Is God your helper?

Many people act religious but, when push comes to shove, their claims are often pretty empty.

• They say they fear God but then cheat on their taxes.
• They say they love God but then hate their brother.
• They say they respect God but then take his name in vain.
• They say they trust God but then worry, worry, worry about every little thing.

Amos, an Old Testament prophet, addressed a similar discrepancy he'd observed in the children of Israel.  After calling them 'on the carpet' time and time again, he finally said to them "Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live!  Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed" (5:14).  Can you hear the "duh!" in his words?  Eugene Peterson's "The Message" translates it well:  "You talk about God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, being your best friend.  Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen."  

Pretty straight-forward, huh?  'Do what is good, run from evil and the Lord will be your Helper.'  And best part:  You won't simply have to claim he's your helper, he really will be!