I have been really interested in the life of George Müller recently. For those who don't know, George Müller was a German who made his way to England. Once in England he say hundreds and thousands of orphaned children either living on the street, in poor houses, or in prison. In his 60 (?) years of ministering to them, he set up five buildings and saw over 10,000 children come through his doors. In that time he never asked any human for anything. He trusted his needs to God and God always provided. He also didn't take any salary after a few years and, again, God provided for his family as well. He was a man of prayer who saw great things happen and who is a testimony to us in an era where self-determination makes prayer seem obsolete.
The following is something I ran into here and since it was written in the 1800s I have also tried to put some parts of it into a modern vernacular. So, this is not an exact quote, but it is the essence of what he said. if you want to see the original, click on the link above.
To start, I get my heart into a state where it has no will of its own in regard to the matter at hand. nine-tenths of the trouble with people is generally this: nine-tenths of our difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually only a small step to knowing what His will is.
Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusion also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
Next I take into account providential circumstances (Nate: In other words, do not ignore the things that happen and people who come into your life. Recognize that God works often by allowing or even causing thing and people to affect us in ways that are intentional.) These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with his Word and Spirit.
I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright (Nate: correctly, clearly, not confusingly, etc.)
Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is still at peace, and continues that way after two or three more petitions to God, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving more important issues, I have found this method always effective.
I hope this can be an encouragement to you. I know that for me I often miss one of these steps. I want to know God's will about XYZ for my family, but I don't want to study God's Word in relation to that issue. Or, I don't want to pray about it....or I don't want to reflect and instead want to make a quick decision. All of these things (in my opinion) mean that I am relying on myself and not God. So, then it is my will and not God's will.
To God be the glory!
The following is something I ran into here and since it was written in the 1800s I have also tried to put some parts of it into a modern vernacular. So, this is not an exact quote, but it is the essence of what he said. if you want to see the original, click on the link above.
To start, I get my heart into a state where it has no will of its own in regard to the matter at hand. nine-tenths of the trouble with people is generally this: nine-tenths of our difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually only a small step to knowing what His will is.
Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusion also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
Next I take into account providential circumstances (Nate: In other words, do not ignore the things that happen and people who come into your life. Recognize that God works often by allowing or even causing thing and people to affect us in ways that are intentional.) These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with his Word and Spirit.
I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright (Nate: correctly, clearly, not confusingly, etc.)
Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is still at peace, and continues that way after two or three more petitions to God, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving more important issues, I have found this method always effective.
I hope this can be an encouragement to you. I know that for me I often miss one of these steps. I want to know God's will about XYZ for my family, but I don't want to study God's Word in relation to that issue. Or, I don't want to pray about it....or I don't want to reflect and instead want to make a quick decision. All of these things (in my opinion) mean that I am relying on myself and not God. So, then it is my will and not God's will.
To God be the glory!
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