The One and Only

We don't play poker online very often these days. But on a chilly, rainy December Sunday with things to do, we did. And we did well - tenth places out of 145 players in National League of Poker No-River Hold 'em. (Only first place won money.)

As we played, this happened after we won a big pot....

MikeSiegrist: 　vnh
Me: 　Thanks
Me: 　Needed that - BBS
Dealer: 　DasLaz wins Main Pot ($975)
Me: 　PTL
MikeSiegrist: 　poker god likes you
Me: 　The One God does. Thankfu[l]ly.

"BBS" is short for Big Blind Special - as we hit a winning flush.  PTL, of course, stands for "Praise  the Lord." And we give Mike credit for referring to a singular poker "god."  Some players talk like there are many, but....

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. - Deuteronomy 6:4

Jesus Christ quoted this verse when He walked the earth (Mark 12:29). But here's the thing - some people took Jesus's words to mean He was proclaiming Himself to be God.

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" - John 8:58

That "I am" is a reference to the name God gave Himself in an encounter with Moses (Exodus 3:14). Is it possible Jesus really could have been calling Himself God?  The answer is....

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.... - John 1:1, 14

 The "One God" expresses Himself as both a Father and a Son who was named Jesus Christ. As the Son said elsewhere....

I and my Father are one. - John 10:30

Jesus dared to put Himself on the same level as God the Father. Are you ready to accept that - and live according to what Jesus said in the Bible?