Much has happened in crypto since our last discussion….
As the graph above shows, Bitcoin (the flagship cryptocurrency) has plummeted by nearly half. So what is driving this?
I want to highlight our August 2025 discussion about Bitcoin treasury companies. We discussed the leverage and the downside risk this posed (by creating artificially high prices through borrowed money – creating something from nothing). And sure enough, the recent drop in crypto (down) reflects this bubble bursting. But is the sell-off over? There are several market forces selling into price rallies…
Market Forces
ETFs are popular paper Bitcoin and can be shorted
Bitcoin treasury companies trading discount to NAV
Cost of Bitcoin mining (hardware and electricity)
Stablecoin companies holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets
Thought-provoking explanation by Glen Beck…
One more thing: Stablecoins
BVNK Stablecoins platform acquired by MasterCard announced 3/17/26
What is a Stablecoin? Under normal circumstances, a Stablecoins’ value isn’t supposed to change. It is pegged to the US dollar. It is used to quickly trade in and out of other speculative cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin to “lock in a sell price” without having to bring the dollar value into the banking system. But it affects the banking system and puts it at risk (read the articles below). Plus established payment companies are trying to enter Stablecoins to protect market share (such as Visa and Mastercard).
We can’t depend purely on the world’s systems for our resource and supply. Whether the USD based financial system or crypto. When we do, we are serving another god (spirit of this world – 1 John 4:4) and worshipping an idol of provision. The key to this is to trust in God, whether using the tech or not. Whether transacting in buy/sell structures of the world or not. We must exercise our faith in God and even supernatural provision (miracles, signs, wonders) no matter what. Otherwise we get conditioned to “accept the mark” (Revelation 13 verse 16) which is to say to bow the knee to Babylon when faced with no free-will alternative.
The Storehouse vision is where a Christian community operates in the heavenly economy of giving and receiving, instead of pure buy/sell transactions of the world. Trusting God rather than the “almighty dollar”.
It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name
Jared Kushner’s Two State Solution from 2020, resurrected in 2025
As part of the middle east peace deal President Trump recently negotiated in exchange for the return of the hostages, there were many side arrangements made promising pursuit of a Palestinian state formed out of the promised land.
Is the United States at risk of God’s judgment given the Trump administration’s renewed push to bring peace at the expense of dividing the promised land? Consider…
I will also gather all nations… And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.
Joel 3:2
It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem
Zechariah 12:9
I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed
Genesis 12:3
This is serious stuff! Are we entering into the danger zone?
Additionally, the US recently condemned the Knesset for voting to annex Samaria and Judea. Watch Michele Bachmann Video below
Camp David Peace Accords Example
My friend and mentor, Harald Bredesen, was like a type of chaplain to President Anwar Sadat, Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and President Carter. When the Camp David Accords began, Harald got the inspiration to suggest to them, send a telegram asking other heads of state around the world to pray for the success of the peace accords. And they did it! Most gave the chance of a peace accord at near zero percent chance. But God!
The key to it was there was no land for peace in the deal. No giving up on God’s promised land to do a deal. How could God bless anything that goes against his Word?
That peace has lasted. It’s been 40+ years now and peace between Egypt and Israel remains. No further wars were fought.
The Storehouse Network is sometimes referred to as a “fishes and loaves” network of Storehouse Communities…
Storehouse Q&A with ICCC
This week we partner with the International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) to explore scripture and what God is saying to his Bride the Church today. The discussion will be centered around live examples of Storehouse Communities (Christian community’s economic and resource development, including banking, investing, agriculture and business) in New England and Florida.
At the present time your abundance will be for their need, in order that their abundance also may be for your need, so that there may be equality
2 Corinthians 8:14
We also address the Storehouse Network and how one storehouse can supply another as the Spirit leads. We explain how it is decentralized and each one is different in its implementation. It is not one size fits all, but rather best practices than can be shared and inspire another similar version.
Panoramic view of 10% of the city of SA came out for mass baptisms in 1925
We catch up with Jonathon Serenil, Unite San Antonio about the memorial day weekend city-wide gathering Let Us Unite in San Pedro Springs park. I was down there along with Josiah Armstrong and Jonathan Friz. With Jonathan having just came up to our similarly styled gathering here in New England called The Body United just couple weeks prior. It was another regional exchange in the Kingdom of God!
We will discuss the power of John 17 and Psalms 133 unity.
That they may be one just as We are one… that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:22-23
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore!
Psalm 133
And we follow up on the business and ministry network being assembled in San Antonio called Unite SA. There were food trucks, merch tents, the police, various ministries and church organizations represented. The original Oral Roberts tent was there as well – another connection to past revival wells. Did you know that 10% of the city came out 100 years ago to worship God and reach the lost, baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ!
We talk about the Storehouse Vision in action in San Antonio, with a “Gideon’s Army” arising through contributing $1000 each toward putting on the event as one aspect.
In 2020 Chuck Pierce published a book called the Passover Prophecies. One of the key prophecies of the book came out of a dream he had on May 6, 2020. You can read the dream in full by clicking the link here: Trade Wars
The dream reveals economic, monetary, and other details about the future of US and global trade, and the importance of Israel.
So, what’s amazing about this dream is it is now unfolding some 5 years later as part of President Trump’s second term with the Trade Tariffs and the ensuing Trade Wars – with China at the center.
Here are some Key Aspects of the dream that have come into view:
First Barge = Pres Trump’s First Term Second Barge = Pres Trump’s Second Term First and Second Port = controlled by China Other barges = Other Nations, including Israel, Germany, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, UK
misinterpreted several reflections during First Term
must use mirrors to correctly understand reflections in Second Term
much more difficult to navigate (half the width of the barge)
reflections representing nations
Chuck’s Interpretation Fulfilled
Trade systems severely tested (being fulfilled through Tariff dynamics)
Realignment of nations (being fulfilled now as well)
We will contend with China (being fulfilled)
China controlling the port is the US contending with China over global trade (happening now)
“The president could win a second term” (he did but 4 years later – note Chuck Pierce one of the few who did NOT prophecy Trump 2020 victory – watch Chuck Pierce Nov 2020 video on that here)
“Somehow gold is key in the new currency” – Gold has nearly doubled since this word
By 2026 if we don’t do anything to change, we will look like China (authoritarian Marxist, Communist – elite that rules)
Things to Contemplate re Future of Economy and Global Trade
“When Israel was maturing as a modern nation, many other nations resisted trading and working with Israel. It had to learn creatively how to grow, produce, and use its own food and to develop many other innovative products, devices, and systems.“
– gold is key in the new currency – What is this new currency?
