Monday, November 22, 2010

Deliver Us From Evil

Some online poker players bring curious names to the table. We faced one today at National League of Poker....

Dealer: DrEvil85 wins Main Pot ($555) with One pair, kings

But on the very next hand, Dr. Evil met his demise by losing an all-in bet. And that led to this chat....

Dealer: KEYZ wins Main Pot ($1310) with Straight, nine to king
Me: That's how you overcome evil.
KEYZ: WHO IS JESUS


Surprised? It threw us for a moment, too. But we were willing to jump right in....

Me: Good question! Son of God and Son of Man.
KEYZ: jeopardyAlex
Me: Aha....
Me: Still a good question :-)

We didn't realize for a moment a TV game show moment had broken out. But we certainly liked the way this player was thinking -- especially when he added:

KEYZ: My Lord and Savior
Me: Mine, too. Hope that's true for everyone here!
KEYZ: Indeed.

Keyz seemed surprised when we mentioned this poker ministry. But perhaps you're surprised at the "question" he put on our original answer. Consider these words from the apostle John....

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. -- I John 5:18


Who's who here? Other Bible translations indicate "the one who was born of God" refers to Jesus; the Contemporary English Version uses the phrase "God's own Son." The "evil one" isn't that online poker player -- but Satan the devil, based on Jesus's famous prayer....

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. -- Matthew 6:13


How can you be delivered from Satan and evil? By staying close to Jesus, God's "one and only Son" (as John 3:16 describes Him). The Christian's "Big Brother" has overcome sin, and He can help you do it as well.

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