Restoration On Fire with Doug Philp

Quick shoot out to all my listeners - Take time today to give me some feedback here on the website and then pick up your copy of The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro. Listen On!

And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Even now...John the Baptist is directly saying that the accountability coming reveals now the opportunity for one to turn their life around. He is speaking to the religious leaders of the day, and spiritually speaking, to you and me today in the hope we hear and turn, and repent. For me, bearing fruit worthy of repentance means I need to focus once again on seeking God and His righteousness first, everything else will take care of itself from that point as I allow his Spirit to shape me more and more into the image of Jesus Christ. And I will always remind myself (you too) that the SOAP method of Bible study is the best method for seeking Him, along with prayer! Listen on...

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

"God shows personal favoritism to no man" Each of us are on level ground in the eyes of God. Title or position in life has no relevance. Likewise, lack of title or position has no relevance. It is man who shows partiality. It is man who puts one over another in class or favor. It is man who believes he is better than others. God's way, His understanding, is the path man needs most. Sadly, man refuses. That said, as an individual, you personally can be accepted by God simply by walking in His righteousness. This begins in true humility as you accept that you are no better, and no worse, than any other person. Do not place personal favor over some than others, and do not believe yourself to be better, or worse, than others. Righteousness is first found in Jesus as your Lord and Savior - believe this in your heart, confess it with your mouth and you begin a new life. For it is with your heart that you believe and with your mouth confess Jesus is Lord and you will be saved. God's righteousness begins in the humility of placing your faith in the one true God...

For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. Don't you find it distasteful listening to someone sing their own praise? I know I do. Read how Paul writes puts it best in verse 12 of 2 Corinthians 10... "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." Cuts right to the chase and puts ones self praise into perspective huh? People who spend their time comparing themselves to one another do not have God's perspective in mind, let alone His standard. Man will always change his own standard in order to appear better than others ... which I find quite delusional since man's philosophy will always change to meet his need. If you desire the praise of men, don't. Want the praise of God? Live your life as that in true humility, and God will lift you in His time. Take a look at Proverbs 15:33 for proof this is God's way, not mine. Be sure to listen to today's podcast for more insight from 2 Corinthians.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. Sin is revealed often as light makes the sin manifest. Another way to explain this is that sin revealed is done so because the light of God has brought it about, whether through confession or by the sin being found out. Godly sorrow, verses worldly sorrow, begins at the point sin is confessed or revelead. How well restoration moves forward is as much a corporate 'thing' as is for the one in sin. By this I mean forgiveness and comfort is extended to the one in sin. plus, affirmation of love is also shown to the one in sin. The one in sin must be walking in repentance as well in order for balanced and true restoration. Be encoraged to read 2 Corinthians 2:1-17; 7:1-16 plus listen to today's podcast!!

"For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." In 2 Corinthians 5:16b Paul writes 'Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we have known Him thus no longer' Paul is acknowledging that Christ died for all, and to those who live, they should live for Him, not for themselves. Matthew 12:50 gives a solid direction for living for Christ as who does not want to be his friend, or sibling? That is, as believers. For me, no more personal relationship has developed between God and me than over he last few months using the SOAP method of study during my devotional time with Him in His word. To know His will is to know His word; and I have found no better way for myself than daily devotions, prayer and the SOAP study method. I cannot recommend strongly enough that you too use this method! Listen to the podcast today for more inspiration...

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. Yesterday we discussed how coming to God with a broken and contrite heart is a pattern we find all thoroughout Scripture. We find today how God has a home prepared for us in Heaven, and despite not being present right now with Him this home He has prepared should give us boldness to do His will here right now. Given that He has given me this life, one He desires in relationship with Him, I can give back a heart devoted to Him. It is the least I can do, all I can do, and be well pleasing to Him as a result. Be bold today to walk in His Spirit, seek Him, and you will find Him... this is His promise, not mine.

So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. There is a judgment coming on the nation of Israel warned by the prophet Joel. He puts this verse we look at today right in the middle of two distinct calls for a corporate gathering of the people. I view todays verse as an individual call, one spoken directly to each person for true brokenness before God first as an individual and then as a people. And while there is no formula for getting God to do mans will, there is a pattern found throughout Scripture where God will hear the individual and corporate cries for mercy. Let's listen to todays podcast for more...

