George Muller...A Man Who Simply Trusted God

Each week I receive a report on how many visitors we get here at the Muller site. Of course I wish we could generate much more traffic but we do get 10-12 visits per day. Oh that it could be 100 or more!

It's interesting to note that of the last 75 visits to the Muller blog, we had visitors from the following countries:

United States
Trinidad & Tobago
England
New Zealand
Switzerland
Canada
Australia
Norway
Hong Kong
France
Kuwait
South Africa
Taiwan
Germany

Truly there is a worldwide interest in the life of this man who simply trusted God!

Summarizing a Life of Faith

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:31:00 +0000

The following summary appeared on a web site which I found today. This gives a good overview of a life well-lived. Oh that we might live for His glory as George Muller did. This summary was found here.

The Life and Ministry of George Muller:

George Mueller was a man of faith. George Mueller was a prayer warrior.

His ministry was blessed because he trusted God completely.

His 63 year ministry included: the supported missionaries, the establishment of the Scriptural Knowledge Institute in England, teaching Sunday school and day school, distributing Bibles and Christian tracts, and caring for England's orphans.

He financially supported missionary operations in 26 different countries.

He was directly involved in the Christian instruction of 121,683 pupils.

He distributed: 281,652 Bibles:

1,448,662 New Testaments; 21,343 copies of the Book of Psalms; 222,196 other portions of the Holy Scriptures.

He distributed 111,489,067 Christian tracts, booklets and pamphlets.

He was directly involved in the conversion of 2,813 orphans.

He mastered 6 languages: French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Greek, and English.

Mr. Mueller was a native of Prussia, born in Kroppenstaedt, on September 27, 1805.

After his conversion, he saw beyond the present to a greater goal. He realized that God alone was able to supply his every need by faith. He took God at His Word and boldly came before the throne of grace to receive.

Mr. Mueller never found the throne vacant nor the supplies exhausted. He asked, knowing that God was able.

Near the end of his life he admitted to reading the entire Bible about 200 times; 100 times on his knees. He found God's promises, believed them, and acted accordingly.

Mr. Mueller mastered the lesson of outlooks: living by the heavenly uplook rather than the earthly outlook.

"The Lord pours in, while we seek to pour out."

He asked God to pour in the supplies, so that they might be distributed to others.

As Mr. Mueller faithfully distributed God's abundance of money and supplies; God poured in more needed materials.

Mr. Mueller testimony includes the specific answers of 50,000 prayers; 5,000 prayers had been answered on the day of asking!

He diligently kept records and his prayer request records indicate a 2-page entry format. On one page he wrote the petition and date; on the opposite page he recorded the answer date. He recommended this form to believers who desired specific results to their prayers.

"…I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming. Thousands and tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded that a thing is right and for the glory of God, I go on praying for it until the answer comes. George Mueller never gives up!"

"Let not Satan deceive you, in making you think you could not have the same faith, but that is only for persons situated as I am. When I lose such a thing as a key, I ask the Lord to direct me to it, and I look for an answer to my prayer; when a person with whom I have an appointment does not come…I ask the Lord to be pleased to hasten him to me, and I look for an answer…Thus in all my temporal and spiritual concerns I pray to the Lord and expect an answer to my request; and may not you do the same dear believing reader?"

His Christian advice and rules to strengthen faith were simple:

1. Read the Bible and meditate upon it. God has become known to us through prayer and meditation upon His Word.

2. Seek to maintain an upright heart and a good conscience.

3. If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried, and therefore, through trial, be strengthened.

4. Give God time to work.

Mr. Mueller believed that nothing was too insignificant to take to the Lord in prayer. He believed the scriptures to be literal.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

…the Mueller's set off for the United States in August 1877 aboard the Sardian…Off Newfoundland the weather turned cold and the ship's progress was seriously retarded by fog. The captain had been on the bridge for 24 hours when something happened which was to revolutionize his life. George Mueller appeared on the bridge.

"Captain, I have come to tell you I must be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon."

"It is impossible," said the captain.

"Very well, " said Mueller, "if your ship cannot take me, God will find some other way--I have never broken an engagement for 52 years. Let us go down into the chart-room and pray."

The Captain wondered which lunatic asylum Mueller had come from.

"Mr. Mueller," he said, "do you know how dense this fog is?"

"No, my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God."

