“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

3 things: to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God

To do justly (2 Hebrew words: strongs 6213 + 4941)

• 6213 (asah): To do, to make, to accomplish, to perform, to act.
  • In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of “doing” or “making” was integral to both divine and human activities. The Hebrew culture placed a strong emphasis on action and obedience, reflecting a worldview where faith was demonstrated through deeds. The verb “asah” is frequently used in covenantal contexts, where the Israelites were called to “do” or “perform” the commandments of God as a sign of their faithfulness and commitment to the covenant.

• 4941 (mishpat): a verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style
  • In ancient Israel, “mishpat” was central to the community’s understanding of justice and righteousness. The concept was deeply embedded in the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God was seen as the ultimate judge. The administration of “mishpat” was crucial for maintaining social order and ensuring that the rights of individuals, especially the vulnerable, were protected. The Torah, or Law, provided detailed instructions on how “mishpat” was to be carried out, emphasizing fairness, impartiality, and the protection of the innocent.

Love mercy (2 Hebrew words: strongs 160 +2617)

• 160 (ahabah): Love, affection.
  • In ancient Hebrew culture, love was not merely an emotion but a commitment that involved loyalty, faithfulness, and action. The concept of love in the Hebrew Bible is deeply tied to covenant relationships, whether between God and His people or between individuals. Love was seen as a binding force that upheld social and familial structures, and it was often expressed through actions and obedience to God’s commandments.

• 2617 (checed): Lovingkindness, mercy, steadfast love, loyalty, faithfulness, goodness
  • In the ancient Near Eastern context, “checed” was a significant concept in covenantal relationships. Covenants were binding agreements that required loyalty and faithfulness from both parties. “Checed” was the expected behavior within these relationships, emphasizing steadfast love and mercy. In Israel’s history, God’s “checed” was seen in His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the nation of Israel, despite their frequent unfaithfulness.

Walk humbly with your God (4 Hebrew words: strongs 6800 + 1980 + 5973 + 430)

• 6800 (tsana): To be humble, to be modest
  • In ancient Israelite culture, humility was a highly regarded virtue, often associated with wisdom and righteousness. The concept of humility was deeply embedded in the religious and social fabric of the community, reflecting a person’s relationship with God and others. Humility was seen as essential for maintaining harmony and justice within the community and was often contrasted with pride, which was viewed as a vice leading to downfall and destruction.

• 1980 (halak): To go, walk, come, proceed, move
  • In ancient Hebrew culture, walking was the primary mode of transportation and a common daily activity. The concept of “walking” was deeply embedded in the Hebrew mindset, symbolizing one’s journey through life and one’s relationship with God. Walking in the ways of the Lord was a central theme in the Hebrew Scriptures, reflecting obedience, faithfulness, and a righteous lifestyle.

• 5973 (im): With, together with, among
  • In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of being “with” someone carried significant weight. It implied not only physical presence but also support, alliance, and shared purpose. This preposition is frequently used in covenantal contexts, where God’s presence with His people is a central theme. The idea of God being “with” His people is a recurring assurance of His guidance, protection, and blessing.

• 430 (Elohim): God, gods, divine beings, judges. In this verse it is used in a personal context, your God.
  • In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of a pantheon of gods was common, and the use of a plural form for deity was not unusual. However, the Hebrew Bible uniquely uses Elohim to affirm the monotheistic belief in one God who is supreme over all. The plural form may reflect the fullness of God’s nature and His attributes. The use of Elohim in the Hebrew Scriptures underscores the distinctiveness of Israel’s faith in one God who is both transcendent and immanent.

John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”

John 20:21 “Again Jesus said to them, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”’

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Eternal life is to know God. If we know God, we will have the seed of Christ (His life) formed within us. The seed’s very nature is to reproduce after its own kind. Even if it falls on stony ground, or weeds may choke it out, the seed’s nature never changes. It is looking for good soil to reproduce itself. The principle of life is reproduction, constant growth, and expansion. God reveals that truth to us all throughout nature.

