God is love vs. the issue of fear

"...Another liberating effect of the love of God on your life involves the issue of fear. Have you been afraid of God or what God might allow to happen in your life? The Scriptures answer your concern with the cross of Christ, the supreme evidence of God’s love for you. “Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave Him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?” (Rom 8:32,LB). Fear surfaces when we feel that we may be harmed or made to suffer. For a moment, imagine someone who loves you. Picture this same person with all knowledge to know what is best for you and all power to allow only this best to take place in your life. Could you be afraid of such a one? Would you fear what this person might be “planning” for you? The nature of God’s love causes Him to always desire what is best for you. The fact that He controls all things enables Him to accomplish His desire. No wonder resting your faith in this “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18).

Behold Your God!

By Myrna Alexander

Learning about "Shadow Mission"...what is your shadow mission?

I woke up this morning excited about going to Church (International Evangelical Church (IEC) in Addis ). But a few minutes before heading out, I decided to change my mind. Church was too far away. The desire to crawl into bed was overwhelming. After wrestling with the thoughts of staying in the comfort of my bed, I took a deep breath and headed out any way :-) And YES!! I am super glad I went because the message was incredibly refreshing. The worship was a reflection of God's grace- just what I needed- a reminder that I am what I am only by God's GRACE.

Then came the word- a video sermon by John Ortberg on "Shadow Mission". Until now, I have never heard of the term shadow mission. 

The text of the message was taken from the book of Esther. 

The pivotal role Mordecai played in helping Esther face her shadow mission of relishing in the luxury of the King's palace in order to fulfill God's authentic mission for her was explained. We all, like Esther, are placed in a position for a purpose. But our shadow mission is always competing with the purpose of God. Are we going to settle for the good (shadow mission) when we are created for the best (authentic mission)?

The pleasure and comfort I anticipated deriving from staying in the comfort of my bed instead of heading to Church this morning was definitely one of my shadow missions! Yes- I have more than one, I am so sure!

May God open our eyes to know the difference, give us the courage to face our shadow mission and the desire to stay true to our authentic mission no matter what!

Here are some of my notes from the teaching:

• A leader's greatest fear is not something that might happen to us but something that might happen in us. 
• Leaders sometimes choose shadow mission over embracing their true mission.
• Except by God's help, ones life can be a model of self-idolatry
• Shadow mission is so closely related to our gifts. Our calling and authentic mission gets hijacked by ego.
• who is Mordecai in ur life willing to point out ur shadow mission? do u have regular fearless conversation about ur shadow mission?
• one sign that u are on a shadow mission is when u have a chronic sense of dissatisfaction. Always wanting "more"!
• You re who you are. You ve been given what u have for a reason. It might not be as dramatic as Esther &Mordecai but we have to face our
• Just like a shadow, the depth of a shadow mission can never be satisfied. We deal with it by facing it and not denying it
• God's purpose for your life is certain, not a shadow mission
• we all face shadow missions...sometimes we allow it to grow into a public scandal 
• Too many leaders and mission get dragged in the mud because they are afraid to speak up, face their shadow mission and get help.

After the service, I decided to do a little study to have a clearer understanding of the teaching. Here are some of the things I found:

John Ortberg, the author of Overcoming Your Shadow Mission, writes:

A shadow mission is an authentic mission that has been derailed, often in imperceptible ways. Part of what makes the shadow mission so tempting is that it's usually so closely related to our gifts and passions. It's not 180 degrees off track; it is just 10 degrees off track.

Gordon Pruitt writes on his blog:

I believe that God has a mission for each and every one of us and this mission could be a multitude of things. Competing against our God mission is what i call a shadow mission. A shadow mission could be, television, Internet, a sport, a child, a spouse, popularity, wealth, and even blogging! Your shadow mission has the potential to keep you form realizing your God given mission. Many people go through their whole life only knowing their shadow mission. Many believers go through their life and spend more time, energy, and resources focusing on their shadow mission than they don on their God given mission.

"What's your shadow mission? How do you know when you're slipping into it? Here are some ways to tell" writes Holley:

A shadow mission exhausts you while a true mission energizes you
A shadow mission comes from guilt or insecurity while a true mission comes from freedom and love
A shadow mission is about you while a true mission involves you but also includes God and others
A shadow mission leads to resentment while a true mission lets you serve no matter the response
A shadow mission makes you feel more distant from God (even though you're trying to earn his approval) while a true mission brings you closer to him
Most of all, there is just no joy in a shadow mission while a true mission leads to joy even though it may be hard.