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Restoration On Fire is your one source to hear the truth about growing in your faith. Whether you have fallen or not, it is God who is going to restore you. sadly, man, even in the church will fail in that restoration process. Why? Simply because most church leaders do not understand restoration, or worse, the Word of God, in such a manner as to be helpful in restoration. This site, the podcasts and myself are striving to change this for any who desire to be better. Either one who has fallen, or church leaders who recognize the need to be better, Restoration On Fire is here. Listen to today's podcast and let's move forward together!

Today's podcast comes from a straight forward perspective on being Holy. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. God will have a Holy people to Himself one day, read v. 5 and also 1 Timothy 5:22 for His perspective on the issue of being Holy by keeping yourself at a distance from peoplechoosing contrary to His will. These are not my words but God's - you do well to heed them - I do well to heed them! Listen to today's podcast for more...

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. Paul is charging Timothy on how to effectively lead as a pastor. It is a difficult thing to walk with people through the hard things in life. Restoration being one of great importance, Paul desires Timothy to have a handle on how to walk with people, and these are good words of direction for us today. Listen to the podcast to hear why!

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. The other day several of us were discussing the recent events in the USA. One lady asked a question in which she sincerely desired a solid answer, one she could use to satisfy both the question and help others with the answer as well. Bottom line is this, one cannot claim to come to the Lord, and not want to change. The core of her question, and the answer, is centered around the requisite everyone believes in one Lord, one faith, and the unity of believers. If not, it doesn't matter. Listen to today's podcast...

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. I fear the "grace message" preached today, all too often, overlooks the coming 'judgment seat of Christ' that we all will experience. Is this an intentional thing, this overlook of judgment, to preach grace only? I don't think entirely in most cases, but can be misguided because while it is, "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8), we are reminded too "knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men..." What is this terror of the Lord Paul writes? In Hebrews 10:31 the author tells us, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" and in Hebrews 12:29, " For our God is a consuming fire." And the message preceeding each of these two verses from Hebrews is what to expect should you continue to willfully sin after receiving the knowledge of truth(10:26), and they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven(12:25). So it is my belief, that for those of us who believe, our message to one another should by more along the line of God's grace for us coupled with our reverence for Him. It is this reverence, or Godly fear, for Him who saves us through grace that reminds us He is Sovereign, and our righteousness is in Him; and no other way. And, in order to be relevant to a lost world, I believe we do well to keep this message before the unbelieving as well.

Today I want to take just a few minutes and ask a question of you my listener. No, I don't need you to do anything for me. I'm actually hoping to provoke you into doing something for yourself. So, here is the question... Considering your faith in God, in your heart of hearts, what do you truly believe beyond a shadow of doubt? Here is a verse from Hebrews (11:6) that might get your mind to thinking... "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Me, I focus in on the latter half of this verse, 'that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him' because I want to do my part to seek Him. And not to receive anything more than His approval of me being obedient to Him. For His approval does not get me into an eternity with Him in Heaven, my faith, and confession Jesus is Lord, my Lord is all that it takes to enter into His eternal kingdom. So take time today, or each day actually, and consider your faith. How strong is it? What would it take to strengthen your faith? And, what stops you from doing what it takes? I would enjoy hearing from you. Reach out through the website, RestorationOnFire.com and share your thoughts on this podcast blog post, or send me an email. I think too it is a good day to declare how much I desire to be home, not here on earth but home. If you are at all like me you probably have that same desire. May I encourage you to press in to Him who is faithful, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Do all that you can today to become a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful to Him for His good works. 2 Ti 2:15,21

A good friend recently asked ... "when did we go from saying the truth and coming alongside people..or pulling them aside...to deciding it's better to say nothing at all because that's what love would do. Love doesn't "offend" people." After doing some study in God's word the following was my answer. One facet of true biblical love is that it "does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth" (1Cor 13:6). Setting aside, 'love doesn't offend,' here is an exciting verse tucked away in 1 Thessalonians 2... "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" - v19 The context is that Paul wrote 'how we had exhorted, and comforted, and charged everyone of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God... (vs. 11,12)' and then this in v.13, '...because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.' So here is what Doug takes away from this, like Paul I desire others 'in the presence' of the Lord, should I then avoid sharing truth because I fear offending? I should hope not. Rather hope they 'receive the word of God.' Something else about biblical love is that it is discerning. To love one-another does not mean accepting misguided behavior out of misguided love; the commandment to love one-another implores us to 'walk in it' (2 John 6). And the only way I know how to do this rightly is to be lead by the Spirit. And, I'm getting better following His lead.

