Digital Currency And You in These Strange Times

​You hear a lot about how the world is setting the stage for worldwide digital currency. And people are voicing their opinions strongly on all sides. Even Jim and I have our thoughts on the matter and are spending time accomplishing things we need to in our own home and lives preparing for this possibility. Yet, one thing we are hearing above all the standard din, is concern which could lead to fear. I keep asking people who bring it up, one key question:

​Is it digital currency that is the issue or is it that you are concerned about taking the “Mark”?

I ask this because, let’s face it, for the last several decades we have ALL been using digital currency, whether we like it or not. Many will shout out that they have NOT been, that they have only been using cash everywhere. But I am almost certain that somehow, somewhere they have used digital currency in some way. Debit cards, credit cards and direct electronic payments have been going into and out of your bank accounts for years. You have been paying your bills online, too, or maybe YOU don’t pay them – instead your bank does it automatically.

We have been doing digital for some time. The latest conversations are that it is going to become a worldwide requirement. Is THAT a real concern? Yes – for a number of reasons. We have all seen how the Euro worked – it had its pros and cons, it worked in some areas, while not in others. And that was just one area of the world.

Even more than the Euro experience is how many people are concerned all this is a sign of the Mark of the Beast mentioned in scripture. It IS possible that what we see happening now is a precursor or a test of methods for making one type of payment work for all things we need.

Conspiracy theory? No, just taking into consideration all the that we see happening – the physical evidence happening all around us. For example, the US doing away with giving change in many stores and attaching that leftover money onto your store card or a gift card. Doing this puts you in the position of being pressured into only digital payments. At our local stores there are options to use now if you don’t have a debit or credit card you can attach a card or bank account to things such as Kroger Pay, Walmart Pay, Apple Pay, digital coin wallets. Even Paypal is taken at some of our dollar stores and other businesses. I am sure that other stores around the country are doing the same. Cash is definitely STRONGLY discouraged these days.

How about the example of masks? How many stores started to forbid people access to food and other needs unless you are wearing their mark of choice right now? You know what I mean – the mask. We and those we know have experienced it – even at a pharmacy to pick up necessary medications. How many people, if you don’t wear a mask, show their strong disdain, even hate, toward you as though you are committing some horrific sin or crime? Some smaller stores, too, WILL NOT do business with you unless you are wearing the mark of the mask.

I am sure you could add your own experiences to this short list. As the evidence piles up, we can see a definite pattern of strange events to make us think about the warnings in prophecy from scriptures. The key is, though, the difference between watching with caution and purpose, or allowing it to set fear in our hearts.
We shouldn’t fear what is happening – not at all. Haven’t we already known for years what will be coming from Yahweh’s word? Doesn’t He also counsel us that fear is not of Him, that it IS however from the Adversary? When we fear, we may place ourselves in a position to think less clearly and may make mistakes or missteps which throw us off the path Yahweh would have us take. So, let’s not walk in fear, and instead be attentive to what is going on around us. As we do, we may need to adjust aspects of our life to fit into what is happening.

For now, there are ways around the ever-changing rules for obtaining food and supplies. We need to seize these opportunities whenever they arise. Sales to stock up, produce markets to put up harvest for winter, assessing local businesses who are more willing to assist us in these strange times. Seek resources that will work with you and your family.

Although there are still shortages of some items and in some areas, and although prices are rising on some products in many areas, for now we still have fairly easy access to much of what we need. Much of what we are doing is definitely still digital in that we may have to order online, pay online, and delivery men bring it to our doors or we pick up at stores. Use them, now, because one day soon that may change.

Now is the time we need to make the effort through prayer and discussion with our spouse to decide what we are going to do if and when that change comes. There seems to be a lot of discussion in various circles including government, news sources, and religious circles, that at some point in the near future our US government may request or require that we be vaccinated for this virus, or be denied access to food and services. Some states governors have discussed not allowing people to get or renew driver’s licenses without proof of the vaccine.

We need to pay attention to these threats and prepare ourselves and our families, NOW. We need to have our backup plan in place. If you cannot buy food without a vaccine, what will you do? If your local government says you cannot make a payment on your property taxes without covid-proof, what will you do?

f you cannot buy gas for your car?

Do you have a back-up food supply? Or local food suppliers? Abilities to garden?

Do you have a back-up financial supply or method?

Do you have things stored that you can barter?

I pray, in all of this, we do not worry, we do not fear, yet we sensibly take the words from Proverbs to heart. Take precautions, for ourselves and as much as possible, for those we love.

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” (Proverbs 22:3 NLT, Reiterated in Proverbs 27:12)

Take comfort in His word, too……

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 KJV

Shalom
 
- Judith Garton
 

For Reference:
https://www.kroger.com/f/kroger-mobile-pay-faqs
https://www.walmart.com/cp/walmart-pay/3205993

---

Audio Blog Now Available