– the device had to catch a coin from our current US dollar economy– what does this mean?
Join us tomorrow to discuss why some of us in the Body of Christ felt it was necessary to write to our National government elected and appointed officials appealing to them to turn back to God at this critical time.
But wait, you might ask, aren’t we already turning back to God given the outcome of the 2024 elections? The overturning of Roe v Wade?
We discuss: Is this enough? (hint: it is not).
According to Scripture, America has committed the four great sins that lead to national destruction:
1. Forsaking God 2. Sexual Immorality 3. Shedding innocent blood (abortion), and 4. Greed (economic injustice)
Scorecard: How are we doing by these 4 repentance measures? Have we in the USA repented 4 out of 4? or are we more like 1.5 out of 4?
Greed
The economic part of repentance relates to greed, or saying it another way: trusting in our money rather than God. Mammon. Fear of financial future. Pride of wealth.
Here is one example we can discuss tomorrow. This is one microcosm of the issue of publicly traded companies systematically profiting from the poor (aka greed).
God says in his word he judges nations for their pride and greed:
King Jehu and the people of Israel worshipped at the two Egyptian Golden Calves Jeroboam set up years earlier?
Sodom
Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit
Ezekiel 16:49-50
Tyre
[Because] you set your heart as the heart of a god… By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches [for yourself], I will bring strangers against you, The most terrible of the nations; And they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, And defile your splendor. They shall throw you down into the Pit, And you shall die the death of the slain In the midst of the seas… For I have spoken, says the Lord God.
Ezekiel 28:2-10
Egypt
Behold, I am against you Pharaoh king of Egypt… You said, ‘My River is my own; I have made it for myself’… I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers… I will leave you in the wilderness, You and all the fish of your rivers; You shall fall on the open field… I have given you as food to the beasts of the field and to the birds of the heavens…You have been a staff of a reed to the house of Israel… they took hold of you… you broke and tore their shoulders; When they leaned on you, you broke their back… I will bring a sword upon you and cut off from you man and beast. And the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste; then they will know that I am the Lord
Ezekiel 29:2-10
Israel
Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, And trust in Mount Samaria… go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms?Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, Who cause the seat of violence to come near; Who lie on beds of ivory, Stretch out on your couches, Eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall; Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments,And invent for yourselves musical instruments like David; Who drink wine from bowls, And anoint yourselves with the best ointments, But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Therefore they shall now go captive as the first of the captives, And those who recline at banquets shall be removed… The Lord God of hosts says: I abhor the pride of Jacob, And hate his palaces; Therefore I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.”
Hosea 6:1-8
End-Times Global “Babylon”
Babylon the great is fallen and has become a dwelling place of demons… For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury… “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
Alternatives?
The Storehouse Vision is investing in God’s Economy. Investing in people. Investing in local businesses. Investing in land. Helping others with the necessities of life: housing, transportation, food, clothes, jobs. Investing through lending.
If you believe these market valuations are historically high and won’t last, why wouldn’t you take some money off the table, out of the market (out of Babylon) and put it to work in people, land and businesses locally?
Discussion – Credit Scoring Systems with the Rhode Island Storehouse Team
The FICO credit score is used for all sorts of purposes nowadays. It is checked when you apply for a job. It is checked by governments and municipalities for appointments and civil service positions. By the police during investigations even private detectives. It is checked when you rent a house or apartment. It is checked when you apply for any bank or finance company credit. This is far beyond the original envisaged purpose. History of the FICO Score.
So, is it a good thing or a bad thing? Should we endeavour to increase our credit score to get what we want from those who check it, or is that a mistake? We discuss.
This is what we call “mission creep”. Or, we could say, perhaps this is how “the frog got boiled in the kettle” slowly but surely ?
We also discuss the credit bureaus and credit history. How it is created. How difficult it is to get an error or misunderstanding straightened out.
In a partial acknowledgement of how unfair credit scoring can become, and how even the sick and poor get left out in the cold, the government recently changed the regulations to remove all medical debt from people’s credit score
Credit Score Apps
So what about the numerous apps that are not available for people to obsessively check their credit score, but attempt to improve it by clicking on buttons like a video game!
Boiling it all Down
So, what about all of this considered in the totality of society? Sure, capitalism and profits benefit from algorithms and statistics – even turning people into numbers. But is that a good thing? A healthy thing? A biblical thing?
Thesis
Credit Scoring and relation-less lending enslaves people.
Credit Scoring is a way people are being conditioned to take the “mark of the beast” Rev 13:17
God’s Perspective: People should be relationally evaluated on the content of their character in the communities they live and are a part of. If they need financial help, we should work with them and give help. It can be more empowering to have someone borrow and repay than just giving gifts only.
Strategic Lie
Your credit score is a reflection of your character.
Truth
Your credit score reveals how good of a slave to debt you are.
More Truth
Proverbs 22:7 The borrower is the slave of the lender
Psalm 37:21 The wicked break their promises, borrowing money but never paying it back
Deut 15:1 At the end of every seventh year, cancel all debts
Ezekiel 18:7 The righteous does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan and does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from the poor
The Twisted Truth
If you can’t pay back because you ran out of money you are wicked
Scriptures on Predatory Lending
My people, your leaders are misleading you, so that you do not know which way to turn. Moneylenders oppress my people, and their creditors cheat them
Isaiah 3:12
Nehemiah 5:1-12 Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.” Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.” When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.” “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”
We discuss. We share testimony. We evaluate. We pray.
As we focus on the Storehouse Vision and establishing Cities of Refuge (part of which is in preparation for future coming economic and political storms) we know the scripture says: “everything that can be shaken, will be shaken” (Hebrews 12:27). We also know what happens in the end-times leading up to Jesus’ return is recorded in the book of Revelation. It includes massive economic disruption, scarcity, famine, even the fall of global trade (Rev 6 + 18) and then the rise of a global system of control, and without pledging allegiance to this “beast” people won’t be able to “buy or sell” (Rev 13:17). Where we are on the end-times timeline is often debated, but what we do know is that these things are close, given the reestablishment of Israel in 1948. We also know these economic prophecies haven’t yet been fulfilled on the world stage, but they are coming as sure as the scriptures say. And are likely coming soon
Ray Dalio is about to release a book (September 2025) that caught my attention. It explains – based on his analysis – that the US and the world is at risk for a catastrophic “de-leveraging” event within 3 years time if governments don’t radically change their taxing and spending (especially the US). Such an “80 year” event is at least on the levels of 1930s global depression and destruction of various forms of money (the German Papiermark’s failure during the Weimar republic was one). These events historically have included the central bank printing too much money and losing the position of the world’s reserve currency, which would make it doubly bad for the USA.
US Debt Problem
Importantly, Dalio points out in the book that the level of global debt in absolute terms and in relative terms (% of GDP) are at unprecedented levels, so that makes it even more unpredictable of how big the “big one” will ultimately be.
In essence, Ray is saying unless we get our current projected deficit down from 7.5% of GDP to something like 3% GDP, we will enter the danger zone of where the government is issuing new debt just to service the interest on the old debt. He describes this as a no-turning back moment, because the debt and the money printing that goes along with it just spirals out of control from there. And as such, the risk for an economic “heart attack” goes way up. Again, we are 3 years away from that unless we radically change.
Department of Governmental Efficiency
What about DOGE? Can DOGE and Elon Musk save the day?
Maybe. But not necessarily. DOGE is hoping for an at best amount of annual cuts of cost to be $1Tn per year. That would get us to maybe a deficit of $1Tn, which is 3-4% of GDP. However, it is likely, many of these savings will be one time, therefore going forward annually it will likely be less. BUT – and this is a big BUT, President Trump has outlined he wants to repurpose the savings for other spending priorities. AND then the plan is ALSO to extend the tax-cuts (costs maybe $0.4Tn annually net of GDP pickup). So, net-net will DOGE reduce the deficit much? Maybe not much. We will see.
Ray Dalio
Ray Dalio, found of Bridgewater
Who is Ray Dalio? He is the founder of the biggest hedge fund ever to exist, known as Bridgewater Capital, right here in Westport, CT. Ray cut his teeth in fixed income (bonds) and global-macro (currencies) investing . So, he knows a thing or two about governments and debt, the history of modern finance. failure of currencies, etc.
Trump Dump?
We had the Trump Bump when President Trump was elected. Now those gains have been given back in a “Trump Dump” or correction (down 10%) given uncertainty of the tariffs’ impact on the economy and inflation.
From time to time, we find a really good movie that helps illustrate God’s way of business, economy and the Storehouse. One such movie is Mully. Another is It’s a Wonderful Life with George Bailey.
Here is another one! Bridgette found this one night for something for us to watch, and I really felt it was God-sent along the lines of what the scriptures teach about helping people and lending to those in need as a form of giving them a hand-up instead of just a hand-out.
It is not a Christian movie, but a movie about what a community can do if they are willing to think outside-the-box of banking and the regulatory regime / corporate bank and finance co’s who exploit or ignore the poor, avoid the gospel, and enslave people to debt.
Instead, Dave the scrappy rags-to-riches businessman keeps it personal, local and caring. Based on a true story.
If you have a chance, have a watch and join us tomorrow. Brings up all sorts of ideas and questions. Truely a “feel good movie.”
Testimony – Aaron Reeves Coming Out of Debt Slavery
Aaron served as a YWAM base leader in Boston for over a decade. He is a worship leader. And we have labored together in the New England harvest fields as part of NE Alliance and 10 Days of Prayer. He is a faithful warrior!
Aaron is now transitioning into the marketplace, starting a newco called North East Audio. His company works as sound engineers and consultants for churches and others to serve their audio needs. We could even call it a New Breed of Audio company…
Better yet, the Reeves have just had their sixth child… Baby Quinn Declan! Congratulations man!!
The journey with the NECAP and Aaron started with a truck. Yes, the desire and need for a work truck. Originally envisioned, Aaron was asking God for a Toyota Tundra if I remember correctly. But that didn’t come together, so the opportunity came to buy back his old Honda Element, which served well as a work + family vehicle instead.
Testimony of Coming out of Debt
Hear how the New England Storehouse (aka the N.E.C.A.P.) helped Aaron and his family get out of debt. They had credit card debt and a car loan. We prayed, gave testimony, and advised them on the possibility of debt forgiveness and debt reduction. You probably are aware that credit card cos go for broke in charging fees and interest until you drown. They don’t really have the Reeves’ best interest in mind. (Reeves who? they better pay up!)
Citizens Visa, $6800 outstanding balance
Similarly, auto loan companies and banks have the repo man at the ready if they ever miss a car payment. The tow truck is around the corner ready to take away the family truckster.
2016 Honda Odyssey 110,000 miles $4300 outstanding
The Plan
We refinanced the two loans and helped the Reeves pay them down. How? The NE Storehouse (NECAP) has a fund to help seed such projects. We encouraged Aaron to negotiate with his creditors to settle the credit card debt and pay off the car loan. After several rounds of back and forth, people through the NECAP refinanced the balances with a no-interest (Deut 23:19), non-recourse (Ezekiel 18:7) loan package, then further reduced by any gifts. That’s right! A loan like Jesus said to do it in the bible (Matt 5:42). Not the way the world does it.
As part of helping the Reeves, they committed to cut up the credit cards and not go back to ‘Egypt’ with respect to CC debt. They also have no interest in ever getting another traditional car loan. They want to become the lender, not the borrower (Deut 28:12-13). They are out of debt slavery (Prov 22:7). We the Church; we the NE Storehouse community (NECAP) helped disciple the Reeves into this vision.
That’s easy, everyone decided whether they wanted to lend and/or give to the Reeves, and how much. That was combined with the seed capital from the Storehouse Fund. The NECAP community administered the loan(s) receiving payments from the Reeves and crediting the account of whoever lent the Reeves money. For those who gave a gift, they got a tax receipt and a tax deduction. Anyone who later wanted to forgive a loan, would also get a tax deduction. If people wanted to transfer their interest in a loan, that was a possibility as well.
The Reeves finished paying off the last bit of their NECAP loan just recently Jan 2025! Yey! So they were able to pay off the loan in about a year.
In fact, remember that original desire for a pickup truck? Well, that too has now been realized in the form of this Chevy Silverado. Paid-in-full. God is good. He gives us the desires of our heart.
Hear Aaron’s testimony and questions answered about how the Storehouse process worked!
Ever heard of “don’t fight the Fed”? Well, we could now say, “don’t fight Trump.” The reasons for the market going higher post election are loosely founded on profit growth optimism of a Trump administration. But the short-term trading reality has more to do with the momentum behind “meme-stock” Trumpian Robinhood investors and the Wall Street Bets – Reddit crowd. Which institutional investors might say: don’t sell/short for fundamental reasons, because the FoMo (Fear of Missing out) crowd-speculation and “going to the moon” hype-train is going to run you over.
The “Trump Bump”
Ok, so as fundamental reality started to set-in we saw a market pull back in January. Only to rebound again leading up to the Inauguration.
