CSN - LightWing Messages - 5/21/2023
Prayer
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
your kingdom come,
Your Will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:5 - 15 (NIV) ……
Last week began with a celebration of Mother’s Day and yesterday was intended to be a day of offering appreciation for the men and women of the Armed Forces. In considering more deeply these two holidays serving as “bookends for the week, it occurred to me that without mothers there would be no men and women to fill the ranks of the military, but without those who serve the country to preserve our freedoms, fear would dominate the land and there would be much less Liberty and fewer mothers giving birth who would feel new Life would be preserved. This is not just the meanderings of an old man’s mind. History reveals declining birth rates in nations where the population has been disturbed or the society has been disrupted. Loss of freedom generates tremendous upheaval in a society. So, it is natural as well as healthy for a society to honor the mothers and appreciate those who willingly serve to protect the nation.
Today’s messages turn to focus on freedom which God gave humanity to choose to pursue the temptations arising from the secular world. We have two messages that focus on the concerns of temptation. The message I offered at Easter this year CSN - LightWing Messages also dealt with Jesus’ concerns over the temptations over those whom he brought with him to pray that they may not enter into temptation: “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40) His heart of concern was intensely real at that time as this admonition was repeated three times to his closest disciples. Yet, they all fell asleep.
Today, it is clear that American Christianity has fallen asleep and has succumbed to the multiple levels of temptation. The fruit of surrendering to the abundance of temptation is not hard to find. Nevertheless, I am filled with the profound sense that the tide of faith is turning in God’s favor as He turns all things to good. So, as I mentioned last week, amidst “this culture of corruption and promotion of death… there are rays of golden light penetrating the darkness.” The rays of light are there for those who have eyes to see. These rays of light exist because God still loves His children. However, we, as God’s children need to do a better job of staying awake and resisting temptation.
Thus, we have two strong messages today. The first one is from Dr. Robert Owens and is an excerpt from his book, Hope. It is entitled, “Lead Me Not Into Temptation.” Dr. Owens presents a very honest and transparent message in dealing with his own temptations. He is not offering an intellectual philosophizing message about dealing with temptation. Christians, as well as all folks of faith should read his article if they also have trouble resisting temptations.
The second message, by no means is secondary, it is just second. The message was delivered over 100 years ago by the great evangelist, Charles Finney. His lecture entitled, “Temptations must be put away,” is quite provocative as he places the responsibility upon humanity for the effort to resist temptations. His perspective is more in alignment with my belief that it was man’s responsibility (as well as woman’s) in the Garden of Eden to resist the temptations of Lucifer. It was Jesus who set the example of how we all should resist temptations. Jesus, as God’s son, reversed the failure of the First Adam and showed us all how to do it. And for those who still think that it is God who leads us into temptation unless we ask Him not too, I humbly suggest that readers revisit my message about the Lord’s Prayer: CSN - LightWing Messages-3/12/2023
Again, we hope that readers can check out some of the other features we offer today. I have put in a link to my article on Military Appreciation Day in our “News From The Growing Free Union ” section, in case anyone missed it. We also have some great videos we hope readers check out.
A reminder that our Zoom calls are continuing on each Wednesday at 5pm PDT (6pm MDT; 7pm CDT; and 8pm EDT). This coming Wednesday, we will have a discussion on the articles we offer today. We had a good interview session last week with James Harrison, founder of the Natural Family Foundation and radio commentator. He is an activist in Ohio, and those who tuned in this past Wednesday learned about his efforts to create a month-long “Celebration of the Family” as a national holiday. We had provided information about his initiative in previous editions, and also reference it in this edition by offering a link to the Natural Family Foundation website. Readers are reminded that his effort began on Mother’s Day and will continue through to Father’s Day in mid-June. Start celebrating the family with us!
If readers would like to partake in this upcoming Zoom call on Wednesday and take part in our discussion, please reach out. Readers who are interested in receiving the Zoom link to the call, are asked to please send a brief email request to this address: d.jamzon@gmail.com
CSN LightWing Mission – Zoom call Wednesday 5/17/23 at 5:00pm PST
Finally, please note that with reference to messes that need to be fixed, our Citizen Voice Survey revealed much to us, and we have assessed the answers and are making adjustments and serious changes to the Citizen Voice newsletter first, based on the answers we received. It involves taking a different approach to the Tuesday Bulletin as we are unhitching it (unpinning) from the Tuesday weekly posting position. It has come ‘unhinged’ already, as this past Saturday, the Citizen Sentinels Network posted the Founder’s Message, which included a recent article I wrote: “Truman’s Moral Fiber was Behind Military Appreciation Day.” The one referenced above.
We thank everyone again who sent in responses to the survey. It showed up that you care. Our implementation of changes shows that we care about readers’ opinions, and the changes being made will now continue the streamlining process on into the summer.
As always, we hope our readers would consider all the messages in this edition meaningful, or relevant in some way, and if readers know others who might value the messages as well, please consider passing this newsletter on to those whom you feel would welcome it. Or simply, please receive it yourselves. We are now in process of evaluating our communication efforts and our options going forward. We are now more conscious of the contents of our newsletters. Soon a decision will be made regarding the future course of our communications endeavors. Much is happening in this Cosmic Battle that the world is immersed in at this time.
These words are being freely offered to you and are intended to shine light unto our paths, as it was written: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 - KJV
May God bless all of our readers and all of their loved ones. May God bless America!
May we truly seek an honest and genuine relationship with our Father in Heaven - He seeks a relationship with His children – He always has sought such a relationship with His children. Let our love for Him show up as our way of truly loving Him back.
Lead Me Not Into Temptation
By Dr. Robert Owens [This is an excerpt from the book Hope by Dr. Owens] April 25, 2023 (submission date)
The title of this essay is a line from the model prayer Jesus taught us something the Apostle James also points out, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” Or, as it says in the Message, “Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, ‘God is trying to trip me up.’ God is impervious to evil and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust.”
It’s us and only us who choose to sin, to turn our backs on good and embrace evil. “Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood and becomes a real killer.”
Just like everyone else who’s wandered this earth since the fall of man I struggle with temptation. It matters little that I know these struggles come from my own lust. I still have a battle on my hands. And just like everyone else I can stand strong against most temptations but I do have those sins which so easily ensnare me in their web of momentary pleasure and future guilt. These are the things I struggle with. Anyone who’s honest with themselves will admit they have the same situation.
Recently after a service I had a man ask for counsel about this very thing. All I could do is all I can ever do; share my witness.
When I’m faced with the temptation to fall into my pet sins, which I face daily, I admit I’m not strong enough to resist the temptation. These sins have years, decades even of practice in enticing me to wander from God’s path of obedience. My own lusts have their spiritual hands on all the right levers to pull me away. How can I resist? Who’ll save me from myself?
Christ has come to set us free and when He sets us free we’re free indeed. I know that’s what the word says. But how do I get in on all this freedom when I’ve spent so much of my life as a willing slave to these sins?
The first step is to admit my inability to resist the sin. And to realize that these thorns in my flesh are there to protect me from pride and to shape me into what the Lord intends me to be. It’s the act of surrender, of admitting my inability to resist that makes a way. You see when I get to the end of my rope if I give up my struggle and ask Jesus to use His strength to resist the temptation for me, I can walk unscathed through the fires of my lust. When I’m weak then I’m strong because Christ’s strength is perfected in weakness.
We’ll never be tempted by more than we can endure and in every temptation there’s a way of escape. This is one of the many promises we can hold on to when we face our pet sins across the gulf of temptation. Think of how the Lord himself resisted temptation in the wilderness. He used the Word of God to rebuke Satan.
In the same way we need to have the Word of God in us if we want to have the strength to admit our weakness so we can find His strength.
Walking with God can sound and feel like walking backwards to anyone steeped in the wisdom of the world. For the wisdom of God is foolishness to the wise of this world. Just as the weakness of a sinner becomes the strength of the saint as hand in hand with the Man who stilled the sea we give it all to Jesus so He can give it back to us.
Those who seek to keep their lives lose them and those who give their lives away keep them for all eternity.
How do we resist temptation? We trust Jesus to do it for us since every sin was paid for at the cross. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. And you will be saved. That isn’t pie in the sky. That isn’t a hollow promise for the great by-an-by. That is a constant reality for the here and now.