God wants to reproduce His son in the earth. Since the cross, the seed of Christ has been reproducing all throughout the ages, coming to a final harvest. If at any point we are no longer reproducing something is wrong. It’s not a matter of how many disciples we have made, or how big of a thing is being built for God through us, or anything of that matter. However if there is no reproducing, we may no longer be abiding in the vine. If we abide in the vine, the very nature of the life within us will begin to overflow and reproduce after its own kind.

May we abide in the vine and continue to let the seed of Christ have its perfect work in us. There is a dying world that is longing to taste and see the sweet fruit of Jesus Christ that comes from our abiding life.

GO, and make disciples.

Revelation 4:1 “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.'”

Here is John the beloved who had seen so much of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ up to this point. He had seen so much he even wrote the world itself could not contain everything that Jesus Christ did in their midst. Even after all this he has an open vision of Jesus in Revelation 1. Take time to read the description of the Lord in this chapter. It’s so overwhelming to the disciple who once laid his head on the Lords bosom, the only thing he could do was fall at His feet as dead. Even after all of this, and receiving the message he must give to the seven churches, He still hears the voice of the Lord to, “come up here.” Even after seeing Jesus glorified, God in essence says there’s more, and takes John into the throne room.

Time and time again throughout the bible Jesus is calling to His people to seek Him for more. You may have laid your head on His bosom and seen many mighty works that even the world couldn’t contain it. You may have seen the eyes of fire piercing through your soul. You may have seen the King face to face and fallen prostrate before Him. Even with all this He says to you, “come up here.” There’s more of God to be found.

Ezekiel 22:30 “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

Revelation 3:16-17 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”

Look at the world. Take a step back today, and meditate on its current condition. Put all your thoughts and plans for the day to the side. Take time to truly let the evil of today’s world sink in. It’s horrible, depraved and never been more wicked.

Witchcraft is one of the fastest growing religions in America. Sex trafficking plagues the world more and more every year. The murdering of innocent babies daily in the name of abortion. Wars and rumors of war all around the world. The perversion of God’s natural order of man and woman. The slaughtering of Christians in many countries. Wolves in sheep’s clothing fleecing God’s people for personal gain. The list goes on. It’s important to take our heads out of the sand and truly see the beast rising in the hearts of men. We need to see how bad this world is in the light of God’s word. When we examine the world through the lens of God’s word, its undeniable that mankind has never been more depraved and in need of a Savior. So it begs the question, where is the church in all this?

The bible says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and always. If that’s true, which it is, what has happened to the church since the first century? The first century church flipped the world upside down. They were naturally poor, but spiritually rich. It’s been said that by 300 AD nearly half the Roman empire was born again, Spirit-filled believers. When the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in the upper room the world RADICALLY changed. They didn’t just speak in tongues in the upper room and have a nice time of fellowship. The Holy Spirit truly touched their hearts, and the overflow of God’s fiery presence brought THOUSANDS to the Lord in almost a day. Many reading this know everything else the Lord did through His people in the book of acts, but have you ever thought that the disciples were actually in the same covenant as the modern church today? However its clear the modern church is NOT operating in the same power as the first century church. Many reading this may even say well we have baptism of Holy Spirit and presence of God in our midst. That may be very true, but are we willing to accept that we aren’t actually operating on the same level of the first century church? Are thousands coming to the Lord because of our church services, outreaches, and programs? NO. We are spiritual bankrupt church. The devil laughs at us. We can come to church, clap our hands, sing in tongues and do all our religious activities, but until the fire of Living Christ begins to manifest through God’s people the devil isn’t concerned one bit. Until we accept our spiritual poverty we will make no impact. Surely part of the problem is that much of the evangelical church doesn’t even believe in the baptism of Holy Spirit, but part of the problem is those that do believe in baptism of Holy Spirit aren’t willing to keep pressing into the fullness of Christ.

