Remember Who We Are :: By Bill Wilson

We are beginning the year 2024 with many great uncertainties. There are wars and rumors of wars. Certainly, Israel is God’s timepiece, and our eyes’ focus on the Middle East will lend us discernment of the times.

There is turmoil in much of the world that has been generated by the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas against the unarmed men, women, and children of Israel. The nations surrounding Israel are also talking of war. Missiles are being shot from Lebanon and Gaza. Syria remains hostile. Iran has its “advisors” on the ground in Lebanon and Gaza. Turkey’s leadership speaks favorably of Hamas. There are riots around the world by those supporting Hamas. The world is becoming even darker.

Here in the United States, there is medical, political, and economic disruption. The federal government has joined with big pharma to control you through fearmongering about your health. The political elite are using politically appointed judges and the administrative/deep state to undermine your vote and choose the leaders they want to rule over you.

In addition, there are Marxist forces at every level of government using their positions to attack your rights as citizens and as parents. The public school system is a breeding ground for anti-God, anti-parental rights, and statism. The government and corporate media are conspiring to censor your thoughts and voice. The economy is heavily influenced by leftist theories and social scoring.

Even churches are in a disruptive phase. The forsaking of teaching sound doctrine in deference to feel-good, emotional, political correctness, and self-indulgence has succumbed to a falling away. The cumulative effect is a tremendous exodus of young people who see “church” as feckless and hypocritical.

We have fast approached the time, if we are not in it already, prophesied in 2 Timothy 4:3, “For there will be a time when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to the own desires, having an itching ear, they will gather around them teachers to suit themselves.”

The instability of double-mindedness has become the norm, and those who discern well are looked upon with disdain.

These are days of great testing. They are the days when we, as disciples of Christ, must remember who we are. As Christ said in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Whilst we live in our home nation, we are royal priests making up a holy nation set apart to do the work of the Father. No matter the condition of the world, let us remember who we are.

Posted in The Daily Jot

Brace yourself: Caesar Becomes More Oppressive in 2024 :: By Bill Wilson

Despite Congress and the Biden Administration’s bragging about not raising taxes, in 2024, your taxes will be significantly raised due to the expiration of the Trump-era tax cuts. In fact, the standard deduction of $26,000 for married couples filing jointly will be cut in half—that’s $13,000 married couples will lose to the government right off the top.

Americans are faced with record inflation eating away at household incomes largely because of the Biden Administration’s economic policies—the cost of food and fuel at levels never before experienced by this generation. Many Americans are suffering from the squeeze between their expendable income and an increase in the cost of items consumed.

In addition to the economic pressures, tax breaks that eased financial burdens are going away. The Hartford’s Gene Marks explains,

“A lot of these changes have to do with the 2017 Tax Act that was passed under the Trump administration. That tax act had a lot of provisions and benefits for individuals and small businesses, and a lot of the provisions of that tax act are starting to expire. So now, let me explain what I mean. At the end of 2025, individual tax rates are gonna go back to the 2017 levels, with the top tax rate going up to close to 39%…. The bottom line is taxes take a huge bite of your income, and there are significant changes coming to taxes over the next couple of years, and you need to be aware and take action now.”

This is due to Congress not renewing the Trump tax breaks and the IRS increasing its enforcement.

Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride says there is great pessimism among Americans regarding their financial future. McBride stated on Bankrate.com,

“A staggering 61 percent of those not expecting their financial situation to improve point to continued high inflation as a culprit–nearly twice that of any other reason. Of the 37 percent of households expecting improved finances in the new year, higher income, better spending habits, and less debt are the most common explanations for their optimism.”

Anna N’Jie-Konte, president and director of financial planning for Re-Envision Wealth, agrees:

“High interest rates, widespread layoffs, and staggering inflation at the grocery store are all real pressures folks currently feel. There is no relief in sight; therefore, it’s not hard to understand why Americans are pessimistic about their personal financial prospects.”

According to a recent CBS News poll,

“Inflation’s impact may even go beyond the immediate pressure on Americans’ pocketbooks, to a larger sense that it is stifling opportunity in America and the deeper sense that the nation’s economic troubles of recent years have been, as a whole, tougher than others it has faced in generations.”

Piling on another tax increase while politicians are saying there are no tax increases just adds to the financial burden suffered by most Americans.

Christ said in Mark 12:17, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Caesar is oppressive in all things, but in God, there is perfect freedom. Lean in to the Lord, stand fast, and seek first the kingdom of God.

https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/personal-finances-outlook-survey/#not-improving

https://sba.thehartford.com/media/podcasts/7-upcoming-tax-changes/?cmp=EMC-SC-SBA-48653855&eml=1

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-poll-inflation-impact-living-standards-opportunity-2023-12-10/

Posted in The Daily Jot