From the back cover of the "Overcoming Your Shadow Mission" by John Ortberg:

The challenges, isolation, and relentless demands of leadership can inspire a variety of fears in the heart of a leader; among them fear of failure, fear of mutiny, fear of criticism, fear of disappointing people. However, the greatest fear leaders face is not something that might happen to them, but something that can happen in them—a degeneration of the heart that robs them of their calling and leaves a deep soul dissatisfaction in its place.

John Ortberg describes this menacing fear in terms of mission and shadow mission. A mission is the highest purpose to which God calls us; a shadow mission is an authentic mission that has been derailed, often in imperceptible ways. Ortberg writes, "Part of what makes the shadow mission so tempting is that it's usually so closely related to our gifts and passions. It's not 180 degrees off track; it is just 10 degrees off track, but that 10 degrees is in the direction of hell."

Every leader has a mission—and a shadow mission. Even Jesus had to battle a shadow mission; it was to be a leader without suffering—to be the Messiah without the cross. Ortberg writes, "If we fail to embrace our true mission, we will live out our shadow mission. We will let our lives center around things that are unworthy, selfish and dark."

Using characters from the remarkable Old Testament story of Esther, Ortberg demonstrates the disastrous consequences of succumbing to shadow mission, and the stunning rewards of whole-hearted commitment to mission. With characteristic humor and insight, the author invites us to follow Esther's example and courageously choose to embrace the mission God gives. Like Esther, we can lead without fear—even in threatening circumstances—because we know God is always at work in unseen, unknown and unlikely ways. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

 Image via Behind the Hills, into shadow blog.

Keeping your options closed

"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." James 1:5-8

a Leap of Faith

Faith works. Whatever it is you are believing God for, just don't stop believing. Confess the word and start operating like it is already done because it is done! When we ask God for something by faith, the impossible becomes possible. 

Are you trusting God for divine healing? Has the doctor told you that your case is beyond medical expertise? Remember by the word in Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Speak this word to your body, spirit and soul! By the stripes of Jesus you are healed!

Or are you a student? Have you beed struggling to pass a particular exam? Or your teachers have written you off by calling you a retard and tagging you as the no-future-ambition student? Well guess what? The Bible tells me that there is a Spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty makes Him Intelligent! (Job 32:8). Do you have faith that God can re-ignite His breath in you and give you understanding? You have to liberate yourself with His word! Speak it and walk the talk! Study with that mindset that you have the Breath of God in you that makes you intelligent! You'll be amazed- things will changed!

I know faith works. Even in my most fearful moments I have acted by faith and seen God move. Trust me, it can be so for you too! Holding on to God's word has never failed. Be courageous! Take a leap of faith!!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. Most Christians are familiar with that portion of the Bible- Hebrew 11:1. Has it become a cliche? Has that word lost its vitality? I hope not. The amplified version puts it this way:

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, ^[a]the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Sometimes, we have faith that God is going to do that which we trust Him for. But just when we are believing, doubt crawls in and we start freting again. But trust me, others have been in this path before us. What matters is how we respond. Are we going to let the doubt overwhelm us?

We can always cry out to God. He is aware of our weaknesses and able to strengthen our faith.

Remember the story of the man who believed Jesus could heal his son?

Mark 9:13-24:

14 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.
16 "What is all this arguing about?" Jesus asked.
17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, "Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won't let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.[a] So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it."
19 Jesus said to them,[b] "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.
21 "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father.
He replied, "Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can."
23 "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."
24 The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"

What are you trusting God for this very minute? Do you have faith that He is able to turn things around for your good? There are times unbelief will always crawl in, but like this man, we must never let it overwhelm us, instead we must always cry out to God and by speaking our faith allow God's word to take root in our lives! 

Mark 11:22-24

²² Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. ²³ I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. ²⁴ I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.

Faith works! All we need sometimes is faith as small as a mustard seed! The day I saw a mustard seed, I was like "really?" The experience changed my life forever. That is a story for another day. Trust me, there are times I still doubt but like the man in that story I have learned to always cry out "I believe Lord, please help my unbelief!"

May God help us overcome our unbelief!! Amen.

Standing in the Gap: Who are you praying for?

Who are you praying for? Who is praying for you? As Christians, we owe it to one another to always stand in the gap for others. No matter how short the prayer is, standing in the gap for others is a powerful weapon.

Standing in the gap, means: to expose one's self for the protection of something; to make defense against any assailing danger; to take the place of a fallen defender or supporter (according to the dictionary)

When you pray for others, you call on to God on their behalf. It can be asking God to have mercy on them. For God to give them increased wisdom, strength, grace etc. It can be prayer of divine protection from the devices of the evil one. We have heard testimonies of people who received salvation because their grandmother, parents, or friends stood in the gap- praying for God to show them His salvation. Many lives have been saved from destruction, sickness and disease because someone somewhere was praying for them.

Instead of condemning others, stand in the gap for them.

