1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,440
Day 253, or September 10th. Make haste, slowly. Our thoughts today come from Amos chapter

2
00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:16,720
8 verse 5. When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be

3
00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:23,640
ended, that we may market wheat, skimping on the measure, boosting the price, and cheating

4
00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:28,540
with dishonest scales?

5
00:00:28,540 --> 00:00:34,260
And now the big picture surrounding this verse. The prophecy of Amos comes to a close as

6
00:00:34,260 --> 00:00:40,960
he declares the five promises of the restoration of Israel. He knows that ending on a positive

7
00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:47,320
is such an effective way to close a sermon. Judgment will still come if there is no immediate

8
00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:56,760
change of heart, but God will restore His people despite their wilful disobedience.

9
00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:59,520
Find out today's action step.

10
00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:06,040
Amos hits the northern tribes right where it hurts—their pockets. They simply want

11
00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:11,280
to get their religious duties out of the way and then continue with their lives even if

12
00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:17,200
they are riddled with dishonesty. They have a religious standard for the temple, and another

13
00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:23,800
one for everyday life. Amos points out that there are few things God hates more than when

14
00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:30,120
we hold different standards depending upon where we are and who is with us. The world

15
00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:35,660
thinks that being a Christian is all about going to church, but being a Christian is

16
00:01:35,660 --> 00:01:43,000
all about a lifestyle that is based on biblical principles and which reflects Jesus Christ.

17
00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:49,880
The challenge is enormous and quite beyond me working by myself. We need God's help

18
00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:57,840
every day, so be sure to ask Him every day. Take it a step at a time. A good place to

19
00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:04,040
start is doing what you are doing already, getting some Bible into you every day. Each

20
00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:09,480
day with God's help we need to try to put into practice whatever the Lord shows us from

21
00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:15,560
our Bible reading. Don't be downhearted if no one notices any improvement. None of us

22
00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:22,040
learn to walk or talk overnight, so be patient with yourself on your spiritual walk. Small

23
00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:28,120
steps are the answer. Before you know where you are, you will have moved on from the person

24
00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:46,200
you were and nearer the one God wants you to be.