Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Playing Loose

"Is He my Savior?!?" a man asked aloud at our last poker outing.  We'd asked the player to our right about Jesus, of course.  But as he pondered how to answer, he realized something.

"I left my keys in my truck," he said after patting his pockets a couple of times.  That's potential trouble - that actually might it more imperative to win the tournament.  If he locked himself out, he'd need to pay for a locksmith to come to his rescue.

After talking and thinking about his situation for a few minutes, the man left the table for a moment.  He came back with good news.

"It wasn't locked!" he told the table.  Then he looked toward heaven, raised his hands a little and gave thanks.

"Praise the Lord," we said in agreement.  Leaving his keys in an unlocked truck invited something potentially more expensive -- auto theft.

That man topped us a few times at the table during the tournament.  But that's OK.  What happened with his keys is a lesson for all of us.
Indeed, we all make many mistakes.... - James 3:2 (NLT)


If there's ever been a poker tournament in which a player won every single hand, we haven't heard of it.  Bad reads and judgment can happen -- and sometimes the 3-4 you fold pre-flop can become quads by the river.

We all make mistakes in our lives as well -- and some of them can go against God's laws which have been in effect for thousands of years.  Breaking them is called sin.  But thankfully, God provides a way so you're not locked out from Him forever.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ did for us. - Romans 5:8


Jesus Christ came to be our Savior - saving us from the ultimate death penalty for our sins.  We can be loosened from that by repenting of our sins before God.
O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains. - Psalm 116:16 (NLT)


Are you free -- loosened from chains of guilt over sin?  It's possible.  If you need help with it, leave us a comment; we'll be glad to offer support.

(P.S.  Our conversation with that man at the poker table isn't over yet.  There's more coming in a future post.)

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