What parent would take joy in watching their offspring treat others cruelly or severely? I believe that even parents of little skill try to teach their children to share and to give freely to those in need. What's interesting is that often when a church leader even so much as mentions giving, the majority of people simply close their ears (and their pocketbooks). I've heard from many a pastor or priest that the hate mail flows freely toward them in the days immediately following a message on giving. This is quite an indictment on the church since Jesus commanded us to "freely give." Like a loving parent, I believe our Heavenly Father withholds blessings from us because of our hard hearts toward those with less material wealth than us. How could He bless us if we refuse to open our hands and our hearts to give? Doing so would only make us harder and even less useful to the kingdom. "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.'" 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many would-be strong Christ followers forget one simple truth. They stretch and strive to do awesome things for God, while all the time forgetting that even the most awesome sounding accomplishment is worthless in God's eyes if it's done to receive man's applause. God can and will ordain each believer to do awesome works for Him, but often those works are done behind the scenes and without earthy recognition. Many times they are the tough jobs--the jobs that require sweat and blood. Those who understand these truths and seek only God's acclaim will gain much in heaven. Those who grandstand with their talents and abilities will lose even what they thought they had. "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Flirting can be fun, but what happens when the person or thing you're flirting with starts chasing you? Are you prepared for the situation to rapidly accelerate until it has you trapped? Some enjoy flirting with other people's boyfriends, girlfriends, and the like. Some find themselves flirting with trouble in the form of drugs, or sex, or any one of a million other things. If I've learned anything in my life, it's probably that even flirting with sin is too much. We must look a lot like a fish nibbling on some tasty bait until the moment when Satan jerks the line and we find ourselves on a painful hook! "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11-12 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"I'm a very spiritual person!" Those were the religious sounding words spoken to me by a young man today. Being "spiritual" in this day and age is nothing new, but it's a far cry from being saved from the wrath of a Holy God by His Only Begotten Son. The young man went on to tell me that he's training under one of the most famous Buddhist monks in the area, and that he is quite accomplished at Yoga as well. All this means only one thing to me. The young man is in pursuit of God, but has not yet found Him. He's aware of "good" and "evil," and he knows he needs to try harder to be good. Unfortunately, he'll never be quite good enough using "spiritual techniques" or serving his fellow man. Now what he needs is to know that God not only wants a relationship with him, but that all his struggling and striving to be a "better person" won't do it. We are made "righteous" by Jesus' blood, not by our work! Ahhhhh... what a relief it will be for him once he believes! "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever watched a newly caged animal trying to get out? Even the simplest form of animal can often find a way to free itself. The other day I sat and watched a raccoon trying to get into a "raccoon proof" trash can. It took him (or maybe her!) a few minutes, but it was "dinner time" at the trash can before I could believe it. Oftentimes I write these devotionals and you would think I was the meanest guy ever if you read my return mail. With what seems like similar enthusiasm, people will often do just about anything to convince me that I'm wrong on my stance on an issue. If they can't convince me I'm wrong, then sometimes they'll just curse me and unsubscribe. Frankly, even a simpleton like me can generally see right through the arguments. People who have decided in their hearts that they want to do something (or don't want do something) will spend an unbelievable amount of time and energy looking for loopholes. They'll search high and low for a reason why, or a reason why not! I'm often reminded that "Christians" throughout the last 2000 years have been searching for ways to justify their sinful actions, many even misusing Scriptures to justify the most terrible of crimes. Just imagine if we spent as much time trying to find ways to DO the things our Lord has commanded as we spend trying to convince ourselves, others, and even Him that we shouldn't have to! "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Jesus breaks down walls! When I was younger, I would never have considered hanging out with people who didn't have a lot in common with me. Today, I find I have a lot in common with people who are nothing like me because we're brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether the boundaries are racial, socioeconomic or just plain generational, Jesus can break down all of them if we let them. If you're irritated by the random boundaries people throw up to separate themselves from people who "aren't like them," you'll find the right church can be a real breath of fresh air in that area. This type of earth-shattering love has been taking place since the moment Jesus rose from the grave. The earliest Christians even allowed their #1 enemy to join their ranks once the Lord convicted him of his sin. "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, BROTHER SAUL, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17 (Emphasis added)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings." Malachi 3:8 I have a young Christian friend who has nearly 20 pairs of very expensive basketball shoes. While I certainly have nothing against a great pair of shoes, I found it a little weird that he buys a pair of shoes almost every payday. Since he makes little more than minimum wage, it has to take a huge chunk of his check. Since I've been a mentor of his for years, I found the opportunity to ask him how he could afford such an expensive treat each month. It wasn't long before I understood quite clearly. He doesn't save any money, and he doesn't give anything to the Lord. Now that I think about it, maybe I do have something against a good pair of basketball shoes--but only if they're stolen, of course. "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income" 1 Corinthians 16:2a  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Jesus preached almost non-stop for three years straight, giving us a wonderful view into the Father's heart, and into what we should be striving for in this life. He broke down the walls between His Father and us by the most amazing of ways--dying in our place! As I read through Jesus' words, I find it interesting that he spoke against our indifference so often and so strongly. Apathy is a killer to any faith, and especially to one where it becomes so commonplace as to be expected. George Barna, the Christian pollster writes that his polls show that a full 66% of churchgoers are nothing more than observers, and we all know that of the 34% remaining, few are sold-old to Christ. And thus it is no doubt the genesis for our Lord's many attempts to encourage us to keep the faith. Satan works non-stop to keep us caring less. And we often play right into his hands. "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God." Jesus of Nazareth (Revelation 2:1b-2) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate