Divisions among church folks don't just happen among adults, they quite often happen in youth groups as well. Divisions among brothers and sisters in Christ will happen for what appears to be a litany of reasons, but when you boil it all down it will come down to the same thing every time. Someone is prideful and judgmental. Often it will be more than just one person, and probably even more than two. When groups of people seem to be aiming arrows at each other instead of at the enemy, you can be sure the enemy is hard at work in hearts everywhere! Friends, the church we belong to is also known as the Bride of Christ. Jesus doesn't like it when we smear mud on his bride! "And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:21  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

There are at least a few hundred different ways to approach Christianity, but I would like to highlight three I often see. The first is the church-goer who doesn't bring a bible to church, has no real interest in moving forward in his/her faith, and who probably doesn't even know the Lord. The second is the person who studies the Scriptures, takes copious notes during services, can argue just about any theological point, but never really seems to reflect much of the character of Christ. And the third is the person who I'll call the "disciple of Christ." They are actively engaged in the practice of Christianity, always learning, but also doing what the Scriptures command each and every day. When it comes to the a true and active faith, the "observer" and the "learner" are left out in the cold. Jesus is looking for disciples, plain and simple. "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 6:46) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Do you have a deep desire to please the Lord? That's one of the first things I found when I became a Christian. Before that time I only wanted to please myself (and other people when I thought it was in MY best interest). But God changes that and genuine believers will find their hearts turning toward Him more and more. As you spend more time with Him you'll want to please Him like you would any close friend. And what is it that pleases Him? Many search blindly for this answer, but it's a simple as it comes. Stop sinning and living for yourself, faithfully repent your sins and consistently trust in Him alone! "... if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" Ezekiel 18:21-23 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Remember the account of the Last Supper where Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him? Can you imagine being there when Jesus finally told them that the inside job was being done by their good friend Judas? Later they would learn that it was by God's design that Judas was willing to sell Jesus out, but they would also come to learn that not only Judas was to blame for Jesus death. They all were! And when Jesus had predicted that "the one who has dipped his had into the bowl with me" would betray Him, they had ALL dipped their hand into that bowl-and each of them had stumbled into sin too! Just like those twelve, we have all sold Jesus out in one way or another. And that's all the more proof that we all need Him! Just as He forgave his early disciples, His forgiveness is available for us as well. We simply need to accept our need for Him, and only Him! And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me." Matthew 26:21-23 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Do you think God will hold a husband accountable for being the Spiritual leader for his family, even if he doesn't want to lead them? Will he be held accountable if he beats them or treats them badly? What about children? Do you believe that God will hold young people accountable for honoring their parents even if they think their parents are stupid? At even a topical level, most people believe that some are called by God to lead, and all (even those called to lead) are called to follow God closely. Additionally, all are called to follow those people God puts in authority over them (like parents, pastors, etc.). That's all great in Sunday school, but when it comes down to you and your specific situation, are you humbly leading when called to and faithfully following when called to? At the surface most accept the concept, but when we try to apply it to our specific lives we don't like the loss of control. Honestly, do we really have any control of anything in the first place? The truth is that most of the struggles we face in these areas are quite simply God's way of seeing if we're ready for more. Unfortunately, we rarely are ready to accept anything that conflicts with us being our own Gods. Subsequently, we stagnate in our faith and then we burn ourselves out trying to control God and everyone else who crosses our path. "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right." 1 Peter 2:13-14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ," Ephesians 3:16-18 I have one of those lawn services come by my house every few weeks and put whatever it is that makes a lawn gorgeous on my grass. Still, if they're not paying attention during the early spring treatments, they'll miss a spot or two and I'll get a few dandelions here and there--something every grass lover hates! Earlier today I spotted one that I was sure I had pulled out a few weeks ago, but as dandelions are known for, if you don't get the entire (really long) root out of the ground, they'll grow back before you know it. And such is the case with sin in our lives. There are a few things that once allowed to grow roots into our lives will do a great job of destroying our faith, but probably nothing is worse than the love of money. If you see even a hint of it in your life, ask God to help you rip out the roots immediately! "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1Timothy 6:10 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, NIV) Dear Friends, When we think of forgiveness, it is easy to picture small slights-someone cutting us off in traffic or speaking a careless word. But the gospel calls us to something far greater. A striking example of this is Erika Kirk, who made headlines yesterday for extending forgiveness to the man who murdered her husband. Her response shocked many, because forgiveness is not about excusing wrongs, but about entrusting justice to God. Forgiveness does not deny the pain or diminish the loss; instead, it opens the door for God's healing presence to enter. As Jesus Himself taught, " For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14, NIV). At Harvest Youth Ministries, we often meet young people who carry wounds of betrayal, rejection, and loss. Stories like Erika's show us that no hurt is beyond God's redeeming love. As we walk alongside those we serve, we point them to the Savior who forgave His executioners and offers that same grace to all who call on Him. May we all be known as a people who embody this radical forgiveness - in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our communities. In doing so, we shine as living witnesses of the transforming power of Christ's love. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4, NIV) Friends, When I hung up the phone with my new friend Ashley the other night, I knew I wanted to tell you all about her. With her permission, I’m sharing a bit of her story. Ashley lost her job as a caregiver after an injury at work and spent the next year and a half homeless—part of that time living out of her car, the rest at a local shelter. Eventually she was placed in housing, and a local church group helped cover her first month’s rent and deposit. She told me she had been earning income through DoorDash and Uber, but with her car broken down she hasn’t been able to work. She also no longer has transportation to her medical or counseling appointments. Later in our conversation she mentioned that her food supply was running low. She could have listed many other needs, but one statement really stood out to me: “I don’t like asking for help but right now in my life I just needed to work for help so I can get back up on my feet.” (sic) What Ashley asked for was simple—a bus pass. With a bus pass she could get groceries and attend her appointments. It would give her flexibility with employment. Transportation would help her meet her own needs and regain independence. We “met” via Zoom for the first time, and even during that conversation she was trying to figure out ways to help another woman experiencing domestic violence. She also referred a friend to us who needed a bus pass. Her heart cares for the people around her. Ashley asked for independence and because of your support, she received that bus pass, prayer, and hope for tomorrow. Thank you! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms A – received a bus pass & independence!! Mr W – received first month’s rent coming out of homelessness! Mr S – received one month’s rent after missing work Ms J – received beds and a couch after resettling after domestic violence! (Sleep in Heavenly Peace donated the beds!) Ms L – received furniture from the thrift store after homelessness! Ms R – received a bed set from the thrift store!  Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby