Asking God

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The Life Of Faith (book review)

Title: The Life Of Faith
Author: Mrs. C. Nuzum
Publisher: Gospel Publishing House
Date: Original 1927, 16th printing 1997
Pages: 95

The Life Of Faith (book review)

Mrs. C. Nuzum was a missionary to Mexico for many years in early 1900’s. For twenty-seven years she lived in constant pain and suffering health, unable to do very much and was worn out very quickly. God gave her a healing touch, restoring her health, strength and abilities. This was done by faith in God and in His word and promises. Her life was one lived by faith.

Although this book sounded like one that would talk about her life, it does not talk anything about her life past the first chapter. It is more about how to live a life of faith.

Beginning with salvation, Mrs. C. Nuzum looks at what the Bible says that believers have. She looks at what it means to put aside the things of this world and to live a pure and holy life for God. She points out the power that believers can have in having faith and resisting the devil. Finally, she looks at what faith is and how to make it grow.

Throughout the book she is constantly using scriptures. Most of the scriptures used have a reference as to where to find them. Others just quote part of verses in her own words.

Even though this book is very short, it is packed full of truth. It is a lot to digest and apply to one’s life. There is no condemnation in the book but will challenge the reader to look at his life and examine how he is living it, whether by faith or not by faith. She encourages every believer to take hold of what God has given by faith, knowing and trusting that God’s word is true and faithful in every circumstance in life.

I highly recommend reading this short book. Although it was originally written in 1927, what it contains is true and applicable to today.

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1 Kings 3:5 What Would You Ask For?

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 1 Kings 3:5

Over the centuries hundreds of stories have been told in many different ways in which a person finds a magic lamp and a genie grants the person three wishes. While most people know it is not real, most people desire to have their wishes granted.

People are constantly talking about what they desire to have or be able to do some day. Often those desires come out of personal greed.

Soon after Solomon was made king, God came to him in a dream and told him to ask Him whatever he wanted Him to give him.

As the world dreams about being asked what they want by a genie, God does ask that question of believers on a regular basis.

Most believers go to God on a regular basis with a long list of desires of wants and needs. Those desires can be both for others and for themselves. Some of those desires can be selfish in the making, while others are made out of true concern for others or even self.

While Solomon was granted his request of God, many believers find that their requests are denied. This often occurs because the desire was selfish and not what God desires.

The true believer will be seeking the will of God, not his own personal desires when he asks God for something. His focus will be upon eternity, not the here and now pleasure of the day. Just as Jesus was focused upon building God’s kingdom, true believers will have that same desire and ask God for whatever is needed to make that happen.

Every believer needs to ask for things that will help him to accomplish God’s goal for his life.

You most likely have a long listed of desired things, both needed and just wants. Take time to go through that list and seek things that will line up with the goal of God in your life here on this planet. Which of those desires will make you more like Jesus and which will build His kingdom here on this earth?

Do not be afraid to ask God for your desires but be willing to ask according to His will as Jesus had said to do and see God do mighty works in and through your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God’s will is for your life; that you will ask God for things that fulfill His purpose in your life; and that you will have a desire to build God’s kingdom as Jesus did.

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1 Samuel 14:36 Ask God First

Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn and let us not leave one of them alive.” “Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.” 1 Samuel 14:36

Everyday people must make various choices on what to do or not to do. Most often people look at their past experiences and knowledge or those of other people to determine what they should do. Going off of what they know, most will make a quick decision on their own.

The Saul had made a decision to plunder the Philistines. His army was willing to follow him. However, the priest said that they should ask God first.

It is easy for people to believe that they know what is always the best choice to make. All that seen is the here and now in the moment and what appears to be the easiest or most profitable path to take.

While it may appear to be the best path, that is not always the case. People can only see the immediate and guess at the future results of a choice.

Believers will often be just like Saul and the world and make their own choice based completely off of their own knowledge.

Instead of being like the world, believers should first seek God’s direction and wisdom. God is more than willing to give His wisdom in any and every situation, if one is willing to seek it and adhere to it.

