CSN Sunday - LightWing Messages for 1/2/2022
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So, I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
“‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth…’” Matthew 25:1-30 (NIV)
A CITIZEN SENTINEL’S MESSAGE:
Good day and Happy New Year to our readers!
For some reason, the New Year inspires some to set a new course for their lives. It is like a new beginning. Weight loss is a common goal. How about exercising more and spending more time with family. These are just a few resolutions that I have heard this year already.
In today’s article, Tim Taylor discusses the gifts, talents, dreams and vision that God gives to each of us with an encouragement that we become people of action, moving forward and using those gifts to glorify Him. In the article, there 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 know that God saves us by his grace, not because of our merit or works. And
yet, God has provided us the opportunity to share his work in expanding his kingdom in this world. He doesn’t need us to accomplish his will. However, we are privileged to have the opportunity. All we do that brings glory to him accomplishes that purpose. Interestingly, God has even arranged for those opportunities to come before us. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance so that we would walk in them.” (EHV) Often, those opportunities to use our gifts are right there in front of us. We may even see them but decide not to become involved, thinking we don’t have time, we aren’t good enough or a hundred other reasons that seem to justify our inaction.
May God bless you in 2022 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 and run with them!
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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?"
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Onward and Upward!
From CMA Awards 2020: Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire & Chris Tomlin - "Be a Light" - 11/12/20
From Dutch Sheets Ministries: We Will Not Shrink Back, Give Up, or Give In w/ Greg Hood | Give Him 15: Daily Prayer with Dutch | Dec. 31, 2021
From Natalie Grant: Praise You In This Storm (Official Music Video) - 9/17/20
Mario Murillo Ministries: Mario Murillo Prophecy 🔥 Strong Word in The GOD's Plan - 12/27/2021
From Home Free: How Great Thou Art by Home Free - 10/28/2016
Behold Israel with Amir Tsarfati: The Deception of the Nations by Amir Tsarfati - 12/30/2021
Independence Day Tribute: "This Is My Song” Independence Day Tribute: "This Is My Song" - 7/4/2011
Review > From Jonathan Cahn: The end Time Response [From The End of Days (Message 813)] - 12/7/2021
From Angel City Chorale: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Theel - 10/18/2015
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American Minute by William J. Federer - American Minute for January 1 - 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.
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Recommended Reading…
From National Pulse: Pfizer Partnered With China's Vaccine Passport Platform, Admits Being 'Proud To Stand With China Leaders.' - 12/29/21
From CBN News: Lawmakers Back Navy SEALs Who Sued Biden and Pentagon for Refusing Religious Exemption from Vaccine - 12/21/21
From Homiletic & Pastoral Review: The Church's Teaching on Marriage, Part One - Homiletic & Pastoral Review - 12/24/21
From The American Mind - Salvo: Between Creed and Clan - The American Mind - The question of American identity and citizenship has always been complex. - 12/22/21
From The Epoch Times: USA Swimming Official Quits Over Trans Swimmer Competing Against Women - 12/25/21
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What affects one, can affect all!
From FOX News: American icon Betty White dead at 99 - 12/31/2021
News From Colorado -
From CBN News: 3 People Still Missing in Colorado Wildfires, Community Unites to Help those in Need - 1/2/21
News From Florida -
From LETUSWORSHIP: 'New Years Eve Recap - Miami Florida - Sean Feucht - posted 1/1/21
News From Illinois -
From Christianity Daily: ‘Our children are dying’: Faith-based groups look to heal Chicago amid rising violence - 1/1/22
News From Texas -
From CBN News: Texas Beat Biden Again': Federal Judge Stops Mask, Vaccine Mandates in State's Head Start Programs - 1/1/21
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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 Citizen Comprehensive Resource: David Horowitz Freedom Center
Excellent Citizen Activist Resource: Precinct Strategy: Home
Excellent Christian Homeschool Resource: https://ed-exit.com/
SIGN UP> Join with Students For Life: Sign the Moral Outcry Petition to have your name filed with the Supreme Court
SIGN UP> From The Heritage Foundation: Oppose Biden's Unlawful Vaccine Mandate!
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