Anything Jesus did, you can do better? Say What?

There’s an old song from 1946 with the line, “Anything you can do I can do better; I can do anything better than you.” Well, Jesus seems to turn that phrase around when he said:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT)

So, I was thinking about that the other day as I woke up. (Todays thought I woke up with was, “God is a rewarder of all those who diligently seek him”) .Then I thought, “Well, I wonder if anyone else besides Jesus ever walked on water?”

A quick google search led me to a testimony from Mel Tari about some “normal” Christians who were led by the Lord to travel to another village to share the Good News. They came to a river they suspected was very deep and 300 yards across. Encouraged by the Lord they stepped into the water and this very deep river only ever came to their knees. They crossed in waters that normally would have went over their head. Listen to the story yourself and be sure to pay attention to what Mel says is the “important thing to keep in mind”! When in the village they experienced their first resurrection and the village came to trust in Jesus for salvation.

I am firm believer that anything (and more) that you read in Scripture that anyone did in the way of miracles (and yes, of course including anything Jesus did – and more) is available to the believer (that’s the key word right there) as we go out and do what Jesus would have us do. Preaching the Good News and loving others.

As Mel says the “miracle” is to facilitate getting from point A to point B to preach the Gospel. Hmmm… teleportation sure seems to fit his description. There have been a few more stories I’ve come across recently of missionaries teleporting.

Of course, as I am writing this, I feel as impotent as ever. Perhaps I’m not doing something right (chances are high in that department). I have been SO distracted by other “believers” who are constantly attacking other ministries (like the wonderful work God is doing in Bethel church in Redding CA for instance).

“But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” (Galatians 5:15)

I am weary of observing this behavior in other “Christians”. I’d encourage you not to put up with it and defend those who are being attacked and reviled. Well, at least that’s what I am drawn to do. In reality this means you just join the accused under the bus. This hasn’t and doesn’t help me in the least because what happens then is that I then get rejected (and I have) and my ministry is shunned. Churches may refuse to have us come and share our worship music. But I have to follow my conscience no matter the cost.

As Bill Johnson has said, “I’d rather stand with the accused than with the accuser”. And remember, the devil is called “the accuser” of the family of God. The Bible tells us that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Sadly, this persecution will also even come from other ‘believers’.

You are known in hell for all your sins, famous for the worst of them. Yet you, the believer, are known in heaven as “the spotless Bride of Christ without fault, blemish or any such thing”. They don’t remember any of your sins once the blood of Christ has touched your life and you have repented of those sins. As the Bible says,

“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 NLT

I just read this from my study Bible:

Jesus offered the perfect purification offering, cleansing the heavenly sanctuary once for all time and ensuring that God can dwell in the midst of his people forever. His blood cleanses us from all sin and now all sinners are now free boldly to enter the heavenly Most Holy Place without fear of rejection. (NLT Study Bible)

So, let’s revel in that! Do you want to get to know God and make him known? I do too. Sometimes my “want to” is so weak its a “I know I should want to”. Let’s pray that God stirs up our affection for the Lord Jesus. Like the lyrics to the Jason Gray song says, It’s got to be:

“More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance”

There is a real relationship to be had here! A “divine romance” with God! A mystical adventure of experiencing God for yourself awaits… But, I’m afraid perhaps there are some reading this that this idea doesn’t even stir your heart. Perhaps sin has so dulled your heart that you can’t recognize God’s goodness anymore. Some may even think that sin is more interesting than God?

Come, “Taste and see that the LORD is Good!”

He will never give up on you. His love never fails. He can and will rescue you. It’s not too late.

“Everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved!”

Call out to Jesus now and “boldly come before his throne of Grace and Mercy to receive help in your time of need”.