Quote of the day:

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

July 27th, 2023

Today’s Headlines:

Another Rate Hike

The Federal Reserve has approved a much-anticipated interest rate hike, raising the benchmark borrowing costs to their highest level in over 22 years. The quarter percentage-point increase brings the fed funds rate to a target range of 5.25%-5.5%. While two rate hikes were indicated earlier in the year, markets are now uncertain if there will be any more moves this year. Chairman Jerome Powell stated that the central bank will make data-driven decisions on a "meeting-by-meeting" basis. The post-meeting statement offered a vague reference to future moves, emphasizing a data-dependent approach. This marks the 11th rate increase since the tightening process began in 2022. Inflation and economic growth continue to be key concerns for the Federal Reserve.

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The Remnant’s Response:

The rate hikes are the latest effort to deal with years of irresponsible and reckless overspending by our elected officials. Until it hurts more to stop our runaway, unsecured money printing, entitlement spending, and trillion-dollar deficits, it looks as if we will continue in our economic obstinance. Consequences are the kindness that changes us and it is doubtful another rate hike will be consequence enough. We have been warned “that the borrower becomes the lenders slave” (Proverbs 22:7) and if America doesn’t deal with its addiction to ever-increasing debt limits it will soon deal with its abdication of freedoms (Galatians 6:9).

Financial ruin, (like other sins) often begins with small, seemingly manageable choices that compound into unmanageable destruction. Part of the deceitfulness of sin and foolishness is that we always believe we can control it while it quickly grows to control us (Hebrews 3:13). As Ayn Rand observed, “you can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.”

This is a time to assess our priorities and dependency on material things, asking God to strengthen our faith and free us from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5). Challenging circumstances should drive us closer to Christ and as the Lord allows increase our generosity toward others in need (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). The financial insecurity in today’s world is an indication that we have trusted in the wrong god to provide for us. The accumulation of massive debt and denying the reality of its consequences creates anxiety and panic. Prayerfully we will get sick of our our ‘same ways’’ and return to the “sane way” of trusting the Lord’s provision and seeking His righteousness and Kingdom ways (Mathew 6:25-34).

Congress Holds Hearing On UFO’s

This week at hearings before the House oversight subcommittee on national security, a former intelligence officer and two fighter pilots testified about their encounters with UFOs/UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena) and their belief that the government is withholding information and evidence about these incidents from Congress and the public.

The witnesses described several first-hand experiences claiming they saw UAPs demonstrating capabilities exceeding any known technology, based on their professional expertise. They expressed frustration with the lack of transparency around data and materials related to these events that are likely held by intelligence agencies and the military.

Members of the oversight subcommittee from both parties appeared united in pressing for more disclosure from the government. They argued that national security concerns do not justify keeping Congress in the dark on UAP incidents that pilots and radar operators are documenting with increasing regularity. The subcommittee indicated it may use its oversight powers to compel the release of records, data, and other evidence if the executive branch remains uncooperative.

The subcommittee hopes public hearings like this will pressure intelligence agencies and the Defense Department to share more of what they know with the appropriate parties outside the executive branch.

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The Remnant’s Response:

The Bible teaches that God created the entire universe (Genesis 1:1) and that humans are uniquely made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). The Earth is portrayed as the focal point of God's purposes and plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. While we would not be offended by the existence of extraterrestrials (God can create whatever He wills and there is no limit to His wisdom), what we do know is that God’s remnant should be the only “aliens” the world is desperately seeking to understand (1 Peter 2:11). While we appropriately demand answers from our governmental leaders, it is worth asking ourselves why we are not more often pressed for answers for our unusually holy lives. (1 Peter 3:15). Our country could use a few more UHL’s.

Meanwhile, and not as convicting, is the reality that honesty and transparency from leadership is essential for maintained trust. The remnant must be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves when it comes to considering information that is put before us. Believers should not get caught up in useless controversies (Titus 3:9), especially about things we cannot fully know or understand. It is worth considering why there is so much attention being given to oddities and speculations when there is so much right before us that is undoubtedly a threat to our wellbeing. While it is appropriate to be curious and understand all we can about our universe and observable phenomena in it, let us not miss what is plainly a threat living presently in our midst. We can continue to speculate about the source of unexplainable phenomena observed by pilots but let us not miss the Truth of this statement right before our eyes, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34).

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Hunter Biden

During a tumultuous court hearing lasting three hours, Hunter Biden's plea deal to evade imprisonment for federal tax crimes fell apart. The rejection of the plea deal by Judge Maryellen Noreika ensured that legal issues would continue to loom over Biden.

The hearing exposed a disagreement between Biden's lawyers and prosecutors over the plea deal's terms, particularly concerning potential immunity from charges related to illegal foreign lobbying. This lack of consensus and clarity led to the collapse of the deal.

Moreover, the judge questioned the constitutionality of a separate gun deal within the plea agreement, expressing concerns about separation of powers principles. The revelation of broad immunity granted to Hunter Biden for issues investigated by the Justice Department added to the controversy surrounding the case.

As the legal proceedings continue, the judge requested both parties to file additional legal briefs defending the constitutionality of the plea deal with regards to the firearms charges. The outcome of the case remains uncertain, and the judge's final decision on sentencing and acceptance of any revised plea deal will have significant implications for Hunter Biden and the ongoing investigations into his actions.

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The Remnant’s Response:

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1). It takes lifetimes to build up a family name, but it only takes one choice to tarnish that name through unwise choices and actions. It’s said that “Trust is gained by teaspoons and lost in buckets.” For some time now, buckets of trust have been spilling out of Washington D.C., and not just with the Biden family. Proverbs 10:9 reminds us, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.” Seemingly small moments of ‘indiscretion’ quickly grow into mountains of trouble.

Each of us will give our own account before God for the “deeds we have done” (2 Corinthians 5:10). This is a good reminder that while there are no perfect parents or children, there is a clear expectation in Scripture that fathers will be rebuked for enabling behavior that is unbecoming to the Lord among their family (1 Samuel 2:22-32). Paul has wise words for the remnant in Ephesians 6: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your mother and father, so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” It is one thing for the world to observe dysfunction in the White House, but it is altogether unacceptable when they see these failures in the remnant. While we are waiting for justice to accomplish its purpose in the Biden family, let us quickly deal with any failure in our own.

Other news you should know:

📈 If you want good stock picks, follow Nancy Pelosi and Dan Crenshaw’s lead while you can. 

🏛️ Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, froze for 19 seconds before being escorted from the podium he was speaking at. There are questions/speculation now surrounding his health.

😓 Ron Desantis’ campaign has laid off 1/3 of their staff as they re-strategize.

🧑🏽‍⚖️ Feds drop campaign charges against SBF.

⚾️ Once-in-a-generation talent, Shohei Ohtani, made history again yesterday.

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