When our prayers reaches the powerful God who answers prayers, there is a miraculous turn around, always.

The Holy Bible gives examples of how people stood in the gap for others. One of which is in the book of Exodus.

Exodus 4:24-26
New International Version (NIV)
²⁴ At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses^[a] and was about to kill him. ²⁵ But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it.^[b]“Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. ²⁶ So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)

When you read this passage for the first time, the first question that may pop into your mind is, "WHY will God want to kill Moses (him)? Is he not the "chosen one"? The man who was going to lead the children of Israel to the promise land? Why will the same God who called him, groomed him, and instructed him all of a sudden want to kill him?

We know our God is a righteous God. Perhaps Moses sinned against Him by not living according to the standard he was setting for the Israelite. In the passage, we are told that the minute Zipporah circumcised their son and touched Moses' feet with the blood, God let him go. This is the act of interceding. Zipporah stood in the gap for Moses and the plague of death passed over him. 

If Zipporah had slept through the battle, perhaps we would have been telling another story today. Thank God for the power of standing in the gap!

Who are you praying for? Who is praying for you? If God search for a man, will he find one?

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none." Ezekiel 22:30

Please, always remember to stand in the gap for others. I am learning too. God is our strength!

I love this song:

Standing in the Gap by Babbie Mason

I heard that you were hurting

That you were suffering pain

But I didn't dare just turn my head

And look the other way

For when your heart is aching

My heart is aching too

Let me help you bear your burden

That's the least that I can do

CHORUS

I'll be standing in the gap for you

Just remember someone, somewhere is praying for you

Calling out your name

Praying for your strength

I'll be standing in the gap for you

Right now you may be troubled

But everything will work out fine

For the Spirit knows before you speak

What is on your heart and mind

So I'll be interceding

Til your standing strong again

The peace that passes understanding

Is going to be yours, but until then

CHORUS

BRIDGE

So hang on my friend

It won't be long

And you have the strength

To carry on

For when two or three are walking together

It will be a much lighter load

For isn't that what a brother and a sister are for...


GOD BLESS YOU! Have a great week!!

The Help of a Stranger, Gives Speed

The help of a stranger is what keeps our world spinning with kindness. The help of a stranger gives speedThe help of a stranger receives great reward

Reuel's seven daughters set out one morning to fetch water for their father's flock. But some bully came by and chased them away. But a stranger who witnessed the injustice came to their rescue. Moments later, they were able to water their father's flock.  All done with the day's business, they happily swung back to town.

Perhaps in the past the bullies usually cause these ladies delay in minding their father's business. Because when they got home their father was surprise to see them back so early. A stranger's help gave them speed! They narrated the story to him. And yes, their father asked them to go invite the helper to dinner!

Have you ever experienced the kindness of a stranger? That moment you find yourself in a hot mess, when fear and anxiety overwhelms you. Only for you to turn around and find a kind hand stretched out, ready to give you a lift, out of your mess!

Or maybe you have been or you are that kind person offering help to strangers. Please don't stop.
And if you, at one point in your life, experience the help of a stranger, please extend the kindness to others- pay it forward. But don't forget to appreciate the stranger, like the Priest encouraged his daughters to invite Moses for dinner.

The story:

16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that you have come so soon today?”
19 And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.”
20 So he said to his daughters, “And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”
21 Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. 22 And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom,[b] for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”  

EXODUS 2:16-22 via BibleGateway

This week, may you experience the help of a stranger! May God open your heart to indeed be kind to others around you. Spread His love around!!

Happy living!!

Hello Mr. Water Pass Garri (Spoken words)

Hello mr water pass garri, 

Why do you sit there looking at me as if I’m heaven?
I know, the problems you carry
are heavy, I mean really heavy.

You have been in that position for the past 52 years-
Squatting over one hand of garri in a one liter bowl filled with 75cl of water.
Counting them in days, that will be 18,980 days plus extra for the leap years.
Your brothers across the border
Are worried about you.

Look around you Mr water pass garri,
No, not in the direction of those beautiful maidens!
Look around at the virgin land behind your backyard.
Do you doubt it is fertile?

But how can you tell
When you have never ploughed and planted?
Can there be a harvest if you do not sow a seed?
18,993 days is gone man, and that one hand of garri in a one liter bowl filled with 75cl of water is not rising!

It is time for you to rise and try something new-
Like farming for more cassava to have abundance of garri
That you so much crave for.
And have enough for the babies unborn
You will not have to worry.

Tighten your sandals to your feet, for your road will be rough.

No man is heaven- so keep your eyes on almighty God at all times.
I would have wished you good luck
But I hear the luck changes after a new pair of designer shoes.
But pick up and keep going
We are at the top waiting for you!

(c) Jennifer Ehidiamen

Spoken words