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." Short verse huh? I like to tell people that when you read the word 'therefore' in Scripture, there is more to the story. It is a clue to back up and read the verses before. And in todays verse 14 I back all the way up to verse 1 in chapter 10. Paul is purposeful in pointing out to the believers of his day, and to us today, that ALL were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness - 1 Cor 10:5 Why? Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted - 1 Cor 10:6 So, looking again at verse 14, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry," the question we should ask is ...what is idolatry? The short answer, anything taking our eyes off of God. Idolatry and lust go hand in hand. Like the Hebrews from so long ago who did not enter the promised land, but rather perished in the wilderness because they did not please God, lust distracts us. Yesterday's podcast reveals how Paul choose to overcome his flesh, and today we see exactly what our flesh will do to us... Let's together flee from idolatry! Listen in on today's episode for more...

"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." Paul uses the analogy of running a race to provide insight into how he views disciplining his body, subjecting it to the will of God rather than his own flesh, and as such, win the 'crown of life.' Beginning by knowing God's Word first gives the believer the opportunity to be self controlled in their life. Discipline over ones body isn't always the easiest thing to do. And, the older we become, the more difficult it is to accomplish. As our flesh desires greater than our will, it is best if we can interrupt the flesh early in life, and hopefully have an easier time of self control. Listen to the podcast as I explain more about Paul's use of running a race to win the prize.

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Unfortunately the Greek language does not always translate well into the English language. The word 'judge' for example, are we not a society today getting all bent on being judged by others? Yeah. All to often however this is because no one wants light shown upon their shortcoming, or sin. The word we use, 'judge,' in the has different meanings. Some such as: scrutinize, to ask, or to seek truth; and not just condemnation, though the Greek has this meaning as well. In Matthew chapter 7 Jesus tells us "Judge not,..." in which He is speaking of condeming others while you yourself are just as sinful. Don't do it because the same judgment will be used for you. But rather, focus on yourself. Get you right before the Lord, and then help others, not condemn them. 1 Corinthians chapter 2 tells us, 'he who is spiritual judges all things.' This 'judges' is not a condemning judging but one in which you would seek or ask for more information in order to undestand the truth. Then you can appropriately choose rightly.

"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." Paul is writing to the church in Corinth because it is common knowledge there are some issues inside the church not being dealt with accordingly. In fact, arrogance seems to guide the church and they are not ashamed of the behaviors happening. Paul even goes so far as to shame the Corinthians in this chapter, even boldly stating, "I say this to your shame." What was wrong? Sexual immorality and taking the brethren to court were two big issues Paul addresses. He asks the question, 'Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" Listen to today's podcast to hear Paul's admonition to the church. It's appropriate for us today!

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. The process of restoration works best when man walks alongside God in His restoration process in the lives of the fallen. What this looks like is different by circumstance and situation, certainly. Yet, if you have ever gone through a bad restoration process then you understand lives are in the balance. It looks like people walking alongside the fallen. If it doesn't, something is wrong. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. Notice that there are two people involved with God. Yes paul is writing about more than restoring, the concept is the same. Two or more people coming around the fallen individual, walking with them in accountability and friendship all while working together in communication to insure the fallen is healing. God will give the increase during the restoring process - Actually it is God doing the restoring while man facilitates accountability and encouragement. Listen to today's podcast to discover more.

