" Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NIV) Dear Friends, There are seasons in life when the weight of this world feels especially heavy. Families face unexpected hardship, young people wrestle with anxiety and loneliness, and many quietly carry burdens no one else can see. Yet in every season, God remains faithful. His Word reminds us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1). At Harvest Youth Ministries, we have the privilege of seeing that truth lived out every week. We meet individuals who feel forgotten, discouraged, or overwhelmed, and we watch as the Lord brings hope through simple acts of love, encouragement, prayer, and practical help. Time after time, God proves that no situation is beyond His reach and no life is beyond His restoration. Because of your faithful giving and prayers, out ministry continues through programs like Harvest Helps, where we work to identify and meet real needs for young people and families in our community and solve them immediately - usually within hours! Sometimes that means helping with food, transportation, clothing, household needs, or connecting someone to resources during a crisis. Other times it simply means listening, praying, and reminding someone they are not alone. Through Harvest House, Second Harvest Thrift Store, and our ongoing outreach efforts, doors are always opening for meaningful conversations and opportunities to share the love of Christ. Thank you for being a part of this mission. Your support is more than generosity - it is a lifeline to many who need hope. Please continue praying for those we serve, that each practical act of kindness would also point hearts toward the healing grace and saving love of Jesus Christ. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

When I was just a young boy, I remember screaming to my sisters, "You're not the boss of me!" whenever they'd try to assert some form of discipline in my life. Since I was older, I thought I should have been the boss of them! Besides, they weren't the mom and dad... even though they were most likely asserting mom and dad's rules! Something similar happened several times in the New Testament as the early Apostles, disciples and church leaders asserted the authority Christ gave them. On one occasion, Paul was given a test to pass to prove that He was speaking with God's authority and blessing. Having passed the test, Paul gave the people a similar challenge to test themselves. It's a test that can still easily determine whether or not someone is a follower of Christ. For anyone "in Christ," the Spirit of God will be living in them and the fruit of the Sprit will be rapidly asserting control as the believer allows their own sinful desires to be exterminated. The fruit of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Gal 5:22) are unmistakable. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"The god of this age [Satan] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4 If the things of God are clear to you--that is you understand and have accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Truth and have invited Him to be your Lord and Savior, then you have been blessed beyond belief. What unfortunately happens to many who've been so blessed is they initially start their walks with Christ with passion and grace, but wind up ignorantly judging those who are still controlled by the enemy. All is not lost, since Almighty God is and will always be more powerful than the one we call "the god of this age." Instead of arrogance and judgementalism, we should instead remember where we come from and pray for those who are still there! "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient." Ephesians 2:1-2 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I always think it's ironic when someone who has no knowledge of the Bible claims a Christ follower, "Doesn't act like a Christian!" As a minister its happened to me many times, and if you're a born-again Christian it's either happened to you or it will someday soon. While it's important to reach out to the unsaved world, it's also important to understand motives of those who are not Christians will often be to tear you down and make you afraid to act out your faith. Whether they know it or not, they are on the payroll of the evil one, doing his bidding with their words and deeds. So stand strong! If their comments have any merit, then make the change that's necessary. If not, then press on! The Lord's your Judge and your mission is irrevocable. "As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." Romans 11:28-29 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I get a substantial amount of mail from young people who claim to have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, and who still seem to struggle with serious sin. I'll tell you quite frankly that I could not condemn one of them, since I'm still in the same struggle myself. The only difference is that those who become serious about their faith will quickly learn that in addition to prayer, attending church and Bible study, Christians are called to practice the simple yet difficult act of "self-control." No amount of religious thinking will substitute for even a moment of prayerful self-control! "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." 1 Peter 1:13 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Cutting" or "Self-Mutilation" are quite common among certain segments of today's teens. I get a fairly substantial amount of mail on the subject, and I’ve see the telltale marks on even more teens in our teen centers and even at church. Although many may find the concept of purposefully cutting oneself ridiculous, there are actually some very understandable reasons for it. 1. Control issues (feeling out of control or being controlled by parents, society, etc., and wanting something they can control). 2. For attention (usually only cutting in areas where everyone can see the marks or scars). 3. Demonic attacks (or demonic possession). They cut themselves (and do even worse things) because they've begun to believe Satan's lies about their self worth. 4. Numbness--wanting to feel SOMETHING, even if its pain. At any rate (and in any one of these cases), Jesus has got the "real" answer--not something done with a knife when no one's looking, but something done on a cross when everyone was looking! If you or someone you know is involved in cutting themselves, I suggest a thorough read of a workbook by Dr. Neil Anderson called "Ministering the Steps to Freedom in Christ." The issue is really not the self-mutilation, but likely something much deeper and more sinister. "They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones." Mark 5:1-5 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I got in a momentary disagreement with a friend tonight. We were filling out some paperwork when he insisted it was one date on the calendar, when I thought it was another. I looked at my trusty calendar watch and boldly told him he was wrong. There was one problem, however. Last month only had 28 days, and for some strange reason, I let the days of the month expire without realizing that my watch was wrong. It's now the 14th of the next month, and I just realized I've been several days off for two weeks! It's seems crazy, but my trusty timepiece was in error. All the while I remained positive I was right to trust it--even arguing for whatever it asserted! And... all the time a was in error. I wonder... is there anything you are trusting that is wrong? "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12 My friends, I urge you to trust Jesus alone! Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I know I'm no "Letterman," (I'm actually glad about that!) but I still have a few top-ten lists up my sleeve. Here's one I've put together through the years (some borrowed, some original) for dealing with the Enemy. Take some time today to look up these Scriptures. If you've only got a few minutes or don't have a Bible, use Google to get you there fast. You might also file this devotional away for use the next time you feel your under attack. Top 10 List for Dealing With the Enemy 1. Read and memorize the Word (Ephesians 6:17) 2. Know you are not alone (Matthew 28:20) (1 Peter 5:9) 3. Know the enemy's power is limited (1 Peter 5:9) 4. Know there is always a way out of ungodly situations. (1 Cor 10:13) 5. Be humble in all you do. (1 Peter 5:5-6) 6. Go vertical with everything (PRAY!) (Eph 6:18) 7. Deal with sin quickly (Ephesians 4:27) 8. Rejoice that there is never a spiritual war without a purpose (Romans 8:28) 9. Brace yourself for the end (Romans 16:20) 10. Identify yourself with Christ and His sufferings (Romans 8:17) "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." Romans 16:20 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate