Punched Out

The big one has arrived - the World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.  The tournament entered by all kinds of non-poker celebrities, perhaps only to say they did it once.

Perhaps the biggest noise so far came from a champion of UFC mixed martial arts.  Canada's Georges St. Pierre was sent packing on his first day at the tables -- and he admitted part of his problem is playing with discipline.

Have you played poker with "bullies" like that?  They're people who try to take over a table to prove, in the Spanish words of a TV judge, "quien es mas macho."  Sometimes they succeed.  But many times they fail.  It only proves a Bible reminder:

....Great strength by itself cannot keep a soldier safe.  In war the strength of a horse cannot be trusted to take you to safety. - Psalm 33:16-17 (CEV)

Some of the strongest "tough guys" in the Bible wound up weak, conquered and even killed.  Goliath ran into young David (I Samuel 17).  Samson was humbled by a woman named Delilah (Judges 16).  And let's be honest -- however muscular and strong you may be today, we're all likely to become weak and frail with time and years.

So where should you turn for real discipline?  We recommend a daily dose of reading from God's Word, the Bible.  For instance...

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight.... - Proverbs 1:1-2 (NIV)

The book of Proverbs is a great place to learn the mind of God.  But read it in a disciplined way, because some chapters can be packed with advice.  Ponder over a few verses at a time, and consider how they can apply to your life.  As you do, we pray you'll find....

A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength.... - Proverbs 24:5