Podcast appearances and mentions of george muller

How do Christians pray when we aren't sure God is going to answer positively what we pray for? That is the heart of the discussion this week between Dr. John Snyder and Hugh Morrison, pastor and HeartCry missionary in Canada. As Hugh says in the podcast, our role in prayer is to ask; God's role is to answer. So how do we ask? We bring questions God has told us to ask. He has told us to pray for the salvation of loved ones. He has told us to pray for the healing of the sick. He has told us to pray for sanctification and holiness. And he has told us to pray for all of those things without doubting. But when it comes to praying for healing or for the salvation of a loved one, how do we persevere when we doubt? We begin by confessing the doubt to God and giving it up to him. As Hugh later said during one of his sermons at Christ Church New Albany, we reject what we see as reality and replace it with God's reality. This is not an easy task to accomplish. But it is one that God has obligated himself to help his children do. So cry out to him for help, and he will, like a loving father, walk alongside you and help you pray to him. Show Notes: Autobiography of George Muller: https://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-George-Muller/dp/0883681595 Hudson Taylor Biography: https://www.davidsonpublishing.org/hudson-taylor.html Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/amy-carmichael/ The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd: With Notes and Reflections by Jonathan Edwards: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/diary-and-journal-of-david-brainerd/ To hear Hugh's sermons at Christ Church New Albany: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvnJqlEs5pO6h_fRk2vMVWJqEL112dvIW Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

In one sense, prayer is the simplest thing for a Christian. It is simply a child going to his father and talking. But it is also mysterious because it is a relational transaction between our soul and the only uncreated being in the universe. We can have communion with the Redeemer of our souls. We can walk into the presence of almighty God to have his attention. Hugh Morrison, you may remember his talk to church leaders a few weeks ago, is on the podcast this week to discuss the labor of prayer with Dr. John Snyder. This will be a three-episode series with this opening discussion focused on the necessity of meeting with God in prayer. Because prayer is seldom studied, it is often seen as something to do as part of our morning devotion, part of a worship service, part of eating a meal. But prayer is much more. Prayer should be the heartbeat, the breathing of a Christian. It is a thread through which nearness and communion with God is woven into our lives. So how can we have the prayer life we yearn for? How can we perform that work of praying to God? One help is to read all that Scripture has to say about the issue. A secondary help is to find someone you know who practices prayer. A third help, particularly if you do not have someone who can disciple you in prayer, is the use of biographies. John and Hugh share how God had used several biographies to shape their prayer lives. Show Notes: Autobiography of George Muller: https://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-George-Muller/dp/0883681595 Hudson Taylor Biography: https://www.davidsonpublishing.org/hudson-taylor.html Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/amy-carmichael/ The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd: With Notes and Reflections by Jonathan Edwards: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/diary-and-journal-of-david-brainerd/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

**Thank you for supporting this ministry, I lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl **Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl **Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com **Subscribe to me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-534183 Because there is so much happening in what seems like every minute, it is hard not to break away from the news. We are no doubt witnessing things that are powerfully and prophetically coming to pass and we do not want to miss a thing. However, it can become easy to start slowly spending less time with the Lord in quiet solitude. In reading the word, waiting on Him, and listening. Like George Muller said, "The less we read the Word of God, the less we desire it, and the less we pray, the less we desire to pray." Thoughts of mercy entered into my mind three days ago, and began to grow, enlarge and expand. I knew the Lord was impressing upon me to speak about what is important to Him. Something He does not want us to forget. Which is to never stop showing mercy and compassion ever, no matter what is going on in this world. Things of God can drop through the cracks that are foundational and eternally vital. We are to be purged and purified vessels of mercy that pour out His power of loving mercy that brings life, repair and hope. If we are not pouring out His mercy, then we become stagnate reservoirs of poisonous death waters of this world. Never be anything less than what Christ is. Your life is hid in Christ and Christ is God. He will pour out upon you "the riches of the knowledge of His glory," and what you pour out He will continue to pour into you until He calls you off the battle field with honor. "There was a day when I died; died to self, my opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God. - George Muller

Chapter 1 What's George Muller by Janet & Geoff Benge"George Muller" by Janet & Geoff Benge is an inspiring biography that chronicles the life of George Muller, a 19th-century Christian evangelist and philanthropist. Known for his unwavering faith in God and his extraordinary work in caring for orphans in Bristol, England, Muller established several orphanages without ever asking for financial support. The book delves into his early struggles and the transformative experiences that led him to devote his life to helping abandoned children. Through Muller's story, readers learn about the power of prayer, the importance of compassion, and the impact of a life dedicated to serving others. The Benge's engaging writing style makes this biography accessible and compelling, encouraging readers to explore themes of faith and service.Chapter 2 George Muller by Janet & Geoff Benge Summary"George Muller" by Janet & Geoff Benge is a biography that recounts the life and remarkable faith of George Muller, a 19th-century Christian evangelist and orphanage director in England. The book details Muller's early life in Prussia, where he experienced challenges with his family and a troubled upbringing. Despite these difficulties, he grew up to be a man of strong faith, leading to a transformative conversion experience that set him on a path of devotion to God. One of the central themes of the biography is Muller's commitment to prayer and dependence on God's provision. The authors describe how he founded the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, which became a renowned institution caring for thousands of orphans during a time of great need. Muller's unwavering faith allowed him to operate the orphanage without ever asking for donations; instead, he relied solely on prayer. The narrative unfolds with numerous anecdotes illustrating how Muller's prayers were answered in miraculous ways, providing not only for the orphans' daily needs but also demonstrating God's faithfulness. Throughout the book, readers learn about the lasting impact Muller had on orphan care, philanthropy, and the lives of many individuals, inspiring countless others in their faith journeys. Ultimately, Janet and Geoff Benge present Muller as a model of faith and trust in God, emphasizing the transformative power of prayer and compassion in action, encouraging readers to believe in God's provision and to act for the welfare of others.Chapter 3 George Muller AuthorJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband-and-wife author team known for writing biographies and historical books for young readers, focusing on missionaries and notable Christian figures. They are particularly renowned for their engaging storytelling and thorough research, making their works both educational and inspirational. George Müller Book Details:Title: George Müller: The Guardian of Bristol's OrphansRelease: The book was first released in 1998 as part of their series called "The Heroes of the Faith." Other Notable Works:Janet and Geoff Benge have written several other books, including:William Carey: Obliged to GoHudson Taylor: God's Man in ChinaC.S. Lewis: The ArtistJohn Bunyan: The Tale of a Man Who Found His WayAmy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious GemsEric Liddell: Something Greater Than GoldGladys Aylward: The Adventure of FaithJim Elliot: One Great PurposeMother Teresa: The Joy in Giving Yourself Best Edition:While the best edition can be subjective based on individual preferences, many readers and educators highly regard the latest edition of their books since they often incorporate updated insights, illustrations, and enhanced readability. For George Müller, subsequent reprints and revised versions may be available, so checking for the most recent edition is advisable, as these editions often receive...

**Thank you for supporting this ministry, I lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl **Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl **Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com **Subscribe to me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-534183 Since January 7, 2025 Los Angeles has been burning down. From the coast of Malibu to the hills of Pacific Palisades, thousands of homes are gone. Because of the fierce Santa Ana winds the fires accelerated in speed taking over many other parts of Los Angeles. It is nothing short of breathtaking images that are apocalyptic. Thirty thousand people had to evacuate, and suspiciously all of them had their fire insurances canceled from four months to two weeks before this fire. This is clearly a land grab and wreaks of the Lahaina, Maui fires. The footprint is exactly the same. Smart Cities? As I have been watching in horror, there is something else I have been observing. I have been seeing posts by many Christians saying "God is judging California!" Some say it in peaceful, sorrowful ways, while others say it with arm-folded glee. If this is a judgment from God then stand back. Let God judge and He knows what He is doing. But I think it is the enemy. Deep State. There has been decades upon decades of evil, filthy satanic influence that has been the centerpoint of Hollywood that permeated throughout the whole world. But still we have to remember there are a whole lot of innocent people, families and lives that are not in line with Hollywood. Young and old, and many animals and forest creatures. Many believers as well in the thousands reside all throughout L.A. Jesus made it clear about His role and ours. Let us obey His command to love and then pray for them. Then if we can help out in anyway than let us do so. It does no good to all of those scared, terrified people if they see posts and hear "Christians" say , "God is judging LA!" while they grieve heavy losses. They need to see Christ in action in all of us. Then His love will comfort them, give them hope and open a door of faith in them for Christ to come in. If not, then there may be potential devastating, eternal consequences for them and those who refuse to show mercy. The losses are too great to fathom. "Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends." ~ George Muller

Chapter 1 What's George Muller by Janet & Geoff Benge"George Muller" by Janet & Geoff Benge is a compelling biography that chronicles the life of George Muller, the 19th-century Christian evangelist known for his extraordinary faith and dedication to orphan care in England. Through meticulous research, the authors illustrate Muller's journey from a selfish youth to a man of prayer and faith who founded several orphanages in Bristol, England. The book captures his reliance on God for provision, detailing countless instances where Muller's prayers were miraculously answered. His story serves as an inspiration for readers, emphasizing themes of faith, compassion, and the impact one individual can have on the lives of others. This biography is part of the "Christian Heroes: Then & Now" series, which aims to introduce young readers to influential figures in Christian history.Chapter 2 George Muller by Janet & Geoff Benge Summary"George Muller" by Janet & Geoff Benge is a biography that tells the inspiring story of George Muller, a 19th-century Christian evangelist known for his extraordinary faith and his commitment to caring for orphans in England.The book details Muller's early life, including his troubled youth marked by a lack of discipline and a penchant for deceit. Even in his early years, Muller struggled with issues of faith and identity, which would later play a significant role in his life's mission. After a powerful conversion experience in his early adulthood, Muller dedicated his life to Christ and became determined to serve others, particularly the poor and orphaned children of Bristol, England.Muller is best known for founding several orphanages and providing care for thousands of children without ever soliciting financial support. Instead, he relied solely on prayer and faith in God to provide the necessary resources, a testament to his unwavering belief that God would supply all his needs. The Benges highlight various instances where Muller's faith was tested, yet he continued to trust in divine provision.Throughout the biography, the authors emphasize Muller's devotion to prayer, his systematic approach to reading the Bible, and his commitment to sharing the Gospel. His story illustrates themes of faith, generosity, and the power of belief in overcoming obstacles.The biography also includes anecdotes of miraculous provisions during times of financial need, illustrating how Muller's faith brought hope to many. The Benge's narrative captures not only the impact of Muller's work but also the profound faith that underpinned his endeavors, making it an encouraging read for those interested in Christian history and the importance of compassionate service.Chapter 3 George Muller AuthorJanet and Geoff Benge are noted authors who specialize in writing biographies of influential historical figures, focusing primarily on Christian missionaries and leaders. They often write for a younger audience, making their works accessible and engaging for children and teenagers. Book Release DetailsGeorge Müller The book about George Müller, an influential Christian evangelist known for his orphanages in Bristol, England, was released in 1998 as part of the "Heroes of the Faith" series. This series aims to inspire readers through the examples of Christian heroes from history. Other WorksThe Benge duo has authored numerous books, including:John WesleyWilliam CareyCorrie Ten BoomHudson TaylorEric LiddellCT StuddGladys AylwardAmy CarmichaelThese titles also appear in the "Heroes of the Faith" series, as well as in other children's literature focused on Christian themes. Best EditionsThe best editions of their works can vary based on reader preferences, but generally, the editions that have garnered the most praise are often the revised and...

