Daily Devotionals
Monday, August 5, 2024 (Mary Ann)
Got identity?
Well it happened. A call from my credit card company (I thought) shocked me into giving out more information than I should have. Then the letter from my (real) credit card company arrived asking me to call immediately because there was a problem.
Yup, identity thieves tried to make me “donate” a bit more than $20,000 to their no-doubt worthy cause. But they weren’t done. Next, they tried to set up an on-line banking account! And it didn’t stop there, but I’ll spare you. (BTW, all is well now.)
Still, I’m somewhat amused by the image of a sketchy-looking guy hunched over a computer stealing my identity. And … POOF! Suddenly he’s a chubby gray-haired 77-year-old woman with issues! That’ll teach him.
But I digress. Because what is more important than obsessing about the ease of identity theft is focusing on an infinitely more valuable identity that can never ever EVER be stolen.
As believers, our identity in Christ is of more value than all the money in the world and is more secure than any highly guarded high-tech vault ever designed.
So who exactly are we as Christ-followers?
We are loved.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1
We are chosen.
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Ephesians 1:4
We are forgiven.
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:8-9
We are redeemed.
“But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
We are adopted.
“…you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs.” Romans 8:15-16
We are secure.
“And I give to them eternal life, and they shall by no means perish forever, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father … is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29
So be confident, Sisters, our Heavenly Father never changes the terms or conditions of our salvation and identity (and neither can the enemy of our souls). There are no expiration dates on God’s promises. And praise God, His love is for now and all eternity! — Mary Ann
Well it happened. A call from my credit card company (I thought) shocked me into giving out more information than I should have. Then the letter from my (real) credit card company arrived asking me to call immediately because there was a problem.
Yup, identity thieves tried to make me “donate” a bit more than $20,000 to their no-doubt worthy cause. But they weren’t done. Next, they tried to set up an on-line banking account! And it didn’t stop there, but I’ll spare you. (BTW, all is well now.)
Still, I’m somewhat amused by the image of a sketchy-looking guy hunched over a computer stealing my identity. And … POOF! Suddenly he’s a chubby gray-haired 77-year-old woman with issues! That’ll teach him.
But I digress. Because what is more important than obsessing about the ease of identity theft is focusing on an infinitely more valuable identity that can never ever EVER be stolen.
As believers, our identity in Christ is of more value than all the money in the world and is more secure than any highly guarded high-tech vault ever designed.
So who exactly are we as Christ-followers?
We are loved.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1
We are chosen.
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Ephesians 1:4
We are forgiven.
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:8-9
We are redeemed.
“But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
We are adopted.
“…you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs.” Romans 8:15-16
We are secure.
“And I give to them eternal life, and they shall by no means perish forever, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father … is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29
So be confident, Sisters, our Heavenly Father never changes the terms or conditions of our salvation and identity (and neither can the enemy of our souls). There are no expiration dates on God’s promises. And praise God, His love is for now and all eternity! — Mary Ann
