How did Christ manage to keep His cool?

One wonders what Christ was thinking when he assembled those 12 as his spiritual brethren. They were of course very ordinary people, but out of their ordinary were very strange characters. Among the 12 were aggressors, extremist, zealot, confused, doubtful, rebellious, notorious, unbelievers, fanatic, timid, impatient, traitor, denial etc.

Would you have such characters as friends? Would you invite such people for dinner and wash their feet? I bet you wouldn't invite them even to a breakfast which takes less time and effort to prepare. Yet these were the people Christ had as friends in his 3 years evangelism on earth.

They were mostly chosen by Christ himself. He taught and trained them how to "fish for men". Their training manual included topics such as forgiveness, prayer, miracles, healing, Holy Spirit, service, repentance, fellowship, humility.

Thier performances were mixed. Some were extraordinary good and others very poor though that's not the essence of this blog.

I want to single out one apostle i.e Peter, and imagine having such character as a family, friend or a church leader. You would probably have disowned Peter as a family, dumped him as friend and might have been suspended as a church leader.

 Peter, a man who Christ called him two names interchangeably (Simon, Peter, or Simon Peter), depending on what he had done or said. When he had behaved well Christ called him Peter, and when behaved badly, it was Simon. The apostle Peter was bold, outspoken and a dominant character which is good. But the man was also a double minded person. Peter often "put his foot in his mouth"- saying things without really thinking through the consequences. He was also sceptical and impatient person. Remember he was the first to announce that he was going back to fishing after the crucifixion of Christ (John 21:3). When it matter most Peter would disappoint as he did when he slept at the garden of Gethsemane when he was supposed to be praying with Jesus. He was often in trouble with Jesus over something he had said or done. He was rebuked more than any other disciple. He was the one who courageously confessed Christ as Messiah, yet Peter, was the one disciple Christ called Satan.

The worse of it all was Peter's denial of Christ. He assured his friends that he would never deny Christ, he denied him 3 times and with curses. Who would want a family or a friend who would deny you like that? Christ knew all that was going to happen yet remained with Peter. How would you handle a family or a friend who's sceptical, impatient, promises a lot and delivers little, and is always "putting his foot? Dump him or her you would say. Well, Christ didn't.

Despite Peter's inadequacies, failings and shame, he preached at Pentecost and three thousand people were saved (Acts 2:14-41). He became the Rock and great leader of the early church. Be careful who you dump in your life. It might be frustrating sometimes but people learn from their mistakes. Peter leaned a lot from his mistakes and failings. Have patience and keep praying for the person as Christ did for Peter and all other disciples. You never know.


 

I missed church but not God

For the first time in years I found myself sitting on a bus on Sunday morning not going to church but work. I've tried everything I could possible do to avoid working on Sunday and have succeeded in the past but not any more. The economy has been so "stupid" and one has to do with what you get. If I don't want it some one will take it and the consequences would be felt when I pick my pay cheque at the end of the month. Indeed its been hitting my pocket so hard and so this first Sunday in February I took up the chalenge to go to work.

I've been grumbling about it all week and friends have urged me to cheer up since its not every Sunday I have to work. Indeed its not every Sunday; only once or at most twice in a month. I've been thinking about my role, the worship and the friendship that I would miss.

As I stepped out about an hour before my starting time, I was thinking about what I could read or listen to draw me closer to God. Thanks toTuneIn Radio I managed to listened to Faith radio on my phone. Today is the first time I've listened to that radio. The music was so good and soon found myself shaking my heard and tapping my feet as I travelled on the bus. I was amazed the number of people on the bus all going to work. What can we do "anoma enntua ogyina ho" unless a bird flies it has no food.

With 10 minutes to spare I got to work full in "spirit". I've enjoyed the music on faith radio so much that I wanted more. Thank God I could listen to radio while at work. With the computer on I removed the ear piece from my phone and listened to faith radio on the computer. I joined in the singing as I work. In a big building with many stairs prayer was much easier. Each level of stairs had its own prayer topic.

I had planned to go to the shop to get some breakfast. That was skipped as I enjoyed what I was listening and doing and didn't want any distraction. It soon dawned on me what Christ said that we would worhip Him in truth and in spirit. Worship doesn't only have to take place at a church premise. In fact we can worhip any where, any time.

On reflection, although I wouldn't like to make Sunday work a habit I must say I've enjoyed today. In fact my role at church sometimes make me not able to enjoy worship the way I would want. Perhaps once in a while I'll need this break from church where I could worship the way I or God would want it to be.

So what did I miss this Sunday? I can think of 5 Methodist hymns and friends chat, but did I miss God? Absolutely not.

What 21st Century Jesus Christ Would Do

If Jesus Christ was on earth today with us I believe He would do all of the following:

1. Service will still be His mantra. He would serve, serve and serve. The "I have come to serve" (Matthew 20:28) wouldn't change to I have served you enough and now is the time for you to serve me. And He would serve all not just a few.
2. He would welcome all. Jesus Christ would still welcome all no matter their background, status, age or colour. 
3. He would have relationships. Christ would develop relationships thereby sharing peoples thoughts and feelings. When the doors of the church are closed Christ would still be reaching out to people at all places.
4. He would seek holistic being. His events/programmes wouldn't be confined to the spiritual life. Christ would care about the social, economic and political well-being of a person. He would therefore have events/programmes aimed at uplifting the total well-being of a person.
5. Christ would be innovative. He would dismiss "this is the way we have always done it" notion. The fact that He once drove on a camel doesn't means He would always do that. If convenient and efficient means of doing things become available, He would adopt them.  
6. Christ would still evangelize. I don't mean encouraging those already in a church to move to another church.
7. Christ would be a firm disciplinary. He would ensure the right thing is done and would crack the whip if need be. 
8. Jesus would commute. He would travel to where the people are not sit in His comfortable office and expect people to come to him.
9. Christ would build a team.  He would always make sure He equips people who will take over when He isn't around. 
10. Christ will embrace the social media. Jesus wouldn't be flying frequently from Argentina to Zimbabwe when He knows He could do a live broadcast, or record and upload on you tube. He once boarded a boat so that many people could hear Him. He would take every opportunity that would enable Him to reach out to many people. He would know He can't speak to everyone before or after church so at home or on the move, He would engage people on the social media; blogging His last sermon,  checking peoples status on facebook and make comments, tweeting up-coming events and sharing useful links.

Are you a church, ministry, or fellowship leader? If Christ would do all of the above why ain't you doing them?