Worldliness in the evangelical churches

According to the Barna report, members of evangelical churches live just as immorally as the rest of the world. In some cases, e.g. divorce rates, the church is actually worse.  Why is it that the world does not listen to the church? The church has no message - the world despises the church as a bunch of hypocrites, and justifiably so. The church behaves just like the world. These 'Christians' are worse because they have seen the light and are supposed to be the salt of the earth. Yet their lives bring shame instead of glory to Jesus Christ.

When Constantine claimed to become a Christian, his decision open the flood gates for the pagan world to enter the church. And they did, bringing in all their pagan idols into the church. The worship of the queen of heaven was converted into the worship of Mary. The worship of other deities became the worship of saints. These gross idolatry practices are still alive in the largest denomination in the world - the Roman Catholic church.
This was the beginning of the state sanctioned institutional church - it is not a church but a human organisation with a Christian label.  Along with their idols, worldly practices were introduced.

But has the evangelical churches fared any better? Do they practise idolatry?

Look at the churches resistance against homosexuality. Which Protestant denomination rallies against such ungodliness? There is a deafening silence from the Protestant camp. Only the Roman Catholics publicly speaks against it. Good on them. But every time they do, the socialist controlled media puts out an article about paedophiles. Have you noticed that? Every time some cardinal speaks out against homosexuality or abortion, there will be an article in the papers about some wicked acts by priest. If you look at some of the dates of the incidents, the media will bring out news from 10 years ago just to put their propaganda in front of its readers.  Whether the case has been closed or the ex-priests has been jailed 10 years ago is not important, what is important is to remind the public about how wicked Christians are. What I'm saying here is that evangelicals should get off their high horse and open their eyes to see that their so-called faithful church is not any better than a church that practises open idolatry.

So what are some of the worldly values and practices in evangelical churches?

• Worship of money and career. The average church goer places this high on its agenda. Talk about money, and the room is filled.  Why is the prosperity preacher so successful? He gives them what they want to hear. Might as well fleece them at the same time.   Talk about how to study the bible, and you'll find the same handful of people.  Listen to what the average church goer talks about after the church service - movies, food, outings, social activities and almost any topic you care to name except what the bible teaches. The mouth speaks what the heart treasures.
• Fashion and accessories.  Look at all the brand names being flaunted every week - designer handbags, designer clothes, designer shoes, designer belts, designer watches, fat cars. These are the things which are important to the world. They are just as important to many Christians.
• Obsession with success. Career progression, promotions, fat jobs, seniority, power - these are the goals of the world - and Christians too. Christians are more interested in these, than the kingdom of God. Sadly, this also exist in the church, pastors aiming for worldly success - large congregations, large ministry, comfortable paycheck, national recognition, TV and Radio programs, seniority, staff under him, etc. The career Minister is no different from the career professional - they both go after power, ego, and pride. 
• Gadgets and toys. You must always have the latest version of the iPhone or iPad, even though the previous version is sufficient. The marketers know this, and create the demand. The little lemmings follow. It is not limited to gadgets, but big boys toys too. The latest golf clubs, the latest 4 wheel drive, the latest home theatre, etc. The toys are not the issue, but when they become an idol, they become a snare for the Christian.
• Obsession with movies and TV. How much time does an average Christian watch TV per week compared to reading the bible?  If you're an addict, pray that God will remove the desire from you. He did for me and the interest just disappeared.
• Downloading illegal music, movies and software.  This is very prevalent among church goers. It is just idolatry in a different form - to want something bad enough to steal. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it right. Just because the music industry is charging lots of money doesn't justify stealing from them. If you can't afford it, don't listen to it.
• Obsession with sex.  This monster is fed by what is shown on TV and the movies.  The more garbage you feed your mind, the more you begin to behave accordingly.  Programs like 'Sex in the city' brain washes the audience to think that such behaviour is 'normal' and everyone is doing it. They've also been tricked into thinking that there is no harm in it especially among two consenting adults. This is Satan's lie. Judging from the amount of immorality in the church, this lie has been very successful.  This lie has also been reinforced by the fashion industry especially among young women. The success of a fashion is determined predominantly by how much sex appeal is generated - the designers know that sex sells. This has certainly infiltrated the church.
• Adoption of worldviews that are unbiblical. This is specially true now due to the socialists who have taken over the education institutions and media, and dare I say, many bible colleges too. Bible ethics have been taken over by situation ethics. Post modernism has taken over some churches - truth is relative, don't be too dogmatic.  The war against sin has been replaced with the war against global warming, social injustice, etc. The devil doesn't mind zealous Christians, as long as they are zealous for the wrong things.
• Worldly inspired music.  The focus on the beat and tempo to popularise a song is more important than the lyrics of the song. Many of the words are superficial and reflects humanistic world views. (Having said these, there has been some incredible great songs that have come our recently too).
• The transition of the worship service into a performance. The song leaders behave like they are rock artists, walking up and down the platform like an entertainer. The band plays like a soft rock band, except it has some Christian lyrics thrown in.  Some call these worship, but I have my reservations. The focus of the worship has become entertainment - the average church person comes to church, watch the musicians perform, watch the preacher perform, then go home. These churches have form but not life.
• Pride and egos in its leadership. They want to be honored an respected as elders and pastors but the idea of serving and washing of feet is foreign to these people.  This is how the world behaves, the boss is king and his employees serve the boss. Church leaders do the same in the church - bullying and ostracising church members to get their way.  Ask yourself, 'has the pastoral staff or elders spent time with each member of the church to discuss his spiritual welfare in the last 12 months'?  If not, how about the last 24 months? How do you pastor the sheep without bothering to invest time to spend with them?  These are false shepherds pretending to be shepherds while the sheep starve.    
• The church pot luck replacing fellowship. Social gatherings are not Christian fellowship. Fellowship is serving one others, encouraging one another, supporting one another, and sharing each others burdens. The church has substituted this with the pot luck meal. There is not difference between this and the dinner at the Rotary club.
• Youth meetings turning into dating meetings. The meetings have become places to look for boyfriends and girlfriends. This is just another social gathering.
• The church business meeting has become just a business meeting. There is no discussion of any plans to make disciples of the world out there. Just talk about money, building, and programs. And the arguments in the business meeting put some private organisations to shame.   

Are the evangelical churches any better than the Roman Catholic churches in their worldliness?  I'm afraid to say the answer is no.

Worldliness has come in and it is here to stay.  Has the pastor said a single thing about these?  If your pastor has, consider yourself blessed.


“I was looking for the church and I found it in the world.
I was looking for the world and I found it in the church!”
- Leonard Ravenhill

Worldly methods adopted in the church

Look carefully at how Christian leaders do things in the church or at conferences. See if you can spot the ways of the world being adopted.

• Public speaking techniques used by speakers. You can spot these as they will follow a formula. The sermon starts with a joke or an illustration to grab the audience's attention. Lots of illustrations, jokes, props, stories are thrown in to keep the audience.  There is nothing wrong with using illustrations, but use it wisely and it must not overshadow the message.  These preachers forget that it is God who makes the change in the hearts of the audience, not their petty techniques.  
• Walking around the room, shaking hands with the audience, jokes, etc. to build rapport with the audience. The preacher is like a politician going for election or a stand up comedian doing his stuff. The focus is on entertainment and good performance, and not ministering the Word of God. 
• The constant use and adoption of buzz words - be winsome, engage the audience, build relationships, pro-actively engage, captivate the audience, let's develop a vision, strategize what to do, etc. The words themselves are not the issue, the issue is whether the leader has adopted worldly techniques in addition to the words. Planning is necessary, but it is God who gives the increase.  Many leaders plan using their human efforts, and then ask God to bless it with holy water (in a manner of speaking). 
• Human psychology techniques are used to influence the audience. Read some of the books by Dale Carnegie, Robert Schuller or Norman Vincent Peale and you'll know what I'm referring to. These preachers manipulate their audience instead of ministering the Word of God - it's a bit like brain-washing.  The music chosen has been done to evoke a specific emotional response from the audience. Hymns like "Just as I am" is used during an invitation for a reason.    
• Inviting people to come to the front to receive Christ or recommit their lives. This is just showmanship. When a person believes, he/she is saved at that moment.  He does not need to walk to the front to show the world he has believed or say the sinner's prayer.  I often question what the preacher is trying to show by asking people to go out to the front. Is it to show the audience how good his preaching is? Seems this is most prevalent in the US, but other countries have been following the example. What better way to show your spirituality or increase your popularity than to have hundreds of people come forward after your preaching. 
• Counting numbers of converts or church membership as a sign of success. This myth is so widespread that nearly every church assesses its pastors or its own success based on this. The mark of success is how these people have become more like Christ. Have they become more holy? Do they love more? But measuring such 'soft' virtues are difficult but would reveal the true state of a church - and we can't have that can we? Show the people numbers and they'll be led to think the leader is successful.
• Attendance centric church services where members attend, sing songs when told to, sit down when told to, give money when told to (sometimes), go home when told to. They attend, not participate in the life of the church. Some church services is exactly like going to the movies - you come in the front door, greet people you know, get handed a program sheet, watch the performance (or get entertained by the preacher), shake hands and go home. Where is the New Testament teaching of building up one another, encouraging one another and supporting one another in need? Is that left to the leaders only, while the leaders entertain the flock to keep the whole delusion going on for years
• Song leaders singing and bouncing around at the front of the church to lead the church in singing. These lead singers sometimes behaves like rock stars before the audience. Sometimes, I think I hav attended a sing-a-long concert than a worship service. Does the rest of the congregation sing-along or do they participate in active worship of God? 