El sueño de uno puede ser la inspiración de otro. Conoce la historia de George Muller y deja que tu fe se motive a conocer a Dios de otra forma.

Pastor Becky Tirabassi has been greatly encouraged by the life of prayer and faith of a man called the “BELIEVING PRAYER!” Nineteenth-century George Muller of Bristol was humble and poor, yet his willingness to pray about EVERYTHING impacted his city and generation. He set his standards HIGH and would not lower them for anyone or any reason. His principles for running a large organization changed the lives of everyone who met him—the wealthy, the poor, the employees, and his family.   What might happen in the 21st century, if we were to live by the standards of the Bible—not comparing ourselves to our peers or the culture? Make time to read his life story, George Muller of Bristol: His Life of Prayer and Faith. Pray daily for your nation, city, family, and friends. Make a difference with your life of prayer and faith!   For daily encouragement to read through the Bible in a year, follow Becky daily @BeckyTirabassi on Instagram or Facebook. To email Becky: Media@beckytirabassi.com

This is message 20 in the Seven Churches of Revelation. Revelation 3:7-13 The Philadelphia church age, covering the years 1700 to 1900, was a dynamic period marked by a surge in missions work and spiritual revival. This era witnessed the influential efforts of the Moravians, who pioneered the mordern missionary movement under the leaders like Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf. Their global missionary activities were complemented by spiritual awakenings across Europe and America, notable through figures like John and Charles Wesley and the impactful preaching of George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards. This period also saw the rise of significant cult movements as a counterforce, challenging the orthodoxy of the expanding Christian faith. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc

George Muller was a man who made the will of God a priority in his life. There were six basic steps that he used in determining God's will in specific situation. In this episode Tom shares this helpful and practical list of ideas.

How can we be sold out like George Muller? In this amazing message, learn the four secrets of being sold out from the life of George Muller!

Without making his need known to man, George Muller prayed to God and was supernaturally provided for . He fed the orphans for over 60 years with about $6000 per week. That God will give you seed to sow into His work, the needy, the orphans, the widows, etc. 2 Corinthians 9 v 10.

Ever wonder how to understand and listen to God's will? Mark provides basic steps for being open to hearing His will using George Muller's wisdom. Thanks for joining us for this teaching! If you benefited from this video, please like it and send it to a friend you know would like it. For more information on counseling, resources, workshops, newsletters, and more, go to samaritanswell.com​. Email us questions to cover on the podcast at info@samaritanswell.org. Stay connected: Instagram:   / samaritanswell   Facebook:   / samaritanswelldallas   LinkedIn:   / samaritan%e2%80%99s-well   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samaritanswel... Never miss an episode of our podcast! Subscribe now and stay updated with our latest teachings. We also value your feedback, so please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Sign up here for access to the "Foundations of Freedom" video series: http://eepurl.com/humhJ1 Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/feather... License code: GAUXTZHWAYJROEFL Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/all... License code: LQFV9XYEQIWRJLNT

George dreamed of building an orphan's home on its own land and with every amenity. George raised each and every penny for this wonderful ministry on his knees, through unceasing, persistent, thankful prayer and an unwavering faith in God. Pastor Brock Meyer presents. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fairmount-friends-church/message

It is important for us to look throughout history to be inspired by the goodness of God and His faithfulness amongst His children. We learn how to stay strong when we go through hardships and how to remain faithful even when we feel like giving up. George Muller, evangelist, pastor and director of an orphanage in Bristol, England was a man of great faith who suffered great loss and endured unimaginable suffering. Yet in the midst of all he went through, we see a man of faith, a passionate prayer warrior and someone who deeply loved Jesus. Join host Andrew Marcus as he spends with pastor Garrett Kell where they walk through George Muller's life and glean wisdom from a man who remained faithful till the end. 

Welcome to Episode #135 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our seventh of eight episodes in our seventeenth mini-series, The Man Jesus Christ. So far in this mini-series we've looked at the divinity of Jesus, his incarnation and early life, his transition into public ministry, his big Miracle Extravaganza splash, and the calling of his first disciples. On this episode we're going to look at the Ministry of Jesus among the people.I've also been addressing on this mini-series my own spiritual transformation. I've been a born-again Holy Spirit filled believer of Jesus Christ for almost thirty years. And for thirty years before that a believer in Jesus, but I did not know him. While producing and recording the earliest episodes of this podcast I began tracking the relationship of good and evil in regard to intimacy with God. What I discovered by the end of the Old Testament was intimacy with God was hindered by sin. Sin fosters lack of belief and disobedience of God's commands. It all goes back to God's counsel of Cain (see Gen 4:7).I had a gut check when I finished the Old Testament. I believed in God and what he has done, is doing, and will do through Jesus Christ. Yet I did not feel the intimacy I knew others had written of feeling. Think of Teresa of Avila, John Wesley, Brother Lawrence, George Muller, Jonathan Edwards, George McDonald, C.S. Lewis, Mother Teresa, Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson. What did they know that I didn't. What had they encountered with God that I had not. Now that I know what I know now [that which I did not know before I knew what I now know] is something I knew others had experienced but I thought was just for the “super” saints. Continual, weekly, daily, hourly, moment by moment intimacy with God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then I started with the New Testament.When I started with the New Testament, I continued looking for good and evil in relationship to intimacy with God and also began including belief and obedience. It was a muddled picture until I hit the book of Romans. Paul laid it all out for both good and evil and belief and obedience. Intimacy is directly related to belief and obedience. By the power of the Holy Spirit temptations and desires to do evil and “sin” are muted while eagerness and earnestness in doing good are amplified. There is a whole lot there, much more than can be covered in one mini-series much less the introduction to one episode. Let me cut this short and say I crested the mountain when I got to Ephesians 4:11-13 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.Paul was saying we are all to attain ultimately to the fullness of Christ. That is Union with God in-Christ; something that Jesus prayed for all believers in John 17. If we are all to attain to the fullness of Christ “ALL” includes all believers not just “super” saints. I'm one of the “ALL” so how do I get to Union with God? 

Formerly, when I rose, I began to pray as soon as possible. But I often spent a quarter of an hour to an hour on my knees struggling to pray while my mind wandered. Now I rarely have this problem. As my heart is nourished by the truth of the Word, I am brought into true fellowship with God. I speak to my Father and to my Friend (although I am unworthy) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word. —George Muller

Join us as we dive deep into an inspiring story that challenges our perception of faith and God's provision. This episode is not just about money or finances but about life's unexpected challenges and the miraculous ways God intervenes when we trust Him.  

George Muller had a goal to be happy in God first every day. He took time to connect and to communicate with God before he did anything else. Your day will be a different day when you are willing to do the same thing.

