Meditate...Then Pray

Christian meditation (thinking deeply on Scripture) is "the missing link between Bible intake and prayer."  If there was a "secret" to George Müller's prayer life, it was his discovery of the connection between meditation and prayer.  Müller's discovery was that after meditating on Scripture he was more able to experience a meaningful prayertime.

-Donald S. Whitney, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" (partial quote and partial paraphrase). 

Salary and Solicitation

Bethesda Chapel in Bristol, England

On the subject of a set salary and asking for money this was George Muller's stand:

Shortly before his marriage the thought of a stated salary worried Mr. Muller, for he felt that his should be a life of trust in God and not in the promise of the brethren. He found three reasons why he should give up a fixed remuneration.

• A salary implies a fixed sum, generally made up of pew rents. But according to James 2:1-6, "pew rents are against the mind of the Lord."
• A fixed pew rent may at times become a burden to the follower of Christ and Mr. Muller did not wish to lay the smallest straw in the way of the church's spiritual progress.
• The whole system of pew rents and salary are liable to become a snare to the minister, in that he works for hire rather than for spiritual reasons.

At the end of October, within a month after his marriage, he announced to the Teignmouth congregation that henceforth he would receive no regular salary, and would trust wholly in the Lord for his needs.  

He asked that a box be placed in the chapel where whoever desired to help him might leave his offering. Henceforth he was to ask no one, "not even my beloved brethren and sisters, to help me...For unconsciously I had been led to trust in an arm of flesh, going to man instead of going to the Lord at once."

One morning when their money had been reduced to eight shillings (about $2.00, a shilling equaling approximately 25c), Muller asked the Lord for money. For four hours the preacher waited but still no reply. Then a lady came to the house.

"Do you want any money?" she asked.

Faith was tested, yet remained triumphant, and the minister replied, "I told the brethren, dear sister, when I gave up my salary, that I would for the future tell the Lord only about my wants." "But," she replied, reaching for her purse, "He told me to give you some money," laying in his hand two guineas...

Pen In Hand

"Within the last fifty years, I have found it the most profitable plan to meditate with my pen in my hand, writing down the outlines, as the Word is opened to me."

- A Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings with George Müller Written by Himself, First Part.

Where Is Namibia?

Greetings, friends, from the George Muller web site!  I just checked to see where the last 100 visitors to this site are from.

What did I find?  I found that a visitor from Namibia (where is that?) just spent 20 minutes browsing the George Muller site.  I hope that visitor was blessed and encouraged.  If you are reading this post, please let us know where Namibia is.

We had guests who dropped by for a visit from:

Philippines

Puerto Rico

Denmark

The United Kingdom

The United States of America

Canada

Kuwait

Latvia

South Africa

Ghana

Kenya

India

Singapore

That's just the last 100 visitors. Thank you for paying us a visit.  

Here's my challenge...

For all visitors to the George Muller site over the next week or two, please leave us a comment and let us know if this site was helpful to you and how the Lord has challenged you to place your faith and trust in Him.

Let's make the next month...the month of March...COMMENT MONTH.

Thanks again for your visit and please leave a comment or send us an e-mail here.

Every blessing in Christ,

David Fisher/The George Muller blog

Speaking Well of HIS Name

I may have included this quote in a previous post but when I saw it tonight it spoke volumes to me and, therefore, I trust that it will do the same for you.  The phrase that really caught my attention was the final sentence...which I have bolded.

Muller stated:
   
"In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust Him He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His name." - George Muller 

Do you delight in speaking well of His name?  Do I?

God Hasn't Changed...He's Still Faithful

A reader of our George Muller blog gives powerful testimony to the fact that God still provides today.

He writes:  

Hi David:

When I said we have no money, I guess it sounded negative in a way. We have been in operation for almost a year.We have NEVER been short on ANY need we have ever had. God has amazingly provided everything. Our van, our car, our website, toiletries, a work-out station. Even the men who come have the skills we need. I have also started a "building fund" in following with George Mueller's methods. We are so very blessed in every way. I am so excited to be a part of Gods kingdom. I read George Mueller's book when I was in a similar program to mine. They however charged a substantial amount of money to be there. We DO NOT charge to be in our program. Several people have come to know Christ through the witness of Gods provision for us. The statement " What happened with George Mueller is not a one time event, it will happen for anyone who trusts as he did". Well, my board of Directors even thinks I am a bit crazy, but now are seeing the power of a mighty God at work. Keep the Scriptures and quotes coming......I NEED IT DAILY.

Love in Jesus...

Powerful Words

Could I truthfully voice the same sentiments that George Muller uttered when the only source of income and provision was God Himself?

Muller stated:

"But God, our infinite rich Treasurer, remains with us. It is this which gives me peace. Moreover if it pleases Him, with a work requiring about $264,000 a year...would I gladly pass through all these trials of faith with regard to means, if He only might be glorified, and His Church and the world benefited...I have placed myself in the position of having no means at all left; and 2,100 persons, not only daily at the table, but with everything else to be provided for, and all the funds gone; 189 missionaries to be assisted, and nothing whatever left; about one hundred schools with 9,000 scholars in them, to be entirely supported, and no means for them in hand; about four million tracts and tens of thousands of copies of the Holy Scriptures yearly now to be sent out, and all the money expended...I commit the whole work to Him, and He will provide me with what I need, in future also, though I know not whence the means are to come."

Muller Book Collection

Recently I took a photo of some of my George Muller book collection to use as the header for this blog.  Some readers have asked which biography of Muller is the best.  I'm not certain but I've enjoyed A. T. Pierson's "George Muller of Bristol" a lot.  I have several editions of this.

I've met Roger Steer, author of book, "George Muller - Delighted in God", and his biography is excellent.

For those who'd like a list of books by and about George Muller I will post my list and my "want" list on this blog.  Stay tuned...

Keep trusting God!

Note:  Click on the photo on this post to get a larger, more readable image so you can see the titles and authors more clearly. 

Faith Quotes YouTube Video

Here are some excellent quotes on faith by some of the Lord's faithful servants.  

Click here for the YouTube video.

True Trust

The following quote by George Muller was exactly what I needed today. Our trust must be placed in God ALONE. We are so prone to look elsewhere but if we do, we will be disappointed. - David

“Only let it be trust in God, not in man, not in circumstances, not in any of your own exertions, but real trust in God, and you will be helped in your various necessities... Not in circumstances, not in natural prospects, not in former donors, but solely in God. This is just that which brings the blessing. If we say we trust in Him, but in reality do not, then God, taking us at our word, lets us see that we do not really confide in Him; and hence failure arises. On the other hand, if our trust in the Lord is real, help will surely come.”