When those pesky old sins reach up and try to drag us down remember we aren’t out here all alone. Once we’ve given ourselves to God in and through Jesus it’s no longer just us facing these struggles it’s Christ within us the hope of Glory.
This is an excerpt from the book Hope by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon.
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, Global Studies, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @
http://drrobertowens.com
© 2021 / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens / Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Parler, Facebook, Twitter, Gab, or MeWe @ Drrobertowens, Hope and all his books are available in paperback or Kindle at Amazon.
TEMPTATIONS MUST BE PUT AWAY
by the Rev. C. G. Finney
"The Oberlin Evangelist"
October 7, 1840.
Professor Finney's Lectures. LECTURE XIX.
Editor’s Note: The following only represents the full message from Charles G. Finney, the legendary evangelist and one of the leaders of the Second Great Awakening that took place in America from 1790 – 1840. Additionally, there are footnotes to this lecture are available as a compilation of his remarks in the form of an explication of his message. A full transcript can be found by using this link: TEMPTATIONS MUST BE PUT AWAY by Charles G. Finney
TEXT – Mat. 5:29-30: "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
In discussing this subject I will show:
I. THAT THINGS IN THEMSELVES LAWFUL AND EVEN IMPORTANT, MAY, BY SINFUL INDULGENCES, BECOME A CAUSE AND A SOURCE OF STUMBLING TO THE SOUL.
II. THAT HOWEVER DEAR, AND EVEN IMPORTANT THEY MAY BE, IF THROUGH ABUSE, THEY, AS A MATTER OF FACT, ARE THE CAUSE OF OUR FALLING INTO BONDAGE TO SIN, THEY MUST BE PUT AWAY.
III. THAT TO CONTINUE THE TEMPTATION, IN SUCH CASES, AND EXPECT GRACE TO OVERCOME IT, IS TO TEMPT GOD.
IV. IF ANY FORM OF TEMPTATION IS ALLOWED TO HAVE DOMINION OVER US, WE ARE INEVITABLY AND FOR EVER LOST.
I. Things in themselves lawful and even important, may, by sinful indulgence, become a cause and a source of stumbling to the soul.
1. This is plainly implied in the text. The text plainly lays down a principle, and a strong case is supposed by way of illustration. If thy right hand or thy right eye offend thee; that is--cause thee to offend--cut off the hand and pluck out the eye. What is more important to us than a right hand or right eye? It is as if the Savior had said, If these things, which are the most important to you, as a matter of fact, become a snare and lead you into sin, put them away. Here it is as plainly implied as possible, that the most lawful and useful things, may become a snare to our souls.
2. It is a very common occurrence. Who does not know, that his eyes, and his ears, his friends, his employments, his possessions, his bodily appetites, and multitudes of useful things, may, by perversion, be made a snare to the soul.
II. However dear and even important they may be, if, through abuse, they, as a matter of fact, are the cause of our falling into bondage to sin, they must be put away.
1. Because, as the text affirms, it is profitable for us; that is--our own good demands it. "For it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
2. It must be put away because whatever is prized more than sin is hated, is our idol and our god. That is our god which we supremely regard. If we supremely love Jehovah, we shall sooner part with any thing than offend Him. Hence Christ teaches that, except a man hate his father, and mother, and brother, and sister, and even his own life, for Christ's sake, he cannot be his disciple. If any thing is loved or prized in comparison with God, we have no religion at all. If a man, therefore, does not dread sin more than he dreads death, he is no disciple of Christ. If there is any thing in the world that he loves more than he hates sin, any thing whatever, that would be spared, notwithstanding it kept him in bondage to sin, he is not, and cannot be a disciple of Christ. I speak of course of those things that can be put away by us, by an act of self-denial on our part. And if there is any kind or degree of self-denial which we would not prefer to being in sin, then, if the Bible is true, we are not the disciples of Christ. Let it be understood, now, that I do not speak of some very rare and high attainments in piety; but of a universal condition of discipleship. Christ has laid it down in as strong language as any in which it can be expressed. He uses the strongest language, without seeming to fear being misunderstood. He says, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
III. To continue the temptation in such case, and expect grace to overcome it, is to tempt God.
1. Because Christ has taught us to pray, that we may not be tempted. Now what is tempting God, if this is not--to pray that we may not be tempted, without using all the means in our power to avoid temptation? Suppose, that a drunkard should pray against temptations to intemperance, and still keep his side-board loaded down with all kinds of tempting liquors? I know it is sometimes related of persons, that they have set some tempting object continually before them, to show the strength of their resolution to overcome. Whether there is any truth in such reported cases I know not; but this I know, that it is very unwise. And, if persons are instructed, it is nothing less than tempting God to suffer a temptation that can be removed at our pleasure, and that actually brings us into sin, to continue before us and exert its influence upon us.
2. It is tempting God, because grace was never designed to purchase exemption from self-sacrifice, and self-denial; but to lead to them and support the soul under them.
3. To suffer the temptation in such cases to continue is to tempt God; because grace was never designed to purchase exemption from cross-bearing, cutting off right hands, and plucking out right eyes, and putting away our idols, and those indulgences that over come us. But grace was designed to enable us to empty ourselves of all those things.
4. It is enough for the servant to be as his master. Christ, as a man, was obliged to watch and
deny Himself, and keep Himself clear of those besetments and temptations that would naturally overcome Him. His Apostles followed in his steps. Paul found it indispensable to keep his body under, to mortify his members which were upon the earth; and it is an unalterable law of the kingdom of grace, that men must put away those weights and easily besetting sins that hinder and overcome them, or they will never enter into the kingdom of God. Therefore, to continue the temptation and expect grace to overcome it, is to "turn the grace of God into lasciviousness."
IV. If any form of temptation is allowed to have dominion over us, we are inevitably and forever lost.
1. Because it is a state of impenitence. He is an impenitent sinner, who prefers living in sin, to cutting off a right hand or plucking out a right eye.
2. To suffer a temptation that prevails over us to continue, when by an act of self-denial on our part we can put it away, is but to confirm a state of impenitence. Every day and hour we suffer ourselves to continue under such an influence, the bonds of impenitence are strengthening, until we are hopelessly delivered up to the dominion of our besetting sins.
3. To suffer any form of temptation to continue, which as a matter of fact leads us into sin--which temptation can be put away by us--is totally inconsistent with any degree of holiness. Suffering the temptation under such circumstances is an impenitent state of mind. It is the opposite of all holiness. It so supremely loves the darling object as to refuse to part with it, although as a matter of fact it leads us to sin against God! I say again, that this is not merely a state of defective piety; it must be a state of no piety at all.
To refresh reader’s memories, Charles Finney agreed to become a professor at Oberlin Collegiate Institute (known as Oberlin College after 1850) in 1835, with the agreement that he could continue to preach in New York, where he was from. In 1851, the professor became the second president of the college. Oberlin College became the first college in the United States to admit women and blacks as students in addition to white men. In fact, Oberlin is the oldest co-educational college in the United States.
Finney was a firm believer that Christians needed to work to build the Kingdom of God on earth. He believed the truly faithful would be able to usher in the Millennium by eliminating the “great and sore evils” of the world, which he identified in fiery fashion. If one reads the sermons Finney preached in his time, perceptive individuals can see his words also apply in such a time as this. The words he shared then could be shared across America today, which again is in a time of tense divisiveness, and void of true moral leadership for the most part. (Description from Tim Taylor - Kingdom League international)
We’re Celebrating Natural Family Month!
Pursuing A Natural Family Celebration! - As a positive approach to repairing our nation, Mr. James Harrison, National Director of Natural Family Strong www.naturalfamilystrong.com has initiated a new holiday in his area as a way to celebrate the Family! In concert with other local community leaders, Natural Family Strong proposed earlier this year to make the time period between Mother's Day in May through Father's Day in June an annual celebration of the Natural Family. At the LightWing Messages, we believe in the effort and support it wholeheartedly. We’re attempting to offer as much support as possible by keeping readers up to date on efforts aligned with such a month-long celebration at the local or regional levels. Those who would like to get involved, or to get more information, please call 614-890-4008 for more details and please don't hesitate to leave a message. Let them know if you’re interested in learning more or participating.
Or reply to: christianminman@gmai
Start Celebrating Natural Family Month Too!
Onward and Upward!
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From The Eric Metaxas Radio Show: The Church Needs to Take the Rainbow Back - Eric Metaxas and Rabbi Schneider – 5/16/23
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From The American Minute with Bill Federer: American Minute for May 21 - The American Red Cross was organized on this day in 1881 by Clara Barton. – posted 5/20/21
Podcast - From Dutch Sheets Ministries: Hell’s Portals Hidden in Plain Sight | Give Him 15: Daily Prayer with Dutch | July 12, 2022
From Jordan Peterson: Finding Light in the Darkest Moments – 5/20/21
Podcast - From Rev Dr James Kearny: How I Woke Up to the Reality of Spiritual Warfare - 2/17/23
Video Shorts - From Dr. Preston Moon: Leadership and Self-Mastery #shorts – 11/21/22
Recommended Reading…
From Crosswalk.com: 8 Ways You Can Control Your Anger – 5/18/23
From BIBLIATODO: Kirk Cameron and Franklin Graham "united to spread the voice of God" defending children and family – 5/18/23
From ChristianHeadlines.com: We Can Never Fully Avoid the Consequences of a Wrong Decision - 5/19/23
From Crosswalk.com: Timothy Keller: a Legacy of Admirable Faith and Wisdom - Tim Keller (1950 - 2023)
From Craig Huey.com: Weaponized DOJ/FBI Double Standard: Anti-Christian Trans Vandal Goes Free After Vandalizing Catholic Church but Arrests Pro-Life Christians - 5/16/22
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ICYMI > From Kingdom Winds: Build Your Kingdom Life - Part 6 – 4/18/23
What affects one, can affect all!
* News From The Growing Free Union -
From The Gateway Pundit: WAYNE ROOT: Everyone Has Missed Real Revelation of the Durham Report: Obama is the REAL 'Big Guy.' Obama is the Criminal Mastermind. Obama Committed Treason - 5/19/23
From American Greatness: Look Ahead, Not Backwards, to Hold the Justice Department Accountable - 5/19/23
From Washington Examiner: Sweeping abortion pill ruling to be reviewed by conservative appeals court - 5/17/23
From The Christian Post: 5 findings of the Durham Report: No criminal misconduct, 'confirmation bias' - 5/20/22
From Washington Examiner: About those ‘book bans’ - 5/16/23
ICYMI > From Canada Free Press by Dennis Jamison: Truman’s Moral Fiber was Behind Military Appreciation Day - 5/20/23
ICYMI > From The Free Now Foundation: Dr. Naomi Wolf Exposes CDC Fraud: Walensky Resigns – 5/9/23
* News From the States –
News From Arizona -
From The Gateway Pundit (w/ video): EXCLUSIVE: TGP's Jordan Conradson Interviews Kari Lake After Maricopa County Signature Verification Fraud Trial - 5/20/23
News From California -
From OreoExpress: Live Part 2 - Fresno Freedom Fest - Incredible Speakers Including Kash Patel - 5/20/23
ICYMI > From The Free Now Foundation: (just started!) NHF: The World's First Health Freedom Organization - 5/10/23
News From Florida -
From Washington Examiner: DeSantis bans children from going to drag shows and receiving gender transition procedures - 5/17/23
News From Maryland -
From Washington Examiner: Baltimore's failures are what happens when cities embrace anti-police activism - 5/17/23
News From Massachusetts -
From The Daily Signal: Soros-backed Federal Prosecutor Rachael Rollins Resigns in Disgrace - 5/19/23
Recommended Resources - follow the links…
From ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry: Pray for Israel
Excellent Election Education Resource: US 2020 Election Fraud at a Glance
Excellent Non-Partisan Election Resource: Election Integrity Project California
Excellent Constitution Education Resource: LIBERTY TREE ONLINE UNIVERSITY
Excellent Citizen-Patriot News Resource: Steve Bannon's War Room
Excellent Citizen-Patriot News Resource: From Frank Speech - the Home of Free Speech
Excellent Citizen Comprehensive Resource: David Horowitz Freedom Center
Excellent Expose’ of Political Prisoners within the US: American Gulag
Excellent Source of CRT information for parents: Moms for America
Excellent Christian Homeschool Resource:
https://ed-exit.com/
Excellent Citizen Activist Resource: Precinct Strategy: Home
Excellent Guide to Protecting Families: A Guide to Protecting Your Family From the Coming Insurrection and Violence 1 ARE YOU SAFE?