Unleashing the Force of Favor: Take Your Life to the Next Level [Paperback]

Duane Vander Klok (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

As a young man Jesus grew in favor. Noah, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David . . . all found the favor of God. What does God's favor mean and why is it so important? Pastor Duane Vander Klok explores this unique realm of God's poured-out goodness, revealing how to turn negative situations around, increase faith for moving mountains, bless others, and more. Readers will discover that favor, while not automatic, is freely given. Some cautions must be taken, but the prayerful desire to "unblock" God's gifting will lead to dramatic changes. This book is for anyone who has been missing the sweet taste of God's favor--for the time is ripe to reap it in abundance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

It's time to raise your expectations! Favor is the "I'm-for-you!" attitude of God toward you. It is an undeserved, amazing benefit of being His child. But because many of us misunderstand the force of God's favor, we live without it. You may feel that God's favor is absent in your life because He is withholding it. You may think you have to talk God into releasing it. But God's mighty favor is already freely given to us all! Through biblical examples and powerful personal experience, Pastor Duane will help you realize that God means for you to enjoy His favor every day. Duane offers practical, scriptural advice on the importance of raising your expectation of favor, believing God's promises about it and letting your faith move your mouth, so you can unleash the force of favor in your life. "What could be more important to your success than the favor of God in all your relationships? Pastor Duane has made it easy and enjoyable to understand how to release supernatural favor in your life. Do yourself a favor: read this book!"--Mylon Le Fevre, Mylon Le Fevre Ministries "A life defined by God's favor is available to all of us. Discovering this will change not only your life but the lives of those around you. This book will give you keys for releasing God's favor in your life, causing you to live in the fullness of His promises."--Brian Houston, senior pastor, Hillsong Church, Sydney, Australia "Duane Vander Klok walks tall in the message he communicates. The favor of God is demonstrated in his personal life, in the life of his family and in a high-favor, five-star church, Resurrection Life. Your life will be impacted forever as you digest and apply these principles."--William V. Crouch, Van Crouch Communications

About the Author

Duane Vander Klok is senior pastor of Resurrection Life Church, which has a weekend attendance of nearly 8,000 people. He is the author of Get the Junk Out of Your Trunk and the founding president of Resurrection Life Church International, an affiliation of like-minded and independently governed local churches and ministries. He and his wife, Jean, have four children and live in Grandville, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chosen (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800793986
• ISBN-13: 978-0800793982
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,020,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and thoughtful book for Christian readers, July 10, 2006

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unleashing the Force of Favor: Take Your Life to the Next Level (Paperback)

Most Christians are familiar with the Bible verse, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52. How many though take time to ponder this verse long enough to consider that, as Christ is a believer's example in all things, His followers are to be "favor" seekers as well? Author Duane Vander Klok writes that favor can be defined as "the friendly disposition from which kindly acts proceed; to assist; to provide with special advantages; to receive preferential treatment." Who wouldn't appreciate a favorable response as opposed to an unfavorable one?

In his text, Vander Klok lays a foundation for Christians to better understand why God desires to bestow favor on His children and provides the biblical "how-tos" for achieving this advantageous position. He explains that favor does not simply land in a person's lap; rather, every Christian must actively pursue it. Likening favor to an untapped electrical system, believers need to release the power already present. The basics to experiencing a life of favor include adopting a mindset that expects/believes/confesses it. In other words, God desires to give favor to His children personally, but He in turn expects believers to confess it by faith and proactively set the process in motion.

Citing such promises as found in Psalm 103, Vander Klok proposes that God is eager to fulfill such wondrous pledges as offering: forgiveness, healing, redemption, providing goodness and mercy, meeting needs for physical health, meting out justice and freedom from oppression, and even extending salvation to one's children's children. One key point is that there is a significant difference between believing "in" and believing "for" favor. While most Christians believe in the concept, they fail to apply it to their own lives.

Vander Klok warns readers that gaining favor is not found by following a formula. Rather, there are five basic habits to hone and practice on a daily basis that afford Christians a robust and vibrant relationship with God. Vander Klok says that Bible reading tops his list, along with daily prayer, a study hour, physical exercise and maintaining an intimate family circle. On the flip side, he notes that there are also favor-hindering habits to be avoided. These cautionary notes include: a carnal mind not focused on the things of the Spirit, a careless thought life, and an unbelieving heart that speaks defeated, negative words. He also expounds upon the stories found in Scripture that discuss biblical characters who found favor with those in authority over them, such as Joseph, Ruth and Esther.

A particularly interesting section is Vander Klok's warnings about falling from favor by allowing bitterness to take root in the heart, becoming prideful or envious, and believing that once favored equals a trouble-free existence. Instead, Vander Klok challenges Christians to see favor as an opportunity to "favor" and bless others in increasing measure and as an extension of God's love and mercy

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe