CSN - LightWing New Year’s Messages for 1/1/2023
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe, if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe, stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
John 3: 1-21 (NIV)
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE:
Good day and Happy New Year to our readers! We hope that as our readers, as well as all people all over the world, would be able to prepare adequately for this coming new year. Time usually waits upon no one until preparations have been made. One aspect of the substantial preparation on a very basic level is that foundation laid in the previous year for what needs to be accomplished in 2023. Another obvious aspect of this endeavor is to consider all that must be, or needs to be, accomplished going forward into the new year. These simple considerations essentially show up when people reflect on the key elements of the passing year and when the efforts are made for New Year’s resolutions. However, do people move too quickly past holidays like Christmas or Chanukah and jump into each new year without such mindful considerations? Certainly, for numerous reasons, the New Year should inspire some to set a new course for the year, and maybe for their lives. It is truly a time of new beginning. But, is it logical to leave our Heavenly Father out of our deliberations. Do we even consider what’s God got to do with it?
I submit that at the beginning of 2023, instead of rushing past Jesus’ birthday as if it were a speed bump, Christians and people of faith take some time to consider what God has to do with the rest of the year – or with the rest of their lives… It may determine the difference between a purposeful outcome and one that is purely accidental and non-essential. On such a level, at the beginning of this fresh new year, Christians and all people of faith need to reflect upon their past year and to repent. Repentance for being separated from God bears consideration, but also can generate a more substantial beginning to the new year. And, while on their knees, one can truly consider when Nicodemus came to Jesus. Wasn’t Nicodemus seeking truth? Wasn’t Nicodemus looking at his present and considering the past. Wasn’t Nicodemus looking at his presence and seeking guidance for the future? Jesus’ guidance to Nicodemus is guidance for us all.
Today, our first message offered is a poem from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which was a prayer to the new year of 1945. He included the poem in a letter that he had written to his fiancée Maria von Wedemeyer as more of a communication around Christmas as “a few verses that occurred to me the last evenings.” The letter expressed greeting to Maria and the parents and siblings. The poem relates to his own predicament and that of his family. Bonhoeffer is hopeful, but realistic and he prayed for a future reunion with those he loved. Compared with Bonhoeffer, and Nazi Germany at the time, there should be much with which contemporary patriots can relate.
Our second message is from Apostle Tim Taylor, who asks: “What will you do with the gifts, talents, dreams, and vision God has given you?” We posted this article at the beginning of 2022, but the relevance of the question persists for us this year. Apostle Taylor discusses those gifts, talents, dreams and vision that God gives to each of us (remember we just celebrated a holiday centered around giving?) God is the master of giving. The message (including a video) from Tim Taylor offers encouragement that we become people of action, moving forward and using those gifts to glorify Him. Embedded in the article,here is a link to a 15 minute video that is well worth the watch. I hope you will take the time to view it as Taylor digs deeper into God’s word as he expounds upon this topic.
As Christians, we are truly challenged by God to become born anew. Jesus explained it in a way
that the leaders of the Jewish society could not understand. In fact, those leaders, if Nicodemus was the most enlightened one, did not understand Jesus’ words. In fact, the Sanhedrin leaders felt threatened by Jesus. Yet, God sent his only begotten son to the Earth that the people of the world could have new life. God provided us the opportunity to share His work in expanding his kingdom across the globe. We are privileged to have the opportunity to help accomplish His will.
I also submit that our edition today will be truncated due to finalizing substantial preparations for the coming year. Enjoy what the Citizen Sentinels Network is offering as we continue to create a more substantial foundation for the brand new year of 2023.
May God bless you and your loved ones in 2023 and make apparent to you how you might use your gifts, talents, dreams and vision to glorify him. Pray that you will, with God’s help, take those opportunities seriously and prepare to achieve or fulfill them!
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
As always, we hope our readers would consider all the messages in this edition relevant or meaningful, and if readers know others who might value them as well, please consider being one of our official LightWing messengers and pass this newsletter on to those whom you feel would be able to welcome it. Or simply, please receive it yourselves. May God bless all of our readers and their families. May God bless America! Have a Most Blessed New Year!
May we humble ourselves, seek His face, repent, and turn from wickedness - even if that may involve ceasing our indifference towards the gifts God has given to each of us. We need to consider where we have come from and where we are going. We can determine our reality if only we bring God into the midst of it. May we seek His guidance and may we transform our lives in the way He wants: to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness.
“By Powers of Good” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Prayer for a New Year
By Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Berlin, December 19, 1944 (Trans. T. Boerger)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) Tr. Fred Pratt Green and Keith Clements English versification *© Copyright Stainer & Bell Ltd. Adapted by permission of SCM Press from Bonhoeffer’s ‘Powers of Good’, Letters and Papers from Prison, 1971
By kindly pow’rs encircled, silent and true,
So gloriously guarded and wondrously cheered,
I long to live these fleeting days beside you,
And journey with you into a new year.
Still would the past our hearts torment and harry;
Still crushed are we by weight of bitter days.
Oh, Lord, please pour into our startled souls
The endless life for which You have us made.
And should You proffer us the heavy cup
Of bitter grief, filled up unto the brim,
In thanks we take it without any trembling,
Received as from Your good and dearest hand.
But should You give us once again Your joy
Upon this world and in the bright sun’s light,
Then we will contemplate the former things
And back to You will render our whole life.
So warm and bright may now the candles glow,
Which You have brought into our deepest night.
Lead us, if it may be, back to each other;
We know that in the darkness shines Your Light.
And when the silence deep spreads all around us,
Then let us hear those swelling tunes begin
From world unseen which all about us widens
As all Your children raise their highest hymns.
By kindly powers wonderfully harbored,
We boldly live in hope, so come what may;
For God is near in evening and in morning,
And surely He is with us each new day.
—RSHA Prison, Berlin, 1944
What will you do with the gifts, talents, dreams, and vision God has given you?
By Tim Taylor
December 26, 2021
The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 teaches us a powerful lesson about Christmas. The question is, what will you do with the gifts, dreams and vision God has given you?
Les Brown said, “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”
Discover in this short video what God has been revealing about our gifts and how it speaks to our purpose and destiny. The question is, what is hindering you from pursuing your dreams and vision? Do you want to hear "well done you good and faithful servant?" "Enter into the joy of the Lord?" I do. How about you?
Did you know that is a good thing? Is God really glorified when we do well? Discover what Jesus revealed in John 15 and Matthew 25. You'll be amazed. Click here for "Is God really glorified when we do well?"
Apostle Tim Taylor is the Founder, and overseer of Kingdom League International & the 1Church1Day strategy. His main message today is via a video presentation and it is quite powerful. We are grateful that we are able to share his messages on a somewhat regular basis with his blessing. His blog site: https://www.1church1day.org/blog
Onward and Upward!
From The Chosen: A scene from The Chosen - John 3:16 - 7/11/2020
From Audrey Assad: Be Thou My Vision by Audrey Assad — Official Music Video - 6/7/2016
From World Outreach Church: It Is Time to Pray | Pastor Allen Jackson – 12/28/2022
From CMA Awards 2020: Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire & Chris Tomlin - "Be a Light" - 11/12/20
From The Academy of Ideas: Why Do People Flee from Freedom? - 12/20/21
From Ray Charles: America The Beautiful by Ray Charles - (Live in Washington, D.C.) - 10/14/2014
From Jonathan Cahn: How to Stand Strong in the End Times | Jonathan Cahn Weekly Special - 12/31/21
From Casting Crowns: Praise You In This Storm (Live from YouTube Space New York) - 9/10/19
From World Is Dangerous: Crazy flooding in San Francisco CA! Storm with a record rainfall in one day! - 12/31/22
From Michael W Smith: LET IT RAIN & HEALING RAIN by Michael W Smith - ft. Alex Seeley (LIVE CONCERT VIDEO) - from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN) - 5/15/20
From The American Minute with Bill Federer: American Minute for January 1 – 1/1/2022 (Slaves were freed on this day in 1863 as Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican President, read the Emancipation Proclamation against the wishes of Southern Democrats).
From YouTube: The 10 Days That Changed The World, Washington's Crossing the Delaware, 1h - 4/19/2013
From George Washington's Mount Vernon: The Winter Patriots: A Revolutionary War Tale (Full Movie) - 5/31/2015
ICYMI > From Dinesh D’Souza: How Christianity Brought Forth the Ideal of Moral Equality Among Human Beings – 12/23/2022
Recommended Resources - follow the links…
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?