Today's Old Testament Reading is from the book of Amos, thousands of years and things don't change much. Amos was a poor country farmer who God sent to the big city to rail against injustice. Adonai and Amos couldn't abide people who "trample the poor into the dust and kick aside the meek." He called people to return to the Lord.

Seek the Lord and live, or else he will sweep like fire through Israel.- Amos 5:6

How do people react to a word from God like that? Amos was branded a traitor and hustled out of town! How do we react to his message today?

The best example that springs to my mind of the sort of people Amos is describing is the leaders of Hamas. They have been sitting in Qatar in luxury. in mansions paid for by foreign aid meant to help the Palestinian people, nursing their hatred for the Jews and refusing over and over the peace deals offered, refusing to return the hostages, which would stop the War. They don't care about the plight of the Gaza civilians, bearing the brunt of the IDF retaliation for their actions. Hamas don't care how many die as long as they get to kill Jews. They use their own people as human shields, placing their military outposts in Hospitals, kindergartens, schools and mosques. They teach the people that it is an honor to die for their cause! Why were civilians not allowed to use the tunnels as bomb shelters? They dug up the water pipes, bringing water to their people, to use them as rocket launchers, because they care more about killing Jews than caring for their people. They care more about their own ideology and comfort!

There are many wealthy Christians, it is not a sin to be wealthy, its what you do with it! Follow the advice that Jesus and St Paul gave. Jesus warned about the sin of Greed and told the story of 'The Rich Man and Lazarus' (today at Afternoon Tea/None), then St Paul in his first letter to Timothy gives Timothy advice to pass on to those Christians who are wealthy (see our New Testament reading). He says it far better than I could!

Psalm 146 today tells us not to put our trust in Princes and leaders, but to put our trust in the Lord. You certainly today cannot put your trust in the words and reports of the Mainstream Media who too often have their own agenda. They are pushing the agenda's of whoever, pays the piper. You have to be careful what reports you trust and what sources you use for information. Personally when it comes to international news I watch CBN and TBN trusted Christian news outlets. But if you watch the world too often, it can lead to depression and despair at what is happening. For your own sanity and wellbeing, it is sometimes better to turn off your device, walk away, go outside into the sunshine and breathe - then spend some time with the Lord in prayer. Talk to a friend, face to face in person, and do something to help someone in your local community.