Texas Holdem Part 12

We are now at the “River Card”.   It is the 5th and last community card dealt face up in a Holdem game.  The "river card" for us is the river of God.  Everything we have need of in this life is found in the River of God.
Rev. 22:1-2  And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2  In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Until you go “All In” you will stand at the bank and never experience the life that God has for you.  Some people never leave the bank.  What could have been, what should have been thoughts?

Ezekiel 47:1-5  Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2   He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.  3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4   Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5   Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.

WHAT LEVEL OF THE RIVER OF GOD DO YOU WANT TO GET IN?

Photo Courtesy - Melinda Nagy

Texas Holdem Part 11

We are “All In”.  You might ask, "What is all in?".   "All In" is putting all of the chips you have at the table in the pot.  When we are serving Jesus, we have to go all in.  If you want to win at the game of life you have to go all in.

1Kings 17:8-16  The widow with Elijah put it all in. (The meal and the oil)
1Kings 18   Elijah put it all in when he challenged the prophets of Baal.
1Kings 19:19-21, 2Kings 2  Elisha put it all in when he followed Elijah (Sacrificed the oxen and wouldn’t stop following Elijah)
2Kings 4:1-7  A widow put it all in under the ministry of Elisha (To pay off a debt she couldn’t pay with the vessels of oil)
Ex.14:10-31  Moses and the Israelites put it all in when they were at the Red Sea. (Stand still and see the salvation of our God)
Mark 12:41-44  A widow put it all in when she gave an offering. (She in her want did cast in all she had)

What is it you are in want of? Put it "all in" so the river of God can come into your life.

John 3:16  God put it all in when He sent Jesus. There was no plan B.
If you want to get in to the “River Card” you are going to have to go ALL IN.

Photo Courtesy - Melinda Nagy

Texas Holdem Part 10

Today lets look at the term “check”.  That is when no bets are pending after we have made the “turn” and we feel like everything is ok.  We need to go through and just make a check on things because the game is going to start getting interesting.

Here are some scripture reminders on checking.

Phil. 2:12  “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”

“Work out” means to work to full completion.  In Paul’s day it was also used for working a mine.  Which meat getting out of the mine all the valuable ore possible.  He wants us to work out and fulfill all the potential that is within us.  This is why we need to check and see if that is happening.  Sometimes God is working things in us, so we can be in the position He wants us to be.

1Cor.11:28  Let a man examine himself. We must examine our hearts and judge our sins and confess them to the Lord.

2Cor.13:5  We must examine our own selves not everybody else.

1Cor.11:31  We have to check or judge ourselves because we are going to go “All In” we have come to far not to go all the way, we are going “All In”.

Texas Holdem Part 9

Yesterday we looked at the term “turn card”.  Usually after the turn card has been played we get the “call” .  I want to look at both of these term together.  The "turn card" and the "call".  We said the "turn card" represent for us repent.  And the “call”,  think of it this way this is "God’s Call”.

Proverbs 1:20-23  God’s wisdom calls out and says stay humble, don’t get proud and boastful.  Turn toward Me and I will give you wisdom on how to finish the game of life and be the winner I have called you to be.

Lam.3:40-41   I am turning towards you Lord; its your way or no way.

Rev.2:1-5   You see we can be doing good, but the complete victory is not going to take place in our lives until we repent “turn”.

We will not use all of God’s cards unless we are willing to “turn” and repent.

Rev.1:9-11   When we adjust our position, when we turn we get a different view on the subject. We see things in a different light.  If we are willing to turn to the Lord, the "turn card" will bring a different view, a different light, a different perspective on the issues we are facing.  It will cause us to see that things are turning around.  And cause us to see that we can win at the game of life.  Lets respond to God’s Call.

Texas Holdem Part 8

As we continue on with our series, it just keeps getting more intense.  Today we look at the term “Turn Card”.  This is the 4th community card.   After we have been through the enemy trying to raise the stakes in the game of life.  After we have detected a bluff, we find ourselves needing a little strength.  We can sometimes get a little of track in the game of life and we need God’s help.  We need that “turn card” and must be a good one.  When we find ourselves backed up to the wall we are willing to do anything.  The "turn card"  in the game of Texas Holdem represents for us to repent.

Repent = To think differently or reconsider. To go a different direction.

We have to realize that just like in Texas Holdem, the game is not over after the 3 community cards.  And in the game of life we need all of God’s promises not just a few.  Sometimes we think we have it all wrapped up and can forget that it was God who helped us thus far.  We can start to depend on our own strength.  We must always be willing to “turn” to Jesus for our help and strength.

Photo Courtesy - Melinda Nagy

Texas Holdem Part 7

Now that we are at the betting stage.  Lets look at the term “Bluff”.   A bluff is betting even though you don’t have a good hand.  The enemy will try to bluff you and scare you out of the game.  How does the enemy try to bluff you or scare you out of the game?  Through bad reports, bad circumstances, things don’t look like they are getting any better, mind games, whisper things in your ear.  Remember when Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11:12-14.  There was no outward manifestation that you could see right then. But the next day the fig tree had dried up from the roots.   Mark 11:20-24  We have to have mental toughness.

Rom.12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

If we don’t do that then we give place to the devil and we fall for his bluff every time.  To many times Christians lose out on the game of life because they suffered a bad beat, they fell to the bluff of the enemy.  To many hopes, dreams, desires crushed.  People stayed in captivity because of fear, because the enemy bluffed them into defeat.

Let me encourage you to stay in the game; don’t let the enemy bluff you out of the game of life.  Go for your dreams.  You are a guaranteed winner.

Texas Holdem Part 6

Now this is when it gets exciting when playing Texas Holdem.  Remember we are using this popular game and its terms in a spiritual sense.  The term we are looking at today is “Raise”.   That is putting in the first bet in the round.
You can count on it.  When you decide to play the game and play to win.  That the enemy is going to raise the stakes on you, to see how serious you are at winning.  Now there are various amounts you can bet.  Understand this the greater the bet, the bigger the payoff.  But you have to be willing to play.  Look at some of these guys who were willing to play to win even after the enemy raised the stakes.

Daniel 3 - Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and the fiery furnace
Daniel 6 - Daniel in the lions den
Job 1:6-22, 2:1-10  - All of Job’s trials
Acts 4:21-31 - The Apostles were threatened
Acts 5:40-42 - The Apostles were threatened and beaten
Acts 16:16-31  - Paul and Silas in prison
Matt.4:1-11 - Jesus in the wilderness
Matt.26:36-46  - Jesus in Gethsemane

When the enemy raised the stakes, these guys were willing to play no matter the cost.  And they all came out on the winning side.  And so will you if you are willing to stay in the game of life, even when the enemy raises the stakes.

Texas Holdem Part 5

Let’s look at the term “Community Cards” in the game Texas Holdem.  Now the Community Cards are the communal cards dealt face up in Holdem that all the players can use. It is also called the “Flop”.  Now everybody has been dealt cards in this life.  Some good cards, some bad cards.  But now we get to use the “community cards”.  This is why we haven’t folded yet.  See are bad cards can now turn into good cards. Our good cards can turn into better cards.  But it all depends on what we are going to do with the “community cards.”


If we are in Christ we have all got the same “community cards”.


Eph.1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
John 10:10  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

Now everybody has a chance to play with the community cards, if they have not folded.  The community cards are also called the “Flop”.

Webster’s = Flop is to fall down, to fail. To move about in a clumsy noisy way. Slang is to sleep.


What a picture this is of Christians everywhere today.  It takes work to be successful.  God has already given us all the tools we need to win, but the majority of the Body of Christ has flopped, dropped out of the game; they have failed or fallen asleep.


But we are to get up and start doing something.   Rom.13:11-14
Eph.5:14-17  The will of the Lord is you are to stay in the game.  Don’t fold, don’t flop or fall asleep.  You are a winner.  Stay in the game because the stakes are going to be “raised”.

Texas Holdem Part 4

As we continue on with the series Texas Holdem With Jesus (How To Win At The Game Of Life) lets look at two more terms in the game.  “Heads Up”  This is when only two players are involved in a hand.  In life we are not competing with any one else.  We only have one enemy and it is satan.  1Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because[c] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

The other term is “Bad Beat”.   This is when a good hand is beat by a long shot draw.  That is why we cannot quit.  We cannot be beat.  1Cor.15:57  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:35-36 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

Texas Holdem Part 3

As we continue on with the series Texas Holdem With Jesus (How To Win At The Game Of Life) we will talk about the term “FOLD”in Texas Holdem and in life you can fold.  Which simply means you are not going to play.  To many times we just accept that these are the cards I was dealt, there is nothing I can do about it.  This is just the way it is.  I am never going to amount to anything.  I just can’t win this game called life.  In life you can just “Fold” and stay right there, or you can decide to “Call”.


Now when you “Call” in Texas Holdem, it is matching a bet amount.  It is really saying I am willing to play this game.  It is saying I believe I can win this game.  We have to understand that in order to win we are going to have to "call" and no matter what kind of cards we are dealt, we are going to win because Jesus is on our side. He has already guaranteed us victory.


Read James 1:6-8   We cannot waver, we have to be rock solid on the fact that no matter what kind of cards we were dealt the game is not over, and there are still some cards to be dealt.

Just like Texas Holdem and in life, I can fold at anytime.  But if I decide to stay in the game, I have a chance to win.  And with Jesus on our side we do win.

Photo Courtesy - Melinda Nagy

Texas Holdem Part 2

Yesterday, we looked at the term “Buy In” today we will look at the term “Pocket Cards”.  After you have decided to buy in you are then dealt some cards.  These are your “pocket cards”.  Have you ever heard the term “these were the cards I was dealt"?   People often refer to this when they are talking about their life or situations in their life.

Just like in Texas Holdem, in life we are dealt cards. Now everyone of us is dealt different cards in life. Some have good cards (education, jobs, money, status) and some have bad cards (bad home life, no education, poverty) .  But it is what you do with those cards that determines whether or not you are going to win at this game.  Everybody has been dealt the cards now it is decision time.  What are you going to do with your cards?

2Peter 1:2-4, Eph.3:20, Eph.1:3, Joshua 1:7-8, John 10:10, 1John 5:12, Rom.5:17

Texas Holdem Part 1

Several years ago I preached a series called “Texas Holdem With Jesus” (How To Win At The Game Of Life).  So I thought I would share some of that with you on our blogs for the next few days. If you are not familiar with “Texas Holdem” it is a card game that is widely popular, you can watch it on ESPN and other stations usually daily.  The game has several terms that they use and I keyed in on these terms and looked at it from a spiritual and biblical standpoint.

The first term, we hear about in Texas Holdem is the “BUY IN”.   You see in order to play Texas Holdem you have to “buy in” you have to decide if you are going to play the game or not.  In life, we all have to have a “buy in”.  This is the first thing we need to do if we are going to play this game of life. Your first step to winning is joining the game with a “buy in”.

So to be a winner in the Kingdom your “buy in” has to be the blood of Jesus. You can “buy in” to life with all kind of things, but the only thing that will guarantee you a win in the Kingdom is that you are bought in with the blood of Christ.

God through Jesus Christ has given you the opportunity to “buy in” at no cost to yourself to win in life. There is no other way to get into this game and be successful but through Jesus.

1Peter 1:18-19, Eph.2:8, Eph.1:7, 2Cor.5:17

Photo Courtesy Melinda Nagy

Go into the river.

In Joshua chapter 3 we have the Israelites crossing the Jordan River to go into the Promised Land. The instructions from the Lord to Joshua are that the priests were to carry the ark and go before the people. They were to go into the Jordan River and stand, while all the Israelites cross over.  Doesn’t sound like a big deal except the Jordan River was at flood stage in verse 15.


Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem strange. This is strange; go stand in a river that is at flood stage and overflowing the banks. But as they carried the Ark (God’s Presence) He was going before them. God always goes before us. He just asks us to be obedient to what He tells us to do, even if it doesn’t make sense to us.

Has God sent you into a flood? Or told you to do something that was contrary to your senses?
We can have confidence in Isaiah words.


Isa.43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.


And know this as well. God is always behind the scenes.  19 miles upstream the waters stood up in a heap. They didn’t know how they were going to cross the flood, but God was working behind the scenes.  All He wanted them to do was obey and go into the river.

Photo © W. Spoon. All Rights Reserved.  The Danube River at Bratislava, Slovakia.

Are you ready for some football??

                                                        Photo Courtesy Cynthia Farmer

Its been anticipated and now it is finally here. College football season started and now the NFL is under way. Now you may or may not be a football fan, I happen to be one and also play in a fantasy football league that is full of competitive guys. So I was reminded of the following verses.


1Cor.9:24-27 ESV 24  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Just a few observations from these verses:

1)  We are all in the race or you could say "the game".

2)  It’s been said, "It’s not how you start but how you finish."  "The tortoise always beats the hare."  "You win the race one step at a time."


3)  In the natural race or game there is only one winner, but in the spiritual race, everyone can win if they stay in the race or game.


4)  There are rewards to be won. I want the Lord to be able to say to me, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”


5)  We don’t run “aimlessly.” We need to have goals. They need to be directed by God Himself and we need to pursue those goals at all costs.


6)  We must have discipline in our lives. If we don’t, we could find ourselves disqualified from the race.

Remember it is not how you start but how you finish. I want to have the Lord say to me one day, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”  How about you?

A Blessed Life

Deut.30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
God sets before the Israelites blessing and cursing. And then gives them the answer. Choose life. Following after God brings life. Not only does it bring eternal life but also it brings real life, abundant life a blessed life. Just look at some of these familiar verses.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Joshua 1:7-8 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

In 10 years of pastoring and in almost 25 years as a Christian. I have never seen anyone not be blessed who did what God’s Word says. It pays to obey God and do what His word declares. I know that bad things happen to good people, but the constant blessing of the Lord is upon the people who choose to walk after God and His Word.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

God wants to give us the abundant life. And it only comes from following after Him.

God is for us!

I woke up with this verse on my mind.

Eph.3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. I know we pray for all kind of things for our own lives. And sometimes I think we limit ourselves because we don’t think we are good enough or that it seems like it is such impossibility that God would never do that for us. But God will do abundantly more than we can ask or think according to His power that is at work in us.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible.

God is for us. He wants the very best for our lives. He wants it more for us than we want it. Let’s begin to believe for God’s Word to become manifested in our lives.

What is God's will for my life?

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

We only have a short time to live here on this earth. So we must make the most of our time. Which is why we must know the will of the Lord for our lives.

Eph.5:15-17 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

We cannot be unwise when it comes to the will of the Lord. I have been asked this question, “How do I know what God’s will for my life is?” We all have a certain assignment from God and we have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and He will tell us and guide us into the will He has for our lives. I know that sounds vague and too easy. But it really is how it works. But there are some things that we can do that will help us be sensitive to the will of God for us.

Read the Word of God. Look, it is His revealed will for you right there in black and white. Just do what the book says. That is God’s will for your life. Have a prayer life. Learn to spend time with God in prayer, and don’t do all the talking. Learn to listen to His voice. Have a church home. So many people want to be a lone ranger; you must have a church home, a pastor. By the way that is in the Bible. Be a giver. God wants you to give with all your resources, money ect into the Kingdom of God.

If you will just start doing these things that are in the Book. You will begin to find yourself doing the very will of God. And then you have put yourself into a position that He can speak to you about the personal will He has for your life.

Don’t be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

It is still relevant!

Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

Paul is making his defense before Felix. And in the verse Paul declares that he believes all that is written in the Law and the Prophets. The Word of God has to be our final authority. We can let a lot of things guide us and rule us. But when those things become contrary to the Word of God, we must side with the Word. The Word of God has to be the final authority on everything in our lives.

2Tim.3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is the Word of God that will equip and complete us. The Word brings us doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction. We have to have the Word of God in our lives.

2Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

This is why we are to study the Word of God. It is God’s Word to us. It is still relevant for today, no matter what society says.

2Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

And know this that the Word of he Lord will endure forever!!!

1Peter 1:25 But the word of the LORD endures forever.

Photo Courtesy - Ioana Grecu

A Broad Place

We heard this week about God taking us to a broad place. A place of abundance and blessing.

Psalm 18:16-19 He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the LORD was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.

We can feel trapped by our circumstances, the enemy and everything that is going on around us. But God is at work on our behalf. He sees what’s going on and brings deliverance. And brings us into a broad place.

Psalm 31:7-8 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.
God will not give us over to the enemy. But will set our feet in a wide place.

Psalm 118:5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. Another word that God will set us into a broad place. It might look bad now, but our circumstances can change in the matter of seconds. I believe God will bring us in to a broad place. A place of abundance and blessing.

It is time to get ready for Isaiah 54:2-3
Isa.54:2-3 “ Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.

It is time to enlarge our tents. It is time to stretch and strengthen, because God is bringing expansion into your life, your circumstances, your ministry, Etc.