Day 15.  Stand.

Without going into great detail, there is a lot of spiritual headwind facing Passion 2010 today.  We are not surprised.  We know the days ahead will change lives forever.  And we know we are in a fight.

Most likely, many of you are also feeling the wind in your face as you make your final preparations for Atlanta.  Today, united all across the globe, we simply stand…confident that God is greater than whatever opposes us…confident that something greater than all our struggles is just over the horizon.

Stand.
Hope.
Believe.
Endure.
See.

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.  Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.”  2 Chronicles 20:17-18.

So together we pray…

Father, give us an enduring spirit today.  We have come to expect a fight on the brink of something large and life-changing, but we are too tired and too small to fight for ourselves.  Our hearts are waiting on You.  Fight for us.  Win the day.  Bring us through.  Crush the darkness.  Bolster our faith.  Be sure ground under our feet.  Fill our mouths with praise.  Fix our gaze on You.  Lift our expectations.

What foe can stand in Your Way?  You are our God and there is none like You!  In Jesus’ name!  Amen

Things to know if you’re headed to Atlanta to Passion 2010:

A schedule of the Breakout sessions for January 3/4 is now online under Latest Details at the Passion 2010 site.   Check out the great daily offerings as you plan your time at Passion 2010.

Towels and Socks.  Yep, we need every person (student, leader, volunteer) coming to 2010 to bring a like new or new towel and a package of socks for a men, women or children.  Together we are going to stock the homeless shelters of the city with enough towels and socks to communicate the love of God to countless people who will never hear about Passion 2010.  After all, if 21,000+ people who love Jesus show up in any city shouldn’t the less-fortunate of that city know the Kingdom of God was near?  We say “yes,” and with your help we can spread His love in a tangible way throughout the year.

Do Something Now. In addition to Towels & Socks there will be lots of causes at the heart of Passion 2010. Maybe you will want to contribute to a small business loan for a woman in Haiti, or help build a border outpost in Nepal to intercept women being trafficked as sex slaves into India.  Check out the Do Something Now area of the website before you arrive and come prepared to invest in the lives of people around the globe.

The Road To 2010 Arrival Podcast is online now.  A little travel companion, this is A MUST LISTEN for everyone coming to 2010.  The idea is that you download and listen to the podcast AS you are making the trip to Atlanta, not before.  If you are coming as a group, burn the podcast to a CD so you can listen together on the way.

Speaking of arriving, people are still registering as we type.  There is still room for you!

Things you need to know if you are not coming to Atlanta:

We will be updating our twitter [@Passion 268] throughout the event.  As well, we will be Playing Back the main sessions during the four days on the Passion 2010 website so you can join us from wherever you are.  The sessions will be delayed by a few hours and each session will remain online for a 24 hour period.

Join us in reaching our Do Something Now goals by clicking the link on the Passion 2010 Playback page (where we will be posting the sessions during Passion 2010)!  You are a part of this Movement, so we wanted you to be able to give, as well.  Please help us touch the world!

Please keep praying and covering us from the four corners of the world!

Day 13.  Humbly.

If God spoke the Universe into existence, and sent His Son into that world on a rescue mission of love–a mission He knew would cost Him His life and purchase ours–then let’s come to Passion 2010 carrying a hefty dose of humility in our hearts…that attitude that says “You are God and we are not.”

Humility is simply seeing God. Pride, on the other hand, is seeing ourselves. No one has ever had a glimpse of God and not ended up closer to the floor. He is glorious and massive and radiant and holy and imposing and awe-inspiring and intimidating. Yet, God somehow wedged all that into a Bethlehem manger in Christ so He could wrap us in His arms. Sin continually and deceptively puffs us up, making us think we’re larger than life, stealing our ability to appreciate all that He is and all we are in Him.

So, arriving at Passion 2010 let’s let the re-sizing begin.
Let’s tread gently.
Come reverently.
Loved and treasured by God, let’s insist less and say “yes” more.
Let’s not stiffen our necks, let’s soften our hearts.
Why act like we know it all already, let’s come open to whatever He has to say.
Let’s lay down our agendas and figure out where we fit in His.
Let’s surrender first, before He even asks.
Let’s stop assuming.
And demanding.
And ignoring.
And running.
Let’s bow.
And bend.
And pause.
And honor.
Let’s lift Him high and bow down low.

So together we pray…

Father, please soften our hearts so they can easily fit into Your hands and into Your plans. We are making a mess of our lives without You. We need You more than ever. Help us down to our knees where surrender ushers in marvelous rescue. We love You Jesus.   Amen.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; or He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. Psalm 95:6-7

Day 12.  Bring.

We are convinced the kind of worship that makes God happy is songs that amplify His fame combined with hands that are outstretched to the last and least of these in His name.  That’s why the songs and the causes have equal billing at Passion 2010.  And why we need a shift in our thinking on the way.

Often we “come to worship” thinking mostly about what we are going to get from the experience.  But true worshipers come thinking about what they want to bring as they come before God.

Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, praise His name;
proclaim His salvation day after day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and glory are in His sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
bring an offering and come into His courts.
Psalm 96:1-8

So together we pray….

Father, You are worthy of all our affection and worship.  We do not want to arrive at Passion 2010 empty handed.  We want to come with hands that are open to honor You and extend Your love to those around us.  Move our hearts with a level of generosity that mirrors Your kindness and mercy to us.  All we have is Yours.  All we are is Yours.  Take us and all we have for Jesus’ fame.  Amen.

Don’t forget your towels and socks for the homeless of Atlanta.  The towels do not have to be new (just nice), but the socks need to be new and for men, women or children.  Take some time to look over the Do Something Now causes on the 2010 website and come ready to make a difference in someone’s life as we reflect His face to the world.  Please forward, ReTweet, text, etc.!

Just learned that a student coming to Passion 2010 from Utah has just transferred to The University of Idaho at Moscow…so Idaho is in on the wave!  Now we just need Vermont and Alaska to have students from schools in all 50 states! 

Day 11.  Furious rest.

On our last sabbath before 2010 (Sunday is the most widely accepted day of rest among Believers around the world) it is good to remember that He is the Originator and Sustainer of all things.  Our God made all that we see from nothing, creating our world and everything in it by the Word of His mouth.  To forget the sabbath is to fall prey to the lie that says it’s all up to us to control the outcomes of our lives and the world around us.  Without sabbath rest, pausing to remember that He is God and we are not, we find ourselves crushed under the weight of managing our days alone.

So together we pray…

Father, today, we pause as You have instructed us to do…and we remember that You are the author of all that exists.  You formed us and our world without asking for input, advice or assistance.  You are self-sufficient in every way to do everything You desire to do.  You do not tire, sleep, stress or quit.  Your power is unending, Your wisdom unfathomable, Your purposes unstoppable.

Thank You for inviting us into Your story.  Though You don’t need anything, You have chosen to include us in Your plans.  We will give You all we’ve got, resting in the truth that as we work You are accomplishing things that last forever.

We pray especially for the Passion Staff today, knowing they are overwhelmed with all that has to be done before Passion 2010 begins.  Fill them with the awareness of Your powerful Spirit within, a dependence on the life of Jesus to do what they cannot do, and the knowledge that their efforts in Your name are like precious gold that will never fade away.  Cover and protect each one and their families…In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:24-29

Day 10.  Source.

Together.  Glory.  Yes.  Expectant.  Global.  Continually.  Movement.  Eve.  Perfect.  Source.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

In one short week, many of us will be coming through the doors of Passion 2010.  And when we do (and as we do), it’s imperative that our eyes are on Jesus.  He is the source of everything we need.

Today we are praying for those who are facing (and will face) challenges in the last days leading up to Passion 2010.  For some, the finances are falling apart.  For others, their family is falling apart.  For some their friend’s plans have changed, leaving them in a bind as they plan their trip to Atlanta.  For others, work schedules, illness, car troubles, relationship issues, anxiety, uncertainty and other obstacles will stand in their way.  But, in every case, God is sovereign…He is more than enough to meet every need and supply what is necessary to get us all to Passion 2010.  Don’t give up.  Look up!

So together we pray…

Father, everything we need is found in You.  People and things are gifts from You, but they will always let us down and cannot meet our deepest needs.  I lift my eyes to You today.  You are all I need.

I believe You want me to be a part of this gathering, but it seems every day a new obstacle is standing in the way.  Will You crush all fear, anxiety, doubt and opposition…and bring me to Atlanta with my gaze firmly set on You.  As well, I am praying for anyone struggling in these last days to make it to Passion 2010.  Give them grace to press through every barrier, believing what You are going to do in their lives during these days is worth the fight.  You are a provider.  Provide for us in unmistakable ways that cause us all to stand in awe of You before we even arrive at 2010.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen

It looks like some of you were good this year and found Passion 2010 in your Christmas stockings!

Registering today so far:
Lindsay from Auburn University
Christina from Tallahassee
Daniel from the University of Memphis
Andrew from Appalachian State University
James from Kissimmee, FL
Donna from Pennsylvania (Liberty University)
James from Pensacola, FL
Melanie from The University of Georgia
Matthew from Fernadina Beach, FL
Mills from Furman
Jake from UGA
Ashley from North Georgia College and State University
Kyeon from Urbana, IL
Stephanie from Kennesaw State University
Suzanne from UNC-Chapel Hill
Candice from Southeast Missouri State
Tim from East Peoria, IL
Justin from Wheaton College
Katie from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Caitlyn from Louisville
Stephen from UGA
Megan from New York and Liberty University
Suzanne from Hofstra University
Stacey from Baylor University
Neal from Dahlonega, GA
Christin from Auburn University
Cynthia from Kennesaw State University
Eliezer from Port St. Lucie, FL
David from Urbana, IL

Welcome and Merry Christmas everyone.  We are closing in on 21,000 people registered and there is still room for YOU!

PS-Seems it’s been a busy day for St. Nick.  Don’t want to leave out…

Veronica from The University of Toledo
Lindsay from Kennesaw State University
Allison from Lenoir City, TN
Rachel from Texas A&M Commerce
Audrey from Norcross, GA
Caleb from Mississippi State
Timothy from Penn State
Loretta from FL registering students from Valdosta State, Truett McConnel, University of Georgia, University of South Florida
Christy from Moody Bible Institute
Colton from UGA
Wes from University of South Alabama
Kayla from Pearland, TX
Holly from Kennesaw State University

Day 9.  Perfect.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,  to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  Galatians 4:4-5.

The circumstances were crazy and chaotic that first Christmas, but the baby was perfect.

He still is…and always will be.

Praise You, God, for Your unspeakable gift!  We love you Jesus!