Proverbs 20:10 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
Micah 6:10-11 Can I forget any longer the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is accursed? Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?
All currencies are not created equal. Values of currencies change. God is not a fan of currency manipulation. Imagine that, humanity outside of God’s economic laws…
The end result of currency changes can be dramatic. Michael explains the consequences of a rising dollar and what it means to global economics.
Understand the times we are in. Currently, soft commodities (grains such as barley and wheat) are relatively cheap. These times will not last forever. Make plans now while goods are inexpensive. Understand where we are going. Have a plan.
The dollar is rising causing Systemically Important Financial (SIFI) to Plummet.
Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Family is your first friends you will have. Family will be the lasting friendships you will have. I grew up with cousins my age that I did everything with & love getting to see my kids hanging out with their cousins. They are the ones that will have your back every day. I’m lucky enough to have a huge family on all sides I get to hang out with & call my best friends. Family is love!
Psalm 133:1 A song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
Have a great Father’s Day and upcoming week my friends!!!
Just now seeing that Anthony Bourdain has died from an apparent suicide. This is incredibly sad & proves that you honestly never know what a person is struggling with or feeling on the inside. Even those that are the most successful & seem the happiest have struggles. Depression is so real & so scary. You feel you don’t matter. You feel dying is better than the pain you’re feeling. It’s a disease that puts these false feelings in your brain. I promise, every single person matters & is loved. We as a society need to choose kindness & love way more often in our lives. We can make a difference. I pray everyone can find peace in their lives. RIP Mr Bourdain.
In a world that is far too often filled with hate & cruelty, I will choose kindness & love. I know how it makes me feel when others treat me with kindness, so I’ll always try to choose to make others feel they matter as well. Let’s make love & kindness contagious.
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 11:17 A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
You’ll always have the choice to be kind, choose it! It doesn’t cost a thing & is so valuable… Have a kind week my friends!!!
We can either speak praise, speak poison, or don’t speak at all. It may not always be easy but speaking poison should never be an option. If it isn’t good or uplifting, then we should keep our mouths shut. Speaking poison will only cause strife & hurt. Speaking praise into others will give them courage & hope. Choose carefully.
Be quicker to praise someone or reward them than you are to complain or put them down. They will respond a lot better to positivity. If you’re constantly negative, people will distance themselves. Positivity attracts others. Give good works in others their due.
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The Greek word for grace is χάρις/charis. A form of grace is used 157 times in the New Testament texts. Strong’s Concordance defines the word as: as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ; favor; gratitude, thanks; a favor, kindness. HELPS Word-studies views the term as the Lord’s favor, freely extended to give Himself away to people because He is “always leaning toward them”.
Grace is receiving an undeserved gift. None of us truly deserve God’s favor. As human beings, we were born in a state of sin. These bodies know nothing but a state of sin. We are not a blank, moral slate born as pure and clean as the wind driven snow. Our sin is not the fault of environmental surroundings. In this life, we are sinners. We should stop blaming others for our short comings. Own it. From our conception, we are ALL under the curse of sin. Always have been, always will be…
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Job 1:21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Genesis 8:21 And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
None of us are perfect and we all have issues. Some of us out there may think they are flawless or pretty close to it. At the least, they see themselves as better than others. Sorry, there is no sliding scale with sin. The idea that we are all sinners is not a concept noted only in the book of Romans. The idea of being sinful humans is noted across the Bible, even in the Old Testament.
Romans 3:10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one…”
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
Psalm 143:2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?
Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
In this current state of humanity, we are fallen, imperfect people. Get over your bad self. If we are truly honest with ourselves, deep down, we know we don’t cut it with a holy and just God. So… deal with it, we are sinners.
Listening gains you wisdom & trust. Listen to those with knowledge to gain wisdom. Listen to those that need understanding to gain trust. Being a good listener is better than being a fool who talks too much.
By listening more, you gain wisdom & understanding. Sometimes you listen to acquire knowledge, sometimes to put yourself in another’s shoes to understand their feelings & situation. If a person feels they are heard, they will open up to you more. That makes them feel worthy. Make others feel worthy & that they matter.
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advise and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
Proverbs 2:2 Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding.
Leviticus 19:35-36 You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measurement of weight, or capacity. You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin; I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt.
Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.
Currency manipulation is global issue. The above verses are two of many examples provided in Scripture. All currencies are not balanced the same. Imagine that, the world’s economy is out of balance in regards to the standard of the Bible. All currencies are not created equal. There are global economic consequences when standards are out of balance and there is reconfiguration. God is not a big fan.
Many Researchers have been forecasting a rising US Dollar. This seems like an impossibility, but technical methodology from several different disciplines are coming to the same conclusion. A top researcher in March placed a 103.8 target from 88.1; currently, the dollar has risen to 92.46. Should the target be exceeded, a Spike could develop going much higher. The Dollar rose .7% on May 1, 2018 alone. A strong dollar will pressure the repayments of debt across the Globe in an environment of struggling Municipalities, States, and Sovereign debtors. A stronger dollar will not only change the repayments dynamics, but the exports in Emerging Market Countries are affected as Commodities expressed in US Dollars lose value.
A stronger Dollar is enhanced not only by the perception that the US Economy will be stronger than any other, but also by the Interest Rate differential across the Globe and the avowed Federal Reserve policy of raising short term rates. Higher rates from both the Federal Reserve and the LIBOR affect 40-60% of all Global Debt; currently exceeding the 2008 Debt Record and now over $217 Trillion Dollars. Charles Nenner called the 10 year Treasury low at 1.6% in July of 2016. The trend line from 1981 has been broken at the 2.65% level and has now exceeded 3%; better than an 85% increase. With the trend line broken, rates could rise swiftly and approach 4.5% faster than thought possible. Normalization is occurring as Central Bank intervention recedes. Normal could easily be 5-6%; a double from here.
Prices in asset classes will be affected. Housing prices will be compressed as rates rise; Home buyers buy based on payments. Higher rates equal lower affordability; some Luxury Markets are already affected! Equity prices will be affected as repatriated funds are reduced inversely with a stronger dollar. The US Dollar has depreciated 24% since the Presidential election. Take for example a US manufactured auto sold for 20,000 Euros in Germany in December 2016; the same car sold for 20,000 Euros in December 2017 netted the US Manufacturer 20+% more profit due to the Dollar decline; great news for Stock Prices. Bad news when the US Dollar rises; the same formula works negatively in reverse. Look for earnings to decline; stocks are correlated to earnings. Need I mention Bonds? Higher rates will decimate Bond values as well as higher rates will cause many more defaults across the Globe, again affecting the value of Fixed Income. Commodities will also be negatively affected by a spiking US Dollar as it will take fewer Dollars to purchase in local Currency as well as higher rates will certainly curb demand.
What to do? Everything cycles! Raise cash to purchase assets at lower US pricing. Research is indicating it will probably be a Spike; vicious, but not exceedingly long term. This will present HUGE opportunities for those prepared. Every Investor has personal goals. Review your portfolio and make the proper adjustments.
