Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ablaze for God - Day 45 Devotional


“The Hand We’ve Been Dealt”
Submitted by Heath Davis
Key text: 2 Peter 1:3,4

Why are we forever dissatisfied with the hand we’ve been dealt?

Imagine for a moment a guy in a poker game holding a Royal Flush in his hand. He’s positioned to win. Yet, not recognizing the great cards he’s holding, decides to fold. We might question this man’s sanity or question if he even understands how the game is played, but we would never question the hand he was dealt. We’d correctly assume that he was granted a perfect hand. We’d argue that the man had in his grasp all he needed to win the game, to achieve success. Yet, unless he chooses to play out that hand, what he has been dealt is of little consequence.

In the same way, the Scriptures are clear that through the Holy Spirit God has dealt us one great hand. Our desire to sometimes fold the hand God has dealt us because we are dissatisfied with Him exposes how often we misconstrue the game we are called to play. . .and misunderstand the God we are called to serve.

Let’s take a peek at just a few of the cards we hold and see the precious hand we’ve been dealt. If you have received the Holy Spirit:

· You have been chosen by God (Ephesians 1:3-8)
· You have been sealed by His Spirit marking your permanence in his kingdom (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
· You are part of the body of Christ (1Corinthians 12:27)
· You are free from the power of sin (Romans 6:18)
· You are a child of the King (Romans 8:15-17)
· You have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16)
· You have been given gifts (I Corinthians 12:4-7)
· You are heir to a Kingdom (Hebrews 12:28)

God has placed all His chips on the table through the loving sacrifice of His only begotten Son. Quite a gamble indeed. Now, because of Jesus’ sacrifice we hold a Royal Flush. How we play the game and what we do with the hand we’re dealt. . .well, let’s just say, we hold the cards.

You have two options today. You can fold. . .or you can put all the chips on the table and play out the victorious hand you’ve been dealt.

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