Mueller then knelt down and prayed. When he had finished the captain was about to pray, but Mueller put his hand on his shoulder, and told him:

"First, you do not believe He will and second, I believe He has, and there is no need whatever for you to pray about it."

The captain looked at Mueller in amazement.

"Captain," he continued, I have known my Lord for 52 years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to get an audience with the King. Get up, captain, and open the door, and you will find the fog is gone."

The captain walked across to the door and opened it. The fog had lifted. It was the captain himself, who later told the story of this incident, and who was subsequently described by a well known evangelist as "one of the most devoted men I ever knew."

It was prayer that kept Mr. Mueller's soul free of doubt, worry, and fear. As a result, he could write such entries as on March 9, 1847, "The greater the difficulties, the easier for faith." And a later one, "The greater the trial, the sweeter the victory."

Mr. Mueller's victories came through prayer and his trust in the Lord's unfailing promises.

"It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly continue in prayer, until we obtain an answer; and further, we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing."

During just the last year of Mr. Mueller's life are recorded these gifts to feed and care for thousands of England's orphans.

7, 203 loaves of bread

5,222 buns

20 boxes of soap

9 tons of coal

26 haunches of venison

112 rabbits

312 pheasants

5 bags of oatmeal

26 cases of oranges

5 boxes of dates

4,013 pounds of meat

...hundreds of other essentials

Mr. Mueller's faithful prayers brought into the orphan houses $2.5 million.

George Mueller was faithful.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all our need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Answers to Prayer by George Mueller; Moody Press

George Muller Delighted in God by Roger Steer; Harold Shaw Publishers

George Muller, Man of Faith & Miracles by Basil Miller; Dimension Books

The Autobiography of George Muller by George Muller; Whitaker House

Real Heroes

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 16 May 2009 11:29:00 +0000

Each week we receive a report which indicates the number of visitors we have had here at the George Muller site.

It's fascinating to see how many different countries these hits have been from. This morning I received notification of a "hit" from a web site entitled "Real Heroes".

The people at this site have a link to this blog for which I'm grateful. Check out their George Muller page here.

Stretching Our Faith

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:47:00 +0000

The following devotional from A. W. Tozer refers to the faith which George Muller exhibited. We can trust God the same way Muller did. God has NOT changed.

...yet you do not have because you do not ask. - James 4:2

It was a saying of George Mueller that faith grows with use. If we would have great faith we must begin to use the little faith we already have. Put it to work by reverent and faithful praying, and it will grow and become stronger day by day. Dare today to trust God for something small and ordinary and next week or next year you may be able to trust Him for answers bordering on the miraculous. Everyone has some faith, said Mueller; the difference among us is one of degree only, and the man of small faith may be simply the one who has not dared to exercise the little faith he has.

According to the Bible, we have because we ask, or we have not because we ask not. It does not take much wisdom to discover our next move. Is it not to pray, and pray again and again till the answer comes? God waits to be invited to display His power in behalf of His people. The world situation is such that nothing less than God can straighten it out. Let us not fail the world and disappoint God by failing to pray. taken from The Set of the Sail, pp. 33-34

"Lord, I think I can do that! I know my faith needs to grow, but today I'll exercise what faith I have and anticipate that growth and stretching. Amen."

Scripture Texts That Moulded George Müller

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:38:00 +0000

CERTAIN marked Scripture precepts and promises had such a singular influence upon this man of God (George Muller), and so often proved the guides to his course, that they illustrate Psalm 119:105 - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path."

Those texts which, at the parting of the way, became to him God's sign-boards, showing him the true direction, are here given, as nearly as may be in the order in which they became so helpful to him. The study of them will prove a kind of spiritual biography, outlining his career. Some texts, known to have been very conspicuous in their influence, we put in capitals. The italics are his own.

"GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." (John iii.16.)

"Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm." (Jeremiah xvii.5.)

"O, fear the Lord, ye His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him." (Psa. xxxiv.9.)

"Owe no man anything, but to love one another." (Rom. xiii.8.)

"SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU." (Matt. vi.33.)

"The holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." (2 Tim. iii.15.)

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matt. vii.7,8.)

"WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN MY NAME, THAT WILL I DO, THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON: IF YE SHALL ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME I WILL DO IT." (John xiv.13,14.)

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what ye shall put on... Take, therefore, no thought for the morrow." (Matt. vi. 25-34.)

