Each One Reach One

A regular player at one of the local clubs told us several weeks ago he reads this blog, and we're doing "good ministry." We thank him for the kind words -- and thank God for whatever good comes from it.

But we were even more thrilled the other night, when another player showed us his "card protector" of the night. He now has his own silver coin which mentions Jesus! One side has this very direct message:

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house. -- Acts 16:31 (NKJV)

We don't know how he obtained that coin, but we encouraged him to "use it wisely." We also don't know if he was emboldened by our example at the poker table -- but if he was, we again do not want the praise for ourselves. Instead, we recall the words of an early apostle:

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe -- as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. -- I Corinthians 3:5-7

Our friend actually might wind up being more persuasive in sharing the things of Christ than we are. He admittedly has more of a "down-to-earth" personality with other poker players than we do. That's his background; ours is more of a "clean at all costs" approach.

We don't really mind, though. A little "friendly competition" never hurts -- whether in free poker tournaments, or in leading people to a right relationship with Jesus Christ. May God receive the praise, no matter what.