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Jesus recognizes potential

Smith Wigglesworth

Today's Devotional

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 (NASB)

Why was Jesus’ perspective so full? Because Jesus saw great potential in the disciples. He knew he had the material that would bring out what would prove to be a real satisfaction to the world—to heaven and to the world. The glorified, trained, wonderfully modified, and then again glorified positions of these fishermen were surely ideal places in which to be.

What were the disciples? For one thing, they were unlearned. However, God taught them. It is far better to have the learning of the Spirit than anything else. They were ignorant; He enlarged them. They were beside themselves because they had been touched with the divine life. If the Most High God touches you, you will be beside yourself. As long as you hold your own, the natural and the spiritual will be mixed; but if you ever jump over the lines by the power of the new creation, you will find he has gotten hold of you.

Divine wisdom will never make you foolish. Divine wisdom will give you a sound mind; divine wisdom will give you a touch of divine nature. Divine life is full of divine appointment and equipping, and you cannot be filled with the power of God without a manifestation. … Jesus knew that these people he had before him were going to do greater things than he had done. How could they do them? None of us is able; none of us is capable. But as we believe in him, we can do greater works because he is in heaven interceding for us.

About the author and the source

Although he was a poorly educated man who did not learn to read until after his marriage, Smith Wigglesworth (1859–1947) was devoted to God and saw success in his work. He led thousands to Christ, was used to heal many through faith, and set an example of belief in God’s promises, especially those regarding the Holy Spirit. Others collected and edited his sermons into a devotional.

Smith Wigglesworth Devotional, compiled by Glenn Gohr and others. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1999.

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