Yeah, Right!

Daily Reading: John 14

Scripture Focus: Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. (John 14.12)

Devotional Thought: One of the traits that has made America great is the fact that each generation has been able to 'do better' than the prior generation. I know that my children have 'done better' than me - they gave me amazing grandchildren! I am proud when they outshine me, because I live for their joy. My daughter Jenny certainly has made me proud by becoming such a wise contributor on our daily devotionals! The others do well on those occasions when they write for me, too. They outshine their dad!

Just as we are pleased when our children 'do better' than us, Jesus is also pleased when we do 'greater works' than he did while on earth. Jesus wasn't nervous when he returned to the Father. He was excited as his disciples took the reins of the Church. But, what do you think crossed the minds of those twelve men when Jesus told them that they would do even greater things than him? Having seen the miracles of Jesus, they probably thought, "Yeah, right!"

And what do you think? Greater works than Jesus? "Yeah, right!"

Consider: All the people saved in all the churches around the world... all the people delivered from addiction through Christian recovery ministries... all the people healed in Christian clinics, hospitals, and mission trips... Do you see what Jesus was talking about? Added onto that, consider the Christian parents, doctors, teachers, lawyers, businessmen, etc. who are bringing the blessing of God through their daily lives. Truly greater works!

I encourage you to take your place in the 'greater works' that The Church - empowered and led by the Holy Spirit - is doing today!

Prayer: Jesus, as you build your Church, help us to do 'greater works.' And Lord, help me to do my part in these 'greater works.'

Psalm of the Day: 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. 10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. 12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; 15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. (Psalms 37:7-15)