Life is tough! You don't have to be more than a few years old before that realization no doubt comes full-force toward you. And although it's tough, there is also a lot to learn through those tough times. In fact, if you look back over your life to the times you've grown the most, I guarantee they will be some of the toughest times you've had. And the same is true of your walk with Christ. As you look back to the times you grew the closest to Him--the times when you were sure you had made great strides in the battle against sin, they'll be times when God tested you the most. Try to remember this truth the next time trouble comes your way. He is slowly but surely ridding you of your sinful ways. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin." 1 Peter 4:1 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many things are supposedly done "for Christ's sake," but I often wonder if they really are done for Him, or for other motives. The fact of the matter is that man is sinful, and apart from the Spirit's urging, we rarely do anything for anyone other than ourselves. Fortunately for us, we were called to be gathered back to God (even though we were and are still sinful humans), and not for OUR sake, but for Christ's sake! "Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace to and apostleship to call people from among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." Romans 1:5-6 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Often well meaning Christians take things that should be God's business into their own hands. When we stand in judgment of others, or even when we do the right things with the wrong motives, we sling mud on the bride of Christ. If we do good and then act as if it were our idea and take the credit, or if we do evil and say it was "just a mistake" or "poor judgment," do we not mock His name? The fact is that everything we do should be done with God's guidance and God's blessing, and doing anything less gives non-believers an occasion to slander our Lord. We are not our own and our actions (or inaction) have ripple effects far beyond our ability to see or understand. "As it is written: God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 2:24 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." 1 John 2:9 The older I get the more I'm surprised by people who seem to be hateful toward nearly everybody they come in contact with, but still claim to know God intimately. From my studies of the Scriptures this is simply impossible. Kind of like oil and water if you will--the two don't mix well! All of us will have a grouchy day now and again, but, honestly, have you seen a change in the way you think about your fellow man? If you truly know the Lord, there will absolutely be a change in the way you think, the way you speak, and the way you act. "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 6:45)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Did you make it to church last week? Did you read your Bible or pray today? Although I can absolutely understand the difficulties of getting all of those things done, I wonder if those of us who just can't make the time for God have any understanding of just how easy we have it. Would it really be that difficult to get up and go to church? A week after I baptized a 16 year-old man whose legs are so crippled that he cannot walk, his grandmother came up to me at church and told me that they almost didn't make it because there wasn't anyone home to help her get her grandson into the car. "He wanted to come so bad that he crawled to the car," she told me! Another friend of mine doesn't read very well meaning she literally struggles with every word as she reads her Bible. She often must stop to look up words, and yet she loves the Lord enough to make the extra effort. Another friend has terrible memories of a vicious attack as she closes her eyes to pray, and yet she prays anyway. So I must ask. Are you really trying to grow or are you just lying to God? "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Are you dabbling in things that dishonor God? Whether it's other religions, sexual things, or just being sucked-in by the world, Christians are called to separate themselves from impurity. That does not at all mean that we separate ourselves from caring for and witnessing to the world, but that we don't get caught up in their diseases--we are holy because of His Blood, and we should act like it. Consider today what God would say to you if you could clearly hear Him speak to you about how you are living your life? If you stay away from things that cloud your mind, you just might hear Him speak after all! "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"I know, I know!" Are those words you've maybe spoken when a brother or sister in the Lord who has been called to help you with a sinful area in your life? I've surely spoken them on occasion, but the question really isn't about "knowing," it's more about "doing!" After you realize you've blown it, do you make it better? Do you repent (agree with God) and then immediately and prayerfully start on His path again? Generally, I find that the "I know, I know" is often followed by "but I just can't seem to _____." That is most unfortunate for a believer, because it leaves God with the unpleasant but important duties of your disciplinarian. "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 12:47) 4 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Losing someone close to you can be one of the worst experiences in life. Death, though inevitable for all of us, never seems to come when we think it should. For Christians death isn't such a bad thing though. It's really not so much an end as it is a beginning. Although I don't wish my death would come any sooner, I certainly don't spend any time worrying about it coming. That's what it means to have "hope in Christ" -- and not only for myself, but for all the brothers and sisters in Christ. "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate