I have this dream, really a nightmare, where lightning will hit a major
computer center, and the decimal point will move two places, and all who are
rich will become poor, and those poor become rich. And it will take years to
fix, if at all it can be. And during that time all accounts will be frozen, so
we will all be equally poor, except for what we spent or withdrew before they
found out. Sound far fetched, not really, as I have had my identity stolen two
times-who am I really? One time having my meager savings account cleaned out,
the other being foreclosed on when a man who I shared names and banks with
didn’t meet his mortgage demands, and they started to foreclose on me-true
story. Fortunately they caught it, but in doing so gave me all the private info
about the other guy! But not the first time our paths had crossed, as he was a
sheepherder and made cash deposits at night, wrapping cash in paper with is name
on it-good old small town banks. And sometimes it got into my account, make me
a thousandaire, but always catching it before I spent it. But what if...I had
spent it?
Last month I became part of the 40 million shoppers who shopped at Target
and my bank notified me that they were sending me a new card because my
information had been compromised. How many other times it had, or is everyday,
we’ll never know. So new cards in hand, Theresa followed the instructions to
activate them, and off to get gas I went. To me activated meant activated, and
they were-just no PIN yet. As the bank would later tell me, that letter takes a
few more days. Their version of the checks in the mail. So here I was
potentially without access to my own money, based on not having the four digit
code to access my own account. I wasn’t the only one in line at the credit
union, and even one of their machines was down, we were not happy campers, or
riders, or Target shoppers. Our accounts had in fact been frozen, we had no
access to them-or did we?
That night when I couldn’t get gas, and the message said “see attendant,” I
did. A young man, who simply told me use it as a credit card, you will not have
to enter a PIN. I didn’t know that, but obviously may do, as well as those who
would steal, and now you do too. So what good is a PIN number if you don’t need
it? How safe are you really? And how long has this version of my nightmare
been available to anyone, and what is the banking system doing about it? How
safe and secure is your money in banks? And what good is having money if you
can’t access it? I know some who look good on paper, but try to spend that at
the grocery store, or to get gas. My antennae were up, but now they are on.
The system knew, and knows, so how safe are you? How protected are you?
Right there on my social security card it says “NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION
PURPOSES.” yet how many time shave you been asked to use it for identification?
A once great idea, at least from the government, a pension at 65, sounds good
today huh? But at the time, the average life span was only 57! They were
betting you wouldn’t live to collect it! But we showed them, now we are living
too long...or did they show us? Maybe it was and is better to invest your own
money, hoping that you don’t lose access to it, but what if you do? Will the
government help? Can they? Do they want to. The latest scam to get at us is
Affordable Healthcare. Again a misnomer, watch the attached Youtube and
see-sadly proving humor to be the purest form of truth. But who do we turn to,
where do we go for help? Your answer may surprise even you...
I get hit up on a regular basis for money, donations, for other
ministries. How many have watched TV evangelists beg for cash,”we’ll go off the
air if you don’t give,” right after telling you to have faith in God. Then
turning to those, or turning on those, who can least afford it. Jesus warns us
about these types, and gives us a simple solution. It is according to HIS
riches, and glory, not ours or our friends, or a list of givers. Our source for
everything is God, and you can access that account any time. A private account
set up for you, through His son Jesus-which also happens to be the PIN He
provides to everyone. In Jesus Name. But what when He says no? Maybe you are
confusing Him with an ATM, my sons often do me. But God doesn’t and isn’t a
genie in the lamp. He is a loving and responsible God who knows what is best
for you. He knows that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil, not just
money by itself. I think back to the first week of the Jersey Lottery in the
early ‘70’s, and a woman I knew won $4000. A million to us then, and it was a
week long party, until the cash was gone, and she was as broke as before-with
only the memories of her stupid spending to haunt her. A lesson I keep in mind
when God tells me no-it is for my own protection. Not to blow on myself, maybe
that honor your Father commandment, combined with Jesus’ words of “on earth as
it is in heaven” mean something after all. So we do have riches available when
we need them, just not to use foolishly. Funny how they are always there when I
need them, I am learning to be thankful when they are not, too. For instance, I
have no more room in my garage for any more motorcycles. His love even has a
practical application too.
But you must have an account to know your banker, just as you must to know
God. Sign up with Jesus today, get your name recorded in the book of life, and
earn dividends that can only be spent in heaven. Have access 24/7 to the living
God who wants to spend time with you, so He sent Jesus to show us how, and to be
that way. Along with salvation, as if there needed to be anything else, you get
the wonderful counselor, the Prince of Peace, the great physician, and the best
provider you can. And access to all His riches and glory. When has your bank
ever done anything close to that for you? I remember a toaster years ago....And
you get to keep your real identity in Christ, such a deal! So what are you
waiting for? Start living today, and into forever. And none of it is done on
credit, but on His account. Better than having a rich uncle, you have the
richest Father in the world! And you thought He was just an ATM...shame on
you.
Jesus Christ, He is there for your protection and a lot more. Join Him
today and enjoy all the benefits that being a child of God has to offer. And
don’t forget about His retirement program, no minimum age requirement. Now that
is real security, social and eternal. Remember the famous words “attention K
Mart shoppers?” Add Target shoppers to that. Now they have yours. What will
it take for you to get God’s attention? Debit or credit-He will always be there
when you need Him. Next in line please...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.