How To Have A Great Life #1                                        January 7, 2007 AM

Restoring Your Passion

But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first. (Rev. 2:4-5)

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)

Identify Your Passion Killers

o 1. Unclear Purpose

        I considered all my activities which my hands had done …, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. (Eccl. 2:11)

o 2. Unbalanced Schedule

        There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. (Eccl 3:1)

        It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. (Psalms 127:2 - NLT)

o 3. Unconfessed Sin

        Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. (Eccl 5:1)

        Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. (Psalms 38:3-4)

o 4. Unresolved Conflict

        Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools (Eccl 7:9)

o 5. Unhealed Grief

        All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. (Eccl 3:20)

        My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow. (Job 17:7 – NIV)

o 6. Undeveloped Friendships

        Two are better than one because … if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. (Eccl 4:9-10)

o 7. Undernourished Spirit

        The conclusion … fear God and keep His commandments. (Eccl 12:13)

        And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. (Col 2:6-7 - NLT)

Initiate Restoring Your Passion

    You have left your first love. 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first. (Rev 2:4-5)

o 1.  Remember: Your Love Relationship With God

    You must worship only the Lord, for He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you. (Ex. 34:14 - NLT)

o 2.  Repent: Turn From Your Passion Killers

o 3.  Return: Do What You Did At First