Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"Still Sinners"
Apr. 20, 2018
But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
~ Romans 5:8 (ESV)
The fact you are receiving this Daily Devotion means that you -- or someone close to you -- is familiar with the computer. That being said, in all probability, you -- like most of us -- want it to do what you ask, and then go sit in the corner until you need it again.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.
That is because before you can use just about any program you first have to click "agree" to a number of pages of legalese that most people don't read. You make that check mark for two reasons:
1. you assume most companies, if they are going to stay business, have to be nice to the customer or consumer (that's you);
2. you simply don't have the time to read all that stuff. Indeed, the researchers at Carnegie Mellon discovered it would take the average American 76 work days to read all the computer stuff they agree to each year.
Right now, the news is filled with people expressing outrage over Facebook and other companies that have collected and shared information about us. What most folks don't realize is they agreed to that collection and sharing process. For example, if you are one of the world's 2.2 billion Facebook users, just some of the things you agreed to are the following:
1. They can use any of the information they get about you -- from your timeline, your account, your messages, your stories, as well as things you write but never send.
2. They can sell your information you other companies.
3. They can track all the places you visit when you are surfing the web and are logged into the site.
4. With their partners, they can keep track of everything you buy ... and most things you want to buy.
5. They have developed the ability to track down where you are.
6. They have, when asked, shown a willingness to share that information with the government.
Now the idea of having someone following you around 24/7 is a bit disconcerting to most people. The thought of having someone looking over my shoulder all the time and gathering up information about me which can be sold is scary.
There is only one Person I consider to be trustworthy enough to know me that well and that is the Lord. We can trust the Lord because of who He is. After all, what other person in this world would look at us and then, having seen the darkness of our hearts, would still continue to love us?
The Lord knows us and continues to love us, and He uses His knowledge not to sell us something, but to give us the forgiveness and salvation which comes through Jesus' sacrificial and substitutionary life, death, and resurrection.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, even before I was born, You knew me. I give thanks that Your perfect love has changed my life both here and in eternity. By Your grace, may others grow to appreciate and put their trust in the Redeemer. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Amanda Scherker for Huffington Post on December 6, 2017. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/21/facebook-terms-condition_n_5551965.html
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
The fact you are receiving this Daily Devotion means that you -- or someone close to you -- is familiar with the computer.
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