Title: Receiving the Promises of God
Author: Otis Felton
Publisher: Toplink Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1512732320
Pages:146
Genre: Spiritual, Religious
Reviewed By: Susan Brown

Read Book Review

How do you hold on to your faith when life spirals out of control? Author Otis Felton explores that question in this book by detailing his very personal struggle during a calamitous, 10-year period in his life in which he lost everything. His belief in the Lord was soundly tested as he hung on to a specific promise he heard from God that He would replace everything he had lost.

At the time of the promise, Felton had lost only his job but went on to lose, during the next 10 years, subsequent jobs, his savings, his car and was close to being homeless before all was restored. The one thing he didn’t lose, however, was his faith. He held fast to God’s promise, and was sustained through it all by his knowing that “God honors His word.”

The author’s relationship with God began at an early age. His parents, both active members in the Zion Spring Baptist Church, raised their 10 children in a loving, Christian-centered home. The family spent much of their time worshiping together, both at home and at church. This Christian foundation taught the author that he needed God in his life, and propelled him to seek out and attend church wherever he lived. He readily admits that he wandered from church to church, seeking a personal relationship with the Lord, but never fully committing. Then after being downsized out of his longtime successful career with the federal government and struggling to find work, the Lord spoke to him, promising him that all that he had lost would be restored.

That, of course, did not manifest immediately. The difficult years were a time of steadfastness, perseverance and hope, a time of trusting in the Lord that His promise would be fulfilled. Mr. Felton writes, “God honors His Word when we honor Him by serving Him the way He has ordained it. God doesn’t change. We are the ones who must change.” So with the understanding that “faith is like a muscle in our physical body, it has to be exercised” he grew in his faith through reading, understanding and applying the word of God to all aspects of his life.

In one year, the promise came to fruition and all that Mr. Felton had lost was restored — a return to employment with the federal government, retirement savings, car, house and the blessing of a wonderful marriage. He wrote the first edition of this book as his testimony to God’s power in his life. In this, the second edition, he includes a “Questions to Ponder” section at the end of each chapter, an attempt to encourage readers to use the book as a devotional tool or workbook in their own situations.

The author reminds us through his testimony that if we turn our lives over to God, acknowledging that all of our success is a result of His work, He will never forsake us. Mr. Felton’s inspirational story calls us to develop an intimate relationship with God so that when our lives fall apart, which so often happens, we are prepared to weather the difficult times with faith, trust and assurance in God’s promises. If you are experiencing any difficulty or feel as if you are stuck in your life and can’t seem to go forward, then this book is for you! It is encouraging and uplifting and very practical! It is a book to turn to for comfort and guidance, over and over again.