Hello, friends! Pastor Brandon Marshall here, and I am thrilled to share with you some reflections from our recent sermon series on the power and presence of God, as demonstrated through the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. If you were with us, you know we’ve been diving deep into the significance of fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Today, I want to explore how this powerful imagery can transform our lives and ignite our faith.

Fire Falls
In 1 Kings 18, we see Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal to a divine showdown. The God who answers by fire is the true God. And what happened? The fire of the Lord fell, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench. This miraculous event reminds us that the Holy Spirit is a consuming fire, ready to fall upon us when we invite Him into our lives. We don’t need to be perfect; Jesus has already made the ultimate sacrifice. All we need to do is welcome the Holy Spirit, and He will come.

Fire Consumes
When the fire of God falls, it consumes everything in its path. Just as the fire consumed the sacrifice and the fat in Leviticus 9:24, the Holy Spirit consumes our burdens, our sins, and our struggles. Whatever you bring to Him, He will take. Whether it’s a personal challenge, a family issue, or a workplace dilemma, the Holy Spirit is ready to consume it and bring transformation.

Fire Reproduces
Fire has a unique ability to spread and reproduce. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended like tongues of fire, and the church exploded with growth. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, our passion and zeal for God become contagious. Our lives become a testimony, drawing others to the warmth and light of Christ.

Fire Sterilizes and Purifies
Fire is a powerful agent of purification. Just as a refiner’s fire purifies gold, the Holy Spirit purifies our hearts and lives. He brings to the surface the impurities that need to be removed, helping us to become more like Christ. If you’re going through trials, remember that God may be using these challenges to refine and purify you for His greater purpose.

Fire Heats and Sets Free
The Holy Spirit warms our hearts, just as Jesus did for the disciples on the Emmaus road. When we encounter the fire of God, we are set free from the chains that bind us. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the fire that was meant to destroy us becomes the very thing that liberates us.

Fire Exposes
Finally, fire exposes what is hidden. In Acts 28, when Paul placed wood on the fire, a viper was driven out by the heat. Similarly, the Holy Spirit reveals and exposes the things in our lives that need to be addressed. He brings clarity and truth, helping us to walk in freedom and victory.

Friends, I invite you to embrace the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life. Let Him fall, consume, reproduce, sterilize, purify, heat, set free, and expose. As we open our hearts to His presence, we will experience a revival like never before. Let’s continue to seek His fire and watch as He transforms our lives and our church.

Blessings,
Pastor Brandon Marshall

Tonight marks the beginning of Life Transformation School (LTS) at Restoration Church, and Gina and I couldn’t be more excited for what God is going to do. LTS holds a deeply personal meaning for both of us. It was in the Fall of 2014, during our own LTS journey in Oklahoma City, that we truly began to experience the love of “The Father”—not the judgment and wrath that often clouded our understanding, but the deep, life-changing love of God the Father. That journey set us free from the oppressive religious thoughts and actions that had held us back for so long.

We were first introduced to LTS by our pastor, Bishop Tony Miller, who had a passion for the freedom people find through this course. We’ve been blessed to bring that same experience to Restoration Church, inviting Pastor Graham Catto every year to guide our congregation through this incredible week. This has truly become one of our favorite times of the year.

Revival is in the Air

At Restoration Church, we’ve already been witnessing a powerful movement of God. The spirit of revival and spiritual awakening is alive among us. People are coming to Jesus, lives are being restored, and hearts are being renewed. LTS feels like the perfect next step in this journey—a week that we believe will be the “icing on the cake” as we continue to see God move in new and exciting ways.

What excites us the most about LTS is the opportunity for people to experience breakthrough. We’re looking forward to seeing our church family walk in new freedom—breaking past hurts, generational curses, and overcoming challenges that have held them back from fully living in victory.

A Journey of Healing and Freedom

LTS is not just another class. It’s a deeply personal encounter with God that focuses on inner healing, deliverance, and discovering your true identity in Christ. Through small groups, prayer ministry, and personal reflection, participants will explore questions like: Who is God? Who am I in Christ? How do I relate to others in a way that reflects God’s love?

This journey is about walking in freedom through forgiveness and stepping into your God-given authority with humility and honor. Whether you’re coming for the first time or returning for a fresh encounter, LTS is a place where Jesus can bring true healing, lasting change, and overwhelming joy into your life.

A Time for Lasting Change

For us, LTS was life-changing, and we’ve seen the same transformation happen in countless others. People have been saved, rededicated their lives, been filled with the Spirit, and experienced freedom from past trauma. I personally broke free from generational curses and soul ties that I hadn’t even realized were affecting me. The joy and freedom that comes from those breakthroughs is something we want every participant to experience.

This week, we know we will see people develop deeper walks with God, discover joy they’ve never known, and be set free in ways they never thought possible.

We already have many signed up and ready to dive in, and we’re so encouraged by the anticipation in the air. There’s something incredibly powerful about coming together for multiple sessions over the course of the week. With a dedicated team praying and walking alongside our church family, we’re believing that this will be a week of unprecedented freedom and transformation.

We can’t wait to see what God does next.

Revival on Mount Carmel:

Hello, friends!  I want to share some personal reflections from my recent sermon, "Revival on Mount Carmel." The life of Elijah has always been close to my heart, and I believe it holds a powerful message for us today.

As I prepared for this sermon, I was struck by the boldness of Elijah. Imagine walking into the palace of a king who has turned his back on God and declaring that it won't rain until you say so! Elijah's courage and faith are inspiring, and they challenge me to consider how I can stand firm in my own faith, even when the world around me seems to be going in a different direction.  Imagine a prophet so bold, that he kicked in the door of the Whitehouse and prophesied to the president.  That's why I love Elijah!

Reviving the Altars of Our Hearts

The heart of the message is about revival—revival that starts with us. Just as Elijah repaired the altar on Mount Carmel, we are called to repair the altars of our hearts. This means taking a hard look at our lives and asking ourselves, "What have I allowed to come between me and God?" It could be anything—work, hobbies, or even relationships. For me, it's often the busyness of life that distracts me from spending time with God.

Steps I'm Taking:

1. Reflecting on My Priorities:
I've been asking myself what truly matters. Am I putting God first, or have I let other things take His place? We can all get so caught up with family, career, and life that we forget our priorities. This reflection has been eye-opening, and I'm committed to making changes where needed.  

2. Committing to Prayer and Worship:
I set aside specific times each day to pray, read, and worship. It's not always easy, but I've found that even a few minutes of focused prayer can make a huge difference in my day.

3. Engaging with My Community:
I'm blessed to be part of a wonderful church community, and I'm making an effort to connect more deeply with others. Whether it's through a quick phone call, or just grabbing coffee with someone, these connections are vital.

4. Seeking God's Presence:
I'm learning to be more intentional about seeking God's presence. Whether it's through reading Scripture, listening to worship music, or simply being still, I'm finding new ways to invite God into my daily life.  Sometimes that is listening to a sermon instead of music while driving.  Sometimes it is sitting still and listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit instead of TV. I don't know what that looks like for you, but I encourage you to make time to host the presence of God in your life.

Conclusion

The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel is a powerful reminder that God is ready to move in our lives, but we must be willing to take the first step. I'm excited to see how God will work in my life and in our church as we seek Him together. What about you? What steps will you take this week to make room for God?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the story of Elijah and the reminder that You are a God who answers by fire. Help us to rebuild the altars of our hearts and remove anything that stands between us and You. Fill us with Your Spirit and bring revival to our lives, our families, and our communities. In Jesus' name, Amen.

By His Grace & For His Glory,
Pastor Brandon Marshall