"If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." (John vii.17.)

"If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John viii.31,32.)

"And the eunuch said, See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him." (Acts viii.36-38.)

"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death." (Rom. vi.3, 4.)

"Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread." (Acts xx.7.)

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a man in vile raiment; and ye have respect unto him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool, are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" (James ii.1-6.)

"Having, then, gifts differing according to the grace that is given us." (Rom. xii.6.)

"All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." (1 Cor. xii.11.)

"Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." (Philip. iv.17.)

"Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body what ye shall put on"... "Behold the fowls of the air... Consider the lilies of the field... For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." (Matt. vi.25-32.)

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." (Matt. vi.19.)

"SELL THAT YE HAVE AND GIVE ALMS." (Luke xii.33.)

"A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven." (John iii.27.)

More "Faith" Quotes

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Note: This is our 100th post on this George Muller web site since we started this blog to help acquaint 21st century Christians with this faithful servant of God.

"Why should we limit either the goodness or the power of God by our own knowledge of what we call the laws of nature?"

"To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings."

"If the Lord fails me at this time, it will be the first time."

"The province of faith begins where probabilities cease and sight and sense fail."

"If I, a poor man, simply by prayer and faith, obtained without asking any individual the means for establishing and carrying on an Orphan-House then this would provide visible proof that God is FAITHFUL STILL and HEARS PRAYER STILL."

"I hope in God, I pray on, and look yet for the answer. They are not converted yet, but they will be."

The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:58:00 +0000

I'm always on the lookout for new books or new editions of books on the life of George Muller, Here's another one with the accompanying description. I found this one in a listing of OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) books. - David

“God has given me a mission field right here, and I will live and die in it.”

With scarcely enough food or money for his own family, George Müller opened his heart and home to orphans who had no other place to go. Sustained by God’s provision, the Müller house “Breakfast Club” of thirty orphans grew to five large houses that ultimately over ten thousand children would call home.

George Müller trusted God with a depth rarely seen. Let his faith and generosity challenge you to an unshakable commitment to share Christ's love, no matter the cost.

An Orphan's Story

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:23:00 +0000

In 1939 my mother died; I was eight at the time. There were four children in our family, and we lived in Highley Nr Bridgenorth in Shropshire . It was war time and my father was in his sixties. He was too old to look after us and needed to find somewhere for us to go together to be looked after. My Aunty went to church at a little Mission Hall in Birmingham where they supported an orphanage called George Müller's Homes. My Aunty felt this would be the right place for us to go and persuaded my father to send us there. My brother and one sister went in 1939 and I followed a year later in 1940. My other sister stayed home with them.

I arrived at Müller's very excited and wondering what life would be like, but missing my mum and my other sister, as we had been very close. I had been fostered for a year, which had been a very unhappy experience when I often went hungry. George Müller's Homes seemed like heaven to me, with regular meals, plain and simple, clean clothes, baths (I hadn't had many of them) good shoes, discipline and education. We read the Bible and sang children's songs. We had our own hymn book, a copy of which I still have today. I did not know anything at all about Jesus. I was so hungry for love and in such need of reassurance that as I heard the stories of Jesus, who loved me, a little orphan, my heart just opened up to him. I was nine then, and Jesus and those truths are still with me at the age of 74.

What was life really like there? Fun and hard. It was wartime, and we had to share everything. We slept 60 to a dormitory, made our own beds, scrubbed and polished floors, worked in the laundry (for about a thousand children and the staff). Imagine the washing for all of us! We were taught to clean our own shoes, brush our hair, knit our own stockings and socks darn them too. We used scrubbing boards in the laundry, learned how to lay tables, wait at tables, clean silver and polish furniture. We learned how to make our own clothes, stitch samplers, write letters, to sing and recite poetry, march to music, skip to music, sing the alphabet and other songs. My favourite was reciting poetry, and I write it and love it to this day thanks to Mullers dedicated teaching staff. People came from far and wide to see us perform. We were taught to write properly with nib pens and ink Although the teaching staff could not really show affection because they mustn't be seen favouring one more than another they were very kind. We did miss out on cuddles which made me miss my mum more, but I was fortunate I had a big sister and a brother in the boy's department who we saw once a month. When we left Müller's it was hard to get close to him as we'd missed out on the growing up and together times.