Unlike mankind, God sees the bigger picture and the results of every decision that could possibly be made in any situation. His decision will be made off of what is best for the individual, others and His eternal kingdom, so the believer should ask Him first for directions.

Throughout your life you will be faced with many decisions that need to be made. Be careful to not jump to some hasty decision based upon the ways of the world.

Stop and take whatever time is necessary to seek God’s choice of what choice needs to be made. Think about what God’s word may say about the decision and make a choice based off of His word. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in the right choice first.

Doing this will allow you to walk the path God has for you and have His favor upon your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will seek God first in every decision to be made; that you will follow God’s directions for your life; and that you will see God’s wisdom in all that He guides you to do.

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Judges 20:26-27a Seeking God’s Direction

Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. Judges 20:26-27a

Major decisions have to be made once in a while by individuals or groups of people. When faced with making these types of decisions, many people will seek the advice and direction from other people, along with their past experiences.

People will often desire to know the pros and cons of making a decision.

The Israelites were trying to decide whether to attack the Benjamite clan or not. They fasted, prayed and gave offerings to God and then asked God what to do.

It is very difficult for most people to make a decision when the results of that choice could be very disastrous or very good. No one wants to make the wrong choice and have to pay for it in the end.

Seeking the guidance from other people will often miss the bigger picture. People cannot see the future results of both sides of the choice. The world will always choose what looks better in the moment and for self, rather than what is best for everyone, both now and in the future.

Instead of seeking God with all of their heart for a decision, many believers will go to those in the world for an answer.

Believers must be willing to set their own selfish and sinful ways aside and seek God’s direction. God sees everything perfectly and always knows the best choice to make. His ways and thoughts are above those of any person and will not always make sense, but are always what is best. And He is willing to guide and direct people in every area of their lives.

There will be times when you have to make a major decision that will have very different results based upon the choice that is made. Do not rely upon your own personal wisdom or just the wisdom of other people.

Take time to fast and pray to God for direction on the choice to be made. Wait for God to answer you and then follow His directions. Allow God to guide your every step so that you may stay in His will.

Are you seeking His will today?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will hear God’s voice guiding you; that you will be led by God’s Holy Spirit; that you will make all your choices based on God’s direction; and that God will give you strength and boldness to obey His commands.

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Joshua 9:14 Seek God’s Direction

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Joshua 9:14

On the surface nearly anything can look and sound good. It is easy for people to think that they understand what they are walking into or dealing with when just looking at the surface of things. Instead of seeking advice from someone who is experienced, many will just jump into something that can be harmful.

Often the real truth is covered up with a disguised lie that appears to be a truth. Only a deep investigation will reveal the truth.

Some people from Gibeon had made it look like they were coming from a faraway place, though they were from nearby, to make a treaty with the Israelites. The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not ask God about it.

The world wants to make a treaty with believers. They want believers to compromise on their stand with God and His ways of living.

On the surface the world will talk about what appears to be love and care, which is what God is all about. Underneath the disguise is a deception to bring about death and destruction. Sin against God is the ultimate goal of the world.

Too many believers hear what the world is saying and quickly agree with them. They are willing to try out what the world offers without asking God about it. They make a treaty with the world causing a snare in their life.

Treaties with the world will often cause the believer to sin against God or at least slow them down from doing God’s will in their lives.

Before a believer makes an agreement with the world, he must first seek God’s direction. God’s Holy Spirit can open eyes up to the real truth, uncovering the deception and lies.

You will have times when the world will try to be friends with you and make a treaty with you. Do not allow yourself to be quick to agree with the ways of the world.

Seek God first to find out what He wants you to do and walk in that path. He can see the truth and the motives behind the treaties of the world. and is willing to reveal them to you.

In the end the world will only strive to kill and destroy you. God will only bring you life, abundant life that will extend into eternity.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will seek God’s wisdom and direction for your life; that God will reveal the deception of the world being presented to you; that you will walk in the path God has for you; and that God will protect you from being deceived into sin.