Welcome back to another episode of How to Study the Bible. I'm Nicole Unice, and today we're continuing our journey through Scripture, focusing on words to build our lives upon in 2024. This week, we're diving into the concept of "restore" and what it means for God to restore us.

Firstly, I want to express my gratitude to all the new listeners who've joined us, especially those who've been drawn in by our 2024 series. It's heartwarming to see you exploring earlier episodes where we laid out our Bible study method. Remember, this isn't about relying solely on devotions or studies by others; it's about encountering God directly through His Word.

I'm also excited to announce my upcoming book, "Not What I Signed Up For," releasing in March. We'll be delving into it in a special series on the podcast later in the spring, exploring resilient faith when life doesn't go as planned.

Now, let's talk about restoration. In Isaiah 58, we find a vision of what it looks like to follow God. It's not about external actions but about aligning our hearts with God's desires—caring for the hungry, fighting oppression, and being a light in the darkness. This chapter promises that as we align with God, we'll experience personal restoration and become restorers ourselves.

I've identified four types of restoration that God promises:

1. Joy of Salvation: Psalm 51:12 encourages us to pray for the restoration of the joy of our salvation, reminding us to approach each day with a willing spirit.
2. Restoration of Life: Psalm 71:20 and 1 Peter 5:10 assure us that despite our troubles, God will restore our lives, making us strong, firm, and steadfast.
3. Restoration of Everything: Acts 3:21 speaks of a time when Jesus will restore everything, fulfilling the promises made through the prophets.
4. Restoration of Fortunes: This Old Testament phrase isn't about wealth but about a fullness of life, safety, and experiencing the richness of God.

As we embrace these promises, we can pray for restoration in our daily lives while holding onto the eternal hope of complete restoration in God's kingdom. This hope can indeed transform our everyday experiences, from our work life to our personal relationships.

RESOURCES:

Nicole's newest book is called "Not What I Signed Up For" - check out more about it here: https://nicoleunice.com/notwhatisignedupfor/ 

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