It was recommended to me by a pastor I listened to one day to read the biographies of some of the leaders in the faith over last couple of hundred years. Names such as Finney, Wigglesworth, Lake, Booth, Wesley and Muller
were mentioned.
I just recently finished both an autobiography and a biography of George Muller. His story fascinated me. In a nutshell he lived in the 1840s to 1860 timeframe and while he was a real rebel rouser when he was young, he came to the faith in his 20s and his life turned around.
He decided to make his life an example to non believers of the fact that God was real, and more importantly that God loved us and cared about us and would answer prayers. So he and his wife agreed to life and raise his family and build orphanages without asking for a single dime….ever. He had a relationship with God that was so strong that he would pray for what they needed in the way of land, money for food, money for clothes, money for building an orphanage, help to run the orphanage etc. He believed that if his work was directed by God (and he didn’t do anything until he felt he had God’s blessing) then God would provide.
It would have been impressive enough if it were he, his wife and daughter that he was providing for, but it wasn’t. In the years George Muller lived like this he built numerous orphanages including one that was 700 beds. At the same time he provided money to other orphanages, printed the Bible for distribution and supported missionaries in the field. And he did it all without asking for a penny. H
Muller was meticulous with his bookkeeping as to what was given and what he used the money on. He would write annual reports to show and again he was adamant that no one could ever say he wavered in his faith. He wanted to be, and he was, living proof that God was trustworthy and could be trusted to provide for all of your needs. His faith brought many to God.
I have yet to memorize a lot of verses but one that comes to mind often is: Mark 9:24 where the man asking for his daughter to be healed is asked by Jesus if he believes, the man answers emphatically, “I believe…help my unbelief…” How that fits me and my life right now. I really do believe yet if I truly did believe that God would provide, I wouldn’t worry sometimes about the fact that i don’t have a closing coming up in the next month. Or I wouldn’t think twice about the fact I don’ t have much of a retirement plan. George Muller was offered money to set up his retirement fund and he wouldn’t take it saying to set up funds for the future would be an act against God believing that God wouldn’t continue providing for him when he is old…what faith….
Are you an example of living in the faith? Do you have examples where God came into your life and healed you, or provided for you in times of need so you can draw on those instances for deeper faith. If not then do what I’m doing and read some of the biographies of men of faith. I find them inspiring and pushing me to be bolder myself
is everything as you wish it to be? Do you look as good as you’d like? Is your relationship with your spouse, kids, siblings, family, friends all that you would like it to be? Do you feel as good as you’d like to feel? Is your relationship with God as deep as you’d like it to be…I think you get the picture.
