Have you ever run into someone who claims to love the Lord, but who seems to hate everyone else? The truth is they don't love the Lord either, because loving Him requires us to do what He says--and He says to love others! And He didn't mean for us to love those who had the same income level as us, or the same skin tone either. There are a lot of facets to Christianity, but none so basic as to obey the truth by loving one another deeply. Jesus said it was that love that people would see in us and know we were His followers. So if you don't have love for others, you don't have a love for Jesus. As you begin to grow in Him, you'll see it oozing out of you everywhere! "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." 1 Peter 1:23 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

An old friend showed up at our house one day with her three year old son. My two year old son was standing right behind me as our friend entered and introduced her little boy. "This is Zachary" she said... to which my son replied, "I'm Me!" As we chuckled amongst ourselves, I thought how neat it is that God gives each of us unique personalities, and not two of us (including twins) have ever been exactly the same. It's as if God is echoing my little boy, "You, are YOU!... because that's the way I made you!" Often new Christians become confused about the whole process of growing somehow thinking that they've got to act like everyone else in the church. Nothing could be further from the truth! God wants us to be Holy, but our personalities are His gift to us and can be used just like they are--only with His mission in mind! "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." 1 Peter 1:15-16 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever really wanted to share your faith with someone but things just kept getting in the way? Maybe you've got somebody who you would like to try to explain the Gospel to and how Jesus changed everything for you, but fear keeps stopping you. We need to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only answer for a lost and hurting world. Demons shudder at the thought of it spreading, and they'll do anything they can to keep you frozen by your fear. That soul you are being called to help save is priceless to God! Demons will put things in your way, get people to try to stop you, and sometimes even have outright attacks come your way. Still, we also need to remember whose Gospel it is, and that HE is our strength! So step out there and put yourself at risk for embarrassment, harassment, or even worse. You might find that none of those things happen.... or you might find some of them do come your way, but God has a plan and a purpose for that as well! "You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition." 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

One of the churches specifically spoken of by Jesus in the book of Revelation was the church of Laodicea. The people in this church had acquired much wealth, and because of that wealth they somehow became less interested in the things of the Lord. He called them "lukewarm" saying He wished they were either "hot or cold." Frankly, they just didn't feel like they needed Him, or to be faithful to Him in study, prayer or deed. Often I think many churches in the modern day United States are guilty of this same sin. I find it quite interesting that Jesus finishes by telling them of a different kind of currency--not the kind they had, but the kind He uses. A pastor friend of mine put it this way. "The currency of heaven is disciplined repentance, not disciplined work." The point being that we actually can and do gain when we turn from our sins and agree with God; but not when we think He owes us something because we've earned it. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich, I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to BUY FROM ME gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." Revelation 4:15-18 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Are you the type of person who hold's grudges against others? If so, you may be surprised at who you're really hurting. Even if the other person was totally wrong, if you don't do everything you can to clear it up, you're not only hurting yourself by holding unforgiveness in your heart, but also by causing God to withhold his forgiveness from you. I know it sounds hard-core, but Jesus Himself told us that's how forgiveness works. We're even given a time-line to get things fixed before the sun goes down! And not only that, but before we bring any type of offering to God. For us to forgive is so important that God's emphasis is all over it throughout the Bible. And just think.... if Christians really took this message to heart and kept short accounts with one another, what an incredible Church we would be! So, if you've got something in your heart that's keeping you separated from a brother or sister in Christ--today's the day to fix it! "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 6:37-38)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I don't know about you, but two of the first two words I learned as a young man were "stop" and "no." Those words, although sometimes upsetting and even harsh, kept me from running out into traffic, grabbing a hot stove, and who knows what other dangerous stuff. I desperately want my children to know that I love them deeply, but I also want them to know that the words "no" and "stop" are just as loving when spoken for the right reasons. Often I hear Christians complaining that they just can't stop committing a certain sin. If they are true Christians--having died to self and been born again through Christ, then this is a lie. The truth is that through Christ we have power over sin. Only a non-believer can be truly trapped by Satan's lies; unless the believer actually likes the sin or wants to continue in it. So, when you think about going too far sexually--just STOP. Say "no" to the guy or girl involved, and move on. Jesus has your back! When you think about stealing something from your mom's purse--STOP Ask yourself how you could sin against God like that. When you think of anything that would bring dishonor to Jesus--STOP! Stop your tongue from sinning, stop your mind from sinning, and stop your body from sinning! You DO have the power in Christ! I recommend memorizing the following verses immediately! "If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Romans 6:5-7  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

While riding in the back of my car my then almost nine year old daughter suddenly blurts out that she and her little sister are "saving to buy me a rock." "Really?" I retorted. "Why do I need a rock?" "So we can find you when your dead!" she quickly answered. "You know, one of those rocks with your name on it!" Frankly, I kind of got a chuckle out of it since I didn't have any clear indication that they had some news from God that I'd be departing soon and they were sincere in wanting to do something wonderful for their dad. They already know this at a basic level, but in the years to come they'll learn with even more clarity that I really don't care whether or not I have a "rock" as a grave marker. All I need is the Rock I've found in my Savior Jesus Christ. He holds the keys to my future, my children's futures, and He's the one who gave me a heart for this daily ministry. Oh that they will also grow to understand how precious the real Rock in my life really is! "1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a ROCK and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (Emphasis mine) Incidentally, for those with a keen eye, these are the verses that have underscored my signature element for many years. This is where the "new song" in my heart came from!  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I read a neat story today about a man in Scotland who left instructions to have only one word inscribed on his tombstone. The word "KEPT" was to be emblazoned across the top, without even a mention of his name. Honestly, it was one of the most faithful and God fearing things I've read in a long time. The man clearly had an understanding of the higher things of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only does God love us enough to sacrifice His Son to regain a relationship with us, but He is powerful enough to make sure that not only we, but even the things He's promised us are "KEPT" in heaven, in a place where nothing can ever happen to them, to our relationship with Him, or to us personally! "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--KEPT in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-6 (Emphasis Mine)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate