Nine to Go

The long wait is over. The "November Nine" gather around poker's ultimate final table tonight in Las Vegas, competing for the World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet.

Pierre Neuville of Belgium makes history as the oldest player ever at a Main Event final table. He's 72, and talked with WSOP.com about what he likes most about the international poker circuit: "To meet the world, and to meet them friendly, even if we are fighting so hard at the table."

To meet the world in a friendly way is one thing. To become friends with the world.... well, according to the Bible, that can be trouble:

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. - James 4:4

Why would God hate the world? After all, didn't He create it? Yes, God did -- but the people of this world have made it a sin-filled place.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned... - Romans 5:12

So in God's eyes, if you choose to be friends with this world, you become friends with sin. Our sinless God would much prefer you become friends with Him  -- and with Jesus Christ, who said:

You are my friends, if you do what I command. - John 15:14

Wherever you play poker, do it the way Neuville recommends. "Meet them friendly" - but develop an even better friendship with Jesus. Go through the New Testament to see what He commands of us. Then be daring enough to do it.

OK, enough of the preaching. Who's your pick to win the Main Event - and why?