It is important to ask for great things from God, seeking by faith to perceive what God wills to do and by prayers to be involved in his work. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - Turn in your Bibles to Mark 11. We resume a series now in the Gospel of Mark, and the focus, as you heard in my prayer today, is Mountain-Moving Prayer. On Wednesday, May 30th, 1792, at Friar Lane Baptist Chapel in Nottingham, England, a simple cobbler named William Carey preached one of the greatest sermons in church history. It was later called the Deathless Sermon. It was a call for Christians to make every effort to take the gospel to unreached peoples to the ends of the earth and to the end of time. Up to that point in history, missionaries had usually been Roman Catholic, often Jesuits who are taking Roman power to distant lands, but not the pure gospel. Christians who had rediscovered the gospel through the reformation led by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others had, up to that point, not really gotten that involved in foreign missions. William Carey would be a pivotal leader in the history of Protestant missions and would himself be part of the solution when he boarded a ship and went to Kolkata, India. William Carey's deathless sermon was broken into two main headings. Number one, expect great things from God, and number two, attempt great things for God. Since that time, at the close of the 18th century, the true gospel has spread to every political nation on earth and the number of genuine Christians all over the world has exploded beyond all boundaries. We don't know how can we know how many are truly born again, but the number may be 500 million, 700 million, a billion, 1.5 billion. We don't know, but it's astonishing. Compared to that, the moving of a physical mountain into the depths of the sea is as nothing. I'm going to take liberties with our brother, William Carey. I don't think he'll mind me adding a third heading to the sermon. I'm not trying to improve on a deathless sermon. How could I? Certainly, we should expect great things from God, but before we can attempt great things for God, I think, based on the text I'm going to preach today, we should ask great things of God. That links the two. Expecting great things, asking great things, attempting great things. I don't think William Carey would mine. Mountain-moving prayer links our expectations, great expectations with great actions. Look at the text, “'Have faith in God.’ Jesus answered. ‘I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he has said will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’” The passage is stunning. Jesus uses lavish language to charge his people to ask God to do mighty things and answer to prayer. So let's set the context. I. From a Withered Fig Tree to a Fruitful Church We're moving from a withered fig tree to a fruitful church. It is the last week of Jesus's life. Lots of dramatic moments are happening, beginning with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. “Hosanna! Hallelujah to the son of David. Blessed it is the coming kingdom of our father, David,” all of that. He goes to the temple, scouts it out. But because it's so late, He goes out of the city to Bethany. The next morning, He goes back in to cleanse the temple, to purify the temple of all that wickedness. En route, He sees this fig tree. Look at verses 12 -14. "The next day, as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry, seeing in the distance of fig tree and leaf. He went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again,’ and his disciples heard him say it.” Now, Jesus' hunger was both physical and prophetical. Jesus represented his father, and this fig tree symbolized Israel. God wanted fruit from Israel from centuries of him pouring out blessings on that nation. But the tree had only leaves, just as Israel had only an appearance of spiritual vitality, but without any genuine fruit in the sight of God. It represented essentially a spiritually dead Israel. So Jesus cursed the tree in a massively significant prophetical action. Prophets did this kind of thing, these kind of symbolic actions. The cursed fig tree died instantly, but not apparently so, not in appearance. Moments after Jesus cursed it, it looked the same. Just like the nation of Israel had leaves and would continue seemingly apparently alive for decades before God finally brought the hammer blow down through the Romans in A.D. 70, destroying the temple. So, immediately after the cursing, it looks fine, but the next morning radically different. The moment Jesus cursed it, it died. But the next morning, it became apparent that that's what had happened. The following morning, Peter noticed and remembered, look at verse 20-21, "In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look the fig tree, you cursed is withered.’" There's nothing miraculous about a fig tree withering, but there is something miraculous about that happening after powerful words spoken by the son of God, and hours later it looks like it's been dead for years. Now that's a miracle, and the disciples wanted to understand it. In Matthew's Gospel, they asked the question, how did the fig tree wither so quickly? That's the issue. So Jesus at that moment pivots to teach about faith-filled prayer. On the surface, this may seem a bit strange. How did the fig tree wither so quickly? Have faith in God and ask great things in prayer. What's the connection? How do we understand why that lesson at that moment? I think the connection, the link, is fruit. The reason that the fig tree was cursed was fruitlessness. The reason that God would judge Israel was the same fruitlessness. He's about to tell a parable of a vineyard that He's going to give this same lesson on the issue of fruit. In that parable, Jesus speaks of a vineyard planted by an owner. The owner works the soil thoroughly, plants the vines, puts a wall around it, digs out a wine press, and builds a watchtower. Then he rents out the vineyard to some tenant farmers and leaves. But when he sends messengers to collect his share of the fruit, they beat one, kill another, stone a third. Last of all, he sends a son, and they kill him too. In Matthew's telling of that parable, Jesus sums it all up. Matthew 21:43, "Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you." He says to his enemies, "And given to a people who will produce its fruit." Friends, that's us. That's our job. It's given to the church, both Jews and Gentiles, believers in Christ. It's given to us to produce the fruit of the kingdom, and that fruit will only come about by the power of Almighty God, and that expressed in prayer as we pray. I want you to take a minute, put your finger here in Mark, and go over to John 15, and we're going to look at verses 5-8. This is a phenomenal cross-reference. Usually, cross-references are okay, give them a B+ for connection. But this is a top to bottom cross-reference connection here. The lesson of the withered fig tree and the issue of fruitfulness is overtly and clearly taught in John 15:5-8. Look what it says. Jesus said, "I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains in me, and I in him, he'll bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he's like a branch that is thrown away and what withers. Such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." Surely you must see the points of connection here. It's an agricultural image, that's true, not a fig tree in this case, but a vine with branches. But this goal is the same. It's fruit. A fruitless branch is severed from the vine, thrown to the ground. It withers, and it's thrown to the fire and burned, judgment. Branches that remain in Jesus, people like you and me that stay close to Jesus are intimately connected with him through repentance and faith and are alive in him and stay connected with him. We abide in him. We can pray. If we have God's word saturating our minds, we will know what to pray for. We're not guessing here. God will tell us in his word, what we should pray for, and as we are saturating God's Word, if we remain in him and his words dwell, or abide, or remain in us, then we will ask according to his will, we'll ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us. In this way, we'll bear the fruit of the kingdom that He talked about. Go back to Mark now, and you see those same lessons. This is a new lesson for his apostles, they were not prayer warriors up to this point. They were not men of prayer. He says in John 16:24, "Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you'll receive, and your joy will be complete." You've not learned this lesson to pray. They're about to be commissioned to go into all the world and be fishers of men, and build the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth. They've got to be men of prayer. So He says in John 14:12-14, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father, and I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the son may bring glory to the Father." You may ask me for anything in my name, and I'll do it. It's prayer. It's prayer. Again and again, it's prayer. There are lots of mountains to be moved from Jerusalem through Judea, and Samaria to the ends of the earth. Lots of mountains had to be moved. People's hearts would have to be changed. The heart of stone removed, the heart of flesh given. People would have to cross over from death to life, and there'd be practical aspects of the spread of the gospel, obstacles that would have to be overcome or moved out of the way. Lots of mountains would have to be moved, and only the Holy Spirit could move them, and He would do it in answer to faith-filled prayer, Mountain-Moving Prayer. That's why Jesus went from the dead fig tree to a lesson on prayer. II. Walking Through Jesus’ Words So let's walk through it now. Let's look at the words. Let's just go step by step through what He says. I'll read them again, beginning at verse 22. "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he has said will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Just walk through it, it begins with the statement, “have faith in God.” Jesus points his disciples to Almighty God as the focus of their lives and especially the focus of their prayer. Focus on God. Faith is the eyesight of the soul, by which you see the invisible God on his throne. Focus on that. Have faith in him. Everything comes from God. For him and through him and to him are all things in his hand is every blessing you want. He opens his hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing. Have faith in the God who can give you what you want, what you need. Have faith in God. Then He says, "Truly, I say to you." Jesus says this from time to time. Everything Jesus said was true, but when he says, “truly, I say to you” or something like that, He's saying, pay attention. Take notice. This is a very important thing I'm about to say to you. Unusually significant, a solemn assertion. Then Jesus says, "If anyone says..." The doctrine He's about to give about prayer is universal; it's for all his followers, not just for the apostles, or for the super spiritual ones, or for the real super leaders, the great William Carey. It's for anyone and everyone. “If anyone says,” basically, in these words, He's going to give three universals. “If anyone says”... so it's any person and then, anything. Whatever you ask in prayer, you'll receive it. Amazing. And then, any unforgiven sin. If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, these are universals. Sweeping statements “If anyone says.. .” Jesus is expanding our conception of prayer. God is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. "God is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. " Then He says, "If anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea." Now this should not be taken literally. Some of you have literalistic minds, right? It's like, well, that's it. We believe in errancy, pastor. I do believe in errancy, but I also believe in figures of speech. This is a figure of speech. Jesus did this. He said to the Pharisees, “you strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.” I'm going to stop you right there, you literalist. That never happened. It's a metaphor. You're focused on tiny details, and you're missing the big picture. The mountain represents some massive obstacle to the plan of God. That's what the mountain represents. This mountain, was almost certainly the Mount of Olives, and just so you know from Zechariah 14, God has plans for the Mount of Olives, He doesn't want it moved and thrown into the sea. It's going to be the very place where Jesus will return at the second coming, so let's just leave that mountain right there. In any case, it's a metaphor, and it represents massive obstacles to the plan of God. Then He says, "and does not doubt." Now we get to the issue of doubt. The enemy of faith is doubt. The essence of doubt is questioning God, questioning his existence. Is God even with us? Questioning his nature, questioning his word, did God really say this or that? Questioning his truthfulness to his promises, questioning his faithfulness, questioning his power, his goodness, his love, quavering, wavering on it, going back and forth. It's an essential instability, a rootless instability. James gives us this picture in James chapter 1:5, “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind, that man should not think he'll receive anything from the Lord. He's a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." That's the picture of doubt, isn't it? It's instability. It's like, I don't know, Will he? Won't he? Will it happen? I don't know. That's doubt. Paul, the apostle, cites Abraham, our father in faith, as a powerful example of faith despite all obstacles. Romans 4:19-21, talking about how he was going to have a son in his old age and his wife, his barren wife, would have a son in her old age, and he's dealing with that promise, the promise from God. Paul writes this about Abraham, "Without weakening in his faith, Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead. Since he was about a hundred years old and that Sarah's womb was also dead." That's scoping the mountain. Well, it's a big mountain. He's looking at it. He's facing the fact that's going to be, it's impossible actually if God doesn't work. "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God." That's Romans 4:20. That's a clear description of doubt, wavering through unbelief like a flickering light bulb, "But was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." That's the essence of faith-filled prayer. God has power to do what He has promised He will do. So Jesus says, If anyone has faith and does not doubt but believes that what he has said will happen, that he has said in prayer, you going to speak prayer, and it's going to happen. Instead of doubting, this prayer warrior really believes a mountain's going to be lifted up and thrown into the sea. God has the power to do anything. And he reasons, which is harder for God to make the mountain out of nothing or to move it from one place to the other? You think about that, if God can make a mountain out of nothing, He can move it from one place to the other, and every mountain that exists on planet Earth, God made out of nothing. The prayer warrior believes that God has told him to pray for this. This mountain must move, and God has laid this burden on my heart. It is essential for this mountain to move for the kingdom of God to advance in this specific way that mountain's going to move. That's what faith and prayer is, is being a human channel of God's awesome power to do amazing things. The nature of faith therefore is perceiving and then receiving, perceiving then receiving. Perceiving the will of God as He has revealed it in scripture and in providence, and then receiving the will of God as He delivers it by his power and Jesus says, "It will be done for him." Prayer accomplishes amazing things, mighty things, but it doesn't in and of itself accomplish anything. It's always God that does things through prayer. It's God that moves the mountain. Your prayer didn't move anything. John Piper speaks of prayer in this way. "Prayer is the splicing of our limp wire to the lightning bolt of heaven." Isn't that a great image? Splicing your limp wires. Is your wire limp? Mine feels limp a lot. Splice that thing to the lightning of heaven and see what God will do. There's nothing mighty in prayer in and of itself. It's that God is mighty, and He answers prayer. Then Jesus gives a universal application in verse 24, "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." It's awesome. Then He goes to another topic, it seems, look at verse 25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” When I was memorizing the Gospel of Mark, this one verse stuck out to me more than any other of the 876 verses, or 676 verses, in this Gospel, this one verse. Let me be honest, just like any sinner, I can easily hold things against people. It's easy to be bitter. It's easy to remember the hurts that people have done in your life. Any of you like that? Any of you specifically know right now that this person, that person or the other person has hurt you and you're holding something against them? It's really very remarkable here. Jesus is here, giving you effectively emancipation proclamation of your own slavery to bitterness. He's telling you, let it go. Just like the parable of the 10,000 talents, you've been forgiven much. You must forgive. And look at how sweeping it is, "Whenever you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him." In other words, every time you pray, it's an opportunity to do that. “Search me, oh, God, and know my heart. Show me if I'm bitter against somebody. Show me if I'm upset at my mom or dad or my son or daughter or my brother, my sister, a fellow church member, a pastor, a spouse, a husband, a wife, a neighbor, a roommate, a person from my past.” You know the person. You know the group of people. Maybe you have a lot of them. Anytime you pray, it's an opportunity to obey this verse and be set free. Set free. Stop drinking the poison. You're just set free from bitterness. Now you may wonder, what does it have to do with mountain moving, faith-filled prayer? It seems like an odd thing to go from verse 24 to 25, but not so much. Just keep in mind what is happening. The faith-filled, mountain-moving prayer is all about the building of the kingdom of God. How important would you say the forgiveness of sins will be in the kingdom of God? And is not that forgiveness going to be both vertical and horizontal? Are we not going to spend eternity in heaven with other sinners, some of whom we knew in life, and we'll be free, and there'll be no bitterness, there'll be nothing but sweet fellowship? So that's the kingdom Jesus is building, and He wants us to be set free and not harbor sin. An image on this came to me, I love Hebrews 4:16, it’s a great verse. It says, "Let us draw near to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Isn't that a great verse? The curtain and the temple, torn in two from top to bottom, is open. We have access to the throne of God. We're invited in this text to draw near to the throne of God, but before you enter the throne room of God, you got to give up your weapons. I watch the “Lord of the Rings” movies, some of you have as well. And in movie number two, a bunch of warriors are trying to get into the Hall of the King, Théoden, but they can't go in with their weapons. They have to leave their weapons at the door. That's the image I have here. You can't bring bitterness and unforgiveness to the throne of grace and expect to get anything from God. You got to let your weapons go. Now let me extend the image. I find it may be one of the hardest things there is to do in life. It's easy to hold onto bitterness. Have you ever heard of the expression nursing a grudge? What a weird thing to do to a grudge. I would kill the grudge, but instead we nurse it. Why? Because it puts us in a position of power. We can hold it over that person and be bitter toward them, and they can maybe walk on eggshells toward us and all that. Let it go. What's so beautiful is the one seated on the throne of grace, if we're having a problem, will come out to the doorway where we're having trouble giving up our weapons and say, “what's the problem here?" “Well, I want to come in, but they won't let me. I can see why they won’t.” “Can I help you with that? Can I help you get rid of that bitterness? Can I remind you that I forgave you all of that sin because you begged me to? Let it go. Let it go.” So that's walking through. III. Elements of Mountain-Moving Prayer Now, let's draw out elements of mountain-moving prayer. First of all, faith in God. Have faith in God. That has to do with history and theology. First of all, remember what God has done. Remember how Peter looked back and remembered that Jesus had cursed the fig tree? That's an issue of remembrance. Remember what God has done. Psalm 77:11-12, "I'll remember the deeds of the Lord. Yes, I'll remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” Think of God, the God of the Bible. Is there anything He cannot do? Think of the Red Sea crossing. Before that, think of creation. "In the beginning, God created heaven and earth." God can do anything. Look at his track record again and again and not just in the Bible, but look at his track record with you. How many of your prayers has He answered? George Mueller kept a record, a record book, 50,000 answers to prayer in connection with his care for 10,000 orphans over his life, 50,000 answers to prayer. He wrote them down, and that built and built and built his confidence in prayer, the specificity of it. So have faith in God, remember his mighty deeds, and think who God is. What should you consider when you have faith in God? I would say these elements, first of all, God's glory. Pray in reference to God's glory. God does everything for his glory. Whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. What is that? The manifestation of the perfections of God. Pray that in this moving of this mountain that God may be displayed as a great, loving, kind, powerful God. That God may be put on display, the glory of God. Secondly, God's omniscience. Keep in mind, God has already thoroughly studied the problem. He has all wisdom and knows exactly what to do. “Your father knows what you need before you ask him." [Matthew 6:8], or this Romans 11:33-34, "Oh, the depths of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" I'm going to say something in a minute about this, but let me tell you something. In prayer, you're not God's counselor. You do know that, don't you? It's not like, “God, let me tell you what I think you should do here.” We'll get to all that. Next, God's sovereignty. God is sovereign and has meticulously crafted a plan that goes down to the tiniest detail of every day of redemptive history. He's already sovereignly, decreed his will. Ephesians 1:11 says, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." That's everything. God is sovereign. God's omnipotence. There is nothing that God cannot do. Is anything too hard for God? Isaiah 40:26:"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." The power of God. And then think of the goodness of God. God wants to do good things for his people. He wants that more than you do. Matthew 7:9-11 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" God wants to give good gifts to us, and again, Romans 8:28, "We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose." I've struggled my whole Christian life to understand the effectiveness of prayer. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, I'm told in James. I'm an engineer. I know what power and effect is. It means that I am a change agent. I'm a catalyst. I'm an earth mover, I guess, if I'm effective. That's not what effective prayer is. Prayer is not us, number one, teaching God a solution He hadn't thought of, or number two, persuading him to do something He didn't want to do before He talked to you. I know that that logically seems like effective prayer. It's like, it made a difference because I told God something He didn't know or I persuaded him to do something He wasn't going to do. That is not what powerful, effective prayer is all about. Rather, effective prayer is discerning what God has already determined to do and asking him to do it for His glory by his power. That's what effective prayer is. So putting it all together, whatever we pray, we do so mindful of God's glory and that is our top priority. God's omniscience in that God's already figured out what's best to do. God's plan, He's already decreed based on his wise plan. God's power, there's nothing He cannot do and God's goodness is in his desire to bless his people. We pray like that. He will give us anything we ask for. "Effective prayer is discerning what God has already determined to do and asking him to do it for His glory by his power." Now, what is the mountain that needs to be moved? Seeing the mountain that needs to be moved. “If you say to this mountain, go throw yourself in the sea, it will be done for you.” I said it's a specific obstacle to the spread of the gospel, a specific obstacle to the growth of the kingdom of God. That's what it is. So you could see that there's a specific government official somewhere withholding a visa, and he won't let some critical workers into a country because he is withholding a visa. It's a mountain that needs to be moved. Some prayer warrior praises until that individual, for some strange reason, changes his mind. That kind of stuff's happened again and again and again. Or a pastor being held at a restrictive nation, and the people of God pray, and he's released. That happened in the Bible with Peter. They prayed, the people of God, were praying even after James had been executed. They kept praying for Peter, and he was released, an answer to prayer. Or with George Muller's specific physical needs for hundreds and hundreds of orphans. They need to eat today, give them this day their daily bread, and then stuff happens. Amazing. You don't want to be driving a bread truck by the orphanage when there's a need. Your truck's going to break down, and you'll have nowhere else to go with that bread except the orphanage, and God answers those prayers. Now, what does it mean for us? What is our field? We are in the Raleigh/ Durham/ Chapel Hill area. We are positioned here by the wise plan of God. We're positioned here for the kingdom of God. We're positioned right here in Durham, this triangle area with the RTP and all that is attractive to people. People are moving in here in large numbers. Last night I went walking around all the restaurant areas. I walked all the way down to the Insomnia coffee or cookie place, I walked in there. There was no one there. I said, what time do you close? "3:00 AM.” Anyway, but there was no one working. That was interesting. Then I walked back, and as I was walking, I was thinking and praying. I was like, I wonder how many of these people are lost? They're pouring in here. They're living in all those condos and houses and all that that are being built, and the overwhelming majority of them are unchurched. They're lost. Our mountain to be moved is within their hearts, their hatred for Christ, their opposition to God. They're thinking they don't need any of this. That's our field, that's our mountain. That we would see baptisms in numbers like we have never seen before, that people would be brought from death to life because we boldly attempted great things for God after the first two things happen, expected great things, and ask great things. That's our mountain to be moved. We ask God to do it. We keep on asking and it will be given to us. We keep on seeking, and we'll find. We keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. As Jesus said, He told the parable of the persistent widow that they should always pray and never give up. I'm not a big fan of church sign ministry. Some of them are just cheesy. You know what I'm talking about. I mean, really bad, but I saw one that stuck with me. I really like it, “Pray until something happens." I love that. Doesn't it line up with this text? Pray until something happens. Keep praying until you see that mountain move. We expect God to answer. Mark 11:24, "I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Charles Spurgeon was talking to a young preacher about his lack of fruit and street evangelism. He preached again and again without seeing any converts at all. Spurgeon asked him, "Do you expect people to be converted every time you preach?" "No, sir." He said, "Well, that's the reason you don't succeed because you do not expect to do so. According to your faith, it will be done to you." Wow, Spurgeon's tough. Imagine him as your mentor. But what's our level of expectation? Do we expect to see people converted because of the witness of us? Expect it, and then be humble about sin. The next time you go to pray, ask the Lord to show you. Are you holding anything against anyone? Are you bitter toward anyone? Ask the Lord to help you forgive and to release. IV. Warnings Against Misunderstandings I have a section of my sermon here on warnings against misunderstandings about the “name it and claim it” thing and all that. I'm not going to say any of it. You want to know, come and ask, and I'll tell you about Creflo Dollar and all those guys, but I just don't think that's our problem. I don't think we're “name it and claim it” people. We're under-utilizers of the promises in this text. That's the problem. We're erring on the side of not asking enough. So let's ask and see what God can do. V. Lessons Applied to Us So applications, first of all, to any that are here that are lost, you're on the outside looking in. You don't know this, not like you should, but your sins are like a mountain that has to be moved. Your sins are like a mountain between you and friendship with God, adoption into God's family. That mountain has to be moved, and if it's not moved, you cannot come into sweet fellowship with God. In Micah chapter 7, He has promised that He will take our sins and throw them into the depths of the sea, and you'll see them no more. All you have to do is call in the name of the Lord Jesus, know that He shed his blood to provide that ocean of grace, and trust in him. Call on the name of the Lord, and He'll move that mountain of your sins and throw it in the depths of the sea, and you'll see it no more. For us as Christians, there's two applications: pray that we would pray. Let's start there. Pray that we'll become a praying church. That the obstacles to us praying like this would be removed, and that we pray as we have never prayed before, and that we would pray to fulfill the mission for which we have been positioned here in the Raleigh/ Durham/ Chapel Hill area, and that is the winning of lost people. Pray for that, and pray that we would be a sweet, gracious, and forgiving church. That whatever grievances we may have against each other, against anyone that we would readily, quickly forgive. We're going to go now to a time of the Lord's Supper, so I'm going to close the sermon in prayer. Father, thank you for the things we've learned in Mark's Gospel about mountain-moving, faith-filled prayer. We thank you for that, and we pray now that as we experience the Lord's Supper, that you would be mighty in this place, giving us an encounter with God, the living God, through the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper. In Jesus' name, Amen.

