Monday, July 28, 2014
Billy Graham Association reaches millions in crusades and media.
“Truly, truly, I say to
you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater
works than these he will do, because I go to the Father” (John 14:12).
Hey Gang: My daddy was a coal
miner, a bus driver and a custodian in a school. His formal education
ended in the eighth grade, due to the depression and his need to help support
his family. My mother's background was very similar. Her father
passed away early in her life. She, too, ended her school years in the
eighth grade to care for her brothers and sisters while her mother scrubbed
floors at the local Post Office to keep bread on the table.
By worldly standards, both did not
score very high on the "opportunity for achievement chart". But
they had a drive deep in their hearts that their four sons would have a greater
opportunity for achievement than they did. They sacrificed much to make that happen.
They were bound and determined to make sure that their four sons would have
"greater works and opportunities” than they had.
Their eldest son became a pilot, later
squadron commander. gained the high rank of Colonel in the Air Force and raised
a family of five children- who also are successful in their various fields of
interest. Their second son became a master's level college graduate and
entered the business world; he, too, was the father of five (two are deceased),
the others are also successful in living their lives as contributing members of
their community.
Son number three is yours truly;
college graduate, served this country in the Air Force, founder of a youth and
family treatment center. We raised four children, all college graduates (David
deceased) and today are making a difference in the lives of youth and families.
Son number four completed Tech School
and eventually became the head tech rep on an atomic submarine. I believe
my parents, both eighth grade graduates, could say, "They, our
children, did greater works than we were able to do".
I wonder how the disciples felt the
day that Jesus shared this promise: “Greater works will you do” with
them. In many ways they were like my momma and dad, poorly educated with
no standing in the social levels of society. They saw Jesus heal the
sick, cast out demons, even raise the dead. Do you think they might have
said to Jesus, "Who me?" I think I would have.
But, when we look at the life and
ministry of Jesus, we note that He was never outside this small area on the
Mediterranean Sea and was restricted by time and space. Billy Graham in
one Crusade probably preached to more people than Jesus did in all His ministry
on earth. He spent much of his ministry walking from one place to
another. Graham could be in North Carolina in his home in the morning and
preaching a Crusade in London that very evening.
Yesterday, the medical profession
announced that they have made another major break thought in learning the root
causes of cancer and have even had success in defeating this Satanic killing
device. Is that what He meant by "greater things?" He
gave ability to scientist to take us to the moon and do things in the world of
technology that blow our minds, even in this day of rapid learning. Is
that what He meant?
Soooo, my friends and neighbors, this
I know, I was able to accomplish things in my life that were far beyond the
capacity of my parents, not because I was smarter than they but because they
gave me opportunities to use my abilities in ways they never had the
opportunity to use theirs. When Jesus taught this lesson to His disciples,
He knew His days on earth were few, but the provision had already been designed
in the Throne Room of Heaven - He would send a Comforter to live in the heart
of every believer - and through that comforter and His WORD, we would do
greater things than He was able to do in limited time and space.
Blessings,
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