At Restoration Church, our vision is simple yet profound: to restore the glory of God to the Church and fill the world with the knowledge of Him. Why? Because we were created for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). The Hebrew word kabowd speaks of God’s honor, splendor, and divine presence—His very nature.We were created to display forth His splendour, and encounters with Him are fundamental to knowing who He is, and who we are in Him.

In this final episode in this mini-series, we take a look at the origin story of mankind, how we got into the mess we are in, and the journey to get back to displaying forth His glory with ever increasing impact.The Twist in Our Story

Sin broke our relationship with God and distorted His image in us. Humanity chose to rule itself, becoming a law unto itself. The result? Chaos and wickedness (Genesis 6:5). So God gave the Law—not to save us, but to reveal our need for Him (Galatians 3:19, Romans 3:20).

✝️ The Solution: Jesus

Romans 8:2-3 tells us that Jesus set us free from the law of sin and death. Now, we can return to our original purpose: to know God and reflect His divine attributes.

✨ Why Encounters Matter

To achieve this, encounters with God are mission-critical. They help us see Him, be transformed into His image, and live out His nature. As we behold Jesus, we are changed “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

🧭 A Personal Encounter

Pastor Samuel once asked God two questions:

1. Is Jesus really The Way?
2. What is my direction in life?

During a prayer retreat in Llandudno, God answered through Romans 12:1-2—calling him to worship and renew his mind. The next day, the same scripture appeared in church. Later, a prayer he had prayed the day before for clear skies was answered in an unexpected, beautiful way—not whilst he was out for that walk on top of the Orme, but in an unexpected visit to a medieval castle, where from the ramparts he was looking out to sea and up an estuary with beautiful clear skies and boats dotted about. It was a reminder: God answers us in just the way we need Him to.

🔄 Transformed by Being With Him

We become who we’re meant to be by being with Jesus. Transformation comes through:

1. Looking at Jesus
2. Reading His Word
3. Talking to His Spirit
4. Seeking Him daily

🙌 Application

Ask yourself:

• Have I cut out distractions?
• Am I reading the Bible daily?
• Do I talk to God in everything?
• Am I setting aside time to go deeper?

Let’s be a people who see Him, be Him, and show Him—everywhere we go.

Episode Summary: In this episode, we continue exploring the first core value at Restoration Church: Encounters. What does it mean to encounter God daily, and why is it so vital to our faith journey?

Through personal stories, scripture, and practical steps, we unpack how encountering God transforms our understanding of who He is, who we are, and what we’re called to do. Encounters are more than emotional—they’re mission critical.

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

• Encounters are transformational: They shift head knowledge into heart experience.
• Knowing God deeply: Encounters lead to epiginóskó—a thorough, experiential knowledge of God (Matt 11:27).
• We reflect His glory: As we see Him more clearly, we become more like Him (1 Cor 13:12).
• Encounters align us with purpose: They amplify our voice, faith, and calling (Eph 2:10).

📖 Scriptures Highlighted:

• Deuteronomy 32:9–10
• Matthew 11:27
• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• Ephesians 1:4 & 2:10
• James 4:8, Jeremiah 29:13, Hebrews 11:6, Isaiah 55:6

🛠️ How Do We Encounter God?

1. Through Jesus – the only way to know the Father.
2. By giving Him our full attention.
3. Through the Word and the Spirit—working together.
4. By drawing near and seeking Him with all our hearts.

This Week’s Story: A simple walk on the beach turned into a divine reminder as Pastor Samuel simply picked up a stone to take home for his children: You are chosen, treasured, and created for a purpose. God speaks when we seek.

Reflection Questions:

• Are you making space to encounter Jesus daily?
• What lies might God want to break off through an encounter with Him?
• How can you move closer to Jesus this week?

Practical Steps:

• Cut out distractions
• Read the Bible with intention
• Talk to God about everything—even the small stuff
• Set aside time weekly to go deeper

🙌 Final Thought: Encounters help us see Him, be Him, and show Him. They’re not just a value—they’re the heartbeat of our mission.

