Forget Hype But Revive Passion!
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Define hype: (Collins Concise Dictionary)
1. An intensive or exaggerated publicity/sales promotion.
2. A deception or racket.
3. To market or promote using intensive or exaggerated publicity.
There is also another form of hype referring to a hypodermic needle or injection, to inject oneself with a drug, to stimulate artificially or excite. Artificial means produced by man - made in imitation of a natural product, pretended insincere; this is not how our Christian lives should be.
Define passion: (Collins Concise Dictionary)
1. Any strongly felt emotion.
2. A strong affection/enthusiasm for an object or concept.
3. Ardent love or affection.
4. An outburst expressing intense emotion.
We should have a zeal for Christ rather than an artificial excitement; to be fervent is to be intensely passionate and ardent, zeal is fervent devotion. It is important to define these words in order to make things clear; many use “hype” in a positive sense, which isn’t a problem, however when we look at the definition and the context we use the word in, we see the negative connotations. The deeper issue is not what we call it but how we deal with it. Excitement and energy is important but let us be excited for the right reasons, not because the music in service was good and they had flashing lights but because we are passionate about God. Forget hype but REVIVE PASSION!
Be passionate because of our love for God, our ministry; be after his heart and not his hand. Hype is like happiness, they are both temperamental, one day you’re up and the next you’re down. If you follow hype you will never be settled, if you live in pursuit of happiness you will become frustrated. It is joy that remains and passion that cannot be quenched. Too many of us jump on things because of the hype or even innocently because it looks good, it may be good but not everything is good for you. Make sure that you are where God has called you to be and not just somewhere because of the hype.
When we are passionate about something we have a deep love and devotion, you may be passionate about a loved one, take a moment to think about them; think about what you’d be willing to do to protect that person.
(NLT) Passage Matthew 24:9
9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.”
If you are passionate about Christ then you are willing to be arrested, persecuted and killed for him. If you’re on the hype then when persecution comes you’ll be on the run. In this country at this time we may not be facing persecution but in other parts of the world there are Christians who are. Pray for them and pray for yourself, pray that your heart is sincere and pure. Pray a prayer of thanks that we are able to step out onto the street and shout “Jesus loves me” we can even wear it on our t-shirts without fear of death. The way the world is who can be sure how long this freedom will last. You have the opportunity to sincerely and passionately live for Christ, so go do it!
Joelle - RTS
 | | Confessions of an Addict | | I have a (not-so) secret confession to make: I AM A FACEBOOK ADDICT. I love checking up on what’s happening with friends and family through the social networking site.
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