BBD 09.18.06 Ripped Off
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
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09.18.06
Ripped Off
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall
it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is
set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:13-16.
I know it happens all the time and that thousands of people have had it
happen to them; however, it had never happened to me. So, I was still
surprised when I saw an unauthorized charge on my credit card for $3464.40.
I thought it just had to be some kind of mistake that someone had put in the
wrong numbers into the computer and charged the wrong account. Wrong!
Someone called a Home Depot store in Oklahoma City claiming to work for
Ideal Homes and ordered $3464.40 in Lithium Ion tools. The woman I talked to
had personally taken the order and had talked to two different people who
had all of my credit card info including the security code on the card.
Hopefully, the credit card company will live up to its fraud guarantee and
the charge will be erased from my account. I think now that when we last
stayed at a hotel in Oklahoma City that the security code was taken from my
card at that time. The hotel is very close to the Home Depot where the tools
were ordered. It was so easy for them I wonder why it is not happening more
frequently. There is very little to stop someone from gathering huge amounts
of credit card information and then calling store after store ordering
merchandise. My question is why is it not happening more often?
Several things are preventing more people from engaging in this type of
activity. One, there are criminal and civil penalties if you are caught.
Two, there is the restraining power of God among His people. Three, there is
the presence of God's people scattered like salt across the world to
preserve the good and maintain morality. God's people are also shining
"light" into the dark crevices of the minds of people who would do evil
things. It is a restraining force holding back evil.
Have you ever wondered whether you as a Christian are making any kind of
difference in the lives of others? The answer is that to the extent that you
live out a Christian life of good before others you are a vital part of that
restraining power of God. Your life is "salt" preserving the world from
slipping further into the depths of immorality. Your life is "light" helping
those around you see how life can and should be lived.
Keep on being salty and keep on letting your light shine because it really
does make a difference!
Copyright © 2006. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush website has
been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email version of the
Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.
PRAYER REQUEST: I have an unspoken prayer request and covet your prayers.
Thank you! Ed Wrather.
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