• Music used to control the mood of the audience. In one church I attended, the audience prayed louder and louder whenever the drums beat faster and faster, and when the drums quieten down, the audience barely whispered. It felt like attending a cult meeting than a church. The mood was manipulated by the tempo of the music. The beat and tempo of many modern church music appear to be the same as those used in pagan ceremonies to get the audience into a trance like state
• The selection of leaders (pastors, elders, deacons) based on worldly criteria instead of bible principles. How often has people been chosen based on their current full time job?  If the person is an accountant, let's get him to be the treasurer. If he can talk, he must be good leadership material. The rich successful businessman has a pretty good chance of getting voted in. How else can we get the church numbers up and have a bulging budget?  
• Even potential pastors are selected based on their performance - how many members were there in his church, how many converts, how many ministries have been started, what good things the previous church has to say about him, etc.  Does anyone ask how his prayer life is during the interview or what is walk with God is like?  Does the man 'hear' from God on a daily basis?  What are the evidence of God's work in his life over the last 12 months? Churches look for high performers and not godly men - and they get what they deserve - performers.

Politics played inside churches

Many of today's churches are riddled with human politics. Here are just some I've come across:

• The pastor lobbying for votes just before his re-election. Much like our national politicians kissing babies.  Every visit to the elderly appears in Facebook or the church magazine
• The pastor surrounding himself with his bodyguards - 'yes' men who will blindly support their pastor regardless of what he does
• Pastors fighting with one another for specific roles or those roles which are more public  
• Spiritual men are pushed aside in favour of those who are agreeable to the pastor or existing elders. (I use the term 'elders' loosely to mean those who hold the title of elders in the church - whether they are genuinely qualified to be elders or not is another matter)
• The selection of people to take up offices in the church is based on whether they are supportive of the pastor and elders, not based on biblical qualifications (see Timothy or Titus)
• People who are not in favour are not given any significant tasks in the church institution, despite their obvious gifts
• Positioning of people into church boards or elderships based on voting preferences. These people are placed there to vote for specific persons. Some are put there to fill up a position so that no one can take the job even though everyone knows that person is not suitable
• Multiple factions within an eldership who differ and fight with each other based on personal ego instead of bible principles
• Rumours leaked by the leadership about members of the church to discredit them. This person will not say it himself, but will use words like 'Mrs A told me that Joe said this...'. These people spread poison in the minds of others. I know of a pastor who has made this into a fine art, he is never the one who started the rumour, its always someone else who told him. Yet he repeats the rumour with no hesitation.
• Church members not allowed to preach because they might make the pastor look bad. If they're not as good in preaching, you'll see them on the pulpit more often. But if they're any good, it's a threat and you won't find him on the pulpit too often.
• External preachers not invited back again because their sermons were better than the pastor's
• Song leaders or musicians fighting for prominence in the choir
• Song leaders not letting talented singers take the lead vocal role because that person is better than the song leader
• Activities organized by members not getting support from the pastor because he doesn't get the credit or he belongs to a different faction in the church
• Members being pushed out of the church due to them not supporting the ruling faction or pastor. A favourite method is for the pastor to use the sermon to put down or ridicule people in the church. Most members won't know that the sermon is directed at someone except the intended target. Another method is to give them the cold shoulder, ignoring them totally Sunday after Sunday. Another one is to leak rumours about people in the church to turn people against each other.

If the church governance is based on democratic principles i.e. voting, then politics in the church becomes worse. Popularity is all that matters as it will receive the most votes.  

My view is that most church members don't know their bible well, and they cannot discern the spiritual mature Christian from the charismatic personality. They will vote for someone who is popular - how good he can speak, how 'nice' he seems, his poise,  his secular job role (he's a bank manager, so he must make a good church treasurer), etc.  The bible qualities mentioned in Timothy and Titus are unknown to most pew warmers. So after a few years, you end up with 'popular' people running the church instead of spiritual men. And these have a tendency to stay as long as people can tolerate them.

These elders are elders in name, holding on to positions they have no right to hold on to, but refusing to relinquish the role to better men due to pride and ego.

I know of a church where the pastor started a recruitment drive just before the church elections to ensure he and his supported candidates get enough votes.  Supporters are made into members indiscriminately, just like rigging the voting system that you hear about in some third world countries. Is there any difference between these people and the world?   Yes, these people are worse because they know what is right to do.

These are not Christ centred churches; they've become institutions or private clubs. The reason why this is happening is that these are human institutions run by worldly people wearing a Christian badge.

If you find yourself in one, do yourself and your family a favour, get out and find a real church where God is honoured and you can grow in your faith. You owe it to yourself and to your family. You'll never learn anything from these people because they have nothing to teach, you can't get water from dry wells.

Heresies in the Church 6 - Praying in Jesus' Name

Many young Christians have been taught to end a prayer "..in Jesus' Name, Amen".  We've all done it.
Do we understand what it means?

To the average person, or more accurately, to most Christians, it is something that legitimises the prayer. The prayer is incomplete, or will not be answered if we don't add in these magic words "In Jesus' name".

We have made this into a mantra, a superstitious phase that will do magic for your prayers. This practice of calling upon the name of a higher power is practised in pagan circles.  The church has adopted yet another pagan superstition.

Didn't Jesus say  “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14; see also 15:16; 16:23-24, 26)


The flaw is to equate what Jesus said to this practice of ending a prayer with "In Jesus' Name".  They are not the same thing.
What Jesus was saying is that when we act as his representatives on earth and pray for the things that He would pray for, He will do it.  Put it in another way,  our prayers would reflect what Jesus would pray for if He were here  praying.  Our mind, motives, and goals are 100% aligned with Jesus. Our will is aligned to God's will (and not the other way around).   In this way, we are asking under the authority of Jesus, as led by the Holy Spirit.  We are praying what Jesus would  have prayed. 


For example, if we ask God to let us win the lottery, that would not be praying in Jesus' Name.  However, if we pray that God would be glorified in our particular situation, that would be a prayer in Jesus' Name.  

There is no value in praying "In Jesus' Name" if we are not doing God's will. It will not add any more legitimacy to your prayers if those prayers are driven by selfish motives or are self centred. However if we are praying according to the will of God, we are already praying 'In Jesus' name' whether we use those words or not at the end of the prayer.

When the Lord taught the disciples to pray "Our Father who art in heaven...", Jesus did not teach them to end that prayer in His name.  It is assumed that the prayer is in His Name when He said "Thy will be done.."

If you feel the need to end your prayers this way, do it to give God the glory, but just remember what it means and that it is not a magic formula that twists God's arm to answer your prayers.

Finding God's will (longer version) - George Muller

George Muller
God’s Guidance

THE WILL OF GOD. How important it is to ascertain the will of God, before we undertake anything, because we are then not only blessed in our own souls, but also the work of our hands will prosper. Just in as many points as we are acting according to the mind of God, in so many are we blessed and made a blessing. Our manner of living is according to the mind of the Lord, for He delights in seeing His children thus come to Him (Matt. 6); and therefore, though I am weak and erring in many points, yet He blesses me in this particular.

First of all, to see well to it, that the work in which he desires to be engaged is God’s work;

secondly, that he is the person to be engaged in this work;

thirdly, that God’s time is come, when he should do this work;


and then to be assured, that, if he seeks God’s help in His own appointed way, He will not fail him. We have ever found it thus, and expect to find it thus, on the ground of the promises of God, to the end of our course.

1. Be slow to take new steps in the Lord’s service, or in your business, or in your families. Weigh everything well; weigh all in the light of the Holy Scriptures, and in the fear of God. 2. Seek to have no will of your own, in order to ascertain the mind of God, regarding any steps you propose to take, so that you can honestly say, you are willing to do the will of God, if He will only please to instruct you. 3. But when you have found out what the will of God is, seek for His help, and seek it earnestly, perseveringly, patiently, believingly, and expectingly: and you will surely, in His own time and way, obtain it. We have not to rush forward in self-will and say, I will do the work, and I will trust the Lord for means, this cannot be real trust, it is the counterfeit of faith, it is presumption; and though God, in great pity and mercy, may even help us finally out of debt; yet does this, on no account, prove that we were right in going forward before His time was come. We ought, rather, under such circumstances to say to ourselves: “Am I indeed doing the work of God?” And if so, I may not be the person to do it; or if I am the person, His time may not yet be come for me to go forward; it may be His good pleasure to exercise my faith and patience. I ought, therefore, quietly to wait His time; for when it is come, God will help. Acting on this principle brings blessing. To ascertain the Lord’s will we ought to use scriptural means. Prayer, the word of God, and His Spirit should be united together. We should go to the Lord repeatedly in prayer, and ask Him to teach us by His Spirit through His word. I say by His Spirit through His word. For if we should think that His Spirit led us to do so and so, because certain facts are so and so, and yet His word is opposed to the step which we are going to take, we should be deceiving ourselves. No situation, no business will be given to me by God, in which I have not time enough to care about my soul. Therefore, however outward circumstances may appear, it can only be considered as permitted of God, to prove the genuineness of my love, faith, and obedience, but by no means as the leading of His providence to induce me to act contrary to His revealed will.”-George Muller, quoted in, A.T. Pierson, George Mueller of Bristol, p. 231,232.


George Muller On Being Assured of God’s Guidance

I never remember, in all my Christian course, a period now (in March 1895) of sixty-nine years and four months, that I ever SINCERELY and PATIENTLY sought to know the will of God by the teaching of the Holy Ghost, through the instrumentality of the word of God, but I have been ALWAYS directed rightly. But if honesty of heart and uprightness before God were lacking, or if I did not patiently wait upon God for instruction, or if I preferred the counsel of my fellow men to the declarations of the word of the living God, I made great mistakes.”-George Muller, quoted in, A.T. Pierson, George Mueller of Bristol

George Muller on Waiting on God Guidance

Another fact that grows more conspicuous with the perusal of every new page in his journal is that in things common and small, as well as uncommon and great, he took no step without first asking counsel of the oracles of God and seeking guidance from Him in believing prayer. It was his life-motto to learn the will of God before undertaking anything, and to wait till it is clear, because only so can one either be blessed in his own soul or prospered in the work of his hands. [Vol. I.74]. Many disciples who are comparatively bold to seek God’s help in great crises, fail to come to Him with like boldness in matters that seem too trivial to occupy the thought of God or invite the interposition of Him who numbers the very hairs of our heads and suffers not one hair to perish. The writer of this journal escaped this great snare and carried even the smallest matter to the Lord.”-George Muller, quoted in, A.T. Pierson, George Mueller of Bristol, p. 40.


George Muller and Knowing God’s will

“I seek at the beginning to get my heart in such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine tenths of the 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 but a little way to the knowledge of 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 delusions also. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

Next I take into account providential circumstances. 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.

This calmness of mind, this having no will of my own in the matter, this only wishing to please my Heavenly Father in it, this only seeking His and not my honor in it, this state of heart, I say is the fullest assurance to me that my heart is not under a fleshly excitement, and that, if helped thus to go on, I shall know the will of God to the full.”-Roger Steer, The Spiritual Secrets of George Muller (OMF Books: Robesonia, PA, 1987), pp 40,42 (www.omf.org)


George Muller on Weighing Matters

This work of translation she partially accomplished, though somewhat imperfectly; and the whole occurrence impressed Mr. Mueller as an indication that God was once more leading him in the direction of Germany, for another season of labour in his native land. Much prayer deepened his persuasion that he had not misread God’s signal, and that His time had now fully come.

He records some of the motives which led to this conclusion.

1. First, he yearned to encourage believing brethren who for conscience’ sake had felt constrained to separate themselves from the state churches, and meet for worship in such conditions as would more accord with New Testament principles, and secure greater edification.

2. Being a German himself, and therefore familiar with their language, customs, and habits of thought, he saw that he was fitted to wield a larger influence among his fellow countrymen than otherwise.

3. He was minded to publish his Narrative in his own tongue wherein he was born, not so much in the form of a mere translation, as of an independent record of his life’s experiences such as would be specially suited to its new mission.

4. An effectual door was opened before him, and more widely than ever, especially at Stuttgart; and although there were many adversaries, they only made his help the more needful to those whose spiritual welfare was in peril.

5. A distinct burden was laid on his heart, as from the Lord, which prayer, instead of relieving, increased - a burden which he felt without being able to explain - so that the determination to visit his native land gave him a certain peace which he did not have when he thought of remaining at home.

To avoid mistake, with equal care he records the counter-arguments.

1. The new orphan house, No. 4, was about to be opened, and his presence was desirable if not needful.

2. A few hundred pounds were needed, to be left with his helpers, for current expenses in his absence.

3. Money was also required for traveling expenses of himself and his wife, whose health called for a change.

4. Funds would be needful to publish four thousand copies of his Narrative and avoid too high a market price.

5. A matron for the new orphan house was not yet found, suitable for the position.

In this careful weighing of matters many sincere disciples fail, prone to be impatient of delay in making decisions. Impulse too often sways, and self-willed plans betray into false and even disastrous mistakes. Life is too precious to risk one such failure. There is given us a promise of deep meaning: “The meek will He guide in judgment; And the meek will He teach His way.”(Psalm 25:9.) Here is a double emphasis upon meekness as a condition of such guidance and teaching. Meekness is a real preference for God’s will. Where this holy habit of mind exists, the whole being becomes so open to impression that, without any outward sign or token, there is an inward recognition and choice of the will of God. God guides, not by a visible sign, but by swaying the judgment. To wait before Him, weighing candidly in the scales every consideration for or against a proposed course, and in readiness to see which way the preponderance lies, is a frame of mind and heart in which one is fitted to be guided; and God touches the scales and makes the balance to sway as He will. But our hands must be off the scales, otherwise we need expect no interposition of His in our favour.

One sure sign of this spirit of meekness is the entire restfulness with which apparent obstacles to any proposed plan or course are regarded. Then waiting and wishing only to know and do God’s will, hindrances will give no anxiety, but a sort of pleasure, as affording a new opportunity for divine interposition. If it is the Pillar of God we are following, the Red Sea will not dismay us, for it will furnish but another scene for the display of the power of Him who can make the waters to stand up as an heap, and to become a wall about us as we go through the sea on dry ground.

Mr. Mueller had learned this rare lesson, and in this case he says: “I had a secret satisfaction in the greatness of the difficulties which were in the way. So far from being cast down on account of them, they delighted my soul; for I only desired to do the will of the Lord in this matter.” Here is revealed another secret of holy serving. To him who sets the Lord always before him, and to whom the will of God is his delight, there pertains a habit of soul, which in advance settles a thousand difficult and perplexing questions.-A. T. Pierson, George Mueller of Bristol, p. 91,92


George Muller on God’s Guidance in Marriage

“Let me here add a word of Christian counsel. To enter upon the marriage union is one of the most deeply important events of life. It cannot be too prayerfully treated. Our happiness, our usefulness, our living for God or for ourselves afterwards, are often most intimately connected with our choice. Therefore, in the most prayerful manner, this choice should be made. Neither beauty, nor age, nor money, nor mental powers, should be that which prompt the decision; but 1st, Much waiting upon God for guidance should be used; 2nd, A hearty purpose, to be willing to be guided by Him should be aimed after; 3rd, True godliness without a shadow of doubt, should be the first and absolutely needful qualification, to a Christian, with regard to a companion for life. In addition to this, however, it ought to be, at the same time, calmly and patiently weighed, whether, in other respects, there is a suitableness. For instance, for an educated man to choose an entirely uneducated woman, is unwise; for however much on his part love might be willing to cover the defect, it will work very unhappily with regard to the children.”-George Muller, Narratives, Vol. 3


