Holy Passion: Igniting the Torch of Godly Passion

By Ben R Peters

God is a God of passion and He is looking for a people with passion!

“I can no longer be satisfied with just being ‘good.’ I want to be wasted by His love, lost in His gaze and fired up by the torch in His eyes. I want to be motivated to do things that make no sense to man, but advance His Kingdom in supernatural ways. I want to live in a glory realm that is saturated with His splendor and the creative, miraculous power of His love. I need Him! I want Him! I desire Him — with a passion!” ~ Ben R. Peters

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ben R Peters
• Release date: Jan 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465966490

Ben R Peters

Ben Peters is a prolific author of spiritually inspiring books, including both fiction and non-fiction. He has been a pastor, international seminar and conference speaker and founder of Open Heart Ministries and Kingdom Sending Center. He ministers with his wife, Brenda, and has five gifted children.

Book preview

Holy Passion ~ Desire on Fire

Igniting the Torch of Godly Passion

Ben R. Peters

Copyright © 2006 by Ben R. Peters

Author grants permission for any non-commercial reproduction to promote the Kingdom of God. All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition

Published by

Kingdom Sending Center

P. O. Box 25

Genoa, IL 60135

www.kingdomsendingcenter.org

[e-mail]

Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1983 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Cover art by Robert Bartow ~ www.bartowimages.com

Cover and book design by www.ChristianBookDesign.com

CONTENTS

Preface

1 ~ Dr. Bob ~ Passion Personified

2 ~ Passion is The Real Thing

3 ~ Passion vs. Desire

4 ~ Transforming Desire into Passion

5 ~ Our Passionate God

6 ~ The Passion of the Early Church

7 ~ Passionate Leaders of Yesterday

8 ~ Contemporary Examples of Godly Passion

9 ~ Multiplying our Passion

10 ~ Stewarding and Blending our Passions

About the Author

Books by Ben R. Peters

PREFACE

THE WORD PASSION is a very popular word in western society, both in the entertainment industry and in the Kingdom of God. Passion sells novels, movies and so-called adult products. Passion is also a hot buzz word in the church, especially in the modern intercessory prayer movement.

In recent years, before his embarrassing DUI arrest, Mel Gibson directed the blockbuster movie, The Passion of the Christ. To many Christians, especially those in the older Christian denominations, including Roman Catholics, The Passion means the suffering and death of Jesus. This word was probably used partly because of the intense suffering of Jesus, as well as the emotional suffering of those who loved Him. To me it could mean that the whole Calvary event was a clear and powerful expression of God’s passionate love for us, His created sons and daughters.

The purpose of this book is to show very clearly and convincingly that God is a God of passion, and He is looking for a people with passion. Illustrations from Scripture and history, both past and present, will show how people with passion have changed the world. Some, like Jesus, have changed it for the better; and others, like Hitler, have changed it for the worse.

Valuable insights on how to turn normal desire into fiery passion will be given through illustrations from our own lives, and the lives of others, to attempt to equip you with the keys that will make you a vital member on God’s team of Impact Players. Your life on this earth has a divine purpose. When you understand the ramifications of that purpose, you will have the vision and divine determination to fulfill it.

Without passion, we all become weak and ineffective. Without passion, we are overcome when we could be overcomers. Without passion, a spirit of defeat and depression will work its way into our spirit.

But with passion, you can make a powerful impact in your world, and you can also spread the fire of passion to others who can make a powerful impact in their world. Without positive passion, society drifts into mediocrity and eventual self-destruction. But with the passion that comes from the heart of God, society can move into new dimensions of growth and prosperity, influencing the whole world for good.

It goes without saying that passion can be both positive and negative. Many examples could be given of the destructive power of negative passion, but the purpose of this book is to reveal the creative power of holy passion, the passion that is from God and for God.

I do trust that you will find this book both challenging and motivating. May God stir the passion in your own heart for Him and His Kingdom.

~ Chapter 1 ~

DR. BOB PAEGLOW ~ PASSION PERSONIFIED

IN THE HEARTof Albany, New York’s inner city, a kind and gentle middle-aged medical doctor cares for the patients from his community. For those who have no insurance, he serves without charge. His home, an old church parsonage owned by a traditional denominational inner-city church, is also in the heart of West Hill, just one block away. This particular neighborhood has been the very center of violent crimes in Albany. More shootings and murders have occurred there than any other part of the city.

Along with caring for patients, Dr. Robert Paeglow also helps lead three passionate prayer meetings a day in the Capital District Prayer and Healing Center that he directs with help from Peter Whitehouse, his associate, and a dedicated staff. With a passion for revival and the transformation of his community, Dr. Bob and Peter work tirelessly, breaking down generations of suspicion and hatred in people whose skin is a different color than theirs, continuously dispensing love in packages of many shapes and sizes.

In addition to directing the Prayer and Healing Center, Dr. Bob is deeply involved in many activities in his community. He also networks with many Christian organizations that work in the region.

Along with local pastors and other associates, Dr. Bob walks the streets and sidewalks of his community twice a week to pray for his neighborhood and to touch people with another dose of God’s love. Without embarrassment, he and the others carry signs that say such things as God Loves Albany, We are Praying for You, etc. When they approach groups of people sitting on their porch steps, or youth or children standing or playing on the sidewalks, Dr. Bob will boom out a greeting, adding, God, Himself, really loves you and has a great plan for your life. May God bless you!

Many people respond with God bless you, too. Some remember him as their kind doctor and make comments about their physical health. You can feel the respect and reverence for this man of God in their voices and on their countenances.

A summertime tent without walls was erected in June, 2006, as another way to reach out to the community. Services were held Thursday through Saturday nights from June through August. Many souls were saved and many people were encouraged to serve the Lord. Still a bit uncomfortable about coming inside the tent, many listened from their porches or the sidewalks nearby. The sound system carries the voices of the worshippers and speakers for some distance into the neighborhood.

As a result of all these efforts to bring the love of Jesus to one of the darkest places in the land, there is a definite shift in the atmosphere of their neighborhood. Workers and residents there informed me that the streets are much quieter than before. There is less fighting in the streets now and sirens are seldom heard.

Dr. Bob Paeglow also frequently finds time to carry the love of Jesus to nations around the world, but primarily in some of the poorest countries in Africa. It was his service in Mozambique that was our point of contact with Rolland and Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries. They both dearly love this special man of God.

Dr. Bob does not go overseas alone, but usually takes many interns and other medical people with him. It is a life-changing experience for all of them, including many non-Christians. They not only see the incredible poverty and the overwhelming medical needs in developing countries, but they also see the beautiful character of Jesus in this kind, patient and loving man. It soon becomes obvious that Dr. Robert Paeglow is first and foremost a dispenser of the love of Jesus and secondly a medical doctor.

Dr. Bob was passionate as a young man, but like many young men who don’t know Jesus, he did not have much wisdom in directing that passion. Instead of focusing on things that would prepare him for his future, he chose to party