To most effectively rise as one who may learn to penetrate the darkness in prayer or ministry, let "Christ in you" infuse you with the Holy Spirit of one who being born into the bloodline of the Lamb of God, chooses to learn and live as one of His flock. It is these who are invited to "reign in life" now.That is what we were "born again" to receive, to inherit and to live in. It is exciting and laden with blessing and joy....(this) requires a life that is based in "the basics" of prayer, the Word, and a growing faith. (page 30)
I pulled a package out of the mailbox, more substantial than the rest, it has to be a book. Ah, I love books. What did you bring me today, Father?
As I pulled the book from it's wrapping, my eyes focused on the title, "Penetrating the Darkness: Discovering the Power of the Cross Against Unseen Evil" by Jack Hayford with Rebecca Hayford Bauer.
The opening lines of this blog post come from this book. I respect Pastor Jack Hayford as a man of prayer, not given to sensational ministry, just a presenter of the good solid Word of God. I knew this book would be good.
As I write this post, I am only a few chapters into this book - the text already "glowing" with my fluorescent highlighter and notes written in the margins of nearly every page. There is no mistake that this book is in my hands. Reading it the message comes through as though it were a battle assignment from the King of King Himself.
This book a training manual on effective prayer for the believer who seeks to make a difference in their own life and in the lives of the people they love. The scripture says that "the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). One person CAN defeat the darkness - our prayers loose God's power - the same power that raised Christ from the dead, which dwells in us (Romans 8:11) - loosed into our own lives, the life of our spouse, our children, our pastor, youth pastor, our community, our world...Not only are we called to do this as believers, scripture equips us for effective battle.
Scripture tells us we are in a battle, lays out our armor as well as the rules for engagement. Ephesians 6:17-18 details our armor and calls us to "pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit". This directive does not sound like a last resort. "Well, all we can do is pray." Prayer is where effective warfare begins.
In the first two chapters, Pastor Hayford lays out the rules of engagement in this spiritual warfare as well as present the concept that the war is being waged between to kingdoms. The message of the Cross bestows on each of us a believers, a kingdom (Luke 22:29). The power and the presence of this Kingdom is the entry of God's will and rule - penetrating the kingdom of darkness.
The message of The Faith Project, as I seek to define and expound the five statements of faith:
- God is who He says He is
- God can do what He says He can do
- I am who God says I am
- I can do all things through Christ
- The Word of God is ALIVE and active in Me
These statements of faith describe kingdom living - I can expect all of this as a citizen of the Kingdom of His Dear Son.
Faith begins where the will of God is known. The Bible is the written will of God. Effective prayer employs faith in the Living Word of God and expects God to act according to His Word.
In chapter three, which I will devote another blog post to, Pastor Hayford explores four areas that can successfully shape daily devotional prayer, which should be basic to every believer's faith walk. This is an important foundation for every believer, especially one that desires to employ the power of the Living God in every are of their life.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers. I Peter 3:12
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. I John 5:14-15 NIV
 | Penetrating the Darkness: Discovering the Power of the Cross Against Unseen Evil By Jack Hayford Spiritual warfare is raging across the globe. How can we defeat the enemy? Encouraging you to stand firm in hope and light, Hayford lays out the strategies he's learned for overcoming evil. Discover how to develop powerful devotional habits, practice intercession, plead the blood of Christ, understand the correct use of binding and loosing, and more. 208 pages, softcover from Chosen. |
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