Thought 4 Today

The story of Jesus clearing the temple with a whip inspires many a would-be strong Christian leader to "kick-butt and take names" when necessary. Frankly, there probably are times when that is exactly what needs to happen. Most of the time, however, gently rebuking someone will probably do the trick if it is done in love. It's been my experience that pastors and priests usually do pretty well in this area (though surely not all of them), but many of the churches I've visited and attended have had quite a few lay people who seemed to "rule the roost." Cross these folks and you might just get your head handed to you. It's as if the church has ceased to be the "Body of Christ," and has instead been personally handed to a few folks. Did Jesus personally put them in charge? Christian leaders (even at the lowest level) must be careful to remember who they work for, and how much He loves the folks they're screaming at. One day we will each give an account of every single word. "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out of you will be destroyed by each other." Galatians 5:14-15 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Some might say that light is the opposite of darkness, but they would be wrong. Darkness and light are no more opposites than God and Satan are. Even in the darkest of places, light always overcomes darkness. Likewise, Satan is nothing compared to Almighty God. If you are walking with the Lord, then the Light will shine from you, driving out darkness before it. Even a glimmer of light illuminates a dark room, and even a glimmer of the Spirit of God will provide Light to a world lost in darkness and despair. Don't cover your Light, this world needs it badly! "ARISE, SHINE, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rides upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1-2 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

When I was a kid there was a great TV show called the Six-Million Dollar Man. In the show, Lee Majors was an Air Force pilot who had almost been killed in a terrible crash. He was "rebuilt" with bionic legs, and other body parts which, as the show touted, made him, "better, stronger and faster" than other men. As Christians grow in the Lord, two things generally happen. One group grows more Christ-like, while the other group is deceived into thinking they are somehow superior to other Christians. Sometimes it's because they've been given high-ranking ministry positions, and sometimes it's because of other prideful assumptions like a "better knowledge of the Bible," but the truth is that no Christian is any better than any other. Without Christ we were absolutely hopeless, and "in Christ" we are righteous--but not of our own doing. In my estimation, the Christian who truly is "better, stronger and faster" is the one who realizes what he has is only by the grace of God and then becomes the greatest servant to those around him. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:22-23 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

When I was a kid there was a great TV show called the Six-Million Dollar Man. In the show, Lee Majors was an Air Force pilot who had almost been killed in a terrible crash. He was "rebuilt" with bionic legs, and other body parts which, as the show touted, made him, "better, stronger and faster" than other men. As Christians grow in the Lord, two things generally happen. One group grows more Christ-like, while the other group is deceived into thinking they are somehow superior to other Christians. Sometimes it's because they've been given high-ranking ministry positions, and sometimes it's because of other prideful assumptions like a "better knowledge of the Bible," but the truth is that no Christian is any better than any other. Without Christ we were absolutely hopeless, and "in Christ" we are righteous--but not of our own doing. In my estimation, the Christian who truly is "better, stronger and faster" is the one who realizes what he has is only by the grace of God and then becomes the greatest servant to those around him. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:22-23 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:25 The Apostle Paul's words spoken through the power of the Holy Spirit have a similar ring to the "golden rule" spoken by Jesus. "Do unto others the way you would have them do unto you," must be the most quoted words of Jesus, even though few probably know they are quoting a portion of Matthew 7:12. Still, as often as it's quoted, I wonder how many people, including Christ followers, could honestly say they always put the "other guy" first? When Paul wrote the similar phrase to the Corinthians, he was speaking about having freedom but making sure that we didn't cause a brother to stumble because of our freedom. Whether it's a brother, sister, or even a total stranger, the command remains the same. Put other's needs ahead of your own. Wow, what a world that would be! Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I read an interesting quote in an old Bible commentary recently. "Not only should we do good, but the good we do should be well done." How true the statement is, but also I fear, it is often not well kept. Whether we are paid a daily wage for a job well done, or if we are servants and are only laying up treasure in heaven, every job needs to be well done. A large number of teens I know (and quite a few adults) will do the absolute minimum about 90% of the time. Often their minds are on other things, or they just want the job to be "over and done with!" But the fact remains that anything done shabbily not only speaks of our walk with Christ, but if it is done shabbily FOR Christ, it speaks of our relationship with Christ. My mother used to say, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well." I agree, and I believe God does as well. After all, it's Him who promises to give us the strength to carry on, no matter how tough the job! "If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11b Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I get some pretty interesting e-mails, but recently I got one that really took the cake. A young man with a screen name that mocked Jesus on the cross and touted Satan as lord has been openly urging me to kill myself. He's made it quite clear he would like nothing better than for me to end my life this very day. His motive? I'm not sure, but I know where the demons that taunt him come from! Friend, do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? If you do then you'd do well to remember that Jesus spoke of Hell twice as much as He did of Heaven. Evil is everywhere in this world, and the blood of Christ is the only hope this lost world has. It's interesting, at one point in my life, killing myself was a very tantalizing option for me. Glory be to God for His grace and His mercy. May it find the heart of the young man who so openly hates anything of God. Join me as I pray for the Holy Spirit to break in on the heart of a young man named Kyle. At one time, each of us needed the same miracle. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:43-47)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

It's like the whole world is looking to "get an edge" on the competition these days, and the competition is anyone who gets in our way to the top! I'm the typical American male, so I like competition as much as the next guy, but is there really any room for competition in the Body of Christ? If it's outside of the softball league, then I'd say "no!" Being a "family" means being there for each other. And that's no more true when "being there" means we'll have to put ourselves and what we want behind the needs of others. Sure, get an edge on Satan if you want--study the Word and spend hours in prayer if you can, but when it comes to another member of God's family, put down your guns and serve! "For he who is least among you all-he is the greatest." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 9:48b) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate