be caused by various factors such as routine, disappointments, or distractions of the world. However, God desires that we remain fervent in spirit and passionate about our relationship with Him. This Bible study will explore practical steps and biblical truths that will help us reignite our passion for God, so we can once again pursue Him with the zeal and devotion we had at first.

1. RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO REIGNITE YOUR PASSION FOR GOD

Before we can reignite our passion, we must first recognize when it has diminished and identify the causes.

a) The Absence of Desire for Prayer:
When you feel indifferent or reluctant to spend time in prayer, it signals a decline in your passion for God (Luke 18:1).

b) Lack of Joy in Worship: Worship becomes a mere formality rather than a heartfelt expression of love for God (Psalm 42:1-2).

c) Spiritual Stagnation:
Feeling spiritually dry and distant from God without the excitement and eagerness to grow (Revelation 3:15-16).

d) Losing Focus on God’s Mission:
When we become absorbed in earthly pursuits and lose sight of God’s calling and purpose for our lives (Matthew 6:33).

e) Biblical Example: The church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4-5) had lost its first love and passion, and Jesus urged them to return to their initial zeal for Him.

2. THE DANGER OF A DIMINISHED PASSION FOR GOD

A lack of passion for God has significant spiritual consequences, both for us personally and for the church.

a) Spiritual Decline:
A loss of passion leads to spiritual apathy, where we no longer pursue holiness or grow in our relationship with God (Matthew 24:12).

b) Vulnerability to Temptation:
Without passion, we are more susceptible to the temptations and distractions of the world (1 Peter 5:8).

c) Loss of Influence:
A lukewarm heart results in a diminished witness and effectiveness in ministry (Matthew 5:13-16).

d) Missed Opportunities for God's Work:
A lack of passion causes us to miss divine appointments and opportunities for growth and service in God’s Kingdom (Ephesians 5:15-16).

e) Biblical Example: The church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:15-16) faced rebuke for being lukewarm, and as a result, God threatened to remove them.

3. RETURNING TO YOUR FIRST LOVE

Reigniting your passion for God begins with returning to the place where you first encountered Him.

a) Remember Your First Encounter with God:
Reflect on the time when you first gave your life to Christ and the zeal you had for Him (Revelation 2:5).

b) Repent and Ask for Forgiveness:
Repent of the complacency and distractions that have caused you to lose your passion for God (1 John 1:9).

c) Set Your Heart on God’s Word: Renew your commitment to daily Bible study, allowing God’s Word to refresh and guide you (Psalm 119:105).

d) Rekindle Your Love for Worship:
Make worship a central part of your life, giving God the glory He deserves with a heart full of love and gratitude (Psalm 95:6).

e) Biblical Example:
David’s return to passionate worship, as seen in his psalms and his heart after God, is an example of reigniting passion (Psalm 63:1-4).

4. FOSTERING A DESIRE FOR GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND WORSHIP

Spending time in prayer and worship is vital for reigniting our passion for God.

a) Dedicate Time for Intimate Prayer:
Set aside intentional time each day to commune with God through prayer, pouring out your heart before Him (Luke 5:16).

b) Cultivate a Lifestyle of Worship:
Worship God with a heart of reverence and awe in all aspects of your life, not just during church services (Romans 12:1).

c) Pray with Purpose:
Pray not only for your needs but also for a renewed passion for God and a desire to know Him more (Philippians 3:10).

d) Embrace Fasting:
Fasting helps refocus our hearts and minds on God, removing distractions and drawing us closer to Him (Matthew 6:16-18).

e) Biblical Example: Jesus withdrew to pray in solitary places, showing the importance of prayer in maintaining a passionate relationship with God (Luke 5:16).

5. ENGAGING IN SERVICE AND MINISTRY

Serving God and others is a powerful way to reignite passion and keep your faith active.

a) Serve with Gladness:
Engage in service, whether in church or in the community, with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that you are serving God (Psalm 100:2).

b) Share the Gospel:
A passion for God leads to a passion for evangelism. Reach out to others with the good news of salvation (Matthew 28:19-20).

c) Be Involved in Fellowship: Surround yourself with passionate believers who encourage and challenge you to grow (Hebrews 10:24-25).

d) Give of Your Time and Resources:
Invest in God’s Kingdom through your time, talents, and finances, seeing it as an expression of your love for Him (Luke 6:38).

e) Biblical Example: Paul’s life exemplified passionate service to God through his missionary journeys, even in the face of opposition (Philippians 1:21).

CONCLUSION:
Reigniting our passion for God requires intentional effort and a return to the things that initially stirred our hearts. It involves repenting of complacency, committing to prayer and worship, serving with a renewed zeal, and surrounding ourselves with like-minded believers. As we rekindle our love for God, we will experience renewed strength, joy, and effectiveness in our walk with Him.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me recognize areas where I have lost my passion for You.

2. Father, reignite the love I had for You when I first encountered Your grace.

3. Lord, forgive me for the times I have allowed distractions to steal my passion for You.

4. Father, give me a heart of worship and reverence that seeks to honor You in all things.

5. Lord, renew my commitment to Your Word and draw me closer to You through daily study.

6. Father, help me develop a lifestyle of prayer that keeps me connected to You.

7. Lord, stir up a fresh zeal for Your service in my heart, that I may serve You with joy.

8. Father, give me opportunities to share the Gospel and spread Your love to others.

9. Lord, surround me with passionate believers who will encourage and challenge me in my faith.

10. Father, help me to stay focused on You and never lose my first love for You.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. I declare that every lukewarm area of my heart is set ablaze with a fresh passion for God.

2. I decree that I will return to my first love for God and grow in deeper intimacy with Him.

3. I declare that I will no longer be complacent but will serve God with renewed zeal and commitment.

4. I decree that my life will be a testimony of passionate worship and devotion to God.

5. I declare that I will be a faithful witness of Christ, sharing the Gospel with boldness and love.

6. I decree that my prayer life will be revitalized, and I will commune with God daily.

7. I declare that I will experience a deeper hunger for God’s Word and a thirst for His presence.

8. I decree that my passion for God will overflow into every area of my life, bringing transformation.

9. I declare that I will be a vessel of God’s love, actively serving and making a difference in His Kingdom.

10. I decree that I will never lose my passion for God but will press on toward the prize of knowing Him more.