Why are valuations difficult at these levels? It’s because the average PE (Price – forward Earnings) ratio of the market is at the top of historical range (roughly 22x for S&P 500). As well as expected earnings growth is quite high year over year for this year and next (roughly 15% expected growth for the entire S&P 500 in 2025 and 14% in 2026).
Animal Spirits
John Maynard Keynes’ “Animal Spirits” (The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money 1936) are again being quoted with more frequency in the press, because there is no other way of explaining many company’s valuations other than naked greed. Underscoring a new period of “irrational exuberance” to quote former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan.
Also worth understanding is the “value” of Stocks vs. Bonds. Meaning investing in treasury bonds (according to the chart above) has an identical yield to stocks at these valuations – yet worth noting that treasuries by definition are considered the “risk-free” rate of return. Interpreted: stocks are so expensive right now, there is no additional yield for the additional risk you are taking (future interest payments from the US government are more likely than forecasted future earnings of any given company). As you can see from this chart, the last time this “up-side down” situation happened was when the tech bubble burst in the early 2000s.
2. Bonds Pointing to Higher Inflation
Bond sell-off and a yield curve steepening have led to higher mortgage rates and lower expectations of the Fed cutting rates. While the most recent CPI reading came in at expectations, it is still historically high (3.2% core) and we are running into a new reality of high (3%+) inflation which has stubbornly resisted Fed rate hikes (think famously of Paul Volker’s rate hikes to 20% killing inflation in the early 80s). The Fed has continued to state 2% as its inflation goal, but we haven’t seen that since pre-pandemic and no one is offering up any new solutions for how to get it down. Instead it has been we need to wait-and-see.
As Pres Trump wants to stoke economic growth, watch for renewed calls and saber rattling for Jerome Powell to lower rates. This could backfire into higher inflation, even hyperinflation.
Elon Musk wants to buy TikTok, but congress scheduled shutting it down given the China spying threat. But, Pres Trump just issued an executive order suspending enforcement of the ban for 75 days. Is it even possible to override already-passed legislation?
4. Crypto on a Tear
Did you know that President Trump created his own crypto currency? Yep. Much like Truth Social taking advantage of his reelection, President Trump, his business empire and his family have harnessed the Trump induced Crypto frenzy by issuing their own “meme-coin.” Smart business move or conflict of interest?
What a meme-coin you ask? Well, like a “meme-stock”, it is designed for the masses of followers of Trump to “invest” in Trump and Trump’s variant of crypto currency, which essentially has a gold-rush mentality of getting in early. It’s going to the moon because Trump is making crypto great! “$Trump” is the name (lol). Not joking. $Melania is the other.
This is a bit like “DogeCoin” if you are familiar with it.
5. The Bank of Japan Factor
Is this another warning sign of the BOJ potentially raising rates prematurely? Is it global inflation that is neutralizing deflation in Japan? Or is it true economic recovery? We haven’t seen rates this high in Japan since the previous financial crisis 2008.
Also fueling the drive to raise rates is that the Yen is weakening once more to intervention levels. Read relevant Bloomberg article here.
We discuss.
So, what’s the Net Net?
We are in uncharted territory in terms of debt levels, tariff levels, equities valuation levels and crypto speculation.
If you believe that President Trump will carry the US economy and financial markets to new and unprecedented heights (a “golden age”), you buy and/or hold stocks and crypto.
If you believe markets are priced for perfection or are over-hyped, and we are in at best a period of reprieve or at worst might be headed for troubled waters, you “take some money off the table” or sell.
If you believe more in God’s economy than Babylon’s economy, and you are more interested in helping people than profiting from them – and if you want to advance the Kingdom of God on the earth, consider the Storehouse Vision as an alternative Biblical way of investing to the financial markets and traditional investing.
And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
Luke 16:9-12
We are in the works of launching a monthly Storehouse Briefing and Q&A, hosted by the Storehouse leadership team, so Stay Tuned for that.
The Storehouse Vision is liken to the parable of the Minas, Luke 19…
The Parable of the Minas
Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
“And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’
“Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
“And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”
We discuss the worldwide supply-chain, and how shipping and ports around the world affect it and China’s growing influence and aggressive agenda. Last week, President Trump rattled leaders all over the world at his Mar-a-Lago press conference where he alluded to taking back the Panama Canal.
We will discuss who owns, operates, controls aspects of the Panama Canal, including the roles of Hong Kong based Hutchinson on both ends of the canal and how China does influence and could infiltrate the canal for economic and military advantage.
Panama Canal Facts
Canal was handed over to Panama end of 1999 but the treaty was originally signed under the Carter administration September 7, 1977
Fees for transiting canal have increased by 8x since the handover
Over 60% of the traffic transiting the Panama Canal is originated or terminated in the United States
Joining our panel are our distinguished guests, Jacqueline Wiese from Global Family Prayer (Panama) as well as Lucieanne Sawyer and Sue Abrahamson from Rea International (Portland, OR). Each brings a unique perspective on global shipping matters, especially including prayer.
Jacque Wiese with Panama President Ernesto Perez Balladares
This picture is from the transfer of Rodman Naval Station in the Pacific in March 1999. I was not only part of a group of three who were in charge of closing and transferring the base, but also was in charge of organizing and executing the transfer ceremony with my counterpart at the office of the President.
Jacque’s son made this video last Tuesday (Jan 2025). You can see the Port of Balboa run by Hutchinson since 1997. Their concession was extended in 2021 for 25 years. Ports in Panama belong to the country. Companies compete to manage them.
Born and raised in Colombia, South America, as a nominal Catholic. Graduated with a degree in Education, immigrated to the United States, earned her MBA and started a family.
Bio
Moved with her husband to Panama where she worked for the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Southern Command Treaty Implementation Office as a Treaty Officer in charge of transferring Lands and Waters to Panama in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaty. Jacque was also part, as a simultaneous interpreter, of the Free Trade Agreement negotiation between Panama and China.
Passionate about God, His Word, Israel and the coming of the Lord’s Kingdom on earth. In 2021under the direction of the Holy Spirit founded Awakening Latin America and the Nations a virtual “prayer and equipping” room. Member of several Christian Movements including Global Family, 10 Days, Global Watch, Altar of Prayer and others.
Rea International
Lucienne Sawyer
Bio
Lucienne Sawyer is the founder of Rea’ International. Rea’ was established to enhance and support broad-based Christian ministry worldwide through prayer, teaching and discipleship training. Ministry to the heart of God is paramount in every aspect. Rea’ means “friend” in Hebrew, and it is through the lens of friendship that Lucienne lives out her faith in Christ Jesus. She
is an international teacher and presenter, mentor and coach. As a wife of over 40 years and mother of two daughters 32 and
35 and three grandchildren, as well as a business owner, she knows the fruit of walking out a life in freedom and overcoming difficulties.
Sue Abrahamson
Sue and Lucienne are seen here with her daughter Cari. The other person is former Coast Guard who served aboard the ship behind us. We had been asked to pray and teach on the ancient world including the Native myths. We prayed over the issues of our ports and the Panama Canal at the mouth of the Columbia. Our story of understanding the shipping lanes began many years ago.
Other photos will show the line of ships, and in one an ancient wreck for which there are hundreds in the most dangerous bar crossings in the world. It is called the grave of the Pacific.
Big Updates
February 3, 2025 – Panamanian Government announces it will not renew its ties with China’s Belt and Road initiative:
Join us on the New Breed of Business as we have a post-election political and economic discussion : “What Now?”. With special consideration to how this relates to implementing the Storehouse Vision, Network, and Communities.
We will discuss the President Trump – Jehu prophetic parallel as part.
Jehu tore down the alters of Baal, killed Jezebel, killed the Baal priests, and was made King over Israel.
“However Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin, that is, from the golden calves that were at Bethel and Dan.”
2 Kings 10:29
“I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel
Hosea 1:4
Golden Calf Issues
Cannot trust in money and in God. Have to choose. Hate the one, love the other. Matt 6:25
An economy built on debt and greed will not stand
Turn from selfish-ambition, pride, self-centered, self-sufficiency, materialism, sexual immorality and profiting from same, seeking our pleasure over God’s pleasure / obedience to Him, etc.
Must remember the tired, hungry and poor, widow, orphan, fatherless in our business practices. Don’t exploit them. Don’t profit from their position.
Must rest from our labors, rest the land, free the slave, return the lands
Forgive debts, don’t charge interest to one-another, return the pledge / collateral
Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God. Trust in God not in man, not in self.
Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain. If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The Lord will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
Heartbeat Israel is our live monthly segment where we get to hear what is happening on the ground in Israel and in the Spirit. Whether it’s messianic outreach, Aliyah, the temple mount, anti-Semitism, biblical history, houses of prayer, war, methods of economy, Hebrew covenantal life culture, signs and wonders – we want to press into the Father heart of God. Israel is God’s prophetic time clock and the Jewish people are His covenantal people. Click the link here for previous episodes…
Auschwitz, Poland Trip with Grant Berry
Grant is back from his team’s trip to Auschwitz.
God has his heart and eyes on Poland – this important country and how it relates to Jew and gentiles living together.
When I visited Yad Vashem 2 years ago, I was praying and the Holy Spirit led me to focus on the importance of Poland to him during WWII and today.
More Jews were murdered in Poland than any other nation, including Germany. I found this book while I was visiting the bookstore that was highlighted to me.
This excerpt relates to what I felt the Lord was saying about example of Jews and Gentiles together:
Grant’s Report
Poland, Auschwitz concentration camps, House of Life prayer house, and Fountain of Tears
For the last 9 days of our journey we traveled to Poland joining with a group of mature watchmen / intercessors from the US to pray and intercede for Israel and the Church. Words cannot fully describe all that we experienced during this week of intensive prayer. We had been preparing for this prayer mission for several months while also having a team of intercessors covering and supporting us daily. And we knew and felt strongly that our main focus was to pray for greater life to come out of the death and tragedy of the Holocaust. Remarkable to this focus, is that there are two new ministries the Lord has established right at the feet of the Auschwitz concentration camp. There is an incredible exhibit crafted by Rick ? known as the “Fountain Of Tears”, which uniquely depicts the suffering and death of Yeshua on the cross and the tragedy and deaths of the Holocaust. Plus a House of Prayer called “The House of Life,” which has been established by Mark and Cathy Warwick.
Before we visited Auschwitz, Mark encouraged us to visit the Fountain of Tears first, then the Auschwitz concentration camp, and then to join them at the House Of life.
During the week the Holy Spirit led us into some intensive prayer sessions on the property, in the fountain of tears, in the house of life prayer house, and through early morning prayer. We have come away with a much deeper understanding of the significance of this death and suffering and how the rebirthing of the nation of Israel has come out of it. And the Lord led us into specific assignments connected to this focus, some of which were prophetic.
It is a paradox for sure and extremely complex but we have all sensed a deepening of this understanding in our spirits. Not just experiencing the horror of this death but also the life that is coming out of it.
During the week we also learned a lot more about Poland and its people, as well as the suffering that they experienced amidst their German and Russian occupations. We feel strongly to pray for the healing of a victim spirit that is over both the Jewish and Polish people and there is a great need for greater forgiveness and deeper repentance and reconciliation between the two peoples and between the two countries.
It was no mistake that we were to be here during the Feast Of Tabernacles. As we came to the end of our time in the House Of Life prayer house praying and worshiping and as we were looking on and facing the Auschwitz camp from the balcony windows drawing close to the celebration of Simchat Torah, The Lord gave us an incredible sense of love, peace, and joy. The Lord led us to dance before Him in the spirit, which is also a tradition of Simchat Torah. It is comforting to know that in the greater scheme of things it is all finished with the cross and the resurrection. He has overcome sin and death leading us into spiritual life and freedom.
Roundtable – Dishonest Weights and Scales Embedded in the Modern-day Economy
So, my Dad called me and said he was reading through the Proverbs and the verses about how God hates dishonest weights and scales kept coming up. He thought – hey this is what Gregg is talking about! (in terms of Babylon’s economy and the New Breed of Business)
Dad
So here are those scriptures:
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight
Proverbs 11:1
Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making
Proverbs 16:11
Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike – an abomination to the Lord
Proverbs 20:10
The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him
Proverbs 20:23
Examples Today:
– Products (especially food products) that shave a little bit of weight and the price goes up or stays the same. Remember that Pint of Haagen Daz ice cream? Well, it’s now 14oz. It used to be $5. Now it’s $9. Hope you don’t notice! Hope you don’t mind!
Product
Old size
New size
Difference
Tropicana orange juice
64 oz.
59 oz.
-7.8%
Ivory dish detergent
30 oz.
24 oz.
-20%
Kraft American cheese
24 slices
22 slices
-8.3%
Kirkland Signature (Costco) paper towels
96.2 sq. ft.
85 sq. ft.
-11.6%
Haagen-Dazs ice cream
16 oz.
14 oz.
-12.5%
Scott toilet tissue
115.2 sq. ft.
104.8 sq. ft.
-9%
Lanacane first aid spray
113 grams
99 grams
-12.4%
Chicken of the Sea salmon
3 oz.
2.6 oz.
13.3%
Classico pesto
10 oz.
8.1 oz.
-19%
Hebrew National franks
12 oz.