The highlight for me was Sunday afternoons when the book cupboard was opened. I was an avid reader then and still am. We were encouraged to read all good books and it taught me to choose carefully what things I read and I vetted all my children's books and comics as they were growing up. I read 'Pilgrim's Progress', and 'The Holy City' by John Bunyan, and was fascinated in later life to see the cage on Bedford bridge where he was imprisoned. I now have my own copy of 'The Holy War'. I always had a copy of 'Pilgrims Progress' as we were given a Bible and a copy of Pilgrims Progress when we left the home.

There is so much more I could tell! Such is my love for Müller's and the happy times I had there that I go up there every year to our reunion and am on the committee which runs it. Old boys and girls come from all over the world. George Müller and his Faithful God live on in his family, of which I am proud to belong. We sing the song 'We Love This Family of God' and one line in it says 'We are family, we are one' - and that's how we feel!

Five Conditions of Prevailing Prayer

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:35:00 +0000

1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing.

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." (John 15:16)

2. Separation from all known sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin.

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear." (Psalm 66:18)

3. Faith in God's word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

"For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:13-20)

4. Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly: we must not seek any gift of God to consume it upon our lusts.

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14)

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." (James 4:3)

5. Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest.

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)

"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”" (Luke 18:1-8)

Muller Miscellany

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Without ever asking anyone other than God, he received over $7,200,000 dollars (in 1800's money) through prayer alone.

Born in Prussia in 1805, by age 10 George was inventing plans to embezzle the government monies his father had charge of. His school years were years of drunkenness and immorality. At age sixteen he was jailed for failing to pay his bills.

The University he attended had 900 Divinity students. George said that there were only about nine who truly feared God. He continued in sin until at age 20 he received Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour.

George married and became a Pastor, but refused his salary when he found out it was collected from "pew-rents." He decided to live on faith from that time forward.

Müller established Orphanages in Bristol, England, and founded the "Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad." His life was characterized by prayer, faith, and self-denial in the cause of Christ.

During his lifetime, he established 117 schools which educated more than 120,000 young persons, including orphans.

In 1875, at the age of 70, and until age 87, he had a 17-year ministry of world-wide Evangelistic tours, which also raised money for his orphanages and the thousands of children in them.

He would live for another six years. At the time of his death at age 93 in 1898, the Church that he pastored in Bristol had about 2,000 members.

An Hour With George Muller

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Here's a link to a very interesting interview with George Muller entitled An Hour With George Muller. Check it out. You'll be encouraged to trust God more! This interview was conducted by a Mr. Charles Parsons.

Here are some of his reflections concerning his time with Muller:

"From another room Mr. Muller fetched a copy of his life, in which he inscribed my name. His absence afforded me an opportunity of looking around the apartment. The furniture was of the plainest description, useful and in harmony with the man of God who had been talking to me. It is a great principle with George Muller that it does not become the children of God to be ostentatious in style, appointments, dress, or manner of living. He believes that expensiveness and luxury are not seemly in those who are the professed disciples of the meek and lowly One who had not where to lay His head. On a desk lay an open Bible, of clear type, without notes or references.

This, I thought, is the abode of the mightiest man, spiritually considered, of modern times—a man specially raised up to show to a cold, calculating, selfish age the realities of the things, of God, and to teach the Church how much she might gain if only she were wise enough to take hold the Omnipotent Arm."

Check out the link for more!

The Scriptural Knowledge Institution

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:16:00 +0000

There are several reasons why the life and ministry of George Muller have been such an inspiration to me.

One of these was his establishment of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. Here's what the Muller Foundation web site has to say about this worthwhile ministry:

"The Scriptural Knowledge Institution, or SKI, as it is known was founded on March 5th, 1834. George Müller laid down four main objectives, which are shown here. In addition, he felt that since this was of God, there would be no patronage, appeals or requests for subscription and that the Institution should never contract any debts. He was convinced that God would provide all resources and meet every need.

Within the first seven months £167 had been received and by May 1894 the figure had risen to half a million pounds. The institution still flourishes today with the same principles, although there are some changes to meet today's needs. Just over one hundred years later, in 1997, over three hundred thousand pounds was sent to missionaries working both at home and overseas for their support. Most of that money resulted from donations being channelled through SKI by individuals, Trusts, and churches.

The objects of SKI are expressed as follows:-

1 To assist Day-schools, Sunday-schools and Adult-schools, in which instruction is given upon Scriptural principles, and, as far as the Lord may graciously give the means and supply us with suitable teachers, to establish Schools of this kind.

