THE STORY OF JESUS: Amos 5:18-7
“You have turned justice into poison.” (Amos 6:12)
How does justice become a poison?
When the courts become political, and the judges self-serving.
The poor and oppressed distrust the courts and the authorities.
“(You have turned) the fruit of righteousness into bitterness.” (Amos 6:12)
How does righteousness become bitterness?
When the righteous become proud, judgmental and condemning.
The common people and other ‘sinners’ turn away from God and faith.
Some would say this about politics and religion today.
People are disillusioned by both government and church.
As Jesus followers, we need to beware of politics and religion.
The poor and oppressed, the common and other ‘sinners’ were drawn to Jesus.
He blessed the poor and ‘sinners’, and called His disciples to do the same.
Throughout the ages God’s people have forgotten their calling.
Are we poisoning justice, and making righteousness bitter?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, do people experience us as fair and good? Do others taste Your goodness through me, or am I leaving a bad taste in their mouths?
Create in me a clean heart oh Lord.
I need to live for Jesus in all I do and say.
I am a living epistle – a living letter read by all who see me
and
they need to see Christ living in me
in all areas of my life.
God, You are my God
and I need to serve You always.
God is is here and now
and I need to be an instrument of His peace
by the words I speak and the actions I do.
Word and deed.
Indeed!
Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to steep so close
You could touch it but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so worth much left to do
But so much you’d already done
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise you
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise you
And I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit from me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the glime can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days