New Episode: Expecting the Unexpected – Encountering God Daily

In this episode, we explore what it means to truly encounter God — not just once, but daily, in the glory of Jesus. From childhood prayers to life-changing moments in youth meetings and quiet revival in living rooms, Pastor Samuel shares personal stories of unexpected encounters that revealed the heart of the Father.

🔑 Key themes:

• We were created for His glory (Isaiah 43:7) — to reflect His splendour and become like Jesus (2 Cor 3:18).
• Encounters with God are often unexpected — but we’re invited to expect the unexpected.
• Jesus is the way to the Father (John 14:6), and through Him, we gain a deeper, more intimate knowledge of God (epiginóskó).
• True encounters align with Scripture and transform us from the inside out.
• We’re not just meant to experience God — we’re called to be an encounter for others.

💡 Challenge: How can you lead someone closer to Jesus today? Are you making space to encounter Him — and helping others do the same?

📖 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

🎧 Tune in now and be stirred to seek Him afresh.

Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seekthose things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

We are now risen with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places. Our life is now hidden with Christ in God. Psalm 16:11 says that pleasure is found at God’s right hand, pleasures forever more.

We are invited by God, commanded by Him, to seek thosethings which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. God has pleasure for us at His right hand.

We are to consider those things which are above not dwelling on earthly things (Col 3:2). What an invitation to seek true pleasure which is only found in Christ alone.

Colossians 3:4 goes on to say, “When Christ who is our lifeappears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Peter, James and John experienced Jesus in His glorifiedbody. When we appear with Christ in glory it will be like that day on the mountain top (Mat 17:1), but we can have these mountain top experiences with Him today.

God invites us to consider the pleasure that is at His right hand. Let us come and see what pleasures are at His right hand, where we are seated with Christ.

We need these mountain top experiences where we encounter God’s pleasure, His goodness, hidden in the person of Jesus. These are precious encounters with Him, but we're not to make shelters there and remain. We're togo out from there in the knowledge of our identity, our power, and our authority.

Colossians 3 goes on to describe the things we are to putoff, and the things we are to put on: put off the things on earth - anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language - and put on the pleasures of heaven, the pleasures where Christ is.

Verses 12-14 go on to talk about putting on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiving as Christ forgave us. These are the pleasures that are available at His right hand.

Holy Spirit shared with us how we need to firstly clothe ourselves with these pleasures from Him towards ourselves, to put on His tender mercy and kindness towards us first, so we can give what we are receiving from Him to the world around us.

We ended by looking at putting on the bond of perfection that binds our families in perfect unity. This unity is not just keeping a family together under one roof, but perfectly together, nothing broken and with everything working in harmony. Put on His love.

Oh what pleasures are at His right hand forever more.

Can you imagine finding another gift under the tree well after Christmas is over? It's not likely we miss any presents under the tree is it, especially with young children around.

We don't leave presents under the tree, we unwrap them, read instruction manuals, put in batteries, and enjoy them. We need to do the same with Jesus.

We need to find out what Jesus is all about, not leaving Him on the shelf, not relying on a Sunday faith, but going on to a daily life of knowing Him through His Word and through prayer.

Jesus is for life, not just for Christmas. Jesus is for everyday life. He comes each day to give us an everyday faith for everyday life. But in order to receive that faith, we need to be in His Word and fellowshipping with His Holy Spirit.

That’s where the Holy Spirit and the Word come in to work together.

John 16:13-14 NKJV

[13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; And He will tell you things to come. [14] He will glorify Me, For He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

Holy Spirit will teach the Word.

To unwrap Jesus we need to understand prayer. Prayer is simply a conversation with our Creator. We need to learn how to hear His voice and know how He speaks to us. God will always speak to us from His Word, for He and the Word are one (see John 1 ).

When we read the Word, it is His Spirit that bears witness with our Spirit and speaks to us, for our Spirit is one with His Spirit.

To unwrap Jesus we need an everyday faith that comes from an everyday life in the Word and the Spirit.

When you get a present you want to unwrap it to see what's inside. Jesus is a gift that has been given to us so we can know God. For the unbeliever it is like there is wrapping paper around God. We need to turn to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to unveil God to us.

Matthew 4:16 NKJV

[16] The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.

The light of the glorious gospel has shone in our heart.

II Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

[6] For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We find out who God is through Jesus, and we know Jesus through His Word and by His Spirit.

John 1:1-2, 14 NKJV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God.

[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 16:7 NKJV

[7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

John 16:13 NKJV

[13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak;

Knowing God is to be a power-packed love affair with the King of kings. Our identity is only found in this relationship. May we truly find ourselves in Him through living a life in the Word and a life in the Spirit.

Colossians 3:11
In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

It doesn’t matter if you are a republican or a democrat, a lawyer or a thief, a beggar or a rich man, Christ is all that matters and Christ is King.

In this episode, we take a look at Pontius Pilate and his desire to know who Christ claimed to be. Was He a king?

Who do you say that Christ is? Christ did indeed claim to be a king, but not just any king, The King of kings and The Lord of Lords.

Jesus doesn't stop here, He then makes claims about us, who He claims we are, and what He says our position is in Him now that He has ascended to heaven.

What will we believe about it? Is Christ who He says He is, and are we who He says we are? And if we are, what are we supposed to do to rule and reign like Him.

We have not just been saved from sin, not just saved from the dominion of darkness, but saved to reign as a king in this life. Let us believe together, enter into His rest, and establish His Kingdom.

Are you a person of faith? Do you trust Jesus? Do you trust Him with your pain, your joy, your success, your heart? Do you trust Him with your life?

Do we trust Him to feed us like the sparrow that neither sows nor reaps but never goes without. Do we trust Him to clothe us like He does the poppy, like the bluebell, that is clothed more beautifully than the finest clothes for the richest King that ever lived?

Will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

It is right we declare the truth that we trust Him. But what do we do with the gap? Between what we say and what we see in the natural. What do we do when we are feeling worried, feeling fearful?

That’s where faith comes in. Romans 1:17 says to go from faith to faith. We started in faith and we are to continue on in faith.

2 Timothy 3:14 says we must continue in the things which we have learned and been assured of. Do we need assuring of some things? Bring it to Jesus.

Colossians 2:7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Our Spirit man trusts Jesus wholeheartedly 100% of the time. In our spirit there is no fear, no doubt, no unbelief. The soul is where we worry, where we fear.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is the only thing sharp enough to divide between our soul and spirit.

The Word of God is stability for our soul.

Jesus wants to restore our soul, but He can only restore what we bring to Him in prayer. What we don’t bring to Him we will continue to worry about. What we worry about He can’t help. What we hold onto is ours to deal with, provide for, clean up.

Jesus sits at the door and knocks. He is not going to barge in and take it from us.

So how do we steward our soul to be a person of faith that truly trusts Him. What do we do to partner with Him to restore our soul. To keep ourselves in the love of God.

Mark 4:20 NKJV

[20] But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

1. Hear the word: listen. There is a difference between a child hearing your voice and listening.
2. Accept the word: receive, acknowledge. Properly, to receive openly, welcoming with personal interest. Are you receiving God’s Word openly. Hearing and receiving is the only way we can do the third part
3. Bear fruit: to bring forth fruit takes time, we need to stick with it.

Anything we leave outside the prayer room we can't hear and receive His Word for and will bear no fruit.

3 keys to being free of our worries through prayer

1. Bring your whole self to Him in prayer: those parts that need restoring you’ve got to bring into the prayer room.
2. Hear and receive what He speaks over you: listen closely, allow Holy Spirit to speak God's Word to you.
3. Stick with it: when you have heard and received His Word, stick with it. Keep it before your eyes and in your mouth, bearing fruit in due season.

What He has promised, what He has spoken, He is able to perform in and through your life. This is the gospel.
But what you leave outside the prayer room He can’t speak to, He cant perform for you. Romans 4:21 like Abraham we will be fully convinced that what He has promised He is also able to perform.

This is a progressive work. So wherever we are we need to progress. What can we do today? Can we make it a little bit easier to come into His presence tomorrow. Bring a little bit more of ourself to Jesus.

Or will you dive right in, and bring your whole self to Jesus? He cares so deeply for us. But He can only heal, restore, and speak His Word to what we bring to Him.