2 To put the children of poor persons to such Day-schools, in order that they may be truly instructed in the ways of God, besides learning those things which are necessary for this life.

3 To circulate the Holy Scriptures.

4 To aid in supplying the wants of Missionaries and Missionary Schools.

Note: These objectives are as printed in a document entitled 'First Report of the Operations of the Scriptural Knowledge Society for Home and Abroad' and was signed by both George Müller and Henry Craik on the 7th October, 1834.

The Bethesda Chapel was the next pastoral ministry for George Müller. The large Chapel was run down and the congregation of six looked extremely small, but with a year's guarantee of rent George Müller committed the future needs of the church to God. The membership grew, financial support came and the Bethesda Chapel prospered both materially and spiritually.

Mary Müller had now given birth to daughter Lydia and it was at the time when Bristol was stricken with cholera. The effects of the cholera resulted in a death rate of high proportions, especially among the adults, and countless children became orphaned.

George Müller, as always, committed the whole problem to God and sought guidance as to what should be done."

New Features

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:05:00 +0000

A new friend and partner Douglas Case from Risingline, a web design and marketing company, has added some features to this George Muller blog that some of our faithful readers have requested.

Now you can subscribe by e-mail or by an RSS feed. Check out the new features on the right margin of this blog. By subscribing you'll automatically be informed of any new posts. And, with these new features, I'll attempt by God's enabling to be more diligent about adding new stories and reflections about this man who simply trusted God.

Those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true.

Check out Doug's web site here. Thanks, Doug!

God bless you all richly!

Not Sent...Yet

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:03:00 +0000

The following quote, taken from The Autobiography of George Muller was posted here on the web site for the Abba Fund.
"My gracious Lord has not sent me help yet. Yesterday and today I have been pleading with God, giving reasons why He would be pleased to send help. The arguments I used are:
I began the work for the glory of God that there might be visible proof of God supplying, in answer to prayer only, the necessities of the orphans. He is the living God and eager to answer prayer.
God is the “Father of the fatherless,” and as their Father, He should be pleased to provide (see Psalm 68:5).
I have received the children in the name of Jesus. Therefore, He, in these children, has been received, fed, and clothed (see Mark 9:36-37).
The faith of many of the children of God has been strengthened by this work. If God withheld the means for the future, those who are weak in faith would be discouraged. If the ministry was continued, their faith might still further be strengthened.
Many enemies would laugh if the Lord withheld supplies and say, “We knew that this enthusiasm would come to nothing.”
Many of the children of God, who are uninstructed or in a carnal state, would feel justified to continue their alliance with the world in their ministries. They would continue in their unscriptural proceedings to raise money if He did not help me.
God knows that I cannot provide for these children in my own strength. Therefore, He would not allow this burden to lie on me long without sending help.
My fellow-laborers in the ministry also trust in Him.
I would have to dismiss the children from under our scriptural instruction to their former companions if He does not help me.
He could prove wrong those who said, “In the beginning supplies might be expected while the ministry is new, but after a while, people will lose interest and stop supporting it.”
If He did not provide, how could I explain the many remarkable answers to prayer which He had given to me previously which have shown me that this work is of God?
In some small measure I now understand the meaning of that word, “how long,” which frequently occurs in the prayers of the Psalms. But even now, by the grace of God, my eyes are on Him only, and I believe that He will send help.”

Muller's Continued Global Impact

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:23:00 +0000

It's amazing to note the global impact that George Muller's life and ministry still has on people all over the world. When I check the visits to this blog and see the countries where they originate, it excites me. Christians around the world are still fascinated by this godly man who "simply trusted God".

Just in the last several days there have been visitors to this blog from:

Nigeria
France
Belgium
United Kingdom
Germany
Australia
USA
China
India
Singapore
Hong Kong
United Arab Emirates
Philippines
New Zealand

What God wrought through the life of this "ordinary man" back in the 1800's is still challenging and encouraging believers today.

PRAISE GOD!

Thanks for your visit today, friend! You can trust Him too!

R. A. Torrey on Muller

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:11:00 +0000

"One of the mightiest men of prayer of the last generation was George Mueller of Bristol, England, who in the last sixty years of his life (he lived to be ninety-two or ninety-three) obtained the English equivalent of $7,200,000.00 by prayer.

