But the writer also says player with interesting personalities can make the game interesting and entertaining for viewers -- and also are more likely to gain endorsement deals. We can understand that, too. It's one of the ways we try to liven up a table, and get people talking about topics of faith.
Jesus offered this advice to those who would follow Him:
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16
We once had a Pastor who emphasized: "You're a light, not a loudspeaker." In other words, we were urged to keep quiet about our faith until someone asked about it. But over the years, we've concluded "being a light" only gets you so far. You may set a great Christian example for others, but that doesn't necessarily mean others will "get it" and grasp what you're doing.
Besides, Jesus called Himself the light of the world (John 8:12) -- but He didn't simply stop with performing miracles and good deeds. He spoke a message, also:
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. - Mark 1:14
The challenge is to "proclaim" in a way that attracts people to God, instead of turning them away. So when we're at poker rooms, we often try to start conversations during quiet moments. Or we can wait for other people to bring up God (it happens more often than you might think) -- or we take a "one-on-one" approach with a player alongside us.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)
....and that's our goal: to be friendly with the gospel message, more than preachy.
So if you've become a "friend" of this blog by reading it often, we ask: do you believe the good news Jesus brought? Have you acted on it, to turn your life to Him? A "clock" is running on you, whether you realize it or not -- the clock of your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment