You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.

Now that is good advice. However, it didn’t work for the old gambler and would be next to impossible for the young one. Once in that game, like smoking crack or engaging in any other addiction, there will be no sense of moderation.

Knowing the right thing to do for the situation at hand is the wish of every individual. Can I make right decisions on my own, apart from God?

James 1:5 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Isaiah 30:21 

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

God will tell you what to do at life’s table.

Think about it.

Gary

He said, “Son, I’ve made a life out of readin’ people’s faces
And knowin’ what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
So, if you don’t mind my sayin’, I can see you’re out of aces.
For a taste of your whiskey, I’ll give you some advice.”

The old gambler was just doing what came naturally. He hoped to get free booze, a cigarette and even a match in exchange for erroneous advice. The young gambler didn’t see this one coming. How many listen to advice that will only make their lives worse?

Matthew 23:15

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

Be careful as to whom you’re getting advice from.

Think about it.

Gary

The old gambler made this statement: He said, “Son, I’ve made a life out of readin’ people’s faces.” The truth was just the opposite because the old-timer never had a life. Making a life of reading faces makes for a country and western song, but in reality, it doesn’t work. How many are deceiving themselves and others by their lifestyles? One time someone said that I had looked angry and I replied, “How do you know it wasn’t gas?” Reading faces is more art than science.

Now if you want to read a face, make it the face of God.

Psalm 27:8 

You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Ezekiel 39:29 

And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God.”

Look into His face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim.

Think about it.

Gary

According to the song “The Gambler”, boredom overtook them. That’s the tragedy of many in this life.  The rut they’re traveling in is so deep, they are stuck in it. It seems like there is nothing stimulating unless it is illegal or immoral.

Some choose a better course by traveling through the Word and meeting with Paul as he teaches about the Lord Jesus like these Jews did.

Acts 28:23

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening, he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

It’s about Jesus. Give it some thought.

Gary

Now in the song, “The Gambler”, both these fellows were staring into the darkness. How many on terra firma are today staring into the darkness? There is no light out that window to reveal anything.

Jeremiah 6:16

This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

Hebrews 12:2

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Don’t be looking at nothingness. Think about it.

Gary

In the next number of days, I am going to dissect that old hymn by Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler.” Let me introduce to you the first truth in this phrase in the recording: “on a train bound for nowhere.”

Just how many are riding that train bound for nowhere? For them, life doesn’t really have a purpose and failure litters past efforts. They believe that they are only the results of the big bang theory and the apes of their ancestry are regretting ever planting their feet firmly on the earth. Accordingly, they are just traveling to nothingness.

The remedy for that philosophy is God’s truth.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Think about it.

Gary

In the classic movie Chariots of Fire, the Olympic runner Eric Liddell says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

Have you ever attended a service where the preacher couldn’t present the message in a way you could understand it? The only reason you didn’t go to sleep was the fear of snoring.

Have you ever seen someone get up in front of the congregation and it really seemed more about him or her than about the Savior?  The proud look on his or her face did not reflect the One who should be honored.

The life lived in the community needs to back up the truths of God’s Word.

Does the Bible address this? Oh, yes.

1 Timothy 3:6

not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

1 Corinthians 14:26

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

A trap door just behind the pulpit which someone who has discernment is able to trigger might not be a bad idea.

Give it some thought.

Gary