But George Mueller never prayed for a thing just because he wanted it, or even just because he felt it was greatly needed for God's work. When it was laid upon George Mueller's heart to pray for anything, he would search the Scriptures to find if there was some promise that covered the case.

Sometimes he would search the scriptures for days before he presented his petition to God. And then when he found the promise, with his open Bible before him, and his finger upon that promise, he would plead that promise, and so he received what he asked. He always prayed with an open Bible before him."

- R. A. Torrey on George Müller; "The Power of Prayer," 1924 (P. 81)

FAITH...In the Eyes of a Child

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:59:00 +0000

While doing a GOOGLE search for more interesting information on George Muller I came across the following picture.

As a project the children in this family made lap-books (as opposed to scrap books). This one was on the life and ministry of George Muller. Check out this web site here.

An acrostic was written on the word FAITH. In the eyes of this child, this is what Muller's faith involved.

F - Father of many orphans
A - Always in prayer
I - Improvising daily
T - Thankful for everything
H - Happy with little or nothing

Muller's was a simple faith in a sovereign God. We can exhibit the same faith today. God has not changed. Will we trust Him fully for..."those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true."

Note: Click on the picture for a larger view of this project.

George Muller on Rising Early to Meet With God

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:02:00 +0000

Here's another thought-provoking and, hopefully, life changing selection from George Muller's writings. O that we would heed his challenge.

September, 1839 [34 years old]

Muller writes:

I want to encourage all believers to get into the habit of rising early to meet with God. How much time should be allowed for rest? No rule of universal application can be given because all persons do not require the same amount of sleep. Also the same persons, at different times, according to the strength or weakness of their body, may require more or less. Most doctors agree that healthy men do not require more than between six or seven hours of sleep, and females need no more than seven or eight hours.

Children of God should be careful not to allow themselves too little sleep since few men can do with less than six hours of sleep and still be well in body and mind. As a young man, before I went to the university, I went to bed regularly at ten and rose at four, studied hard, and was in good health. Since I have allowed myself only about seven hours, I have been much better in body and in nerves than when I spent eight or eight and a half hours in bed.

Someone may ask, “But why should I rise early?” To remain too long in bed is a waste of time. Wasting time is unbecoming a saint who is bought by the precious blood of Jesus. His time and all he has is to be used for the Lord. If we sleep more than is necessary for the refreshment of the body, it is wasting the time the Lord has entrusted us to be used for His glory, for our own benefit, and for the benefit of the saints and unbelievers around us.

Just as too much food injures the body, the same is true regarding sleep. Medical persons would readily agree that lying longer in bed than is necessary to strengthen the body actually weakens it.

It also injures the soul. Lying too long in bed not merely keeps us from giving the most precious part of the day to prayer and meditation, but this sloth leads also to many other evils. Anyone who spends one, two, or three hours in prayer and meditation before breakfast will soon discover the beneficial effect early rising has on the outward and inward man.

It may be said, “But how shall I set about rising early?” My advice is: Do not delay. Begin tomorrow. But do not depend on your own strength. You may have begun to rise early in the past but have given it up. If you depend on your own strength in this matter, it will come to nothing. In every good work, we must depend on the Lord. If anyone rises so that he may give the time which he takes from sleep to prayer and meditation, let him be sure that Satan will try to put obstacles in the way.

Trust in the Lord for help. You will honor Him if you expect help from Him in this matter. Pray for help, expect help, and you will have it. In addition to this, go to bed early. If you stay up late, you cannot rise early. Let no pressure of engagements keep you from going habitually early to bed. If you fail in this, you neither can nor should get up early because your body requires rest.

Rise at once when you are awake. Remain not a minute longer in bed or else you are likely to fall asleep again. Do not be discouraged by feeling drowsy and tired from rising early. This will soon wear off. After a few days you will feel stronger and fresher than when you used to lie an hour or two longer than you needed. Always allow yourself the same hours for sleep. Make no change except on account of sickness. Autobiography, 117-119.

Hudson Taylor, Muller's Impact

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:12:00 +0000

One evening while watching a video on the life of J. Hudson Taylor produced by Ken Anderson Films I was thrilled by one particular scene. Taylor and his wife Maria were sorting through the incoming mail for that day when Maria commented that a cheque had arrived from England, generous financial support from George Muller. I had known of Muller's impact on the life of the man who opened up inland China to the gospel but seeing this scene excited me.

