(by Pastor Jean)

“Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion towards Him burning hot!” (Rom 12:11; TPT). The NKJV says “fervent in Spirit” for passion, either way the Greek word is zeo which according to the NKJV Spirit filled Life Bible Word Wealth on page 1589 means, “living fervour, fiery hot, full of burning zeal. It signifies a high spiritual temperature, inflamed by the Holy Spirit.” In simple English paraphrase, the sense of the word is to be on fire or passionate for God! The person that is on fire for God has an intense desire for God’s presence, an insatiable hunger for more of God. The Psalmist reflects this in Psalm 84:10, “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere” (ESV). (See also Ps 42:1). We become fervent or passionate for God by spending time with Him in prayer and the word and also by fellowshipping with other like-minded Christians. If ever there was anyone who was passionate for God in the Bible it was King David. He says, for example in Ps 138:1 “I thank you, Lord, and with all the passion of my heart I worship you” (TPT). In the New Testament we have so many examples including Apollos who Paul said was, “spiritually passionate for Jesus” (Acts 18:25; TPT). With regard to Paul, he said of himself, “My passion is to be consumed with Him” (Phil 3:9; TPT). Let’s not forget Mary who anointed Jesus with precious oil that was worth a year’s wages! (Mark 14:3, John 12:3). Not only are we to be on fire for God but also passionate about prayer (James 5:16), for love (1 Peter 4:8) and good works (Titus 2:14). Let’s not be lukewarm but become on-fire Christians and set others on fire while we are at it!