Rebuilding the Real You

Hayford's teaching on the Book of Nehemiah, first published by Regal in 1986 with the subtitle The Definitive Guide to the Holy Spirit's Work in Your Life, and reissued later as Built by the Spirit (1997) and Rebuilt by the Spirit. Hayford reads Nehemiah, whose name he takes to mean "comforter," as a picture of the Holy Spirit, who comes to repair, rebuild and restore. As Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, so the Spirit rebuilds the thoughts, emotions and character of those who have received new life in Christ. Hayford says plainly in the introduction that it is neither a self-help book nor a structured Bible study of Nehemiah, but a book about the Helper. His ministry describes it as a handbook on restoration: on recognising and dealing with obstacles, walking in the Spirit-filled life, and receiving God's Word without condemnation.