Are You In The Game

The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Psalm 11:5 English Standard Version

Good Morning Girlfriends:

If there is anyone out there that remembers the old "Western Movies," you will remember that there was always a scene in the movie, where a bunch of cowboys would be sitting around the table playing cards. These characters could be quite a rowdy bunch, smoking on their cigars, chewing on that ole tobacco, swigging back a few drinks, it was quite a display.

The cards were dealt to each person who was in the game, the "antis" were up as money was thrown in the middle of the table, if a man was holding good cards in their hand, the more money would be bet on his hand. The man holding the best hand at the end, ended up taking the pile of money sitting in the middle of the table. This would go on for throughout the evening and each time the stakes would get higher, more money had to be laid on the table in order to continue in the game, sometimes even land or livestock would be used to bet on ones hand, and the question would be asked, "Are you still in?"

Looking back at those old movies, this was a real life happening back in that day, it's no different today, people that sit in 'Casinos' gambling their money away, in hopes that they will win the "Jackpot" so to say. Playing card game after card game, spinning the big wheel to see what one will win, coin after coin dropped in the slot, pulling the handle down to see if they might hit the jack pot.

Girlfriends, have you even been in a situation where a game was being played out in your life that you didn't know about, but when you found out, you didn't want to be a part of it, no matter how high the stakes might have paid off. The way I see it, life is not just a game to play where anything goes, life needs to be taken seriously, because there is payday coming one day, whether death takes us home first or we see the day when the Lord sounds the trumpet and calls us home.

There are many people who are playing "Russian Roulette" with their life, taking chance after chance, not even realizing that one day it could be too late, meaning the time that the Lord comes to take His people home, there will be some that will be left behind or even worse yet, some will never see heaven. I can remember different times when someone may ask if I would ever try sky diving or going down the rapids in an innertube, and my response would be, "Never, I value my life," I didn't like to take chances on some things and my life is one of them.

If you are ever put in a spot where someone tells you to "Just play the game," look right back at that person and tell them "you don't play games" and "you're out." It is not worth it, especially if the game is going to take you down a trail of sin and darkness and who knows what else, it's never worth it, no matter how much money is involved, or even if it means keeping a marriage, relationship, job, a home it's still not worth it. Let's remember what it says in Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Let's look at 1 Cor. 9:24-27 says to us, "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. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." Girlfriends, our life is a serious matter, the way we live it, the way other people see us living our life, our words must match up with our actions, we are on display for the world, the onlookers, we represent Jesus and we want to do it well.

Let's remember what Philippians 3:14 tells us, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." We cannot forget 2 Timothy 4:7 and what it tells us either, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." We have to remember that it is always more important to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, and live by what His word tells us than to live by what man says or thinks, because sometime the two does not meet up nor do some people stand on what the word of God says and means, we have to be so careful, because of the last days that we are living in. There are many false prophets in the land as the word of God warns us about in Matthew 7:15, 1 John 4:1-6, Matthew 24:24, 2 Peter 2:1, Matthew 24:11, 2 Cor. 11:13-15, 2 Timothy 4:3, Deut. 18:20-22, Jeremiah 23:16, Jeremiah 14:14.

Girlfriends, we have to be careful and watchful for the word of God reminds us that the devil roams around like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour found in Peter 5:8, remember everyone will be tested in this life time, and the word of God also tells us that even the elect will be deceived, Matthew 24:24. Let's keep our eyes open and stay close to the heart of the father so that when the time comes, we will be able to hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21, Amen?

Let's Pray,

Father God, I praise You this morning and every day for You have given me a new day. Lord, my prayer is that each one reading this message, stays alert, ears, eyes open, so that when the enemy comes around, they would know instantly how to pray as they command him to go back to the pit of hell where he belongs, reminding him that is his destiny. Lord, help each one of us to dig deeper in Your word, to know Your word, to live Your word. Lord, give each of us a deeper discernment so that we will not be tripped up by someone who is being used of the enemy, Lord that we would be able to sniff them out far ahead of them even getting too close to us. Lord, I thank You that You hear the cries of Your children and that You are always present when we call upon the name of Jesus. I thank You that You will never leave us nor forsake us and that You are always near, I praise You in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Be blessed dear ones and pass the blessings on to others. Thank you in advance for passing this message on.