A Winning Hand part 1

“…if you’re dealt four aces, that doesn’t make you necessarily a great poker player.”

~Mitt Romney~

In the law of opposites if this statement is true then so is its counter.

“If you are dealt a bad hand it doesn’t necessarily make you a bad poker player.”

Too often many of us complain about the hand we are dealt and use our “unlucky condition” to excuse us from believing in ourselves and aiming high in life. How do I know this? Well, I lived it.

I have told myself many times in the past, “Only if… or I wish this… or I wish that…” and this type of thinking has hindered me more than any bad choice I have ever made or any mistake I have made. You may say “How can you say that? You’re a former heroin addict you were homeless and begged for money and ate out of supermarket dumpsters. Weren’t those bad choices the reasons for you not becoming successful in life?”

My answer to you would be, no. Those aren’t the reasons for me never owning my own home or buying a new car. Those choices are not the reasons that I haven’t been able to be the father I would have liked to have been or have raised a large and happy family. The reason I believe I have failed in my past is because I had my eye on the wrong prize. Mind you, I no longer believe myself to be a failure even though I still do not have any of what the world would consider “success”, but even so, I am still not in want. I have all that I need for happiness and satisfaction, the restoration God has brought to my life is nothing short of amazing. I have found a new target to aim for and it is one much loftier than material wealth. I have discovered eternal life with Christ and an abundant life on Earth.

In part 2 we will learn from where this great revelation has come.

Christian Pick-up Lines

1) Nice bible 2) I would like to pray with you 3) You know Jesus? Me too! 4) God told me to come talk to you 5) I know a church where we could go and talk 6) How about a hug, sister? 7) Do you need help carrying your bible? It looks heavy. 8) Christians don't shake hands, Christians gotta hug 9) Oh you are cold, Ecclesiastes 4:11 10) Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven? 11) What are your plans for tonight? Feel like a bible study? 12) I am here for you. 13) The Word says "Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry". How about dinner? 14) You don't have an accountability partner? Me neither! 15) You want to come over and watch the 10 commandments tonight? 16) Is it a sin that you stole my heart? 17) Would you happen to know a Christian woman that I could love with all my heart and wait on hand and foot? 18) Nice bracelet. Who would Jesus date? I, I, mean "What Would Jesus Do" 19) Do you believe in Divine appointment? 20) Have you ever tried praying at a drive in movie before? 21) Excuse me, I believe one of your ribs belongs to me. 22) My friend told me to come and meet you, he said that you are a really nice person. I think you know him. Jesus yeah that's his name. 23) You know they say that you have never really dated, until you have dated a Christian. 24) Yeah I predicted David over Goliath. 25) What? Friends listen to Amazing Grace in the dark. 26) We have to hold hands when we pray so the circle won't be broken. 27) God has used you to teach me what true love really is. 28) Christians kiss before parting -- it's an old Jewish tradition."

The Devil Is a Liar and His Breath Stinks

In speaking to His Followers, Jesus says this; John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

In speaking to the Unbeliever Jesus says this; John 8:23-24 23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

In His words to the Believers He makes this promise; John 8:31-32 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

And to the Religious He says; John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Notice the differences between Follower and Believer and the similarities between the Unbeliever and the Religious:

You are not a Believer just because you follow Jesus. Meaning, just because you go to church on Sundays or pray for your food at meals, just because you are a good person because being good makes you feel better about yourself doesn’t make you a Believer. Jesus said that one must remain “faithful to His teachings,” (Vs 31 NLT). And not just on Sundays or when it makes you feel good, but at all times. To remain faithful means that even when it will cause you pain, discomfort or even shame, you still apply His Word to your actions. That is what makes you a Believer, when His Word is reflected in your life at ALL times.

Having some experience with being religious I know the one thing all religious people tend to do, they judge the unbeliever. To a religious person an unbeliever is condemned and not worth the sacrifices of Love. But Jesus, though He sternly admonished them, embraced them and drew them in so He can then lead them into all Truth. (Vs. 26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.)

His comparisons were not made to condemn or to set one above the other, but they were made to draw the other in and inspire Hope and Peace, to embrace them with Love and to express the promise of inclusion, that all are able to be adopted into the royal family of God. (Vs. 29-30 ²⁹ And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” ³⁰ Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.)

I believe the biggest deception played out in man is that being religious will earn you a place in Heaven. Who will be more surprised when they wake up in Hell, the unbeliever or the religious person? The Good News is, that Jesus has made a way for All to repent and find Salvation. The Truth is, the Miracle of the Cross has broken the chains of the apathetic follower of Christ, the doubting unbeliever and the deception of religion! Jesus remains faithful to His promise made so long ago, He will dispel the lies of Satan and give us the Truth, and that Truth will make us Free!