George Muller on God’s Guidance through Chance Methods

George Muller used the lots three times to make decisions. Each time was a disaster. Speaking of the last two times: “George Mueller resorted to the lot only two more times: once at a literal parting of the ways when he was led by it to take the wrong fork of the road, and afterward in a far more important matter, but with a like result: in both cases he found he had been misled, and henceforth abandoned all such chance methods of determining the mind of God. He learned two lessons, which new dealings of God more and more deeply impressed:

First, that the safe guide in every crisis is believing prayer in connection with the word of God;

Secondly, that continued uncertainty as to one’s course is a reason for continued waiting.

These lessons should not be lightly passed over, for they are too valuable. The flesh is impatient of all delay, both in decision and action; hence all carnal choices are immature and premature, and all carnal courses are mistaken and unspiritual. God is often moved to delay that we may be led to pray, and even the answers to prayer are deferred that the natural and carnal spirit may be kept in check and self-will may bow before the will of God.”

Finding God's Will (short version) - George Muller

George Muller (1805-1898) was a man of prayer and a man of faith. He believed that His God would supply all his needs even without telling any man what his needs were. He started his first orphanage with no money of his own but with child-like faith in a great God. By the end of his life more than ten thousand orphans had been cared for in the orphanage homes which were built by faith. 

To understand what God’s Word meant to this man see George Muller and the Scriptures. For one of the best biographies of this man of God, see George Muller of Bristol by A.T.Pierson. 

Müller’s mission was for the glory of God:

“The orphan houses exist to display that God can be trusted and to encourage believers to take him at his word.”

“The first and primary object of the Institute was…that God might be magnified by the fact that the orphans under my care were, and are, provided with all they need only by prayer and faith, without anyone being asked by me or my fellow-labourers, whereby it might be seen that God is faithful still and hears prayer still.”

The following is from Muller’s pen on the subject of knowing God’s will:

1. Remove your own self will first

“I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever that may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.”

2. Avoid feelings 

“Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.”

3. Seek the will of the Spirit in connection with the Word

“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 delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.”

4. Consider providential circumstances 

“Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s will in connection with His Word and Spirit.”

5. See the throne before you seek man

“I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.”

6. Make a deliberate judgement, and then test it several times

“Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge; and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving the most important issues, I have found this method always effective.”

