subscribe, view past issues  and  Get the Book Gift Idea - Releasing Kings Audio CD (Brand New) - 800-308-5837 Conferences - Two conferences are coming up next month - You're Invited Calgary, Alberta with David Harris January 12-13 (See Brochure) 403-948-8774 Driggs, Idaho with Scott Prindle on January 26. (Brochure and info on Church at http://www.liftingpeopleup.com)   What's My Passion? Last week, after a class, a really nice lady was convinced for the first time that God was interested in granting her the desires of her heart. She was a little frustrated because she really didn't have a passion she could point to. I suggested she read Releasing Kings. It dawned on me that there is quite a large group that are mature enough not to ask God for the wrong things - most of us have enough dead works under our belts that we've got the cure (don't consume prayer on our carnal appetites). However, many Christians do not have a clear grasp on the specifics of their destiny... So here are a few thoughts on how you can find the passion that will motivate your vocation, your ministry, and land you on your destiny. Glad You Asked - "What's my passion?" is a great place to start. You're already farther than you think. Lot's of believers live their entire lives according to religious principles that never really touch their hearts. It's no fun. Coaching from a host of self-help guru's is also popular in the business world right now - it's called success coaching. It's mostly great stuff and it borrows heavily from Biblical principles. However, it's still rooted in self motivation. It works (from the head) but Christians have something that works better - from the heart "and" some power to go with it - The Holy Spirit! Finding the passion or the desire of your heart that is also rooted in God's heart is the real home run. God promises to do it - But, like all redemptive promises we play a role in cooperating with Him to receive the deposit in our hearts. Listen to the covenant. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.    Heb 8:10-11 (see also Heb 10:16 and Jer 31:33-34) Introspection is the second fastest way to find your heart's desire. The fastest way is getting to know Jesus at the next level. There are four "ask whatever" promises in John that I like to quote - each contains a key to finding the desire of your heart so you can ask out of your own passion. 1. What's the Father Up To? - The most fun you can have on this planet is to catch the wind of the Holy Spirit and do what the Father is doing. For example, I didn't invent Releasing Kings. It's something that God is doing throughout the earth. It's become the passion of my heart and these conferences are a total hoot. God has something equally exciting for all of us. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14 NIV Here's how it works - I'm having fun and if I run short of "anything" inside the desires of my heart I just ask for it. It's God's nature to overflow our cup... and you can ask whatever! 2. Hang Around God - Spend time in prayer simply talking to God. Allow the Holy Spirit to quicken scriptures to you as you read. When you get an idea meditate on it and let your dream unfold into a plan you can work. Realize that you're important to God and His heart longs to spend time with your heart. That's when the transfer takes place and the creativity begins... and you can ask whatever! If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:7-8 NIV 3. Friends Know - Jesus promised to let us in on everything. When you get to see Heaven's storehouse and the smorgasbord of possibilities, your heart will naturally gravitate toward a passion that lines up your history, talents, vocation and gifts in a seamless purpose that gives your life "mission."... and you can ask whatever! I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  John 15:15-16 4. Complete Joy - When you tap your true passion and experience the wind of God in your sails it's pure joy. Nothing describes the exhilaration of co-laboring with God to create something new or do the impossible. Yet that's exactly what is waiting for you and I. ...and you can ask whatever! ...no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:22-24 NIV Every few days my heart leaps and I give it permission to jump and shout Yippee! Homework - make a list of the top 3 things that keep you from your heart's desire. Now lay that list at the foot of the cross in prayer. You could even ask the Lord to help overcome doubt.  "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24 NIV For each item on the list make a second list of 10 ways you can overcome each one... ask the Lord if he has any better ideas to add to the list. Then ask him for the power to implement the best ideas that take you into your passion... whatever it is. You can change the perception that "you can't" by changing your expectations for the future. It's called hope and faith and its fleshed out with a practical plan and some goals.   Life is an adventure. People are a blessing. God is amazing. We're winning.   Love, John & Harold     (are dancing - Join us) PS: I read a couple of really good books recently and put them on our recommendations. Dreaming With God - Bill Johnson is pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA. He written a great book that you can order at www.ibethel.org. You'll find lots of overlap with Releasing Kings. The Starfish and the Spider - This is a secular book on management organization that has a clear application in the Kingdom. Expensive but still a must read. See the synopsis. Our back issues are organized by topic - great way to find what's interesting!   ____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) www.releasing-kings.com