11 oz.
-8.3%
Examples of Hidden Fees and Made-up Fees
12b1 sales fees baked into mutual fund products
undisclosed and significant sales commissions in insurance products – sometimes upto 100% of the early years premiums being paid in sales commissions
“network fees” in cell phone and cable bills
“taxes and service fees” that appear as taxes but actually are just fees
4-5% AMEX and 2-3% VISA / MasterCard fees taken out of every sale. Rewards programs make consumers feel happy about the practice getting a little kick-back for themselves.
More Dirty Tricks
used car dealers hawking cars with major issues without disclosures
ambulance-chasing personal injury lawyers reaping 40%, even 50% of settlements or jury awards
improved odds of legal victories that can be purchased with high price legal teams vs. the commoner
hospital bills – $50,000 emergency room visits
$1100 bill and medicare or insurance co only pays $100
made up pricing for medical bills
hotel room rack rates that are multiple times more than market price
4.7% CD automatically renews at 0% if you don’t remember to roll it over
Credit card 0% teaser rates exploding to 30% if you miss a payment by a day, or under pay by $0.01
$5 bag of chips on Wallmart.com with $29.99 shipping fee in small type
Citadel and Robinhood – deal allowing legal front running of retail trades
Flash Boys book – Exchanges renting server spots to the highest bidder inside the exchange data center, knowing full well that trades will be front run using quant algorithms given speed advantage.
Inside information traded upon on Wall Street
Propane companies locking tanks up and hauling them away full if rental fees aren’t paid
Electric generation supply co’s that reset your lower rate to double or triple the electric company rate if you forget to switch
Do we accept these societal behaviors as normal?
Are we conditioned to act this way too?
Clipping and Shaving Coins
Our friend Doug Tjaden speaks of the practice of shaving and clipping coins in his book “I’ve Come to Give”
Money and Life Documentary
Chandrakaut’s Testimony
Quaker Reform
“[T]he Roman Empire… expanded quickly… Tax rates became oppressive, and trade began to slow. Tax revenues… began to fall… Therefore, during the reign of Emperor Nero (54-68 A.D.), the government mints engaged in a new and more deceptive practice. They added copper and bronze to the gold and silver before pouring the alloy into molds to make coins. This is known as “debasing” the coins. Because the practice didn’t leave marks, most people were unaware of the practice.”
In the old days, say at the general store, it became a dishonest practice of many shop owners in America where there wouldn’t be any prices on any products. And store owners would charge different people different prices if they thought they could get away with exploiting people. Even poor people.
The Quakers had a reform, where they wanted all their congregants who were shop owners to insure that they would price all products so people would receive transparent and fair pricing (which God loves).
Today we continue our “How to Storehouse” series. We will unpack all of what is biblical about God’s economy and how that is reflected in the Storehouse Vision.
Hint: it’s not just storing up a bunch of stuff for the apocalypse !
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure
Isaiah 33:6
So, we often find people misunderstand what “A Storehouse of God” is all about. It’s not simply storing up supplies and money to guarantee our futures. It’s really a reformation of our hearts in how we deal with money, provision, work and our own needs. And it’s also how we form community and serve one another to facilitate supply for the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Storehouse Vision Unpacked
1. Repented Lifestyle
The Storehouse Vision is first and foremost an “unlearning” of the ways of this world (unplug from the Matrix) and transform our minds in the knowledge of Christ (plug into the Kingdom of God). Romans 12:2“Right from the time you were born… what your parents taught you… without money you cannot survive.”
“That had become a very strong chain of bondage in your mind… It took Me four years to break that.”
“And from that day, to this day our table has never been empty – I don’t know how, from where God provided.”
“Will He not clothe you? You of little faith? Do not worry… your heavenly Father knows [your needs]… Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all of [your needs] will be met.” – Matthew 6:30-33
God can provide with or without money.
“If you start thinking to yourselves, ‘I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!’—well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.” – Deuteronomy 8:17-18
2. Economy of Giving and Receiving
It is better to give than receive
Acts 20:35
Give and it shall be given unto you
Luke 6:38
Freely you have been given, freely you should give
Matthew 10:8
When you give to the poor you are lending to God
Proverbs 19:17
When we help others instead of focusing on satisfying our own needs, God supplies.
3. Community Banking
Alternative to FDIC fractional reserve banking. Loans as investments. Local currencies. Individual stores and community stores under one roof.
4. Distribution Network
“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.” 2 Corinthians 8:12-14
5. Resources Made Ready
This is the “storing up” part of the Storehouse. But remember, we can also get just in time shipments by God’s hand. Even supernaturally or by way of a miracle.
We don’t have to be under Adam’s “curse of the land, everything by the sweat of our brow.” We can tap into heavenly provision…
Our earthly storehouses can be filled, and our needs can be met out of heavenly storehouses
and supernatural provision
God has already made ready. We have to recover this ancient inheritance as the Church for the days ahead.
Silver and gold have I none. In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk!
Acts 3:6
I will open the windows of heaven
Malachi 3:10
Examples
Fishes and Loves
Water from the rock
Manna from heaven
Example of Church Unity – 140 churches gathered together in Charlotte last week
Is modern day capitalism consistent with what the bible teaches about money and business?
Let’s start out with Webster’s definition of Capitalism:
Capitalism is an economic system where private individuals or organizations own and control the means of production, and where the free market determines prices and the distribution of goods.
Webster’s Dictionary
Sounds pretty good so far.
#1 Private ownership was embraced in the bible by allotting land in Israel to families. Read Numbers 26:53 “the land should be divided for inheritance based on population”
#2 Free markets are also in the bible as an extension of the free-will of man. “For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.” Jermiah 32:15
However, there were numerous prohibitions tempering this freedom by God. For example, the allotment and inheritance of land was made in proportion to need. It was followed by the concept of Jubilee (returning land to original inheritors, no matter the pledge or debt). Similarly, there was the freedom to lend money, but not to charge interest. Plus, there was a requirement to forgive debts every seven years. Also not to work the land every seven years. No buying and selling of goods within the walls of Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Etc.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the writings of the “Father of Capitalism”, Adam Smith.
It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest
Adam Smith
Adam Smith points out here and in his writings that self-interest is what provides for our families – not the benevolence of man (nor the benevolence of God – note connection with Deism below).
Now, lets look at what the bible says about this :
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat
2 Thessalonians 3:10
Seek first the Kingdom of God and righteousness, and all this (dinner, drink, clothes, needs, etc.) shall be added unto you
Matthew 6:33
Which begs the question: what is true work?