George Muller's list of favourite bible verses

• "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." (John iii.16.)
• "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm." (Jeremiah xvii.5.)
• "O, fear the Lord, ye His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him." (Psa. xxxiv.9.)
• "Owe no man anything, but to love one another." (Rom. xiii.8.)
• "SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU." (Matt. vi.33.)
• "The holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." (2 Tim. iii.15.)
• "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matt. vii.7,8.)
• "WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN MY NAME, THAT WILL I DO, THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON: IF YE SHALL ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME I WILL DO IT." (John xiv.13,14.)
• "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what ye shall put on... Take, therefore, no thought for the morrow." (Matt. vi. 25-34.)
• "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." (John vii.17.)
• "If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John viii.31,32.)
• "And the eunuch said, See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him." (Acts viii.36-38.)
• "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death." (Rom. vi.3, 4.)
• "Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread." (Acts xx.7.)
• "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a man in vile raiment; and ye have respect unto him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool, are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" (James ii.1-6.)
• "Having, then, gifts differing according to the grace that is given us." (Rom. xii.6.)
• "All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." (1 Cor. xii.11.)
• "Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." (Philip. iv.17.)
• "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body what ye shall put on"... "Behold the fowls of the air... Consider the lilies of the field... For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." (Matt. vi.25-32.)
• "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." (Matt. vi.19.)
• "SELL THAT YE HAVE AND GIVE ALMS." (Luke xii.33.)
• "A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven." (John iii.27.)
• "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name." (Acts xv.14. Comp. Matt. xiii.24-30, 36-43.)
• "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come... Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Tim. iii.1,13.)
• "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." (2 Cor. vi.14-18.)
• "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." (Zech. iv.6.)
• "MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE." (2 COR. xii.9.)
• "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God." (1 Cor. vii.20, 24.)
• "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Tim. iii.16.)
• "OPEN THY MOUTH WIDE, AND I WILL FILL IT." (Psa. lxxxi.10.)
• "Mine hour is not yet come." (John ii.4.)
• "He took a child, and set him in the midst of them and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me; and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me." (Mark ix.36, 37.)
• "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." (Rom. xii.18.)
• "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Heb.xii.10,11.)
• "WHAT THINGS S0EVER YE DESIRE, WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, AND YE SHALL HAVE THEM." (Mark xi.24.)
• "He that believeth on Him shall not be confounded." (1 Pet. ii.6.)
• "O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come." (Psa. lxv.2.)
• "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul." (Psa. Ixvi.16.)
• "A FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS." (Psa. lxviii.5.)
• "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction." (Prov iii.11.)
• "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." (Psa. ciii.13.)
• "JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO-DAY, AND FOR EVER." (Heb.xiii.8.)
• " To-morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."
• "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matt. vi.34.)
• "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." (1 Sam. vii.12.)
• "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good:"
• "Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. (Psalm xxxiv.8.)
• "All the fat is the Lord's." (Lev. iii.16.)
• "I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me." (Psa. xl.17.)
• "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psa. xxxvii.4.)
• "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." (Psa. Ixvi.18.)
• "Know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto Him." (Psa. iv.3.)
• "JEHOVAH JIREH." (The Lord will provide.) (Gen. xxii.14.)
• "HE HATH SAID, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE; SO THAT WE MAY BOLDLY SAY, THE LORD IS MY HELPER." (Heb. xiii.5, 6.)
• "Be thou not one of them that strike hands, or of those that are sureties for debts." (Prov. xxii.26.)
• "He that hateth suretyship is sure." (Prov. xi.15.)
• "I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." (2 Cor. xii.15.)
• "Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. iii.26.)
• "CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM FOR HE CARETH FOR YOU." (1 Pet. v.7.)
• "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Phil. iv.6.)
• "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John xi.40.)
• "WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD." (Rom. viii.28.)
• "Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. xviii.25.)
• "Of such (little children) is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. xix.14.)
• "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. viii.32.)
• "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." (James i.17.)
• "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." (Psa. xxxiv.1O.)
• "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." (Prov. xi.24, 25.)
• "Give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke vi.38.)
• "The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand." (Isa. xxxii.8.)
• "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good. (Mark xiv.7.)
• "Let not then your good be evil spoken of." (Rom. xiv.16.)
• "Let your moderation (yieldingness) be known unto all men." (Phil. iv.5.)
• "MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS (i.e. TRIALS); KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE, BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING." (James i.2-4.)
• "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not into thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." (Prov. iii.5, 6.)
• "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." (Prov. xi.3.)
• "Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established." (Prov. xvi.3.)
• "For I say through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure faith." (Rom. xii.3.)
• "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord." (Psa. xxvii.14.)
• "After he had patiently endured he obtained the promise." (Heb. vi.15.)
• " VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE WILL GIVE IT YOU." (John xvi.23.)
• "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparing; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2 Cor. ix.6.)
• "Ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. vi.20.)
• "THEY THAT KNOW THY NAME WILL PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE: FOR THOU, LORD, HAST NOT FORSAKEN THEM THAT TRUST THEE." (Psa. ix.10.)
• "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." (Isa. xxvi.3, 4.)
• "If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not." (2 Cor viii.12.)
• "BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, FOR AS MUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD." (1 Cor. xv.58.)
• "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." (Gal. vi.9.)
• "Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men! (Psa. xxxi.19.)
• "THOU ART GOOD AND DOEST GOOD." (Psa. cxix. 68.)
• "I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." (Psa. cxix.75.)
• "My times are in Thy hand." (Psa. xxxi.15.)
• "The LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Psa. Ixxxiv.11.)
• "Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe." (Psa. cxix.117.)
• "Behold I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according as his work shall be." (Rev. xxii.12.)
• "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts xx.35.)
• "Give us this day our daily bread." (Matt. vi.11.)
• "Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Eph. iii.2O.)
• "Them that honour Me I will honour." (1 Sam. ii.30.)
• "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter i.7.