Shalom, ACF family. Thank you for joining me as we explore some questions found in Scripture. As I’ve been wrestling with this question found in Micah, I have had the opportunity to change the way I approach the question. At first, my internal conversation sounded something like, “Man that’s a hard question. How could I possibly answer that fully and accurately enough?” At that point, I remembered something that one of my ACF groups talks about a lot: being aware of and changing the way we talk to ourselves. Have you experienced how our brains tend to believe what we tell them? Maybe instead of this question being hard, it’s simply more challenging than I would prefer it to be. And so now, as I sit and write, I have the opportunity to focus on how God always makes a way for His will to be done. I almost cornered myself with what I have come to know as a limiting belief! Praise God, that my friends taught me that how I talk to myself matters.

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My brothers and sisters, as we move through this series, I encourage you to be open- handed and open-hearted to what God has for you. Be confident in Him and expectant that He will move. Also, if you have not yet, or you’ve ever been curious, I encourage you to get involved with ACF Groups. The community of fellowship, prayer, study, and accountability has been transformational in my journey with Messiah, and I want to hold that door open for you, as well.

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So, what does the Lord require of us?  

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I believe and submit to you that many of the answers to our questions about our lives and our purpose can be found right back in the beginning: those first chapters of Genesis. There we see that when God speaks, things tend to happen! By His choice to use words, this natural creation around us became. We see right in Genesis 1 that God created man and woman in His own image and told them to be fruitful and multiply. Friends, I believe that before the fall, our purpose was, and I believe still is, to walk in His ways and bear His fruit throughout the Earth. He requires us to be obedient to His Word. When we are obedient to our God, we join Him and one another in a holy union. This union bears good fruit because that is who God is; He produces perfect and holy things. How blessed are we that He requires us to join Him? I look at how He gave man the responsibility of naming all the animals, and it reminds me that serving Him requires action.  

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When I fall short of what the Lord requires of me, I recognize the grace and mercy Abba has for me and for all His children. I believe He requires us to show the same grace and mercy to one another. Jesus takes it a step further when He commands us to love our enemies!

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As I search through the Scriptures and look at all the specific things God requires of us, I could only summarize that as perfection. But haven’t we been imperfect beings since sin came into the world? Friends, you have all helped teach me about how God requires us to surrender our hearts to Him. When we are born again, and receive His holy heart transplant, we belong to Him once again. It is He who dwells within us that makes good things possible. I alone tend to be a complete mess. I know and trust that it is God’s Word written on my heart and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that make a way to do what the Lord requires of me.

The Father is restoring all things, and He requires those who hear Him to be a part of that work. I feel so blessed and honored to be part of a church that has been joining in on what God is doing by participating in Restoration Life. Thank you all for opening your hearts, receiving His Word, and doing what the Lord requires of you. I believe there are things He requires from all of us, like knowing He is God and keeping His commandments. There are also beautiful things He requires from us individually as different members of the body. So, whatever good work He has for you today, I urge you to trust the Good Shepherd and do what He requires.

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The Tree of Life translation uses the word seeking instead of require, and I love that because often, I am seeking the Father, but what is He seeking me out for? May His many blessings be with you all and His mighty hand of health, protection, and guidance be with you and your families.