We. Are. Back!! The DGRS exists for those who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Chris and love to read the dead guys. Those precious brethren who are no longer on this side of heaven whose ministry and writings have stood the test of time. Those who through their ministry still encourage, lift up, and contrary to what some have stated, still argue and admonish us through written and/or spoken word from a sermon. Tune into the latest "Dead Guy Reader's Society" as Drew takes us through the autobiography of George Muller!! Visit the MoT Store on Bonfire HERE Check out "The Essential Church" full length feature documentary in theaters July 28th, 2023. essentialchurchmovie.com Read the LSB: read.lsbible.org Purchase an LSB here: 316publishing.com Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matteroftheology/support

We. Are. Back!! The DGRS exists for those who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Chris and love to read the dead guys. Those precious brethren who are no longer on this side of heaven whose ministry and writings have stood the test of time. Those who through their ministry still encourage, lift up, and contrary to what some have stated, still argue and admonish us through written and/or spoken word from a sermon. Tune into the latest "Dead Guy Reader's Society" as Drew takes us through the autobiography of George Muller!! Visit the MoT Store on Bonfire HERE Check out "The Essential Church" full length feature documentary in theaters July 28th, 2023. essentialchurchmovie.com Read the LSB: read.lsbible.org Purchase an LSB here: 316publishing.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matteroftheology/support

Could you imagine so fully relying on God that you prayed and only told Him of your needs - not even telling anyone else? George Muller was this kind of prayer warrior! Throughout his life, he served the Lord mightily - he was a pastor, founder and leader of a public theology institute, founder and operator of several orphanages, and finally, after waiting many years for it to happen, George Muller was a missionary. Join us as we delve into this fascinating, amazing, and inspiring man's life! His story is like no other!Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to check out everything Proverbs 9:10 on our website, www.proverbs910ministries.com! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Rumble, YouTube, Twitter, Truth Social, and Gettr!

George Muller of Bristol by Arthur T. Pierson audiobook. George Muller was a great hero of faith. His greatest aim was to demonstrate that God answers prayer and can be trusted for every minute detail of life. Spending countless hours asking God to provide his needs, he only relied upon God. God called him to care for orphans and he conducted his orphanage in the same way, on faith alone. When a certain need was apparent, they would immediately go to God in prayer. In this dynamic dependance on God, He always proved faithful. He also established over a hundred schools, educating over a hundred thousand people! His example of absolute dependence on God stands in the gap of history to declare that God is enough, and He is faithful! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Kathryn is talking with our friend David Legge about his conviction to live by radical faith when it comes to his finances. After pastoring a local church for a decade, David became an itinerant pastor in Northern Ireland, and he shares many of his teachings via his podcast, Preach the Word. In this episode, David explains how he heard God call him into a life of not depending on man for money, and a story about just one of the miraculous ways God has provided along the way. If you are familiar with George Muller, David's life is a modern-day version. During this podcast, the following passages of Scripture were mentioned: Matthew 6:19-34 1 Chronicles 21 Hebrews 11 Philippians 4 You can hear more teaching from David Legge here: https://www.preachtheword.com/ The Dwellings Podcast is only possible because of the generous partnership of people like you. If you would like to become a Dwellings Partner through a one-time or monthly gift, you can sign up today here: https://dwellings.info/give We are constantly releasing new resources. The Dwellings App is the best place to be kept up to date on all of our new resources. You can download our app today by following this link: https://dwellings.info/app Join our newsletter here: https://dwellings.info/connect If you want to get in touch with us, you can email us at info@dwellings.info

The Witness of George Muller inspires us to trust God for the power to change, the grace to endure and the faith to believe. 

I greet you in Jesus' precious name. It is Monday morning the 17th of April 2023 and this is your friend Angus Buchan I thought for today. Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, it is the evidence of things not yet seen"Then we go to Hebrews Chapter 11:6:"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." You know Saint Augustine said faith is to believe what you cannot see but the reward of that faith is to see what you believe... That is not based on feelings, it's not based on impressions or if it will work or if it won't work, no. Faith depends on whether you and I believe it or not. If we try to reason it then it is no longer God, is it? It now becomes a work that we're doing. Now how do you get faith, I can hear somebody asking me that question... Well, Romans 10:17 says: "Faith Comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God."Folks you have to either believe the Word of God, the Bible, or not. If you believe it that will strengthen your faith - Like do you believe that Jesus walked upon the water? I doDo you believe that Jesus fed 5000 men with two sardines and five barley loaves of bread? I do.Do you believe that Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the dead after he'd been buried for 4 days? I do.There is no rational explanation for faith. Faith rests upon the Word of God alone. Jesus, by the way, delights to see us step out in faith and faith is a mighty witness to unbelievers because you can't explain it. Trials, by the way, and hardships, are food for faith to grow faith -that's what George Muller said. Not only trials but it's ultimately God's Holy Word, the Bible, that increases our faith.You know just a couple of weeks ago I was in Namibia I was in Windhoek, and we were at a national prayer meeting and it was extremely hot. The people were really feeling the heat. I looked up and I saw clouds surrounding the stadium and I asked the Lord aloud, not secretly or quietly but with a microphone... I asked the Lord - Please Lord can you move the cloud over the sun so the people can have some shade and take a guess what? Yes, you're quite right, He did it! Not only did He do that, but He also brought a gentle breeze through the crowd. I think that meant more to the crowd than all my preaching and all the praise and worship - One genuine miracle equals a thousand sermons.Have a Beautiful Day, Jesus bless you and goodbye

Join us as we continue in part 2 of our study through George Muller's life.

Join us as we study the early life of George Muller. We will also look at Romans 6 together on this week's episode.

The Christian Outlook – February 18, 2023 Bob Burney looks at the terrible loss of life and the toll of destruction in the wake of the February 6th earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Dr. Albert Mohler talks about the growing scrutiny of the Turkish government, as there are far more dead today than necessary even after such a brutal quake. Don Kroah turns to Todd Nettleton, of Voice of the Martyrs, to talk about the churches outside the earthquake area that have gone to minister. Don Kroah and Bob Fu, of China Aid, talk about the reelection of China's President Xi Jinping, giving him an unprecedented third five-year term, and what it means for the future of China. Bob Burney talks about a nonstop Kentucky prayer revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Georgene Rice talks to Brent Patrick McDougal about his new book, “Prayer Power: 40 Days of Leaning to Pray Like George Müller.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want a more powerful prayer life? Brent Patrick McDougal teaches us how to approach prayer by examining the prayer life of George Muller, though his book  "Prayer Power: 40 Days of Learning to Pray Like George Müller." Then Bill is joined by Mark Seignious, Chair of Department of Communications UNW St.Paul, to discuss the power of story, Sundance Film Festival, and much more. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

A very good morning to you - I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 3rd of January, 2023, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:14 "Our God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in Heaven by Christ Jesus, our Lord." Philippians 4:19The Lord says He will provide your needs, not your wants. You see, Abraham was an obedient man - that is why Jesus loved Him so much. The Lord said, “I want Isaac, I want your son back. I want you to offer him up as a living sacrifice on Mount Moriah,” and that is exactly what he did. He tied his son up. He put him on the sacrifice and was about to cut his throat, when the Angel of the Lord said, “No - stop, stop, it's okay, there is a ram caught in the thicket. Take the ram and use that as your sacrifice.” God was so pleased with the love that Abraham had for Him. As we commence this brand-new year of 2023, we must not become fearful, we must not stress. Jesus shall provide for us, just like He provided the ram in the thicket for Abraham.George Muller, a German theologian came to England and got saved in a little Bible study. He wanted to show the world what the Lord can do through faith in Him. He believed that God wanted him to take care of all the little street urchins, the little orphans running around the streets of England, so he started to take care of them by faith. He never asked for a penny, and so the story goes, when he started he had a boarding house and the children all got together. They had their last meal - maybe that is your case, maybe you need a job today, maybe you need healing in your family today. Maybe you need God, Jehovah Jireh to provide for you. The next morning George Muller got up. The children knew that the larder was empty. There was no food in the house. He said, “Children, lay the table.” They laid the table. He sat down. He said, “Let's say grace” - the grace that you and I say so many times, “For what we are about to receive (the children thought Uncle George had lost his marbles) may the Lord make us truly thankful.” And with that, there was a knock on the door. He sent one of the children to the door. A baker was standing outside the door with a red face, quite embarrassed. He said, “Please forgive me but the Lord woke me up at three this morning and told me I had to bake fresh bread for your children." They were so grateful. They were about to eat when there was another knock on the door. He sent another child to the door and an embarrassed dairyman was standing outside. He said, “I was just riding past on my horse and my little carriage and the wheel broke on the back. I have got butter, cheese and milk and I know it's going to go off. Would you like to have it?” George Muller said, “Of course, thank you very much.”God bless you today as you remember, Jesus is your provider!

