Apostle Allison Smith Conliff centers on the biblical Book of Malachi to encourage believers to maintain a sincere, holy relationship with God. The Apostle warns against taking divine grace for granted and highlights the importance of spiritual preparation for the return of Jesus Christ. Ethical living is a major theme, with specific instructions to avoid unfaithful behavior, dishonest business practices, and the celebration of Halloween. The message further emphasizes the necessity of supporting the church through joyful giving and maintaining the beauty of God's house. Ultimately, it serves as a call for the congregation to exercise spiritual discernment and steadfast faith amidst a modern world filled with moral and physical dangers.

Key Points:

Faith, sacrificial giving, and gratitude are essential components for confronting sin and restoring a broken relationship with God. Drawing from the book of Malachi, the Apostle highlights that these elements help move believers from a state of taking God for granted to a position of holiness and blessing.

Faith serves as the "key ingredient" for any believer seeking to please God and rise above their current circumstances. Its role in restoration includes:

• A Means of Perseverance: Believers are encouraged to "faith our way through" trials and take steps forward even when they feel they cannot go further.
• Trusting God’s Unlimited Power: Restoration begins when an individual recognizes that where human power is limited, God is unlimited and capable of working out seemingly impossible situations, such as struggling marriages or wayward children.
• Standing on the Word: Faith involves declaring God's promises even when "the evidence is against you". Standing completely on faith, believing without needing a physical sign, is what allows God’s blessings to surround a person.

• Covenant Security: Those who have entered into a covenant with God can trust that He will "move heaven and earth to rescue" them.

The way a person handles finances and offerings is a direct reflection of their heart’s alignment with God. Sacrificial giving aids restoration by:

• Correcting Priorities: The prophet Malachi rebuked those who lived in "nice seal houses" while allowing God’s house to "lie waste". Restoring the relationship requires prioritizing God's house and work over personal luxury.
• Giving Without Grudge: For giving to be meaningful, it must not be done "grudgingly" or with a "twisted mind". If one intends to complain or "quarrel" about their gift, it is better not to give it at all.
• Offering in Righteousness: Part of the restorative process involve God "purifying" His people so they can once again offer "an offering in righteousness" that is pleasant to Him.
• Focusing on Souls: Sacrificial giving is not merely about money but about winning souls, which is described as the ultimate wisdom.

Gratitude is the antidote to the apathy that often breaks a relationship with God. Its roles include:

• An Instrument of Spiritual Warfare: Praise is described as an "instrument of war" that helps believers fight their battles and navigate both the "uphill" and "downhill" seasons of life.
• Ending Complacency: Taking God for granted is a primary cause of a broken relationship. Gratitude, remembering what God has done, results in a joy that "bubbles forth" and a desire to tell others of His goodness.
• Avoiding "Wearying" the Lord: The Apostle warns that people can "weary the Lord" with words of complaint or by calling evil good. Instead of complaining, believers are urged to thank Him, which honors the Savior.
• Honoring God in All Things: Living a life of gratitude means making everything, from weddings to birthdays, about honoring Jesus.

Rec. Date: 22nd October, 2023