Restoration On Fire with Doug Philp Doug Philp host of RestorationOnFire the daily podcast helping your restore your relationship with God.

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...