Its like the old testament story of the spies who brought the sample of grapes back to the camp. Many of God’s people have become satisfied with the sample, when God has an entire land of milk and honey for His people. Houses we don’t have to build, vineyards already planted, and an overflow of all God’s blessings. Yet we stay in the wilderness with a few grapes. We like the disobedient spies say the land is surely good as God promised, but the giants are too big for us. In other words, well all that stuff talked about in book of acts is too far out there for us now. It worked backed then, but its not actually for us. WAKE UP church. What happened in the book of acts is for us and God wants to do even more. The church went into spiritual Babylonian captivity just as the Jews of old went into natural captivity. How can the church continue to sing the songs of Zion in this foreign land? We AREN’T where we are supposed to be. Until we accept this, true revival will never happen. In the day of apostasy during Eli’s time, God found a barren woman named Hannah who travailed for a man child. The woman in revelation 12 travailed to bring forth a man child. Many times in the bible, when God wanted to do something radical, He found a barren woman. He found someone who had no fruitfulness in themselves. Why does He do that? Because they will find the strength of their God. They have no other option than to cry out to God day and night.

Revival has never, and will never, happen through our many church programs. It will come when even just a few people get desperate for God. It will come when a true travail takes place. Until our souls travail, the fullness of Christ will not be birthed within us. It’s time we throw everything we have done out the window as a church and fall flat on our face seeking God daily. Not seeking to build a church, program, ministry or anything else other than seeking His face. True revival will start in the upper room waiting upon God to move. There is no other way.

So how will we all respond? Will we continue to carry on as usual rich in spirit, or find the riches in Christ by becoming spiritually poor?

God will fulfill His plans with or without us, may it be with us. May we seek His face and live.

Amos 5

A Lament for Israel

5 Hear this word which I take up against you, a lamentation, O house of Israel:

2 The virgin of Israel has fallen;

She will rise no more.

She lies forsaken on her land;

There is no one to raise her up.

3 For thus says the Lord God:

“The city that goes out by a thousand

Shall have a hundred left,

And that which goes out by a hundred

Shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”

A Call to Repentance

4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:

“Seek Me and live;

5 But do not seek Bethel,

Nor enter Gilgal,

Nor pass over to Beersheba;

For Gilgal shall surely go into captivity,

And Bethel shall come to nothing.

6 Seek the Lord and live,

Lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph,

And devour it,

With no one to quench it in Bethel—

7 You who turn justice to wormwood,

And lay righteousness to rest in the earth!”

8 He made the Pleiades and Orion;

He turns the shadow of death into morning

And makes the day dark as night;

He calls for the waters of the sea

And pours them out on the face of the earth;

The Lord is His name.

9 He [a]rains ruin upon the strong,

So that fury comes upon the fortress.

10 They hate the one who rebukes in the gate,

And they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.

11 Therefore, because you [b]tread down the poor

And take grain [c]taxes from him,

Though you have built houses of hewn stone,

Yet you shall not dwell in them;

You have planted [d]pleasant vineyards,

But you shall not drink wine from them.

12 For I know your manifold transgressions

And your mighty sins:

Afflicting the just and taking bribes;

Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.

13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time,

For it is an evil time.

14 Seek good and not evil,

That you may live;

So the Lord God of hosts will be with you,

As you have spoken.

15 Hate evil, love good;

Establish justice in the gate.

It may be that the Lord God of hosts

Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

The Day of the Lord

16 Therefore the Lord God of hosts, the Lord, says this:

“There shall be wailing in all streets,

And they shall say in all the highways,

‘Alas! Alas!’

They shall call the farmer to mourning,

And skillful lamenters to wailing.

17 In all vineyards there shall be wailing,

For I will pass through you,”

Says the Lord.

18 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!

For what good is the day of the Lord to you?

It will be darkness, and not light.

19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion,

And a bear met him!

Or as though he went into the house,

Leaned his hand on the wall,

And a serpent bit him!

20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light?

Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?

21 “I hate, I despise your feast days,

And I do not savor your sacred assemblies.

22 Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,

I will not accept them,

Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.

23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs,

For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.

24 But let justice run down like water,

And righteousness like a mighty stream.

25 “Did you offer Me sacrifices and offerings

In the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

26 You also carried [e]Sikkuth[f] your king

And Chiun, your idols,

The star of your gods,

Which you made for yourselves.

27 Therefore I will send you into captivity beyond Damascus,”

Says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.