An invitation to renew your commitment to feeding yourself with God's word throughout the upcoming year. - Sermon Transcript - I wish all of you a happy New Year. I'd like to ask that you turn in your Bibles to Psalm 1. We're going to just do a single sermon to begin the new year on the importance of the word of God. Every time I get up here to preach, every time I stand here in the pulpit, my desire is to feed First Baptist Church with the Word of God. I think often of the exhortation that Jesus gave to Simon Peter after his resurrection as he was I believe restoring Peter back to ministry after Peter had denied him three times. He asked him three times, "Do you love me?" And he said, "I do love you." And then He said effectively, "Feed my sheep." That's an incredibly important calling. Because earlier in John's gospel, Jesus said that He is a good shepherd and laid down his life for the sheep. The sheep are precious to Jesus, and He shed his blood for them. But for Peter as an under shepherd, under the great shepherd, the good shepherd, to be tasked with the responsibility of feeding Christ's sheep is weighty. In due time, Peter died and went on to be with the Lord, but left behind an epistle, First Peter, in which he exhorted elders to take his place and to do that kind of shepherding ministry and feeding ministry. I think often of that. I meditate on what does it mean to feed the sheep? Ultimately it comes down to the ministry of the Word of God. All of you are sheep. You are followers of Christ because you have believed the Word. Because you have heard the gospel and believed it. But there is a need that all of you have for ongoing feeding, so the pastors of this church are committed to feeding your faith, week after week, to feed you. But today in the meditation on Psalm 1, I want to urge all of you, sheep, to feed yourselves. I want you to be active in 2023 to feed yourselves. I actually think in the end, the feeding you'll do of yourself will be more significant, certainly more voluminous than any feeding we can do in the brief time we have here in the ministry of the Word. That's why I wanted to turn to Psalm 1. I. Exploring Your Root System As we're looking at Psalm 1, we have an image of a tree planted by streams of water. The roots are not mentioned, they are implied. The idea is that this tree planted by streams of water, has ready access to everything it needs for life and fruitfulness because of its proximity to the stream. The idea here is a concept of a root system, and the proximity to the Word of God. As a homeowner, I have had the opportunity over 25 years living in my home, of studying the roots of certain trees in my yard. Some of them to me are quite dominant. There's a part of my lawn I can't mow anymore because over 25 years, the hardwood tree there, its roots have emerged above the surface of the ground. They're so high now, the only thing I can do is get at them with a weed whacker. I don't know why grass still grows in and around them, but it does. There's also a tree near my driveway where we put up a basketball court sometime ago, and its roots are causing the driveway to, I don't know what to say, ripple. I've had someone look at the driveway and they said, "Well, I can't really do anything for you until you remove that tree." I don't want to remove that tree. So the roots are going to continue to ripple, I guess, my driveway. What's going on there is that this subterranean root system of the tree is relentlessly, with great force, seeking what it needs to survive. Seeking water, and seeking nutrients from the soil. My question to you this morning is what is your spiritual root system? What's going on behind the scenes in your life? More specifically, what are your habits with the Word of God? What are your habits with the Word of God? Are you regularly taking advantage of the remarkable proximity all of you have to the Word of God? You have a proximity that has never been equaled in all of church history. The ease with which all of us have to the Word of God is remarkable. It has come at great cost, brothers and sisters, in previous generations. But now we have it, and we have axes. The question is, what are you doing with it? Jesus told us earlier is our study as we walked through the Gospel of Mark, not today, but we've been making progress. There was a set of parables that Jesus told in Mark chapter 4, centered on the ministry of the gospel. The most important of these parables, the first one He told was the parable of the seed in the soils. The farmer went out to sow a seed and it landed on different types of soils. The second soil was the stoney ground-hearer. Hear again, the words of Mark 4: 5-6, "Some of the seed fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root." He then explained this type of hearer in Mark 4:16-17, "Others like seed sown on rocky places hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." The context there seems to be hostility to the Word. Persecution by a hate-filled world, which assaults that plant that's growing up and causes it to die, because it doesn't have that subterranean, hidden root system. But Jesus doesn't specify what the trouble is. We are in a hostile environment as believers. The world, the flesh, and the devil constantly assaulting our souls, and if we don't have a developed root system, we are going to die. We are not in such a context of overt persecution in our culture, not yet. It may be coming within our lifetime. It may certainly come within our children's lifetime, where American culture will become aggressively anti-Christian. It'll be very difficult for you to live an open, faithful Christian life, as many of your brothers and sisters around the world are facing, and many have in past generations as well. However, we are under siege. We are assaulted, as I said by these three enemies. Constantly, the world, flesh and the devil. So you must have a developed root system. II. The Promise of Overwhelming Blessing Psalm 1 gives you a picture, an image in your mind of that nourishing that you need and that access to the Word of God, which will keep you alive and fruitful. Psalm 1 starts with a promise of overwhelming blessing. Look at Psalm 1, verse 1. The first verse of the psalter, the book of Psalms. As you're stepping into the world of the Psalms, an amazing world, 150 Psalms, the sign over the doorway kind of metaphorically as you walk in is “Blessed”. “Blessed are the people, blessed is the man.” That's the thing. The psalter is God's prayer book by which He instructs all of us how we should pray. It also addresses every emotional state that could ever happen in the Christian life. All of these things are addressed in the 150 Psalms. But fundamentally, the 150 Psalms as we take to heart and we pray them back to God and live out their wisdom, is an instruction manual on how to live a blessed life, both now and eternally. A blessed life. The sign as you enter is the word “Blessed”. Similar by the way to Jesus' teaching ministry in the New Testament, which begins with in the Sermon of the Mount, the beatitudes. The “blessed are”, “the blessed”, “ blessed”, blessed statements that Jesus makes at the beginning of his teaching ministry. Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This concept of blessedness, what does that mean? What does it mean to be blessed? The Hebrew word in Psalm 1 is “baruch”. It's a beautiful word. It simply means happy, but a rich happiness, a spiritual happiness, a deep happiness, not a temporal fleeting mist in the morning type of happiness. But a deep, rich, full happiness in the Lord. That's what the word “blessed” means to me. The God of the Bible instructs us his followers on how we can have a blessed, happy, rich, deep fruitful life in him. "The God of the Bible instructs us his followers on how we can have a blessed, happy, rich, deep fruitful life in him. " This word “blessed" brings us into the concept of the old covenant blessings and curses, which was very prominent in the old covenant. God was constantly setting before the Israelites a choice— blessings and curses. Will you be blessed or will you be cursed? Will you live a blessed life or will you not? The blessings are defined in the old covenant, frequently and very physical, even agricultural sort of ways because that was their society. In Deuteronomy 28:3-8, it says, "You'll be blessed in the city, blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land, and the young of your livestock. The calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your needing trough will be blessed. You'll be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They'll come at you from one direction, but flee from you in seven. The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he has given you." That's a comprehensive sense of blessedness that the people of God would experience, if they would just obey the covenant. In the new covenant however, the blessings become richly spiritual. It's not like the physical doesn't matter, it does. But we are instructed in the blessings of the new covenant in a spiritual sense. Ephesians 1: 3- 4 captures that as well, “Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” It's overtly spiritual there. The new covenant blessings are spiritual blessings. What are those blessings? We could go on and on listing them. They begin with full forgiveness of sins. All of your sins, past, present, future forgiven by God. And adoption into God's family, that you are called a son or daughter of the living God forever, with a permanent place in the family. And the indwelling Holy Spirit, to testify to your spirits that you are a child of God, to lead you, and guide you, and convict you of your sins and to help you and instruct you in the Word of God. Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He's not your enemy anymore. He's your ally, your friend. Peace with God. Freedom from all condemnation. “There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” No fear of hell, we will not be condemned. We will not hear those dreadful words “Depart from me you who are cursed into the eternal fire.” We're free from that fear. There is guaranteed resurrection in a glorious body, and our bodies are going to shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father. The promise of a perfect life and a perfect world in the new heaven, new earth with all of the redeemed. Brothers and sisters in Christ from every tribe, language, people, and nation, from every era of church history, there with us as well, and the blessings of a good and fruitful life here on earth before we ever die. The blessedness of the Christian life now. All of these things are ours. We're able by obedience to the Word of God to store up treasure in heaven every day. That means that every day, including today, you can serve God and do good works which He has prepared in advance for you to walk in. By doing those good works, you'll store up treasure in heaven. Now that's a blessed life, dear friends. And that's what I have in mind when I think of the word “blessed”. “Blessed is the man who . . .etc.” Faith filled obedience to the Word of God, biblically, is essential to all of this, to the blessedness that God intends to give up. If we hear and obey God's word, we step into these blessings in no other way. Deuteronomy 32:47 therefore says, "The words of the covenant are not just idle words for you, they are your life." So that's why we need to constantly minister the word of God to ourselves and be ministered to. You need to be fed by this pulpit. You need to be fed by the pastors of this church. But then day by day, you need to feed yourself in the Word because the blessedness comes from the ministry of the word of God. Psalm 1 then begins, and it begins negatively. It begins essentially with a way that hates evil. Verse 1, "Blessed is a man who does not,” does not, does not. It starts out negatively, “The man who does not walk in the council of wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.” It's not enough for me to just be up here saying happy, positive things. We're in a sin cursed, fallen world. We have to deal with the evil of this world if we want to be blessed, so the psalmist begins negatively. We have to wage war against sin while we live. The psalmist introduces us right away to the two different ways to live. The way of the righteous is directly contrasted with the way of the wicked. Amazingly, he describes the purity of the righteous man from all the evil influences of people in this world. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.” He does not walk in that way. It's a Hebrew expression of daily lifestyle. What is your daily lifestyle? What are your habits, the habits of your life? The choices you make every single day. The year 2023 is, for the most part, in front of you. Most of the events of 2023 haven't happened for you yet. I don't know what time you went to bed last night. I tend to make it a habit to try to go to bed before midnight on New Year's Eve, because I lost interest in New Year's Eve years ago. But others of you, you love to stay up. Great, that's fine. Some of you stayed up to watch some football games I've heard. But at any rate, that's what you all did. That's fine. But the year, if God allows you to live, is in front of you, and it's going to be defined by choices you make, good or bad. What choices are you going to make? How will you walk? What path will you walk in? Your wise or foolish choices will dictate your level of blessedness in Christ. The righteous man of Psalm 1 does not walk in the council of the wicked. He's not imitating wicked people who live for the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life. He's not walking in their council, he's not seeking advice. "How shall we live? What shall we do? Tell me what to do." He doesn't want it. He's not interested in the council of the wicked, and doesn't walk in the way they walk. He doesn't stand in the way of sinners. He's nothing near that lifestyle. He doesn't want any part of that kind of lifestyle. He doesn't sit in the seat of mockers. Our age as really every age is one of mocking holy things, of mocking Jesus, of mocking the Bible, of mocking purity, of mocking holiness. You get this in popular culture, on social media platforms, and standup comedians, and late night hosts. They just make a living mocking Christianity. That's been going on a long time. Just go back to Voltaire in the 18th century, he was a great mocker. Some of the thinkers of that day, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain, they're all mockers. They made a lot of money mocking religious things. "Your wise or foolish choices will dictate your level of blessedness in Christ." In the 20th century, a man named H. L. Mencken raised mocking of holy things of God to an art form. He said this. "What is the function that a clergyman performs in the world?" Answer: "He gets his living by assuring idiots that he can save them from an imaginary hell.” I want you to know that's not why I came here today. I hope it's not why you came here today. To continue with H. L. Mencken, "The liberation of the human mind has never been furthered by dunderheads. It has been furthered by gay fellows who heaved dead cats into sanctuaries, and then went roistering down the highways of the world proving to all men that doubt after all was safe. That the God in the sanctuary was finite in his power, and hence a fraud. One horse laugh is worth 10,000 syllogisms. It is not only more effective. It is also vastly more intelligent." He's just celebrating the people that heave dead cats into sacred ground, and run away, and show they can get away with it. Mencken also said, "We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children are smart." I mean, that's just sarcasm. It's mockery, it's unkindness. I wouldn't want a man like this as my friend. Psalm 1 says, “I'm staying away from a person like this. I'm staying away from this type of mocking.” We should not be surprised at it, it’s part of every era. It's part of our era as well. In II Peter 3:3, Peter said, "First of all, you must understand that in the last days, scoffers will come scoffing and following their own evil desires." This is part of the last days. We also should remember this. Galatians 6:7 says this, "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." It's impossible to mock God. He is so infinitely above our mockery. He sits on a throne of light infinitely above everything He has made, and there is nothing we can do to pull him from his throne. Our mocking of him doesn't change him at all. We're really just mocking our own souls, because we reap what we sow. Now, Psalm 1 is clear. Blessedness in life comes from staying away from that whole mindset. The lifestyle of the ungodly. While we cannot avoid daily interaction with non-Christians and actually don't seek to, we are commanded to be light in the world. We're commanded to be witnesses for the love of God in Christ. We are to avoid following the ways and philosophies of this world. III. The Roots of Eternal Fruitfulness: Meditation on God’s Word Instead, by contrast, the way of blessedness is a way immersed in the Word of God. It's immersed in the Word of God. Here we see the roots of eternal fruitfulness, and that's meditation in God's word. Look at verse 2 and 3, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord. And on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree, planted by streams of water which yields its fruit and season, and whose leaf never withers. Whatever he does prospers.” That last phrase is electric for me, “Whatever he does prospers.” So it begins with delighting in God's Word. The psalmist celebrates a heart that delights in God's Word. The righteous take delight in the Word of God. It is a delightful thing for them to immerse their minds and hearts in the Word of God. Two psalms in particular celebrate the attributes of the delightful attributes of the Word of God— Psalm 19 and Psalm 119 both. Psalm 119 has 176 verses of delight in the Word of God. Psalm 19:7-10, "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy of the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold. They're sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." The beautiful, delightful, delicious, sweet, attractive aspects of the Word of God. David probably wrote Psalm 19. Think of all the scripture that hadn't even been written yet when David wrote those words. Isaiah hadn't been written yet. Jeremiah, all of the beauties of the prophets that hadn't happened yet, and then the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. How much more true are those words of the gospels, as they portray the greatness of Jesus Christ? How beautiful is the word of God? So delightful. Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 15:16, "When your words came, I ate them. They were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name oh Lord God almighty." So there's a heart attraction and deep love for God's words. The question I'm asking you is what do you delight in? What brings you pleasure? What do you anticipate with great expectation? In 2023, can you develop your delight in the Word of God? It gives you a stunning portrait of Jesus, the savior of the world. Can you immerse yourself in the beauties and the power and the majesty of Christ, by the ministry of the Word? It gives you beautiful promises, for the rest of your life here on earth and for your eternal life to come. Can you feed your hope on those promises, so that you're a hope-filled person in a hopeless world? It gives you careful instruction on how to do life as a husband or wife, as a parent, as a child, as an employee, as someone with money, as somebody with physical strength, somebody who's sick. All of these things are addressed beautifully in the Word of God. He gives you instructions, careful instructions on how to live. The richly happy person described in Psalm 1, delights in God's Word above everything else. We see here the discipline of meditation, “On his law, he meditates day and night.” So what is that? What is biblical meditation? More and more I'm noticing in commercials as I watched forwarding events, this zen meditation that's being put in front of us. It's like, heaven forbid, it would be Christian meditation. You see somebody on their knees with their hands together in prayer. Instead, they're in that lotus position or something like that. Zen meditating, whatever that means. I've never really been aware of anybody that practiced this Buddhistic Eastern meditation, but I've read about it. It seems to be the goal of that meditation is emptiness. You're always trying to empty your mind. Get to a pure perfect emptiness where you realize I guess that the physical world's an illusion, and all suffering and pain comes from it. You're detaching yourself, detaching yourself from it so that you can achieve enlightenment to some degree. So you meditate on these conundrums that cannot be solved, such as what's the sound of one hand clapping? I'm like, "That's not a problem." Silence. But no, you meditate for hours and hours on that, and then at some point, you are purely empty, I guess. And enlightenment comes. That is not biblical meditation. I'm looking for the opposite. I want fullness. I want a feast. A feast of truth, a feast of love in the presence of God. I want to feast on God's Word. I want to chew over, and swallow, and feast my soul on the Word. Every word, every sentence, every paragraph, every chapter. I want to understand context. I want to understand truth. I want to find problems that I initially can't solve, and then solve them. I love doing that kind of thing. I want to feast my soul on the Word of God. Then delight comes. It's in proportion to understanding. As understanding comes, then delight comes. In Psalm 119:18, the Psalmist says, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." So what is that? It's like it was there all along. The Word never changes. The Word of God is timeless. But you didn't notice something. You had never seen something before, and now you do, and delight comes, because there's some new truth you've meditated on. We're not skimming lightly over the text here, like one of those bugs that comes across the surface of a pond, or when you throw one of those flat rocks across the surface and try to get it to skip across how many times you can skip. That's not what we're looking for. We're trying to go deep. We want to meditate, to feast on. The Hebrew word for “meditate” is “hagad”, which means “to growl, mutter, groan, murmur”. Something like that. You're just working over the words again and again until understanding comes. It's a deeply rational, logical process, but it leads to emotion as well. It's emotion based on truth and the truth based on the Word. You got it from logical thinking about Jesus. That's how it works. The psalmist says, “On his law, he meditates day and night.” This is easy for us in our technological age. You are all planted right next to streams of water. You're right there, the proximity. As Paul said, quoting Deuteronomy, "The Word is near you." You guys have Bible apps, I usually say “turn in your Bibles to. . . etc.” I'm assuming you have one of these. You have your word apps, you have the ability, the access to the word of God 24/7. When the psalmist wrote this, that was not so. The Word of God prior to the Gutenberg press was incredibly expensive, because everything had to be copied by hand. That's what the scribes did. They were copying the Word of God letter by letter. The full scroll of let's say Isaiah, Jeremiah, how much more the entire Old Testament, would've been incredibly costly. Kings would have a copy, and the high priest would have a copy, and every synagogue would have a copy, but not individuals. So how could the average Israelite of that day meditate on God's law day and night? The only way they could have done it was to memorize the scripture so they could meditate on it day and night. The image is a perfect rootedness for constant fruitfulness. Verse 3, "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit and season, and whose leaf does not wither.” The root system of this person is constantly immersed in life giving water. The lack of water is deadly to any plant. That's the whole point with the rocky ground here, that it dries up. When the sun heats it, it doesn't have the water it needs to live. But this tree is planted by streams of water. It has everything it needs to stay alive and be fruitful. I can't help but think this image, of living water, Jesus gave in John 7, “Jesus said In a loud voice on the last and greatest day of the feast, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.’" Just drink of Jesus, drink of Christ as the living water. "Let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me." Then He flips the image, "As the scripture has said streams of living water will flow from within him." By this He meant the spirit. So here's the thing. You go and drink and drink deeply. Then guess what? You then become a fountain of living water for other people. You start sharing the things you've meditated on day and night, and people want to be around you because when they're around you, they learn new things. They're encouraged by you, you give them life. You point them to Christ. That could be evangelism with lost people. It could be discipleship with people who are already Christians. But just streams of living water flowing from within you. But they first flowed into you, because you meditated on God's Word day and night. It says “The leaf does not wither. It yields fruit in season.” What does that mean? The meditations you do today may not bear fruit for ten years. You may be lodging some concepts in your mind that you don't even see how they're going to be useful. Connections are being made in your mind and your heart that are going to bear full fruition years later. But at the right time in season, you will bear fruit, fruit that will last, and you're never going to wither. You'll be impervious to droughts. Droughts came normally in that part of the world, but this tree needs never to fear drought, because it's planted right by streams of water. Jeremiah 17 captures the image in verse 7-8, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no worries. In a year of drought, it never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah there speaks to the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. That's a life of faith, and the food of faith is the Word of God. Your intimacy with Christ is dependent on your constant intake of the Word of God. As I noted already, there’s the staggering promise— “whatever he does prosperous”. You'll be blessed in everything you do. Verse 3, the man is like a, "tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” It's hard to imagine a more sweeping promise. Scripture tells us, and I already mentioned this, but this is based on faith-filled obedience to the Word you read and hear— faith-filled obedience. You'll be blessed in what you do, James tells us. James 1:22, "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says….The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do that.” I believe that's a picture of meditation. You're looking intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do it. Not forgetting what he has heard. That's memorization. Not forgetting what he is heard, but doing it. That's obedience. "He'll be blessed in what he does." There's the process. You meditate. I would say, I'm going to say at the end of this message, memorize, and then obey, and you'll be blessed in everything you do. Again, John 14:21, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my father. And I too will love him and manifest myself to him, show myself to him." This is infinitely, mysterious Jesus. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He will open himself up to you progressively, and show more and more of himself to you. Do you want that? Do you want intimacy with Christ? Do you want closeness with Christ? This is how you do it. Have his Word. Obey it. Follow it by faith, and He will manifest himself to you, and you'll store up treasure in heaven. You'll be blessed in everything you do. This is not a life that's going to be free from suffering, not at all. I'm not promising a life free from suffering. Actually, church history shows the opposite. The more fruitfully obedient you are and courageously obedient, the harder life you'll have, not easier. Look at the Apostle Paul and his catalogs of suffering. II Corinthians 11, "Five times I received from the Jews to 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night in a day in the open sea. I've been constantly on the move, in danger from rivers, bandits, my own countrymen from the Gentiles, in the city, in the country, and at sea. I've labored and toiled, and have often gone without sleep. I've known hunger and thirst, and have often gone without food. I've been cold and naked." I don't know if I want that kind of life. But I'm telling you, I don't know anyone in church history who has been as eternally fruitful as the Apostle Paul—no one—blessed in whatever he does. So I'm not promising an easy life. But I'm saying if you follow the wisdom of Psalm 1, you will prosper, spiritually prosper in your life. The stark contracts is the desolation of a disobedient. "Not so the wicked,” Verse 4, "They're like chaff that the wind blows away." Chaff is a picture of impermanence, of being lightweight. Where you could imagine a threshing floor and the wheat getting beaten out, and then the threshing fork comes along as flung up in the air. The heavier wheat falls back down, but the chaff just gets blown away, they’re just blown away. They're impermanent. The things they do are nothing. As the book of Ecclesiastes says, "It's vanity of vanities. You invested your life in nothing, and it's gone." They're like chaff that the wind blows away. An eternal condemnation awaits him on judgment day, verse 5-6, "Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. If they do not repent and believe in Christ, they will hear those dreadful words. 'Depart from me, you who are cursed,' into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." That is the chaff being blown away. That's what happens to the wicked. Verse 6, "For the Lord watches over or knows the way of the righteous. But the way of the wicked will perish.” IV. Practical Exhortations for 2023 The Lord now, by means of the sermon, I hope, is watching over your way. 2023 hasn't happened yet. What's it going to be like for you, dear friends? What are you going to do? This sermon, the purpose of the sermon is to call you again, to a secret habit of Bible intake, day-by-day. For you who are not yet Christians or came in here outside of Christ, the fundamental call for you in scripture is to believe in Jesus. The scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. That's the central call for you. That's the work of God for you, to believe in the one that He has sent in Jesus. But for you who are believers, it's initially the same call again as well. The scriptures still make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus as well. It's not just for people who are lost. It's for us. You need to continue to take in God's word. What is your plan? Do you have a plan for Bible intake in 2023? I would recommend a combination of knowledge and breadth, and knowledge and depth. What I've done over the years is knowledge and breadth is a plan to get through the whole Bible, or the whole New Testament, or some aspect of it in the year in a regular pattern. The Psalm talks about your habits, you’re walking in the way of. That kind of thing. What is your habit? In the North Tower Resource Center, there's six different devotionals out there. There's all different ways you can feed yourself. They are remarkable. I actually went and plundered one of them for myself, because I like those kind of additional helps from time to time. But there's just different resources. I would recommend a pattern of ongoing Bible intake every day, every day. Taking in God's Word, knowledge, and breadth. Then knowledge and depth, I would commend extended memorization of scripture. I would commend that you memorize a book of the Bible. That is a beautiful combination then. You're reading through the Bible, getting that breadth, that lay of the land all the time. Then you are zeroing in on a particular book and memorizing it. I think there's no better genre to start with than the epistles. They're packed with truth, packed with commands. They're very brief. Ephesians is 155 verses at a verse a day. With one day off a week, you can get through Ephesians in six months. In six months from now, you could have Ephesians stored up in your mind. And you're going to do a lot of that meditation as you memorize. As you go over it again, and again, and again, it's going to live inside you. Philippians is even shorter, 104 verses. Do that in three or four months. You just take in God's Word, and you feed yourself on it. As you do, you're going to store up treasure and get yourself ready. You're going to store up good things inside you. Jesus says, "Every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." That'll be you. You'll be rich in ideas, rich in doctrine, rich in the gospel, storing up. I would commend that to you. Some time ago, I came across George Muller's Quiet Time pattern. I want to commend it to you as we finish up here. George Muller was a great man, a very disciplined man. He talked about his purpose in a daily quiet time. "I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how I might serve the Lord, but how I might glorify the Lord. How I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God, and to meditation." What is the food for the inner man? It's not prayer, but it's the Word of God. Not the simple reading of the Word of God so it only passes through our minds like water passes through a pipe. But considering what we've read, pondering over it, implying it to our hearts. The first thing I did after having asked in a few words, "The Lord's blessing upon his precious word," was to begin meditating on the Word of God, searching as it were into every verse to get blessing out of it. Not for the sake of public ministry of the Word, not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated on, but just for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I found to be almost invariably was this. That after a few minutes, my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or intercession, or supplication. So though I did not, as it were give to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less to prayer once the new thoughts came to. When thus I had been a while making confession, or intercession, or supplication, or giving thanks, I go on to the next word , the next verse, turning all as I go into prayer for myself or for others, as the Word would lead to it. But still continually keeping before me that food for my thanksgiving, supplication or intercession, mingled with my meditation, and that my inner man is almost invariably sensibly nourished and strengthened, and my soul is brought into a happy state in Jesus. Isn't that great? My goal every day at the beginning of the day is to get happy in Jesus. It's kind of obvious if you're not, should anyone want to be around you? Should your spouse want to be around you, if you're not happy in Jesus? Feed your inner man, feed your inner self in the Word so that you can be joyful in Christ. Let me ask you a question as I finish. If you could have one book of the Bible memorized a year from now, what would you choose? What would you choose? Some of you're saying “3 John”. I know why you're saying it. But all scriptures is God breathed. If God leads you to 3 John, that's fine. I think 2 John's shorter. But I would just commend the epistles. I would put that question in front of you. "If I could have one book of the Bible memorized a year from now, what would it be?" Then if you say, "All right, I think it would be X." Now, what could I do to make that happen? Then you could step into the world of Psalm 1 very quickly by that discipline. Close with me in prayer. Lord, thank you for the time we've had to meditate on your Word. Thank you for the things that you teach us by it. I just want to thank you for this church. This is a church filled with people who I think overtly love God's Word. They just do. I am strengthened and blessed by the sisters and brothers of this church, who clearly love God's Word. I pray that we would spur each other on toward love and good deeds. I pray that we would ask each other, "How is it going with your soul?" That we would hold each other accountable in discipleship relationships, that we would strengthen each other. I pray that this pulpit in 2023 would be more than ever before committed to the feeding of the flock by the ministry of the Word of God. But then I pray that the flock itself would feed itself in the Word, in the pattern of Psalm 1. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jonny Ardavanis is the Dean of Campus Life at The Master's University and hosts the podcast Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis. He is passionate about the Gospel and God's Word and desires to see people understand and obey it. Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis: Big Questions, Biblical Answers, is a series that seeks to provide biblical answers to some of the most prominent and fundamental questions regarding God, the Gospel, and the BibleIn this episode, Jonny Ardavanis sits down with Paul Washer, the founder of the HeartCry Missionary Society. Jonny asks Paul to speak on the unique influence that George Muller has had on his life. George Muller was an evangelist and orphan caretaker in Bristol, England. His life of prayer and trust in God has been well documented in his autobiography, which I commend to you.Watch VideosVisit the Website Follow on InstagramFollow on Twitter

Good News Heroes come from all kinds of different jobs and ways of life. George Muller started out as a thief! Would God be able to use him? Listen with Piper and Logan to find out more. Copyright © 2022 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. All rights reserved. Uniting kids with the good news of the Gospel through adventures and foundational, biblical truths. Subscribe to the CEF Podcast, so you don't miss any of our episodes!

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How does one man care for ten thousand orphans and raise millions of dollars (in today's currency) without asking for a single donation or ever going into debt? By taking God seriously on His word in Matthew 7:7—ask and it will be given to you. SOLA Network is excited to present a 4-part series focused on missionaries in the past who can inspire us in the present. We hope you are encouraged by these stories to remember the Great Commission and proclaim the kingdom of Christ to the world. Video and article, read and written by Karisa You: https://sola.network/article/the-prayer-life-of-george-muller/ Email us your questions or conversation topics: podcast@sola.network Karisa You was born in Massachusetts but grew up in Orange County and earned her Bachelor of Arts at UCLA and Juris Doctorate at USC. She teaches business and political science at California Baptist University, Concordia University Irvine, UC Riverside, and Hope International University. She also serves on the board for Tutapona, a nonprofit providing mental health services to refugees, and previously worked in legal public service, advocating for indigent clients' housing, benefits, and constitutional rights. She believes God is passionate about justice and calls His followers to defend those who cannot speak for themselves. Karisa loves storytelling, especially writing about how Jesus changes lives (karisayou.blogspot.com). She published the young-adult novel, Seeing Triple, and her “chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” (Westminster Catechism). Links: Weekly Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/sola/tgif Monthly Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/sola/newsletter Facebook: https://facebook.com/thesolanetwork Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesolanetwork Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesolanetwork YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqsoKbSYBbZZoovA24PhqAg Podcast: http://anchor.fm/solanetwork Website: https://sola.network

Charles Finney and George Muller: two stories of intercessors, praying in strength.

Gene Bailey interviews Roberts Liardon about Carrie Judd Montgomery, George Muller, General William, and Kathryn Booth. Airs 221009

George Muller of Bristol By Arthur Pierson #13 Norman Kissinger #RTTBROS #nightlight #normankissinger #NK Find more life and ministry lesson from a past giant of the faith, George Muller. RTTBROS app on Google play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.rttbros I made an android app for RTTBROS please download it. Best of all it is FREE. Find our other platforms here Bit.ly search for RTTBROS https://bit.ly/2BtOIkt

George Muller of Bristol By Arthur Pierson #12? Norman Kissinger #RTTBROS #nightlight #normankissinger #NK Find more life and ministry lesson from a past giant of the faith, George Muller Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. RSS feed https://anchor.fm/s/127be410/podcast/rss https://linktr.ee/rttbros

How is your prayer life? Is it a forethought or afterthought? Do you believe that prayer works? In this episode, pastors Jesse Randolph and Aaron Nicholson discuss the importance of prayer and share practical tips for developing a fruitful prayer life.Resources mentioned in this podcast:"The Life and Diary of David Brainerd" edited by Jonathan Edwards"The Autobiography Of George Muller" by George Muller"The Power of Prayer and the Prayer of Power" by R. A. TorreyDo you have a question you would like answered on a future episode? Please email us at questions@soundwords.org.

Revived Devos takes devotionals from famous theologians of history and records them fresh for your listening pleasure each and every day. So sit back and spend a few minutes of your morning with D.L Moody, St. Augustine, Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, and others on rotation every week.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

You may want to make some room on your bookshelf after hearing today's episode of The Morning Cruise. At the very least, you'll feel a little more book smart!  Carmen shared a bit from Pastor Aaron Burke's message this weekend. That conversation led to Bill discussing Thomas Chalmers and Expulsive Power. Carmen then told us how she has started reading The Prayer Life by Andrew Murray, which prompted Bill to shared the story of George Muller.  And with Mother's Day coming up, Carmen's...

Word of Faith Vs Men of Faith: Alternatives to WOF Doctrine From Christian History With Paul KingAs Charismatics ourselves we are often labeled Word of Faith because we believe in the gifts. As Christians who call out some of the errors in the Word of Faith movement, there is a common assumption among those in the WOF that we are cessationists. However, we want to be men FULL OF FAITH! I want God to be Glorified in my life through healing, if God would have it I would love to see more healings than Amy Simple McPherson and John G Lake. If it would grow me in my faith toward God, and fruitfulness in ministry, I want to have crazier stories of provision than Kenneth Copeland and Jessie Duplantis. That being said, the testimonies do not justify the doctrines. Are there alternatives to WOF Doctrines from Christian History? Are there Men and Women who were marked by provision and miraculous power who were faithful in proclaiming orthodox doctrine? Well, In this video Paul King is with us to discuss the Word of Faith VS Men of Faith. We will be looking at three extremely Influential men George Muller, Hudson Taylor, and Charles Spurgeon. These men were marked by supernatural provision and the miraculous working of God's power while never compromising the orthodox Christian doctrine. Our goal is to compare and contrast the WOF with these historic Men of Faith so that we can point our WOF brothers to alternative examples in Christian history. Paul King has some great insights, can't wait for our talk. Donate (Paypal)https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...___________________________________________________________________________________Exclusive Content (Patreon)https://www.patreon.com/TheRemnantRadio__________________________________________________________________________________We're social! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRemnantRadioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theremnantr...___________________________________________________________________________________Our Favorite Bookshttps://www.amazon.com/shop/theremnan...___________________________________________________

Talent #1 is flying solo this week and talks KU-UNC and Texas spring football before diving into a terrific mailbag with questions/comments such as: 1. Why did a podcast sponsor interrupt their family Disney vacation to help a listener for no economic gain? 2. When does the Texas/OU move the SEC happen? What's the deal? 3. Jamburgerz! 4. Prop bets as sucker bets... 5. Did you forget George Muller from the BMW teams? 6. Why is the Gaskamp Award the greatest award ever in the history of awards? What is its future with the portal? 7. Much of JUCO football is an unpublicized debt scam to fund dubious colleges. 8. Why is writing Thinking Texas Football like delivering a baby? ** The time is now for your new mortgage or refi with Gabe Winslow at 832-557-1095 or MortgagesbyGabe. Then get your financial life in order with advisor David McClellan with a free consult: dmcclellan@forumfin.com. Need a great CenTex realtor? Contact Laura Baker at 512-784-0505 or laura@andyallenteam.com. Please subscribe, rate, review wherever you listen.