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How Will I Know?
Pastor Jim Kilby • January 9, 2023
I received a neat letter from a young woman today. She reminded me that I write a lot about encountering evil, but since evil is often very subtle, she wondered how she'd know it if she encountered Satan or a demon. A great question, and one that every Christian should know the answer to. My young friend is correct, there is plenty of evil in the world. Of course, when you do encounter it, knowing God's Word (and especially knowing God) is our best defense. But, as my young friend pointed out, the subtleties of evil can be quite confusing. Surely, many knowledgeable brother or sister in Christ has met a demon and unknowingly followed their instructions. I believe that most cults are started this way... someone sees an "angel" who they assume is from God. They're assuming is the biggest problem because we're clearly told in Scripture that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (1 Corinthians 11:14). So what are we supposed to do? We're supposed to ask them? Yep, that's right! We're supposed to boldly ask them who is the Christ. Any other answer than "Jesus" is an automatic indicator of who their father really is. Remember this and put it into practice. And also remember, demons don't come wearing red suits and horns; they come looking just like you and me!
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [demons and those who follow demons], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." 1 John 4:1-6
Pastor Jim Kilby
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Do you ever notice yourself treating other people differently because of their place in life? For instance, would you treat a homeless person differently than a popular person at your school or work? I'm not saying that you'd have to go up and talk to the homeless person the same as you would to a friend, but do you think about them differently on a basic level. Is one worth more to you than the other? I heard someone remark recently that it didn't matter how high they stacked up the trash can in their office "cause that's the trash man's problem!" I wonder what would happen if they found out that the president of the company was going to be emptying the trash that weekend. Would they be so insensitive? Just today I was helping my son empty the waste baskets in a doctor's office where he has the cleaning contract. In a million years I bet they'd ever imagine a preacher was emptying their trash? And just the same, we can't even imagine the lengths God has gone to to serve us. Should we seriously think of ourselves or our friends and relatives, as better than "the little people?" "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Blushing is something we don't seem to do much these days. Once upon a time, it was a common occurrence among those whose hearts were less worldly. Today, few blush because few have been wise enough to protect their hearts and minds from the things of this world. Practically everything is acceptable today, and even things that wouldn't have been done in secret in years gone by are proudly done openly today. Frankly, I'm not surprised when I see such things in the world. We were told these things would happen before the end. I am, however, quite surprised by how often they happen among those who call themselves Christians. Such things ought not be so. "I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy or swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat." 1 Corinthians 5-11 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
When Jesus spoke about the last days of life on Earth He was quite exacting in His description of how things would come to an end. One of the most striking descriptions for me was when He spoke of how believers would be betrayed by those close to them. I've personally felt the sting of betrayal a few times, and I'll have to admit the ones that really hurt are those who you believe would never do such a thing. The fact remains that even through tough times like these nothing changes with you and your Lord. Sure, you'll be persecuted by those close to you. Sure, times will be tougher as the last days unfold. Those times will seem unbearable, but only for a short while. Then, for all eternity, they'll be the fondest memories of how we faced persecution for our precious Savior! "You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 21:16-19 ) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Before I ever heard much about God, I knew there was something larger than myself. Whether I would look at the back of my own hand, or at the stars in the summer sky, it seemed obvious to me there was a Creator. Later, I would learn this longing was planted in my heart by that very Maker. He put it there to testify of His great love for me. Some years after that, I cried out for Him to save me from the disaster I had made of my life--to save my soul from an eternity separated from Him. I thank God for that great desire He put inside me to know who He is. I also thank Him that He didn't forget about me as I turned my back on Him for so many years. He put that longing in your heart too. Will you call His name as I did? "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11b Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Since I have a family and quite a few responsibilities to them, I like to keep a certain sum of money in my bank account for emergencies. I don't think that's wrong. In fact, I think it's biblical to save for a rainy day and to provide for one's family. The problem arises when we put an undue amount of trust and faith in things other than God, and that absolutely includes our bank accounts. Whether its parents, friends, money, or something else, if we put our trust in anything other than God our trust is misplaced. What is it that you trust in the most? "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Are you getting anything out of your time in the Scriptures? Many tell me that the Bible just doesn't make sense to them. They read, but nothing really hits them--nothing really changes in the way they think or act. The truth is that Bible study is just like any other study in many ways. First, you have to be ready to learn. If we approach the Bible with an "OK, I'm here -- teach me if you can" attitude, we'll never get anything out of it. What's more, we have to involve ourselves in our learning. Don't just open the Bible and try to immediately understand writings that are thousands of years old. Buy a Bible study book and read it along with your Bible. Purchase a study Bible with notes below the Scriptures and read the notes when you don't understand something. Once you get involved, you'll find that three things happen for sure. 1. You will know more about God. 2. You will know more about yourself. 3. You will know more about yourself and God. The bottom line: If you're not getting anything out of the Scriptures, maybe it's because you're not putting anything into it. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Some days the world just kicks you in the teeth. It's like you wake up just like every other morning and before you know it, everything's gone wrong! Although I must admit most days are an awesome experience for me, I've had my share of days I'd rather forget, too! The world is a tough place to be sometimes, and the people that we run into can often make things even worse. For a Christian, it's even tougher. We face persecution for our faith, plus we have a higher calling to find joy in everything, and all the while we are supposed to be looking for opportunities to grow in Christ and even to share our faith. If you ever get down, just know this one thing. It's Jesus that gives us the power to make it through each and every day. And it's Jesus that ultimately will help us overcome the evil we see. "for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:4-5 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
I had a young friend write me recently recounting a terrible tragedy that had fallen on her family. "Why?" the ink seemed to scream from the pages! And "why" is a question each of us will ask many times as bad things seem to have an uncanny way of happening to good people. The answer, probably easier to digest when we're not in the throws of the pain caused by tragedy, is fairly simple at it's root. There is much evil in the hearts of men. Although God calls all people to righteousness and holy living, many will seek a path of evil, blindly following the satanic calling they've embraced. God is not the author of evil... He is the antidote! "Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord." Isaiah 26:10 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
I receive an endless string of notes and e-mails from people who tell me they want to know the Lord, but just don't know how. I find they are easy notes to answer, because God has revealed Himself in so many ways I can simply point them to His Word and to prayer and they'll find what they are seeking. Unfortunately, far too many times I receive notes back that ask me if there is any other way, generally because they've tried reading the Bible occasionally and praying and that doesn't work. Of course, going to church seems like it's also too difficult for them. There are just too many other things to do on that day, and too many reasons they can't go! The short answer is this: Only those who are willing to give up everything and seek the Lord with their whole heart will ever find Him. The casual observer who intends to seek God on his own terms will never find Him. Imagine someone you called your best friend, but who you never called and never went to see--someone you clearly only casually were interested in knowing. Would they be your "best friend" for long? "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Harvest Youth Ministries (HYM) is an outreach aimed at young people; not a youth group. HYM is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit ministry. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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