Beware of Identity Theft

Who hasn’t seen or heard the warnings about “identity theft”? This type of criminal endeavors to steal your “virtual” identity and use it to purchase personal blessings at your expense. Most of us have probably seen the wisdom to purchase some type of defense against the possible theft of our identity.

Allow me to use this modern type of crime to paint an analogy in the spirit realm. When you obeyed the Gospel and became a Child of God, you were given a new identity in the Spirit. Among other things, this new identity comes with authority and power in the Spirit. This new identity gives you authority and power over demons, over sickness and over temptation.

WARNING! Beware: of Identity Theft! There is an Identity Thief who relentlessly attempts to steal your identity. By stealing your identity he steals your authority and power. He steals your victory over temptations and trials. Ultimately he may even steal your salvation. It is so easy to become so like the culture around us that we can no longer even be identified as a Christian, except by our claim to be one. The enemy of your soul wants nothing more than your total spiritual bankruptcy. He wants to steal your identity as a Child of God and all that comes with that identity. He will use the cares of life. He will use your slips and failings. He will use your friends and family. He will use your co-workers and career. In short, he will use anyone and anything to steal your identity! Beware Identity Theft!

Have you been born again of water and Spirit? Have you become a new creature in Christ? Have you received your new identity as a Child of God? Then guard your identity with diligence! Do everything in your power to guard who and what you are as His Child. You have power and authority over your enemy. Use that power and authority and fight him tooth and nail. Don’t let your identity be stolen! Don’t forget who you are and what you have as a Christian. Fight the good fight. Keep your identity intact and show the world around you what a Child of God is.

 

Rodeo Christians

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo begins today. I plan to attend tomorrows show and evening rodeo with my niece. I have always liked the rodeo in general, but I especially like the Bull and Bronc Riding events.

That’s were the excitement is as far as I’m concerned. Imagine, sitting on a 1000 lb plus bull that is furious with you for being on him and he is determined to get you OFF. You have two connections to hang on with; the strap and your spurs. The good news is you only have to hang on for 8 seconds. The bad news is, that can be a mighty long 8 seconds.

As Christians we also have a “bull” or “bronc” to ride. You may think I am referring to the “Devil”, but actually I am referring to a much more difficult “beast”. I know, I know, the devil is the enemy of our soul. Very true and he is our enemy. He may even have horns. However, Satan is not the beast we ride day in and out. In fact since we have authority over him and his minions, he just doesn’t have the power to “buck” us off.

The every day, biggest “bull” we have to ride is simply called “life”. Life can throw so much at us in just one day that if we are not careful it can throw us in the dirt. In the Rodeo the Cowboy has to hang on for 8 seconds to beat the bull. However, if the bull wins and throws the Cowboy in the dirt, all is not lost. For the Cowboy can get up, dust himself off and ride again.

It would be nice, if in “life” we only had to deal with 8 seconds of trouble trying to “buck us off”. Of course that is not the case. The fact is you may have things you have to “ride” for days, weeks, months or yes, even years. In Luke Chapter Eight, Jesus told a parable about a Sower Who sowed the seed of the Word. Part of this parable speaks of those who “…are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” (Luke 8:14 NKJV)

Let’s face it, there are times when the problems of life are overwhelming. One of my previous Pastors, Mark Morgan, always says that you will be tested in these areas of life: your health, your wealth, your family. I have found that to be so true. I have experienced all three at the same time in recent months. If I allow myself to focus on my financial problems, I frankly feel like losing hope and giving up. But I wasn’t raised to be a quitter and my God is no quitter. So what must I do? I’ve got to Cowboy up and get back on that bull called life everyday, and I don’t wont to just ride, I want to spur that bull called “life”.

In my opinion, the easiest way to be “thrown” by the problems of life is to focus on the weeks, months, years. My profound suggestion is to break life up into segments, known as a “day”. I know, really wise and profound. Here’s my point; focus on riding that bull called life one day at a time. On days that life “throws” you don’t give up, Cowboy up and the next day get back on that Bull and ride him Cowboy! So get your spurs on and pull your hat down good. Let’s Cowboy up in this Rodeo called “Life” and Ride ‘em Cowboy!

2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A helper monkey made this abstract painting, inspired by your stats.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has 296 steps to reach the top. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times in 2010. If those were steps, it would have climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa 4 times

 

In 2010, there were 19 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 64 posts.

The busiest day of the year was May 3rd with 33 views. The most popular post that day was The Perfect Will of God?….

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, en.search.wordpress.com, r1rk9np7bpcsfoeekl0khkd2juj27q3o.a.friendconnect.gmodules.com, cdnclipper.wordpress.com, and apostolicnews.org.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for darren shane worlow, darren worlow, when your promise has died, why gehazi could not revive the son of this woman, and 2 kings 4 8-37 what to do when your promise dies.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

The Perfect Will of God?… May 2010
3 comments

2

When Your Promise Dies November 2009
7 comments

3

2010: A Year of Priorities January 2010
2 comments

4

I am what I am. April 2010

5

Forgive Me When I Whine June 2010