My food is to do the will of the Father
John 4:34
Not exactly the same as what Adam Smith suggests. Note the important differences. Its not all about self-interest leading to our provision. Its about trusting God for provision, loving others, working with diligence as unto God, and for God. Where there is need, let us pray and ask for help and wisdom, not trying to scramble, scrape, or horde money, income, profit and gain as though God never assured us.
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned… to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound… I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13
I will be with you always, even unto the end of this age
Matthew 28:20
Every individual… intends only his own gain, and he is… led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.
Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations (1776)
Mmm, who or what is this invisible hand??
We need to put things into context. Adam Smith was part of the Scottish Enlightenment. Which was connected to the French Revolution and Deism.
In the… Age of Enlightenment or Age of Reason, deism emerged as a theological position that attempted to define the natural world and man’s relationship to God through the application of Enlightenment ideals such as reason, rationality, and order.
The Influence and Legacy of Deism in Eighteenth Century America, Piland
To understand what those movements stood for, we can look to Voltaire, an 18th century French philosopher who believed god was uninvolved in the day-to-day affairs of men, as he was only the “clockmaker of the universe”, leaving men to their own interests. This type of thinking leads down a slippery slope to another enlightenment philosopher’s ideas…
I think therefor I am
Descartes 1637
Milton Friedman, Nobel Prize Economics, University of Chicago
Fast forward to the 20th century, and we have Milton Friedman, a modern day Adam Smith adherent (that’s an Adam Smith tie he’s wearing).
Here are some relevant Friedman quotes:
The business of business is business
Milton Friedman
A corporation is an artificial person and in this sense may have artificial responsibilities, but ‘business’ as a whole cannot be said to have [social] responsibilities, even in this vague sense.
Milton Friedman
Here’s the thing: If a corporation is an artificial person, shareholders are also artificial people – or perhaps better said, nameless faceless people who have no soul – no regard for fellow man. Real people can therefore “hide” behind the shareholder “strawman”.
There is one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud.
Capitalism and Freedom, Milton Friedman 1965
But what of deceptive advertising? Hidden fees? The ol’ bait and switch? The free trip, if we can sell you a condo. There are many such deceptive things permitted “within the rules of the game” today.
Yet, even if we give Friedman the benefit of the doubt here: Is the only requirement of God to commit no fraud or deception? These scriptures contravail such claims:
“Do not oppress the poor because he is poor” – Proverbs 22:22
“And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another.” – Numbers 25:14
“If you lend money to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest” – Exodus 22:25
“Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.” – Deuteronomy 23:19
“If a wicked man gives back what they took in pledge for a loan… they will not die.” – Ezekiel 33:15
“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigners.” – Leviticus 23:22
So, in effect Adam Smith’s philosophies, evolved into the Friedman doctrine, which essentially has created a wall of separation between faith and business – and therefor a moral vacuum, since “corporations are not people” and shareholders are a abstraction, rather than personal reality.
Capitalism looks similar to God’s principles of free-will of man, land ownership, and freedom. But is this, especially in its modern day interpretation, really the same as God’s covenants with men? Or, is it more a like a close cousin?
Perhaps like a butterfly compared with a moth? Both start off as caterpillars, but…
Or sheep vs. goat?
This moral vacuum rationalization of hiding behind corporations, shareholders and profits, echoes of the stories told in the Bible of the Pharisees, who had a form of Godliness, but Jesus labeled them hypocrites and white washed tombs. Their hearts were far from God. They were also identified as lovers of money. Everything looked fine on the outside, but the inside was filthy dirty.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” – Matthew 23:25
5 Points of how Capitalism differs from God’s Economy
Capitalism embraces Capital as King. The bible says Jesus is King.
Publicly traded corporations have taken Christianity and Judaism out of the board room and any official business. HR enforces such policies.
Capitalism is a structure where capital and shareholders demand a return, without need for personal regard or accountability to human impact – rich or poor, healthy or sick.
Capitalism has been sometimes described as “survival of the fittest”. Wall Street is like that. But did God ever say that men were to behave like animals?
Modern capitalism has depersonalized business. It hides behind “shareholders” and “returns”. It strictly enforces debt “covenants” through litigation. Etc.
Free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity
Larry Kudlow
Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers
Moses
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money
Since the BOJ raised rates at the end of July, and the Nikkei tanked 20% / the rest-of-world markets dropped by 10%, and the VIX spiked to multi-year highs, everything now seems to have settled down and the market has hit new highs. Is it over? Was it no big deal? Just a hiccup? (spoiler alert: no)
We are here to discuss that and do a live Q&A.
Just this morning this line caught my attention in a Bloomberg article:
Japanese monetary policy could be the San Andreas fault of global finance
Arif Husain, head of international fixed income and chief investment officer – T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe’s Husain is tying the Bank of Japan actions to the San Andreas fault (think West coast quake). Is this prophetic?
I know the BOJ is conscious of the effect it could have on global markets, but it’s a real and present danger, in my view. I certainly think it’s something that should be on our radar as investors
Husain. T Rowe Price
If you recall from prior discussions, Bob Jones and Rick Joyner are both on record as essentially saying: Once the Japanese quake of 3/11/11 happened, the worldwide economic meltdown AND a West Coast US megaquake can hit at any time. Read post here: Watch Japan – Bob Jones Earthquake Prophecies (scroll down to get to the earthquake and economic shaking prophecies, including videos).
God Send? Or Judgement Coming?
One other thing to pay attention to is when retail participation in the stock market reaches highs, it is a historical indicator of a market top.
Shoe Shine Time?
In the winter of 1928, Joe Kennedy’s shoeshine boy famously offered Kennedy a stock tip: “Buy Hindenburg.” Kennedy soon sold off his stocks, thinking:
You know it’s time to sell when shoeshine boys give you stock tips. This bull market is over.
Joe Kennedy Sr. 1928
Practical Steps You Can Take
Learn how to trust God not money as never before. Read more about this here:
Sell paper based market investments (stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, whole life policies, mutual funds, closed-end funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, etc.)
Pay off all debts, especially mortgage debt
Withdraw money from the banking system: cash-on-hand
Buy convenient physical stores of value, such gold, silver, oil, grain, water, food
Long-term
Help friends and family pay off their credit cards, student loans, debts and mortgages where you become the bank to them instead. Lend biblically. It creates an income stream back to you. Forgive debt periodically. Don’t charge interest. Those who borrowed can also provide a dividend to you as they are blessed to do so.
Buy land
Invest in local businesses
Invest in agriculture and farms
Invest in food-supply production, packaging, transportation and economy
Invest in local energy sources, clean water, other essential needs, tools and equipment.
Seed a local Storehouse (community co-op – bank like private pool of funds) to do all of the above with your friend
BOJ raises rates for 2nd time leading to Nikkei 225 implosion and a global market sell-off
So, what happened this week?
Japan’s stock market dropped 20% in 3 days. The US and Europe, almost 10% over the same period. These are some of the largest market drops ever in such a short time span.
For those of you following the New Breed of Business, you will recall our several discussions about the importance of Watch Japan and the Bank of Japan’s monetary actions:
If you have time to refresh on those discussions, it helps put into context this week’s market plunge and what is coming – likely over the next several months into 2025.
Much of the conversation has to do with “First Japan, then the US/Europe”.
Basically Japan was set up as a little America post WWII, less the foundations of faith. Their economy is more “Western” than “Eastern” in how their markets and banking are setup. The Yen is closely tied to the Dollar markets.
In a sense, Japan is just doing what we helped teach them to do, but on steroids. Hense, more debt. More money printing. Etc. They pioneered those things. To deal with their financial crash in the late 80s, which led to depression / deflation.
Japan was by some measures was the #1 economy in the 1980s. Now they are the fourth largest economy. They have greatly shrunk.
Japan is essentially like a beta test of Modern Monetary Theory. How far can they (the BOJ and Japanese government) stretch the bounds of monetary policy, quantitative easing, and debt borrowings with a major fiat currency (Yen).
Here is that chart:
FIRST – JAPAN
FOLLOW – USA / EURO
STOCK MARKET CRASH
1989
2008
0% SHORT RATES
1995
2009
0% 10Y TREASURY
2016
2019
DEFLATION
1998
2009
DEBT TO 100% GDP
1999
2013
DEBT TO 200% GDP
2010
CENTRAL BANK QE – GOV DEBT
2001
2009
CENTRAL BANK QE – ETFS
2010
2020
CENTRAL BANK QE – 50% OWN GOV DEBT
2022
We have previously discussed one of the key global market dynamics: “Why? Because it portends a setup like we had in 2007, whereby the BOJ raises rates prematurely again. Because the Yen carry trade is still “on” in the hedge fund macro world.” (1st Raise BOJ discussion – March 2024)
What is the Carry Trade? Carry Trade Example: – Borrow in Yen at 0% interest – Buy Mexican bonds at 11%
The sharp reversing of the carry trade by hedge funds likely begins a cascading of events which can lead to bursting all sorts of asset bubbles.
Why was/is the 2nd BOJ raise “bad for the economy / markets”, both back in 2007 and again in 2024? “It was premature for their economy, which was still greatly depressed and had just turned positive for the first time in a long-time.” (Watch Japan discussion – January 2023). Same reason today. BOJ made the move because they were trying to strengthen the yen and punish speculators. This is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Here is the case study from which the “Watch Japan” word has been based on:
These words are now in the process of being fulfilled.
The market drop post the 2nd BOJ move was a sign in 2007 (down 10%), and sense again it is a sign in 2024 (down 20%). It was a sign in February / March 2007 leading to a full blown financial crisis in 2008. Will this recent move and market drop lead to the next financial crisis? Will it be even bigger this time?
We continue to WARN about why the US dollar led global financial markets are being judged – for pride, fear, greed, love of and trust in money, the depersonalization of finance, exploitation of the poor, etc. among many other reasons, just as ancient Egypt and Pharoah were judged for similar issues (read: Ezekiel 29-32). It is a BLIND-SPOT in the US church because of the more recent focus on prosperity, individualism and a no-suffering theology, post WWII.
The Significance of 40000
Both the Dow 30 and the Nikkei 225 interestingly reached new highs this year, both surpassing 40000 points. When this happened I was reminded of the number 40 in the bible. Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days. The Israelites were tested in the wilderness for 40 years. So the number 40 is a biblically significant number with the meaning “testing”. I believe too, the world is about to go through a great period (1000 biblically) of financial and economic TESTING.
Now, more than ever is time to seek shelter through repentance. We are commanded in Revelation 18:4 to “Come out of Babylon”. Practically, coming out of Babylon is coming out of partnership/ownership of any investments, companies and markets that have drunk the “cup of her abominations”. This includes the stock market.
If I sell my investments, what do I do with the money?
The Storehouse Vision is an economic framework that embodies this repentance (in deeds not just words) and we encourage all to pursue what scripture teaches us about trusting in Jesus, not money. There is no “easy” answer, but it requires the messy reality of relationships. Investing personally. Investing locally. Investing cooperatively. Investing actively. It requires listening to Jesus at times “Do not expect anything in return” instead of always demanding an earthly return (or have recourse to claw-back, or sitting back and collecting interest).
To focus on loving one another rather than only or first looking after self. To “not store up treasure on the earth where moth and rust will destroy – where thieves break in and steal”, but instead to “store up treasure in heaven” (Matt 6:19-24). This means relationships in the local and broader community are key. The wealth is in people, not gold, silver, money or stuff. It is fostered in the community. “Investment” takes on a whole new meaning when you look at “not the money that I need in the future”, but the opportunity to invest in the discipleship of people, and the calling God created them to develop into. This includes investment in local businesses owned by people you know. This also means “community banking” that is not part of the Federal Reserve / FDIC fractional banking structure.
Let us Come out of Babylon. Stop trusting in a “money black box” for profit and income. Take down the golden calf.
You have to think “outside the box”.
You have to become an “active investor” where you get involved with people’s lives. Yes, its messy.
You have to learn how to trust God for miracles of provision, even in the desert.
Practical Application
Short-term
Sell paper based market investments (stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, whole life policies, mutual funds, closed-end funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, etc.)
Pay off all debts, especially mortgage debt
Withdraw money from the banking system: cash-on-hand
Buy convenient physical stores of value, such gold, silver, oil, grain, water
Long-term
Help friends and family pay off their credit cards, student loans, debts and mortgages where you become the bank instead. Lend biblically. It creates an income stream back to you. Forgive debt periodically. Don’t charge interest. Those who borrowed can also provide a dividend to you as they are blessed to do so.
Buy land
Invest in local businesses
Invest in agriculture and farms
Invest in food-supply production, packaging, transportation and economy
Invest in local energy sources, clean water, other essential needs, tools and equipment.
Seed a local Storehouse (community co-op – bank like private pool of funds) to do all of the above with your friends and fellow believers
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.
Matthew 16:20
The day after this discussion (8/8/24) and presentation of the warning, the second largest earthquake of the year hit Japan. 7.1 on the scale in Kyushu, Japan. Seven tsumani warnings were also issued. Let the reader understand.
Here too, was a warning of a mega earthquake (8-9 on scale) to come to Japan at any time.
