George is mainly known for being a man of prayer and establishing, and sustaining, orphan houses in England in the 1900′s.

He cared for thousands of orphans and all of his work with the orphan homes was funded and supported by prayer. He never asked anyone for money. He believed that trusting the Lord, in this way, would prove God’s existence to the unbelieving world and also encourage the faith of believers. His autobiography is amazing, and I would encourage you to pick it up.

AVOID THE LEAN SOUL

In chapter 8 he recalls a meeting he had with another believer in his church…

“I visited a brother who worked fourteen to sixteen hours a day at his trade. His body ached, his soul was lean, and he had not joy in God. I pointed out to him that he should work less in order that his health might not suffer. He could gather strength for his inner man by reading the Word of God, by meditation on it, and by prayer.”

Mueller goes on to explain that the man replied, “he must work in order to support his family.” Mueller encouraged him that it was the Lord that supported his family and not his work. Mueller then speaks to us, reflecting on this man’s experience, with piercing clarity…

“You begin to work after only a few hurried moments of prayer. You leave your work in the evening and intend to read a little of the Word of God, but by then you are too worn out in body and mind to enjoy it. You often fall asleep while reading the Scriptures or while on your knees in prayer.”

Mueller’s encouragement to this man, is the point of the entire book and his whole life. We should “seek the Kingdom first” and trust him to provide for our needs.

ARE YOU TIRED? COMMUNE WITH GOD

I feel like the tired, exhausted man Mueller was encouraging a lot. There are seasons where I feel I’m working very hard, but neglecting my soul. My soul feels very ‘lean’ (to use Mueller’s words).

But we all must remember Jesus talked about this when he told the disciples in John 4, “I have food that you know not of.” This is, especially as a husband and father, what I must give myself to. I must feed my inner man. I must do this to support my family, to lead my family, to encourage my wife, to teach my children, etc.

We will receive the grace we need to accomplish everything God has for us, in one place, and one place only; namely communion with the living God.

Mueller exhibited and modeled this for us.

BE PRODUCTIVE AND FEED YOUR SOUL

I love productivity and little small hacks here and there that help do something faster or more efficiently. But productivity is not always moving forward. Sometimes it means stopping, kneeling in prayer and asking God to do more than we could ask for or accomplish on our own.

Let’s be a people with well feed souls.

If your soul feels lean today, give yourself to God’s Word and prayer.

Josh Walker (@joshdwalker) is the co-founder and owner of One Fifty Media House, a Houston, TX based Audio and Video Design Team. He is the writer and author of music products such as Family Devo, Grammar Time and Hymns For Selena. He is married to Angela and has two beautiful children: Nathan and Charity Joy.

Day 1: John 16:1-4

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)

• Q22: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
• A: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses. (bolded text are for younger children)

READ:

[1] “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. [2] They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. [3] And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. [4] But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. - John 16:1-4 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

Suggested Question: Why does Jesus say that some people do evil in the world?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank God that you know him and that he loves you. Ask him to give you the kind of faith that would sustain through persecution.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church sing.

Day 2:  John 16:5-11

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)

• Q22: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
• A: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses. (bolded text are for younger children)

READ:

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. [5] But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. [8] And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: [9] concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; [10] concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; [11] concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. - John 16:5-11 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: Why did Jesus have to go away from us?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Ask him to convict sinners of their sin so that they would turn to God.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

DAY 3: John 16:12-15

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)

• Q22: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
• A: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses. (bolded text are for younger children)

READ:

[12] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. - John 16:12-15 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: What is the role of the Spirit of truth (The Holy Spirit)?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank the Holy Spirit for revealing the truth of the gospel to you. Ask him to glorify God more in your life.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 4: John 16:16-24

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)

• Q22: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
• A: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses. (bolded text are for younger children)

READ:

[16] “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” [17] So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” [18] So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” [19] Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? [20] Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. [21] When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. [22] So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. [23] In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. [24] Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.   - John 16:16-24 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: What does Jesus say here about our joy? (can anyone take it away?)

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Ask God to make your joy full!

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 5: John 16:25-33

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)

• Q22: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
• A: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses. (bolded text are for younger children)

READ:

[25] “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. [26] In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; [27] for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. [28] I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

[29] His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! [30] Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” [31] Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? [32] Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. [33] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  - John 16:25-33 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: How can we take heart when we have tribulation in this world? How did the disciples?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

Suggested Prayer: Thank God for his peace that carries us through trials and tribulations. Ask him to further the gospel in your neighborhood and city.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

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