There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
 
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peacefully towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

Zechariah 7:4-6 (The Message)

God-of-the-Angel-Armies gave me this Message for them, for all the people and for the priests: “When you held days of fasting every fifth and seventh month all these seventy years, were you doing it for me? And when you held feasts, was that for me? Hardly. You’re interested in religion, I’m interested in people.

I have often heard (and probably often remarked) that the ‘worship wasn’t my style’ or ‘wasn’t to my taste’. Doesn’t it show what a shallow view we have of worship?

I was a beggar asking for coins
a poor man that slept in sidewalks
that ate trash and wore dirty rags
My life was miserable and humilliating
my home was a dumspter and few walls
and my possesions were old cans
I used to live alone between rusty pipes
because people felt repulsion on me
until one day you said my name

Rev.:2:4: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Rev.:2:5: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

This Jesus we profess to love and serve should always be first in our lives. We need His guidance and example if we are to navigate the narrow way toward life eternal. There is a price and reward for following His commands.

M’t:16:24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

M’t:16:25: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Save your life for yourself. Ignore the words of this Saviour. Return to your riches and lusts and dead-end endeavours…put it off until later…Have the riches of this life now and enjoy the warm company of your friends in Hell later. Or…

Deny yourself, crucify your Worldly passions. Walk away from them. Why…..?

There are many addictions that destroy men souls.
These are the bad habits that can not be control.

When one’s life isn’t completely surrendered to Jesus, sin has a stronghold.
It may be hidden now but will be revealed when negative behavior unfolds.

The fruit of the lips tells what is in a man’s heart.
When he doesn’t speak God’s word, his faith will depart.

If a man can bridle his tongue, his body will follow.
This occurs when Jesus, the Bread of life, is tasted and swallowed.

Then there will be a change in his heart, a new standard is found.
The tongue will begin to be addicted to making a God pleasing sound.

This addiction is good and yet it is still beyond a Saint’s control.
Praising his God continuously, which is edification for his soul.

by
Kelvin Gilmore
www.poeticpersuasion.com