George Muller, over his lifetime, was one of the primary supporters of J. Hudson Taylor and what was then known as the China Inland Mission.

God not only supplied the needs of Muller and his orphanage work but provided for many others around the world through Muller's obedience and stewardship.

"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him." - J. Hudson Taylor

More Muller Musings

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:05:00 +0000

In an address given to ministers and workers after his ninetieth birthday, George Muller spoke these words:

"I was converted in November, 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July, 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you are taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the Scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!"

Extraordinary God

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:09:00 +0000

George Muller's life of explicit faith has caused many who followed after him to seek after a similar lifestyle.

Somehow we have made Muller into a folk hero who we try to emulate. That's exactly the opposite to what this ordinary man would have wanted. He would rather we seek to honor God, obey Him and simply trust Him with every detail of our lives.

We have set Muller on such a high pedestal that we could never rise to that same level.

And yet Muller said his faith was not extraordinary at all. He simply trusted God and took Him at His Word.

God has not changed. We can trust Him too and..."those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true."

Ordinary Men

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:53:00 +0000

The following appears on the web site for the George Muller Foundation. I'm so grateful that God often chooses ordinary men - like me - to accomplish His purposes.

Read on...

God often chose ordinary men, sometimes men with an inglorious and doubtful past, men who often mocked the faith and men with whom a great deal of patience was needed because of their reluctance to turn away from the 'good life'. George Muller had been all of these types.

George Muller was born in Kroppenstaedt, a Prussian village, on the 27th September 1805. The son of a Tax Collector, he did not become a

Christian until he was twenty years of age. His father wanted him to enter the ministry but only so that he could retire to the ease of his son's manse. Despite kindness and generosity continually shown by his father, George Muller was an habitual thief, inveterate liar and indeed he later said there was almost no sin into which he had not fallen. He even had the audacity to become a confirmed member of the Lutheran Church and take Communion in spite of being well aware of his sinful ways.

George Muller's conversion was dramatic! Many of his sinful ways he relinquished at once and as understanding of the Christian way of life increased so he dedicated his life to Jesus Christ. When he came to England in 1829 he formed a friendship with a quiet, godly and scholarly Scotsman named Henry Craik. This became a life-long friendship and under God's guidance they formed a great spiritual partnership in the Gospel and in children's work.

Through the work of the Orphan Homes and the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, both of which Mr Muller founded, many responded to the gospel and heard the call to dedicate their lives to God. The work continues today on the same principles - and the witness to God's faithfulness is still used to the glory of God.

Note: The George Muller Foundation is headquartered in the pictured house. This museum displays many artifacts from Muller's life of faith. I had the pleasure of visiting the Muller House in 2007 and spent an afternoon with Julian Marsh the Executive Director.

Modern Day Mailbox Miracles

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:23:00 +0000

The mail box at my office often seems to be the centerpiece of my life. Our livelihood depends on what the mailman deposits there. Epistle Sports Ministries trusts God to meet our needs through the kind and generous gifts of His people.

Recently I was speaking to one of my colleagues who shares our office complex. I had stressed the dire necessity that something substantial by way of support for our ministry be in the mail box that morning. Then I added, “if there’s nothing there, the Lord can still send someone into my office with a donation.”

Several minutes later I went to check the mail and returned dejected. Nothing! Not even junk mail! Now what would I do?

Within a matter of minutes a dear friend knocked on my door, came in and began to tell me about an unexpected cheque he had just received. The mailman had been good to him at least. He said, “I’m just going to sign it and give it to you.”

Being an emotional guy who wears his feelings close to the surface, tears came quickly. I felt that my friend needed to know about the conversation I had only moments before.

He was encouraged, my financial need that was pressing that morning was met and all parties involved were blessed. God was glorified in the transaction and that’s what matters most.

Does God still work in miraculous ways? There’s no doubt in my mind. Trust Him to do what you could never do on your own. He’s waiting to show Himself strong on your behalf.

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to thosewhose heart is blameless toward Him.” ~ 2 Chronicles 16:9(a) (ESV)

Early Refreshing

dwfisher@nexicom.net (David Warren Fisher) — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:04:00 +0000

"How different, when the soul is refreshed and made happy early in the morning, from what it is when, without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day come upon one!" - George Muller