The 13th disciple

I feel that this is the year of service. A pastor I heard preach labeled it the year of “Greater kingdom exploits”. A time for us to use our positions of authority as Christians to do good for the glory of the kingdom of God. We know of the 12 disciples that were handed picked by Jesus to follow, work with, learn from and take over from Him. The part we overlook is that of the next group. The 13th disciple. At the death of Christ, when all our sins were washed away by His blood. We were chosen. The baton was placed in our hands.


We read the word, we know of His teachings. We have seen and applied it to our lives. It's time we took over from the master, for he is no longer among us. We need to prepare for the 2nd coming. When I say prepare, the formula is a little different from what you may picture it to be.
Prepare=( personal preparation + preparation of others through our service) x faith. As much as we are accountable for our own actions in our lives, we play apart in the lives of our neighbours. Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Treat your neighbour as you would treat yourself. Equip your neighbour with vital information that you yourself have.


We are all yearning to reach the same destination, some more than others. Some like me get lost along the way. That's where you play a part. Be that beacon, be that helping hand, be that vessel that wants to be used by Christ. Be the 13th disciple. For those that are familiar with maths, you'll know that if one factor of the equation is missing, it will not balance and the right answer will not be determined. In the same way in our equation:
Prepare=( personal preparation + preparation of others through our service) x faith, I can't say I'm prepared if I stand by and watch my neighbour struggling. I can't say I'm prepared if I do not believe, and only go to church because I was born into a family that does. I can't say I'm prepared if I do not take the time get to know and nurture my relationship with God. We can not simply praise God with our mouths and not give.


The disciples were chosen, meaning they had a choice to decline. God as powerful and all knowing as He is. He can only do so much in terms of the choices we make. It's all up to us. Lets not be easily swayed by the bargains and trinkets presented by the devil. By now we all know the devil is a liar. He roars like a lion to strike fear into our hearts, but he's no lion. He has no dominion in our lives, he pretends he does. 2 chronicles 20:20 “believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm...”


As the saying goes life is no bed of roses. We all have our our struggles and problems why should we take on those of someone else. But one should take note that , the best exercise for strengthening the heart is reaching down and lifting people up. We are all made in His image, my struggles are as good as those of my neighbour and vice versa. The question now is how do we help? Where and when? We need to open up our eyes to what is right in front of us. We need to extend a hand or just merely present a shoulder of comfort. We need to pray. Pray in secret, bare your soul , praying for someone else is as good as speaking countless blessings into your own life. Pray together, we should start a culture of joining hands sharing in the presence of the Lord.


Be fit and ready there is much work to be done. Cast all doubt aside in terms of your abilities. You cant entertain fear together with faith. You may not be able to cast out demons but by faith it's the little things that matter. Be prepared. Let go of all that does not matter. Be receptive as a vessel to be filled, to be used. And in turn pour the word that is the bread of life, love, compassion, your experiences and testimonies into the lives of those around you.

Be the 13th disciple.