The natural man, the Spirit of God and understanding. Phew... a lot to dig into today with these three verses. Let's listen today and discover more! There is a barrier to understanding true wisdom. That barrier is whether or not an individual acknowledges God in the first place. Because in not acknowledging Him, man can never understand the things of the Spirit of God. If you are struggling to make sense of this, consider a common phrase often repeated, "ignorance of the law is not an excuse." Which essentially means not knowing the law does not give you reason to plead 'not guilty' if you break the law. So it is with the things of God. Not believing in Him does not negate that He exists. You are merely walking about in your own wisdom ultimately blind to ever finding the truth. And God will not impart the things of His Spirit upon anyone who does not believe He exists because they are not seeking, or asking for His understanding. Jeremiah 29:13 makes it pretty cut and dried, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Seek and you will find. Don't, and well, you are on your own.

1 Corinthians 2: 11, 12 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. Seeking man's wisdom will fail every time. Just take a look around, it is 2015, and man's wisdom has the world in a mess. A huge mess people will spend the next 100 years arguing over who is at fault - those arguments based on man, and his wisdom, not God. Praise be to God that He provides His Spirit freely to anyone who wishes to receive Him. And, His wisdom provided with His Spirit! It's true however we live in the world, and suffer trials and tribulations as such, yet we are not of this world as Believers in Him through faith, and can overcome. As long as we walk in the Spirit, His wisdom and guidance. But how? By first choosing the Lord Jesus as our Savior, confessing and believing He is Lord of our life, and turning 180 degrees in repentance from our sin. From there, prayer and listening, and I emphasize listening as this is where we hear His Wisdom. Listen to today's podcast to hear more about how listening to God in prayer is the key, not merely requesting His help, but listening to Him respond to those requests.

Restoration is done through the wisdom of God, few individuals can walk with you in your restoration process, if any, because few are aligned with the Spirit to do the restoring. Why? Well, because man just does not have the wisdom to get the job done. God however does! He will be there at your side every time! It is in the power of God alone that your faith has any strength, and not in your wisdom or strength, never is this enough. Now here is the statement I'm going to make that may offend some, "few inside the church, leaders or otherwise, who walk close enough with God to have the faith to walk in restoration" with you or anyone else. Turn to God first for the restoring power in your life. The isdom you gain will change your life, and the life of others.

1 Samuel 16:7 God doesn't see as we see does He? Samuel was tasked to go th the home of Jesse where God would annoint one of Jesse's sons as the next king. But as each son came up to Samuel the Lord kept saying "No" not him. Samuel was, I imagine, beginning to get a little frustrated and looked upon one son as surely the man. And this is where today's verse enters the equation: But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Isn't it just like me to be just like Samuel and look at the outward man. How about you? Be sure to listen to today's podcast.

1 Chronicles 28:9 King David gives word to Solomon his son essentially telling Solomon to remain true the the one True God; that if you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. It is so important to remain attached to the vine, to seek God each day, wouldn't you agree? For me the SOAP method boils down to exactly what I discovered when reading 'The Divine Mentor' by Wayne Cordeiro. In the book he spoke of allowing the individuals in the Bible to become mentors in your life, and I have done just this, it is amazing! And when you stop to consider these are people placed in the Bible for our benefit today ...why wouldn't God use their lives to mentor us? Listen to today's message and get a better idea of how this 'SOAP method' works.

Scripture, Observation, Application & Prayer - S.O.A.P. The easiest method to study the Word of God!

1 Thessalonians 4:9 Paul writes to encourage the church to remain steadfast in love and faith. Not only, but to go deeper in relationship with God and strengthen their faith, and love for one another. listen on as we explore restoration through the Word of God!

Restoration On Fire brings you matters of the heart through true biblical restoration. Are you sinning now? And you want out? Well, it starts with confession whether you have been caught, or not. Yes. That's right. Confession is the start of restoration... so let's together you and I get to it!

Restoration On Fire hosted by Doug Philp providing daily insight into restoring the church and leaders the the restoration process of S.O.A.P. We all sin. We all need help. It is God who provides that help through people willing to walk with those fallen in sin through restoration, providing hope and enouragement along the way.

RestorationOnFire brings you another day of listening to the Word of God with Doug Philp restoring hope to Christian struggling in sin or restoration.

Welcome to the first day after the RestorationOnFire episode000. We begin by taking a look at the Word of God usine the S.O.A.P. method to allow His word to study our heart.