Friday, February 13, 2009

What kind of passion burns inside you?

I do not mean to offend but...



You know the story of Jesus in the temple when He showed His righteous anger at what had been occurring in His Father's house-right? You find the story in John 2. In reviewing it I paused to reflect on our own churches. How many out there fit the "cookie-cutter-model"? You know...the same kind of congregation, maybe with the same required dress code, maybe even very similar types of worship styles to the same God on Sunday mornings but with a people so very different or should I say indifferent to each other? Judgemental? Legalistic? Maybe even controlling?

If Jesus walked into your church today...what would He see? What would He hear? What would He experience?


Mark Batterson in his book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy day" encourages Christians to live more foolishly and with a child-like faith. Has your "caution-alert" siren just gone off? Hang in there with me...



Sometimes being "foolish" in the worlds eyes is just the opposite in God's. Look at David when he danced over the return of the Ark of the Covenant to it's rightful place. His wife found him to be foolish, God called him a man after His own heart. What about Noah and that ark? People laughed at him and called him crazy-they later drowned. Or Sarah pregnant in her 90's? Imagine the talk. What about the wise men following a star, or a man hanging on a cross for the sin of others? All things the world would see as foolish but God sees as faith. "A childlike faith that believes in limitless possibilities" as pen by pastor Batterson. That's the kind of faith I want.

I know you have read and heard John 2:16&17 multiples times but read it in the New Living Translation:
Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

Yes. Powerful, deep words. For you see, God's house is not limited to the building we call church. God's house is each and every believer. We each represent a brick that builds His house. We each are vital to His kingdom work. We may claim a different faith denomination but we claim the same God. We may serve in different capacities but we are laborers for the completion of His house.


Do you want to see this project complete? I do and the only way it is going to happen is if we allow a passion for God's house to consume us. Then we follow His lead in His kingdom work. Serve. Minister. Introduce Jesus to others. Live foolishly out of a compassion for the one who hung on that cross and has given you more grace and mercy then you deserve.

Be passionate for God's house friend-foolishly passionate.

Jeremiah 23:18 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
For who has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has paid attention to His word and obeyed?

His Maidservant~Pamela


P.S.
I wrote this post last weekend and have been mauling over it all week. Then later in the week I came across a similar topic to what God laid on my heart here at "At the Well...In Pursuit of Titus 2". I encourage you to go visit if you have not been there already.


9 comments:

Laura said...

I love the picture of each of as a brick in the whole church. Passion...a good topic for this week, no? YOu always inspire me, Pamela.

achildoftheking said...

Pamela,

This is one of my commonly referred to scriptures.

Thank you for the passion.

pam said...

Great post. So often I feel like I am a stranger among believers...I yearn for more...have for a long time. Yet I go into so many churches and see Sunday Christianity...I often wonder if I'm a spiritual snob. hmmm, I LONG for face to face.

Joyful said...

How I desire His passion to burn within me.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers today. You have touched my heart. Thanks for your comment.

Hugs,
Joy

LAURIE said...

Just came across your link back to the post I wrote over AT THE WELL about "our motives". I loved what you said here...."God's house is not limited to the building we call church. God's house is each and every believer" - Amen to that, we get so caught up with what the church is or isn't doing that we forget about our own individual light. Thanks for sharing. -blessings, Laurie

Amy said...

Oh, to have that child like faith! I see it all the time in my own children, and it encourages me so much. They just see things as God says they are.....Their thoughts are not watered down by the opinions of "others."

Happy Valentine's Day, Pamela!
(((BIG HUGS!)))
Amy:)

Jill Beran said...

Great words! And ones I needed to hear. As I step out in faith, others see it as foolishness and really don't understand, you've reminded me that's a good thing. They may think I'm crazy, but God is pleased!!
Thank you!!

Yolanda said...

Right on, right on...passion, purpose and PRAISING....love to you my friend on this delightful Valentine's day.

Libby said...

It is always amazing to me to hear the same things discussed at my church that are being talked about other places too....that's how you know it is GOD!!!
We talk alot at our church about getting rid of "religion" and creating an atmosphere for God's habitation not visitation. Religion tells us we should always do it this way, or say it that way, or sing that song, or pray this prayer. I beleive you have to allow the spirit to move you to get the whole effect.
We are begin a praise dance ministry at our church...and we were just talking tonight about how many of us grew up thinking that you shouldn't dance in church....but when it is a true representative of our worship to our Lord, who are we to say its wrong??
Sorry starting to get stirred up and babble! Thanks for the confirmation!!!