"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22 (NIV) Dear Friends, Recently, my wife and I completed a study of the Book of James, and it has been a powerful reminder that real faith shows itself through how we live. James, the brother of Jesus, doesn't focus on lofty ideas - he focuses on action . He challenges believers to put God's Word into practice: to speak with kindness, to show mercy to others, and to persevere through trials with joy. Each passage reminded us that faith is not proven by what we say we believe, but by how we live those beliefs out day by day. We were especially moved by James 2:17: "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." That verse brought us back to the heart of our walk with Christ and to the mission of Harvest Youth Ministries - serving others, meeting needs, and sharing the love of Jesus in practical ways. Our study challenged us to make sure our faith is active and visible, not just in our words, but in our compassion, generosity, and willingness to help those God places in our path. At Harvest Youth Ministries, we believe that every act of service - offering a meal, mentoring a teen, or simply praying with someone in need - is faith in motion. Through your generosity, prayers, and encouragement, you make that possible. Whether you've donated, volunteered, or lifted us up in prayer, you are helping us bring hope, love, and opportunity to those who need it most. From our hearts to yours, that you for the part you play in this ministry. Together, we are living out the message of James - proving that faith is alive when it moves, gives, and serves in Jesus' name. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

Conform: To assume an outward appearance that does not accurately reflect what is really true on the inside. To put it in smaller words; "to live a lie." "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, 'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.' And this is the word that was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:13-25 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I was working on an engine awhile ago, and I got so frustrated that I wanted to put away the tools I was using and hit the thing with a hammer instead! Aggravation strikes every human now and then, but if we give into our desire to use a sledgehammer on something, we'd not only have a lot of broken stuff around us, but we'd look like childish idiots, too! My dad used to say that there is always a right tool for the job, and that's the tool we should use. And my heavenly Father has slowly taught me that you also have to use a great amount of patience and love for the work along with it. Now, just for a moment look at the way you use "truth" with the people around you. Do you use it like a sledgehammer with a lack of patience and in childish fits? Even things that may to be true like, "you look fat in that," or, "You're soooo dumb sometimes," should never be used to hurt people. Our job as brothers and sisters in Christ is to love one another and help one another along the path of righteousness. That often may require the tool of "truth," but never without a great amount of patience and love along with it! "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

We live in a world where the strong survive and the weak get trampled! As the famous T-shirt says, "It's a dog-eat-dog world and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear!" We learn to defend ourselves early, too! When I was in first grade a non-Christian step-father of mine absolutely demanded that I beat-up the boy who lived next door because he had stolen something from my room. He told me to beat him up every day until I got it back or he'd beat me! The truth was that I didn't want to fight, but I did it anyway because I didn't want to look like a wimp in the eyes of my father. Truth be told, I was being taught wrongly, and it's taken decades for my heavenly Father to chip away at that attitude in my heart. I'm not suggesting that we just stand there when someone is trying to kill us, but Jesus tells us that there is great power in simply turning the other cheek. Friends, the struggle in not against people, but against evil! And the world is not about us an our personal desires. Let's face it, even if we were killed Jesus would have our backs! What's important is that we mirror His love to those around us. How else can they see that He is working inside of us--that He is our everything? "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:39) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you done any good deeds lately? I certainly hope so, and I believe the Lord does, too. Unfortunately for many of us, even the good deeds we do wind up meaning little if anything in heaven. Deeds that are done for any type of selfish reason or those that are done just so others can see or somehow find out you did them are absolutely worthless in the end. Soooo, do good deeds whenever you can, but make sure you do them for the right reasons! "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 6:1) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind." Proverbs 30:11-14 There are a couple of things I see again and again in the youth I work with. Many of them have absolutely no respect for anyone but themselves (especially parents and other elders), and they all think their lives are terrible. I often ask them if they ever put the two together and realize the cause and effect involved. Having little respect for others has a boomerang effect all its own. Inevitably, people who have little need for others wind up hating themselves, too. As the Lord puts it, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." If you're planting disrespect, you'll get it back in an even greater amount than you planted it. Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

If I want to get an inbox full of hate mail, all I have to do is write a devotional on any one of about three subjects. Writings about homosexuality, dressing modestly, or submitting to authority always seem to get me blasted equally but have no affect on keeping me quiet. And why won't I stop? Because all the arguments are issued in the same vein--they take exception with the Bible. The question one must ask is whether or not the Bible is God's Word or not? If you don't believe it was inspired by God Almighty and penned by those He alone selected, then why read a Christian devotional at all? Wouldn't spending your time doing something else be more profitable? Doesn't reading the Bible seem a little rIdiculous if it's only a conglomeration of childhood fables? How could it affect anyone's life in any real way? And if you do believe the Bible is God's infallible Word, then your argument is with Him, and not the mailman (so to speak) whether it's me or someone else. If it's His Word, then we must accept ALL of it... picking and choosing is not an option. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Regent" is not a word we use much today, but it has a huge history. For example, before the days of modern travel, when a king would go away for a period of time, he would leave a regent in charge of things in his absence. Today, often universities have "regents" who are left in charge in the chancellor's stead. Webster's uses this as one of it's definitions: Regent: someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch; and Milton uses this one: [someone] Exercising vicarious authority. As it would pertain to the Christian church today, we are all regents of the body of Christ. Sure, you could complain about the church before you were a part of it, but now if the church fails to be all it can be it's somewhat your fault, too. You and I are both here to "exercise vicarious authority" until our Lord and Savior returns. Getting involved in the enemy's business when you're supposed to be on the king's payroll would, in fact, be an act of treason! You've got all the authority and the only "book" you need--fan the Spirit of God that's in you into flames and get busy dear regents! The Church needs you desperately, and a lost world needs a word from your King! "These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority." Titus 2:15a Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate