Devotionals

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Are You a Gambler?

Before getting offended, I want to ask you a question. Have you ever gambled? Have you ever taken something you own and carelessly risked losing it in hope to gain something else you did not have?

This is what gamblers do. They take a risk either great or small to try and better their situation, or to bring about immediate gratification of some sort or another. I would dare to say, that knowingly or unknowingly we all are gamblers. We deliberately trespass against God or we are guilty of the sin of omission. (careless or reckless sin). I believe the former is most common. Why? Because once we have asked Jesus to be the Lord of our lives it is hard to ignore the Holy Spirit speaking to us. You know how to tell if you're a Christian or not don't you? YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITH A THING! The Holy Spirit will let you know when you have made a move in the wrong direction. If you can't hear His voice directing you, perhaps He doesn't reside within your heart. However, I can't judge that, only you can.

Unfortunately more and more Christians have become gamblers. They risk taking a chance on sin so they can obtain immediate gratification. After all, there has to be a payoff to want to continue to do such a thing. Wouldn't you agree? Most of the time, a Christian who continues to walk the not so narrow way - has decided that the compromise is worth losing all stakes. They have been blinded once again, as if the veil had never been lifted from their heart or eyes.

Paul says,

.... but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
(2 Co 3:16) NASB


I know what it is like to deliberately sin. When I do, I also know what the consequences will be. Most of all I feel the terrible pain of knowing that I have caused God grief when I could of just obeyed. The older I get, the less and less I choose to gamble on my relationship with God. He has become way too precious to me to hurt Him over and over again.

Many of us may look at what we call small sins in our lives. We say we have only disobeyed God in a few little areas. Sometimes that can be sinning by not telling the whole truth. Sometimes it is lying to protect someone else. Maybe you have a drinking or smoking problem. Maybe your problem is over eating. Firstly, if you have never trusted Jesus to help you in the small things, He can't even begin to assist you in the big problems of your life. Worst of all, some people don't even have the guts to let Him help you. They would rather fix it all on their own. After all, having to depend upon God to bail you out seems like a crutch only for weak people. Well honestly, I'd rather use God as a crutch to keep me standing upright, then to fall flat on my face in rebellion. I'll be the first to admit that without God I am weak, sick, poor and desperate. I have no purpose or direction and I certainly have no hope. So I chose to not gamble my life away by giving it to God and I came out the big winner. Are you still taking chances on your own? Have you asked Jesus to take control of your life only to periodically or consistently take your life back to fulfill fleshly desires?

There will be a day when we are not expecting when Jesus will come back to take His bride away. The bride is the church. Jesus said,

"For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day.
(Luke 17:24) NASB

When He comes, I definitely do not want to be found with my hand in the cookie jar - so to speak. When the Groom comes to take His bride away, I want to be found blameless and spotless. I want to know that I have decided not to gamble anymore. I have made a willful and deliberate choice to live uprightly. Does this mean I can live without sin? No, it's too late for that. But it does mean that I can make a conscious effort to avoid sin before I am consumed by it. It's a choice I made a long time ago. I have quit gambling. When sin prevails I must confess immediately. My spirit becomes heavy and I know in my heart that I have crossed the line. The Holy Spirit tells me. From that moment it is my decision to pursue my sin, or run from it.

James tells us,

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
(James 4:7) NASB

Are you ready to stop gambling and start submitting? Jesus is waiting. Won't you come to Him today?

Oh the joy we can know
When we give it to Jesus
And kneel before His throne
And receive His forgiveness

We need not gamble
Our lives away
For we must realize
That the price has been paid

Jesus is coming,
I know not the hour
But I want to be ready
And filled with His power

I want to go with Him
And truthfully say
I have chosen You Jesus
Come take me away!

Copyright 2004 Jane E Morin
Beside Still Water Devotions
http://besidestillwater.faithweb.com

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