I've become increasingly concerned over something I've been witnessing among Christian churches. It seems that whenever someone feels called to start a new ministry, start a new church, serve in a different capacity, or otherwise break from what a few others think is more important, hard feelings are often an ugly byproduct. More than a few times I've personally witnessed people called into ministries for which they were clearly gifted and blessed, later to see folks they previously served with speak ill of them. The same thing happens between different Christian denominations and even the ones that are more similar than dissimilar. The grumbling seems to grow in intensity with the level of the departer's success. The more I've watched this happen, the more I've realized that it's not just a localized phenomenon. As sinful people, we often resent the success of others. As Christians, we should be far above such silliness, or should I say, such evil. When one part of the Body of Christ succeeds, we all succeed. Conversely, when one part of the Body is defamed, we all suffer and are less likely to succeed in our mission to reach a lost world. "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

The Jews who lived during Jesus' days on earth had an interesting way of dealing with people who wrote or said untrue things. They quite simply had them stoned to death. One of the most interesting things about the New Testament accounts of Jesus' life, the miracles He performed, and His death and resurrection was that anyone who promulgated such nonsense without it being well-known fact would have been killed. Interestingly enough, those who hated Jesus openly admitted that He performed miracles. They simply proclaimed that it was Satan's work and not the Lord's. One of the accounts of Jesus' death is written below. Dead people walking around the city alive again! Earthquakes? Temple curtains being ripped before their eyes. For such things to be put to paper and actually passed among the early churches is the greatest evidence I know that these events were well-know facts. They were so well-known that those who would have squelched early Christianity didn't even try to deny them. "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people." Matthew 27:50-53 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Being a Christian is becoming less and less popular as our post-modern world turns from God. Still, there are plenty of people who, for whatever reason, still claim to be Christians, even though there is little evidence that their proclamation has merit. Some might say, "who are you to judge?" and they would be correct. I am not a judge, nor am I attempting to judge. What I am attempting to do is remind those who claim to be Christ followers that talk is cheap. It's not "talk" that we need, but rather "walk". We are not saved by our "works" for the Lord, but our works are a direct outpouring of the Holy Spirit that inhabits us. Again, some might say that judging is a sin--and they would be correct. But, if you walk by a fruit tree and notice that there is no fruit on it are you judging the tree? Certainly not.. you are simply a fruit inspector. Faith, without works (fruit) is dead. "But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." James 2:18-19 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

When you get right down to it, would you admit that there are times when "your world" is all about you? Would you go so far to say that there are times when the whole world is all about you? No matter where you fit on the continuum, there's no doubt that humans often have an over inflated self-image. If we're spending our every waking moment looking for new and exciting ways to meet our most recent "needs," doesn't that in itself testify to our depravity? Without God in our lives, we truly are a hopeless bunch. "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it." Psalm 39:6 So... what's the purpose of YOUR life been lately? A. Fulfill God's purposes. B. Fulfill my own "needs." Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Although some are sure to disagree with me, I wholeheartedly believe that struggling in life can be a good thing. A parent who gives his child everything and removes all the struggles will raise a child who is unprepared for the rigors of life. On the other hand, a person who is forced to struggle for everything can also lose focus and heart and give up. There is a happy medium in most everything. Struggling to grow in the faith Christ has given us, for example, is a great thing, but only when the purpose is to grow, and not to earn one's salvation. A Christian is "saved," meaning that portion of the equation is finished. Still, the struggle to become more like Christ will continue all the days of the believer's life. No matter what the task before us, the chances are we will struggle with some part of it while on this earth. Struggling to be a faithful Christian is no different. Fortunately, we have help... And fortunately, for those who've accepted Jesus as their Savior, the struggle to be right in God's eyes is over! "Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Phillippians 3:16 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

To be content with life, no matter the circumstances, would be heaven on earth for me. I've grown in this area for many years, but my high-strung Type A personality doesn't always lead to contentment. Instead, I'm always looking to move forward a little bit faster and do things a little bit better. When things don't go the way I had them planned in my head I can get irritated--and even angry. The answer, or should I say the secret, is in living your life completely trusting in Christ. I pray that the Lord is gracious enough to allow me to grow in my faith in this area. I only hope I don't get irritated with Him for taking longer than I'd like! "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12b-13  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever noticed how some people will learn you are a Christian and will embrace you, while others will immediately scorn you? It's not about YOU as much as it is about Christ, but it can still be quite painful to make someone so uncomfortable with your faith that they hate you for it. I learned long ago that my witness is to be faithful no matter what the result. It is God who draws sinners to Himself, and sometimes He uses us to testify to them even though it may only be as a judgement day witness that they clearly heard the gospel and refused it. "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life." 1 Corinthians 2:14-16a Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I've had some tough things happen to me in the last few weeks. As I look back, I suppose any one of them could have made me lose heart, but God seems to know when and where you can deal with the inevitable trouble that will come. No doubt He's right there with me as I face trials, and for each and every Christian, the same promise holds true. Life is tough, and if it's not tough right now, it will be soon. That's one of the wages of sin. Fortunately for those who trust in Jesus, our days of trouble will be short lived, followed by all eternity with the lover of our souls! "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate