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Read it And Weep!
Pastor Jim Kilby • April 24, 2023
There's something about the written word that somehow makes it more believable than the spoken word. For that reason and probably for many others, people tend to accept things they read as fact. If you open a newspaper today or just about any other periodical or book, it won't be long before somebody will start to attack the Christian faith or at the minimum Christian morals or lifestyle. Unfortunately, much of what is written today has really no basis in truth. As we celebrate the independence of our country, I am often reminded of just that. It doesn't take long for a secular media to distort the truth. To make my point let me ask you to recall everything you've learned about Christopher Columbus before you read on... When I was asked the question, I could remember the year 1492 and something about him "discovering" America. If you search history books today, you will discover those facts sprinkled by a few disturbing rumors of mistreatment of Indians, etc. Yet, Christopher Columbus' own writings clearly show him a Spirit-filled Christian and a man driven by a God given need to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
From Christopher Columbus' Book of Prophecies: "...I am a most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolations since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous presence. For the execution of the journey to the Indies I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. It is simply the fulfillment of what Isaiah had prophesied. All this is what I desire to write down for you in this book. No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service...the fact that the gospel must still be preached to so many lands in such a short time -- this is what convinces me."
If nothing else, take everything you read with a grain of salt unless it truly stands on historical and/or Biblical scrutiny.
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth..." John 10:1 (And about a thousand other